| navybean |
| I am a diehard VW head. I have just gobbled up all of the information on the Toureg. I think this will be a great truck just like the XC90 from Volvo, but just not have the seven seats available. But the interior looks very good on the VW, any thoughts?:cool: |
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| rlm32 |
Agreed. Vw is making some first class interiors.The Touareg interior is gonna kick some ass, luxury wise.
Plus its gonna be a true off roader and a nice luxury cruiser, with available air suspension. My wife says thats gonna be her next SUV. I think Im gonna comply:4: |
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| rlm32 |
| Ckeck out the caramel color seats:eek: I wish my couch looked that nice! |
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| rlm32 |
Here's the rundown, from www.vwvortex.com
The Touareg luxury off-road model from Volkswagen had its world premiere today at the Paris Motor Show. Dr. Bernd Pischetsrieder, Volkswagen AG's CEO, and Prof. Wilfried Bockelmann, Member of the Volkswagen Brand Board of Management for the Technical Development Division unveiled the new model at 12.15 in the presence of many international media representatives.
In Dr. Pischetsrieder's words: "The Touareg gives Volkswagen access to a new high-growth segment and once again confirms the company's immense automotive know-how."
The Touareg will have its North American introduction at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit this coming January and will be in dealers 2nd Quarter of 2003. Pricing in the U.S. is expected to start around $35,000. Click here for our initial drive impressions of the Touareg. Below follows the VWAG Press Release:
The Touareg will be introduced to the German market in the autumn of this year and in the North American market 2nd quarter of 2003. Following the debuts of the Passat W8 and the Phaeton, the third phase of Volkswagen's luxury-class product offensive has begun. Both visually and technically, the Touareg represents a vehicle concept which blazes new trails at the high end of the SUV (Sport Utility Vehicle) market. Unlike the familiar vehicles of this segment, it combines the features of a high-quality off-road vehicle with the comfort of a luxury sedan and dynamic attributes of a sports car in a new vehicle philosophy.
The Touareg's introduction to the market is starting with a 3.2-litre V6 petrol engine and a 5-litre V10 TDI. The V6 engine achieves 162 kW / 220 hp and develops up to 305 Nm torque.One of the world's most fascinating diesel engines is available with the new V10 TDI. It achieves 230 kW / 313 hp and develops an impressive 750 Nm torque at 2000 rpm. Two other new engines will follow:a 2.5-litre, 5-cylinder TDI and a 4.2-litre V8 petrol engine.
Four-wheel drive with three differentials and central differential lock as standard
The Touareg is shifted with a six-speed gearbox, either manual or newly designed automatic depending on the engine. Power flows to the continuous 4XMOTION four-wheel drive via a transfer gearbox - whose standard features include switchable off-road reduction - and a front-axle, rear-axle and central differential.All Touaregs come with central differential lock and offer rear-axle differential lock as an option. The running gear electronic system automatically triggers the multi-disc clutch of the central differential lock. In normal, even drive and road conditions, the power distribution is 50:50. But depending on the driving situation, up to 100% of the drive force can be transferred to one of the two axles. The driver can completely activate the locks manually using a rotary switch in the cockpit. An electronic differential lock acting on all four wheels (four-wheel EDL) supports the fine distribution of the drive force.
The Touareg offers a new dimension of comfort in the off-road vehicle segment
Innovations even to the running gear: The dual-wishbone construction of the front and rear axles with acoustically insulated subframe guarantees the noise and comfort level of a luxury sedan and, with the exact wheel guidance, the driving precision of a sports car. In the premium model, the Touareg V10 TDI, a CDC (Continuous Damping Control) air suspension with continuous Skyhook damping control insures a degree of driving comfort - both on- and off-road - previously unachieved by off-road vehicles.
Perfection down to the details: When starting up an incline, a hill-starting assistant in the Touareg versions with manual gearbox provides support by holding the vehicle in position. Once the driver then engages the clutch, the braking force is successively reduced until the Touareg is securely in motion. On steeply declining grades, the engine/braking-torque support in the ESP system prevents undesirable vehicle acceleration.
But the Touareg's commanding climbing capability is not its only mark of off-road excellence. Its maximum lateral inclination up to 100% / 45º (static). With door seals designed to keep water out, waterproof headlights and connectors, a special guide for the intake air and engine ventilation, and sealed jointed shafts, the Touareg can easily ford depths up to 500 mm/19.7 inches (580 mm/23 inches with air suspension).
