Here's the situation folks, and I would appreciate sincere, honest feedback. I'm having a moral dilemma. I was all set this weekend to purchase a 2006 Acura TL, and was planning on spending around $33,500 (optimally). I just received an email from my dealer saying that they are having a deal on ALL 2005 RL's that are in stock- they are asking $41,329.25 . They currently have a Black ($500 extra)with Parchment in stock. I'm thinking this is a FANTASTIC value for a car, and years down the road this car will have probably retained more value in relation to buying a new TL. However, it will end up being $8k more or so in the beginning. Has anyone owned both cars? What do you guys think I should do? Is there $8k difference in your opinion? It's a lot of extra money to come up with, although since I was planning on buying an MDX originally it's not really that bad. Any input is appreciated. Thank you so much,

Fugazi

 

I don't want to bash the TL because quite honestly if there were no RL, I'd be in a TL today. The TL is a wonderful car - especially in 6sp - and is an amazing bargain for what it brings to the table.

Do this - test drive both cars, on our initial test drives we immediately noticed the build quality difference. One felt like a Honda Accord (flame suit on), while the other felt much more tighter and refined.

If you can afford the RL, I'd say to go ahead and do it. You won't regret it.

 

You won't regret buying the RL (and you'll be paying a LOT less than I did 1 year ago).
TL is very nice, but I think the RL is worth the extra cost. I drove both before I bought the RL.

 

Sorry, no one can really help you with that dilemma. YOU need to drive both cars and YOU need to decide what you want to spend your $$ on. I was debating buying a Subaru Legacy GT for a while but couldn't see myself 'stepping down' in prestige. So when I could get the RL for a great price it was easy. I would never buy the TL because it has FWD. I need (well, want) AWD.

The TL is great but the RL is greater

 

I agree with what everybody else has said. The TL is a great vehicle, but the RL is simply better. You need to decide which one you like best. Push both cars hard in your driving - see the capability of the sh-awd on the RL. I owned a 05' TL before it was totaled and then I bought the RL. IMO it is worth the extra money over the TL. I paid 45 for the RL, and was well worth it over the TL. At 41k I would buy it without hesitation over the TL. If you can afford it, go for it.

 

I just got my RL last week, and trust me, i was in the same boat. I actaully sold my G35 and waited 2 months for the 06 TL to come out, since I didnt want an 05. After realizing that the RL was selling with a huge discount, I jumped on it, without thinking back. I never really like the style of the TL but love the interior. but as for the RL, the style in and out is much nicer, and you wont believe how much compliments i've been getting in less than a week. Showed it to my boss and she just got an new MB C class and i felt kind of bad knowing that i have a way better car than her. And she knows it too, kept saying mine is very nice...

 

I, too, struggled with this same decision. I ended up with the RL. The AWD, technology and overall comfort were factors in my decision. Also, the difference between the monthly lease payments for the TL and the RL (with the $2500 incentive) wasn't enough for me to justify (to myself) getting the TL. This is just my own personal experience. I do agree with all on this board who suggested that you drive both cars and.....

 

It's all really up to you.

Myself and several other RL owners are former '04/'05 TL owners. For me, the difference between the cars is night and day and I would never go back. There is a lot more to it than just SH-AWD.

I posted this in the TL forum when I upgraded a long time ago:

 

How comfortable are you with spending the additional $8k? If spending that money means that you won't be able to afford something else important in your life, then you're better off not getting the RL.

 

That is probably the best way to decide.

 

I owned a 2004 AND 2005 TL, both with Navi. I currently own a 2005 RL. Without question, I like the RL better because the TL's power is going to the front wheels which creates a lot of instability.

IMO, if the TL came with AWD and was priced $8-12K less than an RL, I would take it. However, considering there's only an 8K difference and the TL is FWD, if you can afford the additional payments, go with the RL - believe me.

It's important to note you must be able to afford the car - not only is it more expensive to buy, but its more expensive to maintain, insure and drive.

The TL will have a higher (percentage) residual value in 3 and 5 years, but don't let that sway your decision. Drive both, evaluate your financial situation, then buy the car that's best suited for you. I say the RL (especially at that price), but keep us posted on which one you eventually choose.

 

My insurance is cheaper on the RL over the TL

Maint. wise it won't be much more. It is virtually the same regular maint that is scheduled.

