| johnnymikk |
Hi all,
As you can see, I'm a newbie to the forum, though not to the ranks of the MDX enthusiast. I've coveted one since '00 and now find myself looking at getting one again (after deciding back then -- correctly -- that a full-size truck was the better choice...)
What concerns me are the discussions I see here of major -- nay, catastrophic -- transmission problems with the '01 and '02 model. I am currently down to a "toss-up" between an MDX and the Pathfinder from that year range. Don't need to go into the pros and cons for my situation, but suffice it to say that I'm struggling with the extra $4000 or so to go with the X, if I also have to risk several thousand more for a transmission. I do plan to do some towing with a 7 x 14 tandem axle enclosed cargo trailer, but it's mostly <50 mi trips, <60 mph, fairly flat, and likely less than 3000# (trailer empty is 1500-ish lbs.) So that is another factor in the transmission concern level...
Will certainly do the due diligence thing in looking at service records, etc. before deciding. What I was hoping to get from forum members is a sense of how much it would be to get a rebuilt transmission, so I can either mentally or physically set that $ aside for the inevitable...
I've read some of the success stories (and some horror stories as well :() of Acura ponying up the $$ in cases where the owner -- even if not original owner -- can show Acura service history. Anyone willing to share wisdom, or point to thread(s), please do!
And, if anyone wants to chime in with any other problem areas and/or warning signs I should look for, feel free! (I know about the EGR valve.)
Many thanks!
John |
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| dj-mdx2 |
$US 4K sounds about right for an 01 tranny if you were going to pony up the full amount. Many have had success with Acura footing the cost of the tranny and the owner paying for labor.
There has been no predictable factor in the failures AFAIK, but if you're going to do some towing I would imagine it places a lot of stress on an already weak platform.
If you can set aside that type of money, why not get an 03, which historically has less failures? Or even a Pilot?
Oh, and I hate to tell you this but a diligent search will give you gobs of info on replacement experiences. |
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| johnnymikk |
dj, thanks for the quick reply!
I had that thought about the '03, but some threads here indicate it has its share of transmission failures as well, though of a different variety. I *have* looked through the forums here to a fair extent, as I came here thanks to a search on towing with the MDX. Just hoping to get some cost-specific replies...
I *don't* really have that kind of $$ to set aside; I guess I'm just hoping for some input into my complex equation I hope will magically show me which vehicle to buy! :p Plus, it's another grand or two to move up to the '03 in initial purchase, just to have a vehicle that still seems to be subject to catastrophic driveline failures!
Also looking at the Pilot; just a little pedestrian-looking and somewhat harder to find. I can buy a whole lot of gas, even at $3.20, with the $4k less I'd spend on a Pathfinder LE. It's just smaller, and, well, not an MDX... :D
Cheers! |
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| Cloudlesssky |
My 01 MDX is in the shop right now. Original diagnosis was transmission. They quoted me $2340 as my part of a "good will" 50/50 split. While I think they were jacking me around, that would be $4700 for a tranny replacement.
As for towing, you need to look at the manual before you buy. The towing rating is based on # of passengers and other criteria. I'd say that your plans may exceed the owners manual cited capacities. I haul around a small open utility trailer (1500lb capacity, 500 lb trailer) on the weekends (lumber, plants, DIY crap, etc) and the MDX does just fine. But I have a friend who tried to pull near the max stated capacity and got real scared. |
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| ROTORRAY |
| Given Honda/Acura's abyssmal history with their trannies of this vintage, and they equally abyssmal compensation record, I would look elsewhere for a towing vehicle. The driveline of the MDX just can't take it. Drive the Pathfinder, Pilot, or something else which might fit your needs. having to put $4K aside just in case your tranny goes south is not the way to go. You don't know when or where it will take a dump on you and why take the chance when there are other more dependable options available to you. |
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| oilchange |
quote:
but suffice it to say that I'm struggling with the extra $4000 or so to go with the X, if I also have to risk several thousand more for a transmission.
Try not to buy and struggle with money problems. Cars are one popular way to destroy financial stability. Might be better to go with the lower price vehicle because cars are depreciating objects. More value to lose in depreciation if price starts out high.
Sounds that $4000 for the higher price of the MDX and $4000+ ballpark for the transmission replacement =$8000 is the estimated difference. Can not count on warranty to pay. Many 01-02 models are out of warranty, even extra cost extended warranty.
The early MDX has a bad transmission. Routinely changed for failure well before 100,000 miles. Beware.
quote:
after deciding back then -- correctly -- that a full-size truck was the better choice
Might still be the best way especially for towing. Full size trucks usually have higher towing limits |
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