tman89544

Hello everyone! I'm a former Acura owner thinking about getting back in the game. I found a 2008 rdx here in Kansas City that I am seriosley considering looking at. It's fully loaded 08 black on black with 47k miles. The only problem appears to be a little bit of hail damage, but that does not concern me. My questions are:

Have the turbos on these had any recurring problems?

Are there any other things I should check for?

Any recalls or issues that have come up on these?

Is this a fair price range?

What kind of mods are reasonable (not including rims, suspension)?

Thanks!

RDX10

Very uncommon turbo problems. Check that the AC is working, there is a semi common issue with the AC clutch failing. Only recall is for poor welds in the factory installed trailer hitch. You haven't provided a price range.

Many turbo mods to do, as in tunes. Few minor suspension mods. Really overall a forgotten platform. But members on here have worked hard to get things done.

tman89544

Thank you! I've always thought these cars had a lot of value. Good styling, turbo and AWD seems like a nice package. They are asking $15,000 for it albeit with some hail damage.

TheWrench116

iTrader: (1)

mileage aside thats a lot of money for something that needs paint and body work...

RDX10

Had that been a clean no hail damage car, I would say 15k is fair. If the damage is minor, and you don't plan to sell for a few years, try offering them closer to 12k. The reason I mention selling is because hail damage will show up on carfax, therefore it could hurt resale value. It appears that they are charging full price of a nom damaged car, even if minor.

It is a very good car, I currently have a 2016 loaner and yes the 2016 feels more premium, it looks more upscale and overall feels a class higher, it drives like shit. Can't handle curves if its' life depended on it. I see in some reviews that it has a 0-60 between 5.7 and 6.4....but my RDX feels MUCH MUCH quicker. It is all about that low down torque. There is more kickdown delay vs my RDX as well. Steering feel is acceptable, but definitely lighter and less direct than my 07 RDX. Almost feels numb on center, like my RDX but in a much larger range.

I miss my RDX for sure.

tman89544

I appreciate all the input here guys. I noticed the KBB on this guy is right around 15k for a good condition car. However with the hail damage that knocks it down a bit. In addition to that the guy called me today and told me its a one owner they got in off a foreclosure auction. Apparently it was in a minor accident on the front passenger side with no structural damage. Either way this gives me some ammo to low ball him. Your guys input means A LOT to me. I've been a BMW driver now for 6 years so im looking to get back into something a little more reliable. Here is the CL listing FYI:

2008 ACURA RDX ALL WHEEL DRIVE**ONLY 47,000 ACTUAL MILES!!!!

Jdrum1

That's freakishly low miles!

For what it's worth, my '09 has around 150k, and has never had an actual repair (just an AC recharge). The first owner BABIED it.

Like others have said; the low miles drive the price up, but the body damage drives it back down. You may consider getting a paint-less dent estimate before buying (even if it's just some negotiation power).

cheffip

I've had my '08 since I bought it new. Only significant issue was the A/C clutch and coil replacement last summer but luckily Acura covered that repair even though I was out of warranty.
I'm at about 100k miles but my service manager told me about a client who traded in a '07 with 300k and had never had turbo issues.

RDX10

That center console lid had seen much better days. But don't worry. It is a simple easy fix. Overall looks clean, low ball the hell out of him with that hail damage and accident. He probabky priced it high to leave room for offers.

Tomtwtwtw

Maybe it's just me, but that front seat and center console look terrible for only 47k miles of use. I'm not a small dude, and my front seat looks so much better than that and I have almost 90k on the clock, and even if I had not replaced my center console cover, it wouldn't look that bad today. It just makes me wonder how the rest of the car was treated.

Kaputnik

^^^What Tomtwtwtw said.

From the photos, it looks beat up on the driver side. I think the "dead pedal" is missing (easy to replace). Certainly the driver seat is beat to hell. Maybe the sun has trashed the arm rest cover. Hard to tell from the pictures, but also looks like the carpet may be pretty worn on the driver side. The previous owner was probably a big sloppy dude. Good luck fishing french fries out from under the seats, lol. Rear hatch area looks pretty grimey. Dog owner? Dog smell is an absolute deal killer for me.

I got my 2008 with 44k mi last year ($17.9k for your perspective). Interior is pristine with almost no creases on the seats and perfect arm rest. But it was owned by a petite Asian couple with no kids or pets.

RDX10

X3 I had the same thought when I seen that seat. It looks horrible. Almost like he had a giant dog loose in the front seat or was a goth/emo type guy who wore pants with spikes. I would low ball the hell out of him and if he is resitant, move on.

tman89544

You think that center console is ripped or is that some kind of cover? I cant really tell. Either way the more and more i look at this the less appealing it gets. Might have to try to find one from a more reputable dealership.

