lazytik

Hi,

I currently own an 06 TL with 150k miles and am looking to get something larger with fewer miles. I drive about 20k a year so I do my best to keep on top of maintenance.

My current budget is about 16-17k. I've found a couple of RLs near me for about that much, but I wanted the community's opinion. They are all 2005s. I have read the threads about the 05s and their "quirks" and here is my assessment so far:

1. Engine and tranny are solid and reliable.
2. Diff. and propeller whine can be nuances but nothing major mechanically.
3. Door handles seem to be very expensive to replace.
4. Headlight bulbs flicker but can be replaced for about $50-$200 depending on the bulbs.

My questions regarding those are:

1. When these door handles go, I understand that the keyless entry may not work, but will the good ol' fashioned unlocking-with-fob-and-pulling-handle still work? Or will the door completely not unlock? I'd probably use the fob most of the time anyway because...well the LEDs would light up and I think that's super cool (at least at night).

2. The headlight issues are just the bulbs right? No major issues with the auto-leveling? Do these cars' headlights turn as you steer?

Now, if you were in my position, would you pull the trigger? I'm used to Honda reliability and maintenance - I have a high mile and modded TL now (as we know, mods definitely don't do a lot for longevity) and I also had an S2000 for a while along with my TL. I haven't had any significant issues yet with either one.

I also read that the 05s' interiors tend to creak...well, that's fine with me, my TL creaks like a wooden boat right now. My goal with my next car is to use it to commute and keep it stock. I don't think I'll be doing any mods except for HIDs, LEDs, and other small things.

There are two I'm interested in near me - 05 RL with 56k miles, 4 previous owners, $17k before negotiations, and another 05 with 82k miles, 1 previous owner, $15k before negotiations. The only 06 near me within my budget has 105k miles, so that's automatically a no-go. I bought my current TL with 85k miles back in 09 and have put on 65k so far; I personally think I should grab the one with the fewer miles, but I'd really appreciate it if people who are knowledgeable about RLs could chime in.

Thanks in advance

IanVS

Yes, the inside headlight will turn up to 20 degrees IIRC in a corner.

One thing to think about with the 05's, the more miles, the more likely the previous owner had to deal with and fix the quibbles that tend to go wrong (like door handles, the headlight turning system, etc). My 05 has 160k miles and runs like a champ. Make sure you see the maintenance records no matter which one you go with.

lazytik

Hmm okay, so maybe this 82k one owner for $15k might be worth a second look, especially if I can score a decent extended warranty.

IanVS

You can make a lot of repairs for two grand. Especially if you're willing to do some work yourself. That's how I see it, at least. I prefer saving money by getting a car with more miles as long as it's in good shape and has a good maintenance record. As long as these things are well maintained, they tend to last a long time. There was someone here that had an RL with over 300k miles.

lazytik

I checked the Carfax for both. The 4 owner apparently is a 2 owner, with the 2 dealerships being shown as owners. It displays extensive maintenance history. The 1 owner only shows the purchase date and the trade-in date with not even as much as an oil change shown on the Carfax.

Hey another question - what happens if the door handle fails? Does the door still open with the fob, or is it completely disabled?

IanVS

I can't answer your door handle question, but I bet you could find a lot of info about it by searching.

As for the Carfaxes, keep in mind that the only time maintenance gets into Carfax is when it is done by the dealer. Just because the Carfax doesn't have the history, doesn't mean the maintenance wasn't done, it could have been done by the owner or an independent shop.

BluNosr2

I had the same confusion around the door handles issues when researching before buying my 06 RL. In my experience you can still lock/unlock the car with the buttons on the fob, just the "touch to lock/unlock" feature on the door handle gets messed up sometimes.

oo7spy

If you are lucky, a door handle issue may only stop the sensors. If you are unlucky, it may stop the car.

https://acurazine.com/forums/2g-rl-audio-bluetooth-electronics-navigation-90/rl-will-start-but-alarm-goes-off-805745/.

BluNosr2

Wow, so the intermittent bad behaviour with touch to lock/unlock isn't the only potential door handle related issue. Did not know this. Is the "stop the car" type of issue with the handles any more or less likely to happen on the 2005's vs newer model years?

oo7spy

I believe the majority of issues reported here are secluded to the '05 model. Coincidentally, both of the users reporting the occurrence linked have a CGP '05.

-x-

I have an 06' De-Paxed if you want to take a look at it

lazytik

Well guys, the two I was looking at were sold. In fact, I called before leaving and it was sold before I got there (20 minutes away). The d-bag salesman didn't even bother to call me to tell me not to come in!

