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.