Buying this Week - Trim & Trans indecision

2882 Views 18 Replies 10 Participants Last post by bizzybear, Feb 3, 2011

brent_w

Discussion Starter · Feb 1, 2011

Hello,
I've been lurking for a little while but I'm finally planning on getting the CRZ this week.
I've been a good internet car shopper and have some good offers all around the state ... the problem is ... making that final choice.

My first problem is that the dealers around me are not stocking many manuals, especially not in the colors I like. (Black & Silver)

So now I'm in a situation where I have an extremely good offer on an EX CVT at two dealers in town ... but I would rather have a manual.

I've also got extremely good offers on the base manual at dealers 90+ minutes away ... but I was originally planning on the EX.
(One of them has even got the OEM spoiler kits and tinted windows. I'm not usually into spending money modding my car up ... but if it's already there and at that price? :thumbsup

Anyways, at this point it seems finding a car that is black or silver, ex, and manual is not going to end with a great price so I'll have to make a decision.

I was wondering if you folks had any comments on the difference between the Base and EX trim levels? Maybe something that could push me one way or the other?

Also, when it comes to maintenance ... how bad is not buying from a local dealer going to bite me in the end?

1 - 19 of 19 Posts

Daver

· #2 · Feb 1, 2011

brent_w said:
Hello,
I've been lurking for a little while but I'm finally planning on getting the CRZ this week.
I've been a good internet car shopper and have some good offers all around the state ... the problem is ... making that final choice.

My first problem is that the dealers around me are not stocking many manuals, especially not in the colors I like. (Black & Silver)

So now I'm in a situation where I have an extremely good offer on an EX CVT at two dealers in town ... but I would rather have a manual.

I've also got extremely good offers on the base manual at dealers 90+ minutes away ... but I was originally planning on the EX.
(One of them has even got the OEM spoiler kits and tinted windows. I'm not usually into spending money modding my car up ... but if it's already there and at that price? :thumbsup

Anyways, at this point it seems finding a car that is black or silver, ex, and manual is not going to end with a great price so I'll have to make a decision.

I was wondering if you folks had any comments on the difference between the Base and EX trim levels? Maybe something that could push me one way or the other?

Also, when it comes to maintenance ... how bad is not buying from a local dealer going to bite me in the end?

If you want the manual over the CVT, I would first make sure I found that. For me, that would be the most important aspect of owning the car. I would also do whatever you had to to get the exact color/trim that you want.

Personally, I wanted a black manual base model. If I had had the extra couple $1000 to get the EX, in hindsight, I might have preferred that (mostly for the pre-installed sub that is probably placed better and more efficiently out of the way than any after market sub I could add and for little touches like the blue LEDs in the footwells).

I bought mine at a dealership 3.5 hours away because they had the exact trim/color I wanted and because I got an online deal for $1000 less than my local dealership that did not have the car I wanted, anyway. It also happened to be in the town my girlfriend's parents live in and I was there for Christmas, anyway. It will be somewhat of a pain if I want to take advantage of their free dent repair policy, but we visit her folks enough that that shouldn't be a huge inconvenience. For everything else, I'll just take it to my local dealership or shop. A Honda dealership anywhere should be able to handle a Honda under warranty.

In the end, though, have you asked the local dealerships that offered you a good price if they could get the car you wanted as a dealer trade or something? Maybe they would honor the price...I'm not really sure how that works.

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smed55

· #3 · Feb 1, 2011

Are you in a position where you "have" to buy this week. If not, I would wait until they get something in that you actually want. If you have to drive 90+ miles away for what you want, I would do it. Yes it may be inconvienient, but from my experience of owning hondas you shouldn't have to take it in at all. Even if you do it's a fun car to take a little trip with.

I did look at the base model, but the little extras with the EX (I actually got the EX/Navi)are nice and I think the sound system is better if you're into that. I also think the fog lights add a lot to the looks.

If you aren't dead set on your original choice, all CRZ's are nice, if you would be happy with your second choice tell them this is what you want, but that you will walk out the door that day for this price and they just might take you up on it.

sgtmorph

· #4 · Feb 1, 2011

Trust me......don't buy the base if you can afford the EX!!!
I work at a Honda dealer and got to sit and mess with both base and EX.
The extra money for the EX is WAY worth the extras that come in it.
In my opinion anyway....

good luck....

CRZin702

· #5 · Feb 1, 2011

I went a few states over to get exactly what I wanted and enjoyed a nice leisurely drive home breaking her in. When you're spending this much money, I think it's important to get exactly what you want. Why settle. As for buying from a non-local dealer, I don't see any major problems since I can take her into any Honda dealer for service...

