| Mike624 |
Hi All,
I'm considering buying an MDX Sport (probably an '08) and have been lurking on this board for a few months now -- very informative stuff! Figured it was time for my first post...
Before becoming enamored with the X, I had been planning to purchase a TL, G35, or possibly a 3- or 5-series Bimmer... I've noticed that a lot of posters in this forum own, or have owned, these types of cars in addition to their '07 MDX and my question is for them:
How much are you giving up in sportiness/driveability with the X to get its increased utility?
I've done extensive research on the X and am confident that it has best-in-class handling, but I'm curious to know from owners of both just how far removed the "class" is from a legit sports sedan? Do you feel as though you're making a big compromise in fun-to-drive quotient? Does the mid-range/passing power of the X truly qualify as sporty?
I don't NEED the space/utility of an SUV, but I'd love to have it and the X seems like the best combination yet of "S" and "U" (my apologies to X5 lovers, but I don't think it's 15-20K better than the MDX).
I've yet to test drive an X, but even when I do, I won't have the experience of driving a sporty car on a daily basis to compare it to -- I currently have an '03 Accord EX-V6 (great for what it is)... Will probably test drive some of the sedans I've mentioned as well, but it's tough to glean all that much from a 10-15 minute test drive and I would appreciate the thoughts of owners who have lived with both types of vehicles for extended periods.
Thanks in advance for your feedback...
-Mike |
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| G. COLTON |
quote:
Originally posted by Mike624
Hi All,
I'm considering buying an MDX Sport (probably an '08) and have been lurking on this board for a few months now -- very informative stuff! Figured it was time for my first post...
Before becoming enamored with the X, I had been planning to purchase a TL, G35, or possibly a 3- or 5-series Bimmer... I've noticed that a lot of posters in this forum own, or have owned, these types of cars in addition to their '07 MDX and my question is for them:
How much are you giving up in sportiness/driveability with the X to get its increased utility?
I've done extensive research on the X and am confident that it has best-in-class handling, but I'm curious to know from owners of both just how far removed the "class" is from a legit sports sedan? Do you feel as though you're making a big compromise in fun-to-drive quotient? Does the mid-range/passing power of the X truly qualify as sporty?
I don't NEED the space/utility of an SUV, but I'd love to have it and the X seems like the best combination yet of "S" and "U" (my apologies to X5 lovers, but I don't think it's 15-20K better than the MDX).
I've yet to test drive an X, but even when I do, I won't have the experience of driving a sporty car on a daily basis to compare it to -- I currently have an '03 Accord EX-V6 (great for what it is)... Will probably test drive some of the sedans I've mentioned as well, but it's tough to glean all that much from a 10-15 minute test drive and I would appreciate the thoughts of owners who have lived with both types of vehicles for extended periods.
Thanks in advance for your feedback...
-Mike
Personally I think that you have got it a bit backward. I call my MDX my SSUV. That is it is a Sport Some Utility Vehicle.
I think the MDX is more sport and luxury vehicle than utility. It is nice and comofrtable to drive but lacks basic necessities when it comes to utility. First it is impossible to get a 4x8 sheet of plywood into the interior. Interior room is limited by the failure of the second row of seats to fully fold flat. I had to built a special addon rack for the roof to be able to carry any loads.
In summary, I think the MDX is perfect for what you say you want.
G |
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| stbentoak |
This vehicle handles and rides better than most any sports car I have ever drove. With the suspension set on sport and the SH AWD I cannot believe how this vehicle corners and handles and brakes.
It is like a car on rails. No nose dip, no careening around a corner, no nose lift upon hard accelereration. you have to drive it to believe it. If it has any down fall in my opinion, it is fuel mileage and it is not quite as peppy as i thought, especially for a 300HP engine that drinks premium.
Other than that it exceeds all expectations,especially in the price for what you get ratio..... |
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| LionSpeed |
My 2 cents: :rolleyes:
1. Gotta love the accessories and the options available waiting to be added on base on your personal taste. For the love of working on cars, not just saving money but the feeling and the joy when realizing and seeing your piece of mold coming to exactly as you've imagined.
2. Resale value is excellent. A definite durability, liability, longevity when compares to X5 or ML. You probably can't & wouldn't be able to get a SUV like this for under $50K.
