I posted this the other day in another forum, but I wanted to post this here now to get feedback from the RL group....


I originally thought I was getting an "incredible" deal for a 2006 RL for 34k. However, after looking at the paperwork, the seller made an innocent mistake and it's actually a 2005 (11/04 build date).

How this happened:

1. Ebay ad stated 2006 ( I pulled it up yesterday to verify).

2. My friend who cut and pasted the carfax didn't give me the year, everything else looked perfect (I was recently banned from using carfax for helping some other ppl, so I couldn't do it myself). I didn't even think to ask my friend, "make sure it's an '06."

3. The seller is 75 years old, retiring professor. It was an honest mistake although very stupid. I don't think he was trying to rip me off.

We exchanged NO MONEY. He drove the car from Michigan yesterday, then took the train back. He's pretty busy, teaching at various universities, etc. so he wanted me to have the car now and wait for the title. I said no problem. He even gave me his insurance card. Once he received the title, he was going to mail it to me, and then I could send him a check. Yesterday was his only free day so that was the reason he brought the car down. He seems to trust me.

I immediately dropped him off because he was running late. Last night, as I was looking through the paperwork, I found the sticker. 2005 model!

I immediately called him, and left him a message. He called me back and said "I bought it in 2006, I thought it was a 2006." Then he looked at his insurance info, some other info, and said "OH MY GOD, I AM SO SORRY." He said he would come back and pick up the car on Friday. However, if I wanted the car for $31,000, I could have it.

Details:

2005 RL
9,500 miles (he thought it was 8k miles)
price: $31,000

Car is in great shape, but I may need to repaint the front bumper for some chips and scratches. So I will have to fix that for a few hundred, plus tax will be $1,500.


The OG deal truly was too good to be true!

So my question to ya'll is, is the car worth it? Since he said 31k to me over the phone, I might be able to get it for 30k. I'm just worried about all the potential issues and bugs in the 2005 models..... The other option, IF I can find an '06, it might even be worth buying this and trading (pending I can get at least 33-34k for this '05, and an '06 for 40k). Car sits in my garage for now.... I have a few days to make a decision. :help:

 

If you would rather have an '06, see what you'd get for a trade and what price a dealer would give you for an '06, then decide. That's really too bad - this whole thing has not really worked in your favor at all, has it?

 

Like you've said, I don't think a 75 yr old professor would try to rip you off at all. I mean I'm sure that they have more than enough money already.

Anyways, sometimes I'm quite jealous about the Americans, the cars there are always cheaper than in Canada after doing the conversion.

Anyways, before I go way off topic, I think it's a great deal. If I have that sort of money right now I would go for it for sure. I prefer used cars more than new cars (as long as the condition is very good) cause they are better deals to me. I dont want to pay that much for a new car and I don't even have that much money (I'm only 20 yr old so I dont have much disposable income).

Considering that when it was new, the RL was like $50k? And now you can get it with only 60% of the original price. That's quite attractive.

Since it's driven by a mature and well educated person, I doubt that the car was driven hard at all, so I believe its parts should be in great condition.

Also the mileage is very low for a 2005 model, which is a good thing.

 

a 9500 mile 2005 RL for $31000 - why not? You would be hard pressed to find a left over '06 now and it would cost around $39000.

 

2005 RL
9,500 miles (he thought it was 8k miles)
price: $31,000

Still seems like a great deal as long as the car drives well.

Are the 2005s having many issues? Like i said on IM, go pull up the records of the car from an Acura dealer. That way you can see what he had it serviced for, if anything.

I'd still do it.

 

I know! Maybe I should just say "fck it" and get a pickup truck. heh

 

I took your advice and called Ed Napleton Acura, no significant issues; he brought it in for a few TSB's. Also, purchased Jan 14th, 2005. Interesting... I could have sworn this guy said he bought it in 2006. I dont like the fact that I have now basically only 2 years left on the warranty.

 

I bet if you got an extended warranty with it then it would still come out cheaper than finding an 06 at that price.

 

I would keep the car. To get him to come down on the price, tell him the car was originally purchased in Jan '05 (not) 'o6 and you would like to have a car with at least 4yrs warranty on it. To do this you would need to purchase an extended warranty for $X and you would like to make up the price in the cost of the car.

I still think you are getting a good deal on the car and looking at the bright side of it, you have an extra years worth of mileage that was not put on the car.

I am sure this absent minded professor probably thinks it's 2010 right now anyway!

 

 

Keep the car, get the lower price, buy an extended warranty, and spend what you've saved on mods. Just make sure you've inspected it for other issues the "perfesser" might have, er, forgot, first.

I still think you got a good deal, even with a few rock chips on the front bumper.

 

Synth19 - did you check the value of the car in Edmunds or Kbb?

It is a steal at $31K! I even put "average" as the condition of the car and you are still way ahead.

Since you have the car there, you have time to check it out and haev the dealer check it out....if everything is good, I'd say go for it!

 

Here is a quick pic to give you a visual. CS, ebony interior.

 

Actually more I think of it, you have the upper hand here.

Tell him $30k so you can get an extended warranty.

Im sure he would go for it since he would have to come all the way back to get the car. Too much of a hassle for him to say no.

 

^ guju's are the best at bargaining.

