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Picked Up New '04 MDX - Click HERE for Original Thread
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Jeff NY
Hi All:

I picked up my new 2004 SBP Touring with Nav and Res last evening at Acura of Westchester. Before you say a word, I promise to post extensive pictures this weekend!!! :2: I got home late from the dealer, it was pitch black outside and I wanted to see my kid.

Anyway, onto my first impressions of the vehicle. Overall, VERY excited and pleased. I put in a lot of options and am really satisfied with all. Some quick points:

-X drove real well. Obviously did not want to push it and was well behaved. Brakes are responsive and truck handled tight turn off expressway VERY well. Closer to my Audi than my soon to depart Pathfinder. Went easy on acceleration, but could sense ample power was there. Interior is EXTREMELY quiet and it is noticeable. My Pathfinder is so noisy that the quiet was discernible.

-Nav must have some sort of update in it, data wise. My home is in a new development and our street addresses only recently showed up on Mapquest and still not on Expedia. The entire community did not exist during the so-called last nav update, but yet the salesman and I attempted to put in my home address and it found it right away.

Let me know what information you need and I can advise as to the version, etc. the software is. I did see a screen that said, I THINK, version 1.09 or 1.9. Will take screen shots and post.

Nav did well in getting me home, yes I knew how to get home, but I was testing it out. Weird part was when it told me to make a U-turn, I did but the system seem to take a few seconds to realize I did. Anyway, first time nav user, so it is all new to me. Seems super intuitive and easy to use. Voice commands worked simple, granted I only tried one or two.

-Leather seats have extensive adjustments, I think ten-way now, and I sort of struggled to get comfortable. Lumber support is nice, my Audi has it, and I actually use it when my back is sore. Leather is soft, but seats are firm. I really like the extensive look of the perforated leather.

-Stereo is awesome. Very loud and clear. Played with the Acura DVD and all seem cool. Six CD magazine under driver's seat, Nav DVD under passenger's seat and single load CD in dash. Will further advise down the road.

-Installed Acura Hand's Free Phone Kit and am pleased I did so. My v60 plugs in and sits on the tray console. The right speaker beeps once to acknowledge the phone is plugged in. I left the console door open and simply touched the voice dial button and said "Home" and as I hoped, a confirmation "Home" came through the right speaker and the call was placed. Very clear sound. Stereo is muted automatically and comes back on when call ends. Very easy. Did not yet read manual for the phone kit and have to figure out about the auto answer. I prefer to screen my calls and do not want the auto answer function turned on. Will report back.

-Love the gear shift knob- rich and substantial feeling. Second row "40%" seat easily slides forward to get to the third row. A small to medium adult could get back there without much effort. Short ride would be painless- obviously best for kids.

-Options look great. Wood steering wheel adds to luxe look of vehicle. Body side moldings look like they belong there, thick and substantial. Fender flares add a nice look, especially with BSM's. Black side steps are functional, but tone down the bling-bling. Have little "MDX" embossed on rubber. Rubber Acura mats look and fit well, also with little "MDX" on them as does cargo tray. Dealer owes me cargo cover as it was not yet in. Cargo cover has slots for use with both third row seats up or down.

I will check out extensively over the weekend and report back. Will take interior and exterior pics and advise of any new findings. As an aside, I found this board over the summer, months before I ordered the X, and in many respects; you guys are the reason I bought the vehicle. I had a comfort level with all the insight you put forth and felt very confident ordering the X. Kudos to you all...

Jeff :7:
4myMDX
Jeff,

Congrats!
Just curious how much you paid. Did the dealer give you any discounts ?
Jeff NY
Paid MSRP on the vehicle and 10% plus off on any accessories. Not exactly the deal of the year, but I was resigned to paying sticker in the Westchester/NYC area. It is also tough to negotiate on a car that you are ordering months before any knows the changes or what pricing will be.

On the positive side, dealer came through with strong financing and easily beat rates I got from AAA, Lending Tree, etc.

