Acura MDX (pre-2007)

rihoops · August 2001

I have recently dealt with an Acura dealership in New England and a Toyota dealership in New England. The customer service was 1000% better at the Acura deralership. I know not everyone has had the same experience, but if you need an Acura, go to Newport Acura in Rhode Island. Outstanding service. MDX for sticker, no extras. Boch Toyota in Mass, is still giving us problems returning our $1000 deposit on a Highlander. We asked for our money back within 24 hours and were told it would take 10-14 days. I'm still waiting and may call Toyota to see if they can help.

hookey · August 2001

I'm very happy to see your post. I am due to pick up a new MDX at Newport Acura next week (Mahogany touring with Nav). I visited several dealers in Massachusetts (my home state) and the earliest they could get me an MDX was December. I put my order in at Newport Acura on June 8 and they were right on target with an early August build date (8/7-8/12). Price was MSRP with no pressure on the options (I got side steps only for $749).

My only remaining concern is that none of the dealers I spoke to, including Newport Acura, would give me any indication on what they would give me for the car I plan to trade in. They said any quote they could give me for my trade in was only good for 30 days, which is longer than my waiting period. It seems that with the purchase of the new car all set and many buyers willing to step in my shoes if I balk, that the dealer has the cards on that. Any advise on how to handle the trade-in negotiation?

rihoops · August 2001

We have ordered a Mahogany base for December delivery. If you don't want this one, I'll take it! Just Kidding, I think. I'd look at edmunds, kbb, and other sites and get a rough approximation of what your car is worth and go from there. You could always sell the car on your own. I don't think that they try to screw you though. I have leased 2 cars from them previously, and have friends who do business there and none of us has ever had any problems.

rkuehn · August 2001

As I recall Honda had an overall sales decline in the recent quarter. Given the shortage of Odyssey & MDX it seems pretty obvious that Honda's problem is not enough capacity for the high-demand models and too much for the more "traditional" sedans & coupes, etc. Kind of makes me wonder why Honda doesn't price the popular vehicles higher, they could get away with it and probably shorten the wait lists.

Also what's the latest on the Alabama plant? How will it add capacity for Odyssey, MDX, and/or Honda's MDX version? I think the existing line does 120k Odyssey & 40k MDX; If the new plant has similar capacity (?) might we see an additonal 40k Odyssey, 30k MDX, & then 90k Honda MDX? Thinking one plant might produce Odyssey exclusively, with the other splitting SUV production? If I worked in Detroit I would be very, very scared.

transpower · August 2001

In this issue, CR reviews the Ford Explorer, the Nissan Pathfinder, the Toyota 4Runner, the GMC Envoy, the Dodge Durango, and the Jeep Grand Cherokee. And it concludes that "if you're looking for cutting-edge performance, refinement, or fuel economy, you won't find it here."

In the Ratings sections, CR says "We top-rated the Explorer in this group, but if you don't plan any serious off-roading--and can afford to pay more--consider the spacious and more-refined Acura MDX, with seven-passenger seating, typically $37,500, or the Lexus RX300, with room for five, typically $40000."

CR ranks the Acura MDX tops, with the Lexus RX300 and MB ML320 following. The 2002 Explorer is right behind the Benz. Only four models are checkmarked (meaning "the model is recommended"): the MDX, the RX300, the Pathfinder, and the 4Runner.

Transpower

wmquan · August 2001

Consumer Reports had given the BMW X5 4.4i a higher rating than the MDX and RX300 (but not yet recommended it, giving it their "promising" stamp) but it wasn't listed in the aforementioned listing, probably because in whatever "class" Consumer Reports was using, it wasn't in it. Since the X5 4.4i usually equips to well over $50k sticker (sometimes over $60k, ouch), that's not surprising.

