ImTheDevil

I wanted to say hi as I never really did when I joined up. Over the last month I revamped the driveway - I sold my Odyssey EXL, Audi A4, and BMW 540i MSport and picked up a nice 2005 RL sedan (white over tan) and a jewel of a 2008 MDX Tech (black over gray).

Reasoning on it was that that we didn't need the van anymore as the kids are older and we don't have to haul a stroller or anything of the type. The Ody was just over 200k miles and was going to start needing more and more maintenance, with a diminishing return on investment, so it went away. I sold the A4 because with a 13 year old, a 12 year old, and a 6 year old who needs a booster seat, the car was just too small. Lots of fun with Quattro and a manual trans, but not really viable. The BMW was the most recent purchase, just over 3 years ago. It's a blast to drive and with a few mods it sat at roughly 335hp and 380tq, but any older BMW is simply a nice looking pit to throw money into, and I don't have the time or inclination to constantly wrench on a car just to be able to drive it when the weather is nice (it's a hairy-assed ape in our northeast winters and almost undriveable).

With that, we cleared the driveway. Wife has liked the MDX for some time despite never having a chance to drive one. We set out to find her one and after liking online and in person at probably 600 of them within a 400 mile radius, our 08 Tech popped up an hour away. 65,127 on the clock, immaculately kept by one owner since new, every record back to the window sticker, 3 trans/diff drain-fill services, and even a receipt for having Crest Acura in Syracuse change out the batteries in the fob (reason given was "I leave cars to car guys"). It drives perfectly and has zero issues. We put the deposit on it that day and collected it 3 days later.

Then it was time to replace my Germans. I wanted to get back into AWD to eliminate the need for two cars and I wanted to get into Acura to eliminate the constant repairs on the BMW (the Audi was amazingly reliable). I was looking at a 2006 TL but after driving a few, I was completely underwhelmed by them and also knew the car was too small so I looked at the RLs instead. I drove a couple misrepresented beaters and then found this 05 at a small dealer in Dover, NJ called Maxim Motorcars. 127k on it, with records showing servicing was done at 107k but not specifically stating that it was the timing service. Nick, the owner (very nice guy to deal with) and I talked through text and phone for a few days and then I took the 2.5 hour drive to go see it. It was in great shape and drove terrifically. We worked out a plan for maintenance to be done that I wanted (again, I just don't have the time anymore, despite being a 100% DIY guy my whole driving life), and that following weekend we went to NYC for an overnight and brought it home o our return trip.

I drove away for $6300 for the car plus $600 extra for a variety of work that saved me a ton of hassle and time and at a substantial cost break. For $6900 out the door I got the car, they did the timing job, trans/diff fluid exchange, cabin and air filters, oil change, pads all around, New battery warrantied by Acura, and he replaced the driver and center armrests as they were worn through, plus a full detail.

We are quite happy with the new rides, and I anticipate in the next two years spending less money and time on the two of them than I would have on the 540 in the next 6 months. Happy to be here and contribute to the page - I have 20 years of wrenching and troubleshooting that I anticipate will help out in the future. Sorry for diarrhea of the keyboard but I do like to get to know people!

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

Welcome aboard!
with your love of cars, I'm sure you'll fit in just fine 'round here

and pics of past rides? even cars that you've wrenched on over the years?

ImTheDevil

Sure, gimme a few minutes to host the pics of the Acuras and I'll throw up those as well as some of the past toys.

ImTheDevil

Here's the MDX - I'm not sure if anyone sat in the second row before our family, and I'm almost certain no one was in the third row. The leather is butter soft and flawless.







My 05 RL





[img]https://i1188.photobucket.com/albums/z420/AF_Devil/DC35DC10-E04C-4857-B2B3-6D70D33FEF1A.jpg[/]

I would have much preferred a black interior but with the condition, history, and price of this car, it would've been stupid to pass on it. I have plans for the interior anyway that'll help it.

The recently-sold A4:







The MSport 540i with MTech II package:







i did an M60 manifold swap on the BMW, along with the air intake, DME reflash, and transmission software reflash, plus MKIV Golf 4" MAF housing, and the detail work in the engine bay. Wrapped the wood trim with brushed titanium vinyl. Inside the A4, I wrapped the wood trim with black suede and used a dye to two-tone the seats, wheel, and door inserts. I'm thinking of using dye to go to a Black and Tan interior in the RL as well - I just don't like the all tan and brown and the wood. Stay tuned for progress on that front.

