| lectricrep |
Hi folks,
I almost bought a 2001 MDX this week and, thankfully, found your site first. My attraction to the MDX centered around the fabled Acura durability. Yikes, on the problem site I am noting that the Trannys are very subject. Some members are reporting tranny troubles at 30-45K miles. I am asking for serious advise here. I drive a Chevy Tahoe (1999) with over 200K miles and despite all of the banter about GM vehicles; I am on the original engine and transmission. In fact, the only issues have been the intake manifold gasket, front differential and fuel pump. I prefer the size of the Tahoe but was taken by the improved fuel economy and assumed long-term quality of the MDX. Tranny problems at 30K!!!!
I could use some serious input here. What are the mechanical areas of concern for the MDX platform and is there a year model which avoids most of them? Also, is the dealership attitude and treatment a real problem?
Hesitant in Nashville,
Lectricrep |
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| renov8r |
I too have had generally good experiences with GM products, and even OK experiences with a Ford or two, the key for me has been to choose vehicles that the manufactures have had the time & incentive to "work out the kinks" -- the Tahoe is a great example of that kind of vehicle. Its powertrain is shared by many GM pickups & SUVs so there is ample opportunity for GM to upgrade it and by '99 they had several cycles to "get it right".
Same philosphoy on the MDX -- the basic motor is shared with most of the larger Honda V6s, so you don't have to worry about that. The tranny did give some folks fits, but in 2003 they went with an all new design that seems to have far fewer problems.
Other than odd (but minor) noises from the brakes and the fuel tank design whihc also is prone to an odd slosh there are very few problems that were not imporved by 2003.
I would suggest that you start tracking a few dealers with CERTIFIED Used 2003 MDXs and purchase from them -- the plan includes a 100,000 mile warranty. That should eliminate any "surprises".
While I did like the BS that MOST dealers were pushing about "everybody paying list" (had to go to 9 delaers befreo I'd find somebdy to 'deal) I have not encountered any grief when having the MDX serviced. It seems that Acura Corporate is telling dealers to treat service customers well (but some still don't listen...).
Finally, depending on just how trucky your needs are, you better give serious consideration to what you are "giving up" in a Tahoe --- the full frame, V8, solid axle construction means that Tahoes have alot in common with even the biggest trucks, so you can tow MUCH more than an MDX. Similarly, if you really do serious boulder bashing the car like suspension of the MDX is not going to stand up the way the had riding truck suspension of the Tahoe will.
Heck, in my house we have the MDX & GM's "least strong" SUV, a Bravada, and even then you can sure tell which has the underpinnings of a truck...
Good Luck! |
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| ByeByeChrysler |
Its a crap shoot, as with all makes and models.
My 2002 has been problem free. |
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| G. COLTON |
A Chevrolet Tahoe (or GM Danali) would have been my preference over the MDX. However, I have a son in a wheel chair and he cannot transfer into the Tahoe because the seats are too high off of the ground.
I have always found GM vehicles to have the most confortable seats and ride. The reliability has been very good. Maintenance of the real wheel drive SUV's is considerablly easier and usually cheaper.
The Acura MDX is an excellent overall vehicle and I enjoy driving it. I have been generally pleased with it. A few little design features that seem to be standard on GM's are missing but that is tolerable. Some can be fixed with a little cash.
Given a free choice I would choose an equally equipped Tahoe over an MDX. |
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| lectricrep |
Thanks to all who have replied. I really appreciate your honest appraisal of my GM vs. MDX options. I use my vehicle as an highway cruiser of sorts as I am a sales rep with a 30,000 mile per year territory. Safety, reliability, durability and comfort are my key features is a vehicle. Seems that both the Tahoe and MDX offer all of what I need. Still concerned about the high-milage usage and associated costs of the MDX.
Any thoughts about the Toyota 4-Runner??
Ahhh, the choices.
Thanks!
Lectricrep |
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| MDX189 |
I had a '98 4Runner before the MDX. The X is much nicer!
The ride is much better in the X...and if you do 30k miles/yr (as I do as well), then that makes a big difference. The X is also much roomier in both the passenger area and cargo.
