A "too good to be true" deal?
11-22-2006, 03:56 PM
#1
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Thread Starter
A "too good to be true" deal?
As many of you know, I've been searching for an RL for the past few months. Well, I may have found one today... It's an '06, silver (non-tech), 8k miles. Price? 35k. Yes, you heard me.... 35k!
Of course this was a red flag to me because I've never seen an '06 RL with that low mileage for LESS then 38-39k. The seller (PRIVATE PARTY) is only 2 hours from Chicago so I'm planning on checking it out on Saturday . The seller had a wierd accent and sounded old. Since I had his name and home phone, I googled him. (thank you interweb). Sounds pretty legit, Tenured professor at a major university, 200+ publications, fellowship at Harvard, Top theoritician in his field. He's originally from Australia, so that explained the accent. heh. Why is he selling? Retiring soon and doesnt want the payments, he's looking just to sell for what he owes. So I go on Saturday to check it out. He still has to pay the bank, so we decided that if I like the car, he will drive it back to Chicago with title and do the deal here. Then he'll take the train back home. What do you guys think? Anything else recommended to protect myself?
Of course this was a red flag to me because I've never seen an '06 RL with that low mileage for LESS then 38-39k. The seller (PRIVATE PARTY) is only 2 hours from Chicago so I'm planning on checking it out on Saturday . The seller had a wierd accent and sounded old. Since I had his name and home phone, I googled him. (thank you interweb). Sounds pretty legit, Tenured professor at a major university, 200+ publications, fellowship at Harvard, Top theoritician in his field. He's originally from Australia, so that explained the accent. heh. Why is he selling? Retiring soon and doesnt want the payments, he's looking just to sell for what he owes. So I go on Saturday to check it out. He still has to pay the bank, so we decided that if I like the car, he will drive it back to Chicago with title and do the deal here. Then he'll take the train back home. What do you guys think? Anything else recommended to protect myself?
11-22-2006, 04:00 PM
#2
Senior Moderator
Thread Starter
Whoh..... read up more on this guy, dude is brilliant (maybe not in used car sales). Done some defining shit in research, I'll post details on his work once and if the deal works out.....
11-22-2006, 04:04 PM
#3
The sizzle in the Steak
...if it sounds too good to be true........
Good luck.
Good luck.
11-22-2006, 04:07 PM
#4
Senior Moderator
Thread Starter
normally, yes. But I think the due diligence I've done (and will continue to do)makes this very credible. Carfax fyi checked out fine.
Originally Posted by Moog-Type-S
...if it sounds too good to be true........
Good luck.
Good luck.
11-22-2006, 04:08 PM
#5
The sizzle in the Steak
run a carfax yet?
11-22-2006, 04:11 PM
#7
The sizzle in the Steak
Cool!!! Post pics!
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11-22-2006, 07:56 PM
#10
8K...it's practically almost semi-new! Sounds like you got a real deal this time.
11-23-2006, 12:55 PM
#12
forget the carfax. ask for the VIN and call your insurance agent and ask them if the car has been in an accident. They will tell you if the car has been in any accidents reported to the insurance co. Also take the VIN and call the Acura dealer to see if warranty has been voided and if so why....
11-25-2006, 08:53 PM
#15
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Originally Posted by synth19
As many of you know, I've been searching for an RL for the past few months. Well, I may have found one today... It's an '06, silver (non-tech), 8k miles. Price? 35k. Yes, you heard me.... 35k!
Of course this was a red flag to me because I've never seen an '06 RL with that low mileage for LESS then 38-39k. The seller (PRIVATE PARTY) is only 2 hours from Chicago so I'm planning on checking it out on Saturday . The seller had a wierd accent and sounded old. Since I had his name and home phone, I googled him. (thank you interweb). Sounds pretty legit, Tenured professor at a major university, 200+ publications, fellowship at Harvard, Top theoritician in his field. He's originally from Australia, so that explained the accent. heh. Why is he selling? Retiring soon and doesnt want the payments, he's looking just to sell for what he owes. So I go on Saturday to check it out. He still has to pay the bank, so we decided that if I like the car, he will drive it back to Chicago with title and do the deal here. Then he'll take the train back home. What do you guys think? Anything else recommended to protect myself?
