FIRST - sorry for the locked topic. I suck at computer stuff and goofed up the vote before I could even get it started so we'll just do it this way....


As many of you know I have a Daily that is an '02 RL. Love the car for the most part but based on my miles I'm due for the 105k service in the next 2-3 months. I was planning on keeping it about another year or so and selling around 130-150k miles. What I didn't realize was how much the 105k service costs!!! About $2,000!!!! Granted, it replaces everything under the sun as in water pump, timing belt, tons of other belts, plugs, yadda, yadda, yadda but damn it's $2k into a car worth about $10-12k.

Drawbacks: Couple rattles on VERY rough terrain, previous owner was a smoker, high mileage, just put new Goodyears on her a few months ago.

Plus's: Paid off, just gas, and maintenance so far but that bill is looking nasty IMO.

So, I have a great offer on a brand new Ridgeline RTL. We haven't bought a NEW car, only used "new" cars, since I bought the S2000 12/01/2000. I beat the crap out of my Daily. The S was my daily for 5 years and has 73k to show for it. She's a garage queen now but point is my Daily and I rack up miles.
What would you do?

1) In a couple or so months put $2k in an old car with no payments and hope for the best? OR

2) Bite the bullet, have a car payment again, though not too bad, go new with full warranty?

I appreciate your input!!!
Shay

 

First thoughts....

Bite the bullet and pay the $2K. Might shop around and have another reputable shop do the service. I had Oster do my minivan timing belt etc. at First Class automotive. As long as you have been keeping up the vehicle with regular oil changes and general maintenance you should be good to go after this service for many many more miles. (I'd say 50K+ easy)

I had a similar dilemma with the minivan, I was thinking it was time to trade in, but for what, a newer minivan? At a substantial loss? No way! I'm keeping the big honda. I put some new wheels on her and am planning on putting in a new leather interior. But keep her I will.

But then again I had no real desire for anything to replace the big honda with. If I were lusting after a practical car I might take the plunge. But for me, in my financial disposition, it's just not worth the money. I've already got one nice car to worry about.

If you are lusting after another car, and you can afford it without much sacrifice, sure why not. But if the payments will keep you from taking Sandy out to a nice dinner, and you can live with a beater as a daily, I'd drive that beater until the wheels fall off. Good beaters are great to have and hard to come by.

my 2 pennies.

 

WG - and your "two pennies" mean a lot. I agree in large.

Not lusting for a new daily at all but not excited about the pending large service. I'm sure I can find it cheaper and frankly I could skip a good bit of it all together BUT, not that ANYBODY wants to breakdown, but with my occupation it becomes more of a money thing than a convenience thing. It almost becomes blow the money on maintenance or blow the money on new...sort of.

If I miss a meeting it could be a few hundred bucks or well...quite a bit more lets day. Not making light of anyone breaking down, especially mommies with kids, but see what I mean? My Daily is my office almost. It's business. It's not a daily around town car, it's a daily beater that in the next 7 days will be all over Jax, Daytona, Orlando, Perry, the Beaches, and who knows where else based on the next phone call.

Hmmmm

 

That service ensures that many of the high mileage issues are pro-actively fixed. If anything, you should fear a breakdown now, before the service. But once the service is complete you should have a very reliable car for the next 50K miles. Make sure you take it to a mechanic you know and trust and have him/her do a thorough inspection. Check engine mounts, transmission issues, etc. After a good look at the car you will have a better understanding of how much more life it has left. This will help you make the decision to sell or keep.

Plus poke around on the internet and find out if there are any common issues with the '02 TL. This will give a more educated eye as far as what to look for.

http://www.acuraworld.com/forums/showthrea...?t=62463&page=2

http://www.acuraworld.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=47

 

How good of a deal are you getting on the Ridgeline? The Ridgeline is a beautiful truck and it rides like a car. It is also very versatile. The only downside to the Ridgeline is the gas mileage.

Your Acura will easily last to the mileage you stated above. Of course, I am biased. I love the idea of no car payments. Honda just does a fabulous job when they design their vehicles, when it comes to reliability. You could try to set a record for most miles on an Acura RL and submit it to Guiness World Records.

 

looks like the '02 TL is prone to tranny failure. Might want to get a tranny cooler and switch to synthetic fluid, if you plan to keep her. But that's an issue that should factor in your decision.

 

WG and JP - really good thoughts. Very confused. I'm definitely not looking for a car payment. In fact I wasn't expecting 2 weeks ago to buy Sandy a used MDX. Luckily there's no payment with that one but with a new purchase for me that would most definitely mean a car payment.

The deal on the Ridgeline is good...very good IMO. I'd like to see a bit more on the RL as far as a trade but I'm also confident I could get what I want for it. I know the guy and he's fair. We'll both walk away happy BUT that doesn't mean I want to buy a new car. I just want the best bang for the buck. Keep the RL on the road for longer than I planned with $2k or get new for obviously more???

All input welcome. Keep it coming guys. thx

 

Thx...It's a 3.5 RL, not TL btw.

 

why not do the work urself? end up costing u 200 in parts instead of 2000 in labor.

 

just bite the 2Gs