Hey all, I am new to the RDX but it seems great. I come from a background that consists of fast and nimble cars, more often than not forced induction. As of late my needs have changed a bit and I have become fond of vehicles that possess the same performance attributes of the cars I like but have some utility and originality to them as well. I have been taking a liking to SRT-8 Grand Cherokees and Trailblazer SS's... simply because they have the bang and when you don't want to drive hard you don't have to.

I plan to buy within the next 18 months I am a Cadet at Penn State University and around then I will be receiving my starter loan. Hopefully I can get one of these used for about $23-25,000 around then. I was curious as to how much power these can make safely without hurting expensive components, I don't think they are geared toward modification but hell who knows. What mods are these and what can anyone tell me about costs. Handling+Power? Thanks...

 

I can't help in a lot of areas, but we have a RDX coming from a 4.7L V8 Grand Cherokee. Certainly the RDX is much more nible, but feels fairly underpowered to the V8, esp. off the line where the torque of the bigger engine really shines.

While I've never driven one, the SRT-8 would be in a totally different universe in terms of power -- no matter what you did to the RDX. The SRT-8 is plain fast, although it needs a huge power plant to motivate that weight.

My car is a G35C 6MT, and switching between the 3.5L V6 of the G35 and the RDX is VERY noticeably, although part of that is the six speed. But the V6 makes good torque and effortlessly drives the slightly porky G35.

As you'll probably read here, the RDX is a very nice vehicle, and it is very nimble. It is pretty peppy for an SUV. In general -- it's a "sporty" small luxury SUV.

I'm sure with enough tuning and mods you could give it some edge, but IMO the weight of the vehicle and the small engine conspire to keep it from being a sports car.

Good luck.

-john

 

Oh, go read about the Hondata ECU reflash in the performance section. Sounds like 30 easy horses.

-john

 

I test drove two Chevy Trailblazer SS. I bought the 2008 Acura RDX over the Trailblazer SS. And my other car is a '96 GrandSport Corvette.
And yes the Acura is slow compared to the SS. But the Acura has a quiet ride, Very nimble handling compared to the SS.
The SS moves like a Big SUV in every way except a straight line!
I'm not knocking the SS. But go onto some of the Trailblazer SS forums and check out the Transmission and Rear End issues!
The Acura is a better value other than power!
I now have over 6,000 miles on my Acura and have no regrets about buying it.
It is also the first vehicle purchased New that I have not taken back to the dealer for any problems.
I like Chevrolets, but have owned a Jeep Grand Cherokee 1999 4.7 liter. I traded the Jeep for the Acura (and there is no comparison). The Jeep had problems from day one and I put about 99,000 miles on it with continual problems (brake rotors every 8-10,000 miles, radiator, leaks differential, transfer case, transmission, steering box, rust, propeller shaft, idle that hunts at traffic lights etc.) and this was all within the first 8,000 miles.
Total P.O.S.
I wanted the Trailblazer SS because I had good luck with my Vette. But the build quality is not there!
However the engine response from a DEAD stop is verrry lazzzy with the Acura RDX something I'm still getting used to. On the highway acceleration is fine absolutely smooth and decent for passing. I don't mind because the gas mileage ~ 16 city and 20 highway is better than the Trailbazer SS would get.

\Hope this helps

 

It seems like the RDX isn't something I'm looking for afterall. It seems to be nice for someone who values an all around nice vehicle minus the sizzle. I thought it'd be different after modification, kind of like a 335i for example... nice stock but with some goodies it totally transforms. Guess not

 

Yeah, sounds like you should start with a Cayenne Twin Turbo and take it to a tuner.

 

The Hondata tune, Eibach springs, and either the K&N hi flow filter or the CPE and ur looking at something close to 290 TQ and high 200's for HP. after that, theres really nothing else you could do besides getting very custom. To my knowledge, theres no Downpipe we can buy yet, but people are working on that, that will add some more power too.