Curiously, though, if you yank out the MDX, RX300, and ML320, the Explorer tops the list though it's not marked "recommended" yet (promising). That distinction came up in a network news report I noticed the other day, saying that Consumer Reports had put it at the top of "its class". Go figure; someone probably decided to create another SUV class of "non-luxury" vehicles to exclude out the MDX, RX, and ML (which is a bit strange since you can buy some of them for a price similar to a loaded-up Explorer).

zman3 · August 2001

Go to "Real World Trade-In Values" here in Edmunds Town Hall. The dealers who participate in the forum will give you a realistic number on your trade.

foxcroft1 · August 2001

I see a lot of talk about buying a MDX from one state and shipping it to another. I believe my state, Pennsylvania, charges you additional sales taxes of 7%.
Does anyone know what happens for sure?

rihoops · August 2001

If you buy a car out of state, you may have to pay sales tax to that state. However, when you register it in your state you should get a credit on the sales tax you paid to the other state. You need a letter from the state where you purchased the vehicle verifying that you did indeed pay the sales tax there.

waves1 · August 2001

To William M:

Yes, it's a bit late for me for the MDX. Like I said, I was totally turn off by the L.A. area Acura dealers that I decided to purchase a Toyota Sequoia Limited instead. Two of the dealers, one in Santa Monica and one in Montclair (Greater L.A. area) didn't even bother to call me back for the availability of the car assigned to them. Downey Acura (in Downey, CA) asked me to shell out about $4,000 in accessories. Thomas Acura in Covina charges $99 for the undercoating spray on the brand new car and $985 for the chrome wheel on top of wood panel around the instrument and shift knob and many other options (total aorund $3,500 extra). The only decent dealer in L.A. I experienced with is Acura of Pasadena. They're willing to sell me the MDX at sticker price. No add-on. Unfortunately, they don't have any car available for delivery until late September. I'm tired of waiting!!! I'm tired of being hussling!!

wmquan · August 2001

Good luck with your Sequoia, it's an excellent vehicle (just a bit too big for us; our second choice was an ML320 -- say, why didn't you consider an ML320, since it's also available with 7-passenger seating?).

Unfortunately, even though you did find an apparently honest dealer in L.A. (thank goodness as it sounded like all of them are crooks), one can't get away from the wait. Late September is actually pretty good as some wait lists are out into next year.

Sadly, this is another example of Honda/Acura's production limitations. The new Alabama plant will eventually produce all Odyssey's, leaving the Ontario plant to build MDX's and probably the Honda version of the MDX's. Only then will there be enough supply to help discourage the greedy dealerships (since Acura seems to have no capability of doing it themselves).

It'll happen eventually, though too late for a number of buyers who either can't wait or are disgusted with the bad dealerships. The 3.2TL was similarly hot but nowadays you can get a non-Type-S one for a relatively small profit over invoice. Since the MDX has a fairly sizable difference between invoice and MSRP, there will be a LOT of room for big discounts, sooner or later. Unfortunately I don't think something that drastic will happen until the third model year, with some weakening perhaps late in the second model year. It's a shame because an MDX discounted to, say, $32k for the Premium, $34k for the Touring (without nav) is very attractive. Though I'd bet that Acura will improve the content of the MDX and keep its selling price relatively high and leave the low-$30's range to the up-level trims of the upcoming Honda mid-sized SUV.

jeepluv · August 2001

Been awhile since my tax days, but I believe generally if you're having the car shipped to another state, you shouldn't have to pay sales tax to the state you purchased in. Instead, you'll pay the tax to your own state when you register the vehicle. Usually the rate would be the same as if you bought the car in PA. Alternatively, if the state you're buying in does charge the tax, rihoops should be right. Regardless, you should end up only paying the equivalent of PA sales tax, give or take a little depending on the %'s in each state.

midtowneast · August 2001

I live in NY but I have bought almost all of my cars in NJ. You may have two options depending on how close your home state is to the dealer. The dealers will figure out your state tax and register the car for you in your state or you can just pay the vehicle price with out taxes and pay your sales taxes when you register the vehicle yourself. The dealers never charge NJ tax if you will be registering the car somewhere else.

