Hi guys - I have owned many Acuras mostly TLs (hence the name), but the time has come to set my daughter up with a RDX for college. I am looking at some older models and have found one that caught my eye.

2008 RDX
103K
AWD
tech package.
6 cyl

I am looking for a link/faq or just a quick heads up on the things to look out for with this car like chronic known issues etc.

Thanks.

 

Pretty solid cars overall, I've owned my '11 since September and shopped/researched for several months prior. Trouble spots include the leather on the console, HVAC blend door motor/linkage, the mirror actuators, and a weird metal loop involved in turbocharger control (super spendy at the dealer but much cheaper and not super difficult DIY). The headlamps can also start to leak (relatively rare but mine is suffering) which is bad because it can kill the HID ballast which requires bumper removal to repair.

Powertrain is pretty bombproof, but is complicated enough that you should probably be a good mechanic yourself- turbo control issues are not unheard of.

A couple things you should know are a) the mileage is shite compared to modern hardware, I get 17-20mpg (with Hondata) and it's gotta have premium. Since you said it's for your daughter know that there's no native bluetooth music support until 2010.

 

This helps - thank you.

 

I have an 08 RDX tech and it is a sh-awd 2.3L turbo with 5AT. MPGs will be around 17-19 combined and maybe 20-22 on the hwy depending on speed limits with 91 Octane. The +13 RDX was the 2nd Gen RDX with 3.5L V-6 with fwd or slip-n-grip awd (same awd system in the Honda CR-V). The +13 RDX would improve to 22-24 combined and 26-28 mpg on the hwy with the 3.5L+6AT. I'm letting my daughter borrow my 08 RDX while she is on temporary assignment in San Antonio in the Army. She love the handling, size, turbo power, and excellent visibility of the RDX; but, she really hates filling it up with 15-18 gals of 91 Octane every week. I average about $1300-$1500 for gas for every 10,000 miles traveled in my RDX depending on gas prices.

She wants to look at Mazda CX-5, Rav4, or CR-V if she gets re-assigned to unit within the USA.

 

Just a heads up because I didnt read that anyone specifically pointed it out but all 07-12 RDX comes only with a 4 cylinder 2.3L turbo so a V6 was never an option.

 

i took the car for a test drive and discussed with the owner. You are correct 4 cylinder.

 

Covered pretty well above - just make sure it was maintained. 103k isn't bad at all for a 2008, and many people here are at double or more. I'm at 172k on my 2010 and it has been rock solid. On top of items mentioned in the maintenance log, make sure all fluids are up to date. Coolant, brake fluid and p/s fluid should have been changed by now - if no records showing this then I'd recommend doing them asap if you buy the car.