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Acura MDX (pre-2007)

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Comments

  • tony2putttony2putt Member Posts: 31
    Hi Rick, My dealer says they get 50/50 split. We considered the Basic for about a week. I will be honest, we love the six disk changer. The rest is just extra. The $2700 is a lot of money for the few extra's. Good luck and get exactly what you want. Tony
  • amontgomamontgom Member Posts: 12
    To Oedward -- I'm also in the market for a MDX in Northern Virginia. You should also check the Karen Radley dealership in Woodbridge. They only have a three month wait for these vehicles, as compared to a six month wait at Pohanka. Both dealerships are selling at MSRP (no surcharge), and they will give you a break on options. I had pleasant test-driving experiences at both dealerships, so it will probably come down to when I want the car in terms of making the final decision. Good luck!
  • jamiestockmanjamiestockman Member Posts: 35
    RICK135

    If you dealer only gets a larger number of Base model MDX's they're probably a low volume dealer. Most larger dealers can request any Trim level and any color combination in their allocations and get them. If you don't want to wait longer just because you'd like more equipment, you may want to check out a larger dealer.

    MHENDERSON1

    The other members on here are correct. Speak with your money. Order your MDX through someone you want to do business with. Most dealers have about the same wait periods. Go through someone that makes the process easy. THe MDX is a great vehicle, you should be able to enjoy owning one without worry about what you'll have to go through to get it. Anyone that's worth purchasing through will invest the time to take you out for a full demonstration, discuss your concerns, keep you updated, and won't mind getting calls and emails from you along the way to check up on things.

    Jamie S.
  • leokadia1leokadia1 Member Posts: 94
    PLEASE WORK ALL THE OVERTIME MANAGEMENT OFFERS, WE, THE CUSTOMERS WHO WANT TO BUY AT A DISCOUNT NEED MORE PRODUCTION SENT TO ALL THE ACURA'S DEALERSHIPS IN THE USA!! LOAD THE DEALERS LOTS LIKE THE GM $ FORD. OVERFLOW THE DEALER WITH EVERY TYPE OF MDX MODELS. MAYBE WILL SEE ZERO FINANCE DEALS AND MDX's GOING FOR $500.00 OVER INVOICE!!!!!!!
  • sorin7sorin7 Member Posts: 2
    I bought an '02 MDX Touring without Nav -- it was what the dealer had available at the time and I am very, very happy with it. I do, however, wish I had been able to get Navigation with it -- I called Acura Customer Care and found, as I suspected, that Naigation cannot be retrofitted to my vehicle.

    I am wondering if anyone knows of any aftermarket Navigation system that would work with the MDX that is good enough now to be recommended -- or whether I should just wait until it's time to give my present car up and order a new one with Nav. Also, I am told that used MDX's with low miles (mine now has 3,800 miles) have been selling at the auctions consistently for sticker price or over -- if so, I may think about selling my present car outright and if I could get sticker or better and find a new one with Nav maybe that's the way to go.

    Any thoughts or suggestions would be appreciated.
  • cascadecascade Member Posts: 5
    Has anyone tried to fit 3 carseats in the middle row?
  • wmquanwmquan Member Posts: 1,817
    I recall at least one and probably two posters successfully trying three carseats in the second row. One of them, very helpful and knowledgeable, said she was able to get a Britax Super Elite, a Britax Roundabout advantage, and an unspecified infant seat with base in the second row with "no problem."

    A lot of it will depend on the widths of the carseats (the Super Elite is of course quite wide).
  • mrdeeenomrdeeeno Member Posts: 53
    that must be a handful, and i'm not talking about the carseats.
  • OedwardOedward Member Posts: 2
    My thanks to both vudnewark and amontgom for your feedback regarding experiences with Pohanka Acura in NVa. I am this far from placing my order and the 3-month-wait at Radley Acura will probably earn my business.
  • cascadecascade Member Posts: 5
    Actually 4 children, 15, 3, 19 mo and 3 mo. I currently have a van and miss my sunroof. The only van with 3 seats across is the Chevy Venture /Siluette/Pontiac. If I'm going to spend $30K on that why need spend $35 on a vehicle that will hold its value. Plus in 2 yrs I'll lose the 15 yr old hopefully and the 3 mo will be out of a stroller a year after that.