The ramp angle for driving over a crest is 22º (air suspension: 27.2º). Thanks to the short front and rear body overhangs, the angle of slope is 28º (air suspension: 33.2º). And even the defining measurement of off-road performance, the ground clearance, promises commanding off-road handling at 237 mm/9.3 inches (air suspension: up to 300 mm/11.8 inches).Functionality and stylistic elegance distinguish the spacious interior
The interior space and comfort are also first class. On the one hand, the Touareg interior is a prime example of well-designed functionality. On the other, it realizes an ambience whose elegance and contemporary styling used to be available only in the most luxurious sedans. As first introduced for the Phaeton, the Touareg is optionally available with a four-zone Climatronic, which even enables individual left and right climate control in the rear set. Another Touareg option is the keyless-access system (standard feature of the V10 TDI). With it, the driver always keeps the key - equipped with a transponder - in their pocket. The Touareg recognizes its driver via the transponder, releases the door when the driver touches the handle, and starts with the push of a button. A roomy interior and 555-litre/19.6 cubic feet boot space (V6) also make the Touareg the ideal holiday vehicle for five travelers.
The Touareg's design is just as innovative as its technology. Typical design elements of an SUV unite with a character which on the one hand emphasizes the relationship to the Phaeton. On the other, the design reflects the strength and robustness of a large, powerful off-road vehicle. The design of the interior corresponds to this concept. Here, too, the synthesis of robust dimensions and elegant details creates a contemporarily luxurious ambience reminiscent of a luxury sedan rather than a conventional off-road vehicle. |
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| rlm32 |
| Im kinda picture happy today:D |
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| renov8r |
| Seems to be too big compared to the Subu, Peugots, and the like, but with the W motor they would have the power... |
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| navybean |
| You know each time I look at the interior on the Touareg, it makes me more upset!:3: My wife and I ran around looking for the MDX and the interior is no where close in looks to the VW. I love our MDX, but the Touareg is looking even better. Are we getting a new car soon???:eek: |
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| marktr6 |
Nice looking Vechicle!
What was VW's old ad campaign one word slogan?
Farfagnuegan.....or something like that. |
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| rlm32 |
| My thoughts exactly. We love our 'X but we have found the MDX a little too big for what we really need. I'm thinking of trading the 'X in the fall of 2004 for a V10 TDI Touareg or a BMW 740Li. Well see.:cool: |
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| VWDogma |
I would get the Touareg only if VWoA improved their customer service. I love VWs and Passats in particular. Currently I own two Passats: a 2000 sedan 1.8t, and a 2002 Wagon 1.8t. We will not be buying another VW for a long time because VWoA does not provide the type of customer service that one should get when buying a $25,000+ car.
I really don't see how VW expects to sell cars priced $40,000 and above, and keep their current shoddy customer service practices. |
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| DaleB |
quote:
Originally posted by VWDogma
I really don't see how VW expects to sell cars priced $40,000 and above, and keep their current shoddy customer service practices.
Why not, Acura did? (Some dealers exempted from this statement....) |
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| Fireblade6 |
CAN YOU SAY PASSAT jacked up on all four wheels with sportier rims???
Gawd!!! What is VW thinking...or for that matter what in the hell is Porsche thinking with their CAYENNE....(Yeah it is DEFINITELY HOT ALL RIGHT...) a HOT ripped off right from a PORSCHE 911 platform.:19: :21: :16: |
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| navybean |
| I don't know if you guys know, but porsche and vw are using alot of the same parts. Once the hype dies down a little I will definetly would want to trade in our MDX for the Touareg. Our MDX can not go offroad while the VW can!!!:2: |
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| navybean |
quote:
Originally posted by VWDogma
I would get the Touareg only if VWoA improved their customer service. I love VWs and Passats in particular. Currently I own two Passats: a 2000 sedan 1.8t, and a 2002 Wagon 1.8t. We will not be buying another VW for a long time because VWoA does not provide the type of customer service that one should get when buying a $25,000+ car.
I really don't see how VW expects to sell cars priced $40,000 and above, and keep their current shoddy customer service practices.
VW service has gotten alot better since they have been selling more cars. When they couldn't give cars away the service was really bad.:4: |
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| MK23666 |
| For 40,000 they forgot to chrome the exterior door handles. All in all this the direction that I hoped the European and Japanese Accord Touring wagon would have gone. Stockier stance, higher from the ground and AWD. Maybe the rumored Acura TSX Touring will do something in that direction whenever it gets here? |
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| rlm32 |
quote:
Originally posted by Fireblade6
CAN YOU SAY PASSAT jacked up on all four wheels with sportier rims???
And this is supposed to be bad because...?
