| Nabbs |
Hey Gang,
I am looking at getting a larger truck to augment my post single/married/want kids life. Since I moved back to the city a few years ago I have owned the following daily drivers: an 04 Accord V6 EX, an 05 Acura RL, and currently an 07 RDX (which I purchased earlier this year). Now here is my dilemna: while the RDX is a great CUV, I find it a little on the harsh ride side and just a tad too small. I loved the RL, but was disapointed in it's inability to haul stuff (there was no pass-through between the rear seats and the trunk) so really liking the interior of the Acura's I replaced it with the RDX. After owning the RDX for 6 months, I find myself somewhat disatisfied with it's size and ride. It's a great car, and it does alot of things -- just none of them perfectly. Firm ride, mediocre gas mileage, somewhat cramped rear seating for adults, poor air circulation to the rear, etc. However, it is really great at handling and very peppy for a mini-truck. But at the end of the day it's not really the right car/truck for me.
So that being said the MDX seems like a natural fit for my needs. I have driven a Jeep SRT8, LR2 and LR3, and have looked at the X5 none of these cars were my speed (the SRT8 was a great truck, just crappy interior and poor gas mileage -- but woo doggie was that thing fast!). I drove an 08 MDX over the w/e and I found the interior quite nice and the space right, but it was by no means zippy. Is this thing underpowered? How does it do gas-wise in stop and go city driving? My RDX feels as the brakes are insufficient -- does the MDX suffer from this? Also, with all the seats down can you put some fairly abrasive stuff on top of it (ie can you put furniture without ruining the leather)? The one thing that I fight with is the fact that I will be using this car for my daily 25-30 mile roundtrip commute from the City to Westchester...am I being absolutely insane about using an SUV as a commuter car? The only other truck I am considering at this point is the Chevy Tahoe (the 08 have really very nice interiors).
Weds my RDX goes back to Curry for an apraisal and we will
talk numbers, I am hoping to drop 10-12K + the RDX for an 08 MDX Sport.
Thanks for listening to my longwinded questions -- this will be the first SUV I will purchase!
-N |
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| craniotes |
I bought my MDX to replace my aging E420 (which I have yet to part with), and while the Benz can handily outgun the Acura in stoplight duels, on the highway the X more than holds its own. Personally, I haven't had any issues keeping up with psychotic taxis and B&Ters, but then I don't have a problem getting into the gas to make a point. I think the main issue with the X in city driving is that the engine needs to hit 3K or higher before you get into the meat of the powerband, and that's going to affect your MPG. In the month and half that I've owned the X I have yet to get an accurate measure of city mileage, but 15mpg sounds about right if you're driving offensively (which is pretty much the only way to drive here). If you're going to be doing a combo each day (city/highway), I think 17-19mpg is a reasonable expectation, though if good gas mileage is your main concern, then perhaps a new Toyota Highlander Hybrid might be more up your alley. But back to performance... In Car and Driver's recent $50K luxe-ute comparo (which the X handily won), only the V8 SRX could beat it to 60mph, and the X had the best 30-50 and 50-70 passing times, which leads me to wonder if this isn't a case where the perception is worse than reality, because 0-60mph in 7.0 sec is pretty damn good for a 4500lb SUV. As for the brakes, they're pretty much the equal of the Benz, and far better than my wife's '98 Accord (70mph-0: 170ft). They also have excellent feel with very predictable action.
As a married city dweller with a 10 month old son, I can tell you that the X has been a godsend -- it's the perfect size for a budding family, plenty of space in the second row (my wife can cross her legs in the back seat with my seat adjusted for my 6'1" frame), and a huge cargo area. The fact that it's barely 190" long makes it acceptable for city cut and thrust, it fits fine in our parking space, and the third row comes in handy for nieces (or nephews, if that's how you roll). If you fold the seats down, you don't need to worry about scuffing the leather since the cargo area is lined with felt. However, if you're going to be doing a lot of that sort of thing a cargo liner might not be a bad investment (I'm getting one for my Home Depot runs in CT).
Regards,
Adam |
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| Nabbs |
Adam,
Thanks for the reply. Luckily I hope on the WSH pretty far north, so I have little city driving to do. I am not terribly worried about fuel economy and have honestly never kept track of mpg. I have a pretty heavy lead foot, and the RDX (surprisingly) has gotten me into a wee spot of trouble! Oddly enough, my fire breathing Z06 has thus far avoided anything save for a no front plate ticket. However, I just wanted to make sure that I wouldn't be terribly surprised by the increased fuel consumption on my daily commute. I think the RDX is gets about the same mpg as the MDX. The MDX seems to be somewhat better of the mid-size SUVs. It has to be better then a Tahoe or full-size GM truck.
I found that in sport mode the MDX did wallow a bit on potholed roles, but the steering felt pretty smooth and precise and for such a big truck it felt very nimble. I actually looked the SRX V8 and found it absolutely hideous, so did not even bother looking further. Did you look at anything else besides the MDX? As for anything hybrid: my male ego would never allow me to drive one of those! The crux of my question is really how does the MDX handle commuter duty? It seems to be a great weekend "grab the family and head out of the city," but what about when just hauling me and my coffee to the office? This is what 99% of my driving will be.
Thanks!
-Naveed |
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| Fabvsix |
I currently own both an 07 RDX Tech and a 07 MDX Sport/Ent model. I spend most of my time in the MDX as the RDX is too stiff for daily driving......The MDX is way more refined.....The MDX is plenty powerful but not "under powered" by any means.....Make sure to Break her in correctly ! Buy is fresh off the truck, avoid one that has been test driven to death......
I would ONLY buy the Sport model too ! This way you have the best to two worlds....Sport and Comfy mode.....
