Meg's CR-V

We did a lot of research before we purchased Meg's CR-V a month ago.  We first found out that the 2013 and 2014 CR-V were identical as Honda drive's had really liked the 2013 model so the company didn't change anything the following year.  We also figured out that we would prefer a front wheel drive to an all wheel drive.  Meg wouldn't be driving through a lot of snow, so she wouldn't need the all wheel drive.  We also realized that repairs on that type of drivetrain would be more than on a front wheel drive.  Doug requested that the car be free of accidents with only one or two drivers.  He preferred to buy one from a car dealer as well. Our hope was that the CR-V that we purchased would last Meg the next four years allowing her to graduate college and get a job before she would need to buy a car on her own.  

It took some time but we finally found two different CR-Vs that we liked for Meg.  Doug called both to check on price, availability and a warranty.  The first one he was interested in was from a Honda dealer near Carmel.  Doug really liked it, but they would not give us any type of warranty.  If we wanted one, it would cost $1500 otherwise we would be buying the car as is.  Doug was extremely uncomfortable with that.  Thus, he decided that he would go with his second choice.  They were willing to cut a deal with us on price and throw in a four month, 4000 mile warranty as well.  The only draw back was that it was from an auto dealer that Doug had never heard of in South Bend.  I did a lot of research on Omari Auto Sales and checked all of their reviews.  They had been in business for thirty years and had a ton of positives posted on Google.  In the end we decided to give them a try and we couldn't be more pleased with our choice.  

Doug drove Meg's car for three weeks to make sure that it ran well and would be ready for her on October 16th when we brought it down.  There was absolutely no problems with it until he got to Indy last Friday night.  While driving the car surged briefly and three of the dashboard lights popped on immediately.  It still ran fine, but we weren't comfortable giving it to Meg without it being looked at.  Doug and I ran it to Firestone in Bloomington last Saturday morning as we had had good luck with them in the past.  Unfortunately, it was beyond their scope of expertise, so we had to take it to the Honda dealer where Brett bought his car on Monday.  

The news from them was the worst case scenario - the timing chain had to be replaced costing over $2000.  We instantly thought of our warranty which my Mom was able to get us pictures of via iPhone.  Doug spent quite a bit of time on the phone with Goldstar and Andy Mohr Honda this week and it paid off.  The warranty did not cover everything but in the end we would only have to pay twenty-five percent of the original estimate.  Once everyone agreed on the price the work started immediately and tomorrow by this time Meg should be able to drive to work.  She was thrilled to hear that as it would make her trips to Bell Trace shorter, allow her to go to 9 p.m. mass on Sunday nights and get her to the grocery store.  What a relief!