I am about to pull the trigger on an 05 RL. It has navvy and 106k on her 2 owner vehicle. I had an 03 cls 6mt, and currently have a 02 TL type S. I just want an all wheel drive vehicle and want to stagger the RL. They are firm on $12k. I dont wanna spend much, especially since I already have the vision of the wheels and suspension mapped out. Anything I should look out for and is this a decent price? Thanks in advance guys.

 

https://acurazine.com/forums/2g-rl-2005-2012-76/garage-helpful-2g-rl-info-789209/

 

Thanks for the link to the thread, but Im more concerned with the price. Is that a decent price?

 

GGENOVESE,
Not to scare you away, it could very well be a good price. I recently bought an '05 RL with 117k miles on it - and paid 15,9 for it from an Acura Dealer - in this area, that's a pretty good deal. At this point, I'm pretty glad I went with a dealer car and not a private party as over the past week they've had to put a new transmission and a new propeller shaft in it under warranty - which would have been 6k+ out of pocket otherwise. Watch out for the '05 and '06's i'd say even though I still love my '05

So back to the price - 12k seems pretty standard for a private party price around those miles, in the right condition I wouldn't be too afraid of it.

 

Always thought staggered setups on an AWD vehicle is not recommended ? Just heard that somewhere ...

 

$12k is reasonable for the mileage. Do it. Ask about whether the AC compressor has been replaced, that is a common problem on the 2005 RL.

Staggered setup on an AWD vehicle with front wheel drive bias doesn't make functional sense. A couple others on this site have done it over the years, though, and it does look good. You may want to search through the Photograph Gallery section to find some pics.

 

That is a great price. It is almost suspect it is so good. The main question I would be asking is about maintenance. Are the records sound? Has the timing belt been changed? The timing belt is a $1k job that needs to be done immediately if it hasn't already.

The '05 has a lot of little issues that can be very annoying and detering. That may be the reason for the low price. I recommend reading all of the issues and pressing them to fail before buying it.

 

I would be suspicious of the price, does it have an extended warranty?

This is not a cheap car to break.

 

I'm original owner of 05 and now have 114K miles. The main issues were covered in recalls. Not sure what you mean about lots of little issues.

On a side note, Bob, you may have to change your avatar.

oops, I meant to quote 007 regarding the little issues

 

$12k??? sure that's not a base TL you are looking at?

Why not spend the extra $$$ and get another type S?

http://cnj.craigslist.org/ctd/2638816510.html

 

Here are a few issues people have had with their '05s:
-AFS warning light
-Door handles
-Propeller shaft whine
-Differential whir
-Radio static with rear window heater on
-Headlight flicker
-Torque converter
-Drive shaft bearing
-Mirrors loose
-Multiple console bulbs going out
-A/C stator/clutch
-A/C compressor
-Brake recall
-Speed sensor
-Inside door handle breaking off
-Not an ashtray latch breaking
-BT getting stuck in random states

Now, some of these go across model years, but all have been encountered in '05s. Take any 5 or more of them, and you will have a pissed off owner who thinks Acura made a very shitty car. It's unfortunate, but it wouldn't be the first time. Of course there will be '05s that never have an issue, but these issues are real. 2005 is the weakest year for the RL without a doubt. That is all I was saying.

Still, the 2005 RL has been recognized as one of the most reliable luxury sedans on the market.

 

Oh, those little problems

Aren't most of those accross multiple years?

Remind me about the speed sensor. Cannot recall that issue.

The little problem that annoys me the most is the ding ding ding when headlights in auto mode.

 

I pulled all of those out of this thread:
rl.acurazine.com/forums/showthread.php?t=811811

The speed sensor was only mentioned by one person who had it replaced twice. I may not be common, but it made my list look longer. :wink:

That dinging would annoy the hell out of me.

 

Perhaps the other annoying thing is how to replace the headlight bulbs. I changed both of my daughters in her 99 Integra in less than 5 minutes total.

While on the RL, recommended procedure is to drop the bumber. I know there have been several thread showing how to do it without dropping bumper, but the Dealer will tell you they have to. I'm betting mine are about to go, so will have to go back and study those threads.

 

No bumper drop is necessary. The passenger side can be accessed without even removing the under-hood trim if you have small hands. The driver's side will require removing the battery brace and sliding the battery toward the engine. I could replace all four, high and low beams, within 10 minutes if needed and would not need to remove the trim. Now the driver side fog light is a PITA, but the passenger side is simple. The only problem with the driver side is the intake tube gets in the way. Instructions for all three bulbs in also in your manual.

 

"Instructions for all three bulbs in also in your manual."

First time I've heard that.
OK, you have given me encouragement to change them this weekend. They are starting to flicker and I have a major trip over Thanksgiving

 

Something I recently thought of, if you dropped your front bumper expecting to get to your head lights, you would be extremely frustrated and disappointed to find out that all that work did nothing for you. The bulbs are behind the headlight, why would anyone suggest removing the bumper below the headlight? I'm glad you didn't try this.

It would help with the fogs but isn't necessary.

 

Probably because the OP wants to move up the quality and exclusivity ladder to an RL?

 

There's a youtube video showing how to drop the bumper to change the bulbs. Glad I did not follow that advice.
Ordered the bulbs yesterday.

 

Or even worse, I believe my Dealer quoted me 2 hours labor to change the bulb when my first one went out. They ended up doing it for free after a long argument.

 

Thanks guys but unfortunately, the car was sold. A local Acura dealership had the car. Car fax was dead on. They sold it for $14k. I was misinformed on the price. I didnt wanna spend more than $12k, but from the past threads and advice you guys have given me, I guess, I should consider checking out 06's. Thanks guys. I have noticed that the 05 has a few more ponies than the later models. Maybe the few extra ponies are the cause of the gremlins.

 

The 3.5l was 300 HP but they changed the scaling computation of the power output and the new number was 290. The output was the same, it was just the way it was calculated. When the RL was made with the 3.7l engine the HP went back to 300 and the power was actually 10 more HP than the 3.5.

 

Implied red text (sarcasm)?