    The MDX seemed easier for me to manage
    than the Sequoia although the Sequoia had more interior room. Decisions.Decisions...
  • rihoopsrihoops Member Posts: 91
    Post what you decide to do. I have a 4 month old and we are planning on more. We love our MDX and I'm curious to see how you deal with all those kids in it.
  • conradsmithconradsmith Member Posts: 10
    I placed an order for a Redrock Pearl w/Touring on 11/30, and the dealer (in New Orleans) says it should arrive any day. We've been working on this decision for over a year, and this forum has been very helpful. We started off wanting a Mazda Tribute, because it has a car chassis and offers a lot for the money. Then Acura announced the MDX, and we started to waver. At that time (fall 2000) both cars were in short supply and dealers weren't very helpful, so we got a Mazda 626 and decided to wait until the pipeline of 'car-like' SUVs got full and price & availability improved. A year later there wasn't much change in either model. (We also looked at the Volvo XC and considered the GMC Envoy and Hyundai Santa Fe). It was tough to decide that we really 'needed' the extras in the MDX enough to pay $15000 for them, but we finally convinced ourselves. (Our main rationalization was that the MDX will hold its value better, so we will get the difference back when we trade.)
    Now that it's about here, we are concerned about what gas to use. I know that Acura recommends premium, but some dealers and (I think) someone on this forum say it runs fine on regular (87 octane). Have any of you had good (or bad) experiences running your MDX on regular?
    - Conrad
  • shellymeister2shellymeister2 Member Posts: 115
    Runs much better on Premium. If a manufacturer recommends higher octane fuel, there is a reason. You may also stand a chance of voiding your warranty if you run long term on lower octane fuel and as a result, damage your engine. What a lot of Forum contributors confuse is that the Honda Ody, up until 2002 had a setup on that 3.5 engine only that would allow the owner to use reg or premium, and that use would affect the timing on the engine, and consequently the HP output. The 2002 Ody uses regular and the MDX uses premium. My guess is that will change in the 2003 model year cahnge to the 3.8 motor.
  • sbcookesbcooke Member Posts: 2,297
    The whole thing with higher octane fuel is timing, correct? Lower octane won't combust at the same rate or intensity, causing timing to be off. With Variable Valve Timing, shouldn't this adjust for lower octane and not damage, or effect driving that much?

    Older cars with distributers would run best at whatever grade they were tuned up with in the tank, electronic timing should alleviate this problem, at least I hope and think it should.
  • mark189mark189 Member Posts: 107
    The manual says that using regular may impact performance, and may cause knocking. There is no mention of damage or voiding warranty.

    I switched to regular and have not seen a noticeable difference. I know the savings aren't large, but it's hard to resist .899 and pay 20cents more just for a performance boost that may only be noticeable at a test track.
  • infinituminfinitum Member Posts: 7
    We have 3 kids who, at the time, were 5yrs, 2yrs, and 2 months. Imagine our dismay when the 1 year old family hauler couldn't properly fit 3 car seats. I drove from dealership to dealership with car seats and some towels (to keep my plastic seats from scratching nice leather) in the trunk with the primary need being the ability to have 3 car seats in the second row. The dealers were very friendly and patient in allowing me the 20 to 30 minutes to properly install the seats to see if they were safe. The only vehicle that fit the bill was the MDX. I would have preferred to spend less, but there really wasn't much of a choice. Now a year later, we've turned the middle seat forward facing and it still fits. In another six months, the infant seat gets traded in for a booster and it'll fit no problem.

    I measured dozens of seats for width and brought along a tape measure to determine 2nd row width from armrest side to the other armrest side in determining contact points on vehicles I was considering before thinning out the list. Keep in mind, although the muscle and fat on your thighs will conform to armrests, plastic will not. There is no squeezing in or deforming of the carseat to make it fit. The MDX being as wide as it is gives the most amount of latitude for seating.
  • mdxer3mdxer3 Member Posts: 16
    As a proud owner of a SS/NAV since April,I have few complaints. They consist of the clunk when in reverse, the wind noise that was a real problem for a lot of owners,and leaking mirrors are what readily comes to mind. However just the other day while riding along the Beltway with my wife and carrying some smelly cargo I dropped the rear windows to try to let some of the odor out. What I got was a noise that was unbelievable. Sounded like the wheels were roaring & some very annoying wind. When I let the front windows down the noise stopped. While I never before tried this, I would like to know if this is an experience discussed here before & I missed it or is this limited to my vehicle? I am talking major roaring sound. Any help with this will be greatly appreciated. Also this occurred with speeds of 60 mph or more.
  • thewormtheworm Member Posts: 80
    Yep - the wind buffetting, as it's called, is normal w/rear windows (only) down. Happens in a bunch of cars, esp sport utes.