The Passat is one of the classiest looking sedans out there. So much so, that the new Accord and the Altima are ripoffs of the lines of the Passat. As a matter of fact, the Honda people don't deny "benchmarking" the new Accord on the Passat.
Modify those Passat lines onto an SUV, and you get a classy, elegant and sporty looking vehicle. Obviously, to each their own. I like it. |
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| wmquan |
I think the Touareg will be a terrific vehicle for folks with the priorities that match it. It'll probably off-road very nicely and have an excellent interior with better-quality materials than an MDX (heck, a $28k VW Passat GLX has better-quality interior materials than an MDX!).
However, its Achilles heel with many buyers who are looking at the MDX will be the Touareg's low cargo room, and its lack of 5+2 seating capacity.
VW says the Touareg has only about 19.6 cubic feet behind the second row, and 55 cubic feet with the second row folded down.
The MDX has 49.6 cubic feet behind the second row, 14.8 cubic feet behind the third row, and 81.5 cubic feet with the 2nd and 3rd rows folded down. Obviously, that's a huge difference.
Another way to put it is that the Touareg has less than half the cargo room behind the second row that a FWD Passat Wagon has. It has only a few cubic feet more behind the second row than a FWD Passat sedan has in its trunk.
Yet another way to look at it is that a Subaru Forester has a lot more cargo room.
The lack of cargo room won't make a difference to some buyers, but it will to some.
In this sense, the Touareg is sort of a BMW X5 without the BMW cachet, without the emphasis on sports sedan handling, but with much greater off-roading capability. |
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| rlm32 |
William:
I think your assessment is right on the money. If you don't need the room and want something luxurious and off road capable, but don't wanna pay X5 prices, look at the Touareg. |
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| tigmd99 |
WMQuan,
I don't think the Touareg is any better at off-roading than MDX, IF MDX had all of it's technology. Suspension-wise, the Touareg is like a regular car. Wheel travel is nonexistent, worst than MDX.
Check out these pics: (scroll down)
http://www.gocrvclub.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=362 |
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| omarv |
looks like the Audi All-road quattro...nice looking car...a jacked up station wagon more so than an SUV. How much is this car?
Since the All-road really is an Audi A6 jacked up, I would agree that it is just a nice Passat which is also jacked up. I do love the color choices that the Passat has. When does this car come out? |
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| MDXtrous |
quote:
Originally posted by omarv
looks like the Audi All-road quattro...nice looking car...a jacked up station wagon more so than an SUV. How much is this car?
Since the All-road really is an Audi A6 jacked up, I would agree that it is just a nice Passat which is also jacked up. I do love the color choices that the Passat has. When does this car come out?
I don't think this just a jacked up Passat. This thing is 75.8 inches wide, almost the same width as a the MDX!! Not the same comparison as the All-road.
My brother has a 2001 Passat and it does NOT look as luxurious as this:
Just too bad it doesn't have a third row of seats... |
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| navybean |
William,
The VW has the abilty to go off road. The SUV has the abilty for some serious off road business. The MDX can only do light off roading like the X5. The Touareg because of similarites with Porsche and being associated with Audi (allroad) will be much more capable offroad than or MDX's:3: |
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| wmquan |
quote:
Originally posted by navybean
William,
The VW has the abilty to go off road. The SUV has the abilty for some serious off road business. The MDX can only do light off roading like the X5. The Touareg because of similarites with Porsche and being associated with Audi (allroad) will be much more capable offroad than or MDX's:3:
Oh, I believe you. It's Thai (tigmd99) who has some doubts. |
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| rlm32 |
quote:
Originally posted by tigmd99
WMQuan,
I don't think the Touareg is any better at off-roading than MDX, IF MDX had all of it's technology. Suspension-wise, the Touareg is like a regular car. Wheel travel is nonexistent, worst than MDX.
Check out these pics: (scroll down)
http://www.gocrvclub.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=362
You are kidding, right? Read the specs man. The thing is pretty damn capable offroad. In fact, I think recently Automobile magazine tested the Touareg off road and were pretty imnpressed with the off road capability. Ill try to dig up the article.
Don't even compare it to the MDX. Out X's are only light duty offroad vehicles (nice way of saying "Don't take it off roading"). |
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| MDXLuvr |
quote:
Originally posted by tigmd99
Drew, yeah, did you see that my 4Runner is faster around the slalom (according to CR) than your firm MDX??!!
just to clarify, Drew owns a ML430. |
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| Paul S. |
| Wow, I was thinking the same thing...I'll see you all on the Touareg forum in a few years. I drive an allroad and my wife drives the MDX. We really like the MDX, but upon further review we wish the MDX was better offroad in sand at a nearby beach, better in snow, handled more like my allroad, had a better paint job and interior materials. Guess we want a Touareg. I'll give VW 1 year to work out the bugs (Based on my experience with a '96 A4) and let some of the first year hype fade to get a better deal. |
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| Paul S. |
[QUOTE]Originally posted by omarv
[B]looks like the Audi All-road quattro...nice looking car...a jacked up station wagon more so than an SUV. How much is this car?
