I just picked up this 2006 RL for my parents. I got a chance to drive it home from the dealer. It's a smooth ride and has the power when you need it.

46k on the car as of now. 4 new tires, all 4 brakes replaced and all fluid services done.



The RL section is full of useful info. It helped out making my decision easy.

 

 

Congrats! I doubt the folks will be making mods, but maybe mud guards will be on the list.

My RL is about to hit 46K and it feels, looks and drives new. Your parents have a wise son, and they will likely find the RL all they could ask for. Just be prepared to coach them on the technology until it becomes familiar.

 

These cars are a great buy in the used market. I was looking at a Avalon as well and the RL offered a lot much for about the same price.

I tried to explain as much as I could before I had to catch my flight back to Houston. I have to order floor mats and update the navigation for them.

I may actually consider replacing my Accord with a newer RL in a year or two.

 

I saw that particular RL at Park Ave Acura. They were asking $20,000. I hope you didn't pay anywhere near that. I would have offered $17,000 all in. Park Ave sold me a 2005 in 2008 for $24,500 cash with 30,000 miles on it Certified.

I had to pay an additional $1,500 for the extended warranty (which saved my life numerous times). Though the 06 is less troublesome than the 05.

I calculated my cost of ownership and I would have been better off leasing a 5 series. For example: the 50,000 mile service cost $650 (not including cabin filter), the $60,000 miles service cost $750 (replacing spark plug wires and transmission fluid), shortly afterwards my Y-pipe had to be replaced $1,150 (due to rust-not covered under warranty because it's part of the exhaust). I've had the cabin air filer replaced three times at my expense over $100 each time. (replaced at 35,000 50,000 & 70,000 miles respectively). I had parking sensors added by Acura $750. The lightbulb in the radio burnt out ($250- I negotiated this price they wanted over $300). The leather on my center console wore away ($100 for Ebay replacement and professional upholstery).

It's not any cheaper used then it is new.

 

Nice RL! I am sure your parents would love the car. I know i love RL

 

Nice,tell them to drive it like they stole it..LOL

 

You got to be kidding me!!!Cabin air filter change over 100 bucks????Dude that filter cost 10 bucks and you can replace it youself in 2 minutes..LOL Sorry for the ramblings but some people are just LOST!!!

 

Yes I am one of those people that trust the dealer to do all the maintenance and lube up my ass at the same time. I wish I was more of a hands-on person but I just did not have the time.

 

Hey bro,no problem to each their own.After all you know you budget.I just thought it is a sin to spend over a 100 bucks for cabin filter.Damn dealers,no coincidence they call them "stealerships"!!Glad you take care of your RL as you should,bro!!

 

Some of us have time, some have money, and some like me have not much of either. Everyone's got a different set of values. Nothing wrong with that.

Sounds to me like you need to find a friend who values a 6 pack of beer more than a few hours of working on your car.

 

I didn't get the best deal but I paid around 19,000 after TT. I liked this car cause it had all the service records and all the service was done at the same dealer.

I've done the in-cabin filter on my Accord, it was pretty easy. I'm going to have them service it at the Honda dealer close to their house. Their labor rate is a lot less and easier to get to for my parents.

This car will be used mostly for weekends, long drives and of course when I come into town to visit

 

[QUOTE=sanjbaby;13865583]I didn't get the best deal but I paid around 19,000 after TT. I liked this car cause it had all the service records and all the service was done at the same dealer.
[QUOTE]

That sounds like a fair deal for a very low mileage, well documented car. Depending on market area, that car trade value is in the $17K range and retails to 20K. A few months ago I was offered $22K for mine without trading for another vehicle.

Used car sales have been a rollercoaster in the past few years. In early 2008 right as the market and car industry crashed, my RL was at 34K miles and was valued down to $17K. It has actually increased in value the last two years as used cars were in higher demand. Now with new car sales picking up and a new model release on the horizon, it will drop off again.

 

[QUOTE=TampaRL;13865975][QUOTE=sanjbaby;13865583]I didn't get the best deal but I paid around 19,000 after TT. I liked this car cause it had all the service records and all the service was done at the same dealer.

You are absolutely correct. The prices of used RL's are proportionally, much higher now relative to year and mileage then when I purchased my car. Even very high mileage 05 RL's not certified still command $15,000.

Anyway, he bought a beautiful car that will give his parents years of enjoyment.

 

Very nice, I am sure they will enjoy it.

 

Not necessarily, I bought my dealer-maintained, single-owner, good-to-excellent condition 05 from a used car lot for $11k.

 

I'm using Autotrader, autobytel & kbb as reference. Like I said previously I purchased a 2005 for $24,500 in 2008 that was certified with 30,000 miles on it. Also if you paid so little I am assuming that the car hasn't hit certain thresholds of wear. When it does (and it will) you will pay your "savings" back I assure you. lol

 

I've still got another 50k miles before my 210k tune up!

 

I had my transmission replaced at 56,000 miles, all four boots and shoes replaced at 72,000 miles and one rotor (all under warranty). Those would have been killers had I not had the extended warranty. Not to mention I had the cigarette adaptor plug assembly replaced twice, the steering column as well. Not to mention the navigation unit. And two oxygen censors.

 

I know it's not a cheap car to own, but I do most of my own work and that saves me a lot of money. For instance, the cigarette adapter plug you mention cost me $5 to fix. Granted, if the transmission goes out, that'll cost a bit, but that's true of any car that doesn't have a warranty.

 

I suppose you are correct, transmissions are expensive in all cars. Since I don't have a warranty anymore and I don't feel like bleeding anymore money I will try to do things by myself or pay competent people who are hobbyists rather than the dealer. The suspension costs scare me however.

 

Any car will be expensive if you cannot turn your own wrenches... luckily major break downs with these cars are very rare.

 

That's a nice -looking car and what looks like a fair price.

Do take a few moments to read up on here about your cabin-air filter, high beam, fog light bulb and windshield wiper replacements. Each of these are quite easy, require no special tools and can be done in less than ten minutes each, by anyone. (I can do the cabin air in about 3 min, w/o rushing).

These four, simple, do-it-yourselfs will save hundreds of dollars the few times you ever have to do them.