 

It was a great car, Grey with black leather, Navi, XM, etc.. Awesome car, had torque steer because of the awesome 270hp V6. Had a flat in Grants Pass Oregon and had to stay an extra night and most of the next day waiting for another tire to come in from Reno, Nevada. No one close to this hick town had a tire in any brand in that size.. That reallly sucked. If you have alot of traffic in your commute the 6mt while it is a wonderful shifter, will eventually make you crazy.
We traded it in on the the new '05 Opulent Blue RL. and I recently drove it from Bellevue, WA to Eldorado Hills, CA, around 800 miles, like the last time I did that in the TL, and the ride was so much nicer. I didnt have to row all the time, the SH-AWD made all those mountain passes seem like nothing. The RL is way more roomy and comfortable. Mileage - Average speed at end of trip down was 77 mph and Average mileage was 25.8. This was on a new car with around 200 miles when I left for CA. I miss the TL in some respects but am glad to have the RL. The dealer took the TL back, I had Zaino'd the heck out of it so it was easily the most shiny car on the entire lot, and put a Clearbra on it, so it was perfect, they sold it the first day it was there Im sure for way more than they gave me in trade.
Both cars are awesome, but the RL is ahead as it should be for their top of the line model. Good luck in your decision making. DanF

 

if you want more luxury w/ a smoother, more comfortable ride, go RL
if you want to save a lil bit of money and enjoy a sporty, stiff suspension, go TL

but like everyone said, test drive both. I'm sure that'll help you decide.

 

I really appreciate all your feedback. I think I'm going to go with an RL, but then again, what happens on Saturday will determine it all. Basically, the situation is this.

This might draw flack from some, but this car is a present to me from my parents. It was supposed to be a gift for graduating college, and doing it in four years. At the time I graduated I felt awful about the situation, and didn't want my parents to buy me a new car. That was December 2003.

So now we're in October of 2005, and I'm commuting 45 minutes each direction to work, and I'm ready to buy a new car. I will not, however, have my parents spend money on a car I don't really need (Like an M3- yes, I would want one in an ideal world, or as a second car, but it just doesn't make sense for me). I want a four door, safe, reliable car, and I want it to be worth every penny. Yes, I know I could get a Kia or some crap like that, but I love Acura (I'm sure most of you can relate). So here I am... can I justify my parents spending the extra money?

By the way, another dealer called and offered $41,600 for a 2005 NBP/Ebony. I think that may be my calling.

 

Dayam...I wish my parents were so generous. And I finished college in less than 4 years

 

fugazi,

congrats on the present and I think you can justify them spending the extra cash...if not, can you fork out the extra between the two, assuming you do in fact want to go for the RL?

and dont sweat anyone giving you flak...if they do then they are just merely envious of the fact you have some great parents and an opportunity they may not have or have had when younger.

 

At your age, you should buy a reliable used car (ie Honda) and have your parents give you $40,000 towards a down payment on a nice condo closer to work. You will get more satisfaction from a car that you worked to pay for, and the money your parents give you will continue to save you money for years and years to come. There is a real danger in a 21 year old getting accustomed to all of the extras in a luxury car as it will make any of your cars in the future seem inadequate unless they have the same features (unless you parents plan to buy you a new car every 4 or 5 years). Just my .02.

 

Thank you. I really appreciate the understanding. It's tough because I do catch flak from time to time. What they give to me is not something I've ever asked for, and it's difficult when I get grief from people. I'd rather people just didn't notice me.

The reasoning behind the car is my dad. When he was in highschool he had to share a car with his younger brother (he came from a poor family with three brothers). He said that when he went to highschool he and his brother would have to gas their old junker over the last hill or it wouldn't make it, and then they'd have to glide into the parking lot because the car was so loud that it was embarassing. He decided at some point around this time that when he had a child he would get them the car that they wanted.

 

I have a used Honda, that was my first car. I waited until I was 19 to get a car, because I wanted to save the money of insurance/gas/car for a few years, which did end up coming in very handy.

I understand your idea with buying real-estate, but its not really a great option in this situation. I work (internship/not paid) in one of the lowest income School Districts in Calfornia. Something like 80% of the students here are at or below the poverty level- not the kind of place I really would want to buy a condo at.

I'm 23, and my parents won't be buying me another car. I've got another year and a half of graduate school, and then I'm on my own.

 

Yeah I hear ya...

my folks have been good to me the last 10 years and have given me stuff and helped me out big time. It bugs me when I see people get flak for having generous/loving parents because the simple fact parents give their kids stuff or help them out financially means nothing about the person. I'm grounded and appreciate what I have been given/helped out with and I think I am pretty well rounded as a person...and when they are older and need to be taken care of I plan to do it and show my appreciation for everything they have done to make my life in early adulthood easier than most.

My dad was broke as hell as kid/teenager so he sounds like your dad...he doesnt want his kids (I have a brother 3 years older than me) to have to go through the same shit he did and that includes the car category.