Tomtwtwtw

Cars for Sale: 2008 Acura RDX SH-AWD in KANSAS CITY, KS 66109: Sport Utility Details - 415186444 - Autotrader

It's at a Honda dealership, so there's that.

dirleton

But --- the condition is "excellent" and it "ISNT REALLY EVEN BROKEN IN YET" --- typical used car sales bullshit. Be careful!!!!!

RDX10

That center console is a very very common problem on all rdx's. It happens because the glue holding the vinyl down bubbles in the sun and then rips easily. Mine was ripped (though not nearly as bad) so I drove over to acura and bought a new one and then used a diy on this site to fix it. Took my 20 minutes for the first time. Could now do it in 5 minutes.

I personally would have moved on after seeing that seat. My driver seat has a scratch that bothers me, but nothing major at all. And mine has more than double this mileage.

dirleton

Yeah, it would be too many question marks for me unless the guy came down enough to cover repairs and refurbishing. Those guys are always looking for a dope to come along. Don't be the dope.

adrian_s2k

If I were you I would move on. I'm sure another one would come around. The RDX is a great car all around, the only flaw that I notice is that MPG are horrible. So if you are worried about gas consumption than maybe this isn't your car. But if that isn't a problem than the RDX is great for you!

tman89544

Called on that guy earlier and it sold, oh well. Thanks for all your help dudes! Ill probably just have to wait to find the right one. Just really like the package on these cars.

Kaputnik

I'd be creeped about sitting in the same seat as that previous owner. In the immortal words of Judge Smails from Caddy Shack "I want the entire pool scrubbed, sterilized and disinfected"

RDX10

I know mpgs are a completely personal thing in terms of what is considered good, what is acceptable, and what is awful. I get ~530 kms per tank and that is pure city driving and costs me $60 to fill. I don't know how that is considered poor mpg for something that can still do 0-60 in like 6.4.

TheWrench116

iTrader: (1)

with regard to poor mpg...
these turbos are designed to make "instant" boost as there is no noticeable lag the motor doesn't see vacuum while driving around especially in the city and even on the highway depending on the landscape(hilly) (hi speed) in the case of those of us that get a tune having a more aggressive ignition table helps to some extent. i just got 280 miles out of the last tank and i was driving hard with several pulls for tuning purposes along with pulling a trailer that in total weighed 1800lbs. i cant say enough good things about this under loved platform. if you want better mileage get flash pro and pull boost below 3000 rpm it will be a dog but you'll probably get 25 REAL mpg

RDX10

I absolutely agree, I can't beleive this thing didn't sell in good numbers. I also can't beleive it didn't do amazing in reviews and other publications.

I wanted an SUV for ground clearance, but I wanted a hot hatch for the fun factor, Acura took the 2 and melded them into a hot hatch suv, I have absolutely no issues calling the Rex a hot hatch suv. I must get my hands on that sway bar....but that exchange rate is just BLEGHGH!!!!

adrian_s2k

Yea you guys are right this car is quick and I love it myself. But MPG is nothing near wear it claims. I'm glad I don't care much since I like to think I don't drive a lot lol. I want to try hondata and see how much of a difference that will do. But I specifically bought this car to not dump money in it, since I have a weekend warrior but its been hard lol

RDX10

I hear that hondata helps people get a 1-2mpg bump. I personally don't mind the mpgs too much. I obviously wish it made closer to 22mpg but I am happy with my 18.5 pure city mpg with a semi lead foot.

TheWrench116

iTrader: (1)

i get 19 in mostly city with a depleted uranium foot.

RDX10

That sounds like a damn good number to me!

mrgold35

It took me months of looking for my 08 RDX back in 2010. I imagine the supplies are few and far between for 07-09 models if you like that body style better. Most RDXs are into the "too much/many" phase of mileage, price, wear/tear, owners, etc... I just can't think of any other SUV for the $$$ that is this much fun to drive, handles this well in any weather condtions and has some reasonable priced cosmetic/engine/suspension mods for everyone's personal likes.

I've never tried Carmax; but, they have about 27 07-09 RDXs for $13,000 - $18,000 and between 47,000 - 124,000 miles. My 08 RDX has 124,000 miles and I have no reservations taking her another +75,000 miles. You have the add the shipping cost if you want Carmax to deliver to your location. Carmax will mostly likely have a larger selection and top quality like an Acura dealership (and a higher price also).

Hondata+ETS intercooler+hondata heatshield gasket = about 19-20 mpg combined (compared to 17-18 mpg without). Extra cold temps of winter also feels like a slight bump in HP/TQ on the old butt dyno after I added the ETS intercooler compared to summer temps. Never got about 22 mpgs on hwy with my RDX (80-85 mph on average on hwy between cities).

RDX10

There was another rdx when i was looking for mine that has like 65k miles and I ended up in mine with about 90k miles becasue the owner backed out last minute and tried to ask for more money. I REALLY wanted it, but ended up in mine, glad I did because I love this color and only ever seen one other but it was the facelift model. Never any others like mine.