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Acura MDX (pre-2007)
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0-60 of 7.6sec is nice. They did note that the tail had a tendency to step out on hard braking (60-0 in 132ft which is good). The tail also had the same tendency to step out on the slalom test, but they blamed this behavior on the soft suspension.
The 911 Turbo they also reviewed was major drool city :-)
Ken, as you probably know, the Motorweek show was a repeat, and has been discussed here before. The 7.6 seconds is the best 0-60 timing anyone has documented for the MDX, so I'd rank that as a "fast time" but not an average time (which is probably in the low 8's or high 7's; Motor Trend got an 8.1, and C&D got an 8.4 on a slow track, as previously discussed) - both on Touring models. The Motorweek MDX that had its acceleration tested was a base model with 60 lbs less than a Touring model (about 1.3% lighter) - that might have been worth a tenth of a second. I think the Motorweek review showed two MDX's, as I recall. Either way, pretty impressive and comparable to an MB ML430's 0-60 numbers.
I wonder how a Touring model with the Michelin Cross-Terrains instead of the Base model's Goodyears would have performed on the Motorweek braking and the Motorweek slalom test. Obviously not to X5 levels, but we've already seen some demonstrations of the advantages of the Touring's tires.
The Motorweek review of the MDX sounded like an ad because the MDX did so well ;-).
Drew, your message reminded me of two of what I consider the sillier image biases today. That of the minivan not being a "man's vehicle," and that of an SUV that's not truck-ish to also not be a "man's vehicle." On the former, it's amazing the lengths some people will go to to avoid being branded with a minivan. I know someone like that, and this person then complains non-stop about their SUV's poor gas mileage and rough ride (but I love him anyway).
On the latter, it's become extremely clear that there's a major segment of the market that values the car-like SUV. The ML320 was a breakthrough when first introduced, being truck-based but having some car-like attributes. The RX300 was a smash success at being car-based and car-like, no excuses.
There'll always be room for truckish SUV's (I think the Sequoia is a fine example of that breed). But I always find it interesting when some buyers, with zero intent of towing, taking the vehicle off-road, etc. insist on truck-ish appearance (getting skid plates, brushguards, etc.). But that's their right, I just find it interesting.
It'll be interesting to see how the second generation of luxury SUV's are like -- e.g. the successor to the M-class (which I understand will be unibody-based) and the RX300 (Lexus will probably make it even more car-like, though that's a bit hard to imagine at this time since it does it so well today).
However, I think that if the next generation M-class is unibody-based, and more car than truck, that might be our eventual MDX replacement. It's obviously not impossible to put solidity and safety into a unibody vehicle, and MB will certainly do that. Improve the reliability, keep the price fairly tolerable (it won't be cheap, I know), and spiff up the styling, and a second-gen M-class could come close to being a perfect SUV for many buyers -- it would be for me!
I thought the Motorweek I saw before this was a preview, but now that you reminded me, you're right...I had just forgotten after so long.
I didn't realize they tested the Base version; they usually test loaded ones. Sorry I brought the Motorweek segment up again.
As for the minivan stuff: I know two women who hate the idea of "driving a minivan". After looking at all the SUVs, they both had to give in because they had the need to carry around 7 adults with cargo at times. One looked at the ML320 and the other was obsessed w/ the Land Cruiser.
As for the brushguard stuff, they serve a purpose for those who stay on pavement as well. Brushguards are useful to keep touch parkers away. Skidplates are useful when ramming your way through the giant frozen snow banks that plows shoved against your SUV or your driveway. Of course, they are much more useful on rutted dirt roads if you go hiking...
On a side note, today I realized that if I had gotten the MDX, I would have never made it into this weeknight/weekend garage I rent. I only have 2-3 inches to the sides of the mirrors on the ML and I'm already worried about scuffing the mirrors or sides on the ML. I can fold the ML's mirrors in electrically at least.
Unfortunately, as we all know, the current TownHall format makes it necessary to repeat a lot of stuff. I had at one point considered putting up an "MDX FAQ" website, focusing on the dryer, less interpretative info bits, but I just can't make that kind of time commitment.
And to be fair, even threaded discussion forums suffer from problems of organizing "archival" info into something like an FAQ. Really takes conscious management to segregate those types of threads (e.g. what's the difference between base and touring, what about this review/award, is the vehicle supposed to do xyz when I do abc).