Since the All-road really is an Audi A6 jacked up, I would agree that it is just a nice Passat which is also jacked up.
______________________________________________________
Well, The Passat is really built on a stretched A4 platform. The Touareg has little in common with the Passat. The Touareg is built on an all new platform developed with Porsche. Yes, the allroad is based on the A6, but more than just an "A6 jacked-up". You can only get the following in an allroad:
- 2.7T 250 hp engine
- 6 speed manual transmission
- Air suspension
- Stronger floorpan and suspension |
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| MDXLuvr |
Looks impressive- on paper! I think it fails in the utility dept. I don't really care about its off road capabilities. I care about utility, and it sucks from that standpoint! The forester, or the 2nd gen CRV have more cubic feet of space behind the 2nd row.
besides, VW has come a long way, but they aren't HONDA.:2: I would wait until mid 2nd year production before i would consider buying one. |
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| navybean |
| I saw the Touareg on the road this weekend and I have to say the thing looks great. It was silver. It kinda had a passat lift look to it, but you could tell it could go where no MDX would want to go. The space between the tires and body was adequate for some offroad. Our MDX's don't have the wheel travel that the VW will have. And boys, wait till you see the interior. It makes our MDX interior look like it is from 1950!!! |
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| TheWorm |
After numerous requests, this thread has been returned to its original topic.
If I inadvertently whacked a salient on-topic post of yours, I apologize. Salient and on-topic being the keywords. |
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| Desant |
I saw it too. Looks really nice! The problem with VW is they have a tendency of screwing up on their products first two years of production. Oh, and their screw-ups cost customers a lot! I had 90 VW Passat - first or second year of production. It had so many problems that the dealer knew me personally - and they cheered with me when I sold the car! :) BTW, they mentioned that most of the VW Passats of that year were really bad.
I have many friends who have VWs or Audis that are made first or second year of production and all of them have problems.
I may be wrong and I may not be seeing the big picture with VWs. The same dealer I bought my MDX from owns a BMW dealer - BMW X5s have so many problems there is a couple month wait to fix them. My point is that I made my choice and that is Japanese cars and MDX is the SUV of my choice in that category. Montero is my choice for off-roading. |
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| MDXtrous |
quote:
Originally posted by Desant
I saw it too. Looks really nice! The problem with VW is they have a tendency of screwing up on their products first two years of production. Oh, and their screw-ups cost customers a lot! I had 90 VW Passat - first or second year of production. It had so many problems that the dealer knew me personally - and they cheered with me when I sold the car! :) BTW, they mentioned that most of the VW Passats of that year were really bad.
I think a 2003 VW is very different from a 1990 VW. It's a different company now.
My brother has a fully loaded 1999 Passat and hasn't had any problems. Not only that, but the craftmanship and the interior quality is something to be impressed with... |
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| Desant |
I agree with you - VW is different now - especially when grandson of Porsche was heading their design labs until this year. Passat has been out for 13 years now. I test drove several of them lately and I like them. I really like the new W8 engine. My brother owns a Jetta and he likes it too.
However, VW has a bad track record with first two years of producing cars before they figure out the bugs. And I paid for their design problems :) - about $6-7K in one year once it was out of warranty. And I know several people who had similar experiences. It seems like people either hate or love VWs. :) In a year or two, I would definitely consider VW SUV or Porsche SUV - but for now I will wait!
On the other hand, I have yet to meet a Honda product owner that had so many problems even after 100K miles! My cousin's CR-V is an example - well over the warranty - not a single problem. |
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| rlm32 |
quote:
Originally posted by Desant
I saw it too. Looks really nice! The problem with VW is they have a tendency of screwing up on their products first two years of production. Oh, and their screw-ups cost customers a lot! I had 90 VW Passat - first or second year of production.
