How about putting a mountain bike, or 2 in the back with the seats folded down.

Can I leave the front tire on and still fit two?

(even if laying down on their sides?)

 

No you don't! You may NEVER want to get rid of it!!..........
I've been watching & reading all the posts in this thread & Mmike's been doing a good job of explaining what's so good about the RDX. Some come in & disagree, & that's fine, but then don't ALL vehicles have some down side?? Ok, so the RDX has a little road noise. It ain't that bad. You asked if anyone came from a Tl to the RDX? Well, I have through a lot of other vehicles along the way. I had a 2000 Tl & it was a nice ride. It had TS even back then. I needed to haul stuff for work back then, so I went to the MDX. Very nice vehicles, (had 2 of them) but more of a "family" type SUV. Handled decent, but no where near the RDX. After the MDX's, I decided to go back to more of a "sports" type car. traded in the 2nd MDX in on a G35X all wheel drive sedan. It was a very nice car, but it had some real weird quirks. It was fast, but not "quick" like the RDX. Probably outrun the RDx in a long run, but not on quick, 1-2 blocks. Handled good & was afraid I was going to miss that when i decided to go w/ the '07 RDX, (W/o tech package!) WOW. it corners very well for an SUV!! SNow..no compairison. The RDX is better than the G35x with better all season tires than the RDX has on it stock!! You will love the RDX in snow! It is awesome. It's pretty good on dry roads also. Push it thru a long corner. You'll swear it isn't a FWD based vehicle!
Is the RDX the best SUV? Maybe not, but it's one of the best I've EVER driven! I absolutely LOVE mine. In fact, when they weren't selling late this summer, I went to my dealer & made an offer for an '08 RDX w/ tech package. (I'm paying LESS than w/ my '07 RDX!) & the ELS stereo is WAY better than the Baser unit, IMHO. I never heard it in a TL, but it could be that you're in a more enclosed space than in the RDX. That does make a difference!
Sorry this is long, but I just had to say some things. You make not like the RDx, but I'm betting you will. Good luck in a 2hr test ride.

 

I'm sure I am going to fall in love and probably end up getting one before winter.

I thank all of you for your input and feedback. It really does help to have users explain their thoughts about driving the RDX because it helps me to know what to look for and how to drive and push the RDX to see what it can and can't do for me compared to my 07 TL.

By all means lets keep the chatter going and see what others think. This thread will no doubt serve to help others who might be going the RDX route make an informed choice!

 

its not perfect, far from it, but it is the funnest vehicle i think ive driven, you can do pretty much anything in it, and thats the best feeling. snow you can actually enjoy, summer you can carve it up, all the while hauling your crap!

 

Well tomorrow is the big day. I'll be sure to post all of my thoughts (positive and negative) and I'll give you the run down on what my plans are!

 

I'm back from my extended test drive of an 09 RDX with Tech.

I put 52 miles on it and drove it EXACTLY how I drive my 07 TL. I took it on the same side streets, country roads, and highways.

During the 52 miles I drove it easy, average, and HARD so I could get a feel for everything it had to offer. When I drove it easy the turbo didn't engage and it was very comfortable. I have no complaints about stop and go city driving as long as you drive it easy/normal. If you get on it from stop to stop the TL has a slight advantage in comfort, but not much.

Average driving and hard driving turbo engaged and it was fun..really fun. When I really want to pass someone or even get on it from a dead stop the RDX MOVES! Honestly...TL vs RDX. I'd say this was EQUAL. I was going about 50mph on the highway behind some "moron" and I said enough of this. IN DRIVE, no sport, no paddles just put the hammer down and 50-85mph was quick, fun and had honestly no noticeable turbo lag. I'm sure Sport Mode and using the paddles would have been even MORE fun!

As far as the RIDE quality, to me the RDX is very close to the TL. The TL to me gets a 8.5 out of 10 for ride quality/comfort. The RDX gets a 7.5-8....which surprised me in a GREAT way since I was expecting it to be more like a 6 out of 10. I think it really handled the AWFUL Cleveland roads very well!

Handling is where the RDX is leaps and bounds above the TL. My TL honestly feels front heavy compared to the RDX. The RDX feels much more balanced on turns and even in a straight line. The TL feels PULLED forward, while the RDX feels equally pulled and pushed, which to me equaled great balance. Going around on ramp and off ramp turns both average and aggressive the TL just feels nose heavy even though it handles great and I would never complain about how the TL handles! BUT that being said....The RDX seemed more gripped and had very very little body roll and didn't give me once sense of being nose heavy. Especially during aggressive turns!