Of course this was a red flag to me because I've never seen an '06 RL with that low mileage for LESS then 38-39k. The seller (PRIVATE PARTY) is only 2 hours from Chicago so I'm planning on checking it out on Saturday . The seller had a wierd accent and sounded old. Since I had his name and home phone, I googled him. (thank you interweb). Sounds pretty legit, Tenured professor at a major university, 200+ publications, fellowship at Harvard, Top theoritician in his field. He's originally from Australia, so that explained the accent. heh. Why is he selling? Retiring soon and doesnt want the payments, he's looking just to sell for what he owes. So I go on Saturday to check it out. He still has to pay the bank, so we decided that if I like the car, he will drive it back to Chicago with title and do the deal here. Then he'll take the train back home. What do you guys think? Anything else recommended to protect myself?
I think it is a good deal but not a great deal being that you can get a brand new 06 for 40k or less. Figure a used car loses value at about .35-.50 cents per mile so that is about a $2800-$4000 off. So you are saving about a 1k to 2.2k. Dealers always mark up used cars because of advertising costs and other overhead that a private owner does not have.
So is a very good deal? Yes. Is it too good to be true? I don't think so.
11-26-2006, 01:00 AM
#16
Senior Moderator
Thread Starter
Sorry, you are mistaken and I don't really think you know the TRUE real market for the RL. You cannot get a NEW RL at this point (pending you can find one) for less then 40k). If your take a look at the RL forum, see how much ppl are paying right now. There is one person that I know who has purchased a new RL for 39.5k. Most dealers will not let one go for that cheap. In my particular market, not one dealer was willing to sell me a new one for less then 41.5k (out of 6 dealerships).
Take a look at autotrader, cars.com, etc and see how much used 2006 RL's are going for. These are all being sold by owners who did not receive the Acura marketing incentive, so they cannot afford to take a 15k loss for what they originally bought their car for. Hypothetically, Let's say I got a great deal and paid 40k for a new RL, + 6.25% tax, That brings me to about $43,000 with registration, sticker, doc, a few options, etc.
I just purchased this RL today, just hit 8k miles for $34.5k. Keep in mind, this is a private party deal. So my total OTD prce will be under 35k with the flat rate used car/private party sale. My savings? $8,000 Good deal? Too good to be true? I think so. cheers.
Take a look at autotrader, cars.com, etc and see how much used 2006 RL's are going for. These are all being sold by owners who did not receive the Acura marketing incentive, so they cannot afford to take a 15k loss for what they originally bought their car for. Hypothetically, Let's say I got a great deal and paid 40k for a new RL, + 6.25% tax, That brings me to about $43,000 with registration, sticker, doc, a few options, etc.
I just purchased this RL today, just hit 8k miles for $34.5k. Keep in mind, this is a private party deal. So my total OTD prce will be under 35k with the flat rate used car/private party sale. My savings? $8,000 Good deal? Too good to be true? I think so. cheers.
Originally Posted by gdevine
I think it is a good deal but not a great deal being that you can get a brand new 06 for 40k or less. Figure a used car loses value at about .35-.50 cents per mile so that is about a $2800-$4000 off. So you are saving about a 1k to 2.2k. Dealers always mark up used cars because of advertising costs and other overhead that a private owner does not have.
So is a very good deal? Yes. Is it too good to be true? I don't think so.
So is a very good deal? Yes. Is it too good to be true? I don't think so.
11-26-2006, 01:02 AM
#17
Senior Moderator
Thread Starter
lol! Exactly. Nah, as I said..he just wants to pay off wht he ows before he semi-retires. Moving to his second home permanently in SF. Will be teaching a few classes at Standford.
