I've been hanging out around the RL section as I was looking to replace my 96 TL (247K miles). In my research, I've noticed how reliable these cars are and started searching for an RL a little more seriously. I was torn between a 04-05 MDX or a 03-04 GS430 and am now glad I found this; I got a great car at a much smaller price tag than I was initially planning to spend.

Today I sealed the deal. I found a 2002 Acura RL for sale by owner. It's a second owner and he's owned it since it had 41K miles on it. The car is now at 128K miles and he has a 2" thick stack of maintenance receipts from the Acura dealer. I got it from a 50 year old surgeon that really took great care of it.

The timing belt is done, water pump has been replaced, spark plugs, brakes, etc. The car has had at least $3,000 of maintenance done since timing belt service at 92K miles. The car is mint inside and out and drives perfect. The only thing it could use is a set of winter tires because the tires that are on it now, although in good shape, are not good in snow.

I can't pick up the car for another week or two, he's waiting for his new 5 series to be delivered.

Once I get it and get a chance to buff/wax it, I'll update with some pictures. Here are some pictures from his autotrader posting:










I got the car at a great price and can't wait to pick it up. I'm planning on definitely hooking up my ipod instead of the cd changer, doing the instrument cluster light mod and possibly converting on star to bluetooth in the future if I feel it's necessary.

 

Oops. I think the Onstar system was only on the navigation equipped RL's

On the other hand, you can always get an aftermarket headunit with BT built in

Its easier since you have more space to work with on the dash.

Congrats though, its definitely a good upgrade path from the TL.

 

^I saw the Onstar buttons on the rearview mirror..

 

Nice car. Welcome! I have owned my RL for 3 months now and cannot get over the fact of how smooth it is.

 

Oh ok, good

I know Onstar was on the navi CL/TL at that time, I guess RL owners got the full luxury treatment.

 

Nice RL, just keep up with the maintenance and itll never die. Mine just turned 171k and it still runs like a champ. Enjoy!

 

I think it was there but now I'm second guessing myself. I'll check when I pick up the car.

Maintenance is the key to any car. Thankfully all the $$$ things are already done on this RL, now it's just a matter of fluid changes for the next 70-80K.

 

I have seen the onstar on an 02 that did not have a navi.

 

Congrats..

 

i hope you didn't pay no more than $6500 for it because that's how much it would be worth! congrats and looks clean as heck. wanna hang out? i'm from milwaukee also.

 

You got it right on the dot.

He was asking $7300. I was actually willing to pay a little more than KBB ($6800) due to the condition of the car - I've seen a lot of cars and it's extremely rare to find them this clean with such service history. I got him down to $6500 which is what we were both happy with.

Where in Milwaukee do you live?

 

sometimes knowing the history of the car is worth a few extra hundred bucks. i'm actually from new berlin.

 

Just ordered some PIAA 168 hyper white bulbs for the dome light and license plate lights

 

Don't forget the LED conversion for your instrument cluster

 

Oh I know, I am just having a tough time deciding between the white and the blue....definitely doing it, just don't know when.

Also, -10 wind chills aren't helping speed up the process...


And I guess I still need to pick up the car

 

mine is all white. looks awesome. blue isn't the best i heard because some parts won't light up bright enough.

 

I did white for the center gauge and the blue for the left and right.

The blue did not light up properly in the center, but it looks great on the sides.

 

Ken, can you post a pic of what yours looks like?

 

+1 on the pic..

 

I'm confused about the LEDs, it looks like it takes a whole day and then you have a stock looking instrument panel. What am I missing?

 

It does look stock, but you don't have the dull off white illumination

Pics later tonight!

 

The blue and white contrast is much much better in person. Nor are they anywhere near that bright

 

 

Thats beautiful!

 

Thanks for the pics guys, it looks really good! Any pictures of what the spedo cluster looks like with the climate control/cd player lights? How bad the difference is?

 

Congratulations on your purchase. You got an great deal. Now get your name changed to VAS35RL

 

WOW. Such a good find with a nice color. I'd like to see the updated, washed and waxed pics.
And the gauge LED's looks cool. I'd like to do that as well. The illumination is quite nice.

 

Onstar became standard in Rl's in 2002 regardless of trim.

Would like to see pics as well.

 

I'll try to shoot some in the next couple days.

 

Here you go.....

 

Thanks! It's not as bad as I thought it would be! Definitely doing this mod. The guy is picking up his BMW Tues or Wed, I'll probably meet him at the dealership and pick up the RL then.

 

Man, those radio lights are a BIIIG difference.

 

Going to pick it up in a few hours


He got his BMW a few days early.

 

Sweet, let us know how it drives

 

 

Well - she's home. Car drives great, no shaking, no loose parts, picks up great, etc. I am actually quite surprised at how similar the ride is to my TL - just a lot heavier.

On to the pics...it was a sad but exciting day.
The Tl hasn't been washed in a while:


The car is actually going to my parents house, my dad will drive it every other week - I only get one outdoor spot and a garage spot at my condo so I can't keep it here.
Got the TL washed



Picked up the DIRTY RL - took it straight to the car wash:




Needed to let it dry off before putting it in 10 degree weather, parked it next to the TL - it is quite a bit larger


Then I came home and had a chance to go through the service records, this was a HUGE selling point for me:





All in all, I am happy with the purchase, now I need to get it registered and take it through emissions.

I can't wait until Spring so that I can detail it, it needs to be clayed, buffed and waxed pretty bad.

 

Congrats! I so love those fogs on the bumper, wish TL had them on there..

 

It makes the RL look more authoritative going down the road

 

I agree.

I used to have a GS400 and I loved the HID's with yellow fogs, I might have to do something on the RL...

 

Figured I'd take some pics before it starts snowing:











Now.....do I get tinted windows or not?