I have a 2001.5, facelifted Passat, 15k miles and 2 years old without a single problem. |
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| navybean |
| actually most of the people in this discussion are right. The first couple of years of VW new models are kind of messed up. But after that the VW SUV should be everyone's choice. I was reading over the weekend the Car and Driver article on the car. It came out top!!! Our MDX didn't fair too bad but the VW is the leader as of now. I will have one year. Can't wait!!!:2: |
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| Desant |
| That is a great point. I will wait 2 years and consider it then. By then, most likely there will be an Audi version of it with more bells and whistles... or maybe not! It looks really nice, I can't wait to test drive it. |
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| rlm32 |
| Air suspension difference---really cool, adjusts from 7.1" to 11.8" |
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| rlm32 |
| Gauges close up-- 190 mph+ speedometer:eek: 320km/h=198mph |
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| rlm32 |
| Offroading---can the MDX do this? |
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| rlm32 |
| The more info comes out, the more I like it. Id probably wait until after a year of production, which is when the V10 TDI will be available. 313 hp, 553 ft.lb torque, 26 mpg |
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| navybean |
| After reading the article in Car and Driver about all of the SUV's, the MDX looks good still but in technolgy the 'dx is very outdated. Sure we all love our MDX's but jeez the Lexus GX470 and the VW make the MDX look like a civic which is a couple of years old!!!! Yikes:( |
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| Desant |
| Give Honda a year or two - MDX will be ahead again |
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| vskam |
| Never really liked my MDX. If it wasn't for my 4 legged kids, Sports wagens all the way. Sign me up. Always loved VW... build quality is much better then Acuras. Especially the PAINT! |
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| navybean |
| Can anyone's MDX do this??? I don't think so:2: |
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| navybean |
| What about this? Now I know no one's MDX can do this?!?:4: |
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| tigmd99 |
| Couldn't the MDX do like 19" of water?? That picture of the Touareg is not that impressive...no more than 20" of water. |
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| navybean |
Thai,
Our MDX gets funny when it rains heavy in Southern California. Also, remember that the VW has air suspension which clearly gives the VW a height advantage over the 'DX. The MDX and the X5 are acitivity SUV's, not the real thing. The best the MDX can do is some light sand but other than that-NO WAY |
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| mogur |
Agreed, and I'd be thrilled if the quality and luxury of my MDX was as good as it is in my 99 BMW 3 series which cost less... The Touareg and X3 will definitely be on my list when it comes time to replace the MDX...
quote:
Originally posted by MDXtrous
I think a 2003 VW is very different from a 1990 VW. It's a different company now.
My brother has a fully loaded 1999 Passat and hasn't had any problems. Not only that, but the craftmanship and the interior quality is something to be impressed with...
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| DaleB |
quote:
Originally posted by mogur
Agreed, and I'd be thrilled if the quality and luxury of my MDX was as good as it is in my 99 BMW 3 series which cost less... The Touareg and X3 will definitely be on my list when it comes time to replace the MDX...
That's okay, nothing is better for the breed than competition. Bring it on! They all have to do better or die. |
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| oceanMDX |
quote:
What about this? Now I know no one's MDX can do this?!?
Yeah, right! :rolleyes: The VW in your pic looks like it isn't in water any deeper than about 12 inches. I've taken my MDX through streams nearly 2 feet deep (about double the depth shown in your photo). I was making a bow wave much like a boat does when it goes through water. The only problem I encountered was that the belt started to squeal. |
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| mauigrl721 |
| Why is everyone knocking our X?????:eek: There will always be an SUV out there that fares better in one category or another, but the X is the BEST ALL-AROUND PACKAGE. True, Acura definitely needs to step up its amenities on the X, but I think it is doing exceptionally well for right now. Just my 2 cents, I was feeling bad for my X:) |
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| tigmd99 |
Ocean,
I would be very careful crossing 2 FEET of water! Your air intake is NOT the only thing that matters. Make sure you KNOW the height of the "breather" tubes of your front & rear differential, if any existed. In addition, make sure you KNOW if your automatic transmission has a breather tube also.
If go over the limit on these, you will damage your differentials and transmission!! Most people think that the air intake is the ONLY thing to worry about...that is wrong! |
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| donsev |
From previous posts - the links maybe stale;
According to an InternetAutoGuide.com article at http://www.internetautoguide.com/re..._Acura_MDX.html or the same article on http://www.nctd.com/01/suv/01acuramdx.cfm:
quote:
something else evident when the chassis is "naked": there's a vent tube for the differential so that water won't get into it when you are bumper deep (actually up to 18 inches) in a creek. So they have given thought to either rugged use or flooded roads. That goes beyond the usual "neutralize bad weather" approach of SUVs.
