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Acura MDX (pre-2007)
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if so -- who did u work with??
thx
scott
The speakers are _J_U_N_K_ -- literally the kind of thinq that you'd expect only in a bottom of the line boombox from a no-name maker. Worse, they use low-impedence voice coils so that they can OVERSTATE the amp power (which means when you DO put quality speakers in you will need to upgrade amps too...).
Granted, the other features are not earth shattering, but the power passenger seat, memory system, auto wipers and similar trinkets just BELONG in a lux/near-lux vehicle...
All we have on paper is that the 2004's Touring System has been "improved." These improvements are all on paper and who knows what the audible result will be:
225 watts (up from 200)
"new tweeters"
new "high power neodymium magnets" in the front and rear doors for "higher output" and a "stronger and deeper bass"
higher power rear twiddler
It's still a Bose system ... you know the old saying: "no highs, no lows, it must be Bose!"
I think the stereo is good. I haven't spent a lot of time examining it, however I think it sounds decent and covers a pretty good range. Could it be better? Sure, but for a OEM setup it is decent.
http://hondanews.com/Forms/acura/*ws4d-db-query-Show.ws4d?*ws4d-d- b-query-Show***005163***-wieck_media***-***acura(directory)***.ws- 4d?acura/results(r)_text.html
Worth a call...
BTW, I am going to disagree with hopeitsfriday on audio power requirement.
First, the Bose rating is at 2 ohm, that is generally 4x the power required at 8ohm. Second, you have MORE speakers than a typical home stereo -- though it is only two channels of audio signal you have the rear seat speakers, the sub woofer, and 'twiddler' for the third row. Third you have road noise. Even with the moonroof shade closed and all the windows tightly closed there is more noise than most homes. Next, consider the less than optimal location of the speakers -- the front speakers are aimed basically at your shin. Consider too the highly padded/carpeted interior -- no way to get some 'reinforcement' from positioning speakers to fire from a hard surface. Finally, the power required to drive a small speaker in free air is very much higher than the power requirement of a large sealed box or horn driven speaker. Is 100W really needed? With optimal design that could be sufficient, but the real world shows more is better...
It doesn't matter if the system is 2 ohms, 4 ohms or 8 ohms. 100 watts is 100 watts. Since Watt=ohms * current square. If the wattage is the same and the ohms go down, the current must go up. Since speakers are inductive device, more current means better sound, and BTW, twiddler takes very little power to drive.
Of course more power is better, but what is enough for the average driver. I like to be able to close all my windows and hear a loud and distorsion free sounds from my speakers, thats all I am after. But if you are the type that like to hear very loud music with the windows open, very heavy bass so that the car next to you will hear loud and clear what you are hearing, then you will need 200 watts and more. The carpeting actually helps the accoustic, it prevents echos. As far as sealed box, there is very little air movement inside your car doors. A near optimal design audio system in the MDX would mean just better speakers. As far as the speaker location, you really dont want a 100 watt system blasting right next your ear.
I was going to say "leather seats", but I heard it's not all leather.
I can't believe they still keep on making that kind of seats on a luxury vehicle, or is it a luxury vehicle?
I noticed Lexus does not use dimple seats on their SUVs.
Who is actually saying this? Honda/Acura or somebody else?
I don't see anywhere on the Acura site that says the side curtain airbags are for ALL three rows of seating.
If they made side curtain airbags for the 3rd row, did they also make the 3rd row leather instead of polyester or whatever fake material they use?
Most manufacturers use leather on seating surfaces and different materials on the sides. I believe dimpling is more of an aesthetic item.
This is a Chicagoland dealer.
Transpower
Anybody doing better than this in Southern New England, I'm willing to travel upto 200 miles for better deal than this. I can give my mail id if someone has better offer...
What do you think?
Also, has anyone seen below MSRP in NJ/PA?
Thanks
I also have discovered that the rear side window behind the driver tends to rattle when the window is placed down by at least halfway. Has anyone else experienced this on their vehicle? I'm hoping that the dealer can correct this as well.
Transpower
A couple weeks ago I had a new transmission put in under warranty. The transmission was shaking at low speeds in 5th gear. Now the check engine light has been going on and off. Now, also, the VTM-4 light has also come on. There is 45000 miles on my 2001 MDX touring. The lease is up in December. I have an appointment next week but the dealer is 160 miles away. Another trip!! How much now???
I am NOT a happy camper... Something else for some of you to consider.....
Thanks for your post and please let us know the final outcome.
I think that the 2004 Pilot has this same transmission.
Starting with the 2003 model, the MDX got a new, redesigned, "compact" transmission. I've seen the schematics for it and it is dramatically different than the previous ones.
I've noted some problem reports on the 2001-2002 MDX transmission, as well as a few on '03's, but thus far I don't see any frequency similar to that afflicting the previous-generation TL and other problem models.
The second question is regarding color. Both my wife & I saw an MDX with the Sage Brush Pearl paint. We both liked the color but we where unable to see the interior color, being Quartz. I am looking for opinions as the dealer only has black, white or red with the black or sand combinations.
