Hi everyone. I am a new member and really appreciate the information and opinions that are found here. I am looking to purchase very soon and have narrowed my choice to the following 3 RLs.

2006 - $22500.00, Black, 49K miles, non certified at an Infiniti dealer
2006 - $22000.00, Light Blue, 59K miles, certified at an Acura dealer
2007 - $21000.00, Black w/ tech package, 62K miles, non certified at a Honda dealer

I'm leaning towards the light blue due to the certification by Acura. I still need to test drive the 2007. Please share any thoughts or advice. Thanks.

 

I would get the certified from the Acura Dealer. Can't go wrong with certified but it also depends where you are located at.

 

i would go for the newer one with the tech package, and just get an extended warranty. the certified pre-owned thing is just another way for the dealer to get more money.

 

If you are OK with the light blue, certified is the way to go. Repairing these cars after warranty can get very very expensive.

Chris

 

Certified gives you 12K more warranty for you to wring things out. In addition, you may be able to then purchase a 100K or 120K extended warranty. Check out online pricing and call the dealers to find out what you can do with a certified car. I believe you will not be able to purchase an extended Acura warranty if the car is not certified, but please check it out and let us know.

Don't get stuck at the dealer pressuring you to get an extended warranty without the facts. Of course if you are in Florida, then the out of state Acura warranty sales will not work.

 

I would go for the 2006 RL Certified and i will ask for my options to extend the warranty to 120k miles.

If this is not possible or way too $$$, i would go for the 2007. Make sure you replace ALL fluids on it with Honda recommended. Make sure everything is fresh and up to spec so you can extend the life of the most expensive components.
Even if the previous owner did not keep up with the maintenance, at 60k miles, you can still get the car in great shape and drive it for many many miles.

 

What condition are they in?

 

I test drove the Black 2006 and Light Blue 2006. Both appeared to be in great driving condition. However, I believe there was a smokers aroma in the Light Blue car and there were a few stains on the upholstery. I also think the drivers seat was more comfortable in the Black 2006. I sank a little bit in the Light Blue car seat. The Light Blue also has PAX tires. Can't remember if the Black one had PAX, but I think it did. Seems as if PAX tires can be of concern. Should that be a determining factor in whether or not to purchase the car?

 

I would stay away from PAX tires. The 2007 may be a better buy . That is just my opinion. Good luck!

 

I agree stay away from PAX because it will cost more in the long run in purchasing tires. Unless you talk to the dealer about replacing the PAX with non PAX.

 

i would get the first one 2006 black on black i hope . certified doesnt matter just get aftermarket warranty. its not like Infinity is a bad name dealer. i got my car private had a hard time finding the color i wanted white with black interior Good luck!

 

Or you could be patient and wait for other choices...

 

I would certainly consider CPO. Though there is no guarantee a dealer has appropriately vetted all issues with a CPO, the CPO agreement is between you and the manufacturer (Acura). And should a dealer not address any issues appropriately you have recourse with the manufacturer (Acura) for support. And potential to be resolved with another dealer if the one you purchase from is uncooperative.

A dealer warranty, or aftermarket warranty is not supported by the manufacturer and you have less recourse should the dealer or the warranty underwriter decide to dodge repairs you expect are part of the warranty coverage.

Be sure you understand what CPO addressed in the care sale / prep and do your homework the dealer has done so accordingly. If not, you can contact ACS and get support for them to make good on the CPO...they have to stand behind it, even if your dealer is slacking.

Search out here, the are many posts with CPO experiences. Often the CPO was not properly vetted for known issues that TSBs address. And in some cases owners had ACS support to resolve the issue. That will not happen with aftermarket warranty support, because ultimated a used car is a used car.

Many 05 and 06s are off lease vehicle and second owner vehicles....they may not have been cared for and history maintained. A CPO should baseline that so future repairs can be mitigated with the warranty.

A few posts out here where a CPO purchased RL soon had a propeller shaft replaced under warranty (a $1700+ replacement for the carbon fiber propeller shaft). A few out here do not have CPO or extended warranty and are left with the expense. And a rare few out of warranty got a good faith replacement....but that is rare.

Bottom line. The RL is a lot of car, technology and engineering to learn and understand if it is operating correctly. Can you be sure it is all in good order with a few test drives and a mechanic 'once over'? A CPO would give you SOME level of comfort any issues have been vetted.....and at least some recourse if it has not.

 

As usual, Tampa gives sound advice.

On a car with this much technology, CPO is the only way to go, and then, if you will keep the car more than 12K miles, really consider and Acura Care (issued by Acura) warranty to 100 or 120K miles that you purchase (over the telephone) from online Acura dealers.

