Did you recently take on (or consider) a loan of 84 months or longer on a car purchase?
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I shopped for new passat, toyota, TL for similar prices but dealers here just won't budget much on prices - made several serious offers above TMV but no luck locally in our capative Hawaii.
I'm wondering about long term repairs after 50K or 4 yrs for things like electronic, AC, etc- seems like 4-5 dealer trips in 5,6 or 7th yr & warranty may be worthwhile-no considering peace of mind. What do you think?
I had 91 M5 and bought extended warranty from dealer and it paid for itself many times over. not sure about RL though., help
1. Steering Wheel Nut replaced (Service Bulletin)
2. Seat Belt Recall (Service Bulletin)
3. Check engine light went on at 30k (Oxygen Sensor replaced under warranty).
4. Left passenger lock tend to stick and would not always lock. (49k) Replaced the actuator under warranty.
Thats it. I guess 4 problems isn't too bad. 3 is probably cheap to fix, but 4 required opening up the door which may be costly if you have the dealer do it.
Other than that, the car has been pretty trouble free.
A story: two weeks ago, I had an oil change at the dealer's. A couple days later I noticed a few drops on the ground where I park. I checked the oil, and it was okay, but drippint. I thought that, when I got a chance, I'd go back, thinking some moron had left the crush washer off, or something. Several days later, leaving work early to go to a meeting, the oil light started to blink. Fortunately, I was outside the local garage and pulled over ... NO oil.
I called the dealer. He said to add more oil, since I was at a garage, come down and they would work on it. Oil was all over the engine, like someone had sprayed a garden hose of 5W-30. There was no chance of figuring where the leak was. I put in 3 quarts then started it to see what would happen ... another spray job. There was no way I was going to make it to the dealer, but we could see that it was coming from the filter. So the garage owner had me drive it into a bay, spilling oil all over his lot as I went, and he pulled a filter to find ... you've probably guessed it: the guy who'd changed it had left the original filter gasket on and the oil was coming from between the two gaskets. He put the old gasket and filter back on, filled it with oil, collected $31.00 from me, and I drove to the dealer, not in the happiest frame of mind.
When I drove in, they were all over it. I handed them the receipt and the keys, and they said they would see how much of a mess it was and let me know in just a few minutes. The sales manager came into the waiting area where I was looking over a new MDX, gave me a check for $62.56, reimbursement for the breakdown and for the oil change the week before. In 45 minutes they'd steam cleaned the engine, changed off the belt, put in a new filter (this time with o nly one gasket), and washed the car. Great service I think.
Re: extended warranties -- I'm not all that interested in them. It's why I buy reliable cars. I've had two, actually, and neither has paid for itself.
Take care.
Joe W.
fluids in my 97 RL. The manual says to use only
Honda brand fluids. Is this true or is it BS and can
you use comparable fluids instead?
Thanks
Pat Korach
Kirkland, WA
Thanks
http://www.mag-x.com/scoop/legend0001/index.html.
The story is over a year old, so does anyone have the latest update?
thanks
I had a 90 that needed some brake work and it was around $800. The ABS fixes are not cheap.
As for the oil, I have no idea. Have you check the PVC breather system? Is it functioning? Otherwise use your eyes.
good luck
Within the first 5 years of owning the Legend, the master cyclinder had to be replaced. Thank god I bought the extended warranty because it would have been a fortune to replace. The braking ability is only average on the Legend - nothing to brag about. The ABS light has never gone on when it was repressurizing, but you can hear it while driving after the system has been activated. I've read a recent Road and Track mag about the history of the NSX and sure enough it mentioned about checking out the brake accumulator.
As for the PVC valve, I don't think I've even know where it is with all the wire and everything. Can you tell me where it is? Is it located on the back of the engine, on top of the rear cam cover?
Thanks!
One other thing on the ABS - the unit would hum when it was damp or cool outside. This was prominent on both Acuras in the winter time. I have driven other cars and have never heard of this humming when started up or when the ABS unit was activated?
1) My dad needs it for his daily 80 mile commute, so the maintenece has to be within reason and it must be safe and reliable.
2) He wants a large car with alot of leg room.
3) For some dumb reason, he stops under traffic lights, not in front of them, so he wants to be able to see the signal even if they are very high up in the windsheild.
Last night we took a demo 2002 RL for a test drive. For some reason, I could here the exhaust note. It was almost like a "putting" sound coming from behind me. I was sitting in the rear. The frequency increased with the revs. Is this normal? Besides that, the car ran fairly smooth.
