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Improvements for 2008 Acura MDX?
cheapskate21
Member Posts: 49
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They will also probably change color choices (add one or two take one or two away) and they could also make some other minor improvements (backup sensors w/rear camera or some other minor things). I expect MSRP to remain the same, especially with the dollar as weak as it is.
I expect a $40k vehicle to have features commonly found on $20k vehicles.
1. Auto-dimming mirror should at least come with the Technology package, if not standard on the base
2. Power rear lift gate should be standard - it has no relation to the "Entertainment" package.
1. Bi-xenon adaptive headlights, not the fixed beam angle currently available. My Audi A4 has the adaptive xenons and they are phenominal when taking curves and corners. Plus make this available as a stand-alone option and not be forced to buy the sport package to get it. Or make it part of technology package.
2. Wipers should be rain sensing (speed depends on amount of rain on windshield), not speed sensing (speed dependent on how fast you drive). I know when Acura first used came out with this on the MDX they were rain sensing. Don't understand the change. Or are they rain sensing but they just call their's speed sensing?
3. As stated in a previous message, include factory installed proximity sensors on rear (and ideally on the front) plus couple it with a grid on the camera display that actually guides you into your parking spot (Infinti's M and Audi's Q7 are excellent in this technology - Audi's actually shows you when and how far to turn to parallel park perfectly without ever having to look outside a window. I couldn't believe it when it used it; what every car needs).
4. Develop an ipod integrated interface that actually works. The one advertised as an option is so bad my local Acura dealership refuses to sell it, as every customer that got it was so disappointed to learn it could not integrate their ipods so that you could use the MDX's stereo controls and screed display. Gave them their money back and removed the option to keep them happy.
5. Why no lumbar support on front passenger seat??? No excuses here. Must have it in this segment.
That's it for now. I'm sure I'll think of some more.
MDX offers a step up in luxury and features for someone who is already shopping in the mid 30K price point for a "luxo" SUV and decides to step up to the import that has more goodies and luxury.
We can write long long wish lists for the MDX, but it is obvious that Acura has decided that for the market segment they are going after, backup sensors and certain other features aren't big enough "crowd pleasers" to include in the vehicle.
Otherwise, this car was a great deal for us and hold tons more cargo than our old FX35.
Anyone using the phone and Navi controls handsfree has surely pressed the wrong talk button on the steering wheel. Tell the Navi to call a number and it compares it to a list of memorized commands and takes action. Instead of calling work I've often turned off the A/C, selected an XM rap station. Accidently press the phone button and tell it to select an XM preset and you'll either get today's winning lottery numbers or hear a polite, "Pardon?" or , "Please repeat". I know, none of this is the fault of the system. The voice recognition is very good if you hit the right button and there isn't another conversation going on. My point is, there should only be one doggone steering wheel button (technically there are 3 - call, hang-up, and voice commands) and technology that knows numbers/call/dial means use the phone, select/find/go to etc. means a Navi or Control function. The two try to integrate by calling a map POI but fails with two talk buttons on the wheel. Less than tech savvy users are surely more frustrated and therefore discouraged from use.
Hey Acura -- How about one system with one control?
Also prefer that calling be a one step process. Saying, "Call 124-456-7890" or , "Call Work" should do something, OK, maybe confirmation is acceptable but asking me again what to do is a pain. Prefer a smart AI system that learns me along with me learning it, LOL.
The dealer stated that they will start seeing 2008 MDX in a couple of months and the ONLY change is Auto dimming mirror as standard.
Not sure how true it is but may be he is right because he did have a 2008 brochure.
The only thing disappointing to me is that Acura is not adding a smart key system to the MDX, since that is becoming standard on even non luxo models.
My wife has an Infiniti FX and there's no way to open it other than the manual release on the hatch itself. Same story with my work vehicle an 07 Jeep Compass.
Everyone has different priorities. Frankly I don't think manually opening up a lift gate is a big deal, it's also an expensive feature which is why they only put it on the model with the rear entertainment system, to soak up some of the cost.
If we are talking about "reasonable" cost features to make standard on newer models I would argue that less expensive more useable features such as smart key entry/ignition or other things might top the list.
Besides, we now know that the ONLY change coming for 2008 is that the auto dimming rear view mirror will now be standard. Maybe the '09s will add some additional things. A lot of it will have to do with how well MDX continues to sell against competition into 08.
Why would anyone need an inside release for the liftgate. The only reason you need one for the trunk of the car is that it can't be opened without a key. A liftgate can be opened from outside anytime the vehicle is unlocked, which you can do if you are inside Now a button to open the power tailgate from the dash I can understand.
The Sterling Gray Metallic is a little lighter than the Nimbus Grey Metallic.
New Color Paint Code:
NH-741M Sterling Gray Metallic 08703-NH741MAA-PN
Aloha, HT
If I go with the MDX, which is likely, I'll probably get a black one too.
Personally I was really hoping that the power liftgate would now be listed as an installable option. Oh well, I guess I'll just have to talk the wife into letting me get the loaded version, darn :P
Now that the 2008's are on the lot, can anyone tell me if the 2008 MDX models with NAV have an updated NAV for the new model year? If not, perhaps they will come later on.
If you are getting an early made 08 MDX, I could easily see it having the older disk. I would check to be sure it has the latest DVD included. If not, force the dealer to include it at no charge. Alpine releases the disks every fall and they cost about $200