What I love is people give others flak for their folks buying them stuff like cars yet you never hear people whine about most of the rich in the world who got their money from their family or got their jobs from their family or connections. A person like paris hilton is idolized by many yet she is only a celeb because of her family. the walton siblings are multi billionaires because of their dad. More and more athletes are getting into pro leagues because their dads were in the sport/have connections not because they simply are elite athletes. Very few in the world who are successful have gotten there on their own without family help.

So next time someone gives you flak tell them to kiss your ass and not judge you as a person simply because your parents decided they wanted to give you a present for being a good son and making them proud....I am sure if you were a lowlife piece of crap who verbally/emotionally abused your parents you wouldnt get stuff from your folks yet people never see this.

 

I agree with people giving you grief about the car. Don't worry about it, just ignore it. I have been given that for a while due to my age - but I have learnt to ignore it now. My parents think very much like yours did about the car - my dad paid $150 for his first car which woudl stall because his parents couldnt afford one. He refuses to allow me to pay for my own tuition and everything because he has always wanted me to have a better life than he did. In terms of the car, however, I refused to allow them to pay for the car. If I let them pay for any of the cars while I had them, I would have kept a good reliable civic/accord. I put it this way to them - I would rather have them spend that $40k they would spend on my car towards my their own bills, my tuition, or save it for my other two brothers tuition when they graduate h.s. IMO, the $40k downpayment towards a condo is a better idea - or perhaps invest it to grow a little, so when you are done with grad school in a year n a half, you can use it towards a house of your own. Either way, house or car, you can't go wrong.

Either TL or RL, you can't go wrong. Whatever you choose, make sure you enjoy it! Congrats

 

fugazi, now that we know the whole story behind the car, I can see that you are in a tough situation. You certainly can't refuse the car as it is a very significant and symbolic gesture by a father who struggled to get ahead and now wants his children to avoid the same struggle. At the same time, you feel guilty accepting such a generous gift. It sounds like you have a strong moral base and a very good grasp on financial responsibility and certainly don't need advice from me. My comments were based upon watching friends buying nice cars before they could really afford them and then being "trapped" into having to continue to buy these expensive money pits because they felt it would be embarassing for them to admit that they were overextended and throwing away money they really didn't have. In short, it is tough to buy an Accord after you've been driving an RL for several years even though, in reality, an Accord is all you can afford.
Maybe your dad will see the wisdom in giving you a TSX and a $20,000 GIC. That way he can rest assured that you have a wonderful new car and a little something to put down on a new home once you are settled into a career. Good luck with your decision. Oh, if you do get the RL - it's a wonderful car and you'll love it.

 

Wow, I am amazed by you guys- you're awesome. Thank you so much for your support and words. Its comforting to know that there are others that are in similar situations. As far as investing money, I'm going to be okay in the future I think. I worked at my grandparent's nursery from when I was a child and put all the money into my savings. When I was 15 I got a job working food service in a mall (for 6 years- NEVER again!! haha), and began to put money into an IRA. I pretty much saved everything I had, and since I never had gas/car/insurance to pay (until I was 19) I was able to put a decent amount away, so I'm not too concerned about saving more at this point.

A somewhat interesting story towards whole "parents giving" is this:

My girlfriend (24 years old) is a homeowner. She rents to her roommate, and uses the money to help for the house payment. She never brings up the conversation of where she lives, but it does come up on occasion (it's the typical college conversation). Nearly every time I've heard it come up she gets a remark like "Oh God it must be nice to be spoiled" (usually kind of jokingly) or "That must be nice to have a house given to you". And it really hurts her to hear it. Her father died two years ago, suddenly, from a heartattack. The only reason she can afford the house is because he wanted his daughters to be taken care of, so he made sure that should anything ever happen to them they would be taken care of. She decided to invest the money left to her in real estate.

Now, there's no way that people could know that. But still, it made me realize that people will give you grief sometimes if you have something nice. It absolutely kills me when the situation happens, because it's hard to see her crying and upset, saying how if it was as simple as giving up every material possession she had to have her father back, that she would without a second thought.

I try to be happy for my friends and family for what and who they have. If it makes them happy, it makes me happy. I appreciate your guidance and feedback. Thank you all!

 

I think this is one of the most civilized threads I have read on the forum after somebody has brought up a situation in which parents have paid for the car or anything expensive. everybody.

fugazi - let us know what you ultimately decide to do. Can't wait to hear which car you choose.

 

[QUOTE=fugazi] As far as investing money, I'm going to be okay in the future I think. I worked at my grandparent's nursery from when I was a child and put all the money into my savings. When I was 15 I got a job working food service in a mall (for 6 years- NEVER again!! haha), and began to put money into an IRA. I pretty much saved everything I had, and since I never had gas/car/insurance to pay (until I was 19) I was able to put a decent amount away, so I'm not too concerned about saving more at this point.[QUOTE=fugazi]
When you are thanking your parents for your new car, remember to thank them for raising you to be a hard worker and for teaching you the value of a dollar. Those two things are the greatest gift you'll ever recieve. I see success and probably an NSX in your future.

