foot3ch

I had a conversation with my friend a week ago. His bro was gonna get a TL, but he decided not to get one because my friend told him that he will suffer a significant drop in pricing compare to Luxury car such as: lexus, bmw, audi, and mb. Is that true?

Tripp11

Huh?!? How you figure? Why not put it back on your friend and ask him why the resale value would drop so much for a TL and come back to us. From the info being tossed around here, even from those who don't have a TL, the TL holds its value quite well.

04tlnbppar

may be it's because lexus, bmw, audi, and mb hold resale value even better?

nick04tl

i think all luxury cars hold there resale value. its not like you are buying a hyndai that will be worth a 1000 in teo years.

Tripp11

http://money.cnn.com/pf/features/lists/resale_values/

http://www.canadiandriver.com/news/031111-1.htm

http://money.cnn.com/2003/11/10/pf/a...etained_value/

I would say that Honda/Acura holds their own when it comes to resale value when compared to Lexus, Audi, BMW, and MB.

boltjames

The TL, like the Legend before it, will hold its value quite well. There's a whole generation of college freshmen just dying to get their hands on one for $19,900 when they graduate in '08 and we'll be guaranteed to still be in the same body style by then. One of the bennies of being in a first-year production vehicle

BJ

rets

LOL.



BTW, tripp11, thanks for those links...

JoganJani

Rets, will you please Garage those links ? Thanks.

Tennisjon2002

The second generation has one of the top 10 best resale prices. so why would the 3rd be much different?? (i read that some where, but I remember it was a credable place).

Sherlock

Didn't the Legend predecess the RL ?? and the Vigor was the TL's early brother ??

lindros2

First of all, the friend of your friend was talking on pure opinion.

My Audis got THROTTLED on resale value, and that's both private resale and through an Audi dealer within 2-3 years of new. BMW's are a bit better (especially the limited M3, M5, etc.), but the E65/E66 7-series is now notorious for low resale. The Audi S4/S6/S8 are great on resale, as are most Mercedes (the C-class excluded).

I would argue, though, that all Honda products (Acura included) maintain a lot of their value. The TL, when I got it in October, was predicted to hold 57% of its value after 36 months, and 55% after 42 months. This is the lease company, which (now) uses artificially deflated values (as opposed to the more consumer-friendly values in the early 1990's).

SpecialFX

I think I can speak to Honda/Acura resale value. One of the reasons I bought my TL (besides it being an awesome car) was my experience with my previous Hondas. I have owned 5 Hondas.

Before I got my TL I had a 1999 Civic Si. Very fun car. Drove it for exactly 5 years (to the day, actually) with over 50k on the clock. When the car was stolen and recovered I worked with the guy in the body shop to decide what to do with it. He put the VIN into his computer and got a blue book value of $14900 retail, $12000 wholesale. I paid $17000 for it in March 1999. MSRP was about $17700. Using $17700 that puts retail value at 84%, wholesale at 68%. Those numbers are incredible. He ended up buying the car and putting it back together and I got a new TL. Everyone's happy. If the TL is anything like the Si I'll be very happy in the future, too.

I realize that the Si model was rarer than other trim levels and is more desired by younger kids, leading to the higher valuie retention. But based on my experience with other Hondas I knew the TL would be a good choice and would retain its value better than most. By the way, I had to talk the wife out of the ES330. Now when we see them on the road she thanks me. Ugly POS.

roadman

Not so sure the Gen2's held their value so well. My '02 TL-S had a lease buyout of $18,200 yet a trade in value of $15,600, and a Private Party Value of $17,500. The leasing company sent my car to auction and it must have gotten fetched the lower of those 2 prices. I would have hated to buy that car for $30k and sell it 3yrs later for 1/2 it's original cost.

oguju

Sounds like deja-vu, I just had my 2000 civic si stolen from my driveway on teh 1st of july. Now I am looking to get a TL as soon as I get my insurance money. They found the car on the 3rd of july with nothing left but the frame, seats, tranny engine, and everything else was gone. Not to mention they burnt it when they were done.

But on the note of this forum, just so u have an idea do a search on a used 04 tl right now, every one I see is asking RIGHT around MSRP of a brand new one, it does not make any sense to me. The other day I saw one on autotrader with an asking price of liek 1k OVER MSRP for a used 04TL with like 5000 miles?!?! (And that did not include tax of course)

SCA1

How is that? Honda products tend to have a great resale value especially when compared to BMW or Mercedes-Benz.

I just took a bath on a 4 yr old 330.

