briny319

With 85,000 miles on it I am preparing to say good bye to my 05 RL. My warranty is almost up, the car needs tires, brakes, and a timing belt soon. So with all that in mind I want to get rid of it before I start dumping money into it.

I was hoping you guys could give me some feedback on replacement suggestions. I have to downgrade a little. Here are some of the cars I am considering:
09 Maxima Loaded lease
10 TSX Tech finance
09 TL Tech lease
09 G37x Loaded lease
07/08 TL Navi finance
07/08 TL-Type S Navi finance

I don't really want a 4cyl but the tsx is buying a new car which is ideally want I want. And I am not getting a TSX V6, I'd rather the TL. So I guess I can't have my cake and eat it to.

What do you guys think?

lstevennl

I dont think going from an RL to a Nissan Maxima sounds like a good idea. Tsx to me would be a major downgrade but the New car with 0 miles would be a ncie fresh start. G37 would be a good contender, great looking car so this would be really comparable with the RL. 07-08 TLs would be out of the question. IT JUST DOESNT RIDE THE SAME WITHOUT THE SH-AWD! haha 09 TL would be the top choice here. An RL in different form in my eyes

Richbum

hmm.. you're asking advise from the RL forum which is filled with enthusiast. prepare for some skewed advise. Post this in like a lexus forum.. i wonder what responses you would get...

here's my 2 cents btw, sell it for a newer RL.

briny319

Have you looked at the maxima? I haven't driven it but on paper it is the very comparable to the RL. It's an RL that's 12k cheaper, without AWD and a luxury brand.

briny319

I've also posted the same question in the TSX and TL forum and I'll prob post it in maxima and g37 forums.

If I got a newer RL. In a few years I'd be in the same boat. I have paid more than I can afford or was prepared to spent on service and repairs on a car that is less than 5yrs old and still under warranty. I realized just because you can afford the payment doesn't mean you can afford the car. While the RL hasn't been an unreliable car I have never had to pay for repairs while under warranty before. Or even have as many warranty repairs.

JeffS

I would say go test driving and see what you like. In addition to your list, I might also add the Accord V6 and the Hyundai Genesis.

Why did you exclude the TSX V6? Pricing compared to the TL?

nyctl

wouldn't a better roi be to fix and maintain the current rl?

briny319

I don't want to have to continue to make payments for a car that is out of warranty. My RL has already had +$3k in warranty repairs in the 35k I have owned it, who knows what was done prior. And I've paid +$600 for repairs not covered under warranty. Plus the thousands in service. I cannot afford to nor do I want to pay out of pocket to keep fixing things. And that isn't even counting the $3k in service it needs in the next 6 months. The RL is the best car I've ever had. I want to just make my payments, and rarely go to the dealer. My 04 TSX really spoiled me, 85k before first moderate problem (head unit).

briny319

I like the accord but it isn't safe enough. Rear side impact scored 3 stars. And I don't think I can buy a Hyundai for another 10 years or so no matter how well it's rated.

acuraRL07

from your list I would go with Infiniti G or 07/08 TL

Souljah

TL... all the way. Plus you'll be infected with the modd bug in which all us TL owners get stricken with.

robarsan

I owned a Maxima once, and even though it was fairly reliable, the service was so bad that I will never own another one. I can only speak for the local dealer, but they were simply incompetent when it came to repairs.

Also, not a fan of the CVT. It takes away from the driving experience IMO. It also has a reputation for premature failure.

afjock21

OP you shouldnt be downgrading always always be upgrading or just stay the same until you can afford to better upgrade. With that said I say just get the new TSX cuz it'll be "new"

kmcheney

I agree with Jeffs that you should test drive the Hyundai Genisis. I went to look at them on a lark a while back. You can get a 375HP V8 with most all the features of the RL for less money. Like all cars they are heavily discounting now. It won't handle quite as well in the extreme, but for the money it's a heck of a car. I also happen think it is better looking than the latest version of the RL.

SpicyMikey

I've test driven most of those cars on your list. You've done your homework. They're all good choices. I also own both an 09 TL and an 07 RL at the moment. In my opinion, going to the 09 TL will not feel like a downgrade. In fact, it will feel like an upgrade in many ways. If you can afford it, seriously consider the TL. I don't think you will be disappointed. Good luck with your decision.

