I'm a potential RDX buyer at this point, but wanted to thank this forum for tons of great info anyway - so, thank you . I began looking into the RDX a couple weeks ago as a side effect of targeting a GT/AWD+Tech Mazda CX-7, which was my first choice (until now..?). I've test-driven the 7, and very much enjoyed it, but am still struggling with a few issues about it (GT leather stripe, no iPod, interior peices). http://townhall-talk.edmunds.com (thanks c_hunter!) has been very, very useful as well, so much so that I've been able to negotiate down to a $33,500 + t/t/l price for a Tech w/ splash guards and wheel locks (so far..).

I've driven the 7 a few times, but have yet to get behind the wheel of an RDX. Did anyone test drive both? Obviously, those here went with the RDX, but I'm curious as to what sold you on it.

"On paper", I like the live traffic updates (great for L.A. traffic!), paddle shifters, DVD-audio, stripe-free taupe leather :p, SH-AWD (of course!), and, what seems like a more refined interior. What about you?

 

Ok, so I searched and found this thread: https://acurazine.com/forums/showthr...highlight=CX-7

Wow, long read

 

Your welcome. Buy one and join us you will not regret it. I think the mazda cx7s are sweet as well but I never drove one being I am such a honda/acura fan. I see allot more of them on the road in northern va but that does not meen anything. But I can also agree with you those striped seats are well

 

Funny, my wife and drove the RDX in the fall of 2006 and she loved it.

We went to the Mazda dealer to test drive a CX7, and she looked at it, and said, "I don't like the interior." Then she asked the salesman if it had HFL (actually she said bluetooth). He said no, and she said "Forget it, we are not wasting our time here", and walked out the door, while I was still looking over the car (because on paper the two looked so similar)! We never did test drive it. Gotta love a woman who knows what she wants!

 

Glad you made it over here! Sounds like you have a good price should you choose the RDX.

 

The CX-7 handles great but suffers more turbo lag.

The RDX favors rear seat comfort over cargo space, while the CX-7 favors cargo space over rear seat comfort.

Mazda provides no center rear seat head restraint. This was the deal breaker for me as anyone in the center rear seat is basically a human sacrifice.

Acura safety shows in the IIHS "top pick" rating for the RDX. (The Honda Pilot as well.)

 

Well my wife gets her input as well. I'm not sleeping in the same bed as the salesman.

 

Take a look at this article from Temple of VTEC on a test of the CX-7. If you browse, especially in the Exhaust Notes section, you will find similar info on the RDX. This article takes the same approach as you, on paper it looks the same, but what are the differences, for example, the LCD panel on the CX-7 is one of the lowest quality nav panels they have seen on any car, not just in comparison to the RDX.

http://www.vtec.net/articles/view-ar...icle_id=635820

 

I drove both the CX7 and RDX before purchasing my RDX.Both
cars are nice but I really liked the RDX a lot better hence I bought one

 

Where is L.A. are you?

- you can come over and drive mine (if you are not a psycho) without having some sales guy bugging you. I'm in the Valley (818).

FWIW: Keyes Acura in Van Nuys is really clean. Low stress transaction for me.
.

Edit: your screen name has the word "psycho" in it..........

 

 

I would like to thank this forum as well. I have been working on a deal on an RDX for the past few days. Snow here in the midwest has made me decide to get rid of my GTO, and go for some AWD love.

The advice here has told a lot about the ride, and is also helping me chose between the base and tech packages.

Thanks a lot! Hopefully will be in my new wheels tomorrow! *crosses fingers*

 

So, I just bought a new 2007 base RDX, black on black. Love it so far.

AWD in the snow is a lot better than the RWD GTO I got rid of.

Thanks for everyone's help on here...look forward to regular discussions with everyone.

 

Awesome congrats, I love GTO'S. Cant wait to see the new 09 camaro. Hope you enjoy your RDX as much as all of us members here do. If you have any questions just ask or search.

 

Congratulations, and welcome aboard!

 

Yeah the GTO was a LOT of fun, just not in winter. I do not have the garage space for a winter beater, so it was time for a trade.

The new Camaro and new Pontiac G8 are going to be exciting cars for GM. I am stoked to have some Honda reliability, but for competition's sake, we need GM to stay around.

 

but of course it does

 

Well, I finally test-drove a Tech RDX tonight, and you'll be happy to know that I'm 110% SOLD...wow, what an awesome machine.

I must say that it DOES stand head-and-shoulders above the CX-7 in *most* areas (fit, finish, materials, turbo spool-up, ride, refinement, AWD, ergonomics, and others). However, I still think the CX-7 wins in the following areas:

- exterior styling / sloping windshield
- keyless entry system
- cargo space
- 2nd row flip-down levers
- perhaps a couple others; can't remember off the top of my head

That's a pretty short list, and one I'm willing to live without for all the great benefits the RDX w/ tech brings to the table. I'll post pics as soon as I land one!

 

yay! congrats! we knew you would come to the dark side!

 

Oasis, welcome and CONGRATS! I, too, am a muscle-car aficionado and am excited for GM's prospects with the G8 and Camaro. I hope they and Ford (and Chrys for that matter) can turn the tide. No reason there can't be enough success for all in the car biz.

Psychobroker (what does that make you, an actor's agent? J/K!) I agree, the CX-7 is a nice-looking vehicle. Can't say anything substantive about it other than I think the RDX interior has it beat, no contest. I do like the 7's exterior lines and rake but for the wheel wells which imho are a tad overdone. But to each his own.

$33,500 + t/t/l price for a Tech w/ splash guards and wheel locks? Ink that deal!

 

OH, I forgot one MAJOR advantage...and I know this might sound silly, but a PADDED, LEATHER center console lid! If I spend $30k+ on a car with LEATHER, it should have a PADDED leather center console lid, and the CX-7 does NOT. Acura had me sold on the padding and overall higher interior quality alone .

My 2003 Pontiac Vibe GT already gives me the hard plastic treatment. Like hell I'm going to suffer with that on long road trips in the future.

 

[QUOTE=Psychobroker]Well, I finally test-drove a Tech RDX tonight, and you'll be happy to know that I'm 110% SOLD...wow, what an awesome machine...........................

QUOTE]
Ya beat me to that one! I ALWAYS say to test drive one. It is the difference in these two vehicles. It's what sells a lot of people on the RDX.

 

Wow thats awesome I would have loved to see the look at the sales person face when she said that to him.

As the RDX I dont own one but its an acura how can you not like it?

 

I just drove the CX-7 again yesterday, and wow, it's amazing how far BEHIND it is from the RDX (my opinion!). Not that I was actually considering it, but I hadn't been able to take one out after driving the RDX.. it feels quite a bit cheaper and skimpy on the quality, refinement, etc. It has WAY too much turbo lag compared to the RDX, and just doesn't feel "connected" to the road as well as the RDX. The ergonomics and red-lit display just don't feel right at all.

 

Rdx-1 Cx7-0