Basically you can get the truck close to 300 in TQ/HP, have great springs with a small drop, and good air flow for about $1200 total. It may not be the raw American power u are looking for, but the handling is much better, much more in line with ur idea of a BMW vs an SRT8, and its tuning to price is pretty solid for the results. I dont think you will quite find what you are looking for in this segment, in general if 300 hp/tq doesnt cut it. You would have to move up to something with a much bigger price tag, like the X6, or the Porsche etc. The smaller sport trucks have a cut off around 300 hp.

The Jeep/Chevy is basically bolt on power. The car hasnt been reengineered to handle those power plants...people telling other than straight line ull feel like u driving a mini van, be prepared.

 

The Porsche or even the EX35 might be the place to go then.

EX35 has same power plant as the G35 so there are sure to be mods for that.

 

FWIW, I'd guess it isn't so much the RDX you don't want, but more that you don't really want an SUV.

Quick and nimble and SUV and affordable. Pick any...

-john

 

g37 now!

 

To the OP, I completely relate to what you want in a vehicle. I currently drive a Cadillac CTS-V as my DD, but I think that I'll be trading it tomorrow for a RDX. The RDX is not in the same league, but with 2 young children, I think it'll be a good all around vehicle for me for the time being. The V is great, sounds amazing with it's CORSA exhaust and is a blast to drive (but it gets 12 MPG if driven in such a way as to have fun). That said, it's not been the most reliable car I've owned (I would say my '92 NSX is the most reliable) and it's a bit difficult to get the kids and/or the car seats in and out. I picked the RDX because it handles extremely well, feels quick (in fact, I find it to be a blast to drive, in some ways the rush of the turbo is more fun than the wicked torque of the Cadillac). Also, the all wheel drive will be welcomed in the rain and occasional snow we get here in the DC Metro area. If I hate it, well, i'll get something else...

 

;-) too funny.

 

The Jeep SRT-8 is an awesome beast and a very competent all around performer. It is not just lipstick on a pig.

That being said, it seems like 12 mpg is very normal for these in city driving and highway is still only around 16 or so. The RDX is no Prius, but I typically get 19 mpg city/23 highway. I also had to include a 4k gas guzzler tax for the SRT-8.

The Trailblazer SS is just to outdated for me, in and out. The Saab 9-7 Aero was nicer all around for not much more money.

The RDX doesn't feel that fast to me, but it is faster than most CUV's/SUV's out there. The EX35/Rav4/SRT-8 (and maybe the GC w/ hemi) are about the only things ear it's price that are faster. The new Q5 and GLK will likely be close performance wise as well.

 

The Rav4...faster??

 

I also evaluated the Trailblazer SS and the Grand Cherokee SRT8 (and I have a C5 hardtop).

Like you I decided the big bore SUVs were not nimble enough, and like you I visited the owner forums and was appalled by the serious issues that both vehicles have and the lack of support from GM and Chrysler.

These platforms are at the end of their market life. Stuffing a big engine into an aging platform with little regard for the chassis dynamics is a classic Detroit marketing tactic. Now they are doing it with the Equinox/Torrent. They still think consumers are uninformed yokels. I wonder if they will ever "get it".

 

Yeah, it is. Look into it.

 

Both the RAV4 (V6) and the RDX have about 6.5 second 0-60 times. The difference is that in one, you'll be in Toyota's cheapest SUV and in the other, you'll be in an Acura.

 

While they are extremely close, the Rav4 is consistently faster.

Same day, same track:
http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/...s_pricing.html

200 lbs lighter with a few more ponies. I do realize there are better numbers out there for both of these though.

Which is why I'm in an RDX (plus it handles a lot better).

 

I know everyone has their thing and all but I fail to understand what the big deal is about the fact that one car is .1 second faster than another.

 

Ask the guy who posted the laughter smiley when I said the Rav4 was faster. It's a tiny difference at lower speeds, but that gap grows as speed increases.

 

Amen brutha!