imoimo · August 2001

Is the distance between the 3rd row and the back of the MDX about the same distance as a minivan? I had the scary feeling when I first sit in a minivan years ago that its so close to the back that it wouldnt be safe for anybody in the last row. Is it really not that safe for any body to sit in the third row? Please let me know, cos I certainly do not want to put my kids, or anybody in that row if its not safe. That's the reason why I did not buy a minivan when it first came out, besides internet wasn't all that common yet. Thanks for any info.

kenyee · August 2001

It'll be less. The MDX is shorter than most minivans...

pamo · August 2001

Check posting 2620 in this forum - speaks to your questions about the third seat safety issue. There is a picture of someone's MDX that had been rear-ended - you should find it interesting.

imoimo · August 2001

Yes, I did read that post. It is very interesting indeed. But some other posts had also stated that the impact cannot be 30 or more mph. If I'm travelling on the highway, is it safe to put the kid in the third row? My teenage son (17) loves the back row when we test drove the MDX, so that seat would be his designated seat. Just to make myself feel better if I really order this SUV cos this is the first car I had ever picked all on my own and did a lot of research on and had followed this site and the acuramdx.org site for over 4 months now. Don't want to make a mistake. Thank you all.

drew_ · August 2001

Since the MDX is so new, there are (thankfully) not many major accidents of it that we know about yet.

However, there are several pictures of MB M-classes with the 3rd row seats that have been rear-ended, that you can see here. Everyone of them turned out fine from what I've learnt:

http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumIndex?u=137587&a=10126395&f=0

BTW, which part of Canada do you live in?

Drew
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wmquan · August 2001

Here's another thread on an MDX rear-end collision that you may or may not have seen:

http://www.acuramdx.org/forums/showthread.php?threadid=2667

Unfortunately it doesn't specify the speed of the driver or the exact vehicle (just a small GM). But MDX damage was minimal while the other vehicle was totaled.

In the dump truck collision, it probably wasn't 30mph, but you have to consider against the damage the size and strength of the vehicle that hit that particular MDX. At the same speed, a collision with a more conventional, modern passenger sedan would have probably caused a lot less damage.

In any vehicle the third row is going to be closer to the point of a rear-end collision. Spacing will help, vehicle structure will help, lots of variables here. There's more room behind the third row in an Odyssey than an MDX (the Odyssey is noticeably longer, and is a large minivan period).

According to Jedlicka's review of the MDX, Acura supposedly designed the MDX "to withstand a 35-mph rear impact with no intrusion into the third-row seating area." I assume that means relative speed (e.g. you're going 50mph and someone going at 85 hits you), but I don't know how that compares with other vehicles.

Bottom line to me is that if you're not comfortable with it, don't get it, no sense worrying about it unnecessarily.

imoimo · August 2001

the Stampede city, Calgary. Thanks for the link to the MB-M Class site. It does help ease my fear knowing that the MDX is kind of similar to the MB though I always feel that the European cars always have a more solid cage or frame for their autos.

wmquan: I do understand the if anybody does get into an accident, there's always the chance of injuries. That's why I almost memorize all the safety features of the MDX to understand the vehicle better before I plunk down the money. I'm driving a 93 Camry now and that I find the car extremely reliable and easy to drive. That's why I lean towards Janpanese made cars. MB and BMWs are not really within my budget range. But I really, I mean really like the MDX. For some reason, it's just love at first sight.

Yes you're right, I miss that one that your link point to that involves an accident with a smaller car. Thanks for that too.

drew_ · August 2001

Nice to see another Canadian here in Town Hall. I'm near Vancouver myself.

I'm glad the pictures helped you one way or the other, even though the MDX is actually very different than the MB M-class; the underlying structures are very different.

Good luck with your decision and if you have any questions, I'm sure that the owners here will be happy to help out.

