I'm probably going to get a new 07 Acura soon and I noticed the $3500 dealer money expires on 4/30. That's a lot of cash and I suspect I can get most (if not all) of that in negotiations. Problem is, I'm not ready to pull the trigger quite yet for other reasons.

What's everyone's thoughts on the possibility that will get extended -- or possibly brought back in June?

 

You can definitely get ALL of that + more...RL sales are down so you can get a really good price on it

 

Just bought one in NJ and got all of that back, plus only a couple hundred over invoice.

After 4/30/07 who knows. The RL continues not to sell well so maybe it'll be extended. It might even get better, but obviously that's a chance.

 

If you are not ready, then it doesn't make sense to pull the trigger unless you can make it work without undue stress.

IMO, the price will be at least as low and probably lower this fall for the 07s. At that time you have the luxury of seeing what the 08s offer and whether or not the premium is worth it.

I will probably make an offer this week to one or possibly two dealers. If they don't bite , that's OK, I'll wait till the fall.

There's always another car and another deal to be had if you have the luxury of time. Then again, you have to balance that off with not having a new car to enjoy over the summer, the best time to have one, IMO.

 

Good point noobie. I was looking to buy in June/July. Maybe I'll wait to see what tweeks they might make with the '08's if the dealer money is gone this summer. Otherwise, I'll probably buy then.

I've test driven the GS350 (ugly and over priced) and the M35 (better on both counts but still a Nissan). My eyes keep coming back to the RL. Great car. Still can't reconcile in my mind why it sells so poorly. I understand a lot of people buy "image" (which Acura has lost recently due to bad marketing), but I guess I didn't realize how many people just blindly run with the crowd. I was at the Lexus dealer this weekend. They needed crowd control to keep the showroom orderly! People can't plunk down their money fast enough to have one of those L badges on their car. It's almost as expensive as the 3 pointed star badge. That costs so much extra it should come in solid gold!

 

The incentive was supposed to end 1/1, then 2/1, then 4/1. It's being extended on a regular basis, so if you don't feel you can pull the trigger right now, don't worry. Unless Acura decides to market the RL more aggressively ( yeah, right!), and sales increase, you have nothing to worry about.

 

I would agree with the prior posters that its unlikely to go away, unless they really cut production, or should I more accurately say, supply somehow. I have heard that Toyota and Honda attempt to control costs via controlling supply more than US automakers, but I am certainly no expert on the issue.

I was in a similar position late last year, wanting to buy an '06 in September, but not really ready yet. I was worried that the dealer incentive would evaporate as well, but it didn't.

 

The current incentives and finance rates are pretty attractive yet as others point out, they might even get better.

Acura has a pretty reliable history of upping the ante on incentives AND offering special-rate financing as the model year wears on...especially around holidays like Presidents' Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, etc. Memorial Day is especially good because it coincides with the end of a month. Managers may be motivated to move the metal to maximize their monthlies. (A little too much alliteration??)

With a slow seller like the RL, color choice becomes an issue when inventories thin out, so don't wait too long. I ended up with black and should have bought carbon gray so I wouldn't have to wash it every 5 minutes.

 

Thanks everyone. This is exactly what I was looking for. None of us have crystal balls, but I knew others would have better insight into the odds for this continuing.

 

Good thing, too, they make that loud clinking sound when you walk!

 

I'm roaring very hard and loud right now.... Thanks for the laugh

 

A little late to the party but ...

Every automotive in Incentive has an expiration date attached. Just so the consumer's ask the questions you have.

If you look across the industry, incentives are almost always held or get larger until the model year is cleared from inventory. The exception can be convertibles as they have their own "calendar year" on which incentives are based.

 

I went to a couple of local dealers and they don't want to hear this about the incentive. Both of the said-we can't see the car anything below invoice..

I will wait till the end of the month and try again..

 

That's a really horrible point you put about the M35, because the RL is also still a Honda. I do agree about the GS350. But, you can't judge the M35 on that because it's only a Nissan. I think you should try out the M45 and you'll go R what?

 

And dude...it's a TOYOTA! They've done an amazing job of severing the Toyota-Lexus linkage in people's minds.

 

I definitely over generalized on that comment. I'll give you that. The M's have shown remarkably good reliability in their short lives. But I tend to keep my cars for a while and am concerned about engine and body integrity over the long haul. Hell, I still have a 1995 3000GT Spyder! I just have had bad luck with Nissan's in the past and have a tanted view.

Regarding test triving an M; I've tried! I live in Orlando. There isn't a mac daddy M within 200 miles of here. Just the base models or first level tech package. Not sure if it's because their selling the tar out of them or because their not. I'm a tech freak. I want my car with all the latest toys.

