CDR A

I'll be shopping for a CPO 06 or 07 RL during the first two weeks of August. There are several dealerships in the San Fran Bay Area, where I'm moving, but I don't mind traveling up to 2 days to buy. 3 days is a stretch.

I also plan to get the Acura extended warranty. I've seen on the forum that $900 is a good target price.

What I'm wondering is what can Acura dealerships throw in to sweeten the deal (ie. price is firm, but...)? I'm thinking of backup camera (for 06), wooden shifter/steering wheel, other accessories, etc. What things, if anything, should I look at from a dealer?

06s seem to outnumber 07s by 10 to 1, and I've seen a few 07s dip below $30k (my target out the door price). That said, 06s look like a good year to get the best deal (more competition).

Thoughts?

rlerman

There's no way they are going to give you the wood steering wheel, but you can give it a shot. wood shifter, possibly. Other than that, you can ask for the following:

All season floor mats
Trunk tray
Sunroof visor
rear deck spoiler

don't think there's much more than that...other than A-spec, but I guarantee you that will be a non-starter

Rhlieu

Definitely pursue the dealership to add on the wood steering wheel/shift knob, it adds a nice touch to a already luxury feel of the RL.


Other Acura OEM amenity that would deck out the RL:


- Rear deck spoiler
- Mud guards
- Wheel lock
- All Weather Mats
- Trunk Tray
- Cargo Net
- Sunroof visor
- Window Tint
- A-Spec Wheels/Suspension

Rhlieu

Dang! You are QUICK Rlerman

rlerman

CDR A

I priced the steering wheel for about $400 and the shifter for $100 on ebay. I feel comfortable in changing out a shifter, but the wheel might not be worth the hassle. So like you guys said, that one might be good for the dealer to do.

Spoiler - it seems so mild that I don't even notice it.

Floor/trunk mats - I see an after-market one called Hexomat that has promise, $90.

The other big ticket is the A-spec suspension. Ebay has $500-700, any estimates on installation costs? Any regrets from A-spec RL owners? I'll be mostly commuting in town; harsh ride would be my concern.

lland

When I bought my '06 new, the dealer "threw in" the Rear deck spoiler, Mud guards, wheel locks, All Weather Mats, Trunk Tray, Cargo Net, and Rear View Camera. I bought the shift lever off eBay for about $45 (new...got lucky), and the wood look steering wheel off eBay for $225 (used but good condition...also got lucky). Put both the shift knob (just screws on) and steering wheel (not all that difficult...just have the correct toolsk, go slow and be careful...took me about an hour) on myself. Didn't want the sunroof wind deflector and didn't think to ask for window tint (although I wish I did and am going to have it done soon). Ask for everything. The worst that can happen is they say no.

LL

TampaRLX-SH

Also check the version of the NAVI disc.

Most 06 and 07s came with v 4.3X

Currently v 4.73 is out and updates usually release in the fall. You might negotiate a current NAVI disc.

But if not, still check the version, it is not uncommon they get swapped out in trade in transactions to wind up on Ebay and you get stuck with an older version.

Also be sure you get Driver 1 and Driver 2 fobs. No just one fob or 2 fobs of the same Driver #. They are unique in how that pair with the car. If they only have one fob, make them throw in another!

Rhlieu

Since the RL will be CPO, a quick check of the tire treadwear would be ideal since there is a min requirement standard (6/32nd or greater?) for certified pre-own. Don’t expect the higher end Michelin sport A/S plus, but any brand (hopefully not the notorious noise maker *MXV4*) of new tires will give better traction then bald.

RL Chi-town

let us know what you got off the dealer.

woodek

Mine didnt even throw in an extra FOB (#2). Mine didnt come with it so I ended up buying another #1 and a #2 fob from Ebay ($140.00 - both) to be re-programed at a later date.

I tried, but the dealer said that the FOBs from Acura were $350+, besides I was working them as hard as I could to undercut the price of the car, so anything extra was a not gonna happen.

I think if they throw somthing in for free, then they got you on the price of the car. Just My Opinion.

TampaRLX-SH

I agree, nothing is for free. And it is all part of the negotiation process.

However, IMHO, if a vehicle is a CPO, it should come with the standard OEM features. Both fobs and appropriate NAVI DVD.

Additional accessories are nice and many dealers do package them into the deal, but 2 fobs were standard, and should not be overlooked in a CPO. And pushing that cost off onto the new owner of a CPO vehicle is unacceptable especially since they know what the replacement cost is.

I have also read more than once where a preowned RL was bought with an older or incorrect DVD was in the car. Again, if it is CPO, I expect the OEM version or a more recent copy to sweeten the deal.

CDR A

Great ideas - understand fully the concept of nothing is for free - but some things might be better coming from a dealer. The second fob is a perfect example.

Any other "I wish I would have checked/asked before buying" advice?

woodek

Get your 7/100,000 Acura Care warranty while you purchase the car.

Day of purchase = $950.00
The next day or later = $3,000+

Make sure you get the leather bound book that has all documents in it along with radio, XM and Navi Codes.

Also get a maint record for the car if possible. It'll show everything that was done to the car including any re-calls (Power steering hose etc). They'll prob have all that stuff done but the record is nice to see what other things have been done to the car. CPO is the way to go.
Mine had everything done to it before they turned it over to me (xfr case, rear diff fluids, etc). Also all filters including the cabin.

And of course a Car Fax Run. There may be another type check like car fax as well.

Rhlieu

^^^

Gotta agree with Tampa AGAIN

That is total BullCrap! If you bought the RL at a sleazy used car lot, that would be understandable. But since you purchased the RL at a reputable Acura dealership that is suppose to be CPO (fully inspected and praise as "almost" new status) 2 fob and a updated navi disk would be the bear minimum!

A full detailed, brand new floor mats & a nice stainless steal Acura coffee mug would be consider extra perks. *Which we got with our CPO RL purchase*

Rhlieu

3 month of free XM/Sirius trial membership?

buzzmag

I twisted my dealers arm until they included front, rear and side underbody spoilers. Really gives my bought new 2006 an aggressive look.

PPower

iPod cable (Acura Music Link) and backup camera were new dealer installed items for 2006. Shift knob is a must, but I would take A-Spec suspension over the steering wheel.

CPO cars have to have both keys/remotes and new or new looking mats. That's just a part of CPO. Updating nav discs is not required for CPO, and dealer costs on nav discs is the same as ours for retail. As for the full wrap warranty, $900 is fair to everybody. Last I remember, cost on 2wd vehicles was $495 and AWD was $595 (several years ago).