Hey folks. I am new here. I'm a 30 year old father of 3, married for 9 years, a registered nurse, and like fixing broken cars. I have always liked acuras but could either never afford one or didn't feel like having to keep a spare transmission around. I may have found one I like and can afford. It's a 2000 Acura RL with 202k miles and in good shape other than the transmission and starter needs to be replaced. So is $1400 too much to pay? I see transmissions for $200 - $400 at junk yards and assume they are not prone to transmission problems. That and Consumer Reports Used Car guide shows fee problems. They are supposed to be calling me back today. So is the price okay?

 

Oh yeah. This is the car. (WFS)
http://greensboro.craigslist.org/cto/4061668448.html

 

*FEW problems, not FEE problems.

I'm already making a butt of myself.

 

If I were you, I would call around and get a good/reliable estimate on what it would cost to buy and install transmission and starter. Also find out what maintenance has been done recently. With 202K, the timing belt and water pump may be due for replacement. Factor all this in to make an offer.

 

If the water pump / Timing belt hasn't been done, that could be another $1,000 - $2,000 right there.

It looks like a solid car and 202K is not a lot of miles... my first RL had 257,xxx on the chassis when I bought it was a ruined front end. I fixed the front end and the EGR and passed emissions and it ran great for another 2.5 years before i sold it with 274,xxx miles on it.

The transmission is normally a solid part on these cars. Sucks this one is going out though.


There is a guy on the AcuraLegend forum selling one for $3,500 in ATL... not sure if that would help you at all. I can give more info if interested.

 

Thanks for the info. I normally do my own car repairs so labor cost isn't a factor. Basically I will be fixing it for the parts and time. Working on cars is something I enjoy doing a few times a year. Thats why I try to buy reliable cars so I don't HAVE to fix them all the time. I will check into the prices of timing kit and water pump before I make any offer. Thanks again.

 

Not a problem and completely understandable and respectable.