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Acura RL

7385 messages,  Last post on Apr 18, 2013 at 12:02 PM

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What is this discussion about? Acura RL, Sedan

Messages Page 80 of 740

#782 of 7385 Resale value of the Acura RL - request for info by mary623

Jul 20, 2002 (8:55 pm)

Okay, need some help here. Looking to trade-in my excellent condition 1999 RL with 60K mileage for a new RL. Absolutely love the car and am Acura lover for life but the resale value is making me think twice. Example: a 1997 Lexus LS400 ( NADA comparable luxery car comparable to the RL) with 57,768 mileage (dealer retail)is asking $29,500 VERSUS a 1998 Acura RL with 40K mileage (dealer retail) is ONLY asking $22,595 !! That's a whopping $6900 difference in value ! Across the board I am seeing a delta of several thousand dollars. What's going on ? This makes me sick to my stomach. I cannot believe I am actually considering a LEXUS just for resale value when I absolutely love the RL.... does anyone have comparable experience ? Really need to know asap. Thanks in advance.

#783 of 7385 Mary623: Consumer Reports magazine states that the by mrrogers

Jul 21, 2002 (5:25 am)

Acura RL has only average resale value. That being said, I think it is a much more attractive car than the only front drive Lexus sedan, the ES300. I travel in the snow belt frequently, and I would not be comfortable in a rear drive Lexus. Perhaps you could take the money you save on a RL over a LS430, and put it in a new car fund to make the next buy less painful? I agree with you, I love the car, and hope to own one someday.

#784 of 7385 Mary623: I went to www.acura.com. ,clicked on RL, by mrrogers

Jul 21, 2002 (11:49 am)

and then clicked on Comparison. I compared a 2002 RL with NAV to a 2002 Lexus LS430. RL MSRP is $45150 ($41150 if you deduct the $4,000 factory to dealer incentive). LS430 MSRP is $54,405. ALG risidual value after 36 months is 45% for the RL, and 49% for the LS430. ALG risidual value after 60 months is 34% for the RL, and 35% for the LS430. Should you keep your 99 RL for a while longer?

#785 of 7385 mary623... by goral

Jul 22, 2002 (10:06 am)

I think you are comparing apples to oranges...
Like mrrogers said, the LS400 originally cost $10K-$15K more than the RL so it's expected that it costs more few years down the road.
Having said that, the RL's depreciation does stink, especially if you are one that bought the car without special end-of-year incentives. Because of that, the RL makes a WONDERFUL used car. Relatively low price, luxurious, very dependable, etc... Don't agree with me? Go over to Real-world trade in values forum and ask one of the resident dealers (Bill or Terry) what they think about it (from the business point of view, not driver/enthusiast's).
We've had our '96 RL for 2.5 years. Paid for it ~$19K the door (59K miles on the odo) out, so far put 45K (relatively trouble-free) miles on it and plan on keeping it till the end. Realistically, at this point the car is worth ~$10K and it would make no sense to sell it.

#787 of 7385 fredvh by jwilson1

Jul 23, 2002 (9:28 am)

Mileage seems to depend on your foot or, some would say, the specific car you get. I just returned from a trip of just over 1300 miles at mostly 78mph. Avg. mileage was 22.6. I'm satisfied with that.
 
I don't know the rpm at 70 but I know I get over 23 mpg running at that speed.
 
There was a recent recall for a brake light switch. Make sure they do that fix when you buy.
 
Take care.
Joe W.

#788 of 7385 Pre-owned RL by prophet2

Jul 23, 2002 (12:18 pm)

I agree that the RL is a great buy, especially after someone else has taken the major hit on depreciation. Bought my '96 for $20K with 36.8K miles. Have 67.4K miles now, with front brake pads at 45K and rear pads at 67K being the only expenses beyond normal servicing. Check engine light went on at 67K - oxygen sensor replaced at no charge under an existing extended warranty.
 
Styling is conservative and bland, but inoffensive. Even my 21-year-old daughter likes to drive it, even though she's still in the 2-door coupe stage. I may spring the bucks for an RSX for her next month, even though they sell like hotcakes here MSRP + ADM + fees. I'll probably get MSRP + fees, based on my long relationship with the dealer.

#789 of 7385 Acura RL by fredvh

Jul 23, 2002 (12:43 pm)

Could any of the RL owners help me out and answer a few questions on their RL? I would like to know the RPM at exactly 70 mph. I would also like to know if you had the same chance would you buy the RL again? I see they are going around 35-37K at this time. Are there any problem areas?
     What kind of gas mileage can I expect with mostly highway miles? I have heard that this model is poor on gas mileage. Thanks in advance for your help.

#790 of 7385 fred by jwilson1

Jul 24, 2002 (2:30 pm)

I appreciate the eagerness of your follow up post, so:
 
1. I went out special so I could answer you: the rpm at 70 on mine is at 2600.
 
2. Mileage, see above. Some have complained, if you want to read up quite a few messages where there was a prolonged discussion of the issue, that they were getting only 18-20. I get 20 in town, 23-24 highway. The car seems sensitive to tuning and to individual driving styles.
 
3. Problem areas. The car is pretty much bullet-proof: see Consumer Reports. cf: Lexus. But there is the brake light switch recall. And every time a mechanic messes with the car you risk needing a return visit to straighten out some careless mistake he made: for example, after I had the brake light switch repaired, the cruise control wouldn't work -- there was nothing wrong with it but the mechanic didn't hook it back up. Aggravating, but not the car's fault.
 
4. Would I buy it again? Sure. As a cruiser, it's the best car (for the money) I've owned, including a MB E series. My mistake was in selling my Miata when I got the RL, thinking I wasn't going to have time for it -- I don't, but I need it all the same. I can be eternally comfortable when I'm dead; sometimes I need some fun. Currently looking, not to sell, but to add something with the money I saved in getting the RL.
 
Let me note that I don't feel the depreciation is as outlandish as many here say; compare it to many luxury cars, especially those that aren't BMW or Lexus or MB, and it is very similar. It's bad (for all of those remaining, including Jag, Infiniti, Cadillac, etc.), and in the Acura's case there is NOTHING wrong with the car -- it lacks 1) prestige (no hood ornament, V8, rwd, reputation with the reviewers, etc.) and 2) popularity (flashiness). My own review would stress that it is conservative, with elegant style and efficient engineering -- all qualities that are not very American. Good. The country needs to be more conservative (small "c"), dignified, efficient ... among other things.
 
If you want something else, y ou need another car.
 
Good luck in your choice.
Take care.
Joe W.

#791 of 7385 jwilson1 by fredvh

Jul 24, 2002 (3:18 pm)

Thanks for taking the time to get the information for me. I will keep these things in mind.

Messages Page 80 of 740

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