NightRider

Japanese cars tend to hold value well due to reliability. Germans on the other hand sometimes hold value well but......

I boought my used 97 C280 (traded in for TL) with 72K mi in early 03. 6 models years later, MSRP was $38-$40K. I paid 14,000 from a dealer for it. If my math is right that is about 65% depreciation, seems high.

brett

First post... I've been reading the forum for the last couple of days and thought I'd jump in on this.

I don't think you can go wrong with the German limited-run models. I currently have a 2001 Audi S4 with 32,000 miles in excellent condition. I paid around $42k for it. According to Kelly Blue Book, here in the midwest its wholesale value is $23,450 (56%), its private sale value is $27,135 (64%) and its retail value is $31,055 (74%). Not bad for a 3 year old car.

I also sold a low, low mileage 1995 BMW M3 for $25,000 a little over three years ago (the Audi replaced it), which was almost 65% for a five year old car.

I'm waiting on the 2005 TL to make a decision on my "new" car, since I already have a buyer lined up for the S4. I would expect the TL to have same fantastic resale value as my previous Hondas (as previously mentioned in this thread). I won't bore you with what else I'm considering, why I want to sell the Audi, etc. I do wish the TL had AWD, because then my decision would be a no-brainer.

Keep those posts coming, they make interesting reading.

SilverSleeper

Something else that helps depreciate the value of the car when it comes time to trade it in or sell it is REBATES. Rarely if ever do you see any rebates on Honda or Acura, this is why they retain their values so well.

Tripp11

Perhaps a step up to the RL might be in order for you? Just a thought.

leeherman

You can't beat Toyota and Honda products for resale value.

I personally am not too concerned with resale value as I tend to hold onto a vehicle for ten + years. I was quite happy when I sold my 103K mile 1993 Toyota Camry V6 XLE for $3,300 last month. That's almost 20% of what I paid for the car in 1994.

brett

Thought about it, and haven't ruled it out as a possibility. Another good reason to wait until the 2005 models come out. However, I really don't need a car bigger than the S4, and the TL already tops it in size, especially interior volume.

Tripp11

One would think that '05 TL would not have the AWD system available since the '05 RL has it. I've yet to compare the TL specs/dimensions to the RL; however, they appear from the various photos I've seen to be quite comparable. Understandably the RL would be slightly larger but I just don't know how much.

If you wait until the 2005's, at least you can compare the two and have real information, and not just rumors, to base your decision on.

I wish you luck all the same though.

brett

I don't see the TL having AWD until at least 2006, and I don't want to wait until then to get a new car. At the same time, who knows what will really happen. Maybe I'll be pleasantly surprised.

Thanks for the RL suggestion. To make you really confused, I have also considered the RSX-S. Replacing the S4 with something else is just step one in a two step master plan.

Tripp11

Well, before getting my TL, I looked at a new 2002 S4 (I believe they skipped production in 2003 and came out with the freaking 2004 S4 which is a HP beast); however, I knew it would be yesterday's news, design, technology, etc... It was a great handling car though, that's for sure.

I must admit, the RSX-S selection threw me for a loop. Only you know what's going on in that mind of yours with the master plan.

brett

OK, here is a hint. The second part of the master plan - C6. Always wanted one. Already got clearance from the tower (wife), but may wait for 2006 model (first year jitters). I know a lot of people aren't going to like that choice, especially here but I've already had a 911 and a 928 and its been a long time since I drove a big pushrod V-8.

So all I need now is a respectable get around car, and that is why I'm not buying a 2004-5 S4. Too much cash. Cash I'd rather use for other, fiberglass things.

Tripp11

You'll be surprised here on this site and there are plenty of TL'ers and forum members who can appreciate a true late model sports car such as the Vette. If I had a bit more disposable income, I would put one in my garage, that's for sure...but a Vette or any vehicle that has that much HP and torque going to only the rear wheels better be your second means of transportation.

For the price and the wonderful mix of sport and luxury, I think the TL is at the top of the food chain....that's why I bought it.

brett

Definitely third means of transportation. Wife drives '03 Accord EX Coupe. Presently our third "fun car" is a 1982 Fiat Spider that I've had for almost 14 years. If I get the Vette, unfortunately the Fiat has to go since I'm not up to dealing with four cars (again). I'll hate to sell the Fiat, it is in excellent shape and has 42,000 original miles, but given a choice between a new C6 and a 22 year old Fiat, which would you choose?