 

Since the RL and its 6cyl is what it is...why not compare apples to apples? The M45 is a terrific car AND substantially more expensive than the RL. So if you compare the M35 to the RL then determine which is a better deal for you the decision will be easier. I own an '03 TL-S and looking to replace...have driven both M35 and RL...love them both. RL is more elegant but a tad generic...M35 is a sportier drive with better interior room, especially back seat. Personally I love the stainless interior on the M35 sport, and even the satin finished wood trim is beautiful. RL interior beautiful too, a little staid. Tough choice! It will probably come down to price for me. Since I'm buying not leasing, if I can save more than 6-7 grand on the RL I will, if less than that will probably go for the M. One big difference here in San Diego, most Acura dealers lack the class and panache of the Infiniti dealers, which are geared same as Lexus as far as pampering the customer.

 

You should have no problem finding an RL for 6-7 grand less than the M35. The advanced technology and technology packages with the M35 would be an apples to apples comparison with the RL TECH. Especially since you're in SoCal.

 

Does anyone know if this rebate/incentive will be offered in May?

Thanks.

Deepdezal

 

I'm guessing Acura will have a lame lease offer for May. But whatever the case, most manufacturers do not advertise what 'offers' they have until the 3rd or 4th day of the month.

 

Tully's right. Even the dealers don't know the incentives that are coming. The manufacturer will keep that close to the vest.

It was also recently revealed by my Acura sales manager/friend that the '08 RL's are coming early this year. Dealers are placing orders NOW for August deliveries. The 07's are pretty much done and there's really not much more on the inbound. I'm starting to feel the $3500 dealer incentive will end and they may shift to an interest rate incentive for the customer (if anything).

If you're looking for an 07 RL with a good deal, this week might be the best time all year. We're into the last week of the month late in the model year. In the next 48 hours, things are going to start getting tense in the back rooms at the dealerships. The Sales Manager is going to start getting in a bad mood. He'll be walking around mumbling about needing "5 more cars to meet quota!!!!!" If your dealer had a soft month, he'll be willing to hear your offer. I'd suggest holding the line at $500 over invoice PLUS the 3500 dealer money. Holdback on those RL's is somewhere around $1k. Give them $500 of the dealer money plus their BS administrative fees and they'll be making about 2k on the car. Trust me, they'll definitely take it if it's still sitting there come this weekend and everyone will be happy. If you're really ruthless, you probably can get more, however, having family in the car business, I won't try to take adavantage of a situation and always try to work a fair deal for everyone. Hey, everyone's just trying to make a living.

Bottom Line; Right NOW is probably the best time to get your best deal on an 07 RL

 

Thanks SpicyMickey!

Planning to purchase this coming Thursday.

 

Oh, one more thing. This is an aggressive deal you're trying to get so don't go in there with an attitude tomorrow. Be respectful but hold the line on your number. They want to sell cars, but they're also people with ego's like the rest of us. You get an attitude and they will too. In other words, you need to be just as much of a salesman as they do when the deal gets real skinny like that.

Good luck. I hope everyone walks away happy tomorrow.

 

The 08 RL's will be arriving in July. So won't have too much time to wait, but the 07's are far from being gone, so the marketing support will probably be extended.

 

Not so sure about the incentive staying around untill July -- no one can be sure. I started this thread couple weeks ago asking the same question so I certainly don't pretend to know. However, its a gamble you'd have to be willing to take if your not ready to buy.

Black Label is also probably right about the inventory. I didn't mean to say there won't be any left. However, if you want a CMBS package or a color OTHER then silver/gray, the pickings will start getting mightly slim after April ends. This is the "sweet spot" for the buyer with this years RL production run. Still good inventory around, a good manufacturer incentive, and nervous dealers trying to get rid of inventory before '08's start showing up.

 

Black Label got me curious so I just had a friend pull the Inventory numbers for Acura NA. These are current as of April 1. There were only 1100 RL's left in the entire country -- and that was 3 weeks ago! Also, "days of supply" is down to 42 from 63 in March. They clearly pulled back on supply in March and probably did the same in April. If they are coming out with 08's in July as Black Label suggested, then they will probably stop shipping new '07's sometime in May. At least, that's how I interpret the numbers. I think they're closing the books on the '07. I wouldn't count on the incentive being around in May with inventory supply this low near the end of the production run.

