| Mags Man |
My first post: My wife and I have two small children who we'd like to get started skiing. Currently we drive a 2000 Odyssey around town (SF Bay Area). While we like the roominess we rarely need all that space, and the Odyssey's road noise, uncomfortable seats and stone age sound system leave me pretty cold; and we want four wheel drive. As my little boy says, "we need a snow car." We've been impressed with Honda quality and like the 2003 MDX - so much that we've reserved a 2003 sagebrush with DVD and can take delivery next week.
But before we take the plunge: How does the MDX do in the snow and ice? We had a '96 Pathfinder previously that was surefooted like a mountain goat in a blizzard and are hoping the MDX can match that capability. Any thoughts? Anything other SUVs in the same price range as the MDX with a third row seat that we should consider instead? (BTW, drove the XC 90 T6; nice, big, heavy, with steering softer than a '68 Fleetwood. No thanks.)
Your thoughts and suggestions will be much appreciated. |
|
|
| kishino |
Do a search for snow and MDX, you should come up with numberous posts regarding the snow/ice prowess of the MDX. Also get the latest Road&Track, it describes how a bunch of SUV do in the tundra.
The other SUVs with third row are Lexus GX470, GMC Envoy XL are closer to the MDX price range. Then you could go high, Cadillac Escalade, Lexus LX 470. |
|
|
| laborlitigator |
Firstly, welcome to the club. . . you've made a good decision.
In regards to the handling in the snow, we just received a dusting this morning of about 2". The handling and pull were pretty good going up a my hill. What's nice about the X's system is that is it automatic and takes much of the decision making out of your hands. Now, you can engage the very low gears via the dash but I have not had reason to do so.
Eitherway, good luck and welcome. |
|
|
| TYP |
your idea of the volvo just make my laugh!
love it..
I came from a family where there was 10 volvos.. and I just hate them..
now they getting benz and acuras, so I am finaly allowed to get the X
I have not try my X in snow yet.. but in sand and rocks.. it's very good..
Hope your kid'd love the new Snow Car X!
:2: |
|
|
| bomo |
| On the weekend of 11/8 we took the X to Tahoe via Hwy 50 and hit a driving snowstorm that required chain controls. The X performed very well. There was a Tahoe in front of us that slipped a few times but the X was very sure-footed and completely automatic. IMHO it is a very good snow car based on this limited experience. |
|
|
| BaldEagle |
quote:
Originally posted by bomo
On the weekend of 11/8 we took the X to Tahoe via Hwy 50 and hit a driving snowstorm that required chain controls.
Did they require you to chain up even though the MDX is all wheel drive?
I'm planning a trip down that way this winter and I recall from a few years ago that in California sometimes they even make the 4WD's put on chains. Are they still doing that? I have never had to chain up with 4WD in Oregon. |
|
|
| bomo |
| No chain up and I am assuming it is because my X has the all weather Michelins. |
|
|
| vicpai |
quote:
Originally posted by BaldEagle
Did they require you to chain up even though the MDX is all wheel drive?
I'm planning a trip down that way this winter and I recall from a few years ago that in California sometimes they even make the 4WD's put on chains. Are they still doing that? I have never had to chain up with 4WD in Oregon.
......and yes, sometimes they do require all vehicles (4WD or not) depending on conditions to carry chains in the vehicle. However they don't make you put them on. |
|
|
| mikerorick |
| If one were going to carry chains, just in case, would one need to get them for all four vehicles or would one get them only for the front? Does Acura take a position on this? |
|
|
| shorttrader |
The manual stated : 'Because your Acura has limited tire
clearance, mount only SAE Class ‘‘S’’
cable-type traction devices, with
rubber chain tensioners, on the front
tires.'; so I guessed only the front! |
|
|
| TheWorm |
Chains on all 4 would be best, but if you're only doing 2 they go on the front. the reality is that if chains are REQUIRED for a 4WD car, you probably don't want to be driving.
That said, we have 2 chains (z chains from scc) to meet the "carry chains" requirement. But if they're requiring they be put on, and turning around or waiting is an alternative, I'd prolly turn around or wait, to tell you the truth. At least in California (Tahoe) if Caltrans wants chains on 4wd it's a real mess on the roads. |
|
|
| ghost |
| Here where we have non-spectacular snow for way too much of the year, the X has been fine - so a search on 'snow' and 'traction' to see some recent posts. |
|
|
| deluce |
The MDX is a great ski vehicle. I have been skiing in California for over 25 years and have driven RWD, FWD, AWD, and 4WD over the Sierra highways in all types of weather. The X is by far the best of the bunch. We have an '02 with the touring package which comes with Michelin Cross Terrain tires. Between the VTM-4 system and the tires, traction is very good. Its all automatic, no deciding when to engage the system and the system reacts very quickly; better than other AWD systems I've driven. As road conditions change from dry, to rain, to snow, to plowed road, you never have to decide what drive mode to be in or whether or not you have to chain up or take the chains off. BTW, Caltrans will not make AWD vehicles chain up when 2WD vehicles have to, they treat them like 4WD vehicles. You will still need to carry a set of cable chains for the front wheels because Caltrans will occasionally require that you have them if the weather is bad enough. It is extremely rare that they require 4WDs to chain up because they usually close the road before they get to thathat point.
The MDX's power, brakes, and handling make going up Hwys 80, 50, or 88 a breeze. The power plant never strains, even under a full load. Even the fuel economy is decent for this type of vehicle. I went up to Kirkwood yesterday (returning in a big snow storm) and got almost 22 mpg.
My wife realy likes driving the MDX, much better than the mini-van we had previously. |
|
|
| rdwong |
As stated from a previous question on a different forum...
After only 800 miles on my new X, I just got back from a trip to Reno and had to traverse over Donner Summit. It was snowy and cold but the X made me and my family feel as if we were in our living room. Aside from the long wait because they closed down Hwy 80 for an hour (which we passed the time watching a movie on the RES) the ride was flawless. I was originally concerned with the ability of the X to perform on these conditions, but I was very quickly comforted by the results. There was plenty of ice and snow on the road and the X went through it as if it was not even there. It was not a blizzard condition, but if it was I wouldn't be on the road any way. :26:
I would caution everyone that while the X anticipated and compensated for the road conditions, common sense should not be tossed aside. Don't try to exceed speed limits that is not normally safe, because while YOU have control over YOUR vehicle, the rest of the yahoo's out there may not and you want to leave yourself with plenty of room thus avoiding that major ding on the side of your brand new X.:mblah:
Bottom line is that the confidence level has greatly improved with me and my X on any road condition. I even tested out how the ABS would perform and intentionally braked (at a low speed) when the left side of the car went over ice. I felt the ABS shutter, but the X did not shift out of control. Pretty good peace of mind.
:rolleyes: |
|
|
|
