In a attempt to revive this thread.....I just bought a used 2003 EX with 105k on it.....How should I go about checking these things without having a honda dealer try to get me to pay $500?

What's the grocery list of things to check/replace with this many miles?

In a attempt to revive this thread.....I just bought a used 2003 EX with 105k on it.....How should I go about checking these things without having a honda dealer try to get me to pay $500?

What's the grocery list of things to check/replace with this many miles?

Hmmm...Next time ANALYZE BEFORE YOU BUY. In fact, REQUIRE THE SELLER to provide this info info: service records, CarFax, etc. Beware of fine print in Carfax. They got a multi-state suit on em for misleading customers as to their thoroughness in searching DMV records.

Before I bought the truck I did as much as I could, carfax checked, I looked and check as much as I could, then I even took it to a honda dealer and paid $80 to have them check it from head to toe.

Now I'm pretty positive that the person didn't do the 90k service so I'm asking when is vital at this many miles to do.

This is the list that I have so far......
1. Tranny Fuel Change
2. Rear Differential fluid change
3. Brake Fluid Replaced and brake system flushed
4. Air Filter
5. Oil Filter
6. Cabin Air Filter
7. Greases Suspension
8. Repacking Wheel Bearings
9. Plugs??
10. o2 sensors, clean w/brush

Missing anything???

8. Repacking Wheel Bearings
Doesn't apply to the E. Wheel bearings are permanently sealed/permanently lubed.

Also, there is not a conventional suspension lube procedure, as all suspension points are intended to have permanent lubrication and there are no zerks. There is periodic lube of certain minor mechanism points that could stand some white (lithium) grease - door hinges, for instance - so I'd get the list from the "Lubricants and Fluids" page from the service manual and go to town.

On a vehicle of this mileage I would as a matter of course replace coolant hoses (radiator and heater), and obviously the coolant, too. I would also inspect the brakes.

You're about due for spark plugs anyway ("normal" replacement is 110K), so go ahead and do those while you're thinking about it.

Inspect the serpentine belt with the thought that you are going to replace it anyway.

PROGRAM NOTE - I'm moving and renaming this thread. Discussion is too valuable to get lost in the perennial "timing chain" squabble.

Til you drop,

Out of curiosity, may I ask how much you got the high mileage E for? Mine has 106 on it now. I'm curious what TMV for mine is. Is it in very nice shape still?

I consider mine high mileage, with close to 80k. So far, other than chasing the strange whine, mine has been a pretty good girl.
Besides, these days, the less complicated the mechanism, the less complicated the problem!
And from what Ive heard from everyone who has either owned a CR-V, which I have, and an Element, Or Civic Si, problems are rare if any. The only thing that troubles me is the country of origin, on the transmissions. Makes me think, im driving a Hyundai...Maybe thats the reason for the H on their new grills.:cry:

Do we see a similarity? Maybe someone likes the [I]Italics[I]function.
But as I said before, The less complicated, the better for me.
My sister managed to keep her Hyundai running with a plastic zip tie, and extended jumper cables.

ShaneS!!! Long time bud! Haven't talked to you since the National Meet :D

The one I bought was a 2003 EX Metallic Silver w/105k on it. It was a repo vehicle. It had quite a few things cosmetically wrong with it. Outside was in a very small accident that dented the passenger door and there rear driver door. Interior is in ok shape, drivers seat has small wear and ALL the seats were stained, no rear headrests, rear wiper arm, or antenna, battery has about 20% life in it.....got if for $9200.

Now if it was in good shape no dents, stains, or missing items, would have probably paid $800-$1500 more for it I suppose. Of course that's in Indiana....Jersey might resell for more.

Going to see if my bro-in-law will help me change some of the major fluids and get'er ready for the winter :D

When R U hitting the slopes for some snowboarding?? I can't wait to get out there again :D :D

wow, $9200!? E's really do hold their value huh? :???:

guess I should have no problem if I ever sell mine. I've got a log book that has every service, oil change, tire rotation, snow/summer tire changes, and every fill up since new. :)

Not sure if you're saying that's low or high....I consider that to be extremely low. Every E I looked at was considerably more (11k +), but most were in better shape too. Remember this E is only 3-4 yrs old and was originally purchased for $20,000.

Not sure if you're saying that's low or high....

$9000 is a lot of money for a car w/ that kinda miles and some cosmetic defects-you could probabably snag a leftover '06 for $18k......but....i've never seen an E for sale for less than $12k.(except a totaled/salvage wreck for $6500)

They do hold their value well....if you put a bit of work into it you could probablly get $7-8k for it after you run it for another 50,000miles. Seems good to me! :)

seems to me you've got all the bases covered....the major things that need to be done on your new ride are lubrication, cooling system, brakes (fluids for sure...pads/rotors by apearance)

Good luck w/ it.

Will

Yeah I only wanted to spend about $5000 for a winter vehicle, but was worried I would get something that would fall apart too quickly (trans, engine?)

I knew if I bought another E, i'd be good as long as I checked it out real good first. Will probably run forever if I take good care if it :D