| mgtr |
Our new MDX arrives about 3/15. Our choice came down to MDX Touring vs. Pilot EX (we tow behind a motor coach, so that eliminates some). The Pilot is nice, and is $8,000 cheaper.
After looking at both for a week or so, we took both on an extended test drive over a variety of roads, driving one immediately after the other.
What tipped the balance for the MDX for us:
MDX seats provide much more support (you sit in the MDX seats, on the Pilot seats)
MDX has sunroof
MDX rides better except on horrible roads
MDX interior is less "plasticky" (well, you know what I mean)
MDX exterior is less boxy.
Of course, there are a lot of other good features in the MDX, but those were the important ones for us.
We are like little kids now, trying to be patient, waiting for the new MDX. It will seem like Christmas in March. |
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| hammermdx |
| Congrats and welcome aboard, don't forget to post some pics once she arrives. |
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| laborlitigator |
| Good choice!:2party: |
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| Tispco |
| I looked at both too. I would have been very happy saving some $$. I agree with your reasons for getting the MDX as well. The big reason for me was the sunroof. Why doesn't Honda offer a sunroof in the Pilot?? |
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| frostyra |
quote:
Originally posted by Tispco
Why doesn't Honda offer a sunroof in the Pilot??
Because then there would be one less thing to differentiate it from its older (and more expensive) brother, the MDX. |
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| rmluis |
We looked at both and chose the MDX for basically the same reasons. Salesman said Honda didn't offer the sunroof because it weakened it safety wise.
Have X one week today! |
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| hopeitsfriday |
| I choose the MDX for a different reason, I didnt care about the moon roof that much, but the interior was the bigger reason for me. |
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| Blackura |
| I too drove both and picked the MDX. For me it was the emergency handling, though. The Pilot felt like a scary old schoolbus on a quick turn. The MDX felt more like a precision sports car by comparison. So I just emptied another $8,000 in pennies from the piggy bank, but it was worth it. |
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| dkim |
We also chose the MDX over the pilot for all the above reasons plus the curtain airbags, VSA, TPM, and the shifter on the floor. When you add up all the extra's, the difference in price is well worth it.
Dan
2004 Silver MDX |
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| bingster |
| The MDX just looks better... form following function. |
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| mgtr |
dkim,
You are right - I forgot all about the floor shift, which I much prefer. Interestingly, have driven the Pilot first, when we switched to the MDX I kept trying to shift on the column, thus running the windshield washers and messing up the clean windshield. The floor shifter has to be worth at least $1,000 all by itself. |
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| BaldEagle |
Congratulations mgtr.:7:
Have you decided on the type of towbar you are going to get yet?
I went with the Roadmaster because it (baseplate) is almost invisible when the bracket is off.
Installed it myself, quite a chore. |
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| mgtr |
BaldEagle-
Yes, we have been using Roadmaster, for reasons you stated, plus I think they are stronger (have personally seen broken Blue Ox bars). On my last car, an RV quoted me a price of $300 for installing base plate and wiring. I said that was ridiculous, I would do it myself. After all, I have shop facilities, and I take MGs apart and put them back together. How hard could it be? Hah! This time, I didn't even ask my preferred RV dealer for a quote, just made an appointment. Will post my satisfaction with the job and the price after the work is done. |
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| Markedoc |
| Unfortunately the sunroof is so noisy when open that it's useless aboove about 40 mph. By far the worst, noisiest sunroof I have ever had. |
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| SBMDX |
| I agree the sunroof is extremely noisy, but well worth it in this so cal weather :4: |
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| mgtr |
| With respect to the sunroof, does the air deflector on it help? |
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| SBMDX |
| Good Question, I was wondering that myself. |
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| Fabvsix |
| YES ! The reflector does cut down on noise etc.....but does make the opening appear smaller which irritates some. I ALWAYS add them to my new Honda/Acura's....... |
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| Who's Ur Daddy? |
I really wanted to buy the Pilot. In Canada, it's about a Cdn$10,000 difference between the two...a lot of coin. Having said that, I never got the chance to take it out for a drive as the wife would not even consider that "CR-V" look-a-like.
The MDX is definitely nicer, but the Pilot seems like a helluva good value. Are you sure it isn't bigger on the inside? I thought it was because of its more boxy shape. |
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| lawboy02 |
My wife and I drove both the Pilot and MDX, but liked the numbers on the Pilot better. However, on our way back to the Honda Dealership to purchase the Pilot, I decided to give the Acura Dealership one more chance to give me some numbers I was happy with....and they did! The MDX ended up being only $3,800.00 more than the Pilot. Of course, it was hard to pass up the preferred stylings of the MDX, the better warranty, the loaner car program, the moonroof, the 17" wheels, the horsepower difference....I'm so glad I gave Acura another oppotunity to meet my numbers!!
And honestly, I really did NOT like the Pilot, but it sure was a practical purchase. I've discovered that I really don't like being practical!!
Loving my O4 MDX!! |
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| lawboy02 |
quote:
Originally posted by Markedoc
Unfortunately the sunroof is so noisy when open that it's useless aboove about 40 mph. By far the worst, noisiest sunroof I have ever had.
The sunroof on my 04 MDX is not noisy at all. My IS300 is 20 times worse! What year is your MDX? |
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| 04MDX4ME |
I too looked at both, test drove both, and to be honest with you the outcome was a "no-brainer" The MDX screams quality materials, better looking interior, the list could go on forever but needless to say, I bought a '04 MDX last November and haven't looked back since. A decision that I'm glad that I made!
Mike
'04 Sagebrush, NAVI, RES. |
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| Markedoc |
quote:
Originally posted by lawboy02
The sunroof on my 04 MDX is not noisy at all. My IS300 is 20 times worse! What year is your MDX?
My MDX is a 2002. I'm just comparing it to BMWs that I've had where the sunroof was useful at just about any speed including highway at 75, 80 mph + ... |
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| dtomlinson |
| Regarding sunroof noise, I guess it's all in what you compare it to. Previous to the MDX, we had a Jeep Grand Cherokee Ltd, and previous to that a Honda Accord. The sunroof on the MDX is much quieter than those two. Even at highway speeds. My wife even wondered why anyone would want to install those awful sunroof visors! |
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| dtomlinson |
| Regarding sunroof noise, I guess it's all in what you compare it to. Previous to the MDX, we had a Jeep Grand Cherokee Ltd, and previous to that a Honda Accord. The sunroof on the MDX is much quieter than those two. Even at highway speeds. My wife even wondered why anyone would want to install those awful sunroof visors! |
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| roadman |
We just concluded our eval of the Pilot vs MDX. Aside from some of the things noted by others we found the $8k an MDX commands over a Pilot also get you:
1) Power Lumbar Support
2) An extra yr + 12k mileage warranty, plus Roadside assistance
3) Bigger and better tires
4) Dual exhaust which lookls really cool and adds 25hp
5) Voice Navi on MDX, no voice on Pilot
6) Better fuel exonomy on the MDX 17/23 vs 17/22 (free flowing exhaust may be the reason)
7) Back to Navi, MDX navi includes rear camera assist
8) MDX has more torque 253@3500 vs 242 @4500, 11ft lbs more @1000 less rpm is big difference.
9) Tire Pressure Monitor |
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| Who's Ur Daddy? |
quote:
Originally posted by roadman
4) Dual exhaust which lookls really cool and adds 25hp
Can't be 25hp from dual exhaust alone. BUT, this is my favorite part of the car. I like rear ends, what can I say? :D |
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| roadman |
quote:
Originally posted by Who's Ur Daddy?
Can't be 25hp from dual exhaust alone. BUT, this is my favorite part of the car. I like rear ends, what can I say? :D
You are right, but the dual exhaust helps. The fact that they are both 3.5 ltr engines, yet the MDX makes more torque lower in the power band means that other things have been done.
These changes result in the extra hp, torque and the highway mpg ratings being better than the Pilot. The MDX is apparently able to cruise at highway speeds at a lower rpm that the Pilot does. |
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| ltkrm |
I too test drove the MDX vs Pilot. The availability of voice/NAV + RES in the MDX, (Pilot limits you to one or the other), Floor Shifter vs Column shifter, more horsepower, sunroof, bigger wheels and tires,
Backup camara, larger nav screen + nav controls on left side closer to the driver, and overall nicer interior amongst other things did it for me. |
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| Fabvsix |
| It's a no brainer ! HANDS DOWN to the MDX over the Pilot ! :p :p :D :1: |
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| nightguy |
>>We looked at both and chose the MDX for basically the same reasons. Salesman said Honda didn't offer the sunroof because it weakened it safety wise.
Have X one week today!
The Honda dealer I visited said the same thing. But assuming that's true, I am still a believer that everything about car design is a function of time and money. I mean if they wanted to put a moonroof in, don't you think the engineers (some of the best in the world) could have done it ? Then again, maybe it's marketing because that's the biggest reason we jumped up to the MDX.
On the noise issue:
I noticed that the built in, spring-loaded wind deflector sticks way up so there's actually a space between the deflector and the body of the car. There's a terrible wind hiss starting at about 30 mph. When I pull it down with my hand I barely feel a breeze and it's much, much quieter. Nothing but the sound of air going by. I suppose it's necessary for flying debris. Maybe there's an adjustment screw for the deflector ? |
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