Gentleman GTI

I'm looking at buying an '07 RDX, 144,000 miles, for $8000. Yesterday's inspection by a Honda/Acura specialist pronounced it better than average for the age, with one concern. The steering rack is seeping, not enough to drip on the ground, but definitely losing fluid. "I would drive it and top it off," said the tech. "It could take a couple years before it has to be replaced." It was working properly now, he said. That replacement cost would be about $2000, with plenty of labor hours to remove the subframe.

I have no background in this brand, so I rely on the collective wisdom of this forum.

Question is, would you buy a car like that?

Also, have you hade steering rack leakage, and how quickly did it progress?

RDX10

It would be a deal killer for me especially considering that 8k for that mileage and age is not a good deal especially given that rack. I would keep looking if I was you.

Gentleman GTI

I may have found a better deal on another RDX, which I'm having inspected tomorrow.

As for the price, the used car market is local. I'm in Denver, where CUVs are very popular and all used car prices tend to higher than anywhere east or south of us. I'm just not finding any other RDX listed below $10K within 300 miles or so.

RDX10

Good luck with your viewing tomorrow.

As for price, I am from Canada where crossovers are by and far the preferred method of transport (think every 7/10 cars is a crossover/suv) so they do cost more than cars and in Canada we typically pay more for the same car than you guys so for me 8K for 144k miles seems high. However it does fluctuate and I have been in your position where all the cars I cab find are priced high so it's hard to find one.

Gentleman GTI

Well, RDX Number Two had a leaky steering rack too, plus a leaking steering pump. Both had a leaking steering hose. Damn! I'm beginning to think these cars have a built-in flaw here.

Add in the $650 cost for the 100k mile plugs and valve adjustment, and you've got a high cost to entry to the RDX league, by the used car back door. The valve issue may confuse people- both the used car salesman and the private owner thought I was nuts when I asked about valve adjustment, saying that was a relic of the olden days. I'm sure the grease monkey-man who serviced the private party car didn't have time to look that up in the book and remind them.

I wonder if the fine reputation of reliability of Japanese cars is a myth? If owners believe their cars need nothing but oil changes and they use generic sources for that minimal service, the cars will indeed run until it's trading time, but the neglected problems pile up and get passed on to the next owner. Maybe I'll stick with German cars. Nobody thinks they're reliable, so maybe the owners pay more attention to maintenance. I know I do.

RDX10

Leaky racks are not a common occurance on the RDX however you are correct about the 100k service, good job for actually reading about it man.

However I have to disagree with your train of thought, the problem with Germans is not the maintenance, you can do your maintenance 100% on time and be 1 step away from something huge failing. If you think avoiding the RDX for a German vehicle is a fair trade off, I have to disagree with that logic but good luck both ways man.

Gentleman GTI

Maybe it's just bad luck. I have been hunting in the very bottom end of RDX pricing. Maybe I'll have to settle for a BMW- there are a dozen X3s under $8000 in my area. Maybe a few of them have been properly maintained. But I'm surprised not to see more about steering system woes on this board.

RDX10

I truly do think you had some bad luck. Is it possible to save up anothe 2K? 10k should net you a nice RDX. I was going to buy an X3 instead of my past RDX but I test drove it and a few things really stuck out to me. 1 was the floor mounted gas pedal (hurts my calves and ankle) and another thing was the engine (3.0l I6) was piwerful for the X3 but if it was in the wrong gear it responded very negatively, like it would drag before moving whereas if caught in the right gear it really had some oomph. Another point of contention was the pano-roof, a previous X5 had issues with it and it is a VERY common and somewhat expensive repair. Other than the aforementioned stuff and the sometimes failing LCD screens the X3 is a petty nice vehicle from a quality perspective, it really does have a decent build quality, not X5 nice, but still WAY better than an RDX.

The other advantage of the X3 is a true RWD platform with a real full time AWD system that is superior to sh-awd in some respects (not dynamically though).

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

if you have an indie mechanic that you trust, grab the RDX with a leaky rack and have your mechanic install one for pennies?

the trouble is when one doesnt have an emergency fund or one doesnt know a mechanic.
fix the leaky rack and the car will be as good as new, that's what I would do...to have an RDX that cost lower than 7K

or increase your budget

mrgold35

I think it is the combo of looking at a 1st model year AND +10 year old vehicle. Acura/Honda start to get very reliable after the Mid-Model Change (MMC) that happens between the 3rd and 4th model years usually. A lot of issues with the 1st model year are non existent with later model years. I would look for MMC Acura/Honda as a used vehicle if I'm in the +100,000 mile range. I did break my rule and purchased my 2nd year 08 RDX used back in 2010. That was because the Moroccan Pearl Red was only available for the 07-08 model years, upgraded tech, smoother ride, and memory seats.

There are no guarantees: but, a +08 might might have a few less issues on average compared to 07. That might explain why you find more 07 for sell that have issues because they trade them in instead of fixing. The steering rack, steering pump, HIDs, ELS/XM issues, Navi CD/ROM issues, and A/C compressor are the big ticket items someone might dump the RDX compared to fixing.

Gentleman GTI

Unfortunately, that was an independent, family-run H/A shop doing my inspections and quoting me $1700 for a steering rack installed, plus $500 for a steering fluid hose (needed immediately on both cars). Plus $650 for the plugs and valve adjustment that nobody seems to know about. A thousand here, a thousand there and pretty soon you're getting into real money!

DRR98

Widen your search.

Choose wisely.

We have an '11 with nearly 120k mi and have none of the issues you are finding.

They sold 23,000 RDX's in '08.

Find the right one.

Widen your search.

Gentleman GTI

But I'm afraid that every one of them over 100,000 miles has a leaky power steering system.