Drew
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pagedb · August 2001

I have been trying to find out what modifications are planned for the 2002 model including color changes. My local dealership insists that the new colors next year will be white and red however, another dealership in my area and other sites on the web indicate that there will be a blue model offered as well. Naturally, Acura has not revealed this info and refuses to disclose when they will. Might anyone out there know the answers to these questions? I would hate to purchase a 2001 this late in the season at MSRP to find that I could have waited a little longer and gotten a 2002 in a more color more favorable to me.

wmquan · August 2001

The information on 2002 changes has not been released publicly yet and even dealerships that claim they know aren't necessarily correct. Most rumors have focused on a red (the same red as in the 2002 Odyssey), some type of pearl white, and Havasu Blue (again, same as 2002 Odyssey). The blue is supposedly a light silvery blue, not a dark blue.

If you can tolerate waiting longer, it probably doesn't hurt financially to wait for a 2002. Even though the improvements will be modest, Acura will probably fix one of the bugs in the 2001. While price will go up slightly, no dealers are offering discounts on 2001's so you take a depreciation hit just by changing the model year, probably more than the price increase.

wmquan · August 2001

Since crash tests focus on front-end collisions (the most common) there is, unfortunately, not a lot of hard data on how well the MDX and its third row will behave in a rear-end collision. As Drew said, only real-world experiences over time will show how it works, and thus far we only have a few photos of rear-end collisions, and Acura's claim that the vehicle can withstand a rear collision well.

IIHS crash test results for the MDX may be coming out late this month (the bumper test was released last month), so that may answer some questions on the MDX's performance in a offset front collision. It should do "good", though I'm not sure if it'll earn "best pick" status as the X5, RX300, and ML320 have done. We'll see. While the frontal collision test won't be a direct indication of the rear performance, you'd hope that if Acura paid some design attention to the front, they're truthful about their claims about the back and designed it well.

The ML320, having been around for significantly longer, does have some documented proof of rear collision performance, as Drew's photos show. I'm not familiar with Canadian pricing of the MDX and ML320, but, depending on how you option out each vehicle, the price gap isn't necessarily really large, especially since 2001 ML320's are being cleared out with dealer incentives (you can find an ML320 below invoice). However, quantities of 2001's are probably limited, especially ones with third-row seats (you can't add them after-the-fact), and 2002 models will sell initially at MSRP with a very modest price increase (in exchange for good upgrades). So perhaps a look at an ML320 wouldn't hurt, especially since it has some features the MDX doesn't have (namely stability control) that may be more suitable for your Calgary weather, which I assume is quite severe (pardon my geographic ignorance of Alberta). The X5 will be significantly more expensive, though.

Good luck, and please let us know if we can help.

stever · August 2001

Luxury Crossover SUVs Gaining Market Share at Expense of Midsize SUVs

Steve
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imoimo · August 2001

for the help and advice here. I'll definitely look into the ML320 even only for comparisons sake. Just hubby thinks if for the same price one can get a luxury vehicle + room for cargo + 7 seat convenience compared to an expensive name brand vehicle, he will pick the one with the options first. Although this would MY vehicle, still like to get his opinion (and agreementt hopefully) on purchasing it. Anyway will keep you all posted. I am waiting for the 2002 model now and like wmquan says, bigger downpayment is what Im working at too. Cant wait to see the colour available. Am thinking about the Redrock Pearl or the Silver. Love the Black but really hate to be the one to have to keep it clean every other day.

hookey · August 2001

Anyone have a recomendation for finding a low interest rate for financing an MDX?

Thanks.

stever · August 2001

This link will provide you with a personalized look at finance rates in your area. Then if you click through to Explore Financing Options, you can get a quote to shop around with.

Steve
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jamiestockman · August 2001

At the moment, you'd probably be best to check out what your dealer has. If they deal with a good number of lenders and your Beacon places you above he Low 700's, you can find rates in the low 6's on 60 Months right now. Local Credit Unions are sometimes an option, but they usually want some amount down or want an automatic withdrawl.

Jamie S.

bobgaff · August 2001

I have been experiencing a banging noise intermittently on the drivers side front end of my MDX. I read somewhere that it is caused by unlubricated or ma lubricated bushings,left front lower control arm and sway bar joints. Does any one else have information on this subject? I have also been experiencing the same problem with the leaky mirrors as one of the other members. Has anyone found a fix for the problem

I have had my MDX since November of last year. I have been pleased with every aspect of the vehicle except these small annoyances.

wmquan · August 2001

Sounds like you got "the thud" and the "weeping mirrors". When MDX owners have problems, these seem to be the most common by far.

Acura has issued a TSB for the thud, so your dealer should be able to take care of it, under warranty:

http://www.acuramdx.org/forums/showthread.php?threadid=2811

No TSB yet for the weeping mirrors.

hookey · August 2001

I am picking up a new MDX by the end of the week (it has already arrived at the dealer). I found the TSB on the thud problem very interesting. The TSB was dated July 9, 20001. Do you, or does anyone, know whether these fixes are automatically made to cars that are delivered after the date of the TSB? I don't want to have to return my vehicle for repair of a known problem if I can have them fix it before I pick it up and avoid the issue.

wmquan · August 2001

The TSB has been in development for a while. Folks on the Internet tend to be a little impatient (ha), so this has been watched for a long time. Some of the fixes have been attempted for a few months now.

I _think_ that the newer vehicles have the fix already in (certainly the 2002's will). Reason is because the TSB mentions a certain range of VIN's for each cause of the thud, implying that each cause has been fixed in VIN's after that range. You can check the VIN number of the vehicle you're getting against the TSB to be sure, however, and take whatever action you deem appropriate.

Good luck, and congratulations on your pending MDX!

brewster6 · August 2001

Hello, I've ordered a silver 2002 MDX. I was told it will be delivered sometime late Nov. There seems to be very little information on the 2002 changes/improvments. If any one is interested,I located some of the service bulletins -

http://www.hondacuraworld.com/bulletins/bulletins.html

93fsu1 · August 2001

The Honda version of the MDX should be available in the 2003 model year.

boomer77 · August 2001

For the past month or so, I have been tantalized by the link in the left margin of the posting page, suggesting a high rate of acura SUV thefts. Has anyone successfully accessed this link? I have clicked on it numerous times, but keep getting sent to a dead end page.
Thanks,

theworm · August 2001

It's been there over a month. It is a dead link now, but it was an article on auto theft. The link title itself is misleading. It should read: "Acura, SUVs have highest theft losses", meaning that a variety of Acuras and SUVs (not Acuras) were on the top 10 list (among other makes). The MDX wasn't on the list.

stever · August 2001

My bad - I'll delete the link until/unless I can find the article again.

Steve
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drew_ · August 2001

I think it was an Acura SUV, but it was in reference to the Acura SLX. I guess thieves were drawn to them. I'll see that the link gets removed.

Thanks,
Drew
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stever · August 2001

I don't know what I thought I was reading when I put that link up - I think this is about the same (OT) article:

WORST THEFT LOSSES

I did kinda wonder if anyone ever clicked on stuff in the Additional Resources box :-)

Steve
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hookey · August 2001

Does Acura, the police department, or anyone else, have the ability to track an MDX via the use of its Nav? I know that there have been articles about rental car companies issuing speeding tickets to renters who have exceeded the speed limits. The evidence of this speeding was the record that the car's Nav produced.

A similar technology exists with a cell phone. Cell phones are rarely stolen, because the thief could not use it after it is deactivated. I guess the analogy to a Nav is that perhaps a thief could use the car, but not the Nav if it was stolen. Then again, maybe I’m totally off base.

One reason I am asking, other than being slightly paranoid, is does this influence the decision as to whether to buy a Lo-Jack antitheft system. If the police can track the vehicle via the Nav system, is Lo-Jack necessary. The recent discussion of the popularity of Acura theft also prompted this question.

jfetter · August 2001

NAV technology uses a DVD-based map system with your vehicle position superimposed over the map. The vehicle's position is determined by using GPS (Global Positioning Satellites) which do nothing but broadcast postional information. The antenna on the GPS system is only capable of receiving these signals, not broadcasting anything back to a satellite.

If you ever drive around and see a television studio or office building with a large dish antenna, note the size. An uplink antenna is much larger than even a home DSS dish and requires pinpoint precision in order to "beam" information to a satellite with any reliability. While I am certain this technology will improve (look at the satellite phones, large antenna plus having to "aim" it but still promising) there is just no way your GPS antenna can send information. Besides, the GPS system is broadcast only, it was never designed to receive, process and relay information other than GPS programming updates.

LoJack is about the only system that uses radio signals broadcast from an on board antenna and detected and "triangulated" by satellites to determine the vehicles position. Ground-based receivers (ie; police department) can also detect the signal but they need the satellite information to know where to start looking...

Jfetter

hookey · August 2001

Thank you for the very detailed explanation. Your information all seems to make sense to me and works as I originally thought it did (NAV receives GSP broadcasts only).

I guess my confusion has to do with all the recent articles I’ve read in the newspaper about the automobile rental company (it might be a truck rental company) that was able to track and issue speeding tickets to the renters based on information it received from the vehicle's satellite navigation system. At least that is my understanding from reading the articles. They could have been written by someone who doesn't really understand the technology involved and who inaccurately reported how this occurred. There have been several lawsuits filed over these incidents, which took place in Connecticut.

kenyee · August 2001

Both have built in GPS's. And they can track the car if stolen as long as the car is turned on. :-)

jfetter · August 2001

My understanding of the rental car thing was that the company used the log from the GPS to show the distance traveled and the time stamp on the location/s. With these 2 pieces of information, they calculated the speed (perhaps the on board computer did it automatically but still using the GPS location and time). I think people shouldn't be surprised that this information is available, maybe just surprised that they use it to try and charge you.

Though this may be an unpopular opinion, if it were MY car and I loaded it to you and found you drove 90+ MPH the entire time, I would want some reimbursement for extra wear and tear. I think (though not sure) that there was even a clause in the rental agreement (which seems to make it fully legal) stating they did not permit excess speed (didn't he wonder how they could tell?)...

Jfetter

jfetter · August 2001

Looks like I over-estimated the capabilities of the satellite "tracking" companies. After doing more reading, it seems the system is only activated by a satellite (car gets stolen, police report sent to Lo-Jack HQ, satellite signal turns the Lo-Jack transmitter ON). Once turned on, the Lo-Jack signal is tracked by police ground and air units (cars and planes) and not by orbiting satellites at all.

I guess it really shouldn't be surprising that the transmitter is not powerful enough to be picked up by a commercial satellite, after all, the antenna would have to be fairly large and directed up for the most part. I am not sure ANY system uses the satellite to actually communicate bi-directionally with the ground unit. It seems even the high-end equipment used by trucking agencies uses cellular for transmission from the client (vehicle) back to the tracking company and only downloads information from the satellite, never uploads.

It would be interesting to hear from someone with a background in this technology to see if even the high-end systems are completely reliant on only an orbiting satellite...

Jfetter

inky · August 2001

OK, I should wait fo 2002 but.. Anyhow I ordered dealers last allocation of 2001, a Beige base model for $34,850 and no adds. have delt with them before, very honest pricing policy. First 20 2002's are presold! I plan on keeping a long time so not real concerned about "lost value".
INKY

wmquan · August 2001

Congratulations; I guess you finally broke down. You weren't interested in the 2002 Odyssey and the improvements to it?

93fsu1 · August 2001

Actually several golf courses use GPS to track their cart locations on the course - and also have a nav system for the drivers as well. Also truncking/shipping companies use GPS to track their vehicles.

boomer77 · August 2001

Thanks for the info.

Acura MDX (pre-2007)

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