AuburnCa

Hello,

I am currently car shopping and have narrowed my choices to the Acura RDX Advance (2016 or 2017) or the Lexus NX Fsport.

One of the things we noticed when we test drove the RDX is that it shakes on the freeway. This happened at both test drives, the salesman said he didn't feel it (huh?). It was two different cars, not the same one so we are a little concerned about going with the RDX. I haven't found anything on it online so thought I'd ask here. Have any of you had this occur with your RDX?

Thanks in advance!

colt427

Never experienced any shaking.

MetalMan55

Possible tire(s) out of balance? Not unheard of even on a new car fresh from the factory.

SarasotaAL

I just bought my 2017 RDX last week a fantastic smooth ride

kareshi

How strong was it? Did you feel where that's coming from?

rockstar143

iTrader: (6)

Wasn't there some funny business with vibrations from the differential on the shawd/paws on the TLX?
Could it be something showing up in this car?

Although tire balance would be something I'd look into too...that's odd.

atl7

All of my Acuras (6 total, TLs and MDXs) have had issues with vibrations when I get up to 75+ mph, very strange. It's never been a big deal since all my local highways are 60mph. I've had a Lexus NX loaner for a couple weeks now, just took it on a 4hr road trip- totally smooth at 80mph. The NX is a beautiful car and very nice interior materials for the price you pay, the engine seems a little under-powered though.

rockstar143

iTrader: (6)

Curious...were all your tires mounted and balanced at the same place?
I swear I chased a vibration like a fucking maniac for a year...turned out the place I kept pestering to redo my road force, then high speed, then road force...balances...were probably using machines that were out of calibration.
Went to Acura of Pembroke Pines and my car has never vibrated ever again!

dirleton

Maybe test drive at a different dealer?

AuburnCa

Thanks everyone, for your responses.
I thought it was weird that both cars we drove had the vibration. It felt like it vibrated throughout the car, not just the steering wheel. My husband was in the passenger seat and he felt it shake too. It was on the freeway as I was accelerating and at top speed (around only 65 due to traffic).
And, Rockstar143; I've just spent a year trying to remedy a vibration on my 2005 Lexus RX and I really don't want to go through that again.
We'll be in a different area next week and that's a good idea to go try at another dealer's.

One thought - My husband is wondering if this is a cylinder deactivation problem? I'm reading some posts from older models that have had this issue. Thoughts?

Thanks in advance!

chickdr

I have had a '16 Advance for 20k miles. No vibrations at speeds up to 100mph.

rockstar143

iTrader: (6)

Doctor of Chickens!
Yeah, I'd at least get them re-balanced elsewhere and see if they are out of round or something.

BLEXV6

No vibrations in either of my RDX's.

romer

Long shot--but I picked up a new RDX in 2012--and the tire air pressures were as much as 6 lbs. difference. I imagine that could cause some vibration at high speeds?

AuburnCa

So I drove yet another one yesterday from the same place and... it didn't shake - yeah!! So it must be the tires even though it didn't feel like it in the others.

I am now leaning towards getting the RDX. There are still a few considerations. I'm not sure if I should post a new thread, but I'll just continue here. Admins; please let me know if I should move it.

RDX vs Lexus NX:

Pros: bigger engine. V6 vs V4 w/ Turbo. We drive in the hills a lot.
More room: Lexus doesn't have a lot of cargo space relatively speaking and I like to be able to fit my (small) bike in the car or pack it fully when we go on trips.
Navigation screen is recessed. Lexus's is out in the open and hence get's glare in the sun.

Cons: Side mirrors: these rotate down when backing but only one at a time vs both. Our driveway is steep and it's easier for me to use my mirrors rather than the rear view camera to make sure I don't hit the house or my husband's car.
Seats: Lexus sport seats are more comfortable and fit me really well. Have you found they get softer as time goes by? This is a pretty big issue.
Lights: the LED lights don't rotate when you go around a curve, do they? How about the optional LED fog lights?
Steering wheel: this is minor, but irritating that it's not a power telescoping wheel.

Looks: I didn't like the Lexus NX Fsport at first, but it's starting to grow on me. The Acura looks nice but unremarkable. This isn't that big of an issue though.
Lastly, is there anything else that I need to know about the RDX that you haven't liked in yours?

Again, thank you in advance. It helps to have this forum here for such a big decision!!

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

your post flows with the rest of the thread, I vote to keep it here!
and good luck on your decision!

Comfy

Welcome to the RDX forum.
When you buy a car it's good to get the latest model with most loaded technology if you are planning to keep it longer.
Every car will get old and outdated eventually and those cutting edge features in luxury cars will become the standard features in regular cars in a few years.
However what won't get old are a smooth and powerful V6 engine and spacious interior (compared to NX). If you have (or planning to have) small kids in family then I strongly favor RDX. If you like better and more upscale interior (yes NX is better in that regard), a fugly grill and better snob value and are okay with much lesser cargo space then go with NX.
I love the recessed screen in my RDX.
FYI the RDX doesn't have active curve illumination. I doubt any Acura cars have that feature at all. Good luck with your decision.

rockstar143

iTrader: (6)

Definitely belongs here...
now where's rockyboy when you need him. He'd be able to give you solid feedback and help you make a decision!

