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Did i miss a post?? as i doubt you'll find a CRV or Vibe for $2K
Yes you missed a post All the previous posts about it being hard to find a nice working $2k car scared me and I said I was gonna wait a bit and get a car in the $5k-7k range. Hope yo get a nice used CRV or vibe in that range
On the second one, it's at 99k miles, so the timing belt may not yet have been changed. I would factor that with respect to the asking price, on any vehicle that had not had it changed and was right around 100k miles because that would be a maintenance item that needs to be addressed as a broken timing belt will break a Honda engine.
The Element is very different from the CR-V, where the CR-V has excellent road manners. The Element is basically a cube on wheels that can haul anything, and/or seat up to four people. The interior is pretty spartan, and the ride is pretty harsh when compared to the more refined ride of a CR-V.
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All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players: they have their exits and their entrances; and one man in his time plays many parts, his acts being seven ages.
~William Shakespeare (As You Like It Act II, Scene VII)
Hondas should have the timing belt changed around 100k miles. I believe the manual says 105k miles is the interval, though I believe in severe usage it would be 7 years, regardless of odometer reading. The CRVs listed may have had the service completed, which should also include a water pump, but if not, I would count on $700-$1k for the job in the DC area, depending upon the mechanic used.
__________________
All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players: they have their exits and their entrances; and one man in his time plays many parts, his acts being seven ages.
~William Shakespeare (As You Like It Act II, Scene VII)
The problem with timing belts is if one lets go you find out real quick if you have an interference or non interference engine, in a non interference engine if the belt breaks you coast to the side of the road with no power and then get towed to a garage where a new belt gets installed and off you go for around $300-$500.
On an interference engine if the belt breaks all the valves impact the pistons and colossal damage occurs,you still lose power and coast off the road but now the mechanic has to replace a major part of the engine if not the whole engine and off you go for around $4000-$6000.
If a seller of a car where the mileage is near or above 100K i'd ask for a receipt of timing belt being changed if he cant produce it i'd deduct $500 from the asking price and make an appointment to get the belt changed as soon as possible if you buy the car..
Many cars these days are going back to timing chains that usually last the life of the car.., you may want to research this info before buying a particular car.
PS. Most Hondas have an interference engine with belt.
The Vibe you're considering uses a timing chain, so you do not have the same maintenance as you would with a timing belt Honda engine.
__________________
All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players: they have their exits and their entrances; and one man in his time plays many parts, his acts being seven ages.
~William Shakespeare (As You Like It Act II, Scene VII)
I will be sure to check that out. Thanks for the warning guys! Which one would you recommend though between the vibe & crv? Does the vibe have any known issues?
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All the previous posts about it being hard to find a nice working $2k car scared me and I said I was gonna wait a bit and get a car in the $5k-7k range. Hope yo get a nice used CRV or vibe in that range 
I will make sure to ask if it was done before getting any car.