Before any of that happens, my friend needs to buy my S4, and he wants it, bad. He bought my M3, so I know he is good for it. I just wish it were the middle of September instead of the middle of July. Believe me, I like the TL, and right now I'd say its a 90% lock as the S4 replacement.

I'll quit this off topic rambling now. I've stolen way too much space from this thread.

dcarlinf1

I think it's a great choice. Anyone that argues otherwise, I think is nuts. Nothing like owning a vette.

Rising2TheTop

That's what I did!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LMAO

xen-cuts

Compared to Lexus and Infinity, Acura TL drops more. Look at the numbers. It drops more in value compared to a Honda Accord. Plus, with a new style coming out, the TL will drop even more!

The 05 TL's will be worth about $12k after the new model comes out. And the 2008's will drop to like $25k range really quick.

Will Y.

I hope not- the 2002-2003 2G TLs still haven't dropped to that range yet here in SoCal.

don5504

Ummm the resale value/trade value might go down because the next gen TL is coming out soon. But don't believe for a second that Audi or MB or any of those other luxury car manufacturers have better resale value.

In fact the more expensive the car is the more of a depreciation hit it will take. Some models like the A4 or something will hold its value better than say an A6 or A8 because most people even if they get a good deal do not want to pay what it would take to keep one of those cars on the road.

The Cadillac STS is a good example. A few years ago when they were a new model they were going for what $60-$70k? You can get one now for less than half that price. Even if all cars depreciated at the same % rate a car with more upfront purchasing costs will lose you more money.

And while German cars usually have more appeal (marketing?) they are definately not more reliable. Its funny though I see people on this forum who are upset about rattles should definately never buy an Audi or VAG product (VW automobile group) and German electronics send to be less reliable than their asian counterparts.

*just noticed how old this thread is so nothing to see please move along*

but what I said is still true.

D

xen-cuts

It is not even fair to compare the TL to any overpriced/inflated BMW. Audi is closer to the TL range but I think those hold value a little better, too. For what I have in my TL I guess I'd have had to pay about $5k more for a comparable Audi? Something along those lines.

I find it amazing that the TL holds value less well than the Accord. But then again, it's hard to find a private seller for an accord (at least, harder than finding someone who wants to move a TL.)

I just saw a 2008 type-S for $27k. Don't those go for like $40ish? It's 2008...like...now! That is a big drop in under a year, even considering the new models.

I do think that the TL is a good value car. For the money you get a decent, entry level luxury vehicle. I think it's the smart buy.

shooter

Wow .. 08 type-s for 27k? that's a steal .... or it might has some fine print that we haven't seen?

The other reason is that since the 09 new models are coming out, they might want to sell the older ones at loss?

SupaRookie

$27K is ridiculously cheap...Someone should buy it! Make sure you read the fine print.

TLAdvanced

iTrader: (4)

I call on the 08 for $27K. Not yet atleast...

xen-cuts

Yeah it reminded me of the guy with the rattles who is suing his car dealership... You never know with used cars!

I think I picked up my TL for pretty cheap, too. Anyway, point is that they drop like a rock in price.

Clean>Rice

MB and BMW have some of the lowest re-sale values because of the maintenance and reliability issues. my uncle sold his SL-600, priced at 135k new, for about 50 after 2 years (in good condition). THere is just no market for used luxury cars. For 50k, you can get a very upscale luxury car, why get a used one?

Lexus has just as good of a re-sale value as Acura, and Infiniti right behind the two.

hope this helps

MustBeTL

I would say that Acura's overall hold their value in the running. In my shopping I found that Audi's had a worse resell value over Acura's, Honda's, and BMW's since those were what I was shopping. Surprised to see many Audi's in the $24,995 asking range while the TL's were more like $27,995. Not to mention that buying a used Audi is like trying to win the lottery if you want to find a clean one WITH the options since everything seems to be a la carte with them.

Will Y.

All cars depreciate- are you saying that the TL drops significantly more (i.e. more than 2%) than the BMW 3 series, Lexus IS, Mercedes C, etc.? Is there a particular source that you relied on for this?

The TL had the highest resale value for 2004 per Forbes, and the G35/G37 have since taken over the #1 spot, but the TL is high up on the resale value lists. And the Accord and Camry have jockeyed for the #1 spot on the mid-size sedan category for the past several years as well.

Oh, and why do you think that the '05 TL will drop to $12K shortly- residual x trade-in value estimator, WAG or ??
Right now, KBB evaluates the '05 around $22K market value and $20K trade in for my SoCal zip code.