GoHuskies

· #6 · Feb 2, 2011

If your financing most of the car the cost for the EX model is well worth the little bit extra per month.

bizzybear

· #7 · Feb 2, 2011

lets see, EX adds... (i might miss a few)

HIDs
fog lights
leather wrapped steering wheel
leather wrapped aluminum shift knob
(we can stop here, b/c those things alone justify the price for me)
aluminum pedals (i think these only come on the EX)
360watt sound system w/subwoofer (completely blows the base system out of the water)
bluetooth connectivity
auto on/off headlights (i think only on EX)
optional navi
blue interior foot/cup holder lighting

i'm sure i'm missing some... but u get the idea... the EX is $1500 more than the base model and IMHO, WELL worth every penny... the leather steering wheel alone is leaps and bounds greater than that base wheel... and to me that extra bit of comfort is very important if you drive a lot...

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Daver

· #8 · Feb 2, 2011

GoHuskies said:
If you're financing most of the car the cost for the EX model is well worth the little bit extra per month.

I'm a poor grad student. When I went into the dealership I was only approved for about $19k. They gave me a better deal than I had financed before I came in, and I'm still paying about $40 more per month than I could really afford. I'm also spending about $40 less in gas per month with this car, so that's a wash.

So yeah, while I agree that the EX is probably worth it if you can afford it, I'm just saying even for $1500 financed, that can make a difference for some people.

I'm just thrilled to have a new, fun to drive, sporty hybrid that I can actually afford the payments for on my stipend. I don't care what the steering wheel is wrapped in or if I have fog lights in NC for that.

bizzybear

· #9 · Feb 2, 2011

or you can save up for a month or two... or however long it takes u to, and drop $1500 extra down...

Daver

· #10 · Feb 2, 2011

bizzybear said:
or you can save up for a month or two... or however long it takes u to, and drop $1500 extra down...

I get you like the EX. I'm just saying if you think a month or two=$1500 you really don't get the whole poor grad student thing. :blush:

All I mean is that the EX features are nice, but for me they simply were not worth the extra $1500 or what that would mean per month for me. The base stereo is just fine for listening to music, I've never needed fog lights for anything, the headlights shine just fine for me without HID, and the steering wheel and shifter feel fine without leather. In fact, from what I've read here, the shifter is nicer on the base model for the winter months.

Sure, I agree in theory that $1500 isn't much tacked on to an $18,000 car, but an $18,000 car is also cheaper than a nearly $20,000 car. Sometimes that matters.

fftopic: For the OP, if you really want the EX and can afford it, go out and find it. That said, I have no lasting regrets with my base model.

smed55

· #11 · Feb 2, 2011

Doesn't matter if you have a base model, EX ,or EX w/Navi, bottom line is you have one hell of a nice car, Period!!

kmanatt

· #12 · Feb 2, 2011

The EX also has a USB interface into the Audio system for MP3 etc. I have also used this to charge a GPS. If you plan on keeping the car for 5 or more years get the model you want, you won't regret it. K - Blue EX MT6 no navi

doctorq

· #13 · Feb 2, 2011

just say no, to trolls

brent_w

Discussion Starter · #14 · Feb 3, 2011

Thanks for these replies.

I'm glad to know the USB is in both versions.
I'm also interested that the Auto Headlights are not.

Both of these are details I wasn't aware of.

Does anyone have any complaints about the stereo in the Base?

lucky7

· #15 · Feb 3, 2011

Get the 6MT you want and get the EX package, it's well worth it. If your local dealers don't have what you're looking for ask about a dealer trade, or just take a short trip to another locale that has what you want. You'll be happier in the end....:thumbsup: good luck.

doctorq

· #16 · Feb 3, 2011

just say no, to trolls

Daver

· #17 · Feb 3, 2011

brent_w said:
Does anyone have any complaints about the stereo in the Base?

Personally, I don't think it sounds awful, at all. I might have enjoyed having a sub, but I don't particularly miss it. Test drive it and bring a CD or your mp3 player, see what you think.

doctorq

· #18 · Feb 3, 2011

just say no, to trolls

bizzybear

· #19 · Feb 3, 2011

the base and EX sounds are night and day... doctorq probably helped his sound by adding an aftermarket headunit but the factory system is not that great... the EX on the other hand, literally has sound quality that rivals some +$45k luxury vehicles... it's the same system that is in the Civic EX/Si but i guess b/c of the shape of the interior, the acoustics sound much better...

i have an '09 LX Civic and i added in a 12" sub/amp and even with that added, the sound still isn't nearly as good as the CR-Z's EX sound... what i'm saying is, just adding bass is NOT going to make it sound great...

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