Later...
EXCALIBUR
Jeff NY,

Greetings and salutations. It sounds like you did your research and got yourself a well-equipped MDX. Hehehe...you already know the drill...we will look forward to seeing your pics.:29:
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Fabvsix
Welcome from the BEST coast ! :cool:
remydog
:5: :5: :5: :7: :9:

Just picked up my 04 Sandstone and thoroughly enjoyed the ride back to the office. Yes, folks, pictures will be coming, but hey, I haven't even been home yet!
:8:

I was thoroughly pleased with how it all went, in large part due to Acura of Auburn (MA) and their terrific sales person, Rick Voss, as well as the service folks and Scott, the business manager.

More on the terrific service I received will be posted on the dealer board. You will also be able to see my disappointment with Acura of Boston.

quote:
Originally posted by Jeff NY

-Stereo is awesome. Very loud and clear. Played with the Acura DVD and all seem cool. Six CD magazine under driver's seat, Nav DVD under passenger's seat and single load CD in dash. Will further advise down the road.




I completely agree on the road noise and the kick assness of the stereo. Very pleasantly surprised on both counts. I don't worry much about sound quality of a stereo -- it is a car, after all, not a sound room. But I must admit that any type of music - jazz, rock, classical, all sounds very fine while cruising down the highway at WHOOPS! 80mph!! Whoah! I hardly even notice the speed creeping up. Forgot to grab my Passport out of the Volvo, and the Mass. Pike seems to be teeming with unmarked troopers for some reason.

Mine has the 6 CD changer in the dash -- no magazine to load. I did not yet locate the DVD for the NAV, but I was certainly playing with that all the way back from the dealer. Lot's of fun.

I didn't think much of the chrome tail pipes, but the first person I showed the car (a serious car buff) said how cool the pipes looked and I hadn't even mentioned it. Guess it makes a difference.

I wasn't too keen on the wheels at first, but they are growing on me.

The car is exceptionally tight, not a single rattle buzz or hum, even with the extra stuff I put in -- cargo cover, matts, separation net -- and some stuff I moved from my car into this one. I took all the advice from several posts and prepared a very extensive checklist that I will post as an attachment. Given the level of fit and finish, the list was hardly needed, but certainly made me comfortable given the price tag.

I did get a small concession on price and several options thrown in (all but the side moldings and running boards, which were still less than everywhere else I shopped). I can post the details on that later, also. The lease was also the best monthly payment I had discussed. Clair, which is minutes from my house, wanted $50 more per month for the very same vehicle at the same price. They wouldn't budge when I told them what I was quoted at Auburn, and so lost a sale. (Except for that, the folks at Clair were also a pleasure to work with).

That's all for now. I'm anxious to get done with work so I can get back in the car!

MSK--Aarf!
EXCALIBUR
quote:
Originally posted by remydog
:5: :5: :5: :7: :9:

Just picked up my 04 Sandstone and thoroughly enjoyed the ride back to the office. Yes, folks, pictures will be coming, but hey, I haven't even been home yet!
:8:


Greetings and salutations. What are you doing at the office? It's Friday you know. Declare a three day weekend and get out and drive your new MDX.:29:
snatara80324kav
quote:
I took all the advice from several posts and prepared a very extensive checklist that I will post as an attachment


Remydog, I would really appreciate if you posted that list. Thats probably a great service you can do for all us wannabe MDX owners.
Thanks a ton.
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hammermdx
Jeff NY,

Congrats and welcome. I bought my 02 there and they have a great service dept too. Who was your sales person, mine was Gary Mihaley.
hammermdx
remydog,

Welcome aboard!
Lrpba300
Congrats to both of you! Enjoy your MSX's. I know we all do, (for the most part! :p )
remydog
O.K., Here are the particulars --

04 Touring with Nav

Included options: Running Boards, side moldings, all weather matts, cargo mat, cargo cover, separation net, third master key

Contract price: 41500

Monthly Lease (42 months; 15000 miles per year) $585.47; no security deposity; approx 1390 due at signing, including first month's lease, doc prep, etc.

I'll be posting my checklist (after I sanitize it) and photos over the weekend.

MSK
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spunky305
Just picked up our 04 Aspen Pearl White last week - it's awesome! While the enhancement list from the '03 has a lot of "minute details" they add up to a beautiful package. Like many of you on this thread, I was concerned with the new tail lamp treatment...it really does look better in person and I think, with the light color of the car, is fairly subtle. The Aspen Pearl color is remarkably similar to the taffeta in the shade, but adds a lot of depth in the sun (doesn't show well in pictures or on the Acura website, but is very pleasing in person). Unlike many other "pearl white" applications, the Aspen Pearl does not have that "egg shell" yellow tinge - it is still a pure white.

