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Acura MDX 2007
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Also, Car and Driver just named MDX #1 in contest of Mid-Size Lux. SUV's.
In order to get the Sport package, you must also purchase the Technology package.
To get the Entertainment package, you must either buy the Sport/Tech combo, or just the Tech.
This chart might help. This list spells out what is included in each of the packages (scroll to the bottom).
Acura does a good job of explaining the feature differences but here's my take on what the Sport offers over the Ent-Tech besides including the Tech package features:
- Five spoke 18" magnesium look rims. These are the easiest to clean ever! Being a bright gun metal color, they hide brake dust very well yet still have a luxury lustre separating them from other trim models. Classy yet simple, they're my fave 'sleeper feature'.
- Sport/Comfort mode suspension with Active Damper shocks. This is not hype, it really works. I prefer Sport, she prefers Comfort. Comfort is cushier and plush by Acura standards. Contrary to pro reviews, the button stays in whatever mode it was last left in, not Sport by default. When you go around corners, the shocks basically stiffen on the weight bearing side and take but 5 milliseconds, (.005 Seconds) to adjust. It does this by controlling magnets surrounding perforations where the shock fluid passes through. The fluid has magnetic particles suspended in it so the more electricity sent to that magnet, the thicker the fluid becomes at the perforation, resulting in stiffening/increased dampening for that individual shock. It's not an amazing light switch type feature but certainly rewards flexible driving styles with a toy slot car driving experience. How much this matters in routine driving is up to you. Try this for yourself though. Take a Sport equipped MDX in Sport mode into a tight turn, (traffic circle will work in a pinch) and mash on the gas hard mid-corner. The dang thing will power scoot right around the corner better than most Europeon built sedans, scaring the timid. This has to do with the Super Handling AWD (tacky name) that is predictive & interactive with the shocks versus the post slide/spin sensing reactive based methods found on any other SUV at any price. The non-Sport versions don't have active shocks but are supposedly tuned close to the comfort setting and still benefit from the front rear and left right SH AWD. The Sport models teeth gritting near 1.0 G-force experience itself is worth the extra price of admission, especially in a mid-size SUV. Warn your passengers as this isn't something you should do with the fam having a mouthful after a drive-thru at McD's.
- Perforated leather. Seems distinguished and snazzier, little practical benefit other than perhaps a tad cooler. We have Parchment, the Bourdeaux is like a Willy Wonka Chocolate factory explosion, not for everyone, thus discontinued.
- Textured interior trim. The metal trim areas around the shifter have a checkerboard texture versus flat, oooh-ahhh, hold me back, LOL.
- Bigger stabilizer bar. Helps in the twisties supposedly.
- Self leveleing headlights. They don't peek around corners this year but with if you tow at night, could come in handy. If you routinely have that big a load to need them, consider an exercise plan or a second vehicle--wink.
- Although also found on the non-Sport model with a Tech package, the 410 watt Dolby II surround sound stereo rocks. Awesome for stock, bass can be a bit weak but has lots of adjustments and a separate (hidden) subwoofer with it's own adjustments. The demo DVD has some great work to show bennies. The six CD can play 5.1 DVD audio discs if you can find them.
We have an Aspen White Pearl and the fender trim and Sport Sideboards dress it up nicely.
Two 'bugs' in the design that I was going to save for another post other than premium pricetag are:
- The rear tri-zone A/C is off at start-up by default. Doesn't matter if you left it on or not. Can't find a way to override.
- If the radio is soft and then you use the bluetooth, the radio returns to a louder volume than you orignally had it when you hang up. These are the ONLY things this wannabe critic could find wrong anywhere on this fabulous vehicle. There isn't enough space or time to talk about all that's right. No, I'm not a salesman, just a believer... this one's a keeper!!!
What is your MPG? I have about 2500 miles on my 07 MDX and have averaged 16.6 MPG so far. A little on the low side, but very acceptable to me as most of my drives are short distances on hilly roads.
1. Has anyone put THREE child seats across the 2nd row? Just curious.
2. How does the RIDE QUALITY compare of the NON-SPORT model to the SPORT model. I'm not really leaning towards the SPORT model but curious.
3. THE BIG ONE: The nearest Acura dealer is 1 hour away in a direction I really don't travel to. A Honda dealership is right down the street. HOW MUCH AND WHAT TYPE of work can I really get done at the Honda dealership? Has anyone dealt with this before?
I understand the MDX needs service every 5,000 miles and things do come up even to a Japanese vechicle.
4. Other recent PRO's and CON's ???
thanks
-sg
1. 3 kids seats in row 2?
