Well, it was raining which was unfortunate, but I got my father out to go test drive the RDX. Here are my thoughts more or less organized into note form:

Interior:
- Felt very much like a cockpit, not as free as the TL, but I liked it
- very beautifully done, comfortable seats, however I would like a power passenger seat and memory driver seat
- I would have liked an integrated touch screen in the navi, but I picked up on the wheel pretty quickly
- I don't know if it was just the track, but the ELS didn't seem nearly as "surrounding" as it is in the TL, overall quality was very good, however.
- Rear view mirror felt cheap, no autodim
- Rear view camera was very nice
Exterior:
- Black was very nice, carbon grey was decent too, but I really liked the NBP
- Real fogs(compared to the TL) and the HIDs were nice, I would have liked bi-xenons, but I'm sure the brights would suffice
- They had one completly decked out for 47K, I wasn't feeling the running boards or the chrome rims(though in gunmetal they would look nice)
- I agree it does look better in person than in pictures
Ride:
- The ride felt a little more harsh than that of the TL
- There were no rattles
- It seemed about as quiet, though you could here the wipers when they were in full, you can't in the TL, but thats hardly a gripe
- Pickup was decent, I couldn't quite tell because I wasn't driving
- We had the chance to try out the SH-AWD through a few turns, you could definatly feel it, though I did have to coach my father more or less in how its used, and he was still hesitant because it wasn't how he was taught to drive
- There was more engine noise than the TL, and the turbo was audible, and there was no doubt I was listening to a 4 banger
Afterword:
- It looks good if the price goes closer to invoice Though I do want to see the new MD-X, which will be straight out of our price range
- The dealer hinted I could get a job there answering questions for people on the showroom floor, that would be awsome, we'll see if/how that works out. We had talked to the GM, he was very nice, quizzed me on some car stats. He got a question about the SH-AWD wrong, which made me look bad, because he assumed he was correct(in thinking 100% of total engine power can be given to either rear wheel)

Mike

 

You seem to be on top of things for a 16yo! I am thinking of getting this to replace my SAAb 92X ( WRX ). I nee a bit more space for 4 people snowboarding and some work stuff also I want somethig a bit nicer. I also have a supercharged S2000. My only concern with this is that it is Hondas first Turbo effort.

I liked everything about it except the view from the back. I had a nice ride on dry streets.

 

My friend who is looking at the RDX(went with us) also looked at that saabaru. Now it is between the 9-5 sportcombi and this with them... I think the AWD is the killer, as SH-AWD is pretty amazing, and is obviously better than the FWD saab they are looking at(we live in massholia, when it snows, FWD will screw you)...

Well anyway, I do know my cars. The General Manager gave my dad the keyes, said he was short staffed and we had to go out ourselves. My dad told him it was fine and that I knew my stuff, so he quizzed me. He did make 1 mistake

It is Hondas first turbo, which has me too a little hesitant, but it seems relativly solid. The bearing is oil and water cooled, so failure shouldn't be a problem. The VFT is relativly simple compared to some other designs, so that doesn't have me worried. It has a timing chain, so one less thing that needs to be worried about.

In terms of space it felt more spacious than our TL, but there was far less leg room than our minivan(which it would be replacing). The stadium seating was noticeable when sitting in the back though, passengers have a good view.

Mike

 

I'm curious, what did the GM say when you told him it was really 100% of the rear torque, not of the total torque?

 

I was kinda upset it didn't play out giving me that opportunity. What happened is I said the system can transfer up to 70% of the power to the rear wheels and up to 100% of that to either side, but I think he must have misunderstood me, because he said "Up to 100% of engine torque can be transferred to either wheel.

Mike

 

I love proving the sales dude wrong. I proved one wrong at Camco, but when we got the guy who sold us our EL, the guy knew his shit.

 

I did a brief test drive today and have to say that overall I'm very impressed. Now I've never before driven a turbo charged vehicle, but I have to say that the turbo lag is really not an issue with this engine. It really felt strong once the turbo kicked in, you wouldn't know that it was a four cylinder engine in there. The ride was exceptional in my opinion, much better than any other SUV that I'd riden in before. The RDX really handles well. In fact it felt better than my 2004 TL in the corners. It stayed flat, the steering was very accurate and you could really power through the corners using the SH-AWD. The turbo whoosh in the cabin was fine and not bothersome, in fact it would be something that I'd get used to quite quickly and then ignore. The only things that are preventing me from purchasing this vehicle are the lack of memory seat and power passenger seat and the fact that my partner doesn't like the exterior styling.

 

It is actually not hondas first turbo application ever, just hondas first turbo engine available in the states.

 

First Gasoline Turbo engine no? I believe they already had Turbo Diesels.