mindanalyzer

Hi
I drive a FWD 2013 RDX with tech (7500miles) which I like in most of the areas except a couple of things:

I absolutely abhor the VCM rumble/humming noise, semi-choppy ride and the car behavior at low speeds (constant lurching). The RDX is now at the dealer being checked for the VCM noise issues and steering wheel vibration at 80 mph. All these issues have caused me to reconsider this RDX idea for long term ownership and i have found myself looking at other choices (MDX, ford explorer, Jeep GC, etc).

I am driving now a 2012 MDX loaner with tech (18k miles) and that thing drives good and the engine is silky smooth free of the VCM bullcrap. The SH-AWD is awesome, I have tested it in some turns at high speed and I am impressed. It is very heavy which does not bother me (I am coming from a chevy avalanche which I loved); My only problem with the 2013 MDX is the mileage (I am getting 12.5mpg with the loaner doing some city spirited driving which I think is really POOR)

I was exploring for prices and contacted a dealer in South Florida and offered them $42350 (incl destination) for a brand new 2013 MDX with tech (2K below invoice). Well, they accepted it right away (so maybe I can push a big more); I also have in mind to ask the internet salesman if they are willing to sweet this deal to include in this price a powertrain nationwide warranty up to 100K miles or 10 years (as I have now with my RDX given for free by Rick Case Acura)

My question to you: What do you think of this MDX deal?

thanks

PS: I have not considered the 2014 MDX because of the (with all the respect but in my opinion) ugly form factor (looks like a wagon), price tag and 'my dear friend' VCM system.

mindanalyzer

well, I made an analysis and the difference in fuel dollars is considerable (although it wont be the end of the world):

10000 miles annually
@ 4$ per gallon (premium)

my real mileage (mpg) gallons (month) cost (month)
RDX 17 49.01 196.07
MDX 12 69.44 277.77

which results in a $82 difference per month

TLtrigirl

iTrader: (1)

you can get a better deal on the 13.

when they were selling like crazy earlier in the year before the 14's....they were selling for as low at $40k +TTL.

your MPGs in the loaner...be careful in your interpretation. the last person in the loaner may not have put premium in the tank which can cause MPGs to drop if using regular. also the MID may not have been reset since the last driver unless you reset it to check your own MPGs. if you idle a lot and and have been sitting in traffic or lead footing a bit the MPGs can drop.

i have an 09 and typically get 16(usually)-17/18 (on a good tank) with mixed driving avg 24-25mph (per MID). i've gotten as high as 24mpg avg 67mph (pure hwy/roadtrip) loaded with cargo in back and bikes off the rear hitch rack.

ls973800

What are you doing with the 2013 RDX? Is that going to be a trade in on the 2013 MDX? You already made an offer to one dealer for a price and they accepted. Are you going to follow through with that or start shopping their price acceptance with other dealers and continue looking for a lower price?

mindanalyzer

I am asking for opinions because there are a couple of things with my RDX that are really bothering me and I would like to get some input from (hopefully) knowledgeable MDX forum members in as to how they perceive this (accepted) offer: bargain, as marginally ok or simply bad. Of course that everyone has a different opinion but that's why I would like to hear opinions, so that i can substantiate my ideas. I made an offer, that was accepted, but it is completely plausible that my offer was way off the price of what smart buyers would consider fair.

To answer your questions, if I did this business, Yes, I would trade my RDX. Whether I will follow through with this dealer or not depends on the fact that I consider this purchase as favorable to me (peace of mind, right specs, good 4, etc)

thank you

Phantom0981

Hi mindanalyzer,

I agree with TLtrigirl that the price listed above is definitely high. I purchased my 2013 MDX with Tech back in May right before the transition to the 2014. At that time I paid 41,900 for the car. At that time I still felt that was a little high and probably could have done better. Unfortunately at the time they only had one in the color I wanted within 3 states so I took the deal. At this time, most people will probably be searching for a 2014 so I'm sure the dealer really wants to get rid of the 2013 as it is just taking space on the lot for the more lucrative 2014 since there is not much discounting on them. I would push as close to 40K as you can if you are serious but I think that anything under 41K is good for a MDX (my opinion). Unfortunately Truecar isn't showing the 2013 anymore for some real numbers.

