A4turbo

Hey guys, just signed up... not too sure how active this forum is, but I was looking for some advice. Always been a fan of the RL, and I have found a 2005 for sale and am tempted to pull the trigger. It was just safety inspected in July, but beyond that I'm not too sure of the condition beyond a few pictures I received (some rust on wheel well and rear quarter panels).

The car has 177,000km and would cost me $3,200 CDN "as is". I am away from home for the next few weeks, and would have to buy it without seeing it in person first... which has me a bit weary.

I drive an 2005 Audi A4 and I had to have the water pump and timing belt replaced after so many KMs. What are some things that will need to be replaced on an '05 RL? With the minimal information I provided, do you think $3,200 is a good deal?

Thanks!!

teh CL

iTrader: (1)

$3200 with 177,000KM?


​​​​​​​That thing must be beat to shit. Where's the ad?

A4turbo

No ad, my buddy works at Honda and they just took it in on trade - he knew I was in the market for one and sent me pics. It doesn't look terrible cosmetically, but who knows mechanically. I can buy it as-is for $3200 and pay $100 or so to have them check it out, or an extra $1000 for them to do a full pre-purchase and sell it to me as retail instead of wholesale with a new safety.

teh CL

iTrader: (1)

Mechanically these cars are pretty bulletproof as long as the timing belt/water pump/fluid changes are up to date. The fact that there's 1/4 panel rust means that previous owners didn't care for it and who knows what else is neglected.


Still for $3200 with less than 200K is a steal IMO. Post pics if you can


Where in are you located?

projektvertx

iTrader: (2)

I mean, at that price.... As states, pics would be great!

A4turbo

teh CL

iTrader: (1)

Looks respectable enough. Definitely needs some love though but at least the interior is pretty clean

A4turbo

I may regret it, but I'm going to buy the car. I have wanted an RL since I bought my A4 five years ago and they seem pretty rare around these parts. Assuming the worst, how much am I looking at to replace the water pump and timing belt? $1500?

teh CL

iTrader: (1)

At the most, especially if you have a buddy at Honda


Other potential issues nearing 200k

shocks
lower control arms
engine mounts


​​​​​​​Would be great if there's any service history

MrVtech

Hm. I tend to buy slightly lower miles cars. Most important rust underneath.. exhaust all rusted and a chore to remove. Hard to resell later..
If planning long distance drives definitely need tranny rebuilt with sonnax updated valves. Just rebuilt 2005 odyssey tranny. Here are sonnax valves for tranny valve body. MJBA tranny
Would be good to know if many had overheated trannys. Torque converters or anything. Usually 200k miles on honda auto tranny.. and u need rebuild

http://www.sonnax.com/parts/3847-o-ringed-tc-check-valve-kit

http://www.sonnax.com/parts/2753-converter-charge-regulated-pressure-regulator-valve

MrVtech

If u need a shop to do all work.. things can get really expensive. Having said that. 180k on most jap cars is nothing to worry about. Only resale value. Oh and if u are buying from a dealer sales tax is calculated off the price the dealer puts on title as opposed to city's valuation in most usa states. Something to think about

A4turbo

Thx for the info. I will actually not be paying tax or fees, just the $3,200 cash because I went for as is. I just purchased a CarFax report and there has been two owners, no accidents or damage. I'm rolling the dice but hope it's in alright shape.

RL09

Well maybe your honda buddy can at least have a mechanic quickly listen to it and give it a looksie to at least tell you it sounds ok, and check for any leaks?

A4turbo

Yeah, they're taking a look at in the shop at Honda on Monday. I won't be back in the province until December 13th, and they can't hold it on the lot, so I really hope there isn't much wrong with it! They don't have the service records but the local Acura dealership may.

Side note - is there a site that sells the wooden shift knob or wooden-looking steering wheel, or is eBay my best bet?

MrVtech

No rush) nothing sells in winter. They'd be happy to sell it for 2700 too) often they'll create a sense if urgency. . Even have another "potential buyer" looking at a car when u are there

projektvertx

iTrader: (2)

It would be nice to get SOME history to know where it stands. Honestly, for as cheap as you're getting in and considering the interior is in good shape, it doesn't seem like a bad deal. Keeping my fingers crossed that they can check it out mechanically for you!

EDIT: For all us US people, that a tick under USD 2400$ if it sells for asking!!!

oo7spy

Already worried about interior mods.

A4turbo

Glad I could give you a laugh bud

08KBP_VA

No site for the knob for sure thats an ebay thing I think thats where I got mine. As for the wheel I was able to get one from Acura dealer brand new, not sure if its still available though. You could also check black market on this site for both, they sometimes come up.