    BTW, there's a service bulletin for your weeping mirrors if you haven't had 'em fixed. Works like a charm! Click here to see it:


    http://theworm.home.attbi.com/AcuraMDX/mirrortsb-complete.pdf

  • sbcookesbcooke Member Posts: 2,297
    Pretty nice link. Do you think this is resolved in new production units?

    I have had rear window wind noise in almost every car I have driven, typically when someone puts the rears down, you have to crack the opposite front. Very common, but still annoying.
  • greenmdxgreenmdx Member Posts: 1
    First of all I love my wife's MDX. Took Delivery in July 2001 it just hit 9,000 miles today.

    I purchased it at Pohanka Acura in Virginia great buying experience.

    I mentioned to service at 3,500 that there was bumping noise "thud" occurs from the front end when going over a speed bump. They installed "silencer tubes" to front springs S/B 01-023 this did the Job.

    While Waxing (4500 miles)noticed "rubber powder" on the edge of the roof where the front and back door meet. The Back Door Seals, top front corners, door and frame seals are eating each other up. This is on the driver and passanger side. It eat clean thru the frame "D seal". Dealer replaced all four seals and adjusted doors.

    At the 7,500 service I noticed this happening again. Dealer keep the vehicle overnight and replaced the frame seal. I have to take it back and complain because the door seal outer, rubber is eroded and black foam center is visible. The dealer put silicon grease on the seals to keep it from eroding.

    Has anyone had such a problem? How often do I change the grease on the door seals???????????

    Thanks!
  • shellymeister2shellymeister2 Member Posts: 115
    Knocking in an engine is not good. The knocking is caused by fuel that is not detonating in the in the engine correctly. Drive long enough with that condition and you WILL cause damage. Look it up. The manual doesn't mention voiding of the warranty because Honda expects buyers of a $40,000 vehicle to be discerning enough to buy premium fuel ( even at 20 cents more a gallon ) in order for their investment to run properly
  • mdxer3mdxer3 Member Posts: 16
    Whew!!!, thanks for the information on both accounts.I will definitely have the mirrors taken care of & not ride with the rear windows "only" down.
  • jack807jack807 Member Posts: 11
    Hello Everyone,

    It's my first time to post a message here in the town hall.

    I would like to know what was the best price anyone got for an MDX with Touring Package and Navigation.

    Your inputs are highly appreciated!

    Thanks.
  • heatmiser1heatmiser1 Member Posts: 122
    The going price is full MSRP or higher for any MDX. Paying that amount gets you on a waiting list of 3-6 months.

    My wife and I will have decided to pass since we can't see paying an Acura dealer that amount of money. Plenty of other great SUV choices around....
  • jack807jack807 Member Posts: 11
    Thanks for the feedback, Heatmiser1.

    My wife and I actually feel the same as you. I really like the vehicle. However, I just don't see myself paying full sticker price for it. I also hear that the dealers are very indifferent if not totally arrogant. I feel that if I spend that much money on a vehicle the least I should get is some good service.

    I wonder when production is going to catch up with demand? Or is this a marketing "Pull" strategy to inflate prices by deliberately producing less than the market demand?
  • tidestertidester Member Posts: 10,059
    Welcome to the Town Hall, jack807! No doubt you've already discovered the people here to be friendly and informative.

    tidester
    Host
    SUVs
  • mark189mark189 Member Posts: 107
    I haven't experienced noticeable knocking. However, I don't want to be penny wise and pound foolish and will do a little more research just to be safe.
  • minfodudeminfodude Member Posts: 1
    Hi! I am new to this forum. Could somebody recommend any NJ dealers to buy a base MDX. The last one I spoke to was asking for 3000 over MSRP. I am looking for a Silver MDX , I guess they are at a premium. Thank you.
  • kporter783kporter783 Member Posts: 2
    I heard a rumor that Acura is going to stretch the MDX a few inches to provide more third row seat room. Can anyone confirm this? Also, since Honda is coming out with the Pilot SUV which shares the platform with the MDX does it make sense to wait?
  • sbcookesbcooke Member Posts: 2,297
    with today's computerized vehicle design, marketing research, problem tracking, etc. Cars just seem to be getting better and better. I just ordered a MDX, only to find out that Honda will be releasing a more affordable equivalent, and the 2003 is going to get a bigger engine! The current MDX meets my needs, well. I was just at the Philly Autoshow and didn't find any vehicle that meets my needs and that I like better in this class. You can always wait, and unlike years past, the cars will most likely get better.
  • chowrchowr Member Posts: 11
    My father in law just purchased an MDX from Montclair Acura in NJ. Only dealer that is fair --charges MSRP with no forced options. I had called around for him and was surprised to find that this was THE only dealer that was honest. The only problem is that you have to wait. I think the order was put in May 2001 and he didn't get the car until November 2001
  • shellymeister2shellymeister2 Member Posts: 115
    I just got a call from my dealer about a 15,000 mile service on my MDX- so I asked how MDX's were selling, he said he had 4 cancelled vehicles in stock- 3 touring - Mahagony, White & Green and a Base model with navigation? Anyway, that's what I recall hinm saying. I am not associated with the dealer in a business way- I'm just a customer. The dealer is on Long Island, NY in Nassau County- very close to Queens, NY. It's Acura of Valley Stream on Merrick Road. Ask for Jerry Sussman- my name is Shelly. I would try to haggle as much as possible. Good Luck to whomever trys.
  • hayduke01hayduke01 Member Posts: 128
    I never thought I'd find myself speaking up for a car dealer, but here I go.

