Hi all,

New to the forum, I am researching for our first SUV. Me and my wife both have sedans. I really like the Acura's, I fell in love with it when I rode my brother-in laws 2006 MDX and though if I buy a suv it will be an Acura. Although at this point in time we can't afford the MDX, but the RDX although pricey, 2007 used RDX is still within reach.

Now I have not driven the RDX but have just read about it, my wife although likes the RDx but thinks that we will be fine with either the Honda CR-V or the Toyota Rav4. Mind you we are looking at used or certified pre-owned. Now since we have no idea of a SUV, it would be appreciated if you guys could lens your expert opinions and tell us if toyota Rav4 or CRV or RDX which of these should we look for.

I live in Delaware and through yahoo auto, the lowest RDX I found is around $23000 base model. if I look for tech package its around $25000 all 2007 models. So is tech package good or base model. if buying used should it be certified?

Now CR-V 2007 are about $18000 all in the 50 miles radius. there is a $5000 diffrence between the crv and the rdx. what do you guys suggest?

 

if you are set on buying used and spending the same money - i wouldnt consider anything but an RDX.

There will be a 5k+ difference between the CRV new or used either way. So its your call whether you want to move up to the acura. The CRV EX-L (with or without nav) is a great value and more or less a Honda RDX without the drivetrain. 25k for a used 07 is alot of money - you are better off buying a 2008 BASE model (which will have BT, mem seats as standard equip) an 07 base has neither, i dont think the 07 base has an auto dimming rear view mirror either.

The BEST value is a used 2008 RDX BASE MODEL. if you dont go for that, imo, id go for a fully loaded CRV EX-L possibly with nav and you will save thousands from the acura and since money seems also to be a concern, the MPG in the CRV will be obviously much better.

 

If you have the money I agree to look for an 08 over the 07.

 

to clarify my above post - what i meant was if you are cool with spending +20k, then get the RDX. If that gap is alot wider, the CRV becomes the more feasible choice imo. The CRV's EX-L interior is actually really nice.

 

So, if I look into the crv it should be also 08 model right. What price range am should be right for the CRV- EX-L. Is the CR-V fun to drive than the Rav4?

I think the RDX will be even more expensive than the 07. What would be a good price for a used 08 RDX.

 

RDX holds its value pretty well - what sucks is that you are paying alot of money on a used truck when base models were selling new under 30k. Obviously you need to drive all 3 and make determinations based on what you like.

i dunno what year crv you should look at - your choice should be based on year/miles/equip/price (of course) going with the one you make the least compromises with

i know about the RDX because equipment that was NOT standard in the 07 became std in the 08, with the addition of things not offered at all in the 07. The only 07 id buy would be the tech pkg. After that, its an 08 based on price.

Cant help you out on the CRV, i dont know what changes, if any, came from 07-09; the fact that the 2010 is restyled should give you some more play in the used price but the CRV sells extremely well & holds its value - the RDX holds its value too so just drive a hard price and see what you come up with.

 

I couldn't live with the CR-V's weak engine and I'm just not a fan of the Rav4 - though it's drivetrain seems solid.

 

i felt cramped in the rav, didnt feel nearly as open as the CRV did, especially in the front

 

To add my two cents, if you are NOT someone who cares about taking tight turns in your car, or thinking that some day you will need to race someone to save your life, you will be fine without the RDX.
The RDX suspension is very tight, nothing like the MDX you tried, feels too rough in some cases. The engine is peppy, but you pay for it with the sucky fuel economy.
You can get the CR-V (I have only tried the first gen model, and can only assume it has gotten better) and will get great fuel economy, pretty decent ride, but don't expect to be racing people at stop lights. The construction of this car should be as good as the RDX, without paying premium for the name.
For what I understand the RAV (I have never ridden in one) is very nice, the V6 engine gets better fuel economy than the RDX and it's faster, but you "suffer" with the "inferior" AWD system. You can probably get a pretty good deal on a RAV4 with all the recall issues with the Toyotas right now (that is if you don't mind).

I am in agreement with Mmike, the 08 base is the "better" option, because for that model year you are basically paying for a navigation unit and premium sound (wouldn't know the difference) between base and tech. For my money, I would get an external unit before I would pay an extra 2-3K again.