Originally Posted by knight rider
If he is so brilliant why is he selling a car for less than what it is worth? 
11-26-2006, 01:07 AM
#18
Senior Moderator
Thread Starter
Forgot to mention, the acura 4k incentive is only for 2006 models. You cannot get this discount for 2007 models. If you are planning on purchasing a new RL, get an '06 if you can find one!
11-26-2006, 11:33 AM
#20
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Thread Starter
I take delivery on December 9th. He's getting the title and then driving to Chicago to deliver it. Final cost, $34.5k.
Originally Posted by Crazy Sellout
So did you get it or not?
SHow pics you fool!
SHow pics you fool!
11-26-2006, 12:29 PM
#21
Senior Moderator
Originally Posted by Crazy Sellout
So did you get it or not?
Yeah... I was checking the thread to see how it went yesterday.Finding an RL for that price and with only 8K miles on it was a good deal.
I think the fact that it was a private sale had a lot to do with the pricing.
11-26-2006, 02:36 PM
#22
101 years of heartache...
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hey synth, just curious about what you felt regarding a new G35 as an option. Good luck with the car, and although it isn't my cup of tea, the RL definately has its sweet perks!
11-26-2006, 02:43 PM
#23
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Thread Starter
New '07 is great. I originally was going to get a used '04 G35 Sedan, then I saw the '07. . . . omg. The interior makes the '04 look like it was designed and put together by a 3 year old. After seeing the '07, I then knew I wounldn't be happy with an 04. My budget then went up and looked at other cars around the same price range as the '07 G35. Wanted some diversity, so I ruled out infiniti/nissan. Considered the M35, but didn't do it for me. I always loved the RL, and I like the fact that's it's somewhat low key as Acura has the worst brand name recognition compared to all the rest of the lux cars.
Originally Posted by gocubsgo55
hey synth, just curious about what you felt regarding a new G35 as an option. Good luck with the car, and although it isn't my cup of tea, the RL definately has its sweet perks!
11-26-2006, 03:13 PM
#24
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Originally Posted by synth19
New '07 is great. I originally was going to get a used '04 G35 Sedan, then I saw the '07. . . . omg. The interior makes the '04 look like it was designed and put together by a 3 year old. After seeing the '07, I then knew I wounldn't be happy with an 04. My budget then went up and looked at other cars around the same price range as the '07 G35. Wanted some diversity, so I ruled out infiniti/nissan. Considered the M35, but didn't do it for me. I always loved the RL, and I like the fact that's it's somewhat low key as Acura has the worst brand name recognition compared to all the rest of the lux cars.
11-26-2006, 05:59 PM
#26
Senior Moderator
Thread Starter
lol! No doubt! At least the drive was only 170 miles this time, so it wouldnt have been too bad if I didn't like it. The '05 was over 1k miles away and they basically lied about the condition.
Originally Posted by Lister00169
I hope this RL fares better than your previous pre-purchase experience with the other RL 
Post pics as soon as you get it!
Post pics as soon as you get it!
11-26-2006, 07:28 PM
#27
I feel the need...
11-26-2006, 08:39 PM
#28
Suzuka Master
11-27-2006, 10:56 AM
#30
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i dont know if it's the color, but the mugen kit looks much better.
and synth, i think you'll start to reconsider once you drive around for a bit. isnt that what brought us all here in the first place? hehe.
and synth, i think you'll start to reconsider once you drive around for a bit. isnt that what brought us all here in the first place? hehe.
11-27-2006, 05:04 PM
#34
I feel the need...
Originally Posted by synth19
nice pics. But car will be kept stock, with the exception of a few minor mods (wood steering wheel, tint, wood shift knob).
To each his own, but wood steering wheel and wood shift knob reeks of old man style, and you're not an old man.
11-28-2006, 04:01 PM
#35
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Originally Posted by Fibonacci
To each his own, but wood steering wheel and wood shift knob reeks of old man style, and you're not an old man.
nice pics
