| NBAUM |
I owned a 2004 MDX that I replaced with a 2007. In some ways i liked the 2004 better.
1- I get almost 2 miles per gallon less on the 07 (they offset that with a larger gas tank)
2- The rear backup camera comes on much slower and cannot be seen as easily.
3- I no longer have automatic wipers that turn on.
4- The voice recognition system cannot understand my wife. (Sometimes I can't either but thats another subject)
I could have saved $8000 and bought an 06. Maybe I should have. |
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| andreseng |
| Yeah, but you always have the T-Bird! ;) |
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| Norb |
| Don't dwell on the negative, it's not healthy. |
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| deejay |
| I don't own a 07, I have an 06 but my neighbor has experienced the same exact problems with his 07 compared to his previous 04. The same thing is said in my community, that the 07 is just not what they used to be. I hope that you are enjoying your new X, and realize that you are defiantly not the only one disappointed with the 07. Good luck!! |
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| BLEXV6 |
quote:
Originally posted by deejay
I don't own a 07, I have an 06 but my neighbor has experienced the same exact problems compared to his previous 04. The same thing is said in my community, that the 07 is just not what they used to be. I hope that you are enjoying your new X, and realize that you are defiantly not the only one disappointed with the 07. Good luck!!
The bottom line is that the 01 to 06 MDX was a great vehicle, that was a huge seller. There were very few SUVs like it for the price, thus the huge demand. The 07 is nicer for sure, just not enough better to justify the money over the previous generation. That and there is a lot more great SUVs out there competing for the market and people are looking for more fuel efficient vehicles. The X should be possibly a Hybrid or have deactivating cylinders like the Ody. |
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| skavan |
just traded in my '03 x for a new Sport/Entertainment '07...
and wow - personally it's like night and day:
1. More power
2. *Oozes more class on the interior and exterior*
3. Terrific new gadgets : HFL and the 6xDVD changer
4. Much improved audio quality
5. Lots of little touches: placement of storage/cupholders. seat adjustability, console layout etc... etc....
Just my 2C.
s. |
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| stoke2 |
| yeah, that's the drag about these forums sometimes. some people make claims as if they are fact. these are OPINIONS, NOT FACTS! Let's keep this a nice place to express them! |
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| vapors |
quote:
Originally posted by BLEXV6
The bottom line is that the 01 to 06 MDX was a great vehicle, that was a huge seller. There were very few SUVs like it for the price, thus the huge demand. The 07 is nicer for sure, just not enough better to justify the money over the previous generation. That and there is a lot more great SUVs out there competing for the market and people are looking for more fuel efficient vehicles. The X should be possibly a Hybrid or have deactivating cylinders like the Ody.
I agree with you partially. . . .I traded my 02 X Touring for my 07 X Sport. My 02 was nice, but my 07 is awesome! However, I think that most people are not concerned about the price of gas or mileage at this price point. The 07 BMW X5 (V6) gets the same gas mileage, and the Audi Q7 does 2 mpg WORSE (V6). Bottom line is that, if you want performance, you are gonna have to burn a little fuel to get it. Buy a Jetta Turbo Diesel if you want gas mileage. . . .they get about 50 mpg. And for those Dems that think Al Gore is right about global warming, Acuras have LOWER greenhouse gas emissions compared to the X5 and Q7 according to the fueleconomy.gov web site.
I for one am going to be thrilled to drive my X to work in the morning in 6" to 12" of fresh snow. Try doing that in your Ody, which doesn't even have an AWD option. Trust me, I know. My wife had an 02 Ody before I traded it in for her 05 Sequoia. She got stuck in it three times in one winter before I finally got tired of it and sold it. |
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| justG0 |
01 - 06 MDX - minivan looking like a SUV
07 MDX - sports car looking like a SUV
Ok, the above 2 statements may not be exactly right, but you get the idea ;)
When coming out with the 07 MDX, Acura had one thing in mind and that was to go after the people who end up buying X5. I waited 1 year for the new X5 to come out, but after driving the new 07 MDX, I saw no reason to shell over > 10K extra for a comparable but less reliable SUV.
Here's a review that has a good comparison of 07 MDX to X5:
http://www.businessweek.com/autos/c...0213_539851.htm
Yes, people love their 01 - 06 MDX, but then they are in the market for something else. 07 MDX appeals to a different consumer base - if you look at Acura's Marketing, they make sure that you know that: "07 MDX was benchmarked against some of the best performance SUVs in the world and tuned on the world famous Nurburging racetrack in Germany."