FredS

I have a 2007 RL with 105,000 and just had the timing belt and spark plug service done (manuel says @105,000) and it cost me $1,000 at the dealer. Tires will be approx. $1,000. Total looking at $2,000. But your car will be set for another 45,000 miles for tires and 105,000 for the belts and spark plugs. I googled NY car sales tax and it is 8.5%. If you look at the cars you are considering, the minimum sales tax paid would be $2,550. (8.5% x $30,000) Do the math and pocket the difference $550 and put it in a car repair account. Don't know if you owe anything on the 05RL but I am sure it is much much less than committing to a new loan for 3 or 4 years or lease payments for the same. This does not address the issue that you have a car with 85,000 miles. There is someone on this forum with 250,000 miles and no problems. I again have 105,000 with nothing but routine repairs. I have driven Honda products for over 600,000 miles and been very satisfied with their products. Save your money and get a nice detailing job and you will be happy and richer for many more years.

danmm7

iTrader: (1)

I agree 100%. I had a 2003 Maxima for 6 years. The car was VERY reliable, fast and overall - fun to drive. Not a luxury car, but better than Accord or Camry, IMO!! No issues at all for 130k miles. I did only routine maintenance and one recall. This is the good.

The Nissan dealer in my area was horrible. ANY time i went for any minor or major service work, they were arrogant, unavailable, unfriendly and acted as if i was making their life miserable. Forget about a loaner, forget about quick appointments, forget about parts availability. I heard the same thing about other Nissan dealers in the area.

Acura dealers and customer service are about 10x better and keep in mind that i am not trilled with my Acura dealer either. It's still a lot better than Nissan. just my 2 cents. ...

If you are not crazy about the V6 power, try to get a deal on a fully loaded TSX. Not a bad car (had it as a loaner twice), lots of toys, decent room inside and good gas mileage.

SpicyMikey

FredS is obviously right. If this is purely a financial decision for reliable transportation then keep the 05 RL. it's got several more years of relatively trouble free driving. if you want something to put a grin on your face, think about that TL or the G37x

Richbum

what do you need the G37x for?
you're considering getting the used TL which is FWD, the maxima which is FWD, which means that having allwheeldrive isn't a very big concern to you, so i'm curious as to why you would need the g37x which is alot more costly than the g37 and the only difference is that its awd instead of being rearwheel?

just a curiosity question...

briny319

What about the TL feels like an upgrade? I can swing an 09 TL base although they are getting rare around here. The TL tech would probably be to much.

briny319

That's because you have a 2007 RL. Not the first model year. Since I bought it just under 50k I have gone through ac compressor, some kind of computer, headlight, and one time it was Found On Road Dead. So I'm not comfortable with it's track record.

briny319

They don't sell the regular g37 in my area. The dealers only carry g37x. Base g37's are really hard to come by so they get barely discounted so it doesn't pay to get one if it was found.

afjock21

great advice, brilliant actually. more people need to see this as so many people are in debt and STILL buy new things or the "coolest" things.

BUT.. OP has a first year model which is always a little risky...

OP - do the smartest thing.

briny319

If I had an 06-08 I'd be more likely to keep the RL but to many first model yr problems for me.

neuronbob

Sorry to hear you're thinking of leaving the fold. With the economy the way it is, I understand the need to downgrade. Of the cars you listed in your OP, I would take (in rough order):

07 or 08 TL-S/navi
07 or 08 TL/navi
2010 TSX
2009 TL (first year model....given your experience with the RL, I understand being gunshy about this choice)
Maybe the Maxima--the new model is really hot-looking.

SpicyMikey

For what it's worth, our 09 TL has had zero problems since we got it last October. I wish I could say that for all the other cars I've ever owned (including my 07 RL). This would actually be the first time for zero trips to the dealer in the first year.

jftjr

I don't think the new Maxima is in any way a downgrade from the RL. Yeah, it's not AWD, but that drivetrain is sweet, and the car goes like stink. And it's got all the goodies you could ever want in it, it's majorly roomy, and is decent value for the money. I liked the Maxima quite a lot when I drove it in Feb.

I also suggest looking at the Hyundai Genesis, although you really have to like the ride. Great car, but a soft suspension. If it suits you, you'll love it, but if not, you'll hate it.

The new TL's are nice to drive, nice inside, but ugly, ugly, UGLY. Also, I think, not worth the money.

If only they'd turbo the 4 cyl in the TSX, instead of making it a V6... although it is priced the same as the TL, so... what's the point? (except for the fact that it's not hideously ugly... it's only kind of ugly.)

I say, drive the Maxima and enjoy it.

briny319

I completely agree. Why doesnt the TSX have the RDX engine. And why does the V6 have to be the same size as the TL's making it the same price, why not a 3.0L V6 like the previous accords. Well Honda, why...

