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Acura MDX (pre-2007)
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Since they're the only MDX dealer local to me (NH) I've decided to check out a high end Pilot. From what I've read, it's a little larger inside then the MDX and has the same engine. I expect to pay MSRP and heard the price will range from $26K to $34K. I don't expect there to be a huge amount of difference between the two vehicles and was curious what the MDX owners thought of me going for the Pilot.
While I have not been able to see one in person, I have seen a lot of pictures of both the inside and outside of the Pilot. Here are my impressions.
First, regarding exterior looks instead of looking like the Honda version of the MDX, it looks much more like a CRV on steroids. It really does not look much like the MDX.
Interior, the panel layout is nothing like the MDX. The gear shift is on the panel and the other controls look nothing like the MDX. It is much more spartan looking than the MDX.
While I think the Pilot will be a great vehicle, I think after spending time in an MDX it would be hard to go to the Pilot.
Just my $.02....Good Luck.
MIKEinTN
Thanks for your feedback. I definitely concur with your first statement about the exterior. I was disappointed by the Pilot's looks. It certainly doesn't grab me. I guess I'm hoping that I can get most everything the MDX has (Honda quality and build) for less money and less hassles from my arrogant Acura dealer. My current vehicle (ML 320) is hardly luxurious inside so maybe I won't notice any drop off. I guess I owe myself one more test drive of the MDX before I commit either way.
The X5 clearly accelerates much better than the MDX even though they both go 0-60 in 8.1 sec.
When sitting in the X5 and looking into the cargo area in the back compared to the MDX, I do not feel a great difference of 13 CF. So utility comparison is unnoticeable.
As for the sunroof and and leather seats. I have to say you will pay a little more for the X5 versus the MDX (full loaded), but I think if you are looking for a vehicle between $45-$50K. X5 performs much better in both handling and acceleration which a major influence for me in purchasing a vehicle. I do not like dull vehicles. Other SUV options are such as ML500 is too pricey for SUV. Rather spend the money on a sports/luxury sedan.
I guess I feel this way is because I have always drive sports sedan with good acceleration and handleing performance and paying MSRP for an MDX does make the decision not to buy it. If it was selling say $500 above invoice then maybe since it is a good value (I have never passed up a good value, i.e., my username is low_ball) even performance is lacking.
I will test drive other sport SUV's that are coming out before I buy.
Thanks for all your comments.
Low Ball went you fine an Acura Dealer that will sell you a 2002 MDX for $500.00 over invoice, please let me know. I will be on the first flight out of Newark NJ to that dealer!!!!!!
Low Ball even way back in 1990 I paid $200.00 over cost for the Accord.
"Other SUV options are such as ML500 is too pricey for SUV. Rather spend the money on a sports/luxury sedan."
If the X5 you're looking at is $45k-$50k as you say (depends how you option it out), you might be surprised. The ML500 with a very high level of equipment (Bose, bi-xenons, memory seats, and comes with nav standard) lists right at $50k. It can get pricier if you buy the sport package for it and/or add on the third-row seat option. But the discounts on the vehicle are usually pretty good around the country. Doesn't have the great styling of the X5, but it'll blow the doors off
the X5 when it comes to acceleration. And it's more of a true SUV than the X5 (and the MDX, for that matter). When you tack on the sport package to the X5, its bad-weather capability goes down because of the tires. Though probably not a problem if you live in a temperate climate.
Good luck!
I also found and unsold white touring at another dealer in Arkansas and was immediately offered $500 discount (bad color?) 300 miles some demo drives. So I have a 02 Odyssey EX cloth and buy and sell alot. Anyhow, I was going to buy premium and sell privately but for the heck of it asked for a trade bid on the Honda. Was concerned about prices falling since some are finding Odyssey discounts. But anyhow, told the dealer I would give him $10,000 plus my 02 EX Odyssey! This must have been a close deal since lots of dragging but it did happen. Now, this was what they called an unexpected allocation but they had to have discounted the new one to make the deal.
A $26,000 trade allowance on the 02 odyssey on the MDX with those options looked good to me.