 

first of all, some "disclaimers :P": a) i just bought my rdx 1.5 weeks ago - 2010 base model... and b) my wife drives a 2WD CR-V 2008 model but this was in asia when she was there... now off to the races, i mean, off to my subjective comparisons:

a) love the rdx, though the ride is quite harsh -- correct that, very harsh on bumpy toronto city streets... that being said, we are fine with harsh rides at it more than makes up for the sporty and great handling on off ramps and the highway!
b) CR-V, great for city driving -- stop and go traffic in asia where my wife used to live... no need for "power" as freeways are pretty much nonexistent... less fuel consumption vs rdx...
c) both are good cars personally... but i just need more oomph in the freeway now that i live in toronto... as well, i like the electronics of the rdx... and i thought of indulging myself this time...

net, i dont think you will lose out on either of the cars... just a matter of "feel" what you think is "right"... it's like buying a house, i learned that even if i compared to no end, i had to decide what i felt was the best for me in my circumstances... hope this helps!

 

Thanks for all your responses and suggestions. I will have to go and drive these cars and feel them. I have although read that the CR-V has a lot of road noise, I would like something quieter, is the rdx quieter?

 

imo the rdx is a tank inside. just go drive em. I find the CRV way more subtle. The suspension noise in the RDX is unacceptable.

 

The RDX has a lot of noise when compared to the more refined Lexus, however I don't know how it pairs with Honda....I would guess that it is at least the same if not better....

 

drove my wife's honda crv before... am comparing 2010 rdx here vs 2008 crv -- so relatively the same models available for sale these days... rdx definitely has more oomph... rdx definitely has a stiff/harsh ride... id recommend rdx for those wanting a sports car feel, crv for a more balanced ride (balanced = less power but more cushy)... i guess im prolly deaf since for me the noise is ok too... in fact i love it when the turbo kicks in... (both the noise and the power)

 

if you are looking for hushed rides - other than the ZDX, maybe the TL, Hondas & Acuras in general are louder vehicles, its just a trait of honda, im some instances i like it because it feels like more connection with the road and world outside, but the RDX has made me hate it....regardless of wanting to hear the turbo more or feel more sports oriented, the RDX needs better sound isolation no matter how you look at it....im not saying its TOO LOUD, but the suspension sounds, plus wind & the turbo create a sensation that i always think something is open...drive a comparable CUV (benz, audi, volvo whatever) it it quickly becomes apparent that isolation and suppleness were not goals of the RDX; which is FINE, but if thats something you value, then it may be a real problem

ive always stated on this board that i find long rides (3hrs + for me) to be very fatiguing; seats & comfort are great but the RDX beats you up over time imo

 

I want to clear about noise, I don't like the wind noise, but if its the turbo making the sound of the engine its fine with me. I also wanted to know about the ride so, are you saying that its not good for 4-5 hour drives and its stiff.

When I got into my brother in laws MDX I found it very comfy and the ride was so smooth, I could not feel the gears shifting. I loved how it rode, but it was all short rides under an 1 or so.

 

If you want to hear 'a', you are likely to hear 'b'.
Forget all that you know about the MDX because they are not the same car, they don't even compare.
I have to say that the car is not comfortable for a 4-5 ride, I am a young guy in his early 30s and in good shape; I drove the car on a 300 mile trip and after 3-4 hours my back started to feel tight. The heated seats help to combat the feeling, but still, not a cruiser, it's closer to a bruiser.

 

whatever your thoughts are of the MDX, leave them at the door of the dealership. The RDX is the direct opposite. I had an MDX a few times as a loaner and i felt like a load was lifted off my shoulders driving it. Just so easy to handle, it coasted on highways, i did miss the athletic RDX, but if you drive more highway than city...the RDX is def not a truck id like to spend alot of time in - and some things changed in my life and for the last year or 2 ive become mostly a highway driver and the RDX aggravates me...the highway is where you really would appreciate a strong V6 and 6 speed - the charm of the RDX is dropped off on the on ramp

 

I find a bit too much road noise on the highway, but otherwise, it's fine to me. I find the seats good, the highway ride good and the power decent.

 

Just as a side note, only the 2010 MDX has the 6 speed transmission.

Also, a piece of advice to Tin (OP), you can definitely afford a 2006 MDX for the same money, even less, that what you would spend for the 2007 RDX. You seemed to like the MDX, go for it!!!

