I am leaning towards a 2006 RL with 57K miles. It drives incredible and is in excellent shape. I know nothing about Acuras and RLs. I know about Mercs E-350, and BMW 530s. Currently have a Camry with 90K and it is reliable and inexpensive. What will I be getting into regarding maintenance and TCO?

This RL is a great car. I want to keep it at least 150 - 200K and not go broke.

Thanks!

 

It'll last longer than 200K provided maintenance is kept up to do.

 

The 06 is pretty much bulletproof w/ some experiencing minor problems here and there. You should run a search as this topic has been discuss many times.

IMO, if you really like the car and it checks out, I would go for it. Like coopcoop mentioned it can easily go over 200k w/ proper maintenance.

 

My 06RL has been trouble free of some of the nags in early RLs. Mine was built May of 06. No propeller shaft whine, no A/C issues, none of the software bugs in the earlier builds. It is tight, looks and drives new. I have replaced some trim pieces (armrest, bumper trim) and recently a warranty replacement of the front struts and a failed windo actuator. But I find the wear amazingly minimal. Aside from some leather patina on the driver seat, I am regularly asked if it is a new car. It also has been cheap to maintain. Tires, oil changes, brake fluid and tranny fluid changes. Batteries seem to last 3 years average ( I only used OEM).

I tested an RLX SHAWD last week, and I am considering it as a replacement. But honestly my biggest issue is parting with my RL. I simply do not find many new competitive car models THAT much more car than what I have already. The smoothness and serenity of this car is intoxicating. I may decide to keep the RL and add a second car to the garage if I do not let new car fever override my sensibility that the RL has gratified for 8 years.

 

Car fax show regular maintenance every 5K, 57K averages about 7K a year. They are replacing the tires with run-flats, as well as notmal filters and oil change.

As far as an extended warranty, I am looking at USAA, as the dealer wants 2600 for a warranty to take it to 100K, where at USAA, it is 1800.

Then again, with the reliability of the car, it may not be needed.

Thanks to all, and this forum, I am picking up the vehicle on Monday, then need to get the Bluetooth streaming part for Pandora..

 

even though mileage low, you are at the time limit for timing belt service.
I'd check to see if it was done, otherwise factor in about $900. soon

 

Unless you have a plan for an aftermarket upgrade product, the 06 RL does not have Bluetooth streaming capability. I believe that came online with the 09 RL.

 

If they are using run flats, is this a CMBS Pax car ? Many RL owners don't like the Pax tires for a multitude of reasons. Harsh ride, very expensive, tough to replace etc etc.

 

Yes, searching the forums and Google for a bluetooth solution

 

Yes, they are the run flats, new tires being installed by dealer on Monday.

 

I have very few complaints with my 06, which I have had for 3.5 years now. Just under 75K miles on it now. Only issues have been:
- propeller shaft "howl" when cold, replaced under powertrain warranty just over 45K miles
- the usual annoyances with the door handles not always working properly
- only "major" repair beyond regular maintenance schedule is front brake rotors had to be replaced. Not what I would call cheap from Acura but cars that were expensive new are not made of cheap parts so I can't really complain.


My biggest peeve though is rear wheel well rust. This has plagued every Honda/Acura product you see on the road in my part of the world since they started selling cars in Canada over 30 years ago. It's so common bodyshops and dealers call it "Honda rot". My first car - an 88 CRX I bought used in the early 90s for $3 grand - rusted in exactly the same places my RL is showing now. My friend with an 05 RL has it even worse - both rear wheel wells and the front doors under the door handles were corroding after 5 years.


On the advice of the only bodyshop here I do business with (they handle all high-end premium repairs for the dealers) I had the car rust repaired and then rustproofed the car with extra "living bejesus" soaking spray done to the inside of the wheel wells. Made a nice mess of my parking spot for several weeks but no signs of any rust return so far.

 

If they are the PAX runflats, might want to start searching for de-PAX options. If you have new tires on, you're OK for a while but once it comes time for replacement, you will not like the price of those PAX tires. I sold my OEM rims and winter tires to a new ( to him ) RL owner who was de-Paxing. You might not be able to use the PAX rims for regular tires so in future, unless you want to pay top dollar for new PAX tires ( and most tire shops do not like working with PAX ), you would be looking for a set of OEM rims and regular tires. Or for that matter, after market rims and regular tires ...

 

Sooooo dont laugh at me i asked a Wheel company if a certain set of TSW's will fit my 06' RL with tech package and he said it will fit your brembos.... does the 06' tech package have Brembos stock??

 

What is Pax?

 

Many people (dealers included) use "Brembo" as a general name for big brake kits (BBKs). Sort of like all tissues are a Kleenex regardless of brand. The RL brakes are the same across all trim levels and are manufactured by Advics. 4 piston up front, 2 in the rear. The prototype had 6 and 4 pistons.