Odyssey was of course perfect and not readily available. Worth it to me. Nice ride.
Too bad my wife is biggest user!
INKY4 previous inky but somehow lost password.
Good job on the trade. That is one thing I have found that Acura dealers ususally don't budge much on the price of the MDX but they are very compeditive on the trades. My acura dealer stuck on MSRP, but gave me $4000 more on my trade than the Chevy or Jeep dealers were wanting to do. I am not sure if they padded the trade with discounts on the MDX or actually wanted my trade.
Either way we got great deals and you will be more pleased with the MDX than any other vehicle you could drive. They are outstanding.
MIKEinTN
Anyhow anyone
know the links for good prices acura parts and accessories.
INKY4
He's the best!
Also has anyone upgraded their tires to a larger tire or wheel on the MDX. I mean not to the point where it looks like a dune buggy, but only where the tire is even with the edge of the wheel well and not poking out.
Same period last year 10,700 were made.
this is why so many mystery allocations.
since I was offered a $500 discount on a white one Monday. I wonder. Is white that bad or are prices soon to come down.
INKY
INKY
I think once the Honda plant in Huntsville, Alabama comes on line it will take some of the strain off of the Canada plant. The Huntsville plant will not make MDXs, but Odyssey, freeing up space for the Canada plant to make more MDXs. I think Acura/Honda likes building vehicles where the demand is more than supply, unlike GM/Jeep/Dodge/Ford where they have to resort to deep discounts to get the customers. Frankly, I don't want to see the number of MDXs on the road as Exploders, Jeeps, TrailBlazers, and Tahoes. I prefer to see only a few MDXs out there, so we retain some of the uniqueness of owning them.
I doubt you'll see prices get to where you see much pricing below MSRP, although you will probably see the premiums above MSRP start to disapate. I've seen many postings on here and other sites where people, including myself, have paid MSRP.
Good post.
MIKEinTN
I've seen plenty of photos of MDX's with 18", 19", and even 20" wheels. Obviously you have to get new wheels. The folks who are really into fancy wheels often complain that the MDX needs larger ones (than the 17" ones it already has).
But the direction of the wind can always shift, and it may yet happen. As it is, I think that vaunted Japanese quality (e.g. Toyota and Honda and their luxury marques) hasn't been as stellar as it has been in the last few years. I think they, along with other manufacturers, are taking fairly aggressive measures at cost-cutting both what is in the vehicle and what it takes to build it. Unfortunately I don't have faith in most of the current American automaker management, which has bungled one opportunity after another.
Sadly, that rude, greedy salesperson will then be at the American car dealership, they'll just move over from the Acura shop!
I've seen some criticisms of the white MDX. "Marshmallow" was the most negative. But I've also seen a lot of positive comments about the white, just as I've seen raves on Granite Green (which has a tendency to change its color slightly depending on lighting), Redrock Pearl, and Silver. I don't see a lot of green MDX's, though.
I am now a proud owner of a Black MDX that is stunning. With a fresh coat of wax on it the black looks wonderful.
MIKEinTN
Where???
Again dealer claimed many extra allocations of unsold MDX's. I took MB but would still like to see how white looks. I had taffeta white on civic and was concerned that the pure white was too much. I think Acura MDX deserves pearl white. RX 300 looks great in that color.
INKY have not seen white-so I have no real opinion.
Mesa Beige seems to be a rarer color on MDX's, at least in my area.
MIKEinTN: Ah, I think black is always the best color for most vehicles, as long as it's clean. Get a really good wax job and it and it's stunning.
James
INKY
I do remember back to the day when I walked out the dealer's door to see my white 'X for the first time and I instantly knew that I had to get the body side mouldings on it (which I did myself in about 10 minutes after ordering them from HONDACURAWORLD....). The expanse of the doors seemed SO stark without them. They are my absolute favorite upgrade that I have made to my 'X so far.
Weather allowing I will be putting on my second coat of wax on the Black Beauty this weekend.
