> I have succumbed to a couple other infomercials though - the best product
I
> ever bought was the Metrinch ratchet/crescent set - best tools I've ever

I concur. I got these after using my dad's, and they are some of the best
tool(s) that I own. They are used as much (or more) than my Craftsman and
SK tool sets. As a side note, those Moving Men moving discs also work very
well. We have an entertainment center that weighs 300-400 pounds, and can't
be budged by one person while it's on carpet. We bought some, put them
under the E.C., and I moved it all around the living room with ease when we
repainted a few weekends ago. I have a wraparound desk in my office that
needs to be moved to paint the office, so I'm going to try them on that too!
Local stores typically have them for $9.99 instead of the $19.99 + S&H on

CRV Content-
I've been pricing CRVs for our future purchase and weighing the new vs. used
aspects. As best I can tell, buying a 2002+ EX 5spd gets us ABS on 4 wheel
discs, a stereo upgrade, sunroof, keyless entry, nicer wheels, & side
airbags for an MSRP of $21,940 (for my area). IIRC, the invoice on one is
around 20,300, so I feel that at the end of the year ~$21K or slightly less
could buy an '02. If I could get the LX with ABS, I'd buy that, because
frankly, all I care about on the EX package is the 4 wheel disc ABS and the
side air bags (which could be added to the LX) , everything else is a luxury
that could be put aside. A used 1999-2001 go for $15-18K, which is much
more affordable, the downside is rear drums (I work on my own cars and don't
like working on drum brakes), 14 less HP, and more miles than a new car.

I'm debating '02 LX vs. '02 EX vs '00/'01 used EX and would be interested
in other viewpoints to this arguments. Such things as resale value of an EX
vs. LX, the additional monetary "hit" you take when buying a new vehicle,
the advantages of the new body/engine etc, and the cost difference vs.
"benefit" between the appointments of each model are all things that I'd be
interesting in hearing.


Erik
www.e-mcsquared.org

Erik et al - I decided on the LX, specifically because I did NOT want the tinted glass.  I feel there's far better visability without it, especially at nite.  And as I grew up learning to pump breaks in a threatened skid, my instinct to do this is still ingrained, so I also specifically wanted to NOT have abs.  The difference between 4 and 6 speakers can easily be remedied if it is bothersome, and I don't think it's a big deal to have to load a CD once per hour, instead of pre-loading the next 6 hours' worth all at once.  Wheels and sunroof could be added later, although I prefer a big basket roofrack, and I don't care about wheels.  As you say, the LX can be had with side airbags, and the keyless entry is available as an accessory.



I suppose I would have been willing to put up with the things I didn't feel I needed, even the things I specifically didn't want - but not that, and having to pay an additional approx $2K, too!  :)



Martha



--

musik54@attbi.com

Is the Metrinch that socket looking device with the the little rods in it, that take on the form of whatever you press it over? I've been wondering if those were any good... What are the moving men moving discs?     P

Finally, someone else that doesn't like the privacy glass. Everyone I talk to seems to think I'm nuts because I want to see the real colors and be able to back up at night. The glass is the main reason I'm leaning toward the LX instead of the EX. I'd like to have the CD changer and the moonroof, but I called around and replacing the privacy glass is a very expensive proposition. I am abivalent about the abs. I don't want alloy wheels as I am told they are much less durable than the steel and tend to have brittle failure mode rather than ductile so they break rather than bend. Sunroof can be added for around $1000 (I'm told the ASC power sunroof is good).
 
I've been test driving and looking at colors at my local dealer. I've only owned manual transmission so far, but found that the auto trans made the little windy hilly roads pretty effortless. I'm still a little concerned though, wondering if I will miss shifting after a short while. I've been offered a price of $20,440 around here (for the auto LX) and $20,220 at a dealer 150 miles away. Does anyone know if that's a good price?   P

WRT the CD changer, has anyone added a changer to the 2002 CD/cassette unit? What level of difficulty did you find? ...and price? There's been a lot of discussion about speakers--is the original set insufficient for listening enjoyment?  And does anyone know if the Honda CD player plays mp3s? ...or know of a changer one can add that does.   P

re: ABS - I have not tried the CRV with ABS, but I tried to intentionally
lock up my non-ABS '02 LX in the snow and found it very predictable and safe
to drive, which I attribute partially to the disc rear brakes. It gives
great feedback and I was able to brake pretty hard on slick snowy surfaces
before it locked up, more so than other vehicles I've driven. Even living
in Maine, I feel I can live without the ABS. It's probably not a bad thing
to have, but I wouldn't pay the extra $$ just for that.

Also, I've had no seat issues at all, but that's with only 2000 mi. -
Larry

No, it's a complete socket set/wrench set with protrusions in the facets
that grip the middle of the sides of the nuts/bolts instead of the
corners(so you don't round the corners of them off), and allow you to use
the same sockets/wrenches for standard and metric sizes. I bought mine a
couple years ago and haven't seen them on tv lately. The moving men discs
are running currently. - Larry


>Is the Metrinch that socket looking device with the the little rods in it,
that take on the form of whatever you press it over? I've been wondering if
those were any good... What are the moving men moving discs? P