| BellTeck |
Just got back from my 1st real road trip in the X. From Ft.Lauderdale to Biloxi MS. 1800 Miles round trip.
The Bad:
Dead Pedal .. ugh .. a lot of adjusting.
Wind Noise - After a while it does get annoying - and the kazoo from the front winshield is not real appealing.
The seat was uncomfortable until I removed the lower back support ( lever on the side ) then it was ok. ( TL seats still more comfortable )
Gas Mileage - Could not do any better then 19.4 MPG ( I was hoping for over 20 at least.
Side Windows ( front ) were filthy and needed to be cleaned after a couple hundred miles. ( night driving with dew ) I think this is a good reason for the diffuser mirrors as this is where the dirt came from.
Rear wiper SUX ... needs a spray - not stream and the intermittent wipe will be nice on the 02.
Gets caught in road/pavement when uneven.
The NAV would have been awesome to have. :(
The Good:
Handled great between 70-90 mph
Excellent Passing Power at any speed
Extra Smooth Ride
Great view - no blind spots ( even at night - pitch dark no city lights )
Tires excellent - only lost 1lb of air over 1800 miles and 50 degrees difference.
Cruise control worked great - no trouble maintaining speed even on hills.
6 CD changer in dash - Nuff said
Comfort control - Like that infomercial " SET IT AND FORGET IT !! " :D
Wipers took all bugs off ( only use the rain X washer fluid )
Sunshade extenders for late afternoon HOT sun
Rear tie downs and bungee cords for cargo - a good mix
Very little turbulance - even behind big rigs
Steering wheel audio controls - Nuff said
1st power outlet for radar detector
2nd power outlet for cellphone
door pockets for map and other goodies
and last but not least - it cleans up very easy after the trip - easy wash without scrubbing removed all bugs and road dirt.
Special thanks to the guy in the honda prelude, the guy in the black TL ( with GATRR plate ), and the integra who all were part of a tight group that stayed together for over 300 miles. :D
I only spotted 4 MDX's between FL and MS - a GG heading north on 75 in FL around Gainsville, a Black Prem in Mobile Alabama stopped in traffic who waved at me as I passed on the right, a SS at a gas station in Tallahassee, and a Burgandy X heading south on 75 near Ocala with a heavy load in the back ( wheels looked like this /--\ ) :eek: and me behind him to make a X convoy for about 150 miles. :D
Overall it was a great trip, we had fun and are also glad to be back home again safe and sound. The X is sure a great trip taker and im sure the 02 will be even better with the sound reduction, the NAV, the rear wiper features, and thicker windshield + dif mirrors.
TECK! |
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| TDLoftin |
| Excuse my ignorance, but what is the dead pedal and what is the problem with it? I don't yet own a MDX but hope to order soon. |
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| texrb |
TD - the dead pedal is where you rest your left foot while driving. It is as heavy rubber pad on the left side of the floor just forward of the drivers door.
Some have said - as Teck above - that it is not placed at a comfortable angle to provide proper foot rest. |
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| BellTeck |
Exactly texrb,
Really suprised they did not put a better dead pedal in the X , they have the room and im sure the cost would not make a big difference.
The Kazoo noise from the front windshield was pretty bad .. I was able to tape it on the video camera incase the dealer does not believe me. ( although its acura's truck and Im not going to fight them about this )
Did acura announce the new price or will that be today ? does anyone know?
TECK! |
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| marne |
Teck: You mentioned 'a lot of adjusting' for the dead pedal. What did it take to attain a satisfactory result? (DID you ever reach a satisfactory result???)
Also, what was being adjusted? You? (your foot, leg and/or sitting positions)? Or the pedal itself?
Thanks in advance for the update!!!
--Marne |
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| BellTeck |
Marne,
It was mostly moving my foot around trying to find a comfortable position .. I kept finding myself searching for the dead pedal spot and unable to locate it without looking down and then it being uncomfortable after finding the spot . I tried resting my foot on the e-brake and 1/2 of the foot on the door pocket.
Ive decided to make an adjustable massaging dead pedal and patton it, sell it to auto makers, make millions of dollars and retire at 35. :D
TECK! |
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| genemish |
| did I hear correctly that they have fixed the dead-pedal issue on the 2002.. or is my head messed up again?.. by the way, I would appreciate an icon with a crazy head or smth.. :) |
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| BellTeck |
gene,
I think all the dead pedal upgrade talk on the 02's were all rumor. I have not read anything from Acura about this YET. I sure hope they do something though.
LOL on your Icon
TECK! |
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| vip9 |
quote:
Originally posted by TDLoftin
Excuse my ignorance, but what is the dead pedal and what is the problem with it? I don't yet own a MDX but hope to order soon.
People, don't sweat it just yet - get your cars first!!! I have NO problem whatsoever with the dead pedal. Although nothing as "dramatic" as Teck's 1800 miles trek, my experience is based on a number of 200-300 miles trips.
I also have ALMOST no problem with the driver's seat comfort. It seams to me that a lead seat designer for the MDX had the same body build as me :) |
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| BellTeck |
quote:
Originally posted by vip9
People, don't sweat it just yet - get your cars first!!! I have NO problem whatsoever with the dead pedal. Although nothing as "dramatic" as Teck's 1800 miles trek, my experience is based on a number of 200-300 miles trips.
