It has 171000 miles. Car looks good in pics and the guy is real close to where I live. He agreed to $9500 on phone and I'm gonna check it out tomorrow.

What do you guys think of buying a car with so many miles? I know there is no exact answer, but maybe some tips, etc... I've always bought new in the past but this looks like a good deal.

Acura RL 2009





09 RL with lots of miles

 

mr.pickem, these cars are virtually bullet proof.
at 171k miles, the engine is just getting broken in!

however; its the small little things that might take a beating.

with that many miles; its pretty safe to assume it was an all highway miles car.
highway miles are LESS stressful on components than city driving.

brakes take a beating, suspension takes a beating....
I would look at these two components to see how well they stood up to 171k miles

interior wear would be another issue, as the gentleman probably spent a lot of time inside of it.

 

Thx for the reply. I will definitely take note of the interior and suspension. If you clicked the ad you would have seen he says he's an exec that mostly was the only occupant...new Michelins to boot. Sounds good. I see alot of folks with 300K and such...just don't want to get ate up with maintenance as I only do very minor stuff myself.

 

^if you dont get this machine, I WILL!

just looked through the ad, pretty nice car!

 

Yeah I was thinking it looks nice and the guy obviously has $$ because of the house, but the pics may be older. Dude's in Vegas and wont be back till tomorrow afternoon. Definitely will have a look. I had an 08 RL that I always regretted trading for a TL. Now I got an Accord but want something a little sportier. I always thought that 2008 RL was the best car I ever owned and I'm 53 and have owned over 50 cars and at least 12 new.

 

I always like the 2005-2008 RL's.

the 2009+ exterior refresh looks odd to me, but the exterior doesnt take away from the great car the RL is.

if I were looking for a sedan today; the one you posted would be a major consideration for me.

 

That is a steal!

The obvious things that come to mind are struts and timing belt. The struts have probably never been replaced and they can really use it after 100k miles. The timing belt itself isn't much of a concern, but the tensioner pulley can start to leak around 100k. Make sure the 1st timing was done around 100k, and you will be good to go until 200k.

Anything else is really as probable as any other RL over 100k. The parts are old, but there is a lot of margin there to put into those things and still come out ahead versus another MMC RL.

I'm with these guys.

 

^crikey! i forgot about the timing belt!!!

yes, if it hasnt been changed out; i would do that soon.
might offset that sweet price of the car but, it will be a fantastic car that will last 10 years and another 200k miles easily.

 

I'd like to be in line if you don't buy it! What a steal!

 

You better get that damn car!

 

Got full maintenance record, + 1 owner=I would go with cash and buy it tomorrow.

God the FL driveways are so tits. Love the brick.

 

How long does mrpickem get first dibs before we all pounce on it? I'm ready to buy it sight unseen now!

 

Well on the Miata forum, someone would already be there with cash. Then again, they never post the ad link. They change the location and price, so you cant find it. They are clever.


Maybe the RL ownership group, has more class?

 

Well, I'd like to think that Acura guys have a little more class than the Mazda guys! hahahaha So I'll give mrpickem a little more time... but in the meantime, does anyone have any unofficial rules of engagement on buying cars that other forum owners find but are still thinking about?

 

I don't have "rules of engagement" with the woman I bang, much less a stranger on the internet.

This is MMerica, home of the #1. Look out for yourself, blah blah blah.


If I lived in FL, I wouldn't be posting here, I would be at the owners house with cash in hand.

 

Yeah, if I was in FL, I would be there too. But unfortunately, I am further away from it that you are, so I'd have to ship it. So I might actually lose to a person going there in person with cash.

 

is it tomorrow yet?!?!?!?

 

Dude is in Vegas till late Saturday. I'm gonna see him on Sunday.

I would hope peeps would give me that time, but no guarantees in life. I posted the ad, maybe my foolishness will cost me. I live less that 5 miles from where the car is and will try to see it tomorrow morning.

Do what you must and let your conscience be your guide.

Thanks for all the great replies and info.

