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Acura MDX (pre-2007)
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Did they tell more about the problem? What about your fuel/driving habits?
More info is appreciated.
I need to decide whether to buy the car (at about $23,000, including a mileage penalty) or get something else.
Anyone have thoughts on the likely reliability of the car, for the next three years, if I drive around 12k/year? So far, all I've done is change the tires, and Hondas I know can go for many hundreds of thousands of miles. Anyone know of sites or articles on long-term reliability of MDXs?
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
In other words, if either I or Acura were to turn around and sell the MDX with 75K miles on the open market, we could only hope to receive somewhere around $23,000 (more in Acura's case if they add a pre-owned certification and warranty extension).
In contrast, the market cost for a dealer-sold 2001 MDX with around 36,000 miles would be approximately $27,500.
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I've been asking a lot of questions before purchase, didn't like the resonance at 2000rpm (too annoying, especially for a luxury vehicle). I'm going to wait for 05 model hopefully they'll either go back to single exhaust or figure out the resonating noise.
Don't get me wrong, I'm in the market for an SUV and the MDX is still on my list but I'm starting to lean more towards the Lexus RX330 if I purchase before the 05's. If I wait til 05 the MDX will be my choice if they can quiet down the exhaust noise!
As for stereo quality, I dunno . .. how sensitive are your ears??? some folks can't tell a rich stereo from a single speaker AM radio (my dad's a prime example)! IMO that's a matter of personal preference.
Also, I think you're gonna be hard pressed to find a Base model to look at, unless the dealer has on going out to a customer - most dealers' I've visited only have a loaded Touring model for a demo, and slim pickin's in stock to look at. . ... Good luck.
I have the 2003 MDX and I love it. It's a great car. Handles extremely well for such a big car, not as luxurious as, say a Lexus, but the interior is well laid out and the seats are firm and comfortable (Both wife and I have done long drives in the MDX and have been completely comfortable). Gas mileage is among best in class and its build quality and reliability have been superb.
There's always a chance of a lemon, but with an Acura, the chances of getting a lemon are really small.
Regarding the 2004 edition, it has 5 more HP and I think better power lumbar seats and an extra set of side curtain airbags, thicker and better quality sound dampening materials, but it's widely reported that there is a humming noise due to something with the dual exhaust system. I heard there is a fix on the way and once they get that resolved, the 2004 should be even better than the 2003 edition.
If you want the MDX real bad and don't need to upgrade right away, I'd wait for the fix to come out. If you need a new car ASAP, IMO, I'd get another car or find the 2003 edition and see if you can get it at a discount.
I think 04 loaded MDX will cost $43k or so and that's too much to pay for a car with a humming noise problem.
If this rumor is true, then even if the MDX you purchase has the humming noise (and it seems a good percentage have them going by what's on the Edmunds boards and other Acura MDX fan sites), when Acura comes out with the fix it's a simple matter for the dealer to replace the part.
If this rumor were true, and since you can buy a fully loaded MDX for significantly off MSRP, I'd do the deal, suffer with the humming noise for a short time until the fix came in.
Problem is, there is no way to know for sure whether the rumor is true.
I'd go to your dealer and ask him about whether Acura has the fix yet for the humming noise and get him to write that into the sales contract (i.e., you have the right to return the car if they can't fix the humming noise within 3 months).
If dealer is willing to do that then it means Acura does have the fix and it will just take them time to get enough replacement parts and distribute them.
If dealer isn't willing to do this, it's an indication that Acura still hasn't found the fix yet.
Good luck. If you can get MDX for significant off MSRP and it doesn't have the humming noise, it's a great vehicle.
In my experience, the MDX Navigation System works 20 out of 21 times I try it; thus it's very accurate. As for the specific address, just type in (or say for the newer models) the number after you type in (or say) the street name.
Transpower
So for the newer models, you can just say an entire address and the navi will recognize it?
He also said that Acura did not have a fix yet.
My only complaint is the floor mats. I think I am going to invest in husky-liners for next winter.
BTW I tried to pay attention to humming or not humming in my '02...At some speeds I did notice more noise, similar to what is described in the '04, but it wasn't consistent or very loud and at higher speeds it went away. So this could either be a similar thing with the exhaust or just how the engine/exhaust sounds. I could only really hear it if I was listening for it. I would be interested to compare it to the noise an '04 makes.
Sounds like your 02 hums like mine. Above 85, right up to the speed limiter, there is no hum. Nor is there any below 76. In between, sometimes there is none, but usually there is some, but never very loud.
I will say that I am going to replace my '01 MDX later this year and the distance issue is weighing on my mind as this dealer will not travel for pick-up on service related issues. Not sure what I will do but I live in a small rural town with few choices for autos. Other competitor dealers will pick up and deliver to owners here locally, from 60 plus miles so that may sway my decision their way.
-Oil Change
-Rotate tires
-Change differential fluid (I fall into extreme driving conditions with lots of stop and go)
-Adjust parking brake
-Check transmission fluid level
One dealer I called changes the transmission fluid? I think that probably isn't required? Opinions? Anything I am missing?
Tire wear has been outstanding on mine. First rotation done at 20K. Difference in wear between front and back only 3 32nds.
My cabin air filter (the one behind the glove box) was getting rather dirty at 20K. Probably would have made 30K. Engine air filter rather dirty too. More dirt than expected on both and probably due to ash and such from the SoCal fires last year.
