Stw96

I'm looking to purchase a 2008 RL SH-AWD in excellent condition for sale ( $5,000) at a local Acura dealership. It has 197,000 miles. Great maintenance records. My greatest concerns are the transmission / AWD system. Should I purchase or walk away. Any suggestions appreciated.
Thank you

HDNBenjamin

I say that is too high of a price considering it has 200k. Transmission is good if it shows history of regular maintenance done such as ATF change every 30k.

Offer 3.5K.

losiglow

iTrader: (1)

Manually up and downshift each gear while driving to make sure there isn't any slipping/grinding/significant hesitation/etc. While parked, do multiple changes to drive/neutral/park/reverse to make sure it quickly and seamlessly shifts into gear with no major jerks or noises.

Check the ATF to make sure it doesn't smell burnt and is reddish rather than straight brown. Reddish-brown is acceptable of course but straight up brown is no bueno.

Check out the tailpipes to make sure there isn't excessive soot which could be due to oil consumption or significant engine wear.

Take some sharp corners to allow the SH-AWD system to kick in to make sure it's working correctly.

Stw96

[QUOTE[/QUOTE]
Thanks for the advice.

rlx015

Sigh ... dealers... they would overprice anything and everything like their life depends on it... I bet they paid 300$ for that trade in...

Midnight Mystery

I paid $8K for my 2007 RDX with 175K miles a few years ago...


I know, I know...

But if the car is immaculate, 200K miles doesn't affect much other that wear items...

rlx015

I forgot to add my suggestion... go there and low-ball them with $1500 offer... I guarantee you they did not pay more than $300 for it... they will make 1200$ profit and call it a day.
For you, $1500 + some of the part maintenance and timing belt service you need to do - it would come out roughly speaking under $5000 anyway once you invest some into part replacements as needed to make it last at least couple of years... although it will outlast any expectation I guarantee you that (unless it was beat up lol)

TonyCD

To address OP's original question, in case I understand it correctly: The transmission and AWD system on this cars is mostly bulletproof and shoudn't be your greatest concern. These cars don't have the problem tranny that some other Hondas and Acuras did. I'd be more concerned about a driveline whine at moderate speeds that suggests the non-deadly but costly-to-fix deterioration of the very expensive carbon fiber driveshaft, and a paper trail confirming the car had its all-important timing belt change at 105,000 miles (be aware that even if it did, it might have been sold partly because it's due for that fairly costly service again).

Bezalel

I have seen a lot of RL's with over 275k miles and they are as smooth as butter. Usually I look at the interior of the car to judge its mechanics, people that take care of the interior also take care of everything else. But no matter what I would talk down the dealer.

Midnight Mystery

I do the same... My Kia was beten by one of the previous owners a little bit but they didn't have it very long so it turned out ok still!

losiglow

iTrader: (1)

Obviously the engine and transmission are the important items here but be prepared for other items to need repair eventually. Suspension components are going to be considerably worn after 200k miles. Bushings will be cracking and loose. Accessories may eventually die, such as the alternator, power steering pump, radiator, etc. Ball joints, wheel bearings, brake master cylinder, calipers, the list goes on and on.

It's not to say any or all of that stuff will go. Chances are only a couple will bite the dust. But you'll want to be prepared to either fix it yourself, or pay a mechanic a small sum when something dies.