Acura has made sure of retaining most of the good qualities of 01 - 06 MDX model, so its not a big change overall, but in terms of driving and handling, there is no comparison between the two, IMHO. |
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| deejay |
| I presume that all of you new people only have driven the 07, and have not had the same experience that I have had with my previous 2 X's. The 07 looks to me like my x3 which sucks in snow. To me, this is not a SUV at all, it is a sporty crossover that has a little bit more oomph than the Rdx does. I'm definitely not here to argue, however you do have to realize that the previous model see the benchmark for many great SUV's that we see today, as well as the 07. |
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| skavan |
quote:
Originally posted by deejay
I presume that all of you new people only have driven the 07, and have not had the same experience that I have had with my previous 2 X's. The 07 looks to me like my x3 which sucks in snow. To me, this is not a SUV at all, it is a sporty crossover that has a little bit more oomph than the Rdx does. I'm definitely not here to argue, however you do have to realize that the previous model see the benchmark for many great SUV's that we see today, as well as the 07.
Just goes to show that beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
As mentioned above, I traded in the '03X for the '07....and I can't see, for the life of me, where folks are coming from when the negatively compare the '07 to its predecessors.
About the only complaints I have vs prior models is my sense that rear visibility has shrunk a tad (but only a tad).
My wife misses the rubber shelf on the rear bumper for putting cups on (and then forgetting to remove them as she drives off)!
...and thats about it.
From a drivers perspective, the '03 was great, the '07 is awesome.
Froma passengers perspective - it's all good.
...and they really aren't that different anyway so I'm consuming too much digital ink on this.
ciao. |
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| dshedrick |
| I went from an 04-X Touring to the 07-X Sport. I'm very happy with my 07 and enjoy it a lot more than my 04. There are a few items missing, auto wipers and d/n mirror (option in the 07) for example, but these are little differences that I don't really miss. |
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| SullyC5er |
I love these Generation I vs Generation II discussions. It happens in all car forums. Frequently the auto manufacturer re-designs looking to attract another market segment and in the processes disappoints some the Generation I buyers.
This is my first Acura so I cannot personally compare to the previous MDX; however, compared to any vehicle I have driven (excluding the Corvette), the '07 is awesome! The bells & whistles are cool, but for me it is all about ride, especially handling. The MDX is the closest thing to my Vette in its ability to handle the road. Now if other factors are more important...cupholder location, rear camera, audio, etc...those drivers may have a different opinion. There is no right or wrong, just different needs & diverse opinions. |
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| Brad Moody |
I own both generations. Acura built the "daddy driver" into the 2nd generation (not my term, but straight from the dealer themselves).
It's true, the first gen (I own both) is geared for a different type of driver. The 2nd gen handles far better, has more room, more power, more amenities, incredible lights (I love those HIDs), far quieter, and the same mileage.
I received 24.5 mpg traveling this weekend at 70 mph to Myrtle Beach. When I did 80 mph coming home, 22.5 mpg. I honestly don't care if I receive 10 mpg. The car fits me (I am 6'5"), it is powerful, has an awesome sound system, and is just plain fun to drive.
I thought I really liked the first gen until I started driving the 2nd regularly. Both are fine SUVs, one version gets me there, the other makes me smile!:D |
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| Mia's Dad |
| I totally agree with Brad... I am 6'8" and have as much room in the X as I can get in any full size type SUV with the added benefit of great handling. This is my first Acura as well, but without the design change we were looking at other models (Volvo and VW). The gas mileage is a bit low, but we all bought SUV’s what were we expecting? I am super pleased and would purchase the X again the exact same way… well maybe lose that MusicLink :D |
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| mesalum |
I too agree with Brad and Mia's Dad. I am 6'-4" and the X fit's me great. I am also an ex-1st gen owner and I like the changes Acura made. To me (keep in mind this is my opinion) the 2nd gen appeals more to my male side than my female side.
It really cracks me up when people on these kinds of forums get so bent out of shape when someone makes a post. Come on people, read each post as if it's someone's opinion. Why? Because that's all it is.
When my partner's 2006 325i was in the shop we got a 2006 X3 as a loaner. I was really disappointed. I expected more from BMW. The interior seemed so cheap, things didn't line up properly. It was just plain for a BMW. I never test drove an X5, just too expensive.