You're right about some of the functional, non-truck related reasons for truck accessories. I was generalizing more toward the angle of folks who want them because they want to make sure the vehicle has the image of a truck, rather than attaining the actual benefits.
I'd only get a brush guard (aftermarket since Acura doesn't make one) if I had to worry about parallel parkers (throw in the tow hitch and the bike rack there too). This morning my wife pulled into a parallel parking spot at a large mall here, one of their few and generally unavailable (amazing how easy the mall is when it's still early). But that was the first time we parallel parked the MDX in about a month and a half. Seattle suburbs for you.
No doubt some women like the truck image too. But boy, regardless of gender, 7 adults + cargo room is a really "tall" order.
In case anyone want's to comment - I wonder about buying the extended warranty from another place other than the dealer - if I do that, can the dealer treat me like a second-rate customer as I didn't buy it from them? Thanks.
When you call Dent Pro, a technician comes out to your home, workplace or wherever your car is located. After looking at the dent, he drills a small hole (maybe a half inch in diameter) in the wheel well closest to the dent (if it's located on a side panel), or on the portion of the door where the latch is located (if the dent is on the door). He may or may not set up a mirror so he can see alongside the entire length of the vehicle. He then inserts in the hole he just drilled a specially designed rod that allows him to literally "roll out" the dent from inside the door or side panel. Although this may sound simple, it isn't. To remove door dings and other small dents in this manner takes training, patience, a keen eye and lots of experience, not to mention several specially designed tools. After the dent has been completely removed, a rubber plug is inserted into the hole that had been drilled and, voila, the job is done.
The cost for this service is in the neighborhood of $100 for the first dent, and less for additional dents. The last Dent Pro technician I used (about a year ago) said most of his calls come from body shops, and he freely admitted that they pay less than vehicle owners such as myself (due to volume I suppose), but that the body shops charge significantly more than the $100 or so that I paid.
Since this is a franchise operation, it's likely that other franchises around the country use the same techniques and tools, but go by a name other than Dent Pro. The key is to look for a company in the yellow pages of the phone book under "Automobile Body Repair" that advertises "paintless dent removal" (or something similar) and the mobility to come to your home or workplace. And there may very well be more than one, so it might be wise to call around and ask for estimates.
It's probably just a matter of time before some thoughtless so-and-so who doesn't care about other people's property dings the side of my new GG Touring/Nav. If and when it happens, however, it won't cost me any sleep. Just a C-note!
I lived in the valley area for a while in 1990 and I appreciate what you had to go through. Everything was horribly expensive...even houses back then were $400K for a tiny ranch/shack; of course, that seems cheap now :-P
Where I placed it, the molding maybe sticks out a hair more than the bottom "crease." I expect to get a ding in the crease area first, but hope that the molding catches the door before it hits the crease. There is no cure all for thoughtless people.
1) is the touring package worth it? the dealership only had a touring model. is the Bose radio worth it and the upgraded tires/rims? In the brochure, the base vs touring alloys look very similar to my eyes, but I have not seen them in person. Also, are the michelens also much better that the goodyears on the base? other features of the touring pkg (memory seats, etc) are not needed by us.
2) They are asking MSRP. This is by the papers they are showing. what is msrp for the base and touring. thankx
Along the same lines has anyone installed the lower trim option? I noticed that the SEMA MDX seemed to have it installed as well as the fender flares. The color seemed similar to GG but maybe a brown version? Interior was tan. How is it secured?
The Acura site has it at $578 which is pretty pricey. If you have it what color is your car? I used the Acura build your own feature which is great since it shows you many of the options in your color combo. Wish the pictures were bigger/better resolution though.
HondaAccuraWorld does not have prices for either the fender flares or the lower trim. Neither does AcuraDriver.com. A&H has the fender flares for $548.60 (Acura site $753 installed) and the lower trim for $433.80 (Acura $578 installed).
The Acura site says fender flares are easy to install with no drilling. Also says lower trim is easy to install. Does not say anything about drilling here though. Installation sounds expensive if these are both so easy to install.
Other posters have also expressed concern about the wheel flares collecting dirt between the plastic and paint which could damage the paint or worse cause rust. I don't think the lower trim would be a problem here since it is on the bumper which I assume is made of high impact plastic.
