Advice on 2008 or 2009 RDX Purchase
03-13-2017, 05:46 PM
#1
1st Gear
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Advice on 2008 or 2009 RDX Purchase
Hi Everyone - My wife and I and looking at a 2008 and 2009 RDX and I was hoping to get some feedback. The 2008 has about 147,000 kms (about 91,000 miles). The 2009 has about 126,000 kms (about 78,000 miles) and includes the Tech package. The 2008 is about $2000 cheaper than the 2009. Both of them seem to be in pretty good shape. No accidents reported. The 2008 hasn't had any major repairs. The 2009 has something on the service record at about 40,000 miles but nothing else.
In general are these good vehicles to buy? Is that too much mileage for an RDX that old? What should I be looking for mechanically to make sure they are still in good shape? Is it really worth another $2000 for about 13,000 fewer miles on the RDX? If we were to buy what kind of fluid changes or parts should we look at getting replaced?
We will probably only do about 15,000 kms or 9,000 miles per year on the car but a third of that will be highway driving at 5-6 hours each way.
We're also considering a 2010 Rav4 Limited and a 2010 Subuaru Forester Limited. Both of them are about the same price range with the same mileage and same features.
Any general feedback would really help us out!
In general are these good vehicles to buy? Is that too much mileage for an RDX that old? What should I be looking for mechanically to make sure they are still in good shape? Is it really worth another $2000 for about 13,000 fewer miles on the RDX? If we were to buy what kind of fluid changes or parts should we look at getting replaced?
We will probably only do about 15,000 kms or 9,000 miles per year on the car but a third of that will be highway driving at 5-6 hours each way.
We're also considering a 2010 Rav4 Limited and a 2010 Subuaru Forester Limited. Both of them are about the same price range with the same mileage and same features.
Any general feedback would really help us out!
03-13-2017, 07:16 PM
#2
Hi Everyone - My wife and I and looking at a 2008 and 2009 RDX and I was hoping to get some feedback. The 2008 has about 147,000 kms (about 91,000 miles). The 2009 has about 126,000 kms (about 78,000 miles) and includes the Tech package. The 2008 is about $2000 cheaper than the 2009. Both of them seem to be in pretty good shape. No accidents reported. The 2008 hasn't had any major repairs. The 2009 has something on the service record at about 40,000 miles but nothing else.
In general are these good vehicles to buy? Is that too much mileage for an RDX that old? What should I be looking for mechanically to make sure they are still in good shape? Is it really worth another $2000 for about 13,000 fewer miles on the RDX? If we were to buy what kind of fluid changes or parts should we look at getting replaced?
We will probably only do about 15,000 kms or 9,000 miles per year on the car but a third of that will be highway driving at 5-6 hours each way.
We're also considering a 2010 Rav4 Limited and a 2010 Subuaru Forester Limited. Both of them are about the same price range with the same mileage and same features.
Any general feedback would really help us out!
In general are these good vehicles to buy? Is that too much mileage for an RDX that old? What should I be looking for mechanically to make sure they are still in good shape? Is it really worth another $2000 for about 13,000 fewer miles on the RDX? If we were to buy what kind of fluid changes or parts should we look at getting replaced?
We will probably only do about 15,000 kms or 9,000 miles per year on the car but a third of that will be highway driving at 5-6 hours each way.
We're also considering a 2010 Rav4 Limited and a 2010 Subuaru Forester Limited. Both of them are about the same price range with the same mileage and same features.
Any general feedback would really help us out!
In terms of vs the forester and rav4, I would take the forester out solely on the 4 speed automatic and the way too prevalent subaru head gasket leak issues. Also subies feel like they are built out of plastic (older subies that is). The other thing is that I was looking to buy a forester at one point and was startled at the number needing new engines and turbos (like people mentioned they just put them in on multiple different foresters on different ads).
In terms of the Rav4, you are comparing apples and oranges sort of. The rav4 is the better family vehicle and it is more roomy/larger inside and out but the build quality is nowhere near that of the RDX. The RDX on the other hand has better quality interior (not by a huge margin) and is WAY sportier. You really need to go drive both and then see how you feel about it.
03-14-2017, 05:25 AM
#3
mrgold35
The changes to the 08 compared to 09 RDXs are very minimal like color choices and the above mentioned power seat. I like the upgrades with the tech version like the navi, upgraded ELS with more watts, and the option for XM traffic; but, I don't think you would miss it if the RDX wasn't a tech version.
You might have to factor in:
- 105,000 miles service (spark plugs, valve adjustment, serpentine belt, anti freeze, etc...) can cost around $1000 depending on what needs to be done. The 09 RDX would give you two years before that service is due.
- Acura extended 100,000 miles warranty for the A/C compressor. Mine failed and had it replaced at 95,000 miles. The 09 would give you 2 years of coverage at your yearly mileage compared to 1 extra year with the 08 RDX.
The turbo, engine, 5AT, and sh-awd has been extremely solid for all model years of the RDX. Most of us had minor issues with door/trunk actuators, sun visors breaking, occasional alternator, armrest wearing, or dealing with the crappy OEM battery.
The only thing about the RDX some folks may not like (especially folks that cross shopping against softer family haulers):
- tight/stiff ride, I love the ride. You will feel every bump in the road
- road noise, gets louder the faster you go
- combined mpgs around 17-19 mpgs average
- little bit more tire wear because of full time awd
- turbo lag, Hondata reflash for $300+shipping helps with reducing the lag
- the RDX is more at home the harder you drive it. Cloverleaf on/off ramp speed limits are really the minimum speed for the RDX. If your spouse isn't screaming at you to slow down on the curves, you aren't driving the RDX hard enough.
You might have to factor in:
- 105,000 miles service (spark plugs, valve adjustment, serpentine belt, anti freeze, etc...) can cost around $1000 depending on what needs to be done. The 09 RDX would give you two years before that service is due.
- Acura extended 100,000 miles warranty for the A/C compressor. Mine failed and had it replaced at 95,000 miles. The 09 would give you 2 years of coverage at your yearly mileage compared to 1 extra year with the 08 RDX.
The turbo, engine, 5AT, and sh-awd has been extremely solid for all model years of the RDX. Most of us had minor issues with door/trunk actuators, sun visors breaking, occasional alternator, armrest wearing, or dealing with the crappy OEM battery.
The only thing about the RDX some folks may not like (especially folks that cross shopping against softer family haulers):
- tight/stiff ride, I love the ride. You will feel every bump in the road
- road noise, gets louder the faster you go
- combined mpgs around 17-19 mpgs average
- little bit more tire wear because of full time awd
- turbo lag, Hondata reflash for $300+shipping helps with reducing the lag
- the RDX is more at home the harder you drive it. Cloverleaf on/off ramp speed limits are really the minimum speed for the RDX. If your spouse isn't screaming at you to slow down on the curves, you aren't driving the RDX hard enough.
03-15-2017, 06:14 PM
#4
You should see if they will come closer in price between the two. I mean the mileage difference to me isn't worth it. I have a tech package though so I'm not sure what doesn't come with the base model. That being said, my wife and I love our RDX so far.