Good luck too ! :1: |
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| Nabbs |
quote:
Originally posted by Fabvsix
I currently own both an 07 RDX Tech and a 07 MDX Sport/Ent model. I spend most of my time in the MDX as the RDX is too stiff for daily driving......The MDX is way more refined.....The MDX is plenty powerful but not "under powered" by any means.....Make sure to Break her in correctly ! Buy is fresh off the truck, avoid one that has been test driven to death......
I would ONLY buy the Sport model too ! This way you have the best to two worlds....Sport and Comfy mode.....
Good luck too ! :1:
Hrm, interesting that you feel the RDX is a pretty tough ride as well.
Generally, besides the Lexus, what are the other trucks you guys considered before buying? How many of you use the MDX for a daily commuter?
Thanks!
-N |
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| ductman |
quote:
Originally posted by Nabbs
Hrm, interesting that you feel the RDX is a pretty tough ride as well.
Generally, besides the Lexus, what are the other trucks you guys considered before buying? How many of you use the MDX for a daily commuter?
Thanks!
-N
I actually looked at a cadillac srx v-8 with the
20in sport package, I was disappointed as you were, I was expecting much more as every magazine has praised the caddy, my
x is a daily commuter , 56 miles each way 75% highway, average
18.5 mpg at 75-80mph |
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| craniotes |
A Z06 in the city? You're my kind of guy... As for daily commuting, I see no reason why the MDX wouldn't fill the bill, particularly if stellar fuel economy isn't a requirement. The suspension is well damped in either mode, the brakes are smooth and progressive, the steering is nicely weighted (though it could be a bit heavier at speed), the seats are supportive and enveloping without being confining, the stereo is terrific (IMO, naturally -- others' opinions vary on this count), the nav system is spot-on and easy to use whether you're in the parking lot or on the freeway, and the voice commands and bluetooth make mobile telecommuting a breeze. And as far as handling is concerned, while it won't be lapping the 'Ring at the same speeds as your Corvette, it's still a blast, IMO.
As far as other SUVs are concerned, while I drove the Touareg V6/V8, ML350/500, and Range Rover Sport, I only seriously considered the GL450, LR3, GX470 and X5 3.0/4.8 because I wanted the third row. The GL was too expensive once I got through with checking all the boxes, and to be honest, it was too big; the LR3 was too slow and ungainly, and its reliability record left a lot to be desired; the GX470 was too truckish for my tastes; and, like the Benz, the X5s were both too pricey for my tastes once I got through with the options -- particularly the 4.8, I didn't like their interiors, and if you get the third row you lose the spare. Frankly, I pretty much knew that I was going to get the MDX the moment I first laid eyes on it, the test drive and Car and Driver's review merely confirmed what I already knew.
Regards,
Adam |
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| Nabbs |
quote:
Originally posted by craniotes
A Z06 in the city?
530 rwhp 498rwtq SAE on a very humid day! Car has a cam, headers, coilovers and a bunch of other stuff. If you see a black/black Z with the plates "MNHTTNZ" that'll be me!
If you're in the city, I usually get the Z washed at the 47th St car wash by where the Intrepid used to be.
Here she is @ Tavern on the Green at the start of the Great American Race:
quote:
Originally posted by craniotes
As far as other SUVs are concerned, while I drove the Touareg V6/V8, ML350/500, and Range Rover Sport, I only seriously considered the GL450, LR3, GX470 and X5 3.0/4.8 because I wanted the third row. The GL was too expensive once I got through with checking all the boxes, and to be honest, it was too big; the LR3 was too slow and ungainly, and its reliability record left a lot to be desired; the GX470 was too truckish for my tastes; and, like the Benz, the X5s were both too pricey for my tastes once I got through with the options -- particularly the 4.8, I didn't like their interiors, and if you get the third row you lose the spare. Frankly, I pretty much knew that I was going to get the MDX the moment I first laid eyes on it, the test drive and Car and Driver's review merely confirmed what I already knew.
Regards,
Adam
Very interesting! The one major disadvantage that the MDX has with it's competitors is it's lack of towing. I would love to be able to tow the Z every now and then to a racing event, but am worried the MDX won't be able to do so (despite reading that some have towed well over the 5K limit). The LR3 is out for me, as is the VW (yeck), and well the Bimmer is way more then I want to spend. However, I hadn't considered the Lexus but will check it out. I also very much want to drive a new Tahoe.
I think I need to go out and drive that Tahoe. Although every fiber in my body is screaming not to buy another American vehicle (especially a Chevy).
-N |
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| craniotes |
That is a thing of beauty, and a testament to good ol' U.S. of A pushrod goodness.
And yes, I know that car wash very well, my friend. When I was a child my father would take me through it and pretend that we were being eaten by a giant space monster. Ten years ago, when my E420 was still new I met Busta Rhymes (who was having his Lorinser S500 washed), and talked cars for ten minutes. Another time I met a bona fide pimp having his mint green metal flake Fleetwood washed. Seriously, the dude was old skool -- he had a cape and a walking stick. He looked like Blacula. Apparently the Caddy's smooth ride was the hook...
But I digress.
I have yet to take the X there, as I have since found a nice hand wash place near my country house, but I'm sure I'll break down one of these days and head there for old time's sake. Oh, and I'll be sure to honk if I spot you in traffic (I drive a silver MDX Sport, so don't get spooked if you think I'm following you).
Regards,
Adam
PS - The Tahoe is a pretty nice SUV, if you ask me. If you need to do some serious towing, you could do a lot worse. Yes, the X could probably handle your 'vette, but why push it when you know the Tahoe can do so with ease? |
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