    The fact that a dealer charges more than MSRP or forces an inflated option or two doesn't make the dealer unfair or dishonest. The Additional Dealer Markup would be clearly disclosed on the sticker, as would the options. Readers of this forum or others who do a little research would know the dealer cost of the vehicle and the options.

    The last time I bought a new car was '93. The Honda dealer had tacked $1000 onto the sticker of the Civic VX. In just a few minutes he'd dropped that, and we split the difference between sticker and invoice. (The dealer also tried to sell an accessory without disclosing the cost, but promptly removed the item when asked. They've now been bought out by another dealer; looks like an improvement).

    Dishonest would be not identifying the cost up front. So long as that's done, we're free to accept the offer, counter, or walk away. I'm just not willing to call a dealer dishonest for trying to take advantage of a hot market. Whether or not I buy from that dealer on the dealer's terms is an entirely different matter. I won't even say that I would never pay sticker, or above., for a vehicle, though right now I don't see that happening.
  • gcmergcmer Member Posts: 2
    I have an 02 MDX w/ NAV since November. I noticed that my gas mileage between refills is horrible, at around 14-17 according to the computer. We do a lot of local driving. I would like hear your experience.
  • sbcookesbcooke Member Posts: 2,297
    I don't recall ever calling a dealer dishonest (at least in the Acura Forum). Maybe you were thinking of someone else's post, the post after my last one?

    I actually recommended a dealer in the Philadelphia area to another person in the meet the members forum...because they were charging MSRP and no hassle. I did however point out that this dealer in particular were forcing buyers to pay for 2 options at an inflated price, not dishonest.

    That being said, I don't find car salesman to be the most reputable in the world, that is why I do my own research, know what the prices of options, invoice, MSRP, TSB's, recalls and vehicle information, that is why I am here.
  • mikekabrisky1mikekabrisky1 Member Posts: 28
    The MDX doesn't have pricing on options. So does that mean options are already included in the price? Why did they do this? Thanks.
  • drewsrxdrewsrx Member Posts: 57
    There were a few mentions of the Volvo XC90 here on the MDX forums. It looks like the competition is heating up in the SUV market. The XC90 looks to be a pretty neat player in this segment. It just debuted today at Detroit, and seems to be getting extremely positive comments.


    Volvo XC90

  • sbcookesbcooke Member Posts: 2,297
    The new Pilot looks pretty impressive. It is making me re-evaluate my needs and timeline for a new Vehicle. My 2002 MDX delivery date is in March, but 6 months and there will be a host of new choices, which could really effect the prices. I also imagine other MDX order cancellations may occur, thus changing the value of the vehicle, right now (well before the last weeks developments), MSRP actually seems close to fair

    I am pretty sure the MDX is still the right choice, but it is making me go back to the drawing board for a serious look.

    One thing keeping me on track with my original purchase is that the Pilot will be bigger, one of the things about the MDX I like is the driving size of it. 3 inches wider and 5-7 inches longer is more than I am looking for.
  • hayduke01hayduke01 Member Posts: 128
    I can't even find the message I was replying to now. Perhaps it was in another forum. Anyway, please accept my apology for the misattribution.
  • crikeycrikey Member Posts: 1,041
    - a new, more powerful engine
    - HID lights
    - Vehicle Stability Control (which CL and TL has, I think?)

    Then, it would still be first on my list. But then again, that new Volvo XC90 is really nice. If only it would get priced right and can be bought via Ford's X-Plan, I'd seriously look into it also.
  • sbcookesbcooke Member Posts: 2,297
    Not a problem.