Some dealerships try to give direct customers certain perks; e.g. my dealership has tried to apply its free loaner policy (even for a relatively short 2-hour service) to just customers who bought the vehicle from them. However, I've never heard that based on the extended warranty purchase, and I figure you should be able to save on their price.
Please consider that the AcuraCare extended warranty, at last look, doesn't have to be purchased up to a short period of time or miles before the original warranty expiration. So it may make more sense to wait; even if you think you may have the vehicle longer, you may as well defer the expenditure. If you decided to sell the vehicle sooner, you'd save on buying the extended warranty. Or, heaven forbid, should something happen to your vehicle, the insurance company isn't going to reimburse you for the extended warranty.
I would skip the exterior/interior protection, their prices are inflated for what you get.
dxrxfx, MSRP for the base (without nav) is $34,850, touring (without nav) is $37,450. Add $2,000 for the nav.
Whether or not the touring package is worth it depends on how much you want the extra features. Obviously you've decided that some aren't useful for you (e.g. key-linked memory for the driver's seat and side mirrors, non-adjustable roof rack, 8-way power front passenger's seat instead of 4-way manual, auto-tilt-down passenger's side mirror when reversing).
That leaves the wheels, tires, and stereo. Personally, I don't think the wheel design in the Touring is much more distinctive than the Base (they're quite similar). As far as the stereo goes, opinions are highly subjective, but neither system is audiophile grade. What I like most about the stereo is the true in-dash CD player (no magazine, not in the cargo area, not in the glove box like other so-called "in-dash" units). Unfortunately, that can't be added later to the Base (you can add the cargo-mounted unit). Whether or not this makes the Touring more attractive to you is your decision; it is quite a bit more.
The Michelin Cross-Terrain SUV tires on the Touring are definitely better, based on various comments on these message boards. One esteemed poster here wasn't able to make the Cross Terrains squeal on dry pavement, while supposedly another driver (though possibly one with a strong M-class bias) was able to get the Goodyears to squeal. Additionally, I _think_ (but am not sure) that the Goodyears are Integrity's -- if they are, that's the same tire that RX300 owners and some reviewers have been less than positive about.
However, beginning in January you should be able to buy the Cross Terrains as replacement tires. You can always save the money on the Touring package, replace the Integrity's with Cross Terrains, and save the Integrity's for when you trade the vehicle in; you'd still save quite a bit over the Touring. (I realize that the majority of vehicle buyers don't switch out the tires, of course; this is just a potential action.)
Ken, I'm too lazy to run downstairs and disarm/rearm the alarm to look at the MDX, but from what I remember the MDX's latches aren't too much different from the Integra latches you photographed. Maybe a bit bigger. Though I think that they're attached in a more sturdy fashion than in the photo (can't tell from the angle of your shot).
I wouldn't worry too much though -- assuming the design is relatively similar across the Honda line, I've never seen a crash test where the doors of a Honda-built vehicle popped open. That includes the current generation Odyssey's front driver and passenger's side doors. (The previous generation did have a problem where the door didn't open in the crash, but required tools to open later -- but that was the Isuzu-manufactured model.) So that latch is probably stronger than it looks.
I opted for the plood steering wheel; burl shift knob; running boards; cargo cover; tailgate deflector; moonroof visor; fender flares; lower (nose) trim; wheel locks and rear mud flaps. The total cost of my MDX with the accessories came to $43,860, not including tax and license.
I noted earlier tonight that the "Build Your Own" link on the Acura Home Page has been modified since my last visit about a month ago. As it is now, after you go through the steps of selecting the model you want, the color, the inside accessories and finally the outside accessories, a new page comes up showing how the MDX you selected will look with the accessories you chose. (Never mind that the GG color on my computer screen looks closer to muddy green as opposed to my MDX, which in real life is a medium to dark gray with lots of metallic, at least to my eyes.) Also on the same page is the MSRP of the vehicle, a list of all the accessories chosen and their suggested list prices, and the total price for the MDX with the accesssories installed. That total came to $42,804. Subtracting that amount from the $43,860 means I paid $1,056 above MSRP for everything (the MDX and all the accessories).