Remember what I just said was my opinions. |
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| NBAUM |
I started this thread and the the 2007 getting less miles per gallon is a fact not my opinion. The trip computer tell it to me every day. One more thing I don't think the 07 is as quick as the 04. Thats my opinion.
I just hate going backwards and in my opinion the items I have listed as problems are going backwards.
The 07's a wonderful vehicle. Probably the 04 sets a high standard but I paid $8000 more than the left over 06's were selling for. Maybe i expected too much! |
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| crazymjb |
If your 07 isn't moving as quickly as your 04 maybe you should bring it in?
It is a fact that it's faster, or at least it should be.
Mike |
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| shootist |
NBAUM,
I got 22.5 mpg in my first and second tank on the 07. This beats my 03 and 05 by about a mile per gallon on the exact same course.
An boy, my 07 is a whole lot faster than either of the other two. Especially around the bends.
Maybe you have a squirrel in your engine. |
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| Fabvsix |
| Also no doubt that those who chose to wait till the 2008 or 2009 to get an MDX will no doubt get a more "improved" vehicle which I have to accept. In the meantime I'm enjoying my new 07 MDX immensely!:2: :2: |
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| mesalum |
| Yeah I got 24.2 mpg for my trip from Sacramento to Tahoe and back. That's really close to what I got in my 2001 MDX on my three trips from Calfornia to Colorado and back and one trip to idaho and back. So I am happy with this 2007. |
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| skavan |
quote:
Originally posted by NBAUM
I just hate going backwards and in my opinion the items I have listed as problems are going backwards.
Does your '07 perform better when you're going forwards?
While it's less exciting, I find mpg and speed/handling are much improved when travelling forwards. Just a thought :D |
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| zubinh |
I think this thread boils down to what a person would spend $8 grand on. Some folks think the improvements are worth an extra $8k and some don't.
Personally, I'd take a 60" plasma for $4,000, a new laptop $1,000, Trip to Fiji for $2,000, eat out more often for a year $1,000 and keep my 06 in the driveway. :) |
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| zgaspen |
the o6 to o7 x's were like night and day when i drove them when testing in october. i have several complaints about the car in general, but overall, after my first road trip and 1,500 miles now on the vehicle, i'm still amazed by the performance. the 07 sport puts the 06 to shame in the corners and definitely accelerates faster. however, like the range rover, i've noticed that the car will seem sluggish if you're just driving it easy...pop it into sport shift and then back and start punching it...amazing for what it is....
my biggest complaint is the finish on the black paint. lots of blemishes and it's as is if it's without a clear coat. the mb and bmw finish is much nicer imo. |
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| mkaresh |
I don't own either one, so maybe I can be a bit more objective about this.
People who are complaining about the 2007 are focusing on functionality, practicality, and affordability. Those who love the 2007 focus on style and performance.
Seems to me that owners of the 01 to 06 might be happier in the Pilot, if not the current one then the 2009. This is exactly what should be happening if Honda wants to take advantage of having two brands.
For a long time Acura sold to people based on features for the dollar. This began to change with the 2004 TL, making the 2001 MDX the last example of the old strategy. The old strategy did provide people with a lot of features at a reasonable price, but it was not good for the image of the brand, and didn't separate Acura much from Honda.
The new strategy is bold and gutsy, becuase they risk alienating many of their current owners, but sales figures suggest it's working. |
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| mkaresh |
quote:
Originally posted by vapors
I for one am going to be thrilled to drive my X to work in the morning in 6" to 12" of fresh snow. Try doing that in your Ody, which doesn't even have an AWD option. Trust me, I know. My wife had an 02 Ody before I traded it in for her 05 Sequoia. She got stuck in it three times in one winter before I finally got tired of it and sold it.
Unless you had some extreme snow, the problem wasn't with the Ody. If you'd just put some winter tires on it it probably would have been fine. I live near Detroit. On all-seasons my small Mazda got stuck often. On winters it goes through just about anything--haven't even gotten close to getting stuck.
People ask me often which AWD vehicle they should buy because their current car doesn't do well in the snow. I generally tell them there's no problem with the car they already have, they just need better tires.
The problem is that AWD has been promoted far more heavily than winter tires. So people think it's the vehicle that makes the difference. The vehicle is a minor part of the equation unless you're talking sports cars. The tires are far more important.
