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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Steve
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Would YOU pay $32,000 for a 2 year old MDX with 22,000 miles?
If it were me, I'd rather buy a shiny new one for $35,000. I'd know it was broken in properly, never taken off-road, never in an accident, and as an added bonus, I would have a FULL warranty and won't experience as much road/wind noise, weeping mirrors, or sloshing fuel...
There may be a high line used car dealer in your area that might give you more than the Honda or Acura dealer..Try Carmax too, they pay more than any dealer in my area, sometimes more than NADA 'Loan'.
The reason I bought a brand new '02 3 months ago was because I could not justify buying a used for only $3-$5K less than a new one...But that's what they go for..
Do a search on Edmunds for Trade-in and you will comeup with a great discussion with the brentwoodvolvo guys that will tell you what trade-in price you should get since that's what price they can get it at the auction. The guys are right on.
Car seats: 3 car seats will fit in the second row. We did a test months ago and yes, 3 fit. Two should be fine. Remember to put towels under the car seats to prevent them rubbing a permant mark/hole in the leather (friend found out the hard way).
I bet it goes for $30K
There is a person on e-bay who sells an "electric supercharger" for $41.00 + $20.00 shipping.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1845990476
The Manufacturer, Attwood, sells the same unit (it's a marine turbo blower) for $18.59.
http://www.iboats.com/products/7/2486_attwood_turbo_blowers.html
Remember what P.T. Barnum said...
I am awaiting arrival of a 2003 Touring. Placed the original order in May, but after hearing about many possible upgrades, decided to wait for the newer version.
Any Questions for a Car Dealer?
They're very helpful in there, plus there's a fun thread on odometer rollbacks from a couple of days ago (the 22nd).
Steve
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SUVs, Vans and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards
In the states that allow it, the trade-in value of your old vehicle is deducted from the total sales price on the new vehicle BEFORE sales tax is computed. So if you buy the vehicle in a state that allows this practice, here's an example:
New MDX, before sales tax: $40,000
Your trade-in car is appraised at: $10,000
So you would pay the state sales tax on the net amount of $30,000 ($40k less $10k)
If you buy in a state that does NOT allow this practice, you pay tax on the entire $40,000 -- THEN you get to deduct your $10k trade.
So your savings, in "good" states, is sales tax on the value of your trade. In the example above, with a state sales tax of 7%, you would save $700 ($10,000 x 7%).
Hope this helps.
Steve
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SUVs, Vans and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards
There's a chance you can still get your vehicle by Thanksgiving if your order is entered into September's ordering period but there's no guarantee because of delivery times.
2003 changes are still not officially announced. The only ones that I (personally, JMHO) would consider confirmed by highly reliable sources are some new color changes, availability of the rear-entertainment system, no Navi availability with the base anymore, and some new Acura accessories (luggage basket, rooftop box, and a hitch mounted bicycle carrier). Everything else is still rumor.
Good luck.
That's what I did. That lets the dealer get it in to Acura, but still protects you if any surprises. I think the changes are well worth the wait.
Thanks to "rn4fun" for information about the Colorado dealer. He is an easy guy to deal with. I put $500 fully returnable deposit and I will be paying MSRP. My "Touring" will be available around Mid Oct and if I order "Touring with Navi", it would be sometime in Nov since Acura is working new voice activated, redesigned Navigation system.
I test drove the 2002 MDX Base model and I found quite a lot of road noise (with windows closed). I am not sure, I may be wrong, but looks like I find it less noise in my 98 Explorer - Eddie Bauer Edition. My salesman told me that "Touring" would reduce the road noise significantly with 17" Touring alloy wheels. Is it true? I hope he is right! Any comments from 02 owners here?
I still couldn't choose from Silver/Ebony and Mesa Beige Metallic/Ebony(?) Btw, Does the 03 comes with Mesa Beige with Ebony?
I don't think the Touring wheels will make much difference in the noise, but the tires might. Most folks (not all) think that the Michelin Cross Terrains are quieter than the Goodyear Integrity's that come on the Base. But there's been some disagreement on this, too.
http://makeashorterlink.com/?I50F23F91
Michelin Cross Terrains Tirerack rating scroll down
http://makeashorterlink.com/?V4EE25F91
It appears that there is a difference between the two tires as far as road noise is concerned, although it doesn't seem to be much difference.
INKY
Thanks
I bought a Crv for my daughter on ebay and am becoming a fan of buying used cars coming off of lease on Ebay.
The internet makes this process a lot easier and beneficial. You're searching nationwide. You can use Carfax to make sure it's not salvage and has a clean title. You can even arrange an inspection. Also, discount airlines make flying one way to pick up a car cheaper.(Alternatively, cars can be shipped)
The concern is reliability. Well, if it's a Honda/Acura, that's less of a concern. But let's say you want to play it safe:
You pay:
$ 200 to have it inspected.
$1,500 for an extended warranty
$ 400 for new tires and alignment
$ 400 for paint touch up
So you pay an extra $2,500 and get a car at a big discount vs. new, but is close to new. I say close to new, because 40,000 extra miles on a vehicle that should provide 200,000 miles of trouble free driving is not a big issue.
BTW: No dealer prep or document fees either.
My point is, those of you complaining about arrogant dealers, mark-ups over MSRP, and long waiting lists, now have a viable alternative.
I saw the Honda website where they show colors on the Odyssey, but I can't seem to get a good close up photo.
Thanks!
"The Acura MDX has the best bumpers of any midsize SUV the institute has ever tested," says Adrian Lund, chief operating officer for IIHS.
