Well so my wife and I have been long time Honda/Acura owners. She has been nice enought to let me own & mod my 08 Type-S but now she's kinda been hinting around she wants an MDX. She only works 3 days per week & we have no kids so a full loaded new model isn't really needed. I'm trying to decide between a clean 03 with only 31k on it or an 04-05 with many more miles? I hear the 03s and older had some issues but the 04-05s in our budget have close to 100k miles if not over. Here are the two options, any feedback much appreciated:
The 03 with 31k...
http://usedcars.kbb.com/detail/cars/..._user=a2JidWNp

The 06 with 79k...
http://usedcars.kbb.com/detail/cars/...&kbb_zip=60123

 

$18.5K for an 03 MDX is not a good price, I don't care how many miles it has. Even that 06 MDX at $19k is high. Great cars but you shouldn't be paying more than $12.5k on an 03 or $15.5k on an 06 IMO. We bought our 03 X over 2 years ago for ~$14k.

Also like I mentioned earlier that 03 is probably due for timing belt soon. There's a lot of room to DIY but if you take it to a shop they'll charge you at least $700 all incl.. some charge over $1k but don't waste your time with those shops.

If you're looking for a great deal it'll probably take time to find the right one, color, options, etc.. but it's well worth the search. The X has been a great vehicle. Road trips, carpools, camping, hauling the dogs, moving.. it's been a real champ and enjoyable to drive as well.

Also I get 22 mpg on avg (65% hwy, 35% stop & go)

 

Yeah the 03 seemed high for me, yes low miles but $18,900 for an 03 is high...that dealer is always high. I tired buying TLs from them on 2 different occasions & ended up elsewhere. Did you look at the specs of the 06...fully loaded with Nav and 79k miles. The miles scare me with the AWD...any issues with that?

 

Too bad your not local. Considering getting rid of my 06 Tour/Nav w/32k. CPO Warranty till 8/2011. Good luck with your search. the 03 is just too much. The 06 is on the high side considering the mileage and lack of Nav.

 

No issues with the AWD system.. and none that I've heard of either.. but you will want to replace the VTM4 fluid and the transfer fluid once you get a MDX, especially when the miles are >70k miles. I think the service calls for every 60k miles if I'm not mistaken but I do mine every 30k. It takes about the same time as an oil change ~20 mins.

 

wow i paid only 13K for my 02 mdx and thats with 2yr warranty and taxes/fees and wat-not. 105K on it when bought.

 

^ I think they're jacking the price up on the 03 because it only has 31k on it. I am leaning towards the fully loaded 06 with NAV & 80k on it for $18,000. I think I can get them down into the $16ks. Wife loved it! Shoulda never went & test drove it. It feels more solid than my Type-S WTF! Quiet, silky smooth ride.

 

Some pics of the one we're considering...

 

$16.5k max.. I know you want it but be ready to walk away from it unless money is no issue to you. btw.. 9/10 places I've car shopped at, the salesman would call me after leaving (same day) to offer me $1-2k less than the lowest they said they could go.. so walking away isn't necessarily a bad thing.

 

^ thanks for the pointer. It's $17,500 now, I'm not wealthy...lol but I'd be happy getting down into the $16ks.

 

^^ guess what? it sold from under us, maybe someone didnt think it was overpriced. so our search continues.