Relative repair cost Acura vs. Honda

A friend of mine is debating between an Accord and an Acura TL (both
used), and has made a few comments about Acuras being more expensive to
repair since it's a more expensive car. I'm wondering what people's
experience has been with that?

Thanks,

- Steve Yates
- If at first you succeed, don't take any more stupid chances.

~ Taglines by Taglinator - www.srtware.com ~

 

I would check the April issue of Consumer Reports. This is
CR's special car issue. It has easy to read matrices showing
frequency of repairs on different car systems, going back
about ten years. About a 1000 car owners have weighed in on
each year and model of car. That's pretty good statistical
significance.

Because Honda makes the Acura, I bet the matrices are
similar, though.

 

Honda and Acura dealers are independent companies. They have no connection
with Honda corporate other than owning a Honda or Acura franchise. They are
free to set prices wherever they want and sell whatever parts and service
they want. This means other dealerships are competition to them, so there's
an incentive to keep prices in line.

Phone around for specific quotes from local dealers. Things like brake
work, oil changes, timing belts, mufflers; routine stuff.

I think you'll find the prices are very close, if not identical.

Of course, your friend cannot compare a 4-cylinder Accord with a V6 TL; he
must compare apples to apples.

In any case, your friend can have his Acura serviced at a Honda dealer or
vice versa. He will receive identical parts and service regardless.

 

I did pass that magazine along, thanks (for anyone lurking, it's probably
at your local library, and has some really good info). Unfortunately it
lumps the related brands together...Acura with Honda, Lexus with Toyota,
everything under GM, etc.

- Steve Yates
- Melted fruit snacks on keyboard. Delete children [Y/n]?

~ Taglines by Taglinator - www.srtware.com ~

 

Hmm, good points.

Right. My Integra turned 10 in December and I've been really
happy with it considering its age. I'm working on countering the
perception that a "luxury" car will be more expensive to repair...one
counterpoint is that if it's better quality it won't need repairs so
often...

Really? Didn't know that. I would have thought they wouldn't allow
brands to cross, in terms of factory parts and such. Thanks.


- Steve Yates
- Is this yours? Your dog left it on my lawn...

~ Taglines by Taglinator - www.srtware.com ~

 

Honda has no problem with you getting your car serviced at either brand of
dealership.

All the cars and parts come from Honda. Acura is just a marketing division,
and does not make anything.