| paotmc |
| What're the differences between the premium and the touring package, other than the rain-sensing wiper, michelin tires, power adjustable passenger seat, 6-disc cd changer, and roof rack? I am 22 years old coming out of college and looking to get an MDX. I don't think I'll need the navigation nor DVD system. But right now I can't decide between the base and touring. I don't need the cd-changer because I'll most likely install the music link for ipod. and I think I can get a new set of tires anytime. What do you guys think if I'm gonna go with the base MDX for $3,000 cheaper? |
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| SDTS |
You have already answered all of your own questions. Theonly other feature that you missed, is the HandsFreeLink Telephone feature...which you can buy a Headset and serve much of the same purpose.
The ONLY reason I would recommend you to go with a touring over a premium is because if the resale value....but from your post, I would say go with the Premium......no reason to spend the money if the features are not important to you. |
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| JeffK |
Just a bit of information:
On a lease, the residuals (the approximate value at the end of the lease) for a premium (base) are 3% higher than on a touring.
At least the leasing companies, including Honda Financial, feel that the base will hold 3% more of its value than a premium.
So as to resale value, the base premium is a better bet as compared to touring.
JeffK |
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| SDTS |
Dealers have less interest in Premium Models.....people that buy preowned products, on a whole, want as many bells and whistles as they can get their hands on. That is usually the main reason they are buying used, becasue they do not want to settle for less features if they buy new. Our preference is Nav or better.....much larger customer base looking for these units than anything else.
Another example of this.......TL's with Nav residualize for less than TL's without, but there is not a dealer in the country that would rather have a TL without NAV.
The main reasons they residualize a Non Nav TL or a Premium MDX for more, is because of two reasons-
1) Less expensive car is less risk of loss---this is not a huge reason as the costs in these usits differences is minimal.
2) Higher residual values to push more sales and create a better "Advertised Lease Special" to get you in the door and then switch you to a higher model.
The banks compete for our business as well...and if they can come up with a lease program that we could use as an advertisement, then it encourages us to use their bank for the lease/loan.
So, just because a bank residualizes something higher, does not necessarily mean that it is going to have higher resale value.
In the same breath though, manufacturer's love to grab a hold of residual %'s to say their resale value is the best. It's all nothing but a big giant chess game. |
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| eurohazard |
If you're single....this might not be a biggie...........but this was a clincher for me when I chose the Touring model:
2 way programmable seats/mirrors. Meaning, my wife will use her key fob, and the seat and outside mirror setting go to where she likes them, and vice versa for me. |
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| JeffK |
Dear SDTS:
Sorry, abut I must disagree.
If you go to either Edmunds or Kellys Blue Book or your own "blue book" you will see that the Premiums hold a higher percentage of value than the Tourings.
The reason for this is quite simple: The Premium is a better value.
If you want either Nav or DVD you must buy the Touring. Very few buy the Touring without one or both of these features.
On the resale market, little value is given to "bells and whistles". The extra features of the Touring are nice, but it is still a Premium with bells and whistles.
This was true in '03 when I leased my MDX at MSRP - there were no dealer or advertised "specials".
The reality is that Acura makes more per car on a Touring than on a premium. Clearly, the extra features do not cost Acura $2,543 the difference between the Premium and the Touring. There is extra profit there.
The lower residual on the Premium reflect this reality. Plain and simple.
JeffK |
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| andreseng |
| As far as the NAV goes, I can tell you first hand it's worth it. I can also tell you there are plenty of people on this board who have regretted not getting it. True it costs you more. But if you can swing it I would highly recommend you do it. And if you are single it's a hell of a "WOW" factor!!:2: |
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| paotmc |
| andreseng, why is it worth it? can you explain in a little bit more detail? as far as the "wow" factor goes, I don't really need the navigation system to wow girls because I myself is attractive enough to wow girls haha... |
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| SDTS |
Well...not as though as it si a surprise, we are going to have to disagree again. Until you are in a dealership, dealing with the public on a daily basis and what they are looking for when they are buying a car, you don't understand exactly what I am talking about.
In 03...there was no need for advertised specials as the units were still selling quite well on their own.
If there was also more demand for a 182, then why do dealers not order more of them for their inventory?
I donot mean for this to sound racist at all, but certain ethnic backrounds have pretty similar buying habits...and I stock 182's for those ethniticities..and if I went back through my sales for the year, 90% of my 182 sales would fall into that race. They are more concerned about the $ spent, than the features provided.
KBB, NADA, Little Black Book...are ALL good sources for getting an idea of what a car is worth, but actual demand for the vehicle then dictates what thhe car is worth in relation to book.