    I already like the MDX, so add those items, and it can only get better.
  • sbcookesbcooke Member Posts: 2,297
    But I guess my size theory of the Pilot is off base, it is supposedly smaller outside, yet roomier inside.
  • jack807jack807 Member Posts: 11
    I've been waiting around the corner for a while now about getting the MDX. I know it's a very good SUV although the interior is not as luxurios as let's say a Lexus. However the biggest obstacle I have right now is I can not seem to force myself to pay MSRP for this vehicle. I was hoping that by this time maybe you can get $1,000 off MSRP but apparently it won't happen pretty soon.

    Right now I'm really re-evaluating and I'm leaning more towards not getting it at all anymore. I know it's a free market out there and if there is a buyer there will be a seller or vice versa. I just choose to use my power as a consumer and not get it. Drewsrx & Sbcooke are right. Volvo XC90 and Honda Pilots are coming up. There's even a new Lexus in the horizon coming up Jan. next year. So the market SUV market is going to be more competitive.

    Get it next year, perhaps? When price is a little more flexible.
  • conradsmithconradsmith Member Posts: 10
    I'm afraid if you want to get a very good vehicle, you may have to pay MSRP. My wife and I spent much of fall 2000 shopping 'car-like' SUVs. All of the ones we liked (including the Volvo XC (probably XC70 now)) were in short supply and selling for MSRP. We decided to wait a year 'until the pipeline filled'. A year later the situation hadn't really changed. Some new models have come out and others have been announced, but if you want the 'best' car, you still have to wait and pay full price. Of course, if what you really want is one of the cars that they make a lot of and not enough people are buying, you can get a good deal. I wouldn't count on getting any deal on an XC90 (or Pilot). BTW, we really liked the XC (the leather seats were great), but the 'station wagon' cargo space won't really handle the type of shopping we do. The total space is fine, but it is shapped wrong. Of course, it may meet your needs exactly.
  • a2esqa2esq Member Posts: 26
    your state "I noticed that my gas mileage between refills is horrible, at around 14-17 according to the computer. We do a lot of local driving. I would like hear your experience."

    It's only estimated to get 17 in the city so 14-17 is not surprising. I think your experience is normal - typical mileage in the city is a bit less than the claimed 17. Highway is near or at the claimed 23. Overall, I think that's not bad for a mid-size SUV. Many competitors are worse.
  • leokadia1leokadia1 Member Posts: 94
    I am with you 100%. I tried over 30 dealers using their internet Quote process. Some respond with $1000.00 over MSRP, some as much a $3000.00 over MSRP. and a few at MSRP. One dealer E-Mail me today saying she has two MDX's available. I E-Mail my offer back on a base with NAV, $37,180.00 MSRP and I offered $35,000.00 out the door to her!!
  • mark189mark189 Member Posts: 107
    I'm considering trading my 2001 MDX for a new Pilot. I think I could get comparable performance, reliability, safety, and functionality (maybe even more interior space) for less money (assuming $25,000 to $27,000 or so for base).

    The resale should still be good now, and obviously that's an important factor for this to make sense.

    I think it's the older MDX's that will suffer once the Pilot is released, not the 2003/2004 MDX's. They will probably be upgraded to justify their price premium.
  • a2esqa2esq Member Posts: 26
    I would guess that by the time you add only a few minimal options and destination fee the Pilot will be $30K. If so, you may only save $5K (if price is a big consideration, I am assuming you bought a premium and not Navi or touring) and give up many options in the process. You know your needs better than me but going through the trade process and the certain wait time for the Pilot seems like a big pain to obtain a similar vehicle. Depending on when you bought, you may end up with a similar time when the warranty ends. Good luck.
  • mark189mark189 Member Posts: 107
    Personal needs are as big a factor as price. For my needs, I can get an 8th seat (I know they'll be small but I can't see ever having 8 adults in my suv)which would be great for my wife and four kids when the grandparents visit. On a more regular basis, I drive the car pool to school. Any extra room would be a big help there as well.

    Also, it would be a lot more practical for weekend trips to the beach and around town. Less worries about wear and tear.

    So my hopes are to get a vehicle that better fits my needs and maybe save $3,000 to $5,000.

    I might not be typical of current MDX owners, but I bet there are plenty of people who want the quality, safety, and performance offered by Honda, but aren't interested in the luxury upgrades of an MDX.

    Bottom line, I would have bought the Honda in the first place if it was offered in October, 2000.
  • mark189mark189 Member Posts: 107
    I forgot another reason to trade. I would hope to get a comfortable driver's seat, and I know I'm not alone with that complaint. That's reason enough to make this trade.
This discussion has been closed.

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