Parking brake works fine at 23K with no adjustment.
Drain and fill tranny fluid at 20K or so isn't a bad idea, or flush and replace every 50K or so. I usually go the flush route between 50 and 60K.
Make sure to check spare tire pressure.
A good tire /wheel store can help you. Going to a plus 3 size (20 inch) wheel/tire combination usually results in a significantly harsher ride. Plus 1, 18 inch wheel/tires for the MDX, will usually not make the ride much harsher and will usually make the vehicle more responsive to steering input. Too much wheel/tire can actually make handing worse unless the suspension is also modified.
The Michelin Cross Terrain tires that came on my MDX wear quite well and ride well too. Grip is another story. They feel fine at normal speeds but don't stop or stick well with aggressive driving. However, they have been very good in the rain. Keep in mind that great handling and stopping power frequently means more rapid tire wear.
I'm looking for some help from people with baby car seats in the MDX.
I'm very close to getting an MDX for my wife. We have a little one on the way (first one) and I was wondering how we would configure a baby car seat...
I know we want the car seat in the middle seat in the 2nd row. Will this setup block access to the 3rd row. If so, can I put it on the passenger side and still access the 3rd row from the drivers side?
My wife's sister is also pregnant and I could see us putting in a second car seat every so often, so we can all travel together... what would be the best way for two car seats and still have access to the 3rd row? Can the car seats fit next to each other in the 2nd row.
Thank you
If you use a latch compatible seat (a lot of people here use a Britax seat) it will either have to be behind passenger or driver, for rear facing most likely passenger so you can still have full range of motion for the driver's seat. We used a graco rear facing and moved up to the Britax when it was time to turn the baby around.
With multiple kids, we find putting the kids on either side is best, it minimizes toy grabbing, pinching, etc. My wife sits in the middle seat. The seat is pretty wide and 3 can sit across the second row seat easily (even with 2 car seats).
There is no latch for the middle spot, though a conventional seat would fit in the middle attached via the shoulder belt with another one on either side. Latch is so much easier to get secure than the standard hookups that I will only use those types in the MDX. So for us the middle wasn't really an option for baby seats. Boosters are fine in the middle since they don't need to be secured to the car.
I say 18" is probably best. That's my plan as soon as I can come up with the cash to pay for them. You're right about the stock rims being ugly. I thought that from the first, but it's the one thing you can change about the car to make it that much better. Just don't go too big and don't listen to the guy trying to sell you some 20's - remember he will not driving it, you will!
You have the right idea of having your child in the middle of the second row, which is the safest position.
For a single baby seat, you should be able to put it in the middle row and still have access to the third row. When you fold down the passenger side of the second row to gain access to the back, there may be some brushing against the seat but it should still fold. "Should" because this may be influenced by the seat you get. You can go to a place like Babies'R'Us and they'll let you try the seats before buying.
With the above configuration, a passenger can sit pretty comfortably to the right of the infant, and somewhat comfortably to the left (again, depends on the width of the seat).
As sbcooke mentioned, there are no LATCH anchors for the middle of the second row (not many vehicles have them there, sadly). There are two alternatives here for installation. You can use a belted installation. While it's less convenient to set up, when properly done it is as secure (if not more so) than a LATCH install. The middle belt does come down from the roof and at first I was concerned that it'd interfere with rearward visibility. However, in practice I don't even notice that it's there.
Alternatively, if the carseat permits it (usually best to call the manufacturer), you may be able to use LATCH from the middle position by connecting to the two inboard LATCH anchors of the outboard seating positions. However, if you do this you will not be able to LATCH a second seat into the outboard positions.
When you do have to put a second seat in the vehicle, you might be okay putting it to the left of the center seat. Again, this will depend on the width of the seat (some infant seats are quite bulky on the sides). That would retain access to the third row. Installing it to the right of the center seat would provide more room but make third row access less convenient.
Again, congratulations!
Unfortunately I couldn't see the picture, but I believe you said you saw an attachment point on the back of the center of the second row. This is a top-tether anchorage point, and it is for all three seating positions in the second row, and there are also two for the third row.
The LATCH points refer to the Lower Anchors that are located at the base of the seat (between the seatback and the seat cushion). As far as I know (though I'd love to be mistaken), the MDX has only two pairs in the second row.
LATCH seats attach using those lower anchor points. Very few rear-facing seats use the top-tether anchors (with some notable exceptions -- though they still require a LATCH or belt installation to secure at the bottom). Usually they're for forward-facing child seats, belted or LATCHed in, to secure the top of the seat (a strap comes out near the top of the child seat, over the seatback, and clips onto the top tether anchor and tightened).
If there isn't a Babies'R'Us near you, it is possible that a Toys'R'Us might have a similar policy, or at least a very liberal return policy. Better baby-specialty stores also let you test-fit seats.
I think I will most likely use the center position with the belt.
The nearest Babies-R-US is 115 miles away...
I will check out Toy-R-US.
I love'n our MDX! Awesome in so many ways!!!
-James
However, most speculation has a redesigned MDX coming in 2005 as a 2006 model. The idea is that the redesigned Odyssey will debut this year as a 2005, and the MDX that will be based on it will come after a year.
We'll see if this really happens. Sometimes Honda/Acura doesn't do the logical thing.
Can someone help me with this or have a pic of how the brushed metal-look trim looks like?
Thanks in advance.