 

I agree with the Sellout . Is he going to sell out the Euros and buy an RL? What's he doing posting here?

 

Let's see.....

$29,995 (under 30k has less sales tax)
$1250 sales tax
$1650 or so extended 100k/7 yr warranty

total: $33,395

another few hundred for plates/registration/etc.

roughly, close to 34k OTD with extended warranty and repaint of the front bumper.

If if he doesn't budge on the price.... then close to 35k.

 

My dad has an 02 RL so I do a lot of lurking here.

$34k otd with 9k miles that had a sticker of $50k? Seriously how do you even have to think about that.

Damn you brown!

 

I agree with most posters. Find out the cost of an extended warranty and ask to have that amount deducted from the 31K. I believe that is the fair and honest thing to do.

 

I have the exact same 05 RL, same color, mileage and everything...except I owe $39,000. I would love to be in your shoes now. Take advantage of the low resale value now. I suspect these cars will level off soon and maintain their value. Honda Accord fans will soon start looking for the the savings of a used RL. They will become a rare commodity by Honda enthusiasts. Can't go wrong in my opinion. BTW, I love my 05 RL...best car I ever owned. Only which I could have been part of the great deals.

 

I'll give you all a little education about reading VIN #'s in the future: The 8th to last digit is the year of the car. That is all.

Oh, and by the way...You're way ahead of the game, don't worry. Dealer wholesale pricing:
..:: VEHICLE
2005 ACURA RL


..:: DESCRIPTION
Engine Type: 3.5L V6
Body Style: 4 DOOR SEDAN
Vincode:

Standard Features: ALL WHEEL DRIVE STD
CD CHANGER STD
DUAL POWER SEATS STD
DUAL ZONE AUTOMATIC AC STD
LEATHER STD
MOON ROOF (POWER) STD
NAVIGATION STD
TRACTION CONTROL STD


Base Price: @ 26,000 miles 32,300
Mileage: 9,500


..:: ADDS & DEDUCTS

As Equipped Price 32,300
Mileage Adjustment 2,325

GALVES VALUE 34,625

 

Am I the only one who thinks this deal is a bit fishy? He says it's an '06, but it's actually an '05. Ok...he says he bought it in 2006, so he thought it was a 2006. Not only did he not buy in '06, but he bought in January of 2005. Ok....then he says it has 8K miles, but it really has 9.5K?? What's up with that?

Maybe I'm just not doing a good job of seeing the good side of people in this holiday season

 

Well he is 75 years old. I know for a fact my dad who is 59 wouldnt know the details of his car either.

 

 

Yeah the deal sounds fishy but you have to a) understand the LONG history of synth19 and his eternal quest for a 2G RL and b) he is going to come out WAY ahead financially on this deal if the inspection of the car pans out. I'm just hoping the "perfesser" didn't conveniently forget the car flooded last year or two years ago or something.

Just wondering, I'm used to seeing you post in Ramblings. I thought you had seen the light and would be returning to the Acura fold. I see now you've never quite left the fold.

 

I've pretty much checked out all the features and what not, everything seems to be working okay. Didn't figure out the auto-lock, but after watching that google vid... got it. I think I will make the call later to offer 30k. If he doesnt take it, I think I'm still willing to pay 31. We'll see.

 

Update: He agreed upon my price and as predicted, did not want to drive out here. We settled on $29,995 (going under 30k helps me with tax). Saturday the car goes to my bodyshop to clean up the front bumper and buff.

 

Sweet congrats on your purchase I have been following your RL story for awhile now and im glad you finally got one you like. I mean 05 or 06 shouldnt make a difference there both the same car and I dont think much was changed between the years. Anyway though have fun with it.

 

Congrats Synth19!

There is no doubt you got a sweet deal!

 

GIG EM!!!! Good SHIT! Congrat's

 

Sweet!

Did he put up a fight at least or he said ok right away?

 

Congrats. Just make sure that all the TSBs for the '05s have been addressed (i.e. XM reflash, etc.)

 

He really wasn't too excited about going to 30k, but he had a "fck it, I dont want to come back to Chicago and drive back" attitude. Just glanced on ebay, cars.com, etc.... I feel really good for what I paid! December 07 I'll pick up a 60 month extended warranty from acuracare.

 

I'm glad you have settled on a price which I think is fantastic. I'm going to keep my fingers crossed and hope everything goes through OK. You've been through a lot finding an RL, this should be the one.

Congrats,
Ernie

PS/ My 05 RL has had no problems other then a software update.

 

Well then, welcome OFFICIALLY to the fold!

Congrats on your new car.

(and the excellent deal).

 

Congrats, man. Glad this ordeal finally resolved itself for you. Luckily you found a motivated seller.

I am looking forward to driving my family's 05 RL when I'm home in CA for a week...

 

Glad to hear your ordeal is finally over. Now you can relax and enjoy your new car.

 

Wow! Finally got the car you wanted for the price you are willing to give. We will have our fingers crossed for you on your RL. As it is an old prof..i dont think he has done any damage to the condition of the car..

Enjoy your RL...Welcome.....to 2nd Gen RL.....

 

That is the best deal for an Acura RL ever!

 

Congrats but I still think that the prof was reading this thread and he's laughing. All that brain fart stuff didn't fool me - It was raced daily, sat submerged in water for months and has been totalled twice! (just kidding)