AZuser

Helping a friend buy a car.... looking at a 2002 Acura MDX (<-- link) with 61K miles on it. Asking price is $14,000.00

Got a few questions:

1) Any known problems/issues with it that we should be aware of?
2) What's a fair price?
3) Any maintenance work due/needs to be done at 61K or sometime soon?
4) How's the MPGs?

Anything else we should know?

Took a look at it and it seemed to be in pretty good condition minus a few scratches/nicks/chips here and there. Of course, there were swirls all over, but those can easily be polished out.

Aside from that, it was pretty clean inside and ran smooooth.

mystikk

Did you try a search of the MDX boards? Might reveal some answers, despite the lack of activity there ..

AZuser

Did a quick search, but not much activity or info there.

FiftyFive

Try posting in the MDX forum next time

1) Transmission problems from 01-03
2) I would say between 12,500 and 13,000, 14,000 is a little high
3) Not much but fluid until around 105k miles
4) In my 04 i average 22mpg, 50/50 city/highway

vas25tl

Agree with everything but #1.
1) Actually the transmission problems were 01-02, in 03 they put a different trans in and the problem was taken care of.
2) Totally agreed, I would rather get a 04 with higher miles for 14K versus an 02.
3) Pretty solid cars, wouldn't worry about anything until the timing belt service.
4) 22 is awesome! I think I need to change the tires on my mother's MDX.

vas25tl

What are the options/color combo?

FiftyFive

Thanks!

vas25tl

No Prob, I had this issue when my Aunt needed an SUV. My little cuz totaled her Highlander two weeks after getting her DL and she needed something fast. I had an 03 on the lot for cheap and did a TON of research...I always thought it was in 04 when they changed it but it ended up being in 03 so she got it, then got an 04 for my mom a few months later.

AZuser

Tranny problems on the 01-02 MDX too? Man, what is it with Honda/Acura and their transmissions.

If he decides to go for it, I'll tell him to start at around $12,000 and pay no more than $12,500-ish. The dealer even admitted to him that they were hurting because of low sales so we're thinking they might want to deal.

It's the MDX with the touring package in Nighthawk Black Pearl with tan interior. It's got navi too.

http://thomasacura.com/Vehicle.aspx?v=1420776

FiftyFive

Nice but if he gets the 02 make sure its CPO'd w/ the extended 7y/100,000mile warranty. Those trannies are ticking time bombs.

AZuser

It's not CPO'd but the sales lady did say that for a bit more he can purchase an extended warranty of some sort.

I'll definitely let him know about the tranny problem. That might be enough to steer him into something else if not an 03+ without the tranny problem.

vas25tl

I would try to steer him into 04+ MDX's...you get so much more, newer updates, I've seen them with nav with similar miles for $15-16K around the US.

FiftyFive

03+ Would probably be his best bet.

AZuser

Just talked to him on the phone... said he found a 04 white MDX with touring package... navi... CPO'd with 69,053 miles. Dealer's asking $14,980.

He's thinking of that one now that I told him about tranny problem on 01-02 MDX's.

Try offering $12,500 + TTL and work way up?

FiftyFive

Ah that sounds much better. I think even $14,900 is a great deal. I got my 04 touring navi/res with 51k back in june for 17,500.

Starting negotiations at $12,500 sounds good..

vas25tl

Sounds MUCH better...12,500 is pretty low to start with though.....14,980 is a very good price for that vehicle, I'd say if you get it down to 14K take it.