Hi everyone, I didn't know whether to post this thread in the Accord forum or the Legend/Rl forum, so I just chose this one. So, i went from not even thinking about having a car a few days ago, to having a choice between two great cars as of yesterday.

Okay, so yesterday my mom and I went to a dealership about 20 minutes away from where we live; we personaly know the owner, he is a very nice and reliable man. So, an older friend of his (an 80-year old lady) recently passed away and he acquired a 2002 gold Honda Accord with only 17,000 miles, it's a one owner car and the older lady barely drove it. So, on the same day, my grandma informed my parents that she was plannign on selling her car, a 1999 Acura 3.5 rl with 70,000 miles (she bought it new and has taken very, very good care of it)

The accord is for sale for about 8900, and im not sure what my grandma would sell her car for, she only said it would be a very good deal. So with cost aside, it's really not important because my parents just want me to get a good car, what is everyone's opinions on which car would be the best for a 17 year old?

By the way, i don't know if leather is standard on the acura but it does have leather, the accord does not. The accord and acura both have power windows. And I think the accord have much better mpg.

I truly just want a car, I'd take anything haha, but my parents are leaving this decision up to me. Thanks in advance, and any and all opinions are greatly appreciated!

 

Is the Accord a V6 or 4 cylinder? Is it an automatic or manual transmission? Assuming it's a 4-cylinder automatic, it will be rather gutless, but will likely get 5-8 mpg's better than the RL. Gas isn't going to stay cheap so when factoring in mileage, pretend gas is still $4 a gallon. The RL is nice but I have a hard time visioning a 17 year old driving it. It's not exactly an "old persons" car but it's not far off in my opinion. It's comfortable, rather powerful, full size sedan (just like an Oldsmobile or Buick but with reliability).

Drive both and decide which you like more. I lean toward the Accord since it's newer and has lower mileage. But if you test drive the RL and really like it, go for it. Both would make a really nice first car and should treat you well.

 

In my opinion i would go with the accord just because of the age and miles

 

my first car was a 95 accord 4dr. as my winter beater, it works out good. it drinks gas since mines a v6.

 

It depends on how much your Grandmother will sell the car to you for. If shes asking more than what the Accord is going for I would definitely go for the Accord 17,000 miles one owner, the car is practically brand new good luck keep us posted.

 

The accord is a 4 cyclinder, automatic. I went to my grandparent's house yesterday and drove the acura around. I was actually suprised at how well it drove, it was very smooth and I liked it. However I feel like it is a very big car, maybe too big for me. Well, as of right now, my parents are getting their mechanic to check out the accord to see if all is well, im sure it will be.

 

well, i don't really know how to say this...but let's just say that my grandparents don't really need the money lol, but they definately are not going to give me the acura for free, i wouldn't except that and it wouldn't be fair. My grandparents and my father talked about it privately and, after my father talked to him about the price of the accord, he said that he could sell us the acura for at least 3 thousand less. So, I guess the acura would be a better price.

However, I am concerned about the mileage of the acura. I know hondas can last for many hundred thousand miles. My mom had an accord many years ago and she kept it until it had 300k something miles. But, with the acura already having 70,000 miles, how much longer could it last? hopefully to at least 150,000 miles? I would keep either car well maintained of course. Also, the acura only gets around 18mpg i think, at most. I have to cringe when i say that because I was hoping for a car with great mpg, which the accord gets i think.

So, I guess I'm just going to wait until after the mechanic checks the accord, and see where I'm going from there. I'll have more updates along the way! Thanks for all of your help so far everyone! It means a lot to me

 

The RL shouldn't give you any trouble for a long time assuming it's been well cared for. For 3K less than the Accord it's worth considering.

 

My mother in law has a new RL. I've never driven a Honda that drives like an older Cadillac - until I drove the RL! Felt like it weighed twice as much as my '05 Accord sedan!

 

Do not be worried Acuras are Hondas. Look on the back of the Acura Engine it will say Honda Motor Co. Acuras are much nicer since they are Honda's finer, richer, nicer line like Lexus is to Toyota and Infinity is to Nissan. The 99 RL looks nicer than the 02 Accord as well and if your grandparents offer 3k less for just 70k miles take it! v6 with more power you will appreciate it!