Regards,
Chris
We use the Nav frequently, mostly around town. Never expected to use it for anything but trips out of area, but find it very handy locally. It would be awkward for us to use a laptop for a nav unit and we don't need the laptop for DVD movies for young kids, so we prefer the factory installed unit.
Looked at a Prius the other day and would spend the extra money to have a Nav unit in it even though the MDX would remain our trip car. The only reason our PT GT doesn't have a nav unit now is that the Chrysler unit doesn't have a touch screen or voice commands (uses a joystick instead). The Chrysler nav is similar to the Acura nav. Both are Alpine and display the same as far as I can tell. Looks to me like they have the same or very similar data bases too.
In short, you can easily get along without a nav unit. However, I've found that once we started using one we want one in each car. A side benefit has been that it makes it much easier for our new teenage driver to find her way, especially at night.
The Nav is great and didn't think I'd use it, but for example, I went to my son's college parent weekend and thanks to the nav, we found our way to a fraternity dinner, a place to eat on Saturday on a whim, and where the closest ATM was.
Is it worth $2000? I don't know, but I'd surely buy it again and never a car again without it. Plus the MDX back-up camera comes in handy to see if obsticals are behind you or help with parallel parking.
I say go for Sage Brush and go for the navigation! ;-)
Do you find the information on the Nav DVD is accurate? Also I noticed the standard screens could not be seen if you are wearing polarized sunglasses. Does the voice command interface help or do you still need to use the touchscreen.
Regards,
Chris
metmdx
Also, for the 2004, has anyone noticed how the rims seemed to have a flat look to them?
Regards,
Chris
I notice that '04 touring model has drivers power lumbar. Does/Did '03's have power drivers lumbar or manual.
tia,
metmdx
metmdx
Has anyone else had this problem with their back windows? I havent't heard anything yet, but i may take it to another dealer for servicing if I hear it again.
I've had saddle colored interiors before and they tend to show a lot of dirt and wear, at least on the carpet and leather seats. And black is very dark and tends to show all the lint and hair on the carpet and get hot.
The Quartz is a tastefully done two-tone with black dashboard, steering wheel, etc with what I would call "gray" seats, but my wife insists on calling them light Quartz (She called the interior of our old mini van Taupe (which is what Chrysler called it) but I just called it gray. The interior is definitely lighter than Taupe.
The wood trim isn't a problem. The fake wood is what it is and it looks no worse in my opinion on any other color.
As for the navigation being up to date, I feel it is. It is missing some restaurants that have been around for a couple years and a new development built a two years ago isn't there, so I feel it's very comprehensive but not exactly 2004 material... more like 2002 material in terms of data.
I wish I could show you people pictures of the interior of my car at another website for the MDX but I guess I can't put in a link or refer to it.
Maybe go to a search engine and look around.
The extended warranty effectively covers UP TO 3 years (5-7) and 50,000 miles (50k to 100k). That $1,680 seems like a high price for covering a period between when any intial bugs or defects would have surfaced (and been covered by the standard warranty) but long before a vehicle like an Acura MDX would/should show serious wear.
I have a 1995 Maxima that, between 3 yrs/36k miles and 7yrs/100k miles had absolutely no repairs that would have been covered under warranty. I would think the current crop of high quality Japanese cars and SUV's would have relatively little probelms between 50k and 100k, especially considering that to get to 100k in 7 years, you likely need to do a fair amount of low stress highway driving. If you were offered a 10 year/120k mile extended warranty for the same price and you were doing a lot of stop and go driving, I would have a different opinion.
Extended warranties are a great money maker for the issuer. I believe I saw a Consumer Reports article that indicated fewer than 30% of buyers have any claim under the extended warranty and fewer than 10% have claims that exceed the amount they originally paid. The article suggested that 90%+ of buyers would have been much better off to have put the money in a bank account; especially Japanese model buyers.
I would buy an Acura MDX (or Honda Pilot) in part because of their strong reputation for durability and reliability. If I really thought I needed an extended warranty to protect me from 50 to 100k miles, I'd probably be looking at a different vehicle.
P.S. A friend who owns a 1997 E420 paid a similar amount ($2,100) for an extended warranty that covered the replacement of his transmission and other odds and ends that would have cost him over $5,000. But that's a $50k Mercedes with a reputation for needing expensive repairs.
I had very good luck with both extended warranty on my last 2 vehicles. A 96 jeep grand cherokee and a 89 Toyota 4 runner. Or should I say bad luck, both vehicle got repairs over the extended warranty price. The jeep's about $2000 over and the 4 runner about a $600 over. One have to keep in mind that these 4 wheel drive vehicles are very expensive to fix. Usually, 1 major or 2 minor repairs will put you over that extended warranty price. I bought the extended warranty for my 03 MDX as well. I got a good deal, 7 years, 80000 miles for $1150. The salesman was a friend of mine.