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2006 BMW X3 vs Acura RDX
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Comments
The ride is stiff. Compared to a Ford Freestyle. The RDX handles like a sports car in SUV clothing. I can live with that tradeoff.
Lack of memory seats? Another relatively pointless feature to me. I'm always moving my seat around.
I personally HATE center handle emergency brakes. Love the foot pedal.
I just looked at the new Ford Edge on line. Too heavy, too slow, too pricey (similar pricing to Acura, a premium brand, they'll be giving them away soon like all their other cars). The RDX blows it away. And they wonder why American car manufacturers are sucking wind. Seems farily clear to me. Their cars usually SUCK.
First of all, no offense, but you are probably in the minority when it comes to pedal emergency brakes and memory seats. To each his own.
More importantly, the Edge is bigger than the RDX in almost every dimension. Not always incredibly so, but enough to prompt a closer look if we're talking about pound-per-pound value. I mean, you can option up a lot of vehicles to $34,000, but that doesn't mean they compete with the RDX. What I built on the Ford site for an RDX-ish price actualy had MORE content than a comparable Acura. There's no question which one is more luxurious, but again, I don't think the Edge is going to steal anyone away from Acura.
You are right that the Edge won't be selling for MSRP for long (if ever). But at this point, neither is the RDX, or the CX-7. Good for us.
I can't speculate on how "slow" the Edge will be. I haven't seen any numbers yet. I guess my point is, you never know. The RDX is quicker than it should be given its power and size, maybe the Edge will be too. Too early to call.
All in all, I probably wouldn't buy one, but it's got "not being completely ugly" going for it, at least.
Now, if Ford were to put the FEH/MMH hybrid drive in the Edge...
That might be worth the effort.
Nothing is quite as entertaining as listening to car weenies whine about luxury features that cars don't have. 'Memory' on car seats? Whatever turns you on.
What do you hate about the auto dimming mirror? I was considering getting one, when I buy the RDX, since others seem to like them so much.
I used to think HomeLink was stupid, HID headlights were for upper-class twits, and auto A/C in a car was posh overkill. I can tell you now that I probably won't ever buy another vehicle without them...
But I'd agree that one man's superflous 'fluff' is another's 'can't live without'. Absolutely. I don't think Homelink is 'dumb' at all. Particularly the part where it dials '911' when your airbags deploy....
It does that??! :surprise:
Now, regarding voice command on the TL, I tend to agree with you on this one. I still feel kinda dumb when there are other passesngers in the car, when I suddenly bark out, in a loud, monotone, robotic voice, "Air Conditioner On", or "CD Play Disc 1", or "Fan Speed 2", or.....
I know the RDX is the "right" vehicle to replace/upgrade my Jeep Liberty (which has been excellent) when it comes off lease next year, and I've had Hondas. But I'm likely going with the Land Rover LR2 or BMW X3 instead. A few trips to the dealer? A small price for something that gives me pleasure everytime I drive it.
Here are some impressions:
Pros: Phenomenal stability and acceleration, rock solid cornering, fantastic traction, intuitive ergonomics. Seems roomy enough for my family of 3.
Cons: Sorry, but the ride is simply too stiff for me... I felt every seam and bump in the road, and I can't imagine taking a really long ride on secondary roads, as I do when we visit in-laws in Vermont. Because of the turbo "bump" on the hood, had trouble seeing over it for good visibility. Thought the side view mirrors were way too small, compared to the Lexus.
So I'm back to square one... had really hoped this would be slam-dunk for me, but think that the stiff ride is a deal-breaker. Any thoughts from the group?
ed
The value of voice command depends on the features in the car (and the owner's willingness to learn how to use it). For cars equipped with navigation and satellite radio, speaking a few words is safer and easier than using the dials and buttons while driving.
Homelink, auto-dimming mirrors, auto climate control - of course none of it is absolutely necessary, but they are nice to have.
I couldn't disagree more. After driving my 06 TL for couple of months, I now talk to everybody like I do to my TL. Wait, that could be considered a drawback. BUT, I prefer voice commands to fiddling with buttons now. There are instances when the NAV forces me to use the buttons (to enter city/street number/name, that I wish could be done using voice too.
And I'm hoping moonroof and windows will also be tied to voice commands soon.
There are lots of distractions, way too many, in driving a car that would be best if that/those, ancillary functions requiring manual intervention, could go away. One of the reasons I dearly LOVE cruise control, allows me to devote more of my senses to actual driving issues.
My son-in-law just bought a BMW convertible. After driving the one with manual transmission he chose the Tiptronic one because he felt that with the manual he would be too often tempted to "go for it".
I don't disagree.
Self-discipline.
Probably the same problem with a twin turbo engine.
I wonder if one could easily modify the RDX's onset of turbo boost to say, beyond half-throttle.
That would be like getting a date with the prettiest girl in school, but promising her dad you wouldn't kiss her!
What pinstripes? I've been to several dealers in LA/OC area & non of the RDXs I've seen have pin stripes. It may be something your dealer is adding, or the region of the country your in.
...does anyone know Acura's track record for first year products?
Consumer Reports, October 2005 shows 1st, 2nd & 3rd year reliability for newly designed models from most car manufacturers. It does not list Acura separately from Honda.
Their chart shows the average number of problems per 100 vehicles.
Honda had the fewest problems with 20 for the 1st yr & about the same for the 2nd & 3rd yr. BMW had the most problems with approx 80 for the 1st yr, 70 for the 2nd yr, & 35 for the 3rd yr.