I also have ALMOST no problem with the driver's seat comfort. It seams to me that a lead seat designer for the MDX had the same body build as me :)
I never said not to get the MDX vip - I just listed goods and bads of my first real trip in the X. I had been on many 2-300 mile trips and did not notice as many things as on a longer trip. And after removing the lower back support, the seat was fine. Your 2-300 mile drives = 3/3.5 hours of drive time - My trip was 11 hours each way which is 3X +. As far as the dead pedal - I dont notice it on my trips to Orlando ( 200 miles ) but after 5 hours of driving you want to be as comfortable as possible. This was my personal experence only and it is meant in NO way to persuade anyone to buy a different automobile. cut from first post - " The X is sure a great trip taker and im sure the 02 will be even better with the sound reduction, the NAV, the rear wiper features, and thicker windshield + dif mirrors. "
TECK! |
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| vip9 |
Oops, Teck, I guess I did not phrase my message in the way I wanted to convey my point. I did not mean to argue with you or imply that you suggested a different car.
I just want to remind people that no matter how much they TALK or hear about something they do not become "experts" until they experience this "something" themselves.
You are 100% correct as far as the lenght of the trip is concerned. Chances are I would reconsider some of my opinions if I were to venture on a 10+ hour driving excursion. However, during my 3-4 hour drives, I never experienced any inconveniences in the "dead-pedal department" In fact, if it wasn't for some people mentioning the dead pedal issue, I would never have noticed "the problem" myself.
BTW, are there any limitations (like mileage, etc. ) in your deal with Acura? |
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| GatorGreg |
Thanks for your observatios BellTeck, the longest trip I've taken in my 'X was to Clearwater Beach from O-Town, only about 250 miles round trip. The thing I noticed was that the mileage would really go down fast if I went over 70 mph. I would get over 25 mpg at approx. 70 mph, but as I started to go faster, up to about 85, the mileage would plummet :( Of course, this is probably true of most vehicles, especially SUVs, so I guess it's not really something to complain about. I did like being able to take the whole trip there and back without having to stop for gas, and the passing/merging power was great,
BTW, next time you come to O-Town let me know and we can do lunch if you'd like. |
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| BorisSWort |
What does that lever on the driver's seat do anyway? I have turned it, but did not notice any difference. I wish the seat would sink another inch or two. For how big the vehicle is, you would think there would be more headroom.
I just took my first longer trip in my MDX over the last weekend. The one thing I wish the vehicle had was a shield behind the driver's seat, so I could lower it like the "Cone of Silence" and not have to listen to my kids. However, I don't know of any vehicles that come with that option. |
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| A2MDXer |
quote:
Originally posted by BorisSWort
The one thing I wish the vehicle had was a shield behind the driver's seat, so I could lower it like the "Cone of Silence" and not have to listen to my kids. However, I don't know of any vehicles that come with that option.
You may be able to get a deal on a used limo:D :D |
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| BellTeck |
Vip ,
I was not arguing .. just did not want people to get the impression that I was trying to steer them away from the X. The MDX is a great trip taker and I just wanted to share my experience with everyone. :D
My miles - I agree'd to pay acura for the first 3500 Miles I put on my X - anything after that is null and void. Acura agree'd to that but asked to let them know if I planned to take it to Alaska. I told them I have a couple trips planned and they OK'd them all. Next trip will be up to Roanoke VA for turkey day. ( I hope its in the 02 with NAV ) but I will take this one if I have to.
Gator,
I thought about you when we were in O-land and for 300 miles I followed a nice black TL with a plate that said GATRR . We will have to do lunch one of these trips :D
Boris,
How big is your head? I can almost hear an echo in my X I have so much extra space.
A2MDXer,
I thought the same thing :D :D
TECK! |
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| VA Tech Hokie |
"Next trip will be up to Roanoke VA for turkey day. ( I hope its in the 02 with NAV ) but I will take this one if I have to. "
I guess you know that even if you are in the '01' X during your "Birdday" trip to Roanoke, when you get into the fresh, Blue Ridge Mountain air, even your '01' X will run like a NEW '02' X... Are you originally from Roanoke area?
:D :D |
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| BellTeck |
VA Tech,
Im from St.Louis ( GO RAMS !! ) My brother was relocated to Roanoke VA and almost the whole family is meeting there for Turkey day .. we cant wait, it will be nice to see everyone again. We are also excited to get a change of season too .. you know the 70's and 80's get old after a while even in november/ december/january etc.
Tech, Can we expect snow around roanoke that early in Nov?? What is the altitude of Roanoke? I would LOVE to hit some snow with the X :D :cool: :D :cool:
TECK! |
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| VA Tech Hokie |
Teck, don't get your hopes up. Roanoke is at an elevation of
about 1000 feet. It has snowed during Thanksgiving, but it is
very likely you will not see any snow. You might see a flurry or
two. The Roanoke area has a lot of beautiful, scenic MDX driving places to
see, if you are going to be in the area long enough to take them
in. If you get a chance, do drive a little on the Blue Ridge Parkway.
This is a very scenic road which runs the top of the
mountains. Well worth your time to drive a few miles on the
Parkway. It will take you up to an elevation of 2500 plus, so if
there is any chance of snow... Talking about St. Louis, I have a nephew,
who is a scientist with Monsanto and my big MDX trip will be to visit him in the Spring.... |
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| BellTeck |
VA Tech,
We will be coming up 77 to 81 .. BUT if you say the blue ridge pkwy is nice I can take 77 to blue ridge and drive that over to Roanoke. Oh well .. snow or no snow it will still be nice and cool outside and my brothers house has 3+ fireplaces in it.
St.Louis is a nice midwestern town .. you'll have to do all the tourist things - Go to the brewery and get some free beer, take a trip up in the arch, riverboat gaming, toasted ravioli's, Pork Steaks, Ribs, Union Station etc. Monsanto is a big company in St.Louis, if you say he is a scientist, he most likely works across the river in East St.Louis. ( this may have changed in the last 10 years )
TECK! |
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