Corycarlo7

I'm looking to buy a 2002 MDX tomorrow and wanted to run it by you guys first. It's black on black. 130k. Was told it runs, drives, shifts perfectly. Original trans, engine. New brakes, tires, and alignment about a month ago. Body looks absolutely great. Got the guy down to $3900. Should I go for it?!

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

test drive it.

you're asking people on the internet who hasnt seen or driven the car if you should buy it!?
Test Drive it!!
have an experienced car person or mechanic come with you!

Acura's dont have stout transmissions!
test drive the car for 30 mins or more and MAKE SURE that it's shifting and performing like it should

Corycarlo7

I was asking for opinions of whether I should buy it or not from people who know these vehicles. Pointers or some guidance would be good since I have yet to own an MDX let alone any Acura. I've been researching them for a couple of weeks but would like to hear what you experts have to say. I am mechanically inclined and will do a thorough test drive and inspection of the vehicle.

Hope me this isn't one of "those" forums where people get attacked. I have a Jaguar and a '68 nova and am a member of forums for each and I am blown away by how helpful and decent those people truly are.

Im not looking for anyone to decide for me, rather to let me know if it seems like a good deal or to possibly steer clear etc.

Thanks in advance to those who are willing to help a fellow automobile enthusiast out!

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

I'm willing to help you out, that's what I'm here for!!!

as stated, I havent seen or driven the car in question...and it all depends on previous owners on how well they kept up with maintenance.
Honda's are generally bullet proof, HOWEVER! their transmissions arent stout.

please drive the vehicle for 30 mins or more to get a feel on how the transmission shifts when engine fluids and tranny fluids are warm.

Should you go for it?!?!?!??!?!
we dont know until you've driven it and have given it a once over, as it is a used car!!!!

Corycarlo7

Ok, I will take a longer yes drive. Thanks for the heads up! I have seen where people have these 1st gens with over 300k on original trans and engine. But then I see tons of trans issue stories too so I'm kinda torn.

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

If you are going to purchase it , be sure to have funds to cover the transmission..... Would be my advice.
going in it, knowing that it's the weak spot, you'll be better prepared if something were to arise

Illustro

Well you may be mechanically inclined but do you want to spend a few days doing the timing belt and valve adjustment? I'd check if the previous owner did that since it's past the 100k mile mark and needs to be done...

Corycarlo7

The current owner doesn't know if the belt and valves was done. He's only had it about 20k. Maybe I should keep looking elsewhere for a different SUV...

Skirmich

My advise is to skip it... 01 to 02 Acura or Honda V6 Transmissions were HORRIBLE Pieces of Junk! and compared to our TL which can do a Trans Swap the MDX cannot do this so you will always ride with a Timing Bomb in place of a Transmission. If possible try to save a little more for a Post 2005 model, Honda started to get its act together with their transmissions by those years.

Corycarlo7

Ok. Maybe I'll just take a look at Lexus. There isn't any preventative maintenance that can be done to the transmission to make it last?

Skirmich

Yearly ATF Changes and adding a Transmission Cooler... BUT That wont guarantee you anything since the problem is lack of lubrication to the 3rd gear Clutch Pack.

RDX10

This is my suggestion for you as well. Stay away from ANY Honda or Acura V6 product with an automatic transmission from the late 90's to the early 2000's. The sad part is that a lot of people inevitably end up buying these models because they are dirt cheap without knowing just what they are getting themselves into. A lot of the time you have to add up timing belt and water pump, Valve adjustment, spark plugs, and on too of all that you gotta be mindful of the transmission. Suddenly your steal isn't a steal anymore. Putting all that aside, if the owner can't tell you if the timing belt has been done, it hasn't. Mine was done 30k kms early at around 75k miles so I was happy that the previous owner took good care of it and kept up on his preventative maintenance.

Skirmich

^ 4 Speeds are Reliable Though (Late 90s).. The 2G TL with the 4 speed (1999 Model) is the most reliable Transmission from the 2G TL era..

At least there is a fix around for the TL/CL from 00-03, Accord 00-03 since these Cars can be Swapped with a Modern Accord 06-07 Transmission, I think some people were trying to do the same with the Odyssey. But MDX and Pilot will never be able to do this swap since they both have a Special Transfer Case for the AWD System in the Transmission which makes them fully incompatible with the AV6 Swap.

Corycarlo7

Ok, it was tough but I passed. I had insurance on it and ready to buy today but took the advice I sought out. It really was a very clean, inside and out, black on black but the last thing I want is a problematic vehicle. Thanks again guys!

RDX10

Shoot you are right, I should have specified 5 speed automatic! Why can't people swap in the 5 speed auto from the 2009+ pilots into the older pilot and MDX considering they still used VTM-4? I would bet the 2007+ MDX would not swap back because of the obvious change to SH-AWD correct?

Skirmich

^ I believe it was an issue with Transmission Bell Housing being different.. The 2007 MDX should be compatible as the SH-AWD system is only different in the Rear Differential, Transmission and Transfer Case should be in theory the same.
Perhaps Final Drive is different from SH-AWD to VTM-4? Who know? Nobody has tried to swap a modern trans into these older MDXs and Pilots as far as I am aware.

Skirmich

You should look into 2005 and Up models if you are still interested.. Those years have fixed the trans issue.

RDX10

I wonder why this is the case, with the number of MDX's sold there are bound to be TONS of used ones from wrecks on the market. I always hear of people talking about how they swapped their TL with the AV6 swap, yet the pilot and MDX are more valuable and when their tranny's die they are dumped. I guess the AV6 swap is known because the TL is an enthusiast car while the Pilot/MDX are not so nobody tries.

Skirmich

Gotta take into consideration that a modern MDX and Pilot transmission should be also more expensive than the AV6 Trans..
The Accord sold a ton of cars so getting the transmission cheap is not hard but the MDX/Pilot sold fewer and the Transfer Case add on must be the reason why it cost so much.

RDX10

Yeah you are right. Sometimes simple things like that have a vast effect on the amount of knowledge or availability of fixes available. All I know is that this will be my last Honda-Acura product for a very long time.