Had I purchased my MDX from a dealer who was charging $2K over MSRP for the vehicle and Acura's suggested list prices for the accessories I chose, I would have paid $944 more for the same identical vehicle.
Did I get a deal on my new pride and joy? Of course not. Could I have done better and still purchased locally? Unless I was willing to wait until this buying frenzy over the MDX tapers off, I doubt it. And as I see it, unless Acura finds a way of increasing production right away, I don't see supply outstripping demand anytime soon.
Now I know lots of you folks elsewhere in the country can get much better pricing on an MDX, but that's not the case here in the Bay Area. Although personal income here is relatively high, so is the cost of living and prices in general, especially in the housing market. (The home I purchased for $42,500 back in '76 would easily sell for $530,000 in today's market.) All things considered, paying more for an MDX here than in many other parts of the country shouldn't come as a surprise.
I've read a few posts from people in the Bay Area who claim they were able to purchase an MDX locally at MSRP with few, if any, add-ons. I don't doubt their veracity, but in my experience (and other MDX-owner-wannabes with whom I have corresponded via e-mail), they were very, very fortunate, and the exception to the rule.
I hope this information has added some perspective and/or been a little helpful to those of you who live in the Bay Area and have undertaken the challenge of trying to purchase what is currently the country's hottest sport ute!
I was more interested in a grill (chrome or black metal) which usually covers the bumper area, front grill and headlights.
Has anyone installed it yet (or planning to do so?) Do you see any pros/cons of such an addition (aside from the looks)
If anyone had such a thing on their other SUVs, did it "help" (protect the front end of your car) in case of "unfortunate" circumstances?
Thanks.
vip9
Seems like people don't notice it is on my car until they look at the front VERY closely. When I explain what it is, they always say they've never heard of such a device, but they also think it is a really cool idea!
i just got back from a 700 mile trip yesterday. no major complaints about anything. again, there existed a bit of wind noise, but nothing that was too bothersome. the front defogger makes a lot of noise when it's first activated which contributed to some of the noise.
i averaged about 21 miles while going between 75-80 mph. however, it did rain pretty much the whole way so i'm not sure if the reduced mileage was due to the vtm-4 being engaged. how can you tell if the system is actually engaged or not.
again, the drive was fantastic and i have no complaints thus far.
In addition, how does the lumber support in the driver seat suppose to work anyway? The manual says you crank it forward and let it springs back few times to go through all position (just like a Honda Accord). Mine seems to go through the cycle once when the crank is pushed from back to front.
Just found out a couple of days ago that some plastic trims have not been installed correctly, a little disappointed, mostly at the dealer who did not prep the car correctly.
Even better maybe I should meet up with you if you head inland over the next few weeks since I am relatively close to you.
My radio's buttons 4, 5 & 6 also aren't functional on my Touring Package 6 CD/Radio. The dealer is locating a replacement unit for me.
Be aware though - if you take it in to be checked out, don't let them disconnect power from the radio while testing it if your unit's security ID contains any of the numbers whose buttons are defective.
Good luck.
Rail
I see by your profile that you live in Sacramento. Ironically, I took the MDX to Roseville and West Sacramento last week to show some friends who had asked to see it. Unfortunately, I have no immediate plans to return to your area anytime soon.
Does anybody know of anyone who installs these in Tucson or Phoenix as I am picking up my MDX down there soon. (Too much demand in Denver)
Here is a list of things I got with the acura.com price comparison:
Rallye Price Acura.com
Cargo Cover $199 $142
Cargo Net $100 $56
Cargo Tray $159 $129
Moonroof Visor $169 $81
Rear Splash Guards $170 $70
Running Boards $995 $619
Tailgate Deflector $495 $421
Wheel Locks $90 $63
Wood Shift Knob $199 $93
The ones that are grossly priced without warrant, IMHO, are the Wood Shift Knob, Rear Splash Guards, and the Cargo Net. There is almost no installation time.... where did the inflated price come from.
The Running Boards are probably the hardest accessory to put on, so the labor rate (I think it is about $85/hour) is the real culprit.
The Cargo Cover, Cargo Tray,and Wheel Locks seem to be adjusted for New York prices (comes with the territory).
The Tailgate Deflector price says to me that it isn't as difficult to put on as some of the other dealers I've visited led me to believe.