MIKEinTN
I am currently searching the country for an unclaimed MDX. Many of the ones that are available are touring models. I'm questioning if the $2600 premium for the touring package is worth it? I personally think the MDX looks much sportier without the roof rack. The one or two times a year that you might need a rack can be done with a Thule system. Does power passenger seat, cd changer, and mirror memory really make for a better driving experience?
James
PS. Inky, thanks for the lead.
I was really on the fence about this, but now that I have the touring edition, I am glad I did. Here's why:
1. I really like the Michelins and the rims, they look very good.
2. The Bose upgrade is very good. I especially like the 6 in dash CD changer. There have been many debates about the quality of this stereo. While I am not a stereo expert, I think the sound is very good and I am very glad I have it. I spend a lot of time on the road, so the very good stereo system is worth a lot to me.
3. Memory Seats. I am 6', my wife is 5', so the memory seats are great.
4. Roof rack standard. I think the MDX looks better with the roof rack.
5. Some neat features, such as the right side mirror drops down when you put the MDX in reverse, to let you see the curb when you are parking. A neat feature.
Are any of these features worth the $2600? No way. Are they worth it in combination? Tough call, but for my money it was worth it.
Either way you are getting a wonderful vehicle.
MIKEinTN
I think the MDX will be fine for the long trips to grandma since you'd fold down the third row and get quite a bit of cargo room (useable room, too). I've seen plenty of owners say that works well.
However, for a carpool of more than five, or if you think you may outgrow it, you might want to err on the side of caution and look toward the Sequoia. It's a fine vehicle with different characteristics than the MDX.
Cargo room needs are hard to predict for buyers because everyone has different needs. After all, there are families of four or five who do fine in mid-sized station wagons (or even smaller), without having to resort to an SUV or minivan. Then there are some families who need copious amounts of room.
Good luck!
That said, I wouldn't have bought an MDX without the Touring. I like the seat memory a lot. The tilt-down passenger-side mirror is great for parallel parking in a large vehicle. I think the Michelin Cross Terrains are great (though one can buy a base and upgrade).
I concur with Mike, the MDX's CD changer is terrific. True in-dash CD changer, without having to use magazines (just slip CD's into the slot). Like most Bose auto systems, the overall sound quality isn't audiophile-quality, but it's decent enough. And I like having the CD changer right in the dash to insert CD's, without having to have it under the seat, or, like in other vehicles, hidden in the glove compartment taking up room, or hiding in the cargo area.
Like most of its competitors, the MDX's audio system is hard / expensive to replace with a third-party system so I like the system that comes with the Touring.
On the negative side, the MDX's roof rack isn't that great. Pain in the rear for some users, though after some time people have gotten some carriers onto it (though beware getting a tailgate deflector!). I have seen some folks remove the rack from the Touring even, it's actually not too hard to do and they put in rubber grommets or something to seal up the holes.
I have found a blemish on bumber (indentation and rub marks on front driver side bumber) This is where you find out how good a dealer is. I took delivery in pouring rain Monday and detail was a due out. So I have good recourse on this I hope.
Now it is an issue between sales manager and service manager. Reason is clear--who did the damage -1 transit 2 dealer prep 3 By salemen.
Owners manual in warranty section is kind enough to say if you find paint problems bring to dealers attention ASAP which I did.
Never buy a car in the rain! My mistake. My lesson learned. I just assumed and you know what assuming does.
BTW went 250 miles yesterday with a 40 mph north headwind and yep that was not a good experience.
Wanted to check fuel economy (20.3 for that journey at 65 mph).
Does every one you Honda 5w20 oil or something else?
INKY
I have found a dealer in Kansas City with a few unclaimed vehicles coming in early April. He claims they are having 40 MDXs delivered in april because of their high sales volume, the largest in the midwest.
It's MSRP plus the cost of rear mud flaps and lock nuts. He also wants to charge me 149.95 for a dealer prep fee. What's that all about? Is that mandatory for all Acuras?
James
Alternatively, here is a direct link to page 3:
http://www.acuramdx.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=3595&perpage=15&pagenumber=3