So I finally pulled the trigger and gotten my financing and I was approved for more than enough, but I decided on a budget of 25k.

My day started by test driving a 05 TL w/ Nav and the A-Spec wheels. It had been in an accident according to carfax, and so I kept that in mind as I test drove the car. I expected a harsher ride with the 18's but there was a serious vibration coming from the steering wheel, that gave me a bad feeling in my stomach. I've learned to listen to that feeling. The dealer is going to redo a balance and alignment on that car, but I've already made up my mind. The RL is for me.

That being said, with my budget of 25k, It's gotta be an 05. I called my broker and he has a 05 w/ 70k miles that he's ready to part with for 24,200 (out the door price). I need to have this car checked out so not saying I'll buy that, but the price is right in my ball park.

He felt confident that he could get me something from the auction for 24k out the door, and is going to give me a call in the morning. I also have independent seller looking for me at the Manhiem auctions.

My goal is to get the 05 and get an extended warranty to protect the major components, (engine, driveline, electrical system) and anything outside of that I'll work out. I drive about 20 miles a day maximum so I'm not worried about mileage a great deal.

The broker is looking for an 05 with 40k - 60k miles and in my 24k out the door price range. I also plan on trading in my 2000 TL Premium (non-navi) for ~ 4k it's got 137k miles on it but otherwise in good shape (Fair condition according to Kbb).

If there is nothing available at the auction, should I pursue the 05 with 70k miles? Is 4k expecting too much for my current vehicle?

Comments appreciated.

-chad

 

Given that in my area, KBB says that $27k is the SRP for a 2005 RL with 70k miles, your $24k OTD deal on that car is a good deal. It's good if you are willing to purchase a car with that many miles. However, based on the limited experience on this site, the car will last a long time. We have one member with well over 150k miles on his RL.

Personally, I'd hold out for one with fewer miles, but that is just me.

 

i agree with you. Ideally I'd like something with around 50k miles, but I can't argue with 24k for the 70k mile vehicle. I've got 30 days to find something so I really don't want to rush it too much, but damn I want my hands on an RL ...

 

Seeing where some people have recently bought cpo in the $28k range, which I would feel better paying that extra $3K over time than paying a large repair in one lump.

 

Ok, so he called me back today after goign to the auction and said that he picked up 2 RL's with mileage in the mid 50's. He's going to call me tonight with the price, but my guess is around 25 - 25.5 OTD price for em. He said I can choose which one i want (Black on Black, Silver with Grey) so we'll see what the final prices are.

I'll probably be going out there tomorrow to work the deal so hopefully we have a good starting point when he calls me tonight.

Those prices sound good? Any recommonedations for extended warranty companies?

-Chad

 

Without having done a carfax on this one, I like this price and its really close to home Click link below.

Link Here

 

Black on black looks awesome. That's what I have. Just keep it clean.

 

25-25.5k OTD would be awesome for a car with mid-50k miles. The one you linked to looks pretty clean as well.

The only extended warranty company I recommend is AcuraCare. Unfortunately, we can't get them online anymore.

 

So Bob, if you had the choice between the cars with Mid 50's and the one with 73k miles and spoiler,WG steering, and shifter for lets say 24 OTD, which would you choose?

By the way, CPO for 28k is out of my budget. It was hard enough convincing my wife to get to the 25k number .

 

You need to add in $1500? or so for ext warranty.

IMHO, if it's stretching your budget, there is risk that the Acura ext warranty will not cover some items, and some things on the RL are very expensive. I'd check out thoroughly what the extended warranty actually covers.

Many people (and dealers too!) will tell you that the ext warr. is 'bumper to bumper', but it is not. most things are covered but there's wiggle room the dealers like to use. I know items determined to be 'wear and tear' are not covered and cosmetics like a broken door handle or buttons, torn leather, broken trim, etc are not covered.

For me, if I was at my price limit I would shop a used TL.
good luck.

 

Thanks for this advice Speed and it's certainly appreciated. It's not like I'm gonna go broke buying the car, but I agreed on a number I wanted to pay for a 'new' vehicle and I'm firm on that figure. I want the best car I can get for that money and for me that's an RL. I'll agree that the mileage we're talking about are less than Ideal, but I don't want a TL... I'd rather just stay in the TL I've got than buy a TL that would be a pacifier and that I'll be making payments on all the while lusting after RL's I see .

If repairs need to be made, we'll work those out as required, all I would want to protect are the major components like engine and drivetrain. Everything else I think I'll be fine with.

 

For the same price, I would go with the one with lower miles. You can always save up for the steering wheel, spoiler, and shift knob, then purchase them online.

 

Ok, He came back with prices...

05 Blk/Blk 54k miles for 25,400 out the door
05 Gry/Tan 62k miles for 24,700 out the door

I'm leaning more towards the Blk/blk pending carfax and test drive. He'll have both ready for me on thursday.

My goal is to trade in my car and walk out with a 20k loan.

I wouldn't mind holding on to that for 5 years

 

NBP/Ebony FTW! Excellent price. I say do it (pending Carfax and test drive ). Have fun keeping it clean.

 

I just realized you're Sig... My wife has a 08 Black EX Special Edition (DVD FTW!! with a 2 year old) and yeah, keeping it clean is fun but damn does it look good when its clean.

I'll post when things are done.

 

I just bought an 05 RL w/ 70K for $21,100 so I think you can do better if you're patient, but I understand that you're antsy to pull the trigger. You're in a major metropolitan area so you should have plenty of options. If you think that this one is the one that you want then shoot him a lower offer and be prepared to walk. The dealer knows that you're hot to trot and is pricing it accordingly. Give him a top dollar offer and let him know that you've got other possibilities. You may feel some allegiance to him because he picked up these two cars at the auction for you. He didn't buy them for you. He bought them because he got a good deal on them and he knew he could resell them at a profit. He probably paid $20-21K according to KBB.

Regardless of what you do, I think you are correct in going for the RL over a TL. I just had an 04TL and there is no comparison between the TL and RL. The TL is a nice car, but it's not in the same league as the RL. Good Luck and keep us posted.

 

Carfax came back clean on both. Both were leased out of Florida and had only 1 owner.

Service records were very good on the Blk/Blk.

Bear - was that 21 the out the door price? If so you got a damn good deal. After trading in, I'm expecting to be at that 20-21k number financed.

I'm going by to test drive them tomorrow morning so hopefully I'll have a deal finalized by mid day tomorrow.

 

Bear - was that 21 the out the door price? If so you got a damn good deal. After trading in, I'm expecting to be at that 20-21k number financed.


It was $21,430 out the door including sales tax. I was happy with the deal.

 

Bear - That was a fantastic deal to be sure!

Well guys, it's done. 05 NBP/Ebony RL is now mine. Everything worked out as I expected, the car was clean and the only thing I'll have to do is purchase new tires.

I'll post pics as soon as I can.

Final deal was 25,200 out the door - trade in I paid 20k I'm stoked!!

Thanks for all the advice guys!

-Chad

 

Congratulations and welcome to the family!

 

25k OTD for an 05 RL with 55k miles ... that is an excellent deal!!

Did you get a price for the extended warranty?