Glad to hear it was the tires btw...

chickdr

Your questions are best answered by you. Drive both several times and figure out which fits you best. I can tell you a comparable NX will cost a lot more than the RDX. Price an RDX Advance and see what that will get you in the NX.

AuburnCa

Thanks everyone for your responses.
Comfy; you have some good points. We don't have kids, but someday I'm getting another dog and I do want room in back,which is a huge motivator for the RDX vs the NX. You also have a good point about buying the latest and the greatest!

I've put in a request through Costco Auto program to see what kind of pricing is available. I'm thinking there also may be more incentives offered towards the middle to end of December. Stay tuned...

chickdr

People are getting some great deals even without buying services. Look around on the pricing threads and see, Check this thread: https://acurazine.com/forums/second-.../#post15869294

AuburnCa

Thanks Chickdr; I see that. I do plan to shop around - not just stick to Costco's program. I have had really good success with Costco's program in the past though.

Another question: does anyone know what kind of fog lights/bulbs come standard with the Advance package? I can't seem to find it. I do see where I can upgrade to LED but nothing that says what the standard fog lights are.
thank you!

rockstar143

iTrader: (6)

if I had to guess based on previous fog lights on almost all Acuras...H11

BLEXV6

Regarding the Navi, to me the RDX's seems much more integrated than the NX. The NX's Navi seems like an afterthought. That said, the higher end cars like Mercedes have the same thing. The NX cockpit, while nicer in materials was too small for me and I nixed it mainly for that reason. The cost of the NX as said will be quite a bit more, comparably equipped. I also considered the RX which is amazing, until I saw the price tag.

SarasotaAL

On my RDX purchase (Nov 8), Acura had given the dealer $4k incentives towards the purchase. That came off the msrp.

Comfy

As far as I know the top trim of RDX (advance ) comes with standard halogen fog lights which is an eyesore when compared to its awesome jewel eye headlights. I've read about many advance owners complain bitterly about it. None of the other trims come with any fog lights which is even silly. Even my prefacelift 2014 tech model has fogs. If you are getting the RDX I suggest you opt for the Advance with LED fogs (I believe it's $500- 600 or so in addition).

AuburnCa

SarasotaAL; was that for a 2016 or 2017?

AuburnCa

Comfy; yes, that's on my list. The question I have though is which type gives the driver better visibility? Hallogen or LED?

Doobiewah

I just bought my '17 Advance AWD through the Costco buying service (Arizona) a few months ago. Flat $300 below invoice with no add-ons. Also nice was the 50% off accessories coupon for up to $200 off that you got with the purchase. Dealer also threw in the $1k incentive for financing...ended up doing $7500 for 36 months at 1.9%, then paid Acura Financial $7512 three weeks later when I got the bill to pay the car off. Dealer ended up throwing in a bunch of extra stuff, too. Overall, very happy with the Costco buying service....no muss, no fuss. I've gotten better deals before; however, this was sign and go, not an ordeal for a few hundred savings over the stressless Costco buy.

Also, I had some vibration in the steering wheel at 70+. Took it back to the dealer, they pulled all wheel weights, re-balanced the tires, and it is much smoother.

The vehicle is actually the wife's (raised in Auburn, CA, BTW...Placer HS class of '71), and she loves it!

Good luck with your hunt.

SarasotaAL

2017

AuburnCa

Dobbiewa and SarasotaAL; that sounds like a great deal!

I just spoke with the Costco dealer in our area; Roseville, California. For a awd advanced package, no add-ons, msrp is 46,660, invoice 42,416 and Costco price is $100 over invoice at $42,516 + t&l. I asked if there are any incentives going on and they said there is not. I'll take that price and start to call other dealers now and see if I can't get that lowered. I would think there would be some incentives going on! And if not, certainly by the end of December, right?

SarasotaAL

I got my deal thru the "internet price" from my dealer here in FL. The incentives may differ from state to state that come down from Acura.

dirleton

How much did you pay in dealer fees?

SarasotaAL

$995

dirleton

Wow!

SarasotaAL

That included window tinting & splash guards

dirleton

And air in the tires?

SarasotaAL

No that's extra - I declined that option

Doobiewah

Ask them about the financing $$.....Acura is running a $1k promo if you take their financing, and it didn't show up on my research, just the .9% and the 1.9%....I found the $1k dealer cash in the fine print. Again, it may be area specific; however, worth the try.

Keep us informed about how your search is going! If you get one, you will love it!

Comfy

Now we are getting a bit off track here but since you asked I'll try to answer.
Most of the folks get the fogs simply for looks (me included). They are really useful in a minuscule percentage of driving (read thick as a carpet fog where you can barely see anything beyond a few feet. Here the fog lights are used to see the edge of road while driving slowly so that you don't get off the road. The human eye is more sensitive to the low frequency 4300K halogen light and therefore technically you can see better with halogens. But the LEDs emit 6000k light in much larger lumens (brightness factor) which may compensate for the lesser sensitivity of human eye.
Also LED lights are not as effective as halogens for high beams (longer distances) which is again debatable. This may not apply for fog lights which are for short distances anyway. Now you make your own decision regarding fogs (LED or not). As I said before it is mostly cosmetic unless you live in Alaska or some really mountainous area with frequent white out snows and fogs (in which case the RDX isn't the best car anyways). Hope it answers your question. Good luck.