A4turbo

Much appreciated!

projektvertx

iTrader: (2)

The wood steering wheel from the '09-'12 does fit in the '05-'08 and was a lot easier to find when I bought mine. Just a heads up.

As for the shift knob, this might help:

https://acurazine.com/forums/second-...rl-diy-872433/

RL09

Just make sure you meet the car first, buy it and after making sure it runs, before buying its high end shift knob and steering wheel sport.

Just by reading that tells me you better check well on that very low priced car before buying it.

A4turbo

Guess I just don't see the need to ridicule a new user adding a side-note - at the end of a reply (to you), on an RL specific forum, asking about two minor pieces that might cost me $100. It won't break the bank.

Again, the car recently passed inspection and Honda drove it before taking it on trade-in.. sorry I didn't specify, just thought it was implied that the car does in fact run. TY again to 08KBP and projektvert for their help.

RL09

He decided not to thank us

A4turbo

Sure are a welcoming bunch..

teh CL

iTrader: (1)

Tip of the day: NEVER leave the RL section if you can't handle some chirps/jabbing

TacoBello

If it wasn't for the rust, I'd say go for it. Otherwise, the car WILL look like shit in no time.

You can have the rust repaired, however, be warned, it's not cheap. Rust is like cancer for cars. Once you get, it's not easy getting rid of it, unless you spend a lot of money. If you do a budget repair, you likely will not get any warranty on it and it'll be back in 12 months.

If this is just a commuter car for getting around, it's all good. But if you're looking to clean it up and making it pretty, I'd factor in several thousands for the repair.

TacoBello

Also, prior to modding anything, take care of all the maintenance stuff first. It doesn't make sense upgrading parts of the car, when there are items that require addressing.

A4turbo

It's just a commuter. I'm not looking to lower it or install any performance parts.. I have a daily driver - just looking for a winter car with AWD. I don't plan on reselling it, just driving it for a year or two and giving it away. I do not mind paying for the wood knob/wheel - it's not like it's the only $100 I have for the car and will be neglecting any mechanical needs - but I suppose I should have kept that part to myself and stuck to my original question!

projektvertx

iTrader: (2)

This is actually the nice section of Acurazine... Entire 3G TL and Ramblings at your own risk. Consider yourself warned lol

A4turbo

But Audizine is so nice!

teh CL

iTrader: (1)

Acurazine > ALL

RL09

We eat more noodles here. Those sausage eating no speed limit nutcases at Audizine have nothing on us.

rlx015

I would be careful with 2005, considering it was the first year of production model.
Second, as already mentioned, you will probably need timing belt sevice, plus feel free to plan repairing/replacing control arms, shocks, struts, maybe tie rods, and very maybe steering rack and pinion if it was driven hard by previous owners ... note that second owner did not trade it for some weird reason: he simply did not want to pour money into it as it definitely will need something and it will cost ya... at that price however $2400 plus any maintenance or repairs you have to do to keep it in life next couple of years, may still be good deal ...

Warning: once you fall in love with how comfortable this car is (if it still has some soul left in it) it will be hard to find such comfortable car thqt compares..

oo7spy

Ridicule.

devastat1on

I'm a few days late, but if you PM me the VIN #, i could run a free carfax for you to look for any service and accident history. I work in the business and have unlimited carfax reports. Just let me know!

BluNosr2

I can confirm that unless you NEVER drive a Honda/Acura in the winter, or you are fortunate enough to live somewhere where they never use road salt, you are not going to get 10 years without at least some rust appearing in the rear wheel wells, not matter what you do for washing/cleaning, rustproofing, etc. It's called Honda Rot by every bodyshop here on the east coast because it eventually happens to all of them - time (with winter driving) is their enemy around here, not mileage. I've owned four different Honda/Acura products over 20+ years and religiously/meticulously cared for all, and every one eventually developed Honda rot (some worse than others) by around the 8yr old mark, including my 06 RL. Too bad they didn't do the rear quarters from aluminum on these like the front fenders LOL. The 2G RL's around here also tend to rust under the front door handles. I've seen an 05 that even had one of those marine grade cathodic rust protection systems installed when it was new, and the door skins under the handles still let go eventually.

projektvertx

iTrader: (2)

^iirc, once you see rust appear at the door handles on these cars, it's only the tip of the iceberg. If you were to remove the panel on the inside of the door, you would find it's entirely rusted on the inside.

Ahhh Honda rot, that's why I removed that stupid plastic lip on the rear wheel liner, granted my car doesn't get driven in Salt, but still...

RL09

I should unscrew it and spray anti rust below it shouldn't I?

projektvertx

iTrader: (2)

It just comes off, you pull it towards the inside of the car. I chose to replace it with XPEL which serves as the chip repellent that Honda intended that plastic piece to be without trapping salt and road grime.