Howdy -

I'll be buying my RDX probably in Oct/Nov timeframe and am debating between the '07 and '08. It seems that one of the main differences (besides mirror and memory seats) is the "softer suspension" on the '08 however I believe I'll get a much better deal on the '07.

Is the suspension on the '07 really that hard? I test drove it for a brief 10 minutes but really couldn't get a feel for it. I have to think that it also differs based on what car you were driving before. For me, I'll be upgrading from a 1997 Honda Civic LX Sedan (anything is an upgrade to me). So I'm wondering, for me, whether it'll really make a huge difference compared to someone who might have gone from one luxury vehicle to another.

Thanks for your feedback in advance.
Paul
Boston, MA

 

im the same thing as you..but you need to read up on the old articles in regards of suspension, it has already been explained.
I'm upgrading from a 2000 civic EX going for the '08 rdx.
It's a major upgrade, and great for the long run.

 

NYjumpman....

When you say major upgrade I'm assuming you mean from the Civic to RDX not the 07 suspension to the 08 suspension???

If you don' t mind me asking what's making you choose the '08 over the '07?

 

Its really not that bad but it is a firm ride for sure. I only noticed it the first day of driving after that I just got used to it.

 

i just had a chance to take a semi long road trip down to seattle from vancouver over the weekend and thought i'd share my thoughts. i'm coming from an audi a4 with sport suspension where the ride was quite rough...meaning you feel the bumps on the road.

the rdx was very similar but still worst than my a4. certain stretches of the road were really bad, but i blame that on the road. for the most part, it was tolerable. but i think you have it bang on...it really depends what you are coming from. i wouldn't mind the suspension being a little softer, but then it's a trade off from performance i think. but then again, most of us probably aren't driving the rdx like a sports car though.

i'm curious as to how much of a difference the suspension is on the 08.

 

It's not so much transmitting the bumps on the road - that's what I want. It's vibrations that come from the suspension itself when there just isn't anything on the road. It's an intermittent pulsing vibration like you're going over little rumble strips that last a couple seconds, then goes away for a few, then comes back. It's most prevalent at RPMs under 2K. It really annoys me but those '07s just seem to do that. I'll try out an '08 to see what it feels like when they become available, but it looks like I'm pretty much stuck with what I've got.

 

Is it suspension vibration or something else?

RL owners report specifc drivetrain vibrations under 2K RPM, most prevalent between 1500 and 2000 RPM in 5th, and to a lesser extent in 4th. It seems to be inherent with the SH-AWD implementation in that car. There may actually be two vibrations going on with certain RL's, and I think the older ones (first year 2005) sometimes needed a changeout of the carbon fiber driver shaft, but I really have not kept track of the fix.

Anyway, is it a driveline vibration or a suspension vibration?

 

I have a civic and yes im moving over to a rdx
The reason I want a 08 over 07
b/c is a 2nd yr car
the 07=1st yr car.
2nd yr car - fixes 1st yr cars's KINKS(AND THIS IS A FACT)
ANytime companies comes out with a new car or new design every 5 years, you don't get the first yr make until the 2nd yr, to fix 1st yr bugs/kinks.

08 - model comes w/ standard - AUTO DIM MIRROR, MEMORY SEATS, RE-TUNED SUSPENSION, intergration of Bluetooth/voice command.

07 is pretty much the same as 08 except for the stuff i explained above.
And the suspension itself is made more sports-link, and has a much steadier handle(especially when hitting little bumps and potholes)

 

Thanks for the info everyone. I'll have to see what kind of deal I can get on the 08. I'm looking to add a roof rack and trailer hitch to the tech model. Hopefully I can get a decent price on that.


If anyone else has compared the 07 to the 08 I'd love to get your feedback.

 

Nyjumpman23, how do you know that the 08 RDX suspension is changed?

 

I don't think the ride is all that stiff. It's stiffer than the camry I was driving but that doesn't say much.

If I were you, since you are waiting till october anyway, just go test drive the 07 and 08 at the same time. then if there is a difference, you'll be able to easily compare.

 

It's been confirmed that it has slightly changed.
They'll have it in next week @ the dealer close to me. =)
I'm getting as much info as I can.
Like Sasair said, minor changes.

'09 - will have very minor body change, but there will be one.

'08 has the autodim mirror and power memory seat standard now.

 

When did I say that?

 

Nyjumpman23, WHO HAS CONFIRMED IT???? You can say that it has been changed but according to my 08 RDX training manual, THERE IS NO CHANGE TO THE 08 SUSPENSION! Did the dealer tell you this because you told them you didn't like the suspension of the 07?

 

Nope, didnt say anything about the suspension, they told me the suspension changes were made in regards of May 2007 to the Last set of 07 models and new '08 models.
(sorry Sasair - read your post wrong....I RETRACT MY STATEMENT FROM BEFORE from Sasair).

Like I said, Thery have one for me to test drive, next week (the '08).
A Silver and a black one.
but for me, I want the Polished Metal Metallic.

