Deciding on a 2000 RL

Static-"S" · 02-13-09, 07:24 PM

Hey guys, Im interested in buying a 2000 Acura RL. my last car was a 2001 CL and the transmission went out twice so i got rid of it. i wanted to ask all of you RL owners if there any any such problems with the RL, since i have noticed that Honda/Acura 99-03 had a lot of transmission problems. i commute to college and need a nice comfortable commuter thats not gonna break down and have a lot of mechanical issues.

any feed back would be greatly appreciated, thanks

The RL im looking at is 2000, clean title with 68,000 miles, and it looks really clean. The guy is selling it for 8500 firm.

2000RL · 02-13-09, 09:16 PM

I own a 2000 Rl. I'm the second owner and it has 88k miles. Replaced set of tires, battery, scheduled maintenance done when due, one wheel sensor replaced under warranty. Love this car. That being said I imagine that if your a college student money is surely tight. MPG is can be an issue especially when premium hits $4.00 again and you are commuting. Parts and labor are "very expensive" and if you are not prepared to handle the cost you may want to look at a Honda. The RL is a great car and I don't want to dissuade you from buying it . But be advised there are "serious costs" to owning a used "luxury" car. Good luck!

ZRXXX · 02-15-09, 03:10 PM

AGreed. I do everything myself, and the cost of repairs are still pretty high. Aftermarket parts are hard to come by so dealer visits are pretty standard for replacement parts. Although repairs are far and few. If you can buy the car, drive it for a few years before it needs the high mileage maintenance like t-belt etc...and sell it, then go for it. I'd imagine you can easily drive the car for 30-40K more miles without doing anything except oil changes. The car is pretty dam solid.

And I run my car on regular gas and see no difference. (but I drive like an old man)

seamusnh · 02-17-09, 09:26 AM

I'd go for it. It is a bit of a luxury compared to something like an Accord. 88k is just getting started. I bought my 96 RL in '00 with 47k on it and drove it for 8 years and another 204k before the main engine gasket blew....

It all depends on what you like in a car. The RL has an understated elegance that one does not find in some of the other luxury cars.... It is more like a Mercedes in theme than a Lexus....

DC1225 · 02-17-09, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Static-"S"

Hey guys, Im interested in buying a 2000 Acura RL. my last car was a 2001 CL and the transmission went out twice so i got rid of it. i wanted to ask all of you RL owners if there any any such problems with the RL, since i have noticed that Honda/Acura 99-03 had a lot of transmission problems. i commute to college and need a nice comfortable commuter thats not gonna break down and have a lot of mechanical issues.

any feed back would be greatly appreciated, thanks

The RL im looking at is 2000, clean title with 68,000 miles, and it looks really clean. The guy is selling it for 8500 firm.

your transmission won't go on the RL but it will nickel and dime you to death. On top of that, gas mileage sux and there is no horsepower/torque to speak of. I'd not recommend this vehicle for "you" but if you do, good luck. Its a good car if you're ready to put up with minor issues but it will cost you.

zalaser · 02-17-09, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Static-"S"

Hey guys, Im interested in buying a 2000 Acura RL. my last car was a 2001 CL and the transmission went out twice so i got rid of it. i wanted to ask all of you RL owners if there any any such problems with the RL, since i have noticed that Honda/Acura 99-03 had a lot of transmission problems. i commute to college and need a nice comfortable commuter thats not gonna break down and have a lot of mechanical issues.

any feed back would be greatly appreciated, thanks

The RL im looking at is 2000, clean title with 68,000 miles, and it looks really clean. The guy is selling it for 8500 firm.

I have 2002 with 75K on it. If you can find 2002 they are better on gas. I do premium and get 19-22mpg in mixed 40/60 city/hway driving. Engine was also upped for 2002 in HP and Torque. Cost of ownership is very low. Everything holds well. However price is right for low mileage car. Good luck

seamusnh · 02-18-09, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DC1225

your transmission won't go on the RL but it will nickel and dime you to death. On top of that, gas mileage sux and there is no horsepower/torque to speak of.

I never had a problem with the tranny in my 96 RL. 251k. Just changed the fluid every other year. When the car finally died (main engine gasket), the tranny was still fine.... I recommend checking consumer reports for reliability stats...

As for gas mileage, 22 mpg with a V-6 is not bad. It is a big car. Does better than similar size cars with a V-8.

As for the HP, sure, there are cars with more HP. Heck, you can buy a Subaru with well over 300 HP stock.

Fabvsix · 02-18-09, 06:57 PM

I bought my 04 brand spanking and is going on 5 years old. BEST solid reliable car I've owned. change the oil every 5000 miles. It has 20,855 miles ytd.....

I'd categorize mine "California Spotless".....garage stored driven once every 2-3 weeks.....never has seen rain or a dirt road.....
I too had a CL Type S with a time bomb tranny failure!

DC1225 · 02-24-09, 08:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fabvsix

I bought my 04 brand spanking and is going on 5 years old. BEST solid reliable car I've owned. change the oil every 5000 miles. It has 20,855 miles ytd.....

I'd categorize mine "California Spotless".....garage stored driven once every 2-3 weeks.....never has seen rain or a dirt road.....
I too had a CL Type S with a time bomb tranny failure!

fab, you need to drive that prissy lil biach more!!!

RLuke · 02-24-09, 11:23 AM

yeah right. step on the gas pedal instead of cleaning her only. she needs some good spanking

DC1225 · 02-24-09, 11:27 AM

LOL...

Fabvsix · 02-25-09, 06:59 PM

Nah,
That's what my 2007 Acura MDX Sport/Ent is for.........

The RL is sunday driving when weather permits. I enjoy waxing the RL on a Friday evening with a couple of drinks and good tune from my g9000 garage system.......

Infact its time for a layer or two of Z6 about now.......as Spring is in the air in California......

DC1225 · 02-26-09, 09:14 AM

hey in these tough economic times, Im glad to see someone is still doing well, high five! Have you ever thought of dumping couple of your acuras and getting the new LS Hybrid? I heard that is the baddest MOFO ever!

RedRLMDX · 02-26-09, 10:59 AM

The RL has a solid tranny. The issues Honda/acura had was when they redesigned and went to 5 speed auto. The RL's 4speed auto has been running in Legends and RLs for years.

I just sold my 00 RL with 96K for $6600. Granted it needed tires and the timing belt is sneaking up, so I decided to let it go for that. I think you have some room to negotiate with this person. Offer him 7500 and see where it goes. Look and see how edmunds values it as a private sale.

apd143 · 08-28-09, 10:23 AM

I own a 2000 RL with 88K and I love this vehicle. I highly recommend it to anybody. Runs beautifully and not a rattle anywhere. Love taking care of it with the Zaino wax. Also repairs I have found are alot cheaper at Honda than Acura. Usually by at least a third in price. This was for the 60k maintenance $650 at Acura and $250 at Honda.