They are offering a $6000 discount on all their 2002 RL before Jan 1. So an RL w/o the Nav Sys would be around $37500. Do you think we can talk them down another $1000?
98 Avalon XLS
00 RL w/Nav
I traded in the Avalon (18k miles) for the RL due to the following reliability issues:
1. Continuous failure of A/C and heating system. Always repaired, but always continued to break (Toyota was well aware of this problem, but could never get the fix to last)
2. Void in steering (failure of steering racks is common in this model year as well as 99)
3. Replacement of various suspension parts which were back ordered for over two months to fix the well known about suspension noises from the right front of the vehicle
4. Replacement of the transmission at 10k
5. Driver seat replaced due to failuer of seat heater
Prior to the Avalon, I owned a 92 Camry V6 XLE which was absoultely bullet-proof and I expected the same from the Avalon, but it did not happen in practice. Even though the car was not reliable in Toyota fashion, the dealer was very helpful and always proided loaner cars and was honest regarding the expected time for waiting for parts to repair the car.
The RL, crrently 14k miles, is absolutely fantastic. No problems at all, good dealer ship service and the Navigation system is useful and fun at the same time.
Pluses for the Avalon:
More room in back seat
Slightly bigger trunk
8-Way power passanger seat as compared to 4-Way in the RL
Pluses for the RL
Reliability to date
Much better standard Bose sound system
Braking is excellent
Navigation system available
In know the Avalon has been changed for 2000 and forward so I can't really comment on the current model strenghs/weaknesses. If you can get 6k off of the RL, you will be getting a car that is probably one of the best values available given the levels of standard equipment.
Did anyone say why the deal is good till 1/1?
Take care.
Joe W.
Well I sure will go back and look at the RL. But only after a look at the 2002 Avalon.
jwilson1 ... I live in Houston Texas, My profile is public. The Dealer was John Eagle Acura. The discount ends Dec 31, my bad, probably because of quotas and taxes for cars still on their lot at the end of the year. They rather pass the savings to customers then pay extra taxes.
Take care.
Joe W.
New subj: My dealer sent me a letter saying he needed 2000 RL's and he could make a good deal for a new 2002. I have been well satisfied with the 2000; Looking at the Edmunds trade ins and new car costs, it appears it would take about $11K to trade mine for a new 02. I am reluctant to trade a known good car for an unknown, but the 02's are upgraded. Anyone compared 00's with 02's and have any good ideas?? I haven't checked with the dealer to see what kind of a deal is possible: I don't want to find that 00's are great cars and 02's aren't working out to be as good as advertised. Many thanks.
Last year they got stuck with 2000's and had to dump them at dealer less $5000 dealer incentive. I think they want to avoid that and get rid of the new and get good used vehicles to sell. I think sales are likely down because of the economy and the coming '03. whatever that holds...
Frankly, used is about the only place car dealers are assured of making money.
Bottom line, keep your 2000 if it does all you want.
I dunno. Lots of people don't seem to find the difference significant. I did. You'd have to drive it to find out, but to answer your question: no, there's no problem with the '02. But if your dealer told you that, I'd want one heck of a deal -- perhaps like the one described about 10 posts ago, above -- to make me switch if you truly like your '00. Why should you pick up the depreciation to save his sorry .....
Take care.
Joe w.
I travel alot, both great cars for the road, so I wanted what the '02 offered,,,more hp, torque, firmer suspension. There is a difference in the handling,and the ride (to me) is quieter. I have no complaints for this auto, as it serves the purpose I bought it for,,,quality, dependability, elegance. This car has no "bells and whistles"- another feature I like, you get what you pay for.
Take care.
Joe W.
The tv ad has a couple driving in their RL while a maintenance man waits outside their house's front door. Basically it's advertising GM's Northstar GP system more than it does the car. Very few clear shots of the actual car.
Thanks
I think I read in Automotive News that it is suppose to come out in 2003 and that is why they are having great deals on the 2002s. Automotive News has special issues that discuss what the different automakers will be doing over the next few years. The magazine comes out weekly. Please keep in mind that just because the magazine said it doesn't mean it will happen. Good luck. The RL sounds like a very nice car. Too bad it is not all wheel drive. I was tempted but wound up getting a 2002 E320 4matic because I needed all wheel drive and the leasing on the Mercedes was very inviting(only $120 more per month than an Audi A6 3.0 quattro).
I have a 2000 which I love, but the wife drives it mainly. I drive a 99 Accord Cpe, but need 4 doors. I do a fair amount of highway driving.