 

Yeah, I called my dealer today and he said they don't even have the manual or the specs on any suspension changes for the 08. I don't know where these other dealers are getting their info from and neither did he.

 

I think the stiffness of the RDX is fine, but it really depends on your style and previous.

I drive a Honda Civic EX Coupe - Lowered on aftermarket suspension, etc... So the RDX is BUTTER compared to the horse (lowered civic).

You will love the RDX, even though its a bit stiff. I still have my lowered civic as a daily driver and it feels like shit. But then again, it also handles pretty decent for a modified civic.

 

I enjoy the firm ride,but to each its own.One thing I did notice is that
roads seem bumpier and have more potholes up North than most
of the roads down South,most likely due to the very harsh winters IMO

 

I came from a TL and to me, the ride is softer in my RDX than it was in my TL.

 

Hey Jack -

That's interesting to hear that you think the RDX is smoother than the TL. My dad has the MDX and the TL which I've driven both a bunch of times and always thought both of those rides to be very smooth, especially the MDX.

If that's actually true then I don't think the RDX will both me at all as I really like the ride of the TL. Anyone else experienced this?

I will obvioulsy test drive the car again but a 5 minute test drive around a selected route doesn't help one really determine what the ride will be like in the long run.

 

My wife used to complain about the stiff ride in the TL. She doesn't have that complaint with the RDX.

 

Your wife must think the RDX is much "cuter" than the TL, b/c it is definitely the stiffest stock suspension that Acura has. There are so many othersubjective factors that can infuence our opinion of a vehicle. I have had customers convince themselves of all sorts of crazy things as part of their emotional justification/rationalization for purchasing one over another.

Generally speaking, Acura as a brand has pretty tight steering feel and suspension that is on the stiff side anyway.

 

Has anyone been able to compare the ride of the 07 RDX against the Lexus RX 330? I'm curious how the suspensions compare.

 

I've driven both, and in my opinion, there's no comparison as the Lexus has a softer suspension with more body roll.

If you're looking for a CUV w/ sport sedan handling characteristics, the RDX is for you.

If you want a CUV w/ a plush and comfy ride, look elsewhere.

 

Thanks for the feedback Tripp. That's helpful!

 

I'm wondering how the RDX compares to the Infiniti FX in terms of ride quality. I've read many reviews about the FX having a stiff ride, which based on my experience is a bit unfounded. Has anyone here had significant drive time behind the steering wheel of the FX & RDX? Is the ride quality on the RDX worse?

I've considered picking up an RDX since I love the interior, engine and handling. My only concern is the overall level of refinement. While I didn't find the ride to be terribly stiff during my test drive, it was very firm, and I'm wondering how I would feel after having the vehicle for a few months.

FWIW, I currently drive a Pilot which I like okay. I just long for a vehicle that is more nimble and fun to drive, yet still practical (e.g. ample cargo space).

 

That's a good compairison, as I drove a test drive / loaner FX35 several time. To me the ride was stiff, but not near as responsive as the RDX is. The FX35, to me, was harsh, but not quick to steering input. The RDX is a firm ride, but not harsh! It is very responsive to steering input/ control, which gives a more firm ride. As disscussed in here many times, ALWAYS have the dealer check the tire pressure. It does make a difference. Mine came high at about 40 lbs.each. Lowered to 34 lbs., & the ride smooethed out quite a bit. I personnally like the great handling of the RDX & is one of the main reasons I bought the X. I think it's a better combo of ride / handling than ANY suv / cuv I've ever driven so far.

 

I concur, I own an RDX and my cousin owns a FX 35 (2007) with the 20" rims. To me the ride was completly different in both cars the main factor being the FX is primarily RWD baised and the RDX FWD baised. the second factor was the size of the rims the ride was softer on the rdx becuase of the factory 18's compared to the 20's in the infiniti. I really pushed my cousins FX to see what it was capable of and all in all in was a close competion but the RDX takes the cake; not only does it handle better but it is faster and has more interior space, (i also think the interior is nicer in the Acura) the only thing the FX has over the RDX is a 6 thousand dollar price tag...(both fully loaded)

 

To be fair, since both were fully-loaded, the FX has larger wheels (as you already stated), keyless access/start, a power passenger seat, more passenger/cargo space, adjustable vents for the rear seat passengers (on the b pillars), auto on/off headlights, lane departure warning system, intelligent cruise control, and possibly even a rear entertainment/DVD player.

The RDX is a great vehicle, but the FX is no slouch. FWIW, the next FX will debut next March and should be a bit bigger (think MDX). The upcoming EX (on sale December) will be more of a direct competitor to the RDX in terms of price/size.

 

Your right JW , and as i posted earlier the FX is a great CUV: , but is all that worth 6k to you? none of those features makes the FX superior than the RDX especially when the RDX is faster and handles better (my cousins didnt have rear DVD player)

 

Actually, the FX35 is a nice SUV. It does ride diff. b/c of the 20's /vs our 18's, but I also think their suspension is a little softer, so the rides are compairable, but the RDX def. out handles the FX, hands down! (no pun intended!)