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I think what we're much more likely to see is continual, continued, HP/Torque/FE improvement of performance of these smaller engines. I expect soon to see an I4 "hybrid" wherein the hybrid battery is used exclusively to run a variable speed super-charger.
Now that will truly be FREE "boost" power.
My 1992 LS400's V8 is rated at 248 HP, a level years ago surpassed by modern day V6's and now more modern I4s.
As for the turbo, I think it's around to stay. The next MDX may be a tad smaller, at least the concept made it look that way. So they want V6 shoppers to look at those.
Mazda's doing the same thing. CX7 gets a turbo 4, CX9 will get a V6.
If you really want the Honda 3.5l V6, try a Saturn Vue Redline. Or try Toyota's RAV4 V6.
-juice
--Buying an Acura is almost never a dumb move, if you get a good deal. The resale & reliability are generally excellent.
--Somehow, Acura, besides making excellent cars, is also a marketing genius, IMO. They usually nail their price point, & include so many options that cost a fortune on a bmw, mercedes or even toyota. They charge a lot, but not really for a "premium brand", & you don't have to go crazy picking out (& paying for) individual options.
--Is a base RDX worth $33K? I dunno. You can buy a fully loaded V6 AWD RAV4 for $28.5K, with a $1500-$2000 discount. But the RDX has Xenons, & reportedly a killer sound system, & a longer warranty. BMW's--a base 3 series wagon or X3 will cost as much, or more, as an RDX, & then you have to start adding options.....
just my 2 cents.....
Also, a killer sound system included (assuming the base sound system is really that good). Nothing like that avail. on 4Runner or RAV4, or most bmw's as far as I know. When I first got my E-39 bmw 5 series, being bummed with the "Ok" sound system, I got an estimate to replace the speakers, amps, & crossovers. It was about $3K with labor. I saw a m-b they were doing that on--the entire interior was dis-assembled.
So the cost to retro-fit a really good sound system & Xenons on my bmw; abound $4K. Then to upgrade the 16" alloys & tires........the RDX includes really nice looking 18" rims. The last vehicle I had 18" wheels on was a Range Rover 4.6--a mega-bucks vehicle.....
(If I keep it up I'll talk myself into buying an RDX).
I think you already have! :P
I can't wait for the aftermarket to get a hold of this engine...
I'm not sure the CRV would be in much of a demand with the tuners.
Could the RDX be just right?? The only problem I see is having to pay full retail for it. I'm more accustomed to swooping in on the last day of the month when they are trying to clear out last year's model.
It seems at this point you can get more off the MSRP of the MDX than the others.
Also, timing is a factor, as we are replacing our Sienna minivan which was stolen out of our driveway and has not been recovered (only had the Sienna for 7 months, which was long enough - too big for me and not the ride I like although I loved all of the bells and whistles). Our insurance covers a rental car until the end of July. Maybe it is worth picking up the cost of the rental car until the RDX comes out, but if the date keeps pushing back, it might get quite costly.
any thoughts??
I guess it is time to shop another dealer for the lx330. My husband thinks the lx330 is a better looking highlander and will have a hard time paying so much extra for what he believes amounts to styling.
I now have another car on my list! at least it is only 4 now, last week I had 8 on my list.
A bunch; including the Mazda CX-7 Grand Touring (which ALSO has 18" rims). With a TMV of around $28k (and at that price it includes a 9-speaker Bose Centerpoint surround sound system with Audiopilot and a CD changer).
Personally if you have true need of AWD then the RDX will become the leader of the pack until other marques pick up on the new technology breakthrough.
The RDX will be a great SUV, but like all Acura's, they take a few months to get right! Be wary of being the first person to buy a new model, no matter how cool it might be.
Good headlights are important, but I don't care if they are HID or halogen. In one magazine's test, the best lights were on a cheap Mazda economy sedan (halogen), and the worst lights were HIDs on an Audi TT.
So while I do consider visibility, the type of lights used to achieve that are not important to me.
-juice
Bob
Spend a week in a Miata, at eye level with SUV HIDs, and you'll agree.
-juice
Went into the Acura dealership today and found out that the RDX's will be at their showroom August 10th - 14th. They will be allocated 15 cars. They have orders for three. He said there will be no movement on price for the first 3 or 4 months.