I saved over $1200 by purchasing on line vs the steeply discounted from the Thanksgiving Sale price. Granted this was within 6K miles of new, but you should still get similar savings on a CPO. Acura has since said no more on line sales, but that does not (from other threads on this site) prevent you from shopping on line, but transacting by telephone and credit card.

 

Thanks for all the advice and opinions so far. I am certainly leaning towards a CPO car. My current car is a 2001 BMW 325i with 155K miles, so I know how expensive repairs can be. Right now I face a $1500 to $2000 repair/maintenance bill to pass inspection this month. Granted, part of this bill is new tires and brakes, I really can't complain as these are normal wear and tear items (also need new control arm bushings). But I have been eyeing the RL for a while now and was thinking this may be the right time to take the plunge.

 

I agree with advice about CPO, but unfortunately, your CPO choice includes PAX which is a major minus.
I'd look further.

 

OK. None of the cars has PAX tires. Two cars have either Michelin HX MXM4s and one has Bridgestones. Still leaning towards the CPO even though the light blue color probably would not be my first choice. It has gold emblems too. I would prefer silver emblems but that is something that could be changed in time.

I should add that I test drove a CPO 2006 Desert Mist RL recently which was priced at $20500 but I removed it from consideration because it has 74K miles. For the past 6 years, I have averaged around 20K per year. I'm not sure I want to be near 100K miles after only one year of ownership.

 

I have decided to wait on a CPO RL with relatively low miles and in a color I really want. I was trying too hard to like the light blue color. Thanks again for all the advice.

 

You made the right choice. This isn't pocket change, get what you want

Chris

 

you guys are funny CPO is a bunch of b.s. DONT LET THEM FOOL YOU. You still have to check thr car for your self and if you cant do it pay someone you can trust!!

 

I'd try to get something that qualifies for the AcuraCare warranty. I believe you'll need mileage under 50,000 and less than 4 years old from the in service date (I could be wrong though). The extended warranty is HUGE. I've already had door handles, the drive shaft and tie rods replaced. I paid around $1,000 for the warranty and it has more than paid for itself. Piece of mind is important with a car that boasts this much technology.

On another note, buying at a reputable Acura Dealership with a good Service Dept is a good idea.

Sounds like you have a game plan .. Don’t rush into it.
First and foremost, be happy with the color options
Negotiate a good price
Get it CPO (not a big deal as long as you DEFINITELY get the warranty through AcuraCare). If you do get a CPO, check EVERYTHING yourself .. look for bent/warped rims, listen for strange noises .. don’t let the dealer get away with anything pre-sale. It’s easier to get stuff fixed before they get their money rather than having to go back and forth after the sale.

 

All this is true enough...

The one point I was trying to make, which the OP should verify, is:

Does a car being CPO allow him the option access to the Acura Care Extended Warranty, that many of us took advantage of when we purchased the cars new, or used, but still within the 50K miles /4 year warranty period?

 

CPO or the Acura Care Extended Warranty is certainly worth it (or both). It's a small price to pay. Does Acura and the dealership make money on it, sure, but that's OK, as they honor their promise to fix things if/when they brake. This isn't a 1990 Accord, the car is loaded with expensive gizmos and dodads, and much of it is unique to a low volume luxury car, which means that repairs and parts can cost a fortune. I've had to get two door handles replaced already, and if you read the forums, you'll see a lot of odds and ends that can fail. Even the stuff that has been relatively solid, such as the drivetrain, can cost a fortune to repair.

 

yea well when i asked my dealer where and when the details started they said 2007. But my car is an 05 so for 2 years there was no notes on anything!! And the only way you can get them to fix anything usually is an argument and then you worry about your car the hole time it is there. Not really worth it get an after market warranty you can buy as many years as you want and when there is a problem just a few emails and its done. I think a lot of people here for get it is a HONDA one of the toughest cars around.

 

I wonder why that 07/tech isn't CPO being that its being sold at a Honda/Acura dealer. It not that bad on mileage. See if they'll certify it. If they will then you've def found your car. I'd still in the end pick that car.

 

lol

 

He did say it was at a Honda dealer. I suspect a Honda dealer isn't going to certify an Acura. Maybe I'm wrong.

 

If I was the OP I'd take my time. There is always a car out there with your name on it. Just a question of time.

Whatever you get, get a CPO'd. Yes, you will still have to check it out yourself, in detail.

 

Honda dealers cannot CPO an Acura, vice versa. Strange but, true.

 

Why is that strange? Try getting your Lexus fixed at Toyota. This car is not a big Accord.

 

anyway all you guys need to stop relying on the dealers so much i guess you will learn when they wreck your car or sell you one with problems that they say they dont see!

 

That warranty / dealer cross you are dragging around must be getting pretty heavy by now.

I think many of the members here are intelligent enough to make their own decisions and respect opinions for being just that.

***Greetings from Barcelona***

 

Barcelona! Must be nice!