NAV units, are worth close to book, almost every time. Obviously, right now, the MDX is an exception with all of its models becuase of incentives, but the point still remains the same. Anything without Nav, is worth...on an avergae....$2000*$2500 back of book...ws/ Nav---about $1000-$1500 back of book right now....at least this is the market in Calif.
Not everything is told through stats and info. Go out and shop the two units...you might be surprised at what the difference is between the demand for the different units.
But hey...it's all good to disagree on this one and the last thing I want to do is turn this thread into ones of the past!! :D
paotmc-
Personally....if I am going to spend 30K on an MDX, I would consider a loaded up Pilot instead.
As the above mentioned.....if you havenever owned NAv, you won't miss it....but once you have it, most will never go without it again. But again...you seemed to answer all your own questions between the models, so you may be one that a 182 is perfect for.
And hey...the resale value thing, no matter what...over the years you will own it, the difference in resale between the models will end up being amounts that I would not weigh that toomuch in your decision....it's much more about getting the unit that fits your needs the best and will give you the best ownership experience than worrying about the people AFTER you!!!! :D |
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| JeffK |
Dear SDTS:
I really think we are saying exactly the same thing:
On the resale market, for a 2 to 3 year old MDX, why not spend $1000 to $1500 more for a touring/nav over a premium. I couldn't agree with you more - I would spring for the extra $1000 to $1500.
Now let us look for a moment on the seller's side - which is where I am coming from.
A Touring with Nav will cost about about $5,000 more than a Premium base.
When you go to sell your 3 year old MDX Touring with Nav, you will get about $1000 to $1500 more than a base.
Hence of the $5,000 extra, in three years you have lost $3,500 of it.
In fact the longer you keep your MDX the price differential between a base and a Touring with Nav decreases. If you wait 8 years there is no differential at all!
So from your point of view, of course you would rather have the Toruing with Nav to resell.
But from a purely economic point of view, the base holds its value (percentage wise) much better than a touring with nav.
The MDX is not unique. A base car, regardless of the manufacturer, will always hold a higher percentage of its value, than the same car with options.
JeffK |
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| SDTS |
JeffK-
Another reason, as I was just thinking about it, that you and I differ on this one could very well have a lot ot do with the areas we live in.
You live in in an area, I presume, that driving in snow in the winter is a daily event..holds a different form of importance to have 4 wheel drive. Out here, most people never even see the snow. Perhaps a rainy day once in a while and an occasional trip to Tahoe, but due to the different lifestyles, the importance of bells and whistles could very well hold a lot of different levels between the East coast and the West coast.
So just based on regions alone, we actually could both be right on this one.....at the very least, I can definitely see both sides of the story!!! :D |
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| JeffK |
That is why I said we are really saying the same thing:
You are speaking from the seller's side - clearly I too would love to have a car that listed for $5000 more ((touring with nav)and be able to sell it for only $1000 more than a base premium.
As a seller, I would be pretty upset that after only 3 years, my touring with nav, that cost $5000 more than a base, when I go to sell and/or trade it in, is worth only $1000 more!
Here in the East, the MDX is not a status symbol, or even considered a luxury SUV. The Porsche Cayenne, Cadillac Escalade have that market.
The MDX really does not have real competition: Lexus 350 is smaller, plusher and more expensive: The Big Lexus is much more expensive. The truck based SUV appeal to those trailering boats, etc.
Perhaps the closet competition is the VW Tourage, but its reliability is questionable and the interior space is limited and of course the Honda Pilot and the Toyota Highlander.
Most buyers of the MDX are looking for interior space and all weather (snow) capability.
JeffK |
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| SDTS |
Except that the KBB value or NADA or whatever, will be higher than the base model book.
Premium wholesale book with average miles and a 2003 model year-24000
Touring without Nav---26125
Touring w/ Nav----26650
That premium...here in CAlifornia is worth 22000-22500
Touring without Nav----24000-24500
W/ NAv-25000-25500
So the difference is not as extreme as you pointed out....at least not here in Calif. Your point is still very valid, as yes, you are not getting all of the extra money spent, but with these figures you are looking at a difference of what/....2000 to have nav and all the touring features over three years---666 bucks a year for all the stuff that comes along with it. That's only on emore car payment a year for a lot of folks.
When it is a status symbol like it is out here, it is worth that all day long to most. But as you pointed out, on the East Coast, there are different needs and you use them for space and snow, so that 182 could also hold closer to book in your area compared to mine....thus making the difference greater.
