Hi all. Glad to have found this group. I am not new to Acura, I have owned a couple in the past and several Accords and Civics. To be more specific, I owned an '89 Integra LS and a '92 Legend L - and several 80s Accords, Civics, a '91 Accord and most recently a '12 Civic. I was specifically looking for a Toyota Avalon (as I am a Toyota person - and Hondas, just more Toyota, lol), but I have always wanted a 96-04 RL and one finally popped up locally at a good price. It is a 1999 RL with 203k miles. I am not yet sure of the maintenance history, but looks to be well cared for and owned by a lady in her 60s who has owned it a few years. I know I need to ask about the timing belt on when it was last changed. Any other trouble spots to be alert for on a '99? Do these have transmission issues like the ones that plagued the late 90s/early 2000s TL? I think I can get the car for about $1,700. I have 6 cars, but all are gas guzzlers (most are old school classics). My daily is a '04 Sequoia Limited and while I know the RL isn't a fuel sipper, I am sure I will do better than 15 mpg? My other options for now are a 1998 Toyota Avalon XL and a 2001 Toyota Avalon XLS, both with a little over 200k and the same price. Thanks!

 

The RL is a bulletproof car. Fuel economy is slightly worse than a TL, so I hear... Maybe 15 city, 20-25 highway, or so..

Check the fluids, belts, suspension and general condition of the car.

Feel for rough shifts, stange handling characteristics among other things...

Overall, if it's clean it's a good car!

 

Thanks for the info! I will be finding out later today. I did read on consumer guide where these had potential transmission issues like the TL did, but I imagine at 203k miles, hopefully that has already been addressed.

 

Update - I just got back from looking at the car and didn't make a decision. It seemed to a good running car, but needed some TLC. It needed some exhaust work as the car was fairly loud. Could be as simple as a $60 muffler from a local muffler shop, or worse. The odometer was not working, the SRS, ANTILOCK and TSC (or something like that) warning lights were on. It was sagging down on the right front - maybe needed a strut or? The power tilt steering wheel was stuck in the far up position and making a noise when trying to lower. Part of the speedometer was burnt out. I mean it was probably worth $1500, but could probably easily sink another $1500 into it. I may keep looking for a nicer one, or another car in general, but those RLs are tough to find around here. I love the way the car rode and drove however. Maybe the next one. Thanks.

 

Oh and on test drive when I made a right turn, it kind of sputtered a bit. Then it cleared out. The transmission shifted as smooth as silk.

 

Probably needs a tune up. Spark plugs, coil packs, fuel filter ECT....

 

1500!! Bargain! I have a 99, put all new wheel bearing hubs brake pads rotors radiator and new fluids except for tranny fluid as I don’t believe in changing it!! Now it’s practically bullet proof!!!