Model Units Days Days
Supply Supply
4/1 3/1
-------------------- -------- -------- --------
RL (I)* 1,100 42 63
RSX (I) 1,000 491 329
TL 11,000 53 71
TSX (I)* 4,900 43 60
Acura car (D) 11,000 53 71
Acura car (I) 7,000 49 67
Total Acura car 18,000 52 69

 

Sorry about the weird formatting. Let's try it again. If this doesn't work then just read between the lines

Model Units Days Days
Supply Supply
4/1 3/1
-------------------- -------- -------- --------
RL (I)* 1,100 42 63
RSX (I) 1,000 491 329
TL 11,000 53 71
TSX (I)* 4,900 43 60
Acura car (D) 11,000 53 71
Acura car (I) 7,000 49 67
----------------------------------------------------------------
Total Acura car 18,000 52 69

 

Just spoke to good friend who is a GM for Honda in Vegas. Told me that the $3500 marketing incentive does for sure end April 30, and they do not find out till the last day of the month if any incentive will continue or not...there may be nothing offered for May at all. I have been waffling myself about the purchase cause I have not found anything but RL's with the light interiors and I absolutely want black interior and either want Lakeshore or Carbon gray exterior. I could be screwed! Time for last minute shopping.......

 

I was just at an Acura dealership today to get a second RL for the family garage. Although you never know what 'truth' is spoken from sales managers, there was no information about extension of the sales incentive. He did indicate the next 'best time' to purchase would be late July through Labor Day as 08 models are being readied for release. When I asked if any significant changes were to be offered, they shrugged. Apparently Acura is very tight lipped, but the concensus was perhaps an addition of a toy or two (offered in other markets) but they could not imagine any significant engineering would be made in a slow seller. Other than cooled seats or wheel offerings...there is nothing the current RL is missing in my book of wants.

The problem may be supply. Honda has cut back production of the LEGEND / RL from Japan. Also, more inventory is being diverted to other markets (as the LEGEND) where supply & demand has been more proportional. Acura is taking fewer units. (I'm trying to find some production reports to support that claim).

So if availablity drops (which I noticed very little inventory in my area), the incentives may be less available. Factor in selection of color choices / packages, the timing might be best now. There were no 'base' RLs to be found. Only Tech Package models.

The current iteration of the RL may still be a bargain, but the availability and selection looks to be more of a challenge.

 

wait wait wait did he confirm that the 08 RLs would have AC seats or that just what you said you wanted? I personally think its really stupid acura doesnt have that in the RL. Whats even dumber is how the candian RL has it were its always cold yet RLs in florida have heated seats. My dad has that in his avaitor and he told me he would never get a car without it again and I doubt blame him in the summer its an amazing upgrade.

 

Whoaaaaaaaaa Sparky!

There was NO discussion as to WHAT the 08 RL WILL have. It was only speculation that there would be no major engineering changes, and likely a few features added...probably something already in the parts bin, but not on the US model.

If I were a betting man, I would guess that would be cooled seats. They are wildly popular in the US...and Honda missed the boat on this one. Lane assist would be my second guess, but the jury seems out on that feature. A few reviews I have read mention it is annoying. So maybe Honda is waiting to see if it is popular before tacking into the content list. Night vision is expensive, so I doubt that will be added unless in a package.

If Acura does not want to spend $$ marketing the car, why waste money to up the feature content no one would know about.

And yes, cooled seats is my #1 must have for the RL. I pray it can be a retrofit.

 

I glanced at the new dealer prices for the 08 RL with my own eyes (on a computer screen) at my buddy's Acura dealership. I don't recall the exact numbers but they were increases in the hundreds and the three trim packages were the same description. There must NOT be any significant changes. A new lens cover for the tail lights maybe? Also, he verbally confirmed there were no changes. Of course he was referring to significant changes. He probably doesn't know (or care) if the lens design changed.

 

I have read that the Honda LKAS actually makes steering corrections for you, provided the radius of the turn is greater than a certain spec, like 200 meters.

From what I understand, the Infiniti LKAS just beeps as a warning when it senses drift, but does not make any corrections.

Can anyone confirm?

I imagine that American drivers will find it hard to cede control of steering to a computer.

 

Oh ok I see now thanks. Well hopfeully we will know soon what they are doing for 08 but it probably wont be that soon. I can see cooled seats more then lane assist though because the RL already has that feature for canada not but not the US. Which still makes absoutely no sense to me but whatever. But lane assit they would have to design not just add I can see it soon but I doubt in 08.

 

The RL and the TSX are the early build out's for the year. Essentially setting them up for a 8-10 month run of 2008 models and and early release (maybe around April 2008) for the redesigned 2009 models.

As color supplies dwindle, you may even get more marketing support, but it's a gamble, you could save another $500 but if the marketing support goes away, it will cost you $3500.