Put a track star in smooth-soled shoes and give me some lug-soled boots. Who's going to win the 100-meter dash on a snow-covered track? |
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| mkaresh |
quote:
Originally posted by deejay
I presume that all of you new people only have driven the 07, and have not had the same experience that I have had with my previous 2 X's. The 07 looks to me like my x3 which sucks in snow. To me, this is not a SUV at all, it is a sporty crossover that has a little bit more oomph than the Rdx does. I'm definitely not here to argue, however you do have to realize that the previous model see the benchmark for many great SUV's that we see today, as well as the 07.
Unless you're looking at the tires, then the "looks" of a vehicle tell you very little about how it'll manage in the snow. Put proper winter tires on that X3 and it'll do fine. See my post above. |
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| deejay |
| I really need to. That car is a piece of trash. I wish that I had TWO MDX'S!!!!!!!!!!!!! :) |
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| azsilvertip |
I traded in a 2003 Tahoe with all the bells and whistles for my 2007 Sport/Tech MDX and couldn't be happier. I looked at the X5 too, and concluded that the extra dollars weren't worth it and that I liked the refinement of the Acura rather than the Teutonic bravura of the X5.
The handling of the MDX is awesome. My wife has a BMW convertible with sport and premium packages but I like my MDX better. I also am a big person and find that the MDX is the only mid-size crossover SUV that fits (other than new X5). I tried a Cadillac SRX and liked it, but there is a projection from the engine hump that pushed against my leg. In the Acura I have a nice smooth wall to lean the right leg against.
Since it is my first MDX, I can't compare it to the previous years, but IT WORKS FOR ME! |
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| vapors |
quote:
Originally posted by mkaresh
Unless you had some extreme snow, the problem wasn't with the Ody. If you'd just put some winter tires on it it probably would have been fine. I live near Detroit. On all-seasons my small Mazda got stuck often. On winters it goes through just about anything--haven't even gotten close to getting stuck.
People ask me often which AWD vehicle they should buy because their current car doesn't do well in the snow. I generally tell them there's no problem with the car they already have, they just need better tires.
The problem is that AWD has been promoted far more heavily than winter tires. So people think it's the vehicle that makes the difference. The vehicle is a minor part of the equation unless you're talking sports cars. The tires are far more important.
Put a track star in smooth-soled shoes and give me some lug-soled boots. Who's going to win the 100-meter dash on a snow-covered track?
Actually, the problem was ice. Neither AWD or snow tires are going to help you on ice. You just can't get any traction period. The problem is that the City of Reno did a particularly horrible job that winter and didn't plow residential areas at all, and the sun would melt the snow and then it would freeze and melt and freeze and large parts of the city became sheets of ice. That was the problem. All I know is that I didn't get stuck in my 02 MDX until the snow was literally up to my front bumper, and that was with all-season tires not winter tires. The Ody was also too low to the ground. . . .my wife actually got high-centred on ICE if you can believe that, because the Ody has very little ground clearance. |
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| pdempsey |
quote:
Originally posted by andreseng
Yeah, but you always have the T-Bird! ;)
There just seem to be lots of take-a-ways with the 07's. Rear view mirror cheaper, rubber of of top of rear bumpler (based on a post here), lower gas mileage, higher price, slower rear camera.
I have a 03 and wanted a 07, but I'm wavering.
Hey, I still have the T-Bird too!! |
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| shootist |
quote:
Originally posted by pdempsey
There just seem to be lots of take-a-ways with the 07's.
The "take aways" are trivial. The add-ins are very signficant. Bigger brakes, Shawd, very much better 5.1 surround sound stereo, HID headlights, tiptronic shifting, bigger engine, 20% (!) more horsepower, tilt up moonroof, more driver (key fob) specific programmable automatic options, additional MID display to augment Navi, 18 inch 255 tires (!), and on and on.
And they even throw in a free rear deflector!
Yeah, I know- this is the complants thread. How about this one- the active headrests suck. |
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| msu79gt82 |
quote:
Originally posted by shootist
Yeah, I know- this is the complants thread. How about this one- the active headrests suck.