The Moonroof Visor seems to be priced with everyone else in the area.
Any other comments on options prices?
Also, I saw that someone placed pictures of their prostripe moulding, but I found it hard to see. Maybe if the sun was facing the side of the car when the pictures were taken, they would have been better. Does anyone else have pics of the side moulding?
They don't appear to have an MDX bra yet.
Does anyone have information regarding the propensity for an Acura MDX to rollover as compared to other SUV's?
thanks in advance
Drew/aling
Townhall Community Leader/Vans Conference
"While the 3M Scotchcal film is very effective in protecting paint against road debris impacts, it has a limited benefit for protection against door
dings. While it will minimize the damage that door dings cause to the paint, it will not keep the sheet metal from denting. Good thought though!"
"I have sent your design request to our design department. You should have a reply from them shortly as to their timing on the MDX design. We have had several requests and I am quite certain that we will have the kit(s) shortly."
So, as a ding guard it will help with paint chips, but, not door dents. I'll post when I get the answer back from the design department about the light and paint protector (bra) kits.
While their 3M vinyl kits won't help prevent door dings, they do work well to protect your front headlight lenses, fog lamp lenses, directionals, etc. from flying stones and other road debris.
As mentioned by other posts, there should be a Xpel kit out soon for the MDX. I just purchased a headlight kit for my Lexus LS400 front lenses - one replacement headlight lens is more than $300 for that vehicle. The whole kit was about $65 including shipping.
I agree that a single inch piece of Prostripe, even a wider one, will not eliminate door dings - but of course it helps. With the MDX width, you're at a disadvantage to begin with... There's a whole Edmunds board on this subject so here's a summary of their tips:
1. If you're parking anywhere near an entrance or heavy-traffic area, do NOT take up more than one space. People will key your car which is a lot worse than a ding. If you want to take up more than a single space, drive a hundred yards or more away from everyone else - which, of course, is not always possible.
2. Try parallel parking.
3. Try to park in the last spot on an aisle - so there's only one car next to yours. 50% less chance of getting dinged.
4. If you park in an underground type space, park between a passenger's door and the pillar. Less likely to be a passenger in every car.
5. Park next to vehicles more expensive than yours - so they have as much to lose as you do.
Of course, that new Carrera that WAS next to you might be gone when you return, replaced by a 1990 Camaro with rusted-out fenders and the passenger seat removed...
6. Stay away from 2-door cars; their doors are a lot heavier and inflict more damage - and need more space to open. Camaros, Firebirds, older Buick Rivs, Eldorados, etc.
Better yet, stay home and order everything off the Net. You can always go sit in your MDX and make "vroom vroom" sounds. Does wonders for the gas mileage.
Jeff
HAS ANYBODY HEARD OF ANY TRANSACTION IN WHICH MONEY CHANGED HANDS?
I'd seen alot of auctions, but nothing on any which closed.
Congrats on the beige- an excellent choice. 8-)
Ard
As you may have head, the NHTSA is working on a rollover-stars rating system. It is, as many such systems are, controversial. Unfortunately, star-ratings for vehicles like the MDX may not be available for some time. For more information, please see:
http://www.nhtsa.gov/cars/testing/ncap/rollover.htm
NHTSA's system is based on a mathematical formula to rate the "top-heaviness" of the vehicle. That sounds logical, but it does not take into consideration certain safety features that supposedly reduce rollovers. It's not possible yet to quantify how much those features may improve the basic mathematical rating.
Unfortunately, the key number to computing the MDX's expected rating would be the height of the MDX's center of gravity. But I've never seen it published.
As NHTSA says, "whatever type of vehicle you chose to drive your best defense in the event of a rollover is to wear your safety belt. Seventy-six percent of those people who suffered a serious injury in single-vehicle tow-away rollovers were not using a safety belt, and 56 percent were completely or partially ejected from the vehicle."
Drew, say, that's pretty desperate, painting a brand-new MDX white. We've only sighted two MDX's around here. Then again, we're not getting out as much nowadays, and I've been doing a lot of sleeping on the bus.
Ard, human behavior being what it is, I don't doubt that at least a couple of those deals really went down. Put it this way ... would anyone who actually bought the spot go out of their way to tell others?
