What are the real world, notable differences between these two years?

I'm trying to determine the best choice between a 2004 with 115K miles (two owners) for $8,500 and a 2002 with 50K (one owner) for $10,500. The 2K dollars difference is irrelevant here.

Aside from the standard navigation? What else would I not have if I go with the 2002?

 

2002 RL:

Different gauges, not quite as 'new' and colorful
Manual driver's lumbar support vs. power,
No chrome on the door lock pulls.
Older navigation version, doesn't have voice commands
No XM radio or in-dash CD player ('02 has 6 disc trunk changer)
Different wood trim
Shift knob on '04 is wood and shift plate is not plastic.

Most of these are easily swapped or fixed by the aftermarket. The '04 chrome shiftplate and knobs are direct fits/swaps. The stereo and navigation again are easily replaced to something more modern.

The '02/'03 and '04 RL have the exact same suspension tuning and engines, so they all drive the same.

 

Thanks again Ken. This helps me a lot.

 

Can the 04 Nav be replaced by an aftermarket unit? Does the OEM nav have any features bundled into it that needs to taken care of as aftermarket unit will not have them?

 

The navigation and radio work together 'as one' for voice recognition and muting volume among other things. I can't say for certain that you can 'just' replace the navigation without having to take out the radio as well.

You might want a competent stereo shop to give you some advice on the subject or hopefully an '04 owner who has done some homework on the subject will chime in.