| AutoCAD Guy |
Hey all. New guy here. Just wanted to get some opinions before I took the plunge. I am looking at a 2003 MDX with 130,000km on it. The guy is asking $17,900 for it. Good deal? BTW this is in Canada. Pricing may be whacked???
Anyway, what kinds of things should I watch out for? Common problems?
thanx |
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| Fabvsix |
| I'd buy an 05, 06 or better due to the transmisson woes.......Yes 03's are having failures too ! |
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| AutoCAD Guy |
quote:
Originally posted by Fabvsix
transmisson woes
Can you elaborate on this? Currently my budget will allow an 01 to an 03. My wife and I BUY vehicles outright. No loans, and all the cash we can come up with is for those years. |
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| Fabvsix |
| do a search here on "transmission failures"....infact I think there is a section for that..... |
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| jhue |
quote:
Originally posted by AutoCAD Guy
Can you elaborate on this? Currently my budget will allow an 01 to an 03. My wife and I BUY vehicles outright. No loans, and all the cash we can come up with is for those years.
And here I thought the need to be spoon-fed information was a strictly American phenomenon.
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| AutoCAD Guy |
| So, if its that bad... Should I avoid buying one and just get an X5, or ML430, or RX330? |
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| Ceenit |
I'd say '03 or newer as it's the same transmission in '03-06. The relative failure between these years probably has more to do with miles.
If your budget allows for '01-'03, the clear choice is the '03. |
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| jhue |
quote:
Originally posted by Ceenit
The relative failure between these years probably has more to do with miles.
I disagree. There were enough early reports of transmission problems on the 03s that it appears not all of the problems were solved until the 2004 MY. Several other posters have stated they have the same impression regarding reliability of the trannys in the 03s. |
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| Fabvsix |
| That's why I suggested the 05 onward..........03 had inventory from 02's.....just as the 03 TL and CL had failures even though they claimed a redesign in 03 (Bull Snitz ok...)......05 onward and you should be safe.... |
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| Ceenit |
quote:
Originally posted by Fabvsix
That's why I suggested the 05 onward..........03 had inventory from 02's.....just as the 03 TL and CL had failures even though they claimed a redesign in 03 (Bull Snitz ok...)......05 onward and you should be safe....
I had not heard of any instances where the older designed tranny was put into an '03 as they are internally and externally physically different designs.
The way to validate if you have the tranny that was intended for all '03-'06 models is if there are separate drain reservoirs on the unit.
The old design used the same Tranny fluid to lubricate both the Tranny and the transfer case.
The new design switched to a separate internal housing for the transfer case which now uses gear oil, (and still Tranny fluid on the tranny side). Thus the separate drain holes.
But again, assuming you didn't somehow get an older style tranny stuck on an '03 model (would be unique but not impossible), the only difference in '03-'06 tranny reliability would be the number of miles on the vehicle.
Now, if you like a little extra horsepower, some additional electronic features, and a dual exhaust.....that would tip the scale to going for an '04 or newer.:eek: |
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| AutoCAD Guy |
| well, from all that i have read... and seeing the trouble spots the MDX has, I have decided to not buy one. You have all convinced me that they are a piece of **** that will let you down time and time again. Off to BMW I go....again. |
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| jasguild |
quote:
Originally posted by AutoCAD Guy
well, from all that i have read... and seeing the trouble spots the MDX has, I have decided to not buy one. You have all convinced me that they are a piece of **** that will let you down time and time again. Off to BMW I go....again.
Keep things in perspective here. the early MDX's were problematic, but so are many of the BMW's including the X5 too.
In fact its my belief that acura's are still more reliable than BMW's and I believe MDX's are still more reliable than X5s
I bet you consumer reports will list problems with the MDX too. If you look at the 04 and newer the only problem with the MDX are audio problems
I was looking at an 03 too but sucked it up and opted for an 04 instead. Also there were no curtain airbags before 04.
jasguild |
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