Regarding gas mileage, I've just rolled over 13,000 miles today. I don't reset the mpg calculator under trip B so over all those miles I have averaged 19.8 mpg. I haven't had a tank of gas where I have averaged under 18.5 mpg. That being said, my drive to work is probably 80% highway or more so I'm not sure if that is typical mpg's especially if you do a lot of city driving. I have also gotten over 24 mpg when driving on the highway for an entire tank going between 60-70 mph.

Sorry to hear about your problems with the RDX. It's a really nice car but after owning a TL with SH-AWD I really wanted it in my SUV. Really glad I went with the MDX as I am definitely loving it.

BG3

Mindanalyzer,

I just bought a Silver 13 MDX with tech in Va for $38,990 excluding taxes and tags... All the dealers I worked with basically offered around $40K+ without much negotiating but balked at anything lower. So the $42,350 is a bit high.

Good luck out there it's really slim pickings but the deals are out there.

mindanalyzer

thanks y'all for the advices

I was able to test drive a 2012 mdx with tech for 3 days and I was not impressed: city mileage (spirited driving) was 11.7mpg (17.5 under same conditions with Rdx with any type of fuel), the Mdx engine is powerful and smooth with a sweet V8 sound, the Rdx engine is powerful as well but much quieter, the mdx is a softer ride but feels VERY heavy, the navigation system is a waste of space, I had some complains of the Rdx nav but it is night and day better than the one present in the model that I drove. Although they externally look the same the mdx's is much slower, ... could it be software? maybe

well, the dealership installed a few software updates in my Rdx, balanced the wheels, replaced the brake pads (bulletin), and I don't know what else they did but the Rdx is riding good now, very smooth and I haven't felt the VCM noise, so after some thinking and excel worksheets analysis I decided to keep my Rdx

again, thank you for your advices

TLtrigirl

iTrader: (1)

mdx is not a race car...and you'll get crappy MPGs driving around the city. and yes the MDX is heavy and slow (it's a 4500 pound CUV).

i don't expect the MDX to go shooting off the line like my TL...hence i have a TL also.

roadtrips and carrying gear...the MDX is plenty comfy. i've had the RDX (1g and 2g) as loaners, while each gen has it's pros and cons, i enjoy the bells and whistles of the MDX, the ample space and the comfort it provides going on road trips. my TL only provides that comfort for about 2 hrs and then it gets annoying. or maybe i'm just getting old.

just think...you just saved $$$. enjoy the RDX!!

Hou-RL

What bells and whistles are you referring to in the MDX? I am currently looking at getting an RDX after comparing an MDX and RDX with Tech package. The RDX is the clear winner all around and there is a huge savings in comparison.
If there is some advantage on the MDX other than additional space for mre poeple please share this with me.

nixit71

I am still in the market for a new 2013 MDX w/ Tech as well. I'm going to solicit the local (then national) dealers after Christmas and see who really wants to get a new car sale on the books before year-end and get back space on the lot for a 2014 MDX that has actual demand. Any 2013 on the lot has probably been there over a year now. $35-37K range or bust, I say Those 2013s are not going to be more desirable come sprint time...or summer...The market has already spoken. Even the discounts being offered haven't been enough to get buyers for these models. Sell now or forever hold your peace.

crv2tsx

Nixit71... was wondering what kind of success you had on getting your price ($35-37K) for a 2013 MDX w/Tech. I'm in the market, and that is on my list, as well as a 2014 MDX Tech/AWD, TL 3.7 Advance, and maybe even the RDX Tech/AWD. I'm planning to spend some "quality" time tomorrow at the dealership and drive home something new.

Lalin

I couldn't agree with you more!
I have a 2013 MDX w/tech and it has very FEW if any bells or whistles!
A couple of weeks a go I drove a 2013 RDX as a loaner and that had more going on on the tech side than my MDX. also it felt much quicker and better handling than my MDX.

nixit71

Not much. Best quote was around $41K for 2013 MDX w/ Tech. It looks like I'll sit out this round. No loss.