The avg for all mfrs was 40 for the 1st yr, 35 for the 2nd yr & 30 for the 3rd yr.
So if you've got to have that BMW, wait until at least the 3rd model yr, when they are only slightly worse than avg.
Thanks for the helpful Consumer Reports info. I think that's a great testiment to expected reliability of Honda/Acura in first year and beyond. You have put that concern to rest for me.
Now, the gas mileage thing...
Any expectation that RDXs might be discounted by a few thousand sooner rather than later?
I cannot comment on the 07 X3 ride vs the RDX, but ride quality was a concern of ours when we were considering purchasing a 2006 X3 for my wife. I had read so many articles on the stiff ride of the X3 that I was not originally considering it. But the salesman at the BMW dealer convinced my wife and I to take a test drive, and we immediately liked the X3 and bought one (2006 model).
The X3 we test drove had the standard 17" wheels and no sport suspension. Tne one we bought has the optional 18" wheels but without the sport suspension which we purposely avoided.
I also have a 2006 330Xi, and on less than ideal roads, such as pot holes, construction anomolies, etc., my wife's X3 rides more comfortably than my 330Xi, as its more compliant and handles severe bumps better.
Bruce
BMWs often present a better deal thru leasing though.
Not for me. Buy 'em, pay 'em off, drive 'em for 100-200K miles. Which will work with Japanese cars. Gets a bit dicey with some Euro cars unfortunately. Nothing is better than a high quality import that's PAID FOR. Quite a concept if you're into leasing. I used to be.
College costs loom. Try leasing THAT.
importcar that's PAID FOR.I second that. As it stands now, bought a 1998 Accord nine years ago, paid it off in 2.5 years, and 163K miles later couldn't be happier. More so, not having to make a car payment in 6.5 years.
Looking forward to similar experience with 2006 TL (and Accord will continue to be driven on the side).
Spy Shots: Mercedes GLK Nabbed Outside HQ (Inside Line)
It's all good. I like my RDX too. Not quite as nice as a BMW in some respects - on the other hand within 3-4 years the car will be PAID FOR : ). An novel concept to half the BMW drivers out there I suspect (I was one of them, I leased my 2001 BMW 540i for 3 years).
By the way the RDX and the new 260hp BMW X3 are just about identical in performance specifications...
Biggest (only?) shortcoming for me is the inability of buying a set of actual BMW repair/shop manuals.
I really think that's mostly hooey. The SH AWD on the Acura is rock solid.
Fuel economy? On cars that cost $33-$40K+? I suppose you might have a more valid concern once gas hits $4 per gallon. Until then a 2-3mpg swing seems like the least of your worries after the $400-$600+ monthly car payment, insurance and maintenance.
http://money.cnn.com/popups/2006/autos/iihs/index.html
(Note: I know, it all depends on the criteria chosen)
Which they change constantly - a moving target for the auto makers
I love a euro tight driving vehicle, and really thought my next car would be an audi. My V6 stick shift VW passat, now turning 9 years old, will stay on the road as a second car. The car is worth more on the road for me then trade in. Still tight as a drum and fun to drive with 125000 mi.
fact is, I'm in love with the exterior of the bimmer, and the silly sunroof (I'm a woman). But shocked that a car of that stature inside, could be so basic and frankly... unexciting. Turning forty, I can see myself behind the wheel. Just can't let myself lease a car when I could out right purchase The RDX that's just as fun to drive, and so much more luxurious inside. Not to mention tecky? Darn that car would be fun to own. A little concerned about the fact that Acura "Service engine" lights can only be turned off by Acura. I'm not too thrilled about the gas mileage either. It might be comparable to my hubby's full size V8 truck (hence why I'm keeping the VW).
For kicks and comparisons, I drove the CRV, the ford edge, and the honda path finder also. The mazda CX7 was next, but I can't get past it's out right ugliness.
The Edge brought Mazda and ford together to make a pretty loaded vehicle that would make a woman happy. I like the panoramic sunroof and the folding front seat option. The seats go down really easy and much flater then eith X3 or Rdx. You can't put this heavy weight in the same class however. It handles nice for a heavy SUV, but it's no sports car. It's bigger and feels it. The dash is way too big, and when driving it, I felt Like I couldn't get high enough in the seat to look over the monstrous dash. Low quality feel to the interior, but compartments and places to put stuff is adaquate like the RDX, I thought X3 lacked in that dept too. All in all, won't buy ford anyway, but on paper, the edge looks impressive for the price. Gas milage not so great, but the thing doesn't look too bad on the outside. I think my mother-in-law would love it!
Back to forum, sorry so long...I gotta get to Acura and buy this car!
As far as luxury goes, there is no question that I was comfortable in the bimmer, but the pleather is stiffer, and somehow, less "comfy"... It feels like you hit the seat like a brick. I guess when I got in the RDX (first impression) I got in looking at it and sliding in. I'm not sure I can describe that tangibly. Maybe I used the wrong adjective.
I did add the wind deflector for the sunroof and the roof rack. if you get these on purchase date, then they are also included in the full warrentee of the car (four years). get this, the dealer, who lives not far from me, is willing to DELIVER his demo car to my house whenever I need service, and take my car to the dealership to work with him. I'm thinking... what kind of world is this? Okay..maybe I DID pay too much, or thier service is more then coushy
Assuming you meant $1900 under invoice, thats still a great deal. The best I am getting here in Idaho is about $1500 above invoice.
Have to probably consider an out of town purchase.