Namely, even if we got the deal, we'd probably have to pay the dealer's original inflated hitch-only price of $520+tax. We'd get the coolers free.
That begged the question, do we even need a hitch, or was I just being a bit too obsessed with pushing Acura on principle? We don't ever plan on towing anything. A hitch really doesn't add much to resale value from what I've read of JeffMust2's excellent comments. I was a bit interested in it for bumper protection, but truth is, we don't parallel park much either, and Drew's comments about the protection from a hitch on a unibody vehicle also concerned me.
That left the only possibility: carrying our son's future bicycle. (We don't ride bikes ourselves, I'm afraid; well, exercise bikes, yes.) I daresay that we won't have to worry about that for a while, and, given the 4-7 year timespan we expect to keep the vehicle, we'd probably just throw a kid's bike into the back (I assume a kid's bike will fit into the MDX; maybe even without having to fold down a second row seat?) (and this is assuming we'd take the kid's bike somewhere, as opposed to letting him ride within the confines of our neighborhood).
So, while this might sound like a rationalization, I suppose she's right ... I was basically suggesting we spend several hundred to get a few hundred worth of free stuff ... that we may never use ... ouch now that I type that it doesn't sound good, does it? Ah well, I just like a good fight on principles.
There have been a lot of bad comments about some of the Acura dealers in this area, for charging mark-ups for MDX's. This is just free market force at work, so I don't see why people should be angry. Dealers are in business for profit, and if they can get maximum profit from MDX, why not? In Silicon Valley, people routinely pay more than $100K over the asking price for homes. People may shake their heads in disbelief, but nobody accuse the sellers for being greedy! Why? Because that's how law of supply and demand is supposed to work.
As a matter of fact, I am surprised that Acura dealers here don't just auction off their MDX's on their lots to the highest bidders after they are unloaded from the trucks. The dealers would get more for the SUV's, and the buyers would get their MDX's without waiting. Everybody would be happy! (Just kidding!)
My wait for a GG Touring/Navig may finally be over. I got a VIN and am expecting delivery anytime. Oh, I am paying MRSP for it and I don't intend to buy any unwanted accessories. The dealer, Sunnyvale Acura, is now charging $2000 over MRSP for all MDX's, so I am probably an exception here. I believe I get the MRSP because 1) I ordered mine early (in June), 2) I previously bought another car from them, and 3) I remind the salesman and sale manager that I was promised MRSP every time I talk to them. :-) I probably can get my MDX earlier had I pay the mark-up, but I am not in any hurry.
I see there are many MDX owners (current or future) in the Bay area posting here. Wonder if there are enough interest for a MDX club...
"As a result of some buyers actually purchasing MDXs in the Southern California region at MSRP, the So.Cal Acura Members Association (SCAMa)has finally taken action.
Worried about profits shrinking to only $5K-10K per MDX, SCAMa has come up with a novel approach: The New Platnium Edition MDX.
Many buyers in the hot Southern California area have asked for a "white" exterior color on the MDX; none is provided currently by Acura. The Platnium Edition is a silver MDX dipped in a huge vat of bleach for several days.
Emerging as a "white" appearing vehicle, most observers agree that the additional cost of $14,950 is well worth the minor problems of dried-out rubber, leather, and carpet items. According to Johnnie Gotcha, lead spokesperson for SCAMa, 'Hey, that's why Acura has so many Customer Service people. Did I mention you can get a 15-year/55K mile extended warranty on this baby?'
SCAMa projects that one out of every three MDXs will be Platnium - so get your order in today!"
Incidentally, for the sake of the Bay Area/Silicon Valley NON-millionaires who want an MDX but haven't yet purchased one, I hope the local Acura dealers didn't see your tongue-in-cheek comment about auctioning off their limited supply of MDXs. In light of the fact that our economic system tends to dictate that an item is worth only what it can bring on the open market, coupled with the high demand for the vehicle and the fact that dealers are indeed in business to make money, MDX auctions wouldn't surprise me in the least. (You've no doubt heard the rumors about people auctioning off their places on MDX waiting lists on e-bay.) As a 44-year resident of Silicon Valley who DIDN'T invent a microchip and is now enjoying the comfort of a million-dollar-plus home, I shudder to think what my loaded GG Touring/Nav would have brought on the auction block!