I didn't mind not having the Touch Screen Navi....to me the Dial system in the RDX was easy to use. The audio system (tech version) was also very strong. I think the position of the tweeters on the door and midrange speakers in the back give it a notch up on the TLs ELS system. Subwoofer performance was good, not great....but I'm a guy who about 7 years ago used to have a 10inch JL subwoofer in the back of his 94 cutlass (not a HUGE system but I like quality bass.) To most the Sub in an Acura is a major step up!

Utility...I brought the RDX home, and folded the seats down and tried to fit my 26inch mountain bike in it. I couldn't with both wheels on. So I took off the front wheel and at an angle was able to fit my bike in laying it down. Good enough for me! (If I get the RDX I'll proabably get a hiddden hitch and bike rack for the back anyways to make it even easier!) With the seats folded I estimate i could fit about 12 bags of mulch stacked on top of each other pretty easy. That is nearly a cubic yard of mulch! Again...a good sign of usable utility over my TL! Another RDX positive.

Ok...FUEL CONSUMPTION. A big ticket item. On a scale of 0-10, 0 being GRANDMA DRIVER, and 10 being someon who floors it everywhere he goes...I would consider myself about a 6-6.5 on average. I do like my speed sometimes (getting on the highway, passing people on HW and country roads), but around the city I'm very normal and do try to drive to get the best MPG I can. All that being said the TRIP COMPUTER said I averaged 22.9mpg for the whole 52miles of combined HW, City, and Country road driving. To me that was very good. Even if the comptuer is HIGH by 2mpg, I still got 20mpg average. I think very good for an SUV. On about a 10mile strech of highway driving I rest trip B and got about 25mpg HW, again probably more like 23mpg, not bad!


OK OK...I ranted and raved about the RDX. I do LOVE it and I honestly want one TODAY.

But even on the 09 there are some features that were not there that I want.

1. AUTO ON/OFF headlights. Seriously how is this missing from ANY Acura.
2. Aux iPod connection INSIDE the center console like my TL has.
3. Trunk Release BUTTON on the Key Fob.
4. I really missed the AUTO windows down when you hold the unlock button on the key fob. I used that so much in the summer when walking to my TL. Even the extra Min they are open before I get there really cools the car off!

These were the 4 things that to me I wish the RDX had! I will have one by Fall/Winter, but I am going to hold off for now to see what the 2010 looks like officially, and what options/features they add. But be sure of this...AT LEAST by the time the snow starts falling in Cleveland this guy will be driving either an 09 or a 10 RDX.

I love the Pollished Metal Color and Black Leather...that is by far my #1 choice!



(If I think of more I want to add to this review, I'll do so tonight after I have more time to think about the test drive!)

 

awesome...seems like what alot of us said you found out to be true

glad you enjoyed it, i cant complain about the color combo choice (as i have the same lol)

if you wait for the '10, it should prob have the usb aux in the center console among other things....

when you put hte bike in, did you fold up the seat bottom and then put down the rear seat backs?

 

Yes...I folded them completely down.

I wish I could know what the '10's are going to have because honestly if it not much inside and the facelift outside I would get an 09 today.

 

I'm so torn what to do.

I want an RDX...I'm 100% sure of that now.

The problem is here is where they are at with an 09 tech as of today.

2009 RDX Tech for $33788 plus tax, tags and document fees.

BUT I know in 4-6 months the 2010 will be out. We know 100% it is getting the MMC and I am 100% sure they will add the USB port for iPods. (The 09 TL and TSX have it, so I'm sure they will put it in the RDX Tech for sure.)

The question is....At what PRICE would you buy the 09 right now and say the '10 isn't worth the -4-6 month wait?

 

I told ya you'd love it. Yes it isn't a WORLD killer, but not bad for a 4 cyl., AWD, 4k lb SUV, With that SH-AWD handles nice, huh? Gota love that TURBO!
Mileage sounded high, but was the mileage high on the loaner? You may get lower till it's broke in, (on a brand new one!)
As far as '09 vs '10, only you can decide that. Will it have more stuff you want on / in it? Don't know at this time. If you wait till your dealer gets a '10 & see for sure, they may still have some '09's that they'd be willing to really deal for if the '10's are there & you don't want to pay that extra for the '10.
PS. Just wait till that snow comes & you'll really love it in the snow!!

 

My local dealer is going to call me the moment he hears anything about the '10. If it is just a facelift and the interior features stay unchanged I'll go the 09 route just to get a better deal. Otherwise I'll have the first '10 there is!