I can't find any near me anymore...I'm looking for a decent one, with 60-70k miles, for about $17k. I'm located in Central NJ. The ones I see on Autotrader and other sites are either very high miles, or from shady dealerships. The credit union I am using has an auto-finder service but I doubt it'll turn up any results.

Anyone have any other suggestions? If I can't find an RL, I might just buy something less-exciting like an ES330 or (ugh) Avalon, since my folks like those cars and I'm too frustrated in my car search to bother with chasing excitement. I just need to commute now, and my folks will probably use it when I'm not.

-x- trust me, I'd love to buy from a private seller, but unfortunately I need to trade my TL in. I have 150k miles on it and no luck selling privately. I bought my S2000 from a private seller, and sold privately, and it's so much better than using stealerships. If someone had bought my TL, I would most definitely be buying privately.

Appreciate the input guys...it's a little disappointing not to be able to find a decent RL for my budget...there's still hope.

oo7spy

There are 31 Used Acura RLs within 100 Miles of 08902 and <$18k onCars.com. http://www.cars.com/for-sale/searchr...MENT&pgId=2102

And 29 for <$17.5k on AutoTrader. Most are probably cross listed, but worth checking. http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-s...Id=72323&Log=0

I had to go over 800 miles for my RL, and I don't regret a single minute of that weekend, well except may the stop in New Orleans . 100 miles is nothing to get your hands on a nice RL. The ES has to be the most boring luxury sedan on the market. At the very least, get a GS.

lazytik

Thanks man! The only thing is, can I trust dealerships like those? "Car Buyers Inc." etc. As my car racks on more miles, it's value is dropping. Crossed the 151000 barrier today!

oo7spy

Of the 30 cars that are linked, there are surely a few that are at "trustworthy" dealers. Remember, you only need one car.

Also, I don't know why you would rule out a small or shady dealer. You should be inspecting this car with your white gloves on, and since they aren't financing it for you, what does it matter who they are? It is just as likely you will get a poorly maintained vehicle from a big dealer than a small one. They aren't the ones who owned it.

Matt W

If you value a quiet ride and good interior quality get the RL. If you value quick acceleration stay with the TL. To be honest if I had a TL I probably wouldn't want an RL. My dad is looking for a used car and I am looking for a used TL for him. The interior quality doesn't seem quite as good on a TL but touch screen navigation, quick acceleration, and a ridiculous amount of after market/mods available are things I would be willing to sacrifice for it. I bought my 05 Acura RL last year for 13.5k with 96k miles. I've probably thrown another 7k into repairs/upgrades/modifications. I've done compressor, condensor, 100k maintaince, tires, navtool, jpipe, wood grain steering wheel, light weight crank, sound proofing, usa spec, and now I am doing rotors and brakes, and the back bumper. Looking back now a TL would have been a better investment for me in the long run but there is no way I can see getting rid of my RL at least for the next 4 years.

oo7spy

$7k? Care to add those up?

lazytik

Hmm okay, I'll take another look at these. I'm probably going to bundle finance + Gap insurance + warranty (if it's a good deal...I know warranties usually are ehh) with my credit union. I'm thinking of putting a significant amount of cash down so maybe that will motivate the dealers to give me a deal.

As for traveling to get the car, I'd have to trade my car in..and I definitely don't want to drive it a lot anymore, but thank you for giving me that suggestion.

oo7spy

I wasn't suggesting the 800 mile journey I made because 80% of available RLs are within 200 miles of you. At 151,000, 100 miles is a drop in the ocean. 151,100 doesn't mean anything at that point.

BluNosr2

I spent a considerable amount of time driving a 2006 TL about a year before I bought my 06 RL. Interior quality wise the RL is noticeably better, likewise with overall driving manners when driving around town or interstate/freeway/highway -the RL just feels more solid/tighter, whatever. Performance wise I find them pretty close, although I like the exhaust note on the TL a bit better, probably due to no active noise cancellation.

neuronbob

My RL vs. TL impressions from before I bought my RL almost six years ago seem relevant to this thread. Man, my TL was hot! And the RL that came after it.

https://acurazine.com/forums/2g-rl-2005-2012-76/test-drive-2-rl-vs-tl-impressions-long-498203/

The last line of my comparo makes me glad I bought the RL rather than waiting two more years for the 4G TL.

lazytik

I like my TL and it's a great car, but if I can find an RL for a similar price, I'll take that. I'm searching high and low for both another TL and another RL because driving that Avalon just completely ruined my youth. All the fun of being 25 years old was sucked out of me. What was I thinking? The numbers were great and it'd be a super cheap daily driver/commuter for the next two years while I finish dental school, but I would hate myself every...single...day.