The active headrests did not bother me on an extended test drive. However, my wife hated it - that could be a deal killer since it would be her daily driver. Assuming the width can be worked out (but thats another thread) my wife will hve do do some more driving to see if she can live with the headrest. |
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| sobrien1087 |
Having switched from the Toyota lines, I cannot fully participate in Gen I vs Gen II comparisons, other than comparing my daily experience in the '07 with occasional experiences in my dealer's '06 loaner car.
For me the '07 is leagues above its predecessors in performance, amenities, sound and overall appearance - I'm one of the minority that actually likes the grill.
I'm sure when the '08s through '18s come out, I'll staunchly defend my '07, which will have a million miles on it. ;)
I equate the design changes to the period of aggravation I face every time Mr. Gates decides to change the appearance of his computer programs like IE. Just when I finally feel comfortable knowing where everything is, another version rolls out and I'm back to the ole learning curve. I suspect for many Gen 1 owners, the transition into the '07 has taken them back to the drawing board, especially when dealing with the cockpit controls and rotary dial nav system.
There have been some valid suggestions for improvement thrown out in this forum, but for whatever reason I've been noting a lot more passionate dislikes from some newer members who recently made their purchases. To those I'd say there is no reason anyone should be disappointed in the finished product if they did their homework up front. They should also thank the hordes of X owners that during the last 4-5 months have paved the way, through careful research and negotiations, to get the dealers to significantly come down off their "not budging from MSRP" horses. |
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| PDLines |
I have been driving my 2007 MDX Tech/Ent for a week now. These are the things I have noticed so far:
1) Loose Handling and wobbly at 60 MPH or greater for any minor quick steering adjustments
2) Dizzying array of buttons that are too close together
3) Front seats feel like they are not attached solidly to base. They move slightly when accelerating or stopping.
4) Rear backup camera is not too good and it comes on about 10 seconds after putting in reverse while waiting for NAV system to boot up. Who wants to wait for the camera to come on?
5) Nav system disclaimer that comes on every time you start the car and you must push the button to acknowledge and dismiss the message. It's like an annoying pop-up on the Internet! Is there any way to permanently disable this stupid message?
6) Voice Recognition? Too early to tell, but this may be one feature I don't use too often. Push button, speak, hope computer understands, try again, try again, forget it and fumble through dizzying array of buttons and do it yourself. That's my experience so far...
7) With all the tech and nav features requiring tugs, pulls, and pushes on the center joystick you better have a co-pilot with you doing all the programming or else make sure you grow another pair of eyes so that you can actually drive while playing with it. It is too distracting to be useful while driving.
Like I said, one week of driving, but these are my opinions so far. I'll give it another month and see if I some of these items drop off my list.
Besides that, I think it's a good car. For $46,000, it should be a great car. Maybe I expected too much because its a luxury vehicle. I still want to believe I am better off with this car than a Lexus RX 350. Any car I bought I probably would have at least 3 complaints. Caveat Emptor. |
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| KINGSOL |
| It sounds as if your salesperson did not go through all of the features with you and make sure that you understand how to work the controls in the car. Once you know the simple voice commands you can do almost everything without taking your eyes off the road or your hands off the wheel. |
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| sobrien1087 |
If I had to list my most reliable car, I'd go back to my Corolla, which cost less than $10K, lasted ten years, nearly 1/4 million miles and still got 42 miles per gallon when I gave up the ole girl.
But hey - I'm a little older now, have worked hard all my life, paid my dues, and would like to settle on a vehicle that offers practicality (like easily handling a family of five and a dog), sportiness (in look and performance) and upgraded comfort (in both interior and sound system).
Sure I'm paying nearly $3 per gallon for premium juice and I swear I can actually watch the fuel gauge lowering as I drive in urban traffic, but I'm enjoying the heck out of this car, and in the end, if I can sandwich a hectic work day with a bit of driving pleasure, then the '07 X is the clear winner in my book!
Sometimes the only "me" time comes when I'm sitting in the cockpit with the music blasting and the Sport mode sweetly hugging some tight curves. Comparing this X to my previous Toyotas is apples vs. oranges, and I can't compare to the 1st generation of Acura, but all I know is this vehicle rules, and certainly offers much more than I ever had with my "standard" class of vehicles. And that's no knock on Toyotas, which I still highly recommend to anyone - it's just been nice to step up in class with the luxury features afforded with the X. |
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| TulsaMDX |
As the previous owner of an 01 and 03 MDX, I can say with confidence, the 07 is the best MDX yet.
More power, better handling, and better looks (to me anyway). |
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