I'm going to look at a 2005 RL as a 3rd car for my family. I've driven one before so I know the ride and vehicle.

However I wanted to ask the experts in the RL section is there any gottcha's in terms of long term ownership? This RL has 160K miles, I haven't seen it yet but are there any things to look out for? Any long term issues with the SHAWD?

Thanks in advance!!!

 

Find an 06 or later, stay away from the 05 especially with that many miles. You will end up paying for it, your "good deal" will turn into a shitstorm. Stearing column, boots & shoes leaking, suspension, sparkplug wires, bad battery draining, questionable quality leather seats, taring vinyl on arm rests and center console, light bulbs going bad (that are difficult to replace), door handles stop working, Y pipe rot, navigation unit breaking, cigarette plug stops functioning properly, change draw getting stuck, headlights stop rotating properly, light flickering, quick wear on rotors, oxygen sensor, horrible engine mounts. There are more issues but this is what I have seen on 05's. Mainly my own.

 

You've been here long enough to know to search first. The '05 is the most troublesome of the 2G model years. However, all of the issues are not things that will stop the car from driving. Still, some are more annoying than others, like the A/C or door handles. Over all the 2005 is a still a great car and very reliable. If you know where and how to push it, you will find the quirks if they are there.

Known Issues: https://acurazine.com/forums/2g-rl-2005-2012-76/known-problems-quirks-495897/
Common Problems: https://acurazine.com/forums/2g-rl-2005-2012-76/nothing-but-problems-w-05-rl-811811/

Here is a concise breakdown.EDIT: And don't listen to the poster above me.

 

WOW , thanks for the links.

 

Once again, I'll say it for emphasis (third time is a charm; you know). The 2005 RL is a very reliable car. It is just that as far as possible issues go, the 2005 has more than the later model years. Also, as it is with almost any internet forum, people gather here to find fixes for problems MUCH more than they do to come talk about how their car ran fine everyday they owned it. As a result, the problems accumulate in a higher density here than they would in any real world sample size of a particular model.

 

Where the **** do you think you get off undermining anything I have to say? You are really something....

 

I get off wherever the fuck I want to. I undermine the things you say when you post shit like this.



Hold on while I go get my "I give a shit" attitude and be right back.

 

Lol, my 05 hasn't let me down yet..almost put 10k miles of spirited driving on her too, not to mention all the mods, I think maybe it depends mostly on the electronics in this car in terms of reliability, my headlights don't swivel whipty doo lol. Electronics fail which is why humans still operate cars and not computers!

 

nooooooooo....

 

Shits legit

bring your big girl panties next time

 

I love my 05, but...

It has been the most mechanically challenged car I've ever owned and if it wasn't for my extended warranty, I'd be in big trouble. Never left me stranded, but have had a host of issues totaling almost $9k in repairs over 4 years, many of which mentioned in this thread.

Find a car that has had these fixed and you'll be fine. The engines are solid and have the Honda pedigree.

 

No, I heard you the first time and I appreciate the list it's just that I was a little surprised by the length of it. I'm in 3G TL forum (2005 TL 6MT)so yeah I do see alot more problems in there than I've ever had with my 3G TL.

What sorta surprises me here is that we bought a 2003 Pilot when it came out and it's been amazing in terms of reliability (probability and statistics I guess). For a first year vehicle it was very reliable. In 10 years and 210K miles I've only replaced a window motor and one lock actuator beside the normal maintenance. So I was hoping the 2G RL would be similar. A neighbor had a 1G RL which although a very boring car but also extremely reliable (but far less complicated than a 2G RL).

Anyway thanks all to the dialog, I'm going to take a look at this 2G this morning and I'll report back.

 

keep us posted

 

Keep us posted.

And guys, keep it civil.

2005 is just fine as long as you know the issues. Most people have had them taken care of at this point.

 

Just for another datapoint: I recently bought a 2005 rl with 160k miles at a used car lot for 11k USD. It's in great shape and people think it's brand new when they ride in it. The key for me was the Carfax showed that a lot of the common problems had already been taken care of. Try to get a hold of maintenance records. I did have to fix a few things after I bought it like the cig lighter and coin tray latches ($5 in parts and super easy), some console light bulbs (cheap parts, but kinda a pain to get to, still nothing I'd complain about), and I've got some aftermarket motor mounts to put in because the stock ones fail regularly it seems. Overall I've been very pleased with my 05. I think as long as you are willing to do some work yourself, even if some things need attention, it still works out to be a good deal. It's hard to find 06 and up with that many miles to bring them into my price point. My $0.02.

 

Sad news, someone else bought it Saturday before I could see to it. I kmeant to see it Saturday morning, but a I had to run a couple important errands. Unless that deal falls through it's gone. Some pics of it from Craigslist. Taught me a lesson to move much faster. BTW, the asking price was only $8.5K.

 

Bummer. That could have been an awesome deal. Looks like a clean RL.

 

^ Yeah I'm pretty bummed right now, I really should have moved on seeing it Friday night.

It was listed twice on Craigslist

http://baltimore.craigslist.org/cto/3187375138.html

http://baltimore.craigslist.org/cto/3161343593.html

 

That car looks in great shape and at a great price. Just to bum you out further: I have had an 05 since new, 142K miles, had no issues with A/C, door handles , motor mounts etc. I have lost a light bulb in the dash and I had my cigarette lighter hinge changed though! I serviced Everything at 105K because I figured it was half time. Don't believe all you hear about an 05. The big difference on an 06 is that it's the same car as the 05 with the service bullitins performed on it. If the 05 was serviced and updated during its first year then the 2 cars are identical.

 

That windshield is tinted.

 

sooooo

 

Tinted so you can't see me but hopefully I can see you.

 

Now I have an idea how your armrest leather keeps getting bubbled.

 

I am the original owner of a 2005 RL with 49k miles on it. Thankfully, I am in the love it camp with no issues...knock on wood.

I was blown away to hear there were so many issues with that year. Looks like I got one of the good ones.

 

I had that fixed for about $200 at a local custom upholstery shop. The key to finding them was calling a high-end detailer who handles show and collectible cars and asking who does car interior leather work. I was surprised how cheap and easy it was. It was done in under 90 minutes and the replacement leather is very nice and much thicker.

More on topic, and since I can't create new posts yet, my 07 was certified and all service records are with Acura for all time. If you do still go after one, ask for a printout from Acura if someone says the car was only serviced there.