IMHO, the only reason to consider a 4Runner over an X is if you need better off-road capability. Otherwise the X is the better choice hands down.
Good luck with your decision!
MDX189 |
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| Markedoc |
quote:
Originally posted by MDX189
I had a '98 4Runner before the MDX. The X is much nicer!
The ride is much better in the X...and if you do 30k miles/yr (as I do as well), then that makes a big difference. The X is also much roomier in both the passenger area and cargo.
IMHO, the only reason to consider a 4Runner over an X is if you need better off-road capability. Otherwise the X is the better choice hands down.
Good luck with your decision!
MDX189
Are you comparing a 2004 MDX with a 1998 4Runner? |
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| MDX189 |
Yes, I'm comparing my 2004 MDX to my 1998 4Runner. The 4Runner hasn't changed all that much since then...at least in the areas that I mentioned.
MDX189 |
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| vicpai |
quote:
Originally posted by MDX189
Yes, I'm comparing my 2004 MDX to my 1998 4Runner. The 4Runner hasn't changed all that much since then...at least in the areas that I mentioned.
MDX189
I've owned a 2001 4 Runner too. While there is simply no comparison between that vehicle and the current MDX, the REDESIGNED 4 runner compares very well with the MDX and in some respects is even better!! (The MDX is a bit better in some other areas)
The 4 runner was COMPLETELY redesigned for the 2003 model year and the difference between the old one and new one is DAY and NIGHT ......as a matter of fact, the new V8 model equipped with the AIR SUSPENSION and X-REAS CROSS-LINKED SHOCK ABSORBER SYSTEM rides and handles a notch better than the MDX in my opinion!! (I have test driven it EXTENSIVELY by now to make a back-to-back comparison). The V8 model with 320lb.ft. of torque also feels a little punchier off the line than the MDX (although at higher freeway speeds for passing etc. the MDX's 265bhp will probably outdo the Runner's 235bhp).......However, in January, the 2005 4 Runner (and it's sibling the 2005 Lexus GX 470 Sport) will get a new VVTi V8 producing 270bhp and 330lb.ft. of torque (In all likelihood, this is going to make it VERY VERY fast....at least by SUV standards) |
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| MDX189 |
I understand that the 4Runner was redesigned. I just didn't think that the improvements in the suspension would make up for the fact that it's still a truck. It sounds like you're in a better position to make that judgement than me.
I never thought the power to be a problem...in either vehicle.
What about the roominess of the passenger & cargo areas? |
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| hhwc |
quote:
Originally posted by MDX189
I understand that the 4Runner was redesigned. I just didn't think that the improvements in the suspension would make up for the fact that it's still a truck. It sounds like you're in a better position to make that judgement than me.
I never thought the power to be a problem...in either vehicle.
What about the roominess of the passenger & cargo areas?
I had a '02 MDX now I have a '04 4Runner 4WD Sport Edition. I'm not looking back! |
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| Markedoc |
quote:
Originally posted by hhwc
I had a '02 MDX now I have a '04 4Runner 4WD Sport Edition. I'm not looking back!
Can you give me any feedback on the difference between the 2? I am looking to trade the MDX in within the next year before my 50k warranty expires.
Thanks |
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| sushix |
Here is my personal opinion after I test drove my friend's 04 Runner(Limited Edition).
Things I don't like:
-cheap hard leather
-suspension too soft(less responsive than X)
-truck like ride
-busy dash board
-smaller and narrow trunk space
-no third roll seats
-no independent rear ac control
-Toyota Vs Acura
Things I like:
-Remote keyless rear window power-down operation
-2 extra cup holders in the front
Both cars are similar priced, MDX is the clear winner here. |
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| EXCALIBUR |
sushix,
I know that most of us are MDX owners here, but what do you think of the 4Runner styling vs. the MDX styling? When I bought my MDX in 2002, the 2003 redesigned 4Runner was not released yet.:confused: |
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| CTPYHA |
| Guys, I don't mean to rain on your parade. You all have good knowledge and so, but did you read the question carefully enough? The gentleman was looking at 2001 MDX. Such car should hardly cost over $20000. And you are suggesting a comparison with brand new, over $30000 4Runner... :rolleyes: |
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| msu79gt82 |
quote:
Originally posted by CTPYHA
Guys, I don't mean to rain on your parade. You all have good knowledge and so, but did you read the question carefully enough? The gentleman was looking at 2001 MDX. Such car should hardly cost over $20000. And you are suggesting a comparison with brand new, over $30000 4Runner... :rolleyes:
FYI: Earlier this year I traded an '01 for an '04 - we rec'd $27K for the trade-in value on our '01 that had 47K miles on it, a cracked windshield, and bald tires.
An '01 MDX in good condition should retail for a lot more than $20K. |
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| Markedoc |
quote:
Originally posted by msu79gt82
FYI: Earlier this year I traded an '01 for an '04 - we rec'd $27K for the trade-in value on our '01 that had 47K miles on it, a cracked windshield, and bald tires.
An '01 MDX in good condition should retail for a lot more than $20K.
I'd say south of $25k though, at least according to edmunds. |
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| Delaware Blue |
quote:
I'd say south of $25k though, at least according to edmunds.
I'm currently in the market and looking at '01 and '02 certified MDX's. I've found a few below $24k. That being said, in this general area (50 - 75 mile radius of Dover, DE), the asking prices average $24k - $26k for those years. 2003 models (they are few and far between) are in the $30k range.
The prices for "used" MDX's (generally dealers other than Acura dealers when you find them) are all over the board. |
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| shootist |
Delaware,
If it's "certified" by Acura, I believe it includes the 7 year 100,000 Acura extended warranty. Buying one of those on a 2001 would cost you more than $2,000, if yoi can get it at all after normal warranty expiration. Figure that in with your price analysis.
The older the vehicle, the more valuable the Extended Warranty seems. |
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| Delaware Blue |
quote:
Originally posted by shootist
Delaware,
If it's "certified" by Acura, I believe it includes the 7 year 100,000 Acura extended warranty. Buying one of those on a 2001 would cost you more than $2,000, if yoi can get it at all after normal warranty expiration.
I know there is an addititional cost for the "certified" warranty. I've seen the difference in price at an Acura dealer who had one certified MDX and one (basically the same) that was not certified. That cost is built into the price of the certified vehicle - it's not free.
But if I understood my local dealer correctly, the warranty that comes with the certified MDX is from the date the vehicle was first put in service. So if I purchase a "certified" 4-year old MDX with 65,000 miles on it, the warranty for me is for 3 years and 35,000 miles - not an additional 7 years and/or 100,000 miles from the time I purchase the vehicle. It's certainly not a bad deal on a 4 year old vehicle and probably worth paying extra for. I'm sure that's why some MDX's make the certified cut and others do not. |
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| renov8r |
The way Acura (and most other certified user programs) set-up the warranty it is until the car reaches 100,000K miles total or seven years from first "in-service" date.
This is basically the same coverage that COULD have been purchased with a new vehicle for addtional cost, but there are important points that you should be aware of when comparing a "non-certified"used to one that has the coverage.
Number one is that if an Acura dealer is selling a used MDX w/o Certified Pre-owned status that means that there are REASONS that vehicle would NOT qualify for the status. Typically it is because there have already been numerous repairs made to it, other times it is becuase the service history is KNOWN to be beyond the manufacturere limits, other times the damn thing is just too smoked in & dirty to get up the Certifed standard.
Also of importance is the probablity that the NON-certified vehicle did NOT come to the dealership via a trade-in, typically such vehicles have worked their way through multiple owners/auctions. There is nothing de facto wrong with that, but typically each time a vehicle changes hands it loses value, especially potential re-sale as you cannot legally say "one owner" any longer and that hurts the "by owner" potential. Now if you are going to hang onto a vehicle for a long time and/or drive it until it has so many miles it explodes, then that may not be a consideration.
You should not assume that the warranty ITSELF is worth an extra $2000, it is more accurate to look at the whole picture -- a CLEAN, documented, easy-to-trade vehicle that will be backed with a FULL Waranty until the vehicle reaches 100K miles/seven years in service VS "as is".... |
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