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We recently purchased the 04 MDX w/ NAV & RES and were initially biased toward the Pilot for all the reasons you mention. When I test drove the Pilot EX-L back-to-back to the base MDX I could feel where extra money went. The MDX felt much more refined and "buttoned down". We tend to purchase vehicles for the long-term so the price premium seemed worthwhile to us.
Other factors were the 48/50k warranty vs 36/36k on the Honda (largely a moot point w/ Honda but definitely worth something). Also the 04 MDX had more power than the Pilot (265hp vs 240).
You can't get the NAV on the MDX without stepping up to the touring package. If you have to have the NAV and price is an issue I can see where the Honda makes sense. Personally I would have gone for the base MDX over the Pilot w/ Nav.
We looked at the RX 330, but they don't offer a base model of any type, so we were looking at an extra 2,3, or 4 thousand more dollars for extras my wife doesn't care about. Also, my 3 priorities for a vehicle were matched by both the MDX and the RX 330. 1. Safety 2. Reliability 3. Comfort
Also, I researched the Pilot and since it doesn't have side airbags, I didn't even bother test driving one. I was involved in a major accident recently and if a car costs more for more safety features, then I am willing to spend the money. While no one should live in a bubble, safe from everyday hazards, I'd like to do what I can to make sure my family is safe. I never used to think like that before my accident, but things like that tend to wake a person up.
Debating between acura and Lexus gx470(2005 not available yet)
Has any one triee costoco purchasing services for either?
I think, it is last year for current MDX while more few years for lexus, till they get new model revisions?
2) I already own an Inifiniti FX35 So I have my "Luxury Vehicle" and looked more to the pilot as a Family Hauler/Utility Vehicle.
3) My EX-L RES (paid 30k) was about 7k less than the MDX-RES they wanted about 37k.
If you don't care about luxury and need space and utility buy the pilot and get a honda care 7/yr 100k warranty and pocket about 3-4k or more.
If this will be "THE" Vehicle in your household and you are looking to step up the MDX may be worth the extra $$$ to you.
And I don't know where you got your data from, but MDX has more interior room than RX330 by far.
2004 MDX base has:
side curtain air bags w/ rollover detection
17" wheels
nicer interior
better ride quality
quieter interior
better stereo
moonroof
console shifter
vehicle stability control
newer transmission design
higher Consumer Reports reliability rating (tops)
slightly better Insurance Institute floor intrusion crash statistics
and lots of Acura touches like delayed interior lighting, longer warranty, higher level of service, etc.
I bought and serviced my TL at Rallye Acura in LI. I am happy with them so far. I am looking to replace my 2000 TL with 2005 MDX. In fact I am going there today to talk to the same sale person that sold me my TL. I will let you know how it went. ttyl
In the meantime, the best lease quotes on a 2005 TL with NAV came from the two dealers in Ohio, Acura of Cleveland and Lindsay Acura. If the dealers cant at least match it around here, it would pay for me to fly out there and drive back.
I plan to trade my Lexus RX 300 in for a 2005 MDX soon as well. Can anyone excuse my ignorance and tell me if there is any way I can get an "Acura Loyalty" discount? Thanks.
Anyone recently bought a 2005 MDX with Touring/Nav/DVD in the San Jose, San Francisco area? If you don't mind, how much did you pay for it. And would you recommend your dealer?
Thanks in advance.
One thing for sure.... this SUV price will continue to drop. Even to invoice by Spring.
Anyone getting better prices for the 2005 MDX with NAV? Thx!
which dealer in Oakland CA did you purchase this car at? Do you have the name of the sales person there that you worked with?
I came back to townhall after about a year. This time I am planning to buy Acura MDX and would like to know, if anyone paid very less above invoice and the dealers they have gone through in and around Virginia. I live in Richmond, VA and travelled to Greensboro, NC to get my Honday Odyssey last year. So, I don't mind travelling even upto NJ, if the deals is good.
Any feedback you all could provide will be really helpful.
Yours,
Murmal.
The next day I emailed different dealers and told them my offer and asked if they could beat it. Some did, and others got mad b/c we were shopping around. My wife told them, "you bet, if we're going to spend close to $40,000, we're going to try and get the best offer possible".
Anyway, we got offered $35,900 walkout from another dealer across town. I then called the salesman who spent over 2 hours with us the previous day and told him this: Good news is we are buying a MDX, the bad news is someone else beat your offer. I'd like to buy the SUV from you since you spent your time with us yesterday, so if you can match the $35,900, we'll be right over and buy it. We did exactly that...
The new Acura dealer in Cleveland
good luck
TIA
Dean
Please also describe how the vehicle you were quoted on was equipped.
Thanks for the feedback.
Unfortunately, back problems make each car very unique to the driver.
Personally, I still think German cars have the best seats. The ML320 I had had great seats, everything else was lousy, but great seats. Our Audi A4 has 4 way power lumbar adjustment and is really comfortable but some people with back problems won't find sitting that low comfortable.
Your problem is finding a dealer who would let you take a long test drive to see. Maybe try a dealer with a used one who wouldn't mind a 100 miles on a used car if you were buying a new one.
The MDX is so nice I would definitely recommend trying one.
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FWIW, while we didn't get a whole lot off of the sticker at LG Acura, they did give us what we wanted for our trade in and brought down the price of accessories significantly. We would buy from them again any day.
I am living in LA area and very interested in buying MDX with touring and NAV/DVD. Please let me know which dealership in LA did you get yours.
Thanks, KG
Some dealers still have 2004 in stock, any idea what will be a good price to buy those.
Minimal in the base ones, 05 comes with satelite radio [first month free.]After that you need to move to the touring which comes with hands free phone, [must have blue tooth phone] and on star. The advantage over in an 04 right now is that if you can find one, you should be able to negotiate well under dealer invoice. I believe acura has a $1000.00 hold back right now on 04's. Go to new cars section here on edminds, select 04 mdx, and then click incentives. In my opinion Acura offers most car for the money. Good luck.