ImTheDevil

Here's the MDX - I'm not sure if anyone sat in the second row before our family, and I'm almost certain no one was in the third row. The leather is butter soft and flawless.







My 05 RL

ImTheDevil

Apologies for the double post - I'm used to admin rights and the ability to delete at will from AudiForums lol. Here's a more cohesive post for the other cars.

These are some past toys. The 540i is a 2003 and a true MSport with the MTech II package. It has an M60 intake manifold upgrade, air intake, MKIV Golf 4" MAF housing, DME reflash, and transmission reflash. Average output for this setup is ~335hp and ~380tq. Only other things I did were HID fogs, the full LED treatment, black grilles, wood trim wrapped in brushed titanium vinyl, and the addition of a small amp and 10" sub to the factory DSP sound system.


[img]http://i1188.photobucket.com/albums/...D8A2DF09EE.jpg[/img]

[img]http://i1188.photobucket.com/albums/...FC6CAE28EA.jpg[/img]

[img]http://i1188.photobucket.com/albums/...426212ED_1.jpg[/img]

The A4 has a lot of work done - coilovers, upgrade to drilled-slotted A8 brakes, S4 swaybars, upgrade to projector headlights and facelift lower fogs, all with HIDs. It has a full facelift center console and dash upgrade, intake, reflash, catback with Vibrant perf-core resonator and Magnaflow 14816 muffler, fully redone sound system, and I used a dye on the interior to two-tone the seats, door cards, and steering wheel. I also wrapped the shift boot, wood trim, rear deck, and pillars in black suede. Wheels are 18" mesh or 19" TSW Volcano, depending which pics you see. I have been avid and active in Audi since 2006, and I'm the co-head of www.audiforums.com under this same screen name. A buddy and I have been wrenching on these cars for 10 years as a side business and know them very well.

[img]http://i1188.photobucket.com/albums/...l/c895821e.jpg[/img]

[img]http://i1188.photobucket.com/albums/...l/ba0fcaa5.jpg[/img]

[img]http://i1188.photobucket.com/albums/...3C132C58D9.jpg[/img]

[img]http://i1188.photobucket.com/albums/...l/377cc3ca.jpg[/img]

And a past road-going ballistic missile I had for 9 years, my 1990 300ZX 2+2, one of the first 10 US cars converted to twin turbo (the 2+2 was NA only, other than England, Australia, and Japan). Before it was sold, it had upgraded Stillen intercoolers, RC 555cc injectors, twin intakes, divorced-gate downpipes, 3" testpipes, B&B catback X pipe exhaust, Apex'i twin chamber BOVs, UR underdrive pulley, ECU upgrade, lightweight flywheel, one piece driveshaft, JWT clutch, GReddy PRofec B boost controller, Apex'i S-AFC, every suspension bit you could imagine, Volk AV3 wheels, HIDs, illuminated JSpec rear center panel, and way too much other shit to remember. At 17psi it laid 466whp and ran a high 11 in the quarter at Maple Grove, trapping at 122mph. Not bad for full weight and interior and daily driven. I still miss this thing. Apologies for the awful pics - this was in the days of the RAZR phone lol.

[img]http://i1188.photobucket.com/albums/...l/d8826b0b.jpg[/img]

[img]http://i1188.photobucket.com/albums/...l/54152295.jpg[/img]

[img]http://i1188.photobucket.com/albums/...l/745cc2e9.jpg[/img]

[img]http://i1188.photobucket.com/albums/...l/de40934c.jpg[/img]

ImTheDevil

Sorry for the screwed up double post. I'm getting used to the quirks of the mobile version of this site. And a past road-going ballistic missile I had for 9 years, my 1990 300ZX 2+2, one of the first 10 US cars converted to twin turbo (the 2+2 was NA only, other than England, Australia, and Japan). Before it was sold, it had upgraded Stillen intercoolers, RC 555cc injectors, twin intakes, divorced-gate downpipes, 3" testpipes, B&B catback X pipe exhaust, Apex'i twin chamber BOVs, UR underdrive pulley, ECU upgrade, lightweight flywheel, one piece driveshaft, JWT clutch, GReddy PRofec B boost controller, Apex'i S-AFC, every suspension bit you could imagine, Volk AV3 wheels, HIDs, illuminated JSpec rear center panel, and way too much other shit to remember. At 17psi it laid 466whp and ran a high 11 in the quarter at Maple Grove, trapping at 122mph. Not bad for full weight and interior and daily driven. I still miss this thing. Apologies for the awful pics - this was in the days of the RAZR phone lol.

