| srpbep |
| Thanks for sharing ... a good review for a "less that premium luxury vehicle" ... I would tend to agree with the author. It is a good vehicle (above average, but not great). |
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| DaleB |
| Very objective and complete review. Well done, I would say. |
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| vicpai |
......did an EXCELLENT job! I'm very impressed by the fact that they praised the MDX for it's virtues, and at the same time pointed out it's negatives as well, in a totally unbiased and fair way :29:
You never find too many unbiased people these days. It boggles my mind how so many car magazine reviewers (worthless trash) praise the Lexus RX 330 as being "whisper quiet", "ultra quiet", "library quiet", "butter-smooth, quiet as a morgue" etc. etc. etc. Wonder if these MORONS are driving the same RX 330 I test drove 5 times OVER AND OVER AND OVER to make sure I wasn't seeing things, or more appopriately, hearing things :rolleyes: This ENGINE produces a nasty, raspy, unrefined, chain-saw-like noise on hard acceleration. Even under moderate acceleration it's quite noisy, and it's ENGINE is much much more noiser than the previous generation RX 300 :confused: :eek: :eek: .......makes me wonder EXACTLY WHAT these reviewers are getting :27: in exchange for their comments :rolleyes: ........it's seems like this unrefined, rough and noisy nature is a trait with all the new Toyota VVT-i V6 engines!! (I also noticed this in the new Toyota 4-Runner V6, and the new '04 Sienna which has the same V6 as in the RX 330) |
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| Jim03MDX |
Good review but this part about a dealer installed 6-disc is incorrect. Maybe he assumed it was dealer installed since it was under the seat but it's standard w/Touring and that is the factory installed location when you have the RES.
The Midnight Blue Pearl MDX (base price: $35,700) we tested was "blinged" out with the Touring Package (+ $2600), DVD Entertainment System ($1500), and the Voice Activated Navigation System ($2200) as factory options. The sticker on all that rang up to $42,500. In addition, nearly a week after I took delivery of the MDX, I discovered a dealer-installed 6-disc CD changer underneath the driver's seat. Equipped as such, the grand total would have you knocking on the door of 43 large. And people are buying as many as Honda can build. |
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| DaleB |
quote:
Originally posted by Jim03MDX
Good review but this part about a dealer installed 6-disc is incorrect. Maybe he assumed it was dealer installed since it was under the seat but it's standard w/Touring and that is the factory installed location when you have the RES.
[/COLOR]
I think that is a 'fine' point he missed. He seemed very familiar with vehicle overall and probably did not make that distinction on the 03/RES model. |
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| BOCAMDX |
| Excellent review...I agree with the lack of low end torque, poor interior lighting, wacky glove box light and soft clear coat. My only other gripe after 9k miles is the amount of dust generated by the seat stuffing and carpet fibers...The dash and console are always dusty. I have also suffered the pinging noises, however I have definitely noticed substantial differences between gas stations of the same brand and 93 octane (but different owners) in and around my town. |
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| RipRocK |
quote:
Originally posted by BOCAMDX
[snip]
I have also suffered the pinging noises, however I have definitely noticed substantial differences between gas stations of the same brand and 93 octane (but different owners) in and around my town.
Hi BOCAMDX. I was just wondering, does your pinging noise come on usually on moderately hard to hard acceleration, between 2K-4K RPM in all gears? Had you mentioned this pinging problem to your dealer at all? I have tried several different gas available up here, both regular and premium at those respective gas stations, but my pinging/tapping noise problem is persistent and ever present for my Pilot. On rare occassions, the pinging noise develops into a very noticeable crackle before I let go of the gas.
I've been to two different dealers and even had technicians drive in the car with me and just as I'm replicating the sound for them and pointing out that the sound is right there, they both told me that they can't hear anything unusual. Perhaps when I mentioned "pinging" to them, they were expecting a loud pinging/tapping noise normally associated with old cars with carbon build up in the engine. My pinging noise is rather on the quiet side, but still, you can definitely hear it.
I just never expected to have such sound come from the engine in a Honda car. (Sorry for the thread drift) |
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| BOCAMDX |
| I have 3 friends with 03 MDX's and each ping in the exact same range as yours and mine. There is definitley a 'problem' with the ULEV II being too sensitive, especially with the a/c on. Clearly the knock sensor is set to allow a certain threshold and if the octane level isn't exactly 93 you are going to get a slight detonation. My dealer (Rick Case) claims it is a common complaint with no ready solution and I am not satisfied along with a number of people on this board that have received the same excuses...High tech motors shouldn't ping...PERIOD! I had 5 Explorers before this and not one of them EVER misfired for a second. The only thing they suffered from was a noisy valve train slap at idle. I honestly think the problem lies in poorly or incorrectly programmed fuel/injection mapping or sensors with the wrong range. I am amazed my X still hauls butt the way it does, and leaves no deposits at the tail pipe lip (signs of misfiring). |
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| texrb |
quote:
Originally posted by Jim03MDX
Good review but this part about a dealer installed 6-disc is incorrect. Maybe he assumed it was dealer installed since it was under the seat but it's standard w/Touring and that is the factory installed location when you have the RES.