So.....if resale is important in your decision as to which model MDX to buy, check your area you live it for the model values, as it will differ from region to region on exactly what it is going to cost you. |
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| andreseng |
quote:
Originally posted by paotmc
andreseng, why is it worth it? can you explain in a little bit more detail? as far as the "wow" factor goes, I don't really need the navigation system to wow girls because I myself is attractive enough to wow girls haha...
The navigation system is probably the best OEM one available. I have used it countless times to get somewhere, to re-route around traffic, to find a restaurant, to find a hotel/motel, a school (soccer dad) etc. I don't even carry a map anymore. And with the POI (points of interest) feature many times you merely input a phone number and you're there.
Go for a test drive and check it out is all I'm saying before you pull the trigger. And don't just map something local. Try that girlfriend you don't need to wow who lives two states away too! |
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| Bnuke |
I just traded my 2003 Touring Nav for a 2006 Touring Nav/Res. There are a few things that I would have a hard time being without now that I've had them:
1. Navigation - Having driven my MDX from New England to San Diego I now swear by this. Do a test drive in New York City or San Francisco and you'll see what this system can do. The 2006 version is great!
2. Handsfree Link - Hooked within seconds! Get a bluetooth phone and you'll wonder how you did without this.
3. Memory Seats/Mirrors - My mom-in-law and wife are both short and it really bothers me to have to re-adjust everything after they have had the car. One button sets everything back to normal for me. This was the single feature that sold me on my 2003 Touring MDX.
4. Backup camera - Once you figure out how to guage distance, this combined with auto[tilt mirror makes parallel parking a breeze. It is also nice to ensure that I don't have kids or dogs running behind me when I'm backing out of my driveway.
I was reluctant to spend the money when I bought my 2003 MDX but I realized how much time I spent in my vehicle and I figured it's only money, I'll make more of it. These "bells and whistles" really do make your driving experience easier and more enjoyable.
Go for it!
Bnuke |
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| JeffK |
I guess there is a difference between East and West.
I just went to KBB.com and took the price on an '03 MDX, trade in value, with 45,000 miles in good condition. I used zip code 11030 on Long Island.
I leased my '03 in November of 2002 and it has 45,000 miles. I think it is in good condition.
Kbb.com has the following:
Premium w/o roof rack $21,215
Touring with Nav $22,195
Touring with Nav & DVD $22,505
So as I posted, after 3 years and 45,000 miles the difference between a base w/o roof rack and a touring with nav is about $1,000. The Touring nav with DVD is worth only $400 more although it cost $1300 more!
So once again, from your point of view as a seller, a sale of touring with nav and/or DVD for only $1500 is an easy sell.
But for the owner/seller he has seen $4,000 of his initial investment of $5,000 disappear!
If the owner of the touring with nav/ DVD waits another two to three years the differential between his car and base will be negligible.
Hence, as I have posted, the better value is the base premium.
When I ran the numbers using zip code 90001 (Los Angeles I got the following)
Premium w/o roof rack $20,615
Touring with Nav $22,695
Touring with Nav & DVD $23,505
So it seems on the West Coast, the Touring/nav retains does better than on the East Coast.
But still the touring with nav owner has lost $3,000 or his initial investment of $5,000 and the touring Nav/DVD has lost $3,300 of his initial investment of $6,300.
I think we can agree that the base premium holds its value better as compared to either the touring with nav or the touring with nav/DVD.
JeffK |
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| SDTS |
This always sounds like a sales pitch, but one thing I have always believed when buying cars.......
Get as much car as you can possibly afford, because the money you save by "settling" when you buy the car, is never as much as you "lose" by getting out of a car right after you buy it because you wish you had gotten the one you really wanted.
But watch your budget.....cause the damage late car payments and repos cause takes 10 years to go away and stop costing you money!!!!!! And that damage is not limited to just cars!!!!
JeffK--
Just remember.....KBB.com is also a "guide". They are low on some cars and way too high on others. If I have more desire to have a unit because I have more buyers for the car, then I am going to pay more for it in relation to book. KBB does NOT take this into account. They hit HOnda's WAY too hard..they are worth more than what KBB.com says, and they are MILES off the mark on VW's...way way WAY too high in value.
Kbb is their own site, and they want people to use their book, so they are going to make their values seem as close to what they say they are worth as possible. I would much rather use NADA or the LIttle Black Book...they tend to be more accurate and they base the numbers on regions...however, all the banks in California base their loans on KBB so we are stuck using that guide as long as they do.
But hey...we are going round and round actually agreeing...the only thing we are going to differ on is the cars actual trade value...but hey, when was the last time a dealer and a customer actually agreed on that!!!!??!!!! :D |
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