 

Rob, you gotta understand that it's not necessarily the act of buying the stuff, the problem arises when the child recieving the gift comes across as an ungrateful tool.

I have known many wealthy individuals who had a great attitude and understood that they should accept the gift because it is just that, a gift. However, I have also met just as many who, when they are given are car like an audi, ask why they didn't get a bmw and whine to their friends.

fugazi sounds a really well grounded individual and sounds like he will appreciate the gift greatly.

 

Again, thank you all. I'm hoping for the RL, to have an awesome car, and so I can be a real member of your forum! We'll see what this weekend brings; 9 am Saturday morning my dad and I are heading to the dealerships! RL or TL, I won't be dissapointed. You guys rock!

 

If you get the TL, make sure you get navi.

 

fugazi,

damn, sorry to hear your g/f has heard the retarded things people can say. Please tell her I am sorry for the loss of her father.

I do think hondamore's TSX idea and putting the extra cash in some investment sounds like a GREAT idea (im in the investment/finanncial planning industry) but if you would feel you're ok on the investment front then hey, get the RL.

That reminds me...most people never put any money into their portfolios at a young age and never really start investing until it is sorta too late. Also, a lot of parents dont seem to see the logic in putting some cash into plans for their children (when the kids are young) although more seem to be doing it today. I realize many just dont have the excess income to do this but many do yet don't. If I somehow ever find a woman worth marrying and have a kid, I plan to set up an investment account for him/her the day after he/she is born and set up an amount to contribute to it each month. I will keep it a secret...then when they turn say 25 bam, they have a couple hundred grand

I for one am all about parents being generous to their children assuming they have the financial means and have the parenting ability to give the kid solid values...the parents brought the kid into the world really for their own benefit (have kids to add enjoyment to your life and to carry on your genes) so they shouldnt have issues helping the kid out if he /she needs it and can appreciate the help.

 

Rob L

 

yeah I know that there are some who are spoiled and think the world revolves around them and flaunt their parents' generosity to others but i usually see people just assume someone who gets stuff is a spoiled ungrateful brat without even knowing them. I thankfully havent really gotten attitude in the past probably because I'm a pretty quiet guy but if I did, it'd bug me because the people saying it wouldnt have known me and if they did they'd see I'm not a spoiled little punk and stuff like that. I am grateful for everything my rents have got me or in all the ways they have helped me and I am happy to have them as my folks and have them there to help me if something bad happens to me and I know full well I could easily be on the other end having to struggle to get through life.

I am all about chewing out the ungrateful pricks who whine about getting this instead of that.

 

Thanks buddy

 

Thanks Rob. Yeah I agree with you on the whole investment planning thing, but I think I'm ok on that front, I've been contributing the max amount to my ROTH IRA every year (whatever the heck that stands for, lol) and I have some other investments here and there, as well as a savings account. I pretty much scrimp and save everything I get, and have since I was little- saved all my Christmas/Birthday money as well as all my change and tips that I made from work. I'm going to go have dinner with my parents in about an hour, and we're gonna talk everything over. Thanks again guys!

 

cool man keep us updated on what route you go

 

Went over and talked to my parents last night, things went pretty well. My mom wasn't into the idea of an RL at first (she thought it was $50,000+). I talked to my dad, and now I think he wants me to get an RL over a TL. He was thinking about buying one before he got his car, and he really likes it, I wouldn't be surprised if he's more sold on it then I am come Saturday. We're going down with a check... looks like it's time to buy :-) . I'm still not sure I feel completely comfortable with this expensive of a car. I do, however, appreciate the high safety rating. As I get closer to the age where I'll have a family, things like that matter more and more to me. SH-AWD sounds much better then TL-Torque-Steer-Drive too

 

RL

 

hehe nice bro. hope it all goes well.

 

Is it a place that you want to drive a 40k car too?


I agree with the others on here and at your age you should be using the money for something else. Also at your age and being a college graduate...shouldnt you be a man and buy your own car ?


Edit...thats just me. I dont disagree with your parents buying you a car, i just think the money could be used alot smarter in your situation.

 

I think implying the guy isnt a man because his folks are buying him a gift is downright asinine. I guess those guys who buy their cars but beat the shit out of their women and kids are men. Same for those male car buyers who go and try and act tough to everyone to show their manhood which in reality just shows how f'in stupid they are.

I am chuckling at your comment...I guess I am not a man cuz I find it funny.


Edit: Mod vp911