I'm hoping to find some deals at Manheim...

projektvertx

iTrader: (2)

I'll chip in my opinion here, I was actually debating TL-S vs. RL not too long ago. I like the way the TL-S drives, it's fun. It has the same engine as the RL, but the RL is AWD, and can be had at the same price as a comparable TL because of more demand on the TL (at least in my area).

I drove both, and the RL was that much better in my mind. The RL is a different animal, and drive MUCH better than the TL-S did. I would say hold out for a good deal on an RL. If it's any encouragment, I picked up my '07 with 60K miles, dealer maintained, original owner, no accidents, for 18K after taxes. Private party sale. He was desperate to sell, RL's are in low demand in Michigan, and the car had been listed for over 2 months. His original asking price was 22.5K, and when I started bargaining with him, he had it up at 18K before taxes. A good deal can be had, just bide your time!

lazytik

Just tried out an 06 TL 6mt. Very well maintained car...I'm very tempted. The numbers are well below budget. Minor cosmetic issues, they're replacing a broken headlight with an OEM one, and everything else is fine - 63k miles. Has navi.

My only gripe with this TL is that it's got the tan interior...not a fan, but for the price, I am very tempted.

I am going to ask a friend who owns a dealership to search Manheim for me for an RL...but as a fun daily driver, I think this 06 TL/Navi might fit the bill!

lazytik

I'm looking at an 06 with tech soon. I see online that it has rear-view cam and parking sensors, but do all tech packs come with active cruise control and collision mitigating?

projektvertx

iTrader: (2)

I think '06 and before tech were different to what I've understood. In '07, tech had everything but ACC and CMBS. I believe (someone please correct me if I'm wrong) that '06 and before tech had ACC and CMBS?

Also, parking sensors are a dealer installed option as far as I know.

TampaRLX-SH

The package names and the associated content vary from MY (in US)

2005 RL : No Packages, one configuration, No CBMS, ACC or PAX available.

2006 RL : Base - same as 2005 configuration (b/u cam Dealer Accessory)
Tech Package included CMBS/ACC/PAX

2007 RL : Base - deletes Navi, deletes AFS, plastic instead of real wood
Tech Package same as 2006 Base w/ b/u cam (ONSTAR dropped)
Tech + CMBS/ACC/PAX

2008 RL : Same configs as 2008

2009+ was the MMC and various changes & updates were made.

oo7spy

The '07 tech added the AUX 3.5mm input, but that is pretty minor.

lazytik

Interesting. This one is an 06 Tech (I think de-PAXed) with 73k miles for 18k + TTL. They aren't negotiating on the price at all. Opinions?

projektvertx

iTrader: (2)

I got my '07 Tech package with 60K miles in April for 18K after taxes. Clear title, original owner, dealer maintained. That's my thought, but then again, I'm in Michigan where the demand on these cars in non-existant.

lazytik

From a private seller?

oo7spy

I just ran a search across the country for 2006 Tech with ~70k miles, and three came up. $17,950, $17,980, and $17,875. KBB for one in "Good" condition is a little over $18k.

I would check it out. IF it is in great condition, then I would seriously consider. It seems to be right at market value.

sanjbaby

Just for reference, I paid about $19K including taxes for my parent's 06 RL Base with 46K from Park Ave Acura in NJ. One owner all service done at dealer. I remember there were a few others in the Tri-state when I was searching on autotrader. Maybe look into the Philly area as well, if there is a good deal it would be worth the drive.

sanjbaby

http://www.hudsonvalleyvolvo.com/pre...506C011730.htm

Just did a quick search and came across this one. Not sure your color preferences but just throwing it out there.

lazytik

Thanks for the input guys. This 06 Tech with 73k seems like a decent deal for $18k then. I might try and find something closer by the end of the week because this is 2 hours away, but I am intending to go down on Saturday.

Hopefully someone buys my car so I can consider buying privately!

projektvertx

iTrader: (2)

Yes, private. He had it up for nearly 2 months, and since only two have popped up in Michigan with higher miles. His initial asking price when he first listed it was a little over 22K, and when I approached him, his asking was 18K on his end. The only thing I had to put in over the purchase price was the 60K since it was the only thing that hadn't been done.

lazytik

I ended up getting another TL, 6mt with nav. I got a great deal on both the price and the trade-in value!

Thanks for all of the input.

oo7spy

Congrats on the new car.

TonyCD

Tampa, if you had a nickel for every time you've helped out a new visitor by repeating this information, you'd sound like Jingle Bells when you walked out to the garage.

Still useful, though.

ichi d

The RL is over rated... lol TL ftw!!!!