From the Canadian Acura sitel:
http://english.acuracanada.ca/model...iew.asp#offroad
quote:
Numerous engineering changes were based on experiences gained in testing. A deeper oil pan was included to meet the hill climbing criteria. A more effective air filter was specified to remove dust from the engine's air supply. The tow hooks were upgraded to handle loads imposed during extraction from stuck vehicle situations. Waterproofing was added to support MDX's ability to traverse up to 48-cm (19") deep bodies of water. Throttle linkage was calibrated to provide more sensitive control over engine output at low speeds and improved start-up feel.
While the Touareg MAY be able to do some impressive things, there is nothing in the pics posted so far that the MDX couldn't handle quite easily, as a matter of fact, there ARE pics posted of the MDX handling terrain much rougher than that shown. |
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| navybean |
| I just wanted to say that I am not bashing the MDX. I own one and love the MDX to death, but it just seems in the short two years the MDX has been around there have been no dramatic improvements to the vehicle with so many new and much more capable and much nicer looking trucks coming out. I would love to trade in my MDX for another new MDX in the next two years, but it just seems the MDX still won't be on the cutting edge with the most value for the dollar. :1: |
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| navybean |
| look what I found |
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| rlm32 |
quote:
Originally posted by navybean
I just wanted to say that I am not bashing the MDX. I own one and love the MDX to death, but it just seems in the short two years the MDX has been around there have been no dramatic improvements to the vehicle with so many new and much more capable and much nicer looking trucks coming out. I would love to trade in my MDX for another new MDX in the next two years, but it just seems the MDX still won't be on the cutting edge with the most value for the dollar. :1:
Agreed. I bought the MDX 2 years ago and it was the best SUV at that time. But it looks like the bar has been raised. Of course, if you need 3 rows of seats, the 'X still has no competition in that category, IMO. |
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| tigmd99 |
Navybean,
The Touareg looks like a station wagon on heels! It has "high-performance" tires. It has NO wheel articulation. The ONLY thing that makes it unique are the rear CLUTCH-PACK locker and the center CLUTCH-PACK locker. Clutch-packs simply do not last long if you use it often and are high-maintenance...aka MDX's rear differential. It has a car engine. The only reason it can increase it's ground clearance is because it has 4-wheel independent suspension.
Now, the Mercedes G500 or Toyota Land Cruiser...that is a REAL off-roader with proven technology and credentials. The new Range Rover is still up in the air...not proven yet. However, i would take the new Range Rover over the Touareg in a heartbeat! At least the RR has some articulation in it's independent suspension (thanks to cross-linking shocks).
If you're gonna spend that much money, get a Land Cruiser. It is more reliable and EVERYONE respects it. :cool:
Thanks. |
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| ndahbar |
Don't think so. The GX470 is just a dressed up 4Runner and that means live rear axle. Sure that's better for off-roading, but not for urban dwelling. Sorry, it's inferior, period. They make you pay almost 15K more than MDX for what they need to do to make the ride as good as the 2003 MDX.
As for Touareg, we'll just see how much it costs when it comes out in the states. Can't be cheap, as it's built in Germany, unlike X5, ML, and MDX.
And who says Hondas are less reliable than other makes? Don't think so.
MDx is the best for the money, bar none. That's what counts. That's it. |
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| vicpai |
......but while we're talking about the MDX's off road abiliities, I did a bit of "ground-clearance assessing" of the MDX to see it's true off-road abilities (not as seen by some magazine, but by myself) and ended up getting a bit dissappointed! :(
I crawled underneath my MDX and carefully measured with a tape measure the ground clearance of the LOWEST points which are the tailpipe, just before it enters the muffler and the rear suspension arms (lowest part). The vehicle was on a FLAT surface and I measured exactly 7.2 inches for the "tailpipe" and 7.3 inches for the "suspension arms". Then, just to make sure that there was no error, I drove to another FLAT surface and got almost identical figures (7.3" and 7.4" respectively).
I had taken these same measurements sometime back while test driving the MDX at a dealership, but had come up with 8.1 inches for the "tailpipe" and 7.75 inches for the "suspension arms" .......Now in retrospect, since that vehicle was parked on the aspalt tarmac, maybe the surface was not totally flat (like a valley??) resulting in the false reading. Additionally, I was at the dealership and was kinda embarrassed and wanted to get it done and over with quickly because people were watching, and it looked sorta awkward with me crawling under the vehicle with a measuring tape!! This was probably also a factor for the error!
Anyhow, this new "revelation" has convinced me that the MDX is capable of only VERY LIGHT DUTY off-road work (identical to the Lexus RX 300) ........broken pavement, unpaved roads, fairly level trails etc.