I'm getting a little turned off from the maxima (although I haven't driven it). The warranty is only 36k mi, and my lease would be for 45k mi. So 9k on a first model yr nissan without warranty. Doesn't sound like a good idea to me. Plus I drove the G37 again today and if the infiniti interior is that cheap I can only imagine the nissans. Not that is was that cheap but it reminded me of a TSX inside.

jftjr

I thought the interior on the fully-optioned Maxima was fantastic, including the adjustable thigh bolsters, which I adore, and it's got everything the RL had and more. I couldn't see spending the extra money on the Infiniti. The Maxima has the navi system and stereo from the new M Infiniti, so it's much nicer than the G37's.

As far as the warranty issue, you'd have the same issue with a Honda (not an Acura)... the solution is usually cheap, though, they'll happily sell you 10K of extended warranty for a few hundred bucks.

It's worth driving, at least, before you write it off.

briny319

Do you really think they can sell that short of a warranty? I wouldn't be as worried about it in a honda, but I'm not looking at a honda. If I can get a warranty, then my only other major issue with the maxima is that the IIHS has not done a side impact crash test.

DoctorTuna

Well, I agree you will be getting a lot of personal opinion with your question, but that's alright because that's what you asked for. I have had the opportunity to drive all the vehicles on your short list. They are all very nice vehicles for different reasons. I leased an 05 RL and loved the vehicle, unfortunately, I was unwilling to accept the new grille and therefore went looking elsewhere, Acura, for me had lost itself, having owned 4 Acura products previously I ventured out looking for other vehicles. The G37 is, for me, the most enjoyable car to drive of all the ones you listed, and by far the quickest, albeit probably on par with the TL Type S, but that isn't AWD either(if that's what you're looking for) I walked away from my RL and into the G37S coupe and haven't looked back...(Also got my G for $600 over invoice. ) Service is exceptional, far better than my local Acura dealer, and the V6 is amazing!! Interior fit and finish is very good, so far extremely reliable. My vote is the Infiniti!!

briny319

Well on that list the G37 is my top pick. But I don't think it's good enough. I really wanted a brand new car but all of the ones I've look at are inferior to my RL. So after going back to the drawing board and I'm thinking of just getting an 07 RL or 07 M35X. But I've got another month to figure it out.

neuronbob

Of those two, I would definitely choose the RL.

afjock21

The 07 or 08 TL is the best deal out there right now, and will be as long as it stays under 50k miles. The car will average out costing you the cheapest of any and it looks great, very timeless, kinda like my 03 TL although that only has a couple to few more yrs of 'timeless' appeal with tech getting better and better.

bottom line is 07 or 08 TL and with an added 1,000 or less for extended bumper to bumper to 100k.

that's what I'll do once my 03 TL is no longer a keeper.

briny319

I may consider the TL if it was much cheaper than the RL. Looking online now Theres a 08 TL Nav 9k mi for $25,916 Certified. Another 08 TL Nav 15k mi for $29,989 Certified same color and dealer. Odd... Compared to an 06 RL 29k for $28,381 Certified. If the cheaper TL was still around and looked good I'd probably buy it. But I think I'd rather the RL over the more expensive TL. I just love the RL so much I just wish mine didn't have issues.

afjock21

^ ahhh yes. RL is the clearcut winner here. And you know what? If I had to get rid of my RL I would look for another RL, only within warranty and just extend it for another grand. I often check out cars and I can't find another luxury auto like the RL for the money. The only other luxury cars I would consider are tremendously OVERPRICED at the moment because they are still fairly new, current models. The RL offers a once in a lifetime deal haha. In fact, I might even get rid of my RL close to the time the 07 and 08 RLs are becoming a distant memory and just slap a nice extended warranty on one. I have an 06 with about 60k miles but no bumper to bumper anymore. So far so good...

briny319

my 2005 with 82k mi has about 14k mi left on my warranty. But even while under warranty the car has been a pain. I think I may pickup a 06/07 with less than 30k mi add an additional 5yr/84k mi warranty for $1200 and the car will be under warranty until it is age 8 and +110k miles.

poppintec

has anyone ever looked into these aftermarket warranties I am curious if they are a waste of money I just broke 70k on my 06 wondering if anyone ever used one sorry to threadjack if i did

briny319

I looked a little into aftermarket warranties and I think they are a waste of money. They have coverage limits (they usually only pay up to a certain amount per hour). You have to use their shops. They can be very expensive. I would take the money and put it in a savings account for repairs before I bought an aftermarket warranty. On the other hand I wouldn't be without a factory warranty.

Now I want my thread back... lol

FredS

http://www.cars.com/go/advice/Story....=&aff=national