First-time buyer choosing between a 2013 CR-V LX (184k mi, $5.8k) and a 2014 CR-V EX (200k mi, $7.5k). Which is the smarter buy?
Hi all, this will be my first car ever, so please bear with me. I have zero background in car maintenance. I'm choosing between two used Honda CR-Vs:
- 2013 CR-V LX, 184k miles, $5,800
- 2014 CR-V EX, 200k miles, $7,500
My budget is tight so I'm leaning toward the cheaper LX, but I'm worried about buying into a pile of mechanical problems at that mileage. A few things I'd love input on:
At 180k-200k miles on this generation of CR-V (2012-2016), what are the most common failure points or "expect to replace this soon" items I should budget for?
Is the ~$1,700 price gap justified by the extra features on the EX, or is that basically just paying for trim, not reliability?
For someone who knows nothing about cars, what should I specifically ask the seller for (records, etc.) or check before buying?
Is a pre-purchase inspection (PPI) worth it here, and roughly what should one cost / what should the mechanic focus on for a car this age?
Any glaring red flags I should watch for, especially since the car may end up used in a state that salts roads in winter?
Really appreciate any guidance! Trying to make sure my first car isn't a money pit before I even learn how to change my own oil.