The only area, where I believe, the MDX is truly capable of it's claimed MEDIUM-DUTY CAPABILITY is when driving through water (since ground-clearance is irrelevant here). According to Acura specs the MDX can safely ford 18-inch deep bodies of water .....which is quite impressive!
NOTE: actually, in Acura's own words it very clearly states in the OWNER'S MANUAL on page 285 (Off Highway Guidelines) that:
"Your MDX has been designed primarily for use on pavement. But it's higher ground clearance and new four-wheel drive VTM-4 system allow you to occasionally travel on unpaved roads, to campgrounds, picnic sites, and similar locations. It is not designed for trailblazing, mountain climbing, or other challenging off-road activities."
The above statement in the owner's manual, is in clear contradiction to Acura's marketing and advertising, which portrays it as a "medium-duty off-roader"
That said, I still LOVE MY MDX and am very very happy with it!! ......just wish it had some of those "loosely hanging" :rolleyes: underside components "tucked in" a bit better out of harm's way!! |
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| tigmd99 |
ndahbar,
The GX470 is "inferior" ONLY to you. Remember, what is the meaning of owning a SUV?? Does it mean a minivan?? Does it mean a car?? Does it mean a station wagon??
BTW, for URBAN DWELLING, a minivan makes a lot more sense than ANY SUV!! Sorry, for that, i'll take the Honda minivan over the MDX. Why did YOU buy the MDX for urban dwelling?? Because of image??
Thanks. |
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| MDXtrous |
quote:
Originally posted by tigmd99
BTW, for URBAN DWELLING, a minivan makes a lot more sense than ANY SUV!! Sorry, for that, i'll take the Honda minivan over the MDX. Why did YOU buy the MDX for urban dwelling?? Because of image??
Thanks.
Don't tell me that people buying the GX470 are not after "image", otherwise they'd just buy the 4Runner. I DON'T want to buy the Odyssey because of the soccer mom image. Was image a consideration? Yes.
But was the fact that the S part of SUV for me was driving through snow covered roads in the Pocono mountains like I did yesterday and not through the outback does not make me not understand what SUV means. The U in SUV for utility also makes me feel that the MDXs third row seat design is better than that of the GX. So SUV is a combo of Sport and Utility. Sport for me is different than sport for you. You may like football, but I may prefer tennis. They are two very different players. Just because you choose to be rough with your SUV, doesn't make mine not an SUV... |
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| ndahbar |
Well let's see, cuz minivans, all of them, are FUGLY and I'm much much too young to drive one? Image yes, of course. Looks yes, of course. Fun factor, yes of course. AWD system yes, of course.
I actually will share this with you, why not: I will *NEVER* not in a million years by any kind of either minivan or stationwagon. They are all a disgrace to vehicle design/looks (even though they are useful in terms of luggage space or people haulin'). :2:
GX470 is not inferior, I didn't mean to say that. Just that the rear suspension is inferior for ride/comfort. Oh did I mention GX470 is FUGLY from the rear? Front is nice though. :cool: |
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| wmquan |
| Yep, that tailpipe section is definitely lower than the stated vehicle ground clearance. Guess their measurement isn't based on it. It'd be a pretty expensive repair so don't grind it into the ground! :D |
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| tigmd99 |
| Most manufacturers measure ground clearance on 4-wheel independent vehicles from the ground to the rear differential housing. Range Rover does this, along with Ford Explorer and Montero. They do not take into account the control arms on the suspension. |
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| oceanMDX |
quote:
The only area, where I believe, the MDX is truly capable of it's claimed MEDIUM-DUTY CAPABILITY is when driving through water (since ground-clearance is irrelevant here). According to Acura specs the MDX can safely ford 18-inch deep bodies of water .....which is quite impressive!
I pretty much agree with your comments. When going over large rocks, I found that the tailpipe would rub. |
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| navybean |
quote:
Originally posted by tigmd99
Navybean,
The Touareg looks like a station wagon on heels! It has "high-performance" tires. It has NO wheel articulation. The ONLY thing that makes it unique are the rear CLUTCH-PACK locker and the center CLUTCH-PACK locker. Clutch-packs simply do not last long if you use it often and are high-maintenance...aka MDX's rear differential. It has a car engine. The only reason it can increase it's ground clearance is because it has 4-wheel independent suspension.
Now, the Mercedes G500 or Toyota Land Cruiser...that is a REAL off-roader with proven technology and credentials. The new Range Rover is still up in the air...not proven yet. However, i would take the new Range Rover over the Touareg in a heartbeat! At least the RR has some articulation in it's independent suspension (thanks to cross-linking shocks).