 

I would seriously consider the CRV. I was looking at those awhile back when checking out SUV's. They are rated the #1 small SUV and all the write ups I have read were all positive. I would look at a 2008+.

 

...ZDX too

 

Well, we were not talking about the ZDX......

 

sorry, wasnt directing my 6 speed comment to the MDX, but just in generalities...and i thought u were pointing out about the brand in general not the MDX , lol make sense? prob not

carry on

 

OP - imo, i think you should save the large amount of cost difference between the CRV & RDX, grab a fully banged out CRV w/nav (if you want it) and you will also make a killing with the disparity in MPG between the 2. I re-read your original post & unless you really dont want to drive the CRV everyday & need the abilities of the RDX, i think the CRV will be just fine and you might be very surprised. Performance aside (CRV still handles really well) save 5k+ (taxes), grab much more MPG and you have a solid choice. On the other hand, if you can grab an RDX closer to 20, this evaluation changes.

 

2006 MDX dude....that's my vote.

 

i dont agree; that is a REALLY OLD model - based on 2 generations of an older MDX/Pilot architecture., and the 06 was more or less a refresh of a model that debuted in 2001

Im not saying it isnt a good car, but for your money - get something newer

 

oh haha, yes relatively speaking RDX is noisy vs GLK, Q5, etc... i test drove both with wifey -- she "considered" the GLK/Q5 "oldie" cars (those are her words not mine :P)... in our case, we drive our RDX max 2 hrs and the highways/freeways here are good (note that i used to live in southeast asia where potholes abound too - so all roads here feel smooth - hence maybe when we get another car in the future, the RDX will be too "jarring"

 

I agree with you regarding the technology. But the RDX and MDX rides are worlds apart. He liked the MDX ride and I don't think that any of the smaller UTES will compare. For my money, I would choose the 06 MDX over the CR-V but not over the RDX....but for that he would need to agree to live with the RDX ride.
I don't know about the RAV4s, so I can't comment on that...
There may be 07 MDXs available on the price range but with high high miles.

Hey, did you try the Murano?

 

yea i was gonna say as well - murano would be a good alternative for sure; i just think you would be taking 2 steps backwards, regardless of reason, in getting an 06 MDX, thats all - of course MDX/RDX are different, i think the RDX is a far superior machine to an 06 MDX, still not sure if i would get such an old model over a newer CRV, again the 06, especially inside, is basically a 2001 Acura, shows its age immediately

 

If its to much just try getting into and older MDX such as an 05 or 06 cpoed. Im pretty sure you can scoop up a good deal on the mdx or rdx. Also other sites like craigslist is your friend.

 

Hi there, I am not trying to hijack the thread, but I could not figure out how to create a new thread so I thought I can post my question/concern here since this is related.

When I test drove the RDX 2010 SH-AWD, there was a strange hissing noise from the engine when flooring the accelerator. Is that usual for a RDX? Just wondering since I have not had a chance to go back and test drive again.

 

it has this crazy turbo thing

anyway, my gf and i just pickd up a used 07 rdx base model for 22k with 36kmiles. we were dead set on the rdx for all of its great features *not realizing that blutoof and mem seats was on the 08!* especially since acura was offering 3.9% financing for 60 months for those w/ credit scores above 710 on their certified used rdx's

 

Congrats, you bought one of the best looking and performing CUV's on the market for the price. They may not be as refined or hushed as some, but I feel that this gives the RDX a more honest feel, and makes you think it's less likely to break down.
For me even the RDX is not sporty enough, started eyeing some used 335i's for myself.

 

Anyone had experience with both a 2007-2009 MDX and a 2009-2010 RDX? What significant differences? I understand the sportier ride quality, less room, etc. How about gas mileage, build quality or other?

Thanks.

 

experience with 2004 mdx vs 2010 rdx -- dont think 2004 vs 2007 is a big diff...

a)gas mileage is actually better for me in 2010 rdx (though i think ive gunned teh mdx more since im stilli n breakin for my rdx)
b) build quality - for me equivalent. rdx is built in ohio, mdx is build in ontario canada. dunno if you could secure one fm japan. im sure mike will have more inputs here

c) mdx is ok for its size in terms of driveability - correct that, for its size it's great. but i prefer sport like rdx more. heck, i preferred the rdx over the glk so go figure.

that's my 2c. hope it helps somewhat