Did you recently take on (or consider) a loan of 84 months or longer on a car purchase?
A reporter would like to speak with you about your experience; please reach out to PR@Edmunds.com by 7/22 for details.
A reporter would like to speak with you about your experience; please reach out to PR@Edmunds.com by 7/22 for details.
Options
2008 Acura MDX
This discussion has been closed.
Comments
any thoughts?
do yu think the taupe interior is nicer than the ebony (i am looking into a Shadow Grey with the ebony leather). But they only have the taupe coming in.
what do you think?
All in all I like the way the taupe looks that we got on my wife's car but ebony is much easier to maintain.
The price on the car looks good at around $600 over invoice if no other hidden fees, etc, but your trade still seems low, have you checked what cars with similar mileage for are going for in independant sale? I would expect a 40% or better residual on a 3 year old MDX regardless of mileage which should put you at much higher than $12,000 unless the vehicle is also damaged or has other major problems.
thanks,
k
You might find that putting $1,000 into the car might get you $3,000 extra resale on it to an independant buyer. It all comes down to what your time and effort are worth.
As far as the RX350, it's dated and due to be replaced at the end of the year. It has much poorer handling, acceleration and interior utility than the MDX. It gets 17/22 MPG compared to the 15/20 that the MDX is. That might amount to $100-$500 a year in gas savings depending on how much driving you do.
k
A base '05 MDX in "rough" condition in my zip code has a trade-in value of around $13,000. If you get it detailed and can get it up to Average condition, then you could push $15,000 for a trade-in. Add another couple of thousand for selling it yourself. Bump it up a bit more if you have the Touring or some options.
You can play with values using our Used Car Appraiser
Got these additional options/features: the window visors, the moonroof visor, a large luggage holder for the roof rack, an interior bike rack, fancy rubber/heavy duty mats - and I think that may be it --had custom sheepskins made for the car as well.
So yeah, I think I have the higher end vehicle. But I also think that I have alot of cosmetic damage issues such as the paint/body defects --some gashes on the bumper from hitting something backing up (even with the camera on the Nav! and some dings and dents/scratches on the body. I have a nice green gray color -forget the name Cypress? and gray interior. New tires from Michelin - and now have maintenance costs of about 700.00 that need to be performed. Average wear and tear for all the miles I put on the car (not my choosing, I promise you).
any additional advice/comments? I don't mind selling it privately myself but not if I won't come out with more than this dealer has offered. (12,000).
k
k
If there's a CarMax in your area, it would be interesting to see what they offer.
I did plug 128k in the mileage box when I figured TMV. And options generally don't have much of a pay back - they help the car sell faster but the depreciation hit on options is usually pretty high.
So, if your '05 really isn't in that rough of a condition, then I'll go along with Jmpage2's suggestion that the dealer is low-balling you.
Relax about the dilemma - rest assured that the dealer will be getting in another truckload of new Acuras next week ... and the week after. :shades:
I don't know about the Black Book, but if it's like Kelley, they list dealer asking prices. (link)
TMV reflects the price consumers are actually getting. Trade-in for rough one in Milwaukee (53201) is $15,872.
Today i went out of my way to quickly drive a 2009 Lexus 350 and although it is antiquated now, and will soon be replaced (in a year) - it rode fairly nice, and smooth. I've heard the gas mileage is almost the same (?) and noticed less road noise which because of all my driving is a concern to me.
I also wanted to know - The INVOICE amount--- ANYONE? -if you can divulge this information, where can I can find it -the "invoice" price is on a new car. I have been told by the dealer that this information is "readily available online" but i can only find the MSRP, not the invoice amount. I suppose one would have to pay a fee for this information.
He said -and I may be off by a bit because he was hard to understand (accent):
that his MDX with the added option of Power Rear Gate has an invoice of $40,500 or 40,900 (had trouble, and he wasn't thrilled about discussing it --- "when i buy a new suit no one asks what the cost was to make it!")
I am wondering what their cost is, and although I am entitled to find out - not sure where --
I was told the Lexus - including Navi had invoice of $ of 41,000+.and they would take 42,400 approx.for their car Again - I have a car to sell and that will change it up.
What kind of offers does Carmax give, are they always generally higher than the dealer's?
Thank you,
K
ps. I have to fix my car's Front Engine Mount (the sides are just loose, the front engine mount broken). They also recommended a brake replacement for the front (4mil or 85%) and backs soon as well. Aside from changing the brake fluid (brake fluid flush) I thought I should hold off on everything until I decide what to do ----would you just go ahead fix the engine mount in the meantime --- you're sorry you answered me now - huh? LOL....
And along about August the 2010's will come out, and in November they'll announce the 2011 models. Model year creep is in full force.
They replaced the front suspension on mine and the noise stopped for 2 months but came back even worse. It gets to the point that the front end will make cracking noises every time you stop, accelerate or turn the steering wheel. It is also quite embarrassing when people comment and ask what the cracking noises are.
We just took delivery of our 2008 MDX with tech. We are coming from a 2005 Murano. Wow! What a difference! Question: with the Murano, you can set the power front seat so that when you open the door, it moves back a bit to help getting in. Does the MDX have this function?
What do you think of the body side molding? Does it really protect against door dings?
Does anyone have the rear sensors installed with the Nav? Does it help catch those instances in which a person or object move across the rear of your MDX and can't be caught in time by the rearview camera?
As far as the camera goes, it works great, but you have to use common sense. I had one in my 4 runner, and you will NEVER hit an object if you are careful. You have to realize that the objects do appear further away, this is just plain common sense. You're not suppose to slam on the accellerator and only look at the camera, just take it slow. There are blind spots on the rear corners, but the camera still works great. the sensors are good too, but I hear they beep when you're 6 inches away.
As for the backup camera, it takes too long to "boot up" for my taste, I would rather see sensors. :shades:
What, exactly, would constitute "real proof?" For that matter, what would you regard as safe?
tidester, host
SUVs and Smart Shopper
You would really have to try to have to try to get the thing do something other than you intended with the great handling, brakes, etc. and even then there is an airbag for every cubic inch or the interior.
I researched it before I bought and couldn't find another vehicle at any price that was safer.
After my answer, a question -- It seems common knowledge that the MDX is very safe. Why do you ask?
thanks,
By-the-way, I'm 6' 2" if it makes a difference.
I have tried several different seating positions and it doesn't help.