We paid MSRP (none of the Houston dealers were willing to budge) with accessories at cost. I think we took delivery of the first Aspen Pearl in the greater Houston area - there was limited availability in Texas.

I have posted pictures to the gallery here

Thanks for all of the info - it was helpful in our decision-making process!
hammermdx
Great pic's, she looks great! Congrats and enjoy!
ImOnlyTen
Nice!!!!
I'm glad that Canada gets the DVD and the NAV finaly! I really like those lights!
Captain MDX
Congrats everyone!!!! :2:
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remydog
quote:
Originally posted by snatara80324kav


Remydog, I would really appreciate if you posted that list. Thats probably a great service you can do for all us wannabe MDX owners.
Thanks a ton.



This is pretty much what I used. It took quite a while to go through it all, but we did find a few very minor things that were addressed immediately. The car had been brought into the showroom for delivery, and the entire time my wife and I went through this list, no one bothered us or made us feel at all out of line.

I just took the kids for their first ride. They love that they can sit in the front seat because of the airbag switch. Their favorite part is the NAV (mine, too). Don't worry, folks. I am a big believer in the safety of having the kids in back. That's where they'll be most of the time.

MSK -- Aarf!
remydog
Lookin' sharp against the fall leaves!
remydog
Front end.
remydog
Nice tush!
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remydog
Wheel detail
remydog
Note the tail light treatment and brushed aluminum nameplate

(Edited by admin. remydog will brush out his license plate and reupload the image shortly)
remydog
Of course, with Remy. Note that the fur color matches the interior, a very conscious decision.

(Edited by admin. remydog will brush out his license plate and reupload the image shortly)
rvehock
What's with the 'brushed aluminum' on both the front and rear Acura logos?? I like the chrome look a little better as they match the door handles. Other than that I like the new styling (especially the rear). :4: :4: :4: :4: :4:
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jswift2000
Congrats and welcome to the board. This is a great place where you will spend sooo much time and learn a lot of cool things.

Love the car and love the color!!! How are the headlights? Can you post a pic of the beam pattern? Can you also let me know what type of bulb they take - 9006, 9007, etc? I'm thinking of retrofitting the headlights into my 2003. Thanks.
remydog
quote:
Originally posted by jswift2000
Congrats and welcome to the board. This is a great place where you will spend sooo much time and learn a lot of cool things.

Love the car and love the color!!! How are the headlights? Can you post a pic of the beam pattern? Can you also let me know what type of bulb they take - 9006, 9007, etc? I'm thinking of retrofitting the headlights into my 2003. Thanks.



I don't know how easy it would be to retrofit, unless the entire unit is sized exactly the same as the 03. The projector part of the unit sticks out just a bit, so the plastic cover has a slight bump out over that part.

The low and high beams are separate bulbs. High is listed as 60w HB3; Low is 55w HII.

I only drove once at night. The beams may need adjusting as there is a very strong shadow line above the beam pattern, but perhaps that's just the way they are on this type of bulb. The low beam is the projector part.

Not quite sure how I would post a picture of the beam pattern.

One part I really love are the gauges -- the blue is very cool and very easy to read.

MSK
remydog
quote:
Originally posted by rvehock
What's with the 'brushed aluminum' on both the front and rear Acura logos?? I like the chrome look a little better as they match the door handles. Other than that I like the new styling (especially the rear). :4: :4: :4: :4: :4:


I actually like the brushed -- give is more of a truck/suv look and less of a car look. I actually wish that the door handles had also been brushed, rubberized or color matched to the body. Chrome just doesn't say to me "take me in the woods and beat me silly."

MSK
rvehock
Actually the MDX is not the type of vehicle that you would "take to the woods and beat silly". It was not designed for that purpose, it as designed more or less as a "cross over" vehicle that could handle some occasional offroad use.
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remydog
quote:
Originally posted by rvehock
Actually the MDX is not the type of vehicle that you would "take to the woods and beat silly". It was not designed for that purpose, it as designed more or less as a "cross over" vehicle that could handle some occasional offroad use.


Understood, but when I stepped up from my Volvo wagon mommy-mobile, I was determined that the vehicle would rejuvinate my testosterone. If I want a car with chrome, it would be low to the ground and seat only two.

MSK
KenF
picked up my 04 Sagebrush pearl tour/nav today. Bought it at Orange Park Acura for $40,000 plus tax/title/etc. Attached is a picture of it plus the road trip vehicle that we are demoting down to commuting duty- our Saab 9-5 wagon.

So far it's been great, we basically drove it home and then out to dinner. Will take more pictures and post later.

A couple of questions- third row seatbelts: I have unhooked them and folded down the seats. The owner's manual says something about stowing them in some form of hook. I can't seem to find it, and they are dangling in the back. Is that normal, or is there some way to secure them? I found the overhead storage for the middle second seat.

Driving with polarized sunglasses is a big downer with the nav. Polarized glasses don't show LCD's very well, so I'm probably going to have to switch my driving glasses. Plus our neighborhood is less than a year old, so there are breadcrumbs showing the way to the house. You can't mark a lat/long as home, so I had to pick the closest intersection as "home" for the go home function.

They didn't want to deal on accessories, so I've placed an order already for the first set of options from hondacuraworld.com
EXCALIBUR
KenF,

Greetings and salutations. Good pic of your new MDX. Please post more pics as you add your accessories.:29:
Robin
Hey Jeff-Congrats with the new MDX. Question for you since you like the hands free cell phone interface. Did the dealer install it? Can I ask what the cost was total (install and parts)? No one in eastern LI will install it (dealer wise) or knows much about it. Anything about it good or bad would be appreciated by all. Thanks!
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Pauls MDX
Congratulation on such a beautiful vehicle! Use it in good health! Best of luck!!! Post as many pic's as possible!!

:eek: :4: :2: :4: :10: :18: :20: :22: :29: :awais: :claphead:
Captain MDX
Very nice Xs KenF and remydog, which accessories did you get in Hondacuraworld Ken???
imn2mdx
Congratulations all on your new 04's. I too would like to have info on the hands free phone kit. I look forward to pics of it so we can see how much room it takes up and where it is located. I am having a hard time picturing where exactly its at. What did you have to pay for installation? Do you feel it was worth it?

I just can't help but comment on the above comments of the new owners of how quite the vehicle is and how awesome the stereo sounds. You fellow owners know what I mean. My pics of my new 04 are on the thread "Bronze Beauty". I love the responsiveness of it also and how smooth it handles. I have to drive the highway to get to town all the time and it used to never be fun. Now I don't want to get out of the car. My hubby and I have made many trips to just drive. Wow, what a vehicle.

Funny too; when people stop at a stop light, I have noticed that some stop far back in the lane next to me and look at the back-of the MDX. Maybe they want to know what kind of SUV it is. Then they pull up next to me and check it out!! A little embarrassing but interesting. I was doing that before mine came in.


I think Acura did a good job of design and really made it, if not the best SUV, at least the most fun SUV on the market. (Of course I checked them all out before deciding on the MDX and nothing had it all like the MDX).

Plus this forum says a lot about MDX owners, that quality exudes quality. Has anyone checked out other vehicle forums. This one has class, fun and many rightfully excited owners!!! :2: :5:
BMyers
Congrats on the new rig!! You made a smart choice. I've had my 03 for almost a year now and it still amazes how many diffrent things it does well.

Question, are your body side moldings from Acura? Ive never seen anything like them. there NOTHING like the ones I've got on my 03!!! New for 04?? :confused:
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EXCALIBUR
quote:
Originally posted by BMyers
Question, are your body side moldings from Acura? Ive never seen anything like them. there NOTHING like the ones I've got on my 03!!! New for 04?? :confused:

Those are new edition Acura BSM's for 2004. They can be fitted to the 2001-2003 MDX's.:4:
remydog
quote:
Originally posted by KenF
Plus our neighborhood is less than a year old, so there are breadcrumbs showing the way to the house. You can't mark a lat/long as home, so I had to pick the closest intersection as "home" for the go home function.