For more info...
http://moneycentral.msn.com/articles/insure/basics/7648.asp
Also, how difficult was the installation and do you need to utilize the dealer for any wiring issues.
Thanks for your help.
Have 2002 Touring Navi. Ordered in January and arrived in March. Can't complain about the road noise as it is less than the 01 S-Type 4.0 traded in. Wish I could have waited for an 03 but the value of the Jag was dropping like a rock. I found a couple of Acura dealers that do not ask over sticker. Service from the dealer is mediocre, but things eventually get done and they do provide a free loaner.
The added power from the 03 larger engine is definitely needed on freeway hills. Rain sensing wipers (had them on other cars) are fine, but Acura needs to increase the speed of the wipers for heavy rain.
Hard to imagine a better Navi system than the one I have now. I have yet to have to reprogram on the fly so voice activation for 03 seems unimportant for me. I plan on getting an upgraded DVD to keep track of the new roads in my area.
Happy to hear that a vehicle stability system is coming. While I haven't had a need for it with the MDX, the one on the Jags (00 and then an 01) did come in handy in the rain.
I like the idea of a reverse sensing system (both Jags had it), But I'd prefer to look in the direction of car movement, rather than forward at the 03's nav screen while backing.
Overall my 02 is quieter than expected and very comfortable. Have had to use the third row many times and there have been no complaints from the third row passengers (high schoolers).
Initial build quality less than expected but not terrible either.
Saw comments earlier in topic from a poster that feels his is a lemon. Each state has different lemon law definitions and requirements for repurchase or replacement. I heard many lemon law cases in California (arbitration) and my experience indicates car manufactures tend to ease up with respect to taking care of the customer when their products are not selling well or are trying to build market share, but tend to get arrogant and seem uncaring when they have a hot seller. The MDX is a hot seller.
http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/2002/03/01/third-row.htm
Interesting, but it makes sense. Would you put someone in the rear of a Stationwagon? The third row seats are so close in these midsized-utes to the rear hatch, the headrests are in reality, 12-18" from the rear of the vehicle... I don't have a third row seat in my TB, but I don't have kids either... Just checking out how you guys/gals like your MDX's. Eventually want to pick one up, but I think I'll live with my TB until the price gauging subsides a little more...(when I bought my TB 09/01, the MDX's were going for like 7k above MSRP? dang. I believe in this article they also note that since there is no "standard" for rear seat stability, frame support, etc. and that is something that they are trying to do in the federal government. Hope this helps.
IMO, I think the Volvo XC90 (out of the current midsize SUVs) might be the only SUV that has safe third-row seats. The Volvo XC90 website has some videos about their third-row seating. See Volvo XC90 videos for the video about the 3rd row of seats. But of course, real-world data, when available, should be looked at for actual application. On paper, it looks safe, but I guess we'll see if it is.
But, as much as possible, I would not seat anyone in the 3rd row, if I can. To me, flexible 3rd row seating just means that I can haul more cargo when not using the 3rd row of seats.
I think some of the anti-SUV lobby gets into this too. Frankly, the rear-end issue can be as bad if not worse for 2+2 hatchbacks and many smaller vehicles with little space behind the rear seat. Plus they ride lower and are lighter, and would be damaged even worse in a rear-ender. But that's not always mentioned.
"And though the third-row seat places occupants just inches away from the rear window and tailgate, Acura says the MDX is able to withstand a 35-mph rear collision without intrusion into the third-row passenger compartment. Bumper heights have been designed for compatibility with those of passenger cars, and MDX's wide track and relatively low center of gravity mean that it's probably more stable than many sport-utilities (the NHTSA had also not calculated a rollover rating for the MDX as of this writing)."
Factors beyond just the rear crumple zone and the third row include:
1) Headrest and other anti-whiplash measures.
2) Strong seat frames and pivot points.
3) Fuel tank protection.
The current NHTSA standard for the strength of seats in a collision seems strong, but I believe it falls short of European standards. Indeed, both Volvo and Mercedes-Benz have recommended to the NHTSA that they significantly increase the standard based on their own safety research. Both Volvo and MB have been designing their seats to meet or exceed the higher proposed standard.
Some of you may have seen various media reports that demonstrate what can happen in a rear-ender. Sometimes the seat bends, sometimes breaks, or just collapses, and sometimes the front occupants then slide up against the ceiling or the rear, or even injure the rear passengers. There have been a number of class-action and individual lawsuits brought against a variety of domestic and Japanese manufacturers, asserting that their seats were not strong enough in a serious accident. However, those seats meet the federal standard, and I doubt if those cases were proven against the makers.
I don't know if Acura or other manufacturers have significantly strengthened their seats beyond NHTSA standards; one can only hope so. Meanwhile, Volvo has come up with new designs including seats that can deform up to 50% to absorb collision forces without breaking. I believe the XC90 will have seats similar to what was originally introduced in 1998 with the S80.
Whiplash protection is important too. The MDX's headrests aren't particularly good (see the IIHS ratings which are based on static measurements). Volvo has all sorts of anti-whiplash measures, including a seat that prevents submarining and tries to articulate the occupant in a crash, and headrests that work well and cradle the heat to support it in a collision.
Again, this may sound all negative on the MDX, and I would say again that I think the MDX is safe. I'm just saying that if you're worried about rear-enders, please at least consider the various rear-collision safety issues. I'm also not saying go out and buy a Volvo, just that if your level of expectation requires absolute safety (at the expense of some other issues), it's hard to beat the XC90 and M-class.