I think we'll keep our rental car until the RDX's come in. If nothing else, I think we'll strike a better deal on an MDX (if that is what we end up buying) once the RDX's are out.... hopefully 2 weeks of a $15/day car will be covered in terms of making a better deal, but even if it isn't, I would feel hasty to decide now when the RDX's will be here so soon.
My husband and I would have a very hard time paying full retail for a brand new model car.... don't see us doing it, but still, the car is SOOOOO intriguing to me!
This makes a difference as we'll be carless.
Anyone have updated info on availability in showrooms (I am in the Boston area)?
With the RDX, you get sportier handling and an updated interior.
Both accelerate about the same (7.5-8.0 seconds est.)
Both have similar features. The MDX has a few things like a power passenger seat and rain-sensing wipers, but the RDX has the ELS stereo and SportShift transmission. There are other differences, but they more or less counter each other.
Both offer similar fuel economy.
Both offer a high level of safety equipment.
Both have a similar price. Based on the above comparison, I don't see a problem with that. When you get down to it, the most significant difference is sport vs style.
Price out an installed NAV, stereo similar in quality to the ELS unit, and other features in the Tech Package through an aftermarket vendor and you'll get a price right in line with Acura's. I've read posts from two guys in the business who have admitted this. However, you'll have Joe Shmoe tearing apart your dash (creating squeaks and rattles) and the controls won't be integrated nearly as well. You can get much cheaper stick-it-to-the-dash units for things like the NAV, but these are much cheaper and you get what you pay for.
I think the packaging is spot on with one exception. I think Acura should have boosted the price of the base model up to 33,500 and made the ELS stereo standard. That would have put the Tech Package just under $3K and made the move upward less scary.
Having written all that, I don't expect the RDX will have a wait list like the MDX, TSX, S2K, or Ody did when they were introduced. It will probably sell for MSRP no longer than 3-6 months before deals can be made. Acura will sell 40K units (their target for the first year) without the need to offer hefty incentives, but it will be going at near invoice pricing by the end of 12 months.
You can check the box for NAV in a CX-7, but you don't get Acura's NAV, which is arguably the best in the business.
You can check the box for an upgraded stereo, but you don't get ELS, which is another system that is among the best.
You can check AWD, but you get a reactive system which only engages where there is slippage. You do not get SH-AWD, which is proactive, active based on throttle input, and also transfers power laterally.
Believe me, I don't mean to be putting the CX-7 down. I'm a fan. But despite the many differences in specs, it is not the same type of vehicle.
also, from a pricing standpoint: MDX has $2500 factory to dealership cash through 7/31... does that mean a less attractive deal on the MDX will be available in August and September, or do people think they will offer other incentives after 7/31.
just thinking that I don't want to miss out on a good deal ont he MDX in case the RDX is not the car for me.
please advice??
If you're picky about color and options, I'd shop sooner rather than later. If you're flexible, wait and see, at least drive the RDX.
I think 40k sales target is obtainable but I wonder if it'll come at the expense of CR-V sales, or perhaps even MDX sales. I bet some MDX buyers just wanted an Acura SUV, and didn't necessarily need all that space. Perhaps that's why Acura priced the RDX the way they did - they'll bring in just as much $$$ per unit.
As for the CR-V, I'm sure they don't mind selling them a more expensive model. The pricing strategy might just seem brilliant when we look back in a year or two.
-juice
NO....!!!!
Except for not have granny-grunt low gear range the RDX's SH-AWD will otherwise likely outperform an actual 4X4 setup, unless the 4X4 has all three diff'ls lockable.
Speaking as the former owners of two Jeeps, an 85 and a 92, both with complete 4X4 setups.
-juice
But for on-road use, ice, snow, whatever, the SH-AWD system will undoubtedly prove to be head and shoulders above the rest of the AWD systems out there in the marketplace.
During all the years I lived in north central MT I drove only RWD vehicles wherein snowchains always got me up and going safely. It seems to me that in retrospect each time I needed to use the 4X4 mode in my Jeeps(I don't think I EVER used the granny grunt mode) I was "forced to also use snowchains.
So today I strongly suspect that snowchains are the great equalizer still.
I currently drive what I consider to be one of the worse AWD implementations, a 2001 AWD RX300. Front torque biased, 95/5, and I had to add wheel spacers in order to use snowchains at the rear otherwise suspension clearance was too tight.