Tight but possible if you have skinny seats and kids. They'll grow up and by the time they'd switch to booster seats it'd be time for a larger vehicle or utilize seating in row 3. Access there can be difficult with row 2 having a carseat unless it's a booster. Might want to consider a larger vehicle...
2. Sport vs. non?
I drove a Sport/Ent and Tech/Ent (non-sport) and couldn't tell the difference with the Sport in Comfort mode. With the Sport in Sport Mode you feel more bumps but are rewarded with added firmness in turns, see my mash on the gas mid corner experiment earlier. Laden with kids and suburban gear it'd be hard to ever tell the difference as the regular suspension is anything short of a compromise. There are many other reasons I picked the Sport.
3. Acura dealer an hour away?
So what, your MDX probably won't need service other than maintenance. If it does, you might be able to work out having it picked up by the dealership and returned. Lots of folks do this. One Atlanta dealer touted their policy of picking up vehicles within 100 miles, even for routine service. We bought our Sport/Ent from a dealership 175 miles away {Proctor in Tallahassee, highly recommended!) sight unseen and they delivered it to us free. Acura is a premium brand, expect excellence, you may get it. Our town Acura & Honda dealers are adjacent but they say they don't service each others vehicles. Two Service Managers, two entrances, 1-1/2 shops...hmmmm... so Services A&B are probably done for either. You might consider getting a decked out Pilot or waiting for the MDX design roll-down that typically happens, think RDX & CRV. The fact that Honda has remained silent on this could be a hint it's coming so they aren't 'stuck' with '07 Pilots. I have a friend in Birmingham that builds Pilots, will check and see whussup.
4. Pros - Total package! The MDX isn't perfect but it does do almost everthing darn close, especially the slot car feel when pushed hard in twisties. Stylish, radical (in comparison to previous years), superb handling, comfort, solid road feel, reliability. Sweet stereo (Sport), whistle & bell factory. Lot's of other ego boosting aspects that justify higher payments when we had a perfectly good '04 S-80.
Cons- MPG, and uses premium only. In 1,100 miles averaging 15, mostly city. If $3+/gal bothers you & your budget today, it surely won't get any better in the coming years. Hard to bargain as premium brand brings premium price. MSRP ours was just over $50K and that's quite a bit for a mid-size SUV for this habitual FL lottery loser. We got 1,800 off sticker and lots of add-ons discounted. Unless you shotgun quotes you won't be able to shop invoice up.
in theory, this seems like a great car with 2 kids with all the electronic toys.
i would love an acura dealer down the street, but alas, its 1+ hour away. I will test drive and determine if its worth it.
thanks for the response.
sg
I am not worried at all about the ABS check noise. Since it happens on all the MDXs and has no known effect on the car, I just ignore it.
When you reverse, if you have the mirror selector on the left, then left mirror will tilt, if it on right, then right mirror will tilt. I usually have it in the middle, in which case there is no tilt.
This is my first Acura after driving Infiniti's and Lexus' for 10 years. I was very disappointed with the condition of the MDX at delivery. Cosmetically the Infiniti's and Lexus' were perfect at delivery. On the MDX there is a tear in the driver side door trim panel that looks like someone closed the door on the seat belt. There is very small dent in the upper part of the rear driver's side door. The plastic cover for the spare jack in the rear compartment is missing one of the fasteners that holds the cover in place. The dealer apologized and gave me an IOU for a new door panel and painless dent repair. I must be getting soft since I actually agreed to them fixing the items rather than stopping payment on the check and canceling the deal.
On the positive side, the MDX handles much better than the RX and the engine/trans is much more responsive and refined. Acura needs to get there dealers in line with the other premium Japanese brands. The small stuff means a lot to me when paying $40K for a car. I'm now concerned they will screw-up something else when they replace the inside door trim panel. There are a lot of electrical connections and other trim to damage.
That's the Sunshine Kids Radian childseats in the 2nd row of a Toyota Sienna. Granted, the Sienna might be a bit wider than the MDX, but it might be doable.
Whenever I get into my car (and I mean everytime) the CD and the DVD eject and then load back in after the 10 sec delay.
Its bizarre. Of course the dealership is stumped.
Car in 3 weeks old.
Thanks.
I happens with the liftback as well. I have googled the issue and there a few with the same problem. Im not sure im happy or sad it isnt an isolated issue.
Something all new buyers might want to check when at the dealership. (bring your own CD).
thanks
After a day of surfing, it seems there is a software glitch that causes this auto ejection.
Quoted on another Forum.