PAX is a run flat technology developed my Michellin. http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michelin_PAX_System

 

You give the best answers and info 7spy thanks much

 

Hmm I don't think I have run flats and I definetly don't have Michellins.

 

What year trim is it?

 

2005, not sure on trim.

 

There's one the base model for 2005. Pax didn't come on the RL until 2006 on the technology package

 

There's Only* ^

 

My biggest issue with my '06 RL over the 95K miles I owned it before trading her in was the touch sensor door handles going bad. On mine, each side were replaced at least 5 times (10 in total). I narrowed it down to the high pressure touch less car washes I frequented killing them. I resorted to covering the sensors with hockey tape each time before going through the wash and I never had a problem after that.

When I traded her in I think my left front speaker was blown as it would emit distortion that was most noticeable from the Bose Active Noise Cancellation.

If the Cadillac CTS coupe hadn't come along I might have still owned my RL. Loved that car and while I have had no complaints with my Caddys, I still consider my RL the best car I ever owned.

 

Heya Hawks,,,been quite some time. Glad you are liking the CTS, it is one of the cars I have looked at. The RL seats have spoiled me and the CTS just did not feel 'just right' size wise. And aside from new features, I kinda like the styling of the <2014 model CTS more than the latest. Audi A6 Prestige was the other I have considered.

With the RL you sure were cursed with door handles! I suspect it is because you are a Dirty Old Man! *ducking*

I only experience door sensors not responding twice, both after a laser wash, and it did not last long, maybe 10 minutes. Maybe they need to use de-ionized water in those things?

I am intrigued by the RLX SHAWD. The PAWS model is very nice, but I came away thinking it was not enough to tempt me from my RL. I am in no hurry so I will wait, watch and weigh it out. Considering my past cycle to new car fever every three years the RL may have cured that ailment.

 

Hey Tampa, yes it has been a while.

With respect to the door handles i have no explanation aside for my obsession in trying to keep the car clean in the winters. Something you don't have to deal with.

I agree with you that I like the previous generation styling of the CTS over the newest iteration. I think the front is aggressive, but the rest of the car is a bit bland to me. They also bumped their prices up quite a bit thinking that they can now charge BMW prices. Not sure they are there yet though. The complaint on the Cadillac forums is that Cadillac has toned down their styling to appeal to the Chinese market.

As for the seats, the original coupe I purchased had the standard seats and while your complaint of their comfort is a common one, I didn't really have any issues. They seemed to suit me fine. Now last October I jumped up to the CTS-V coupe with the optional Recaros. Now those seats are nice and infinitely adjustable. I just haven't driven it much during the winter.

As for the RLX, I understand your point about it being more stately and agree with the point you made here or in the other thread about the other brands not being any more dynamic in styling. For me though, after the abortion of what they did with the TL, and then the refreshed MMC RL, the RLX just was the final straw. Not that the RLX was bad, it just didn't grab me. I felt the designers just mailed it in.

I still look fondly at any 2nd gen RL I see on the road. Today I say a Carbon Grey one just like my old car. Like I said, Probably the best car I've owned.

 

Very true statement, and also applies to the RLX as Acura may sell more in China than the USA. I believe the top US manufacturer in China is Buick.

And you have become another torque zombie! You and Bob can go munch on shoppers at the mall.

I agree it would have been nice to see something more exciting. But I like the RLX, and the SHAWD package rounds it up for my taste. The CTS Coupe is iconic. And you can be proud to drive what Justin Bieber has! *ducking behind the sofa* You both badazz.

I still look back at mine and admire the lines...dunno if I can part with it.

 

Guilty as charged.


Ugh.... That was a low blow.

 

Wait. Hold on just a second.


You got a CTS-V and didn't update us?!? You better have put it in Car Talk and I just missed it or else, .

 

mmmmm... cts-v.

 

I didn't?

I know I posted pictures when I got the non-V coupe, but must not have when I got the V. I should have gotten the V from the start. That was what I wanted. I was going to buy a new one, but ended up finding a CPO 2012 with only 9,800 miles on her.

Here are pictures.

 

How can they get away with the interior color name 'saffron'?

That plus your Bieber hair cut may be termination of your man card.

*dodging gunfire*

 

LOL

You don't like it? I really do and have gotten a ton of compliments on it.

The Bieber haircut on the other hand.... not so much.

 

I like the color. But the color name 'saffron'? Who was the interior consultant....Martha Stewart?

Look at that car, and what it can do.

My choice for that interior color accent would have been 'Supermodel Blonde'.

Apologies for the thread hijack....but since Heidi Klum is back on the market I get distracted easily....

 

Heidi Klum is my fav

 

In this pic it looks like its been in a wax commercial.