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Comments
I agree - the X5 looks great and the X3 has always looked a little strange to me. I think it resembles the X5 too much - so it does look like an X5 that just couldn't quite make it.
One possibility is applying the Lexus formula of offering a non-existent base model for a low advertised price. It works with RX and GS very well. Starting at $39K, RX350 comes with cloth seats, and in fact with 2WD version as well. The only thing Acura might decide to do would be to offer RDX in 2WD mode sometime in the future (and that might reduce the starting price at under $30K).
I believe that same look-a-like quality is one of the biggest assets for the X3. People who cannot afford an X5 buy the X3 and bask in big brother's glory. They're so close in size, they don't lose much by going with the less expensive vehicle.
"Tech" model.
Dash/instrument panel wasn't as "busy" as early photos seem to indicate but I would still replace the radio with one with a less "busy" face.
Impressive appearance inside and outside although the speaker cover style/design was a bit off-putting.
Bellevue dealer had it spiffed up with every dealer installed high profit margin worthless option possible.
Sunny day dry pavement drive was impressive.
Rear seat room was satisfactory. Short on cargo capacity but a worthy compromise to get a highly desireable smaller lighter sportier SUV.
As expected for an asian source vehicle...:
The fog lights could not be operated alone, the low beams had to on "with".
Defrost/defog/demist mode provided a slightly higher blower speed but COLD (RANDOM possiblity of dehumidification) airflow to the interior surface of the windshield. Turning the A/C off and then activating defrost/defog/demist mode resulted in the A/C turning on automatically.
But a slight PLUS...Unlike the Lexus the A/C indicator came on with that automatic A/C turn-on and you could therefore know to turn it off.
Salesman told me that the technical/repair manuals can be purchased and if so both of the above issues can be relatively easily resolved.
What's with this deal of locating the front map/reading/dome lights in the front at the top of the windshield, non-recessed and therefore interfering with the driver's night vision?
Is having a place for the dealer to put that optional dealer installed high mark-up LCD screen all that important?
And finally...
The owners manual indicated that snow chains should be used on the FRONT WHEELS ONLY.
What's with this...??!!
Unlike the AWD versions of Lexus RX, Toyota Sienna and Highlander there was lots of clearance in the rear wheelwell for the use of snow chains. The SH-AWD design description clearly implies that snow chains in the rear would be appropriate and one hell of a lot safer, less hazardous, than only on the front.
Certainly puts the X3 back in the running for those of us needing/required to use snowchains on occasion.
Maybe an oversight due to Honda/Acura's historical FWD only background...one might hope.
What did the dealer installed LCD screen do for you? Isn't all the pertinents supposed to be displayed on the in dash LCD?
What's your opinion re: value compared with the X3? If snow chains were not a concern for you?
thanx
Good review. But why did you see A/C turning on automatically as a negative (if you did). I would expect it to, as I would the flexibility to turn it off.
oh, and i wish these things were more fuel efficient...i agree that there doesn't seem to be much of a point in putting a turbo 4 in there to get very little efficiency benefit. i'm sure it's a fun vehicle however.
The proper thing, as exhibited by almost all cars of european origin, and most older cars of US manufacture prior to NipponDenso coming ashore and establishing a US beach head via Denso US, is to quickly convert the control vanes/etc. to HIGH HEAT and HIGH blower when defrost/defog/demist mode is initially activated and then allow the driver to moderate these functions as desired.
Activating the A/C for help in defogging the windshield or as an aid in preventing fogging of the windshield is certainly not a bad idea when used along with lots of HEAT and TONS of airflow.
The problem is that the probability of the A/C contributing to the removal or prevention of windshield fogging is a bit of a "wildcard", russian roulette, effort. During teh winter months it will only work under certain fairly rare climatic conditions. As the outside air temperature declines to and below ~45F mother nature starts lowering the moisture content of our atmosphere on her own.
So the probability of the A/C being functional for dehumidification when the OAT is in those ranges declines rather precipitously until at about 35F it is all but non-existent. That later number is reflected/confirmed in the fact that all NipponDenso designed climate control systems disable the A/C compressor completely when the OAT is below 35F.
But even with the A/C fully disabled by themselves those idiot Denso engineers don't have enough sense to bring the HEAT online to compensate.
UNBELIEVABLE...!!
But there is yet another BAD, even DANGEROUS, aspect of the use of an A/C to help in windshield defogging or prevention thereof via dehumidification. When the A/C is eventually cycled off there will remain a significant level of moisture on the approximately 10,000 square inches of evaporator vane surface area. Enough remaining moisture to "blanket" the entire interior surface of the windshield to the point of your having absolutely no forward vision FOUR TIMES.
Ever be driving along on a hot day and reach over and turn off the A/C? Got rather humid in there didn't it. Now think about what happens when the A/C cycles off automatically when you exit the defrost/defog/demist mode.
Or what about you're tooling along on a nice sunny winter day toward a mountain pass? As you climb the pass and the OAT declines to 35F and your A/C, unbeknownst to you, gets disabled. Feeling humid in there, windshield fogging up?
How about the next coolish morning after the previous bright sunny day of A/C use...
LCD...I was referring to the typical dealer installed rear/mid DVD viewing screen for rear seat passengers. If the dome/map/reading light were "properly" placed the dealer would have no LCD option position.