"Ejecting CD/DVD issue identified!
My dealership called and just told me that the strange CD/DVD ejecting issue when you unlock your car and open the door has been identified by Acura Techline as an issue needing a software update that they are currently working on.
I was told when it was available they would call and it would take a few minutes.
Mine is a tech/ent. Anyone seen this on another configuration? I drove a base loaner for about a week and did not notice it on that model."
Thanks. :confuse:
On paper the MDX should be excellent in the snow,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SH-AWD
however the tires that come with it do it no justice.
One thing it appears to be better at is towing, since it's rated higher (5,000 vs. 3,500 lbs) and is a bit heavier and wider. My boat weighs approximately 2,600 lbs. so the extra margin should be helpful even though the FX (V8, 315 HP and a bit lighter) is a little more powerful.
http://www.thestar.com/Wheels/article/187265
The testing focused more on the handling/stability issues with snow driving, as opposed to getting started from a stop or climbing hills. But the results are worth noting.
Deep snow is a separate issue from driving in slick conditions. Traction in fresh, wet snow really isn't all that bad. The problem there is rolling resistance, and, if it's deep enough, the design of the undercarriage. I doubt the MDX or any other mid-size crossover is going to roll over the top of a snow drift as well as a conventional large SUV.
My 2004 MDX is rated for 3,500 for a box trailer, but 4,500 for any boat. That rating includes 4 occupants and their luggage for a weekend.
The new MDX is rated for 5,000 lbs, but with only 2 occupants and the same gear (roughly 200 lbs).
In EPA standards-speak, 2 occupants weigh a total of 300 lbs. So, the new MDX has only a 200 lbs advantage over the old one when it comes to boat towing. 60% of the gain with the new model comes from fooling with the fine print.
For reference, most other manufacturers publishing their tow ratings with 1 occupant and zero luggage. If you read their fine print, you'll find that you're supposed to reduce your towing capacity by the weight of things like optional roof racks, each passenger, and anything you might have stowed in the glove box.
has anyone seen dramatic improvement as the miles add up?
A salesperson said that I could expect 24 to 26 mpg on the
the freeway after 5M miles or so...perhaps only a sales pitch!
In mixed driving, expect something more like 18-19 mpg. And, yes, that's about right for this class of vehicle.
My 07 has no noise, and they are nice. (nicer placed) Thanks
$700 installed for both is rather steep but it made the black demo appear finished and classier. The vehicle is angular and sporty looking as is. The front garnish oval opening looks like a Cyclops nostril, sniffing the road for the pointy nose and battering ram grille. Maybe Acura should offer Viking horns on the roof to match? In practical terms, the garnish also offers protection for delicate cooler fins that could be subject to road debris damage (so far not a problem like the '05/'06 Odyssey A/C units). This coping mechanism of justifying a purchase is called ‘irrationalization’, i.e. – realizing it’s just for aesthetics but pretending it does something useful... making it an easy sell to Mrs. MDX'er.
What about the always important back view (of the MDX)? The rear garnish fills in a gap between the pipes that would make me check the parts list and crate for leftovers had I assembled the MDX myself; something is definitely missing from the carved out area without it. Most MDX owners are probably like me, won't notice or could care less (until they saw one with the garnish) but Acura is smart. Yuppies that spend $45K+ (Sport/Ent here) for a mid-size SUV are more apt to finish it off, dress it up, make it distinctive versus cookie cutter, etc. Ours won't be overdressed having Sport Sideboards (the best integrated look IMNSHO), fender well garnish, and auto-dim mirror w/compass (should be standard equipment), and matching fake wood shifter (who wants to touch leather?). Having nothing on the roof keeps the lines clean but rules out weekend camping for four.
Going the H&A route and installing these myself seems doable but I've wary of dropping bumpers and screwing into parts that'd leave visible holes should I remove the mods. Both of these are made of brushed aluminum and should hold up well. There, I just did it again, LOL.
P.S. - Our cupholders aren't noisy and if they were I’d try a little 2W30 off the dipstick.
P.S.S. - (for host benefit) I posed this here as the Accessories forum is quite dusty.
It would be less dusty if people posted there (hint hint!)
Oh, wait, someone posted just today - here's your chance!
tidester, host
SUVs and Smart Shopper
my lease on my 04 is up in a few months and from what i read
the new 07 is far superior,i'm going for a test ride in a few weeks.
thanks
Thanks
For now have one question:
I have noticed an foul odor coming from the ventilation system each time I use the windshield wiper fluid spray. Has anyone else noticed this problem?? An way to fix it??
:confuse: