| asteve |
So after a week's worth of obtaining quotes and having dealers scan their dwindling inventory, I finally got an MDX from Power Acura in Torrance. They pricematched Santa Monica Acura of a base model, with roof rack installed, for $32k before TTR. [Power was willing to PM SM Acura's TOURING, no nav or res, price of $33.7k but no one had our color]. I figured with the roof rack installed [dealer has it at around $300 for parts/labor], I got in for $2000 below invoice so I'm happy OTD was $34,674 factoring in a 7.25% sales tax. Only caveat is they didn't have time to install the roof rack so it was on the "Work Order" form...the nice part is that I didn't have to REMIND them that was included in the original quote but I do have to go back later on to get it installed.
Car notes:
+MDX rides like a sedan, not a truck: a BIG plus for my wife and I as we used to own a 2000 Pathfinder [truck-based] and that sucker seemed to want to tip over at every turn. +With split open and horrendous rush hour traffic in about 45 miles of driving, the trip computer avg'd 22.1 MPG.
+XM Radio...I now see why people rave about it: lots of selection and most are ad-free but personally, I won't be subscribing after the trial ends.
+Excellent power delivery - so easy to pass [well, a bit biased as our prior cars were/are 4-cylinder Hondas save for the Pathfinder]
+Comfy seats
+Disappointed with the separate key and remote fob: current Accord's keyfob is integrated but very minor complaint
+Steering wheel controls are unlit
+Moonroof controls are where they SHOULD be: at the top! [Honda owners: rejoice]
+Back to the radio, XM sound quality, to me, is halfway tween AM and FM. I ended up listening to my iPod via the FM transmitter...too bad there's no direct aux input.
+Auto on/off lights, side mirror heaters, LED illumination: never had em so I'm living the dream right now. Speaking of LED illumination, if it's at full brightness, it almost got distracting: I wanted to stare at the gauges instead of at the roads.
Socal dealer notes:
POWER ACURA: Salesguy I dealt with, Marouan Mossadaq, was good - always e/v-mailed me back [sometimes a few times a day] and no games or last minute add-ons were played at the dealership. F&I guy, Michael, offered me the usual stuff but after declining, he quickly moved on. No need to bring in a printout of SM Acura's prices for proof. Oh, Marouan took down my credit card number for a $500 deposit after he located my MDX from another dealer for but ended up never charging the card
KEYES ACURA: Willing to PM. Upfront about inventory [didn't have the color combo/model we wanted] but they don't do dealer trades. Ted Ryan was professional and always contacted me back if I had questions. Keyes was one day late than Power getting back to me: if Power couldn't get it, I was willing to go here as an MDX, w/ our specs, was inbound w/i a few days. Would've been a LOT closer but oh well.
SANTA MONICA ACURA: Best initial pricing BUT when it came time to do the deal, Julio Lopez ignored my emails about faxing me the sales contract and also said it'd take between "a few hours to a week" to get my MDX: I had to go in the office to start of the process. They ignored me so I did the same.
ACURA 101 WEST: Sam Motamedi gave me a higher pricing but was only willing to PM if I brought in the written quote to his office. Didn't give me specifics about having it in stock as well.
CERRITOS ACURA: Cynthia Olague was also higher but ultimately, the dealer wouldn't PM.
VALENCIA ACURA: I'm still waiting for any sign of life...never responded back to the intial request.
How I did it: started off with using Edmunds dealer locator thingy and for Acura dealers not listed, I emailed them directly from their own websites found on Acura.com. Power Acura accepts up to $5k on a credit card ["free" points!] and you can finance the rest though I cut a check for the balance: they run a credit check on you and basically state if the check doesn't go through, it'll convert to an auto loan: made sure the F&I guy checkmarked the box that stated, "NO INTEREST OWED IN PAID IN FULL".
If you have any questions, ask away! |
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| g35rocker |
Great deal. I just replied to your other post on the other board. Looks like you used a different sales person, but with the same results! That says a lot for the dealership.
I have a question for you. You stated that you use a FM transmitter for your iPod. Does it work OK? Does the sound fade in and out? I have used the cassette adapter with another vehicle and it worked OK. What brand is it? There are a few posts in this fourm about hard wiring you ipod. Just do a search. Thanks!
What color? Or did you state that?
Enjoy your ride! |
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| socalJD |
Congratulations and welcome aboard !
You did an abbreviated version of my recent purchase. Got the low quote from Santa Monica and used that as leverage at Keyes. Keyes was the only dealer that had my color & model - and they had 2 to boot. Thomas in W. Covina was also very competitive and great to work with, but they couldn't get the color. Don't forget to check out Tim @ Hondacuraworld for accessories and parts . . . |
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| asteve |
Silver/Quartz
I picked up Griffin's iTrip Mini since it had the smallest form factor but I'd stick w/ the cassette adapter if possible [forgot if the TOURING has a cassette deck]: sound quality is MUCH better and no static as opposed to any FM transmitter. Can't believe I wish my new ride had a freakin cassette deck!!!
Check out the below link for a nice comparison:
Ipod FM Transmitter Shootout
Being in such a large metro area, it's hard to find a station that works in all areas. I've seen the detailed photos of the hardwire job - cleanest way to go but I'd be afraid I'd break all the tabs :)
Cheers!
I have a question for you. You stated that you use a FM transmitter for your iPod. Does it work OK? Does the sound fade in and out? I have used the cassette adapter with another vehicle and it worked OK. What brand is it? There are a few posts in this fourm about hard wiring you ipod. Just do a search. Thanks!
What color? Or did you state that? |
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| Edw5 |
Due to the big discounts going on with the MDXs, I too just recently purchase a base model 05 MDX for just $32,400. The discounts are also going on with the PILOTs, and my brother was able to purchase a 05 PILOT LX for just $23,600.
I currently also have a 99 Odyssey, and I would said the performance difference between my Odyssey over the MDX is dramatic. The MDX’s ride is firmer, much quieter, and the performance in turns of acceleration is like night and day. Only after a week of driving the MDX my wife said, “I thought there was something wrong with the Odyssey because of its lack of acceleration”.
As for you IPOD FM connection, I think you could go directly into the Head unit's CD changer input with a device from P.I.E. I have this device in my 99 Honda Odyssey for my aftermarket DVD player and my CD changer, because I just hated the FM module. This device will allow you to control your CD changer from the Head unit like and also give you 3 pairs of RCA inputs. I am pretty sure the base model have the CD changer input in the back of the Head unit, but what I am not should about if this P.I.E. would work if you do not have a CD changer. There are other AUX converters by P.I.E. that will work with just your IPOD. Check it out.
The following is what I have in my 99 Odyssey:
P.I.E X3 Multi-Source Auxiliary Converter:
http://shop.store.yahoo.com/logjam/piex3auxconv.html
Required P.I.E. X3-HON98 X3 Wiring Harness for Acura & Honda Vehicles:
http://store.yahoo.com/logjam/piex3hon98.html
P.I.E site: http://www.pie.net/ |
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