I'd say find a new dealership. I don't know if that guy was uneducated or just trying to pull one over on you, but he is wrong about the engine. He is also off on the price.

 

So it is true the salesman was in idiot. Glad to hear it. However, the question still remains is it worth getting the 03' just for glass window and tweeters for almost 10,000 more? The only thing i am worried about if i buy a car with 20,000+ miles on it is what the guy before me did to it. For example when i was test driving it yesterday the dealer wanted to show me the power of the VTEC and was cranking up the gears to the point where my head was being yanked forward, He even got in a race with an RX7 (I am not joking) and pulled ahead by 2 cars going at about 80 on a major road with many stop lights, in the rain. That was definetley worth test driving the car

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by cyman33
[B]However, the question still remains is it worth getting the 03' just for glass window and tweeters for almost 10,000 more?

 

The 02/03 rear window ain't all it's cracked up to be. Sure it's easier to maintain than the plastic but it's markedly smaller than 00/01 rears and that makes for some major blindspots. The upgraded stereo is marginally better than the previous years but still nothing earth-shattering. As far as knowing what a previous owner did, you can run a Carfax query and you may need to spend some money to have it looked over by a qualified mechanic just for piece of mind. As long as you'll be no more than the second owner, it still may have a transferrable warranty or else you might look into having it recertified by Honda and buy a warranty (@$1,000 but don't quote me). I am second owner of mine with 8k miles. It runs wonderfully and feels like it's just getting broken in. I wouldn't let 20k miles spook you. These cars are very well-made.

 

I always go in knowing more than the salesperson. But lately I know what I want and buy the car over the phone. The information age is great.

 

I disagree. I waited until 02 for the glass window and I am glad I did.

The glass window is definitely shorter but not really any less wide. Plus the optical quality means you see better through it, especially over the life of the car.

 

Maybe it's just me then but the first mod I got was Muz' lefthand convex mirror because the blind spots with the top up scared the bejesus out of me. Fortunately, dropping the top cures that shortcoming. Truth be told, I'm also glad I went for glass but there's still a big price difference between the two versions and I'm not convinced the glass window alone justifies the disparity.

 

I can't see anything through my plastic rear window, try as I might. It's just too hard. First I have to remove the rear cover. Then I have to fold the air blocker thingie and scrunch down inside the cover storage bin. Then I have to look through it and all I ever see is a folded soft top.

How do you guys do it?

 

The top goes up on these cars??

 

Yes. It is there to keep the dust out during prolonged storage.