[img]http://i1188.photobucket.com/albums/...l/d8826b0b.jpg[/img]

[img]http://i1188.photobucket.com/albums/...l/54152295.jpg[/img]

[img]http://i1188.photobucket.com/albums/...l/745cc2e9.jpg[/img]

[img]http://i1188.photobucket.com/albums/...l/de40934c.jpg[/img]

AlanW

Congrats on getting some good deals & welcome back to the Acura family. Your 08 MDX Tech looks exactly like ours, black, no roof rack, although I did add some running boards. I think you & your wife will love how the MDX rides & drives. The performance & handling is amazing for something that is basically a light truck.

The RLs during that era are very attractive cars, but I hardy ever see them around here. I see probably 500 TLs & MDXs for every one RL I see.

mrgold35

Welcome to the forum!

I've always thought that was the best looking styling of the RL compared to the later years. Both vehicles are really low mileage and will give you years of pretty much trouble-free driving for a while. I have over 365,000 miles between all three of my Acura and I'm expecting to break 500,000 miles between them before thinking about upgrading (waiting to see how the sh-sh-awd MDX performs in the real world).

Not as nice as the RL or MDX; but, the 07-12 RDX with sh-awd is another good choice if you still like to mod and still need room to transport the family.

Skirmich

Welcome to the Darkside!
I have almost exactly the same MDX.. But yours looks a little naked without the Roof Rack, Fender wheel Moldings and Sport Sidesteps..
Otherwise the black MDX looks badass, IMO is the "Gangsta" color! just tint the front windows and you are set.

That RL is my favorite gen, It still looks pretty luxurious and the Interior Design is one of the Best out there..

ImTheDevil

Thanks guys. Buying two cars simultaneously to be reliable daily drivers was no picnic but the diligence was worth it. Both cars have proven very capable in the upstate NY winter weather we had last week (34" of snow at my house), and both eat up the miles effortlessly.

I do like the look of the running boards on the MDX and I may add them, but at the same time I kind of like the car as it sits too - everything smooth and sleek. Still, we do travel some distances and the rails may have to go on the roof - so that the three kids aren't crammed, when we've gone 3-4 hours at a time in the MDX we have put one in the third row and it definitely hurts the cargo capacity. We will miss the Odyssey in that respect.

The styling of the RL is definitely growing on me. I thought it was a very clean and tasteful design anyway but very much nondescript at the same time. I'm starting to like that though, and I absolutely love the fact that no state trooper even gives the car a second look on the highway, something I can't say for the BMW and definitely not for the 300ZX. The wife is in love with the MDX (it's hers) and I'm sure you've heard "happy wife, happy life" before. In that respect, life is definitely good.

ImTheDevil

Just for kicks, here is the BMW in the foreground, with the RL behind it and the MDX next to the RL, last Tuesday night. I'm 6ft 4in and the 540's roof pile was six inches over my head. Needless to say, with nearly 400ft lbs of torque, rear drive, and 265-section summer rubber, I didn't even bother digging it out. The Acuras on the other hand were every bit as good as my Audi in the thick of it.

Skirmich

SH-AWD will surely come in handy in that kind of weather! but don´t forget that the AWD System is as good as the tires its running..
Some folks have this crazy idea that if you have a good AWD System you can ran Summer Tires year wide but nope... SH-AWD will work best with Winter Tires.

ImTheDevil

I do agree with you. What was a nice surprise is that the MDX came on Michelin rubber and the RL with Continentals, both good tread all-season setups, and despite the lack of a snow or M+S rating, they still did very well. The beauty of a good AWD system is that even on less than optimal tires, the cars were fine. It highlights the fact that on real winter tires, they'd be even better. Snow setups are planned for both cars but that'll be for next year as winter gives its last middle finger tomorrow with highs in the 20s before going into the 50s.

Skirmich

I cant say about Snow (Here in SoCali we don´t even know what Snow is) but the stock Michelin Tour HP were pretty awesome, I like to push the MDX hard on Corners and they worked surprisingly well..
BUT my new Scorpion Verdes are even better and Thread Life seems promising.

RDX10

I hate you.



Congratualtions OP. 2 of my favorite Acura products of all time and more than that some of my favorite cars period (despite my luck with the MDX). That RL looks MINT. I also love both interior colors, something so crisp about Acura gray!