My '08 in 2009 with Ron Joihns/Toyos & an old thread about it

 

I had a 2007 RL with 170,000 miles in silver. Never had one problem with it and sold it on cars.com to the first person that looked at it. He was a Honda mechanic and bought it in two minutes. I replaced it with a 2010 RL three years ago that had 20,000 miles when I bought it and now has 80,000 trouble free miles. If you can get documentation that the fluids and oil were changed on schedule buy it.

 

Bro, none of us are buying it from under you. You will get it.

Congrast. Post pics when you do.

 

Yeah, what he said!

We're just messing with you man! We wouldn't buy it out from underneath you. Now if I lived within 5 min of him or if I was in Vegas now where I could meet up with him in person for a drink or two, it'd be a different story!!! :-P

But seriously, that is a great deal and I would jump all over it if I was you. Let us know how it goes!

 

Sorry, I already e-transferred him the money.

Thanks for finding this gem for me- I'm sure I'll enjoy it for years to come

 

Haha, I really didn't expect anyone would try to cut me...but you never know. You guys had me going and I thought may be a dumb move on my part posting ad.

I was looking at a '12 TL AWD with under 29K miles at CarMax for $26,900 when I ran across this. I'm tired of my Accord and just want back in an Acura. This would be great cause I got cash for it and could sell the Accord and put money in my pocket.

I also got a pickup & the wife has a Toyota so it wouldn't be a real issue if there was some maintenance issues. I do still think I want a carfax just to make sure no major accidents.

 

RL > TL


DO IT


STOP THINKING brah

 

There's nothing to think about. I already own the car

 

Congrats

 

Rules of AZ:
1) In Ron A. we trust.
2) Never believe anyone on here with more than 99% activity.
3) Never post a poll without a "Whiskers" option.

 

seems like a really good deal no great deal. I just got an 08 with 200k for 7900 that was very well taken care and I would've jumped on this instead if it was around. Like everyone mentioned make sure everything was taken care of. Most likely it was cause people who own these cars and travelled a lot with them like yours and mine do not want to be stranded on the way to work so they were by the book. Just my thoughts. Buy it and have new fluids put in and check all suspension bits. even if it needs a bit of work it still a good deal.

 

 

Any update on the buy mrpickem? The ad is still up and if the deal isn't sealed pretty soon I think I'm gonna really take a crack at getting it!

 

I didn't buy it because I didn't like the carfax. It had front collision that required towing. Probably fine, but I'm just leery of high miles and coupled with the accident...I'm standing down.

 

Suddenly, less of a steal. If the owner could proved an estimate or shop receipt, that would be key.

 

Did the seller show you pictures or describe the extent of the damage?

 

He said it was a tire that came off a truck and hit the front/hood/windshield. All service done at local dealer except this happened over year ago out of state and no record or pics.

Still probably a good deal for someone; just not me.

 

OK, so I changed my mind. Met the guy yesterday and the car looks and drives great. I seen receipt for accident repairs at Sterlin. Hood & windshield were replaced and some minor repair on pass side roof above windshield. Paint showed no noticeable mismatch. No mechanical repairs were needed.

CarFax attached...
Of note...
Oil changes ranged every 5-10k miles
Trans service ever 30K but not since 120K
Timing belt was done at 97K
Great Michelina replaced in Sept'14 ~15k

I've noticed all service don't always show on carfax but above record is verified from carfax. I will be going to same dealer so I assume they will give me the complete service history.

Obviously I get oil & tranny service right away and look into struts. I'm guessing timing belt good for another 30k or so.

Any other suggestions?

I will be picking it up tomorrow at 3PM.

 

ARGH! And I thought I would have had this one all to myself after you said you'd be passing on it!!!

Just kidding... congrats on the ride! Like I said before, that's a heck of a deal.

 

With any used car, you should drive it at hwy speed for at least 5 min after the car has warmed up. Keep an eye on the engine temp. Normal is ~40%, and anything over 50% is a sign of cooling issues. Afterward, let the car idle and watch for any unusual rev patterns.

In addition, match every door and panel to the VIN. This will indicate if anything has been completely replaced from a major accident.