They didn't want to deal on accessories, so I've placed an order already for the first set of options from hondacuraworld.com



In the one day I've owned my X I realized it's somewhat unnecessary to have the Go Home function on the Nav. Once I'm within my town, I certainly know how to get home. Perhaps others with NAV who have owned it longer will chime in and let me know what I don't.

As for your price for accessories, given that you did 1500 better than us in the Northeast on your price, I think that balances.

MSK
remydog
quote:
Originally posted by Robin
Hey Jeff-Congrats with the new MDX. Question for you since you like the hands free cell phone interface. Did the dealer install it? Can I ask what the cost was total (install and parts)? No one in eastern LI will install it (dealer wise) or knows much about it. Anything about it good or bad would be appreciated by all. Thanks!


Robin,

My dealer said the same thing -- they don't want to get in volved with it. I expect they would get me the part and let me bring it to a phone installer, but I think they've had too much trouble with phone installs and similar accessories, so, with so many other installers out there, they would sooner let it go.

MSK:(
KenF
quote:
Originally posted by remydog


In the one day I've owned my X I realized it's somewhat unnecessary to have the Go Home function on the Nav. Once I'm within my town, I certainly know how to get home. Perhaps others with NAV who have owned it longer will chime in and let me know what I don't.

As for your price for accessories, given that you did 1500 better than us in the Northeast on your price, I think that balances.

MSK



I agree that the go home function is kind of a gimmick. Most people should know their own home. I think it would be useful on a road trip to quickly plan the return leg.

Not sure what the car taxes are up there, but down here it's 6% plus a ton of random fees, so the $1500 helps a lot with the total bill. The drive-off price was $43844, and that included the towing package, the one accessory I want the dealership to install.

Stuff I have on the way- to answer Captain MDX- cargo liner, cargo net, cargo cover, and separation net. It's the dog protection package.

Next set of stuff is going to be a full sized spare, wheel locks, BSMs, and x-pel installed all over. I'm probably going with x-pel vs stongard because there is no local stongard installer.
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remydog
What is X-pel?

Also, for those who are interested, I think I found a way to stow the separation net -- roll it up as tightly as possible and use the hook lever latch thing on both ends to catch one of the rungs of the net. This keeps it more or less rolled tight. Then it fits neatly just behind the middle seat, wedged between the seat and the tire wells.

MSK
KenF
Check out www.xpel.com There are a lot of sellers of similar products. If you do a seach of stongard or xpel you will see a lot of discussion about it. The product is all made by 3M, it's just cut differently by the different companies. My last few cars had a lot of rock chips, so I'm trying to get ahead of the problem and install a kit. So far they haven't gotten a kit for the 04, so I might have to wait a little while. It's a bigger problem for road trips in the mountains and snow belt, but even down here there is a lot of crap on the road.
hockeyplayer
As for the "Home" function. When you are in an unfamiliar place and you want to go home....uh....wouldn't you want your navigation to get you going in the right direction. I find it especially useful in large downtown environments with one way streets.(ex Atlanta) once I make my way out and onto the Interstate I will shut the navigation off and just keep the map up for "cool factor". Note that I have an 02 Nav unit and have to type in a security code to get to a menu with all my preset locations....including my "home" which at this point is 2 miles away from my actual "HOME". uh.....that has been discussed in another thread. Anyways, trust me, you will not use it everyday but when you do it is worth every penny. Congratulations.
remydog
quote:
Originally posted by KenF
A couple of questions- third row seatbelts: I have unhooked them and folded down the seats. The owner's manual says something about stowing them in some form of hook. I can't seem to find it, and they are dangling in the back. Is that normal, or is there some way to secure them? I found the overhead storage for the middle second seat.




Your note got me thinking, since I installed the cargo cover and the 3d row belts are kind of in the way of that. So, I went out to the car and noticed that right near the latch there is a clip mounted on the belt. When you detach the belts from the seat and they fully retract, the clip is right where you can clip the loose part onto the retracting part so that it's not dangling around. If you don't have those clips, my guess is that someone forgot to put them on and you should go get a pair from the dealer.

If that's not clear, send me a note and I'll try to post a picture.

MSK--Aarf
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KenF
I think I remember seeing those clips on another MDX, but I think mine is missing them. I'll root around the storage compartments and see if they are around somewhere before I go complain to the dealership. If you could post a picture so I'm sure what I'm looking for it would help.

Ken
remydog
I notice that just behind the homelink switches there are two blue lights. Anyone know if these intended to serve any particular purpose or are they just for looks?

KenF -- It's pouring rain here today, but I will try to snap a shot over the next few days and post it.

MSK
Jeff NY
Sorry I took a while to get back on track- hectic weekend and all. :2: Lots of comments on the 2004's and I gather we will see many more on the road in the next few weeks and months. Congrats to all those with new X's...

A couple of small items--- my salesman at Acura of Westchester was Larry Stauber. Super nice and a pleasure to deal with. Probably the only car salesman I would ever recommend. When I advised him that the accessory pricing I got from the Biz Mgr was quite high, he went to bat for me and saved me a fair amount of money. While I still feel like certain items were a bit high, I did very well on the phone kit install and the remote radar install. Phone kit alone is a fairly complicated and time consuming job, yet my cost above Acura's SRP was a little over $100.00, which is just over one hour of labor. The phone kit, only second time installed by the dealer, took three hours.

Not sure if this is standard, but the dealer also provides every other service free. In addition to the Acura Service Manual, they provide a customized manual from the dealer that lists all the services and how every other one is free. That I like...

Feel free to post additional q's and I will do my best to answer.

Pics to follow...
Jeff NY
Can you see the radar antenna/receiver???
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Jeff NY
Body Side Moldings, Fender Flares and Black Side Steps.
Jeff NY
Angled view of Fender Flare and Body Side Molding.
Jeff NY
Steering wheel wood, fake or not, feels very substantial.
Jeff NY
Notice how little space it takes up in the bottom portion of the compartment. Loose wire is the ear piece for privacy- I may actually wrap that up and remove it- no major need for it.
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Jeff NY
Easy to access and non-coiled part of cord allows the phone to rest outside the console and gives you the option to close the console armrest.
Pauls MDX
Very Nice!!!!!!!!!!!

:29:
Jeff NY
Not sure if this information helps, but as far as I can tell and related to the (my) first post on this thread, the nav database is UPDATED!!! :D
Jeff NY
Everyone has seen this pic, but notice where the radar control panel is. :p
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KenF
Jeff,

thanks for the BSM pics, I can use that one to show my wife what our SBP MDX will look like with steps and BSM. The BSMs are on order already, and we haven't decided about steps vs boards.

Now I just have to work up the courage to take it out of the garage before they get the 04 pattern cut for X-pel. Anyone know if the front ends are similar enough between the 03 and 04 to use a 03 xpel/stongard pattern?

on order: Cargo liner, cargo net, separation net, cargo cover, full sized spare, BSMs, wheel locks, all weather mats.
Jeff NY
Hey Ken:

I have the all weather mats, front and rear, and the cargo tray and I know it is only rubber mats, but I love them. Really makes me feel better about the coming winter months and the ability to keep the carpets clean. The Acura mats have a small MDX embossed on them and obviously fit perfect.

I really feel like the BSM's fit and look excellent. If you look at the Lexus RX330 or even my 2001 Pathfinder, many vehicles use the moldings for aesthetic purposes and if they deflect a door ding in a parking lot, then that is a benefit. I personally like the look of them, especially the new 2004, which are considerably thicker. But I realize that it is a question of taste and to each his own.

Good luck...
Captain MDX
Nice X Jeff :29:
ACKICK
I just wish the 04' would have HID headlights.

ACKICK.
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EXCALIBUR
Jeff NY,

Very nice pics. Have you thought about adding a painted taligate deflector or tailgate spoiler?
Jeff NY
I originally thought the new tailgate deflector was color coordinated, but my dealer advised that it was black. The new spoiler is a touch to large for my taste. Down the road I will order the painted tailgate deflector from Tim. That will probably be the finishing touch. I hope... :rolleyes:
EXCALIBUR
Jeff NY,

Given a choice, I prefer the painted tailgate deflector also. Some members may like the tailgate spoiler because it is new for 2004. We shall await more pics of your new MDX.:29:

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