Skirmich

You wouldn´t hate me once you enjoy our 115-125°F (45-50+°C) Summers

RDX10

NVM I love you.

I don't like cold. However I cannot handle heat. It rarely reaches above 30 celsius (I think that is 85 farenheit) here although we do sometimes get 40 celsius (VERY rare) and on those days you can bet I do not leave the basement. Hell even above 25 degree I don't leave the house during the day. It's ugly living in a place that is either cold or hot. Can't wait to move to vancouver.

Skirmich

40°C is a good summer day here hahahaha
I am used to high heat and relative cold for us 5-10°C in the Winter, Is pretty aggressive the temperature range here.. Only in Spring we have excellent weather of 20-25°C Max and Cool 15-20°C Lows

RDX10

See that I like! I like 15-25 max. Above 25 I hate. But I have a new weapon against the heat this summer, I bought a 2012 Sorento SX and it has cooled seats! Cannot wait! My absolutely favorite though is when it is overcast and warm or just after a rain and it's warm/humid out. Don't get me started on thunderstorms. Absolutely complete my life. I love them and literally would not be upset if we had one giant thunderstorm the whole summer long.

I'm sorry OP, don't mean to thread jack.

ImTheDevil

Lol no worries man - I'm perfectly fine with this thread going wherever it goes. Tobaddress your earlier comment, the RL really is in very nice shape. It's evident it was cared for well throughout its life. The MDX was even more so. We scored well. I feel like I got a great deal on the RL with what I paid. The MDX was significantly more ($16,700 plus taxes, fees, etc) but I don't feel wronged by that price either, as I found many of these cars selling at that same price with a lot more miles, as base models, or both, and many similar cars were sitting well into the $18k range. I'm not sure if that's typical everywhere but that's what I was finding within a 300-400 mile radius of my city. I was particular in my search too - car needed to be black or silver, with the dark trim, and either gray or parchment interior, and needed to be a Tech or Tech/RES car. I didn't want the higher model with the MR shocks due to the ass-clenching replacement cost and near-guarantee of failure. This MDX ticked all the boxes. Zero rust, and not even a scrape on the exhaust or oil pan. I think with the 65k miles and the condition and documented history, that I paid a fair price.

As to the weather, we get both extremes here. We can see 100 degrees in summer, and we've seen -40 with wind chill in winter. Several years back when the Mars rover landed, it was -31 according to my back yard thermometer. I saw on the news that the rover was reporting 12 degrees at its landing site, so it was 43 degrees colder in my yard than on friggin Mars! And for me, I'd rather be too hot than too cold. Cold is just miserable for me. I can't wait for the warmer weather here!

AlanW

Damn, I'm jealous-I wanted several good snow/ice storms this winter so I could go out & tear up the streets in the SH-AWD MDX.
But, we only got one lousy event of not even 1/4" dry snow that even my 2WD Sierra could go in.
Color me disappointed, even though I don't really like the cold that much.

ImTheDevil

I hear you - personally, now that I know the cars can handle bad weather easily, I'm satisfied and that weather can GTFO forever. I've gone through enough dark, cold, crappy winters to last me the rest of my life.

nats007

Awesome procurements Sir! Super jealous of your RL lol... Love that gen and they are very rare to see on the road nowadays which makes it even classier in my eyes.

ImTheDevil

Thanks man and yeah now that I have it, I'm watching more and in the 3-1/2 weeks I've had it, I have yet to see another one in my city of 70,000 people or so. Even the MDX isn't all that common but I've seen a decent number of them. No other RLs though so far. Strange too because it seems like a great car. You'd think more people would've caught on. I see a ton of TLs...

nats007

Because the 3G TL was and still is so popular for their value, I think the RL was not a practical choice unless you were specifically looking for a luxury vehicle... Same goes for the TLX vs RLX nowadays.

mrgold35

The RL and RLX (and even the ZDX) are vehicles Acura just couldn't find a foothold against other luxury brands around the same (+$50,000) price range new. You can hardly find comparison test with the RL(X) against Infiniti, Lexux, MB, BMW, or Audi even today or going back +10 years. I think the industry and consumers view Acura as a trim level up from Honda instead of being its own luxury brand. It is a shame because good luck finding any other used luxury brand at the same price point when new like your RL that still as reliable, has a higher resell value, drives like new, and handles as well.