If you're gonna spend that much money, get a Land Cruiser. It is more reliable and EVERYONE respects it. :cool:
Thanks.
Thai,
If I am going to spend top dollar on an SUV, it will not be on a toyota land cruiser!!!That SUV is so ugly!!! I would wither get the Touareg, Audi based Touareg, or the next generation MDX because of the seven seating!!!:4: |
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| tigmd99 |
You know the old saying, "You get what you paid for!"
TLC may lack all the coolest gizmos, but it has the strongest frame in the business, is supremely capable, darn reliable, quiet as anything, and can seat 8 people.
Sorry, what were you saying...i forgot already because i was drooling over the idea of owning a TLC! :D |
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| MDXtrous |
quote:
Originally posted by tigmd99
TLC may lack all the coolest gizmos, but it has the strongest frame in the business, is supremely capable, darn reliable, quiet as anything, and can seat 8 people.
It's also as big as a tank... |
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| rlm32 |
| Yes, plus it gives you a whooping 13 mpg!:28: |
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| jswift2000 |
| As there are new suv's coming to the market (the VW, BMW X3, Volvo XC90, etc) this will only mean more competition for the MDX which may (hopefully:) ) soften demand. My wife loves the VW and I told her no way. I would take a honda product any day of the week and twice on sunday. There is a saying I read somewhere: honda doesnt want to be first; they only want to be the best. For those who think the mdx lacks technology/fit& finish vs. the vw you need to remember the mdx is a few years older. I'm sure the 2005/2006 mdx redesign will kick ass. I read somewhere the 3rd generation of Honda's nav will provide email support (is this really safe while driving?). |
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| rlm32 |
| I wouldn't hold my breath. Honda & Acura has a tradition of keeping their designs for quite a few years B4 redesign. |
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| navybean |
quote:
Originally posted by jswift2000
As there are new suv's coming to the market (the VW, BMW X3, Volvo XC90, etc) this will only mean more competition for the MDX which may (hopefully:) ) soften demand. My wife loves the VW and I told her no way. I would take a honda product any day of the week and twice on sunday. There is a saying I read somewhere: honda doesnt want to be first; they only want to be the best. For those who think the mdx lacks technology/fit& finish vs. the vw you need to remember the mdx is a few years older. I'm sure the 2005/2006 mdx redesign will kick ass. I read somewhere the 3rd generation of Honda's nav will provide email support (is this really safe while driving?).
I can't agree with you at all. Have you seen the sedans that Honda produces and then redesigns? After that Acura gets their turn to modify the sedan and put an Acura logo on the vehicle. Any one here remember the MDX being based on the, I forgot, the Honda Odessey. |
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| jswift2000 |
| A WV over an Acura? No way!!! There isnt any way that a VW is worth $45,000!!! I would take the X5 for that kind of money. |
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| navybean |
| Which X5?The last time I checked the BMW was more close to $50,000:confused: |
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| jswift2000 |
From KBB
BMW X5 3.0i AWD
0364 Sport Utility 4D
Invoice MSRP
Base Model Price With Destination Charge 36800.00 40195.00
A Toureg (check the prev edition of Car and Driver) starts a $39k and goes to about $45k... for a VW. |
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| navybean |
| problem with the base scenerio for the bmw--Would you even buy a base X5?Would one even be available on the lot? :confused: |
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| rlm32 |
| Thats the thing with BMW, their prices are manegeable until you add options which are standard on other brands. Thats when the prices skyrocket. In other words, you are comparing a stripped BMW to a well equipped and probably more luxurious VW. It all comes down to whether or not you want (or need) arguably more performance and a roundel in your hood ;) |
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| AikiMDX |
In its entirety:
"While the wraps have been off Volkswagen’s U.S.-bound Touareg sport-ute for quite some time, we haven’t known the price. Until now.
The base price for the vehicle, which goes on sale this summer in two versions, will be $34,900 base for the V6 and $40,700 for the V8. The V6 engine is a 3.2-liter turning out 220 hp and the V8 is a 4.2-liter capable of 310 hp.
Although Volkswagen as a brand sits lower than the Volkswagen-owned Audi luxury nameplate, the German company is touting its VW-branded Touareg as a luxury SUV and the pricing reflects that. With a sticker starting in the mid-30s, it will go head-to-head with similarly-priced utes from Lexus, Lincoln, Acura and Mercedes-Benz." |
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| navybean |
| I saw the VW at the LA auto show this evening and it looks awesome. I tried posting the pics but the files were too big. I wish I could have shown you guys what I had seen this evening. It really looks different in person. I had reservations but after seeing it I will defineitly be tra | | | |
