| jurincie |
It has now been a week since I moved from a Sandstone 03 touring NAV to a Steel Blue 07 technology. Overall I love the car and how sporty it feels and sounds. Here are some of my thoughts so far in no particular order:
- The front seats and outboard 2nd row seats are much more comfortable. My 6' 2" 200 lb body could not ride in the center of the 2nd row seat for very long. The 3rd row is actually more comfortable to me than the middle of the 2nd row - it is just a little hard to get back there.
- The power feels about the same as the 03 until it hits around 3,500 RPM then it really opens up. The exhaust sound is much more aggressive in the upper RPM ranges and sounds great without being overbearing.
- The rear window washer actually has a nozzle and doesn't just dribble water down the window like my 03.
- The sound system is much improved over the Bose in my 03 which I upgraded to Infinity speakers. I think there is room for improvement, but I am much happier with it and do not plan on making any changes. I am amazed at the integration between the audio system and NAV screen and how you can control just about everything with the voice control.
- I agree a car in this range should have a self dimming mirror as a matter of principle. Though I haven't had a problem with lights in the mirror due to the height of the vehicle.
- I have concerns about the longevity of the floor mats. They look fine until you pick them up. They are very light and have a soft foam backing that looks like it will not survive well over time. I can see that they saved some weight and money here. I think my all-season mats will be spending more time in the car than on my last one.
- The HID headlights are great along with all of the interior lighting changes. They spent a lot of time on the lighting including foot well lights and blue console and foot well lights that operate with the doors closed. I really like the dash lighting though it may be similar to the later first generation MDX's.
- The customization options are a little overwhelming at first. You can now set auto door lock & un-lock preferences, lighting delays, if you want the speed compensation on the wipers, and lots more.
- I got used to not having the touch screen on the NAV within the first few days. The voice recognition actually works now. I never had much luck with it on the 03. I like that there is now a day/night button on the dash. Now I don't have to fumble to switch the brightness through the menus when I run the headlights during the day due to rain.
- I am very happy to see the phone integration and already have it paired with two phones in our household. The voice recognition to dial has worked flawlessly.
- I prefer the console lid setup from the first generation much better than the split design on the new one. I miss having the small compartment on top for pen & paper. I also preferred the power connection in the console instead of behind it.
- My daughter gives thumbs up to the rear seat climate controls and the improved cup holder in the armrest. It is taller so drinks won't tip over.
- The B pillar plastic no longer dents each time you forget to gently return the front seat belt to its resting place.
- I like the lighted steering wheel controls, and there are a lot of them on there to like. I also like the power tilt and telescoping steering wheel. I did disable the option to have it move the steering wheel all the way up and in every time you turn off the car - it seemed like a maintenance issue waiting to happen.
- The drivers information center between the tach & speedometer is very useful. It displays incoming and outgoing phone number information along with vehicle and trip information. Mine spends most of its time showing the torque split between the four wheels.
- The brakes are much tighter and engage quicker.
- The bigger NAV display is much easier on my 40+ year old eyes and is located much closer to your normal field of vision when driving.
- I'm not sure about the folding ignition key. Maybe it will grow on me. |
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| gurneyeagle |
I just finished my first week in my '07.
Good point about setting all the preferences for doors, lights, etc. One struck me in particular -
When I switched the lights to "auto", the headlights would come on everytie the driver's door opened. What am I doing wrong here? I finally gave up on the "auto" setting.
The problem is that with the gauges always lit and the DRL's, you think you have turned on the lights. I got used to it in my TL - and the TL doesn't have DRL's, but the wife is struggling a little bit.
gurney |
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| SuperTech |
| How are guys coping with the much larger blind spot created by the D pillar? I'm always a little nervous backing these things up just because there's so much obscured. |
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| crazymjb |
I was under the impression the camera was sufficient in covering blind spots.
Mike |
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| jurincie |
quote:
Originally posted by SuperTech
How are guys coping with the much larger blind spot created by the D pillar? I'm always a little nervous backing these things up just because there's so much obscured.
I don't notice any more of a blind spot than with my 03 in day to day driving. I think it is because the bottom of the far back side windows are about the same size, it is the top that has been cut off. Mostly when I am looking through them I am looking down and not up toward the sky. I have noticed when backing up that the bottom of the back window is higher than before and I depend on the camera more. |
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| H2ODavid |
the rear view camera covers a much wider angle than my 04 did, that helps cover any backup problems.
I find the 07 ElS sound system much INFERIOR to my 04 deluxe Bose system. The 07 sounds very tinny and has almost no base or warmth. |
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| SuperTech |
quote:
Originally posted by crazymjb
I was under the impression the camera was sufficient in covering blind spots.
Mike
A: I'd be nervous being in the same parking lot if I knew someone was using the camera to do anything other than making sure there isn't a kid behind the vehicle before you start going in reverse.
and B: The camera won't help you when you are on the freeway and change lanes right into a motorcyclist than you couldn't see because the blind spot is large enough to totally hide the rider from you. |
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| jurincie |
quote:
Originally posted by SuperTech
and B: The camera won't help you when you are on the freeway and change lanes right into a motorcyclist than you couldn't see because the blind spot is large enough to totally hide the rider from you.
I just haven't noticed much of a difference unless I am trying to look up at the sky through the third row window. I've only spent about 200 miles driving it though. How tall are you, maybe it has to do with driving position. I had several occasions in Phoenix where people in Expeditions or Suburbans tried to change lanes into my Corvette. The problem with the Corvette is that it is so low people look right over the top of it. I quickly learned not to linger in some ones blind spot. |
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| gurneyeagle |
quote:
Originally posted by SuperTech
How are guys coping with the much larger blind spot created by the D pillar? I'm always a little nervous backing these things up just because there's so much obscured.
No problem for me. My Tl is much harder to see out of and the mirrors are much smaller.
gurney |
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| panthers544 |
jurincie- I will be looking for your X in and around the CLT area.
I haven't got that far into the owners manual to set up lighting/lock perferences yet(that will be tomorrow)
I agree with many things you mentioned. The carpet mats are in my attic replaced with the all season mats-yes they did skimp on quality
The blind spot at the d-pillar is somewhat a distraction. I keep thinking there is someone back there out of the corner of my eye(don't know why) and when I go to look at the window it is somewhat hard to see traffic.
All in all it is much more of a joy to drive than my 03X. |
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