So, I am considering a late 90's TL or perhaps an RL. I came across a 98 RL with 113k on it. It is cheap, relatively....
What do you all think one gives up getting a machine like this that the $$'s don't comp for?
Take care.
Joe W,
Regards,
CC
CC,,,did you grow up in MANC, as I did??
If MANC stands for Mid-Anchorage, no; too cold.
If Manitoba, Canada: ditto.
If Manchester, England: been there, but not a native.
If Manchester-by-the-Sea, Mass, lived there in the early 80's, but not a native.
If a small town in NC, lived there from '57 to '61
drove newly acquired '98 RL on its maiden voyage to 40th HS reunion last Sept.
Best regards,
CC
I drove my new 2002 RL to this small town in the mtns. during the holidays,,,the handling of this auto on Fancy Gap, as well as Wards Gap, was phenominal,,,the new suspension, along with the new tires, hugged the curves like a tight silky skirt on a 22 year old. Interstate driving was so quiet, had the Bose turned up listening to Sam Cooke, the Drifters, and the King Bees playing wonderful Christmas music, which reminded me of rides going to the First Presbyerian Church each holiday, riding in the back seat of a '49 Willis Jeepster,freezing, and praying for snow-while my brothers argued over who was going to pay for gas.
This new Acrua is fun to drive back to that town I grew up in!! Heads turn when I park in front of the Snappy Lunch,,,sort of like the fat cat out of Raleigh paying a visit,,,hope I do not get a parking ticket!!
And, ahem, to try to stay on topic, that area is certainly a decent place to check out the handling of one's vehicle, no doubt about that. Especially as you go on to Asheville.
:-)
Pat
Host
Sedans Message Board
Mt. Airy -- I like the poetry, sburke, so much that you make we want to go for a long drive ... of course it really doesn't take that much. Maybe wait for May and take a ride down the Blue Ridge ... ahhhh.
Take care.
Joe W.
Later...AH
I've just completed Acura sales training and will began at the dealership tomorrow. It's a career change for me (20+ years as a mechanical engineer)and I'm excited about it.
If anyone has a question or more information they'd like from the dealer, I'll be happy to look into it for them. Of course, it may take a few days for me to get back, but I'll do my best to supply the most accurate info I can.
Also I'll try to post RL relevant info as I find out about it.
The training showed me what engineering marvels these cars really are.
BTW, I'm in the SF Bay Area.
Merry Motoring,
John W.
Welcome.
Joe W.
Two readers asked about using premium fuel. The answer given was that premium fuel is recommended because it is anticipated that "maximum performance conditions" are going to be encountered. These conditions exist when the engine is under a "heavy load", such as "pedal to the metal", "accelerating from a stop with a wide-open throttle", or "passing while climbing hills". The experts go on to say that if an engine is not subject to these conditions, premium fuel "may not be required all the time."
I have thus far used only premium fuel because this answer is the first official Acura approved (my assumption) admission that some of us may in fact not need to be using premium fuel. I have not, do not, and do not expect to place my car under "heavy load, maximum performance conditions" as described above. I drive like the proverbial little old lady from Pasadena, and despite the fact that I have a $45K (sticker price) car, I am loath to spend a cent more than I have to on ANYTHING (gas included), especially if it isn't necessary. If I wasn't frugal, I'd still be driving a Honda!
I'm going to step down a grade to 89 octane and see if there's any difference, and if not I'll probably go to 87 octane eventually. I plan to continue measuring MPG as well. Just wanted to let others know what I had read, since it was interesting and relevant to some of the discussions here.
TX
It's seems that Honda/Acura has been very quiet lately (other than the Pilot, which is an SUV).
Infiniti has the new G35. Acura needs to wake up.
That is, unless their strategy is only make things that is in high demand, and contributes to the bottom line (therefore, Honda Pilot, and Acura MDX).
Again, I recognize it is your right, and you certainly are not alone as there are a number of posts that seem to imply the same idea...lower the octane to save a buck on a tank and ignore the performance of the car. Witness the number of posters who are less interested in the car than in the discount they picked up.
I often wonder if the conservative track that Acura set with its designs in the mid-90s has doubled back on it and hit it over the head. It often seems to me -- and again this is only my perception -- that some buyers think Acura is competing with the larger GM products. And, really, if a dollar or two a tank, a hundred or so dollars a year, is such an important factor, I wonder why people choose a luxury car -- value or not.
Indeed, there will be a time when we all will be glad to drive a Tercel, but I don't really look forward to it. Sorry if I offended. Really.
Take care.
Joe W.