But so far snowchains at the rear have kept me up and going safely. By the winter I expect to have replaced the RX with an RDX.
You wouldn't be able to use snowchains for rock-crawling though.
AWD can activate much faster than a driver can engage 4WD. Come around a corner on a dry road and find a snow drift blown across the street and AWD will save your hide. You can't use 4WD on dry pavement, so it's not going to help.
Also, many AWD systems (depending on brand) will redistribute torque based on conditions. Most 4WD designs are locked into a 50/50 power split.
That said, AWD vs 4WD is not the only issue in play. If you are frequently driving through deep snow, you need some ground clearance, too. Obviously good tires, a good braking system, and some kind of stability control system are other strong factors in how well a vehicle will handle the elements.
That said, the RDX seems to have most bases covered. The one area where it is lacking is ground clearance. The body rides moderately high, but the differential hangs down low.
they are saying that the holdup doesn't have anything to do with mechanical issues, just that they want to go over the finishing touches on the car just to be sure there aren't any flaws.
I wish I could get a firm date as we will be paying for a rental car while waiting for the RDX to hit the showrooms. If it stretches on into September, I think I will have to buy a different car as it will add up quickly having the rental.
Please post any info on timing if you find any new info.
Also, another thing I learned: in terms of what will be coming into the showroom - the dealer was to receive half base models and half tech packages. of the base models on order, only one did not have additional options added to it. All of the others had Option Package #1 (add $1299) or Option Package #2 (add even more, can't remember the amount, I think either $2500 or $3000).
Since I am now narrowed down to three cars: the MDX, the RDX and the RAV4, this additional money for added options, makes the RDX far and away the most expensive of the cars I am considering. When you combine this with the extra waiting time (and associated rental car cost), I wonder if I shouldn't just pass... it's a tough decision.
Be wary of a dealer adding their own "option packages" as a way to increase profits on what will be, at least initially, a hot seller.
My understanding of the RDX, and Acura in general, is that there is the base RDX, and the tech package RDX. That's it.
If you have any need for the extra space and/or third row, the MDX is a killer deal right now. It seems a bit primitive, and that feeling will only increase with the release of the RDX and re-designed MDX, but at the end of the day, the current MDX offers a lot of functionality for the discounted price they're going for these days. It's "old-school" AWD system has gotten us through the few bad snow storms we've had in Denver over the past few years with no problem.
2024 Audi Q8 e-tron - 2017 911 C4S - 2025 BRZ - 2023 A6 Allroad - 2024 Genesis GV60 - 2019 Cayman
If someone has occassional need for TRUE 4X4 capability and can live with the size, weight and resulting poor FE of the 4runner then I would rate it above any other.
The "deals" for the RDX within the first month or two will probably be MSRP, but you could get some of these accessories "thrown in." So, if you don't want the "forced" accessories, then just say so, and perhaps they'll "throw them in."
2024 Audi Q8 e-tron - 2017 911 C4S - 2025 BRZ - 2023 A6 Allroad - 2024 Genesis GV60 - 2019 Cayman
To me, the primary difference is that AWD is full-time and has a center differential of some sort. So when you do a U-turn, the 4 tires are allowed to turn at different speeds.
If you have a 4x4 and lock the center diff and both axles, then try a U-turn, well, you're going to have a heck of a lot of tire squeel. In the snow, that will actually *force* the tires to slip.
AWD can accomodate this difference, a locked diff cannot.
So sure, on the rocks I'll take a 4x4, but that's pretty much "never". I see snow several times per year.
-juice
For more information on my dealer in Sacramento visit this page as it has a ton of other information and when theirs are coming in.
http://acura.niello.com/rdx.php
BTW - I saw a booklet that sales people get and the majority of the comparisons were against the 2006 BMW X3. The numbers were always very close and sometimes even better.
Can't wait...
Jonny
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2015 Kia Soul, 2021 Subaru Forester (kirstie_h), 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 (mr. kirstie_h)
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As I type this, I have to pause, however. I signed a contract in late 2005 for a condo in a new retail/residential complex that isn't to be completed until late 2007 or early 2008. I basically bought off of a sample finish board, with paint chips, cabinet samples, and carpet squares!
I guess I'm the one who really likes to buy things blind! Well, I did get pre-construction pricing
Congrats - I'm sure you'll love it.
-juice