Here are the ADD-ON accessories that I've put on my 2007 MDX Base Blue Steel/Ebony:
- Sport Rims/Michelin
- Sport Running Boards
- Roof Rail/Cross Bars
- Body Side Molding
- Front & Rear Lower Garnish
- Cargo Cover & Net
- All Seasons Mats
- Wood Grain Steering & Shift Knob
- Auto Dimming Mirror
- Custom Ipod MusicLink
- 2 Head-rest LCDs & DVD System
- 4,350K HID Xenon Fog & DRL. |
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| gmermel |
If you really don't need the "utility/room" keep in mind the importance of ride-height to "sport". Given the exact same amount of roll in a corner the higher you are the more you experience. I love our MDX, and feel the suspension is absolutely best in class for sportiness (unless you can afford the step to the Cayenne :D). But I would not say it will give the same "fun to drive" level of enjoyment as a true sports car or sport sedan.
But it can't be just any sport sedan. The MDX is that good. If you want both utility with sport being the first priority, make sure you check out the S4 avant, 335xi wagon, and Volvo V70R. In that order for sport.
Downsides: S4 has cruddy gas mileage, so compromise is A4 S-line (same suspension, slower); 335xi doesn't offer the "sport tuned suspension" the i series does so might be a little "soft", and the V70r though largest has the "least sophisticated" ride of the three- oh, and it's kinda ugly. |
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| malyel |
quote:
Originally posted by Mike624
I've done extensive research on the X and am confident that it has best-in-class handling, but I'm curious to know from owners of both just how far removed the "class" is from a legit sports sedan? Do you feel as though you're making a big compromise in fun-to-drive quotient? Does the mid-range/passing power of the X truly qualify as sporty?
-Mike
In the May 07' Car and Driver they tested a MDX Sport and measured 0-60 at 7.0, 300ft skidpad at .86 and 70ft-0 at 170.
In the same issue they tested several small sport sedans. The numbers on the MDX were pretty decent considering the size and weight of the MDX.
For instance the MDX had better handling numbers than the Subaru WRX, MazdaSpeed 3 GT, Nissan Sentra SE-R and Volkswagen GTI. Only the Mini Cooper S had slightly better numbers than the MDX, .88 vs .86
The MDX had better braking numbers than the WRX, and Sentra. Almost identical numbers to the GTI and Cooper S and the MDX was only 8 feet worse than the MazdaSpeed.
Not bad when you consider the MDX outweighs the cars in that group by roughly 1500lbs - 2000lbs. In my opinion the MDX is definitely a sports car. :) |
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| deanking |
G Colton said: "Interior room is limited by the failure of the second row of seats to fully fold flat". I think the 07's do fold flat.
I also own an 04 Accord v6 (same car). I have found that for a family sedan it is sportier than I would have imagined. I think it's biggest problem is the suspension and tires can't keep up with the engine power and low gearing. I spin tires without even trying. I find the MDX just a huge step up (surprise, surprise). It does not feel like driving a truck in any way. It is more like a very large, refined sedan.
When I first drove the MDX, I felt it was underpowered given it's stats. I am beginning to feel that is somewhat of an illusion. I think they designed the car to be very smooth and not to snap your neck back. My wife has a 05 Pathfinder. It does snap your neck back. Checking out the times, the Pathfinder is .2 second faster 0-60 yet they feel worlds different.
I think it comes down to what you feel "sport" is. If it is torque and body lean and squealing tires then this isn't the right vehicle. If it is refined driveability, then I think this is. |
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| Northern_MDX |
quote:
Originally posted by gmermel
If you really don't need the "utility/room" keep in mind the importance of ride-height to "sport". Given the exact same amount of roll in a corner the higher you are the more you experience. I love our MDX, and feel the suspension is absolutely best in class for sportiness (unless you can afford the step to the Cayenne :D).
I don't own a 07 X, but had recently the priviledge of "owning" a 07 X
(base model) for 4 weeks, thanks to a family member who was oversea and needed someone to "take care" of the vehicle.
As the ex-owner of the 1st gen X, I have to agree that the 2nd gen is one big step up in the handling department.
As compared to my Cayenne S, the X is still fairly impressive, considering it offers more U and running on a V6. The V8 on the Cayenne has a fairly flat torque to rpm curve, and it shows. The 3.7 V6 on the X still drives like a Japanese V6 that needs some rpm, but mesh with the 5 speed very well.
Like others said, depending on how one defines S, the answers differ. To me, high speed through sweepers, hard braking in corners, hard acceleration out of corners are 3 main criteria.
The Cayenne S certainly has an edge, being more composed and solid. The 07 X on the other end, feels light and more nimble.
If we have need for 3rd row seat in the near future, the new X is certainly on my shortlist. |
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| Fabvsix |
| It all depends on the driver.......:1: :1: :1: |
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| acuramdx300 |
| I agree with fabxsix, its the driver. |
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| fosters.2 |
| I didn't read any of the previous posts but wanted to add that my husband has a G35 6 speed manual which is a blast to drive...but not that much more then the MDX! The MDX is very sporty and you can whip it around corners like a sedan if you really want to.:2: |
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