The Midnight Blue Pearl MDX (base price: $35,700) we tested was "blinged" out with the Touring Package (+ $2600), DVD Entertainment System ($1500), and the Voice Activated Navigation System ($2200) as factory options. The sticker on all that rang up to $42,500. In addition, nearly a week after I took delivery of the MDX, I discovered a dealer-installed 6-disc CD changer underneath the driver's seat. Equipped as such, the grand total would have you knocking on the door of 43 large. And people are buying as many as Honda can build.
So am I to understand that the '03 touring RES doesn't have the 6 disc changer indash now? If that's the case - I would think that it would be a serious mistake in design. I love the in dash 6 disk cd vs the changer box under the seat or in a glove box. |
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| hockeyplayer |
| texrb.....The res equipped X has a radio that looks like the Pilot.The left side works the radio the the right side works the res unit. No room for the changer in the dash so they stuck it under the seat. I do not have an 03 but recall this. Someone correct me if I am wrong. |
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| texrb |
| Thanks hockeyplayer :4: I haven't been in an Acura dealer showroom for a while - just stay in the service area when I go in for service. Based on that design - I wouldn't order the RES on a new MDX. We have a changer in the Lexus glove box that's a pain - I am too spoiled by the MDX in-dash unit! |
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| DaleB |
quote:
Originally posted by texrb
Thanks hockeyplayer :4: I haven't been in an Acura dealer showroom for a while - just stay in the service area when I go in for service. Based on that design - I wouldn't order the RES on a new MDX. We have a changer in the Lexus glove box that's a pain - I am too spoiled by the MDX in-dash unit!
Personally, I miss my old 12 disk changer under the seat. I mean if you have full shuttle capability (not disk only, like the Acura/Alpine) plus pick and choose, how often do you expect to change out CDs?
If you still can not get enough variety, then go satellite. I'd rather not be shoving disks in the dash or glove compartment. But for now..... |
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| ndahbar |
quote:
Originally posted by vicpai
......did an EXCELLENT job! I'm very impressed by the fact that they praised the MDX for it's virtues, and at the same time pointed out it's negatives as well, in a totally unbiased and fair way :29:
You never find too many unbiased people these days. It boggles my mind how so many car magazine reviewers (worthless trash) praise the Lexus RX 330 as being "whisper quiet", "ultra quiet", "library quiet", "butter-smooth, quiet as a morgue" etc. etc. etc. Wonder if these MORONS are driving the same RX 330 I test drove 5 times OVER AND OVER AND OVER to make sure I wasn't seeing things, or more appopriately, hearing things :rolleyes: This ENGINE produces a nasty, raspy, unrefined, chain-saw-like noise on hard acceleration. Even under moderate acceleration it's quite noisy, and it's ENGINE is much much more noiser than the previous generation RX 300 :confused: :eek: :eek: .......makes me wonder EXACTLY WHAT these reviewers are getting :27: in exchange for their comments :rolleyes: ........it's seems like this unrefined, rough and noisy nature is a trait with all the new Toyota VVT-i V6 engines!! (I also noticed this in the new Toyota 4-Runner V6, and the new '04 Sienna which has the same V6 as in the RX 330)
Vic, I read your post 5 months ago on this. Hmm, I think since you know what you're talking about, you should go test drive a different RX330 soon for us again and report back whether you had tried a lemon or not. It's disconcerting that you found the problem with the 4-Runner too though, so I'm expecting the same thing. How on Earth could Toyota allow this to happen though...I don't get it. I'll go test drive myself too I guess. :cool: |
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| Jim03MDX |
| I'm kind of torn about this. I have a factory in-dash six disk in my Mazda that's nicely integrated. I know it's nice to be able to just feed in the CDs. I guess it's the "old" way but I'm finding I don't mind the "low tech" approach with my wife's MDX with the RES and the under seat install that has a magazine. Here's why: Not sure if the MDX in dash unit is this way but w/RES we still have a single disk player in the console so I can put one in there. But the main thing is I keep all my CDs in the house with the exception of the ones I'm actually using in the car. It's nice to be able to take the magazine to where the CDs are, fill it there, and then just take the entire thing out to the MDX. |
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