So I would most likely just take my chances with using snowchains ONLY on the rear of the RDX rather that risking my life and that of others via Acura's recommendations.
RDX vs X3..??
My purchase choices absent the need for snow chains would be in the following order...
RDX, ....RX350, .........RX400h.....................X3.
But I can't say the snowchains issue would change that one way or another.
For the CR-V the steps are...
1.) Turn the vehicle off.
2.) Turn the fan knob off.
3.) Turn the temp knob all the way to the left (blue area).
4.) Turn vent knob to panel-only setting (next to max A/C).
5.) Hold down both the air recirculation button and A/C button while starting car.
6.) Continue holding for 7 seconds until the air recirculation button stops flashing.
7.) Put your left foot in.
8.) Take your left out...
I imagine the process is similar for the RDX.
Lucky you.
What will it do differently? From the factory, many Hondas (if not all) have the A/C programmed to automatically come on with the defroster. And you cannot disengage the A/C.
If you "reprogram it", the A/C will still come on, but you can override that default and still have the defroster running.
It corners flat. It corners fast. (The cop agreed.) Lifting off the throttle while playing the Michelin quartet doesn't upset the chassis. Tapping the brakes will. Oops.
The engine feels as strong as the J35 in my MDX and it pushes the RDX a good deal faster. However, it adds more noise to the cabin and power delivery is not as smooth (not even close).
The ride is busy, but not harsh.
The dash is busy, but that crazy i-drive-esque controller is actually pretty simple once you figure out the menu names.
Most of the interior materials are very nice. The wheel and leather covering the center armrest in particular. Primary switch gear is good. Some of the secondary switch gear seems like it came from the parts bin of a lesser vehicle.
The ELS stereo does Herbie Hancock justice even with a regular CD. :shades:
I don't think I ever noticed whether the A/C turned off when the defroster was terminated.
Go buy my old CR-V from whoever has it now and we can test this out, ok?
ALL of them in about a month?...
I've heard dealers have a mandate from acura not to come off MSRP for at least 3 months.
That does not make any sense. I just don't see how Acura can control what dealership does. If I may ask, who told you that?
Hmm...not sure if this salesman is honest, or just stupid! :P Wonder how many RDX he'll sell with a sales pitch like that?!
The first test will be to visit the dealers during the last few days of this month. My local dealer practically gave us a TSX during an end of month panic a few years ago -- we actually got a far better deal than I even expected). If they're even remotely interested in haggling onthe RDX, it may mean early demand is soft and they are willing to let a brand-new vehicle out the door below MSRP to meet monthly goals. If they have no interest in haggling, we'll know it's a seller's market for the time being.
I agree with earlier posts -- this vehicle would be a better value at a few $K below where it is now.
Craig
LOL What vehicle wouldn't?
I don't think the RDX is going to last at MSRP for long. But folks are going to have to wait while the dealers "feel out" the market.
However, I don't think the end of the month will be a true test -- still too few are trickling in and I think all of the August inventory is gone. I'm thinking it should loosen up by November, especially when the MDX comes out.
Acura RDX: Prices Paid & Buying Experience
But then he asked if I'd ever driven one, and if I hadn't, would I be interested in driving one today! Of course I said yes!
Did a stint on the interstate as well as some mildly curvy back roads. LOVED the feel of the car, the steering, the driving position, even the seats themselves. The power of the car was great - very responsive, overall. The fuel economy, as has been noted, ain't great, but it could be dealt with. A few less Starbucks, perhaps!?!?!
However, I was disappointed in the intrusion of the engine sound, specifically the turbo wind-up, into the cabin. And not just that you could hear it, but the overall tone of the turbo, if that makes sense.
I've owned a couple of turbo-powered vehicles before, the most recent being a 2001 1.8T Audi A4. Loved it, and while the sound of the turbo in it was very noticeable, it was more like the traditional whistle I've associated with turbos. While noticeable, it was not really bothersome. The sound of the RDX's turbo was more mechanical, lower in range, and simply more unpleasant. Not what I expected for a luxury car. (And something you might not hear as readily, if the dang salesman insists on keeping the radio or sound system cranked up. While it's great to hear, make sure you spend some time with it turned down or off.)
For a car that listed for close to $40,000, this was not a great experience. While I don't know if it would prove to be a deal breaker, it would definitely be a factor.
As always, simply one driver's opinion.
Likely not a good play financially given I have a 2005, but.... I can't stand how terrible the GPS system is in the FX. We also have an MDX (2003) and the GPS system is so much better.
Don't misunderstand. I'm a fan of the Nav in my '04 TSX. Really easy to use, and great screen size.
Still, if I had the purchase choice to make all over again -- since we bought a Garmin to use in our other two cars -- I'd pass on the $2,000 TSX Nav.
The Garmin has equivalent functionality AND can be moved among the cars we own AND can be taken on the road when I rent cars.
Manufacturer Nav's that have real-time traffic that REALLY works may ultimately persuade me in the future to pay a premium price.
But at least in my area (DC/MD/VA) along the routes I drive at rush hour, I don't think the data is there yet.
I was trying to avoid having something sitting up on my dash....
Have to see how much I like the RDX. Sure not getting many flattering reviews though....
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=6748885858891168758&q=acura
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-6604560755351874249&q=acura
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=748670384152350833&q=acura
I think northern Idaho's Highway 12 (Northwest Passage Scenic Byway) may be even better. :shades: