Did you recently take on (or consider) a loan of 84 months or longer on a car purchase?
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Acura MDX (pre-2007)
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The button C&D is referring to just locks the ft. and rear. Because of the friction, it automatically unlocks above 18mph. You still have power available to both axles, it just varies according to the computer program. You only need to lock the axles to get out of a very slippery condition. (Like ice, or if you left it in the driveway and it snowed all night.) Once you're moving, locking is not needed anymore.
Also, the area for the feet and legs on the passengers side front area is triangle-shaped - so there is no way to put your long legs out straight.
Also, more to the point, the rearview mirror in our base model - seems stuck. It's not power, I guess - but it doesn't budge with moderate pressure. Can I keep pushing it until it moves? (I tried the 800 number for questions, was on hold too long.)
(PS -This forum is great - too bad there is no auto-quote on reply option.)
Were you being held at gun point while making this purchase?
There are plenty of dealerships, and plenty of folks not getting too screwed. You paid 4k more plus accessories because the sales guy was able to convince you to do so. Period.
Don't blame the dealership because you can't (or didn't want to) negotiate...
rack until sometime in January. While looking elsewhere ($149 is a bunch from Acura) I ran across the following:
http://www.mohnsportracks.com/products/prices.html
Their L600 rack fits all factory racks up to 3 5/8 in wide. Tne MDX factory rack is 3 1/2 in. It comes with all locks, etc and long warranty and it is 2/3 of Acura price. They are located close to I5 on south side of Sacramento so I plan to stop by on way up skiing. Two zingers: they are only open Monday thru Thursday daytime hours. Also, Rack does not hold snowboards but separate
model available.
We are trying to decide between MDX and Odyssey.
1-4: 3rd seat not needed.
5: 3rd seat needed for Odyssey, not for MDX.
6: 3rd needed for Odyssey, Half for MDX(the other half can be used for carge).
7: 3rd needed for both. Odyssey wins here.
The bad news is that my wife told me today our neighbor got their silver MDX last night. I thought my MDX will be the first in the neighborhood since I haven't seen a single MDX on the road in the NY/NJ roads yet. Our other neighbor also interested to trade in their Durango for MDX. We can start a small MDX club in our development. Who knows maybe they are also participating in the Edmunds town hall discussion.
Thanks for all the great discussion on the door molding protection. I noticed Honda beige cars comes with beige molding or black molding. The beige molding seems to fit better. What do you think- the beige MDX owners out there ? Where can I purchase the 3rd party beige molding ? I also asked my Honda dealer friend to see if the Honda part can fit the MDX since they are all the same 'mesa beige'.
However, the 3rd seat legroom of the MDX (29.3) compares favorably to the 2nd seats of the Nissan Pathfinder (31.8) and the Frontier Crew Cab (30.7), which surprised me. I once sat in the 2nd seat of the Crew Cab and it was pretty small, so I was shocked that it was almost the same size as the Pathfinder. Perhaps they measure them different ways.
40% section of the 2nd row seat shifted all of the way forward (the 60% section is fixed), I had barely enough room back there with my legs tilted to one side; my knees were already pressing into the 2nd row seatback. There is no way that I could've sat behind the 60% section of the MDX's 2nd row seat, unless I was positioned diagonally. That wouldn't have been safe since the seatbelt would've been not properly positioned.
I didn't feel very secure either with my head so close to the rear hatch window, despite the head restraints and the variety of angles that the 3rd row seatback could be adjusted to. This experience was similar to the time when I had to sit in a friend's '96 Nissan 300ZX 2+2's rear seat.
In comparison, the 3rd row seats in the MB M-class were much more comfortable and the legroom was definitely more plentiful than the MDX. It's not huge, but significant enough to make a major difference in passenger comfort. It also helps that ML's entire 2nd row has the ability to shift forward by several inches, depending on how much you want it to move. Entry and exit from the MDX is a heck of a lot tougher in the MDX since the 2nd row seat (unlike the ML's) doesn't tumble at all. There's barely enough room to squeeze in or out of there.
So, if you plan on carrying more than 5 passengers + cargo room fairly often, get the Odyssey. If you plan on carrying 5 passengers + the occasional kid(s) + some cargo, consider the MDX.
Drew/aling
Townhall Community Leader/Vans Conference
JAC Products Inc.
Maumee, Ohio
He is looking into getting some of racks direct and maybe able to provide a lower cost alternative that is close if not an exact "factory" match. Will keep you posted.
please?
Regarding the people who sell their spot in line - I had a thought - I guess if you put down an un-refundable deposit you could do it since its like you "own" the spot. But in my case for instance I put $500 fully refundable deposit and probably could not pull that. Just a thought.
5 adults+cargo: get the MDX as you'll have to use the 3rd seat in Odyssey, but not MDX.
After calling around the West, Thanksgiving week I located a dealer who told me they had a GG touring/navi that should arrive from Acura in the first half of January. (They would sell at MSRP with only the options I specified!). They took my CC deposit over the phone.
Today, in response to my query, they told me it was supposed to be built at the end of December, and that Acura would tell them the build date specifically on December 10. Then, when it was built, they would receive a list of VINs (I am assuming vehicles intended for that dealer built that same week).
So, THIS dealer, at least, claims advanced knowledge. We'll see what happens...
I never record to CDR/W's - so I haven't tested them.
Rail
My wood steering wheel has been on order since 10/25. Has anyone else received one that was ordered on that date or later? I am aggravated that this item should have such a long lead time.
To be prepared, I applied for PeopleFirst auto loan. Got approved in 10 minutes!!! Incredible. Their "Blank Check" is "in the mail"
;-). Good for 45 days. I hope there will be NO SURPRISES with the dealer's estimated delivery time!
Based on earlier posts from today, I also checked e-loan, which actually had better rates (7.3 vs 7.9). I called PF and they gladly matched! What an incredible customer service. I wish some Acura dealers learn from them!
And, lastly, noone seemed to answer my previous posts about a METAL grille protection that many other SUVs have nowadays. I spoke with Tim at HondAcuraWorld, but he said I was the first one to voice interest in that. Any of you plan to get such "nose protection"? After all, lower trim is made of SOFT PLASTIC, and will offer very little or no protection in collisions.
Have a good weekend.
vip9.
Re actual width: I measured with mirrors extended to be 89" and with driver's side folded in to be 82" (would make it a pretty tight fit into my 8' garage that has 93" actual clearance -- is this do-able?)
Width really is the only issue bugging me -- has anyone found it to be a pain dealing with crowded parking lots (particularly in light of the "missing" molding? Or is this all just baseless paranoia?
I'll measure the 'actual' width of my garage door molding which the car has to clear and post it between 8 - 9 pm est. (when i get home...)
You're thinking parking lot damage not collisions, aren't you? The plastic is meant to be flexible and give so it can withstand parking lot bumps w/o dimpling or getting chipped. There is ample support behind it to protect you in the event of a real crash (within limits of course). The knock on metal "brush guards" (those big metal tubes, often chrome, that go in front of the bumper) is (1) they attach to the unibody or other parts of the frame and when they get hit in a crash, transfer the force in unpredicted ways that could cause major damage to the vehicle; instead of just replacing the bumper parts you end up trashing the entire car; and (2) they could be serious meat for hungry lawyers if you hit a pedestrian with one. Their main use is to push aside vegetation and protect the radiator in off road jaunts, but few go off road like that, and when you do, I personally am a follower of the "tread lightly" school of environmental preservation so would go blasting thru vegetation anyway. Thus, most people who buy/put them on do so for purely cosmetic reasons. But for me, that's not enough. I won't put them on, but that's just my opinion.
From an earlier post someone said that the non/Nav MDX provides a compass whereas the Nav MDX doesn't. That is not correct. When the Nav system is being utilized, an arrow in the upper left-hand portion of the screen points to the compass direction in which you are heading. That is, if you are headed east, it will point 90 degrees to the right.
To me, the Nav system is as much fun to use as the MDX is to drive.
I had the tow hitch installed and Acura paid for the installation and cost of the transmission coolers and steering coolers.
I had the coolers and hitch installed at Radley Acura, and the service experience was not pleasant. A two hour install turned into an overnight install, due to no install instructions from Acura (technicians had to figure out for themselves). Service guy was very busy and the work order and receipt did not even have any identification of the work provided, just a price. Vehicle key and sheet misplaced. Had to request a tech to come over and explain the work performed. I will update the AcuraMDX.org page for feedback on this dealership service department.
I am currently getting only about 15 mpg (and am on my fourth tank), so not even close to the rated 17-23 mpg range. I drive Wash. metro area, so low is understandable, but 15 is puzzling to me. My 99 Trooper was getting that.
A slight, very slight, rattle has manifested itself to the driver's left in the door/frame assembly.
I am considering putting Xpel on the lights/front (potentially in lieu of the hood visor), the prostripe M94 on the sides to help minimize dings, and trying to find an adapter for my Yakima bike racks for the base carrier.
Vehicle drives like a good sports sedan (and not much like at all a SUV) and driving experience has been quite good. No other problems to post and still a good feeling to see no others on the road (except the regular demo rides from Radley Acura and Rosenthal Acura in the metro area). Cargo area has already proven itself.
Very interested in continuing to hear about other owner experiences (vehicle operation under various driving conditions, problems, aftermarket mods, etc.).
Sorry for the long post, thanks for the feedback from the other owners.
Holiday Cheers
but small town, no stop and go other than stoplights and signs of course. Am getting just under 14 MPG and am not leadfooted. Quite disappointed in the mileage so far.
I've been in contact with Thule US. The've confirmed in writing that THULE is the OEM Supplier to acura for for ski and bike racks.
The ski rack is the 724 or 726 i believe, and the bike rack is the 599XT. (Look at the pictures on the Acura site and the Thule site, IDENTICAL.)
The've also confirmed how to attach them:
There is a T slot in the top of the cross member. You remove the plastic trim strip to see it.
The fasteners are "t bolts" with a square head (0.75x0.75 inch, 3/4 inch square).
To gain access, you need to remove the trim on the roof rack. Per the service manual, you take a screw driver and insert it into the small square hole on the inside of the rack (this is under the cross bar-over the roof) Push firmly into the bracket, and the outer black trim piece will slide up.
Now you can see the slot.
I think you can get a washer which is 3/4 inche and slide a bolt through it in a pinch. (I'm actually going to fabricate some items out of stainless steel that will do the trick. If I find an "off the shelf solution, I'll post it.)
It's a MUCH cleaner install than "universal clamps" or other stuff.
Regarding the earlier post, I don't know where acuraworld got the info on a mfg in ohio or iowa, but that's not what I found.
Ard
I got the MDX, silver with touring, for MSRP. The accessories were at dealer cost. They included: mud flaps, all season matts, cargo liner, towing package, and ski racks.
Purchased at Buerkle Acura in Brooklyn Park, Mn.
The dealer, Michael Pappas, was straight forward and very helpful. Even received a good bottle of wine.
Actually, I found using the internet seemed to
be easier than just going into the dealership and trying to barter. The previous is the result.
Good luck to you on getting your MDX. I am always finding excuses to take it for a drive....
Drew/aling
Townhall Community Leader/Vans Conference
We just put in an order for an EP base model at Prestige Acura in Santa Rosa, CA at MSRP with delivery in April. There was absolutely no pressure from the salesman, David Wood, to buy any accessories.
Thanks to this site I'm going to order the base carrier, the wheel locks and the mud flaps and put them on myself. I'm sort of a diy, but more importantly, I'm cheap. I'll probably buy the Thule ski rack, too.
We're replacing our 1991 Previa. We were thinking about the Odyssey, but we didn't like the idea of losing three seats when you fold the third row down. That forced us to the Sienna which I think is a more versatile seating arrangement, but is a little smaller. We then settled on the MDX, because we're tired of driving a van and because it seats seven. I'm sure 90% of the time one or both of the third row seats will be folded down.
The only area I'm disappointed in is the mileage. Hearing 14-16 does not meet my expectations of somewhere in the middle of the EPA's 17-23. I'd like to hear more about this.
We just put in an order for an EP base model at Prestige Acura in Santa Rosa, CA at MSRP with delivery in April. There was absolutely no pressure from the salesman, David Wood, to buy any accessories.
Thanks to this site I'm going to order the base carrier, the wheel locks and the mud flaps and put them on myself. I'm sort of a diy, but more importantly, I'm cheap. I'll probably buy the Thule ski rack, too.
We're replacing our 1991 Previa. We were thinking about the Odyssey, but we didn't like the idea of losing three seats when you fold the third row down. That forced us to the Sienna which I think is a more versatile seating arrangement, but is a little smaller. We then settled on the MDX, because we're tired of driving a van and because it seats seven. I'm sure 90% of the time one or both of the third row seats will be folded down.
The only area I'm disappointed in is the mileage. Hearing 14-16 does not meet my expectations of somewhere in the middle of the EPA's 17-23. I'd like to hear more about this.