So, last year I foolishly sold my 2005 RL and bought an IS350. I didn't realize how shitty it would be driving in the snow with a RWD car.

Since I want something still fun to drive but WITH AWD, I've been toying with the RDX.

RDX and G35x are both on the list.

Do you think I will be happy with the RDX? Should I consider any others?

 

HA, well, you've certainly come to the right place to ask that question! But seriously, you had an Acura before and I'm not sure why you traded it (not criticizing, just don't know if you didn't like the RL, etc.)...but I can tell you that we had a fair amount of snow this year where I live. And my RDX handled it with aplomb. There are also some good articles around the web if you search here or google for RDX Canada Review you will find some reports on how this thing handles white stuff.

Also, since you're a mod, I assume you're an Acura lover. So there is that big PLUS right off the bat.

The only downside to this vehicle that I have found is the mpg. Most of my trips are short runs, so my mpg is not great (16-17 city with 1500 miles). If you can live with that (and my situation is unique as most people at least have a combo of city/hwy to bring up the numbers), the handling and features of the RDX will make up for it imho. This car is just plain fun in addition to the bonus of having room to haul some stuff around. Not to mention the Tech goodies -- BT, Nav, stereo, etc. All at a price that smokes the BMW X3.

You might consider the Subies, a GMC Acadia or the Caddy tall wagon thing. Though if you had an IS350 and are shopping G35, I don't know if Subie or GMC brands will have much appeal for you. And to be sure, those GM models will be like driving a washing machine compared to what the RDX feels like.

I think the RDX has them all beat on looks, performance and features for the money...with the Subie coming in a close second. Subies get awesome mpg, even under flogging. And they're a lot nicer these days than in yesteryear.

I also considered an A3 quattro or whatever they call their awd, and a Saab 9-3 SportCombi (not awd, don't think that's available), but I had concerns over quality/reliability on both. Not so with RDX. Good luck in your decision, and enjoy whatever you get!

 

Well, the RL wasn't that much "fun to drive" don't get me wrong, it was an outstanding vehicle.... the SH-AWD ripped right through the snow, but I wanted something smaller and more fun to drive. I've come to reality here though... the snow even if it's only a few days a year, is killer. An inch of snow and I'm screwed in the IS...feared for my life a couple times.

GM is out of the question. I've glanced at the Subs... I haven't gone to see any in person though. I love the Acura nav, bluetooth, XM, etc.

I would really really hate seeing my keyless entry/start (push button) go from the IS, I love the feature to death.
Memory seats are a plus (don't know if RDX has this or not)
Interior of the RL and IS were very nice.

I haven't even driven the RDX yet, but I will this weekend probably. How is the noise level...compared to TL, RL, IS?

 

I don't think 05 RLs came with SH AWD. Its a 07 thing. correct me if I'm wrong anyone.

 

I can correct you. SH-AWD was first introduced on the 05 RL and has carried through to todays RL and added to the RDX and MDX.

 

FWIW, we rented an 06 Subaru 2.5i Limited Outback Wagon on a 2 week trip to California, and quickly got the Subarus out of our system. The refinement just wasn't there. While nice enough on the inside, and lots of convenience features, seemingly electric everything plus moon roof, it could not hold a candle to the Acura interiors. Ride was OK, but the overall experience was a buzzy and unsatisfactory. And the 4 speed tranny (and we complain about the RL only having 5 speeds) was a little rough.

After we came back, the Acura RDX was on the short list, I liked the overall package, but had reservations about it being an SUV (OK, CUV) with a higher center of gravity. My wife loved the RDX, loved the interior, the tech package, the seats, the engine. We looked at the RDX shortly after it appeared (Sept?) and the Tech Pack was a 15-30 day waiting list, depending on color, and you would be lucky to get anything near invoice, I think they were pretty close to MSRP.

I was also concerned about mpg. We drove the tech and non tech versions, and both had average mpgs at about 14 (gotta love that turbo though, you know everyone was standing on it in their test drives).

A couple of months later, the RL board lured me over and I bought an 06 RL. My wife loves that even better (honey, can I use the black car today?)

 

Another car, Vic...

 

depends on some of your cargo needs as well... for instance... i don't think the rear seats in a G35 fold down... something i didn't realize.. same goes for other "sporty" sedans like a camry se and i believe your IS 350... but then again.. if you were OK with the amount of room you had in the IS, you'll be OK with a G35...

i would like more room in my next car (currently a Volvo S40)...

i had looked at the audi a3 3.2 s-line but you get so much more with an RDX at a typical selling price of $34,000... while the a3 3.2 s-line will cost you a few thousand more, without the better financing rates..

 

The RDX definitely doesn't have the refinement that your RL had or that your IS has. You definitely get what you pay for in that regard. If you get an RDX w/tech and pay about $34k, you'll get $34k worth of vehicle.

The noise level is certainly higher than your RL and IS, especially with the sounds of the turbo as well as the road noise but it's by no means loud. Would love to see an RDX down the road with active noise cancellation. That should be a feature of the tech package IMO. The RL has it and probably doesn't even need it.

 

MDX, Legacy GT, M35x, and GS350 AWD

 

SHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

 

Would you moniker be an indicator of one of your cars?

 

But in all seriousness, if you're considering a V6 powered car with AWD, you might as well look at the Audi A4 3.2 Quattro. Or better yet, look at the 2.0T Quattro with the DSG gearbox. Save yourself some money and get a decent performing car that should be solid in the snow without losing too much of the luxury trappings. Of course, you'll also lose a great deal of reliability...

 

ahh I see. Yeah I didn't know. I've only started hearing about it last year. I wouldn't give up my SH AWD

 

I'm trying to stay reasonably priced for a change. I won't loose a whole lot on the IS. The owner of the Lexus dealer is a family friend, so I bought it at a pretty heavily discounted price with the RX330 at the same time.

I rather enjoyed my RL and IS not having to be in the shop all the time. My TSX was another story...same with the FX (damn lemons). That's why I haven't considered the Audis really....

 

Hmm...fair enough. Honestly, I think your best bet in terms of something fun to drive, not too large, and still AWD and snow capable is pretty much going to limit you to a handful of options, so I wish you good luck finding what you are looking for.

 

Honestly, I would spring for another TL...but after the accident...I don't know... just doesn't feel right. Although it sure saved my life, agreed?

 

Yes, and there is a difference between the RL SH-AWD and that of the RDX and MDX.

Frankly, I think the RDX and MDX have version 2.0 of SH-AWD.

Both SUVs are missing the "acceleration device" the RL has, which can vary the speed of the rear wheels up to 5%, whereas the RDX and MDX have the rear wheels sped up at a constant 1.7%. I think they found that they can make SH-AWD mechanically less complex, and therefore inherently more reliable, and less costly to manufacture but just as effective as the RL with the "acceleration" device.

That's my theory, anyway, though I have never seen that in writing.

 

If you are shopping in that segment, you might as well go with the G35. There is a good thread on that discussion in the TL forum.

 

I drove a IS350 for several weeks in some fairly nasty Canadian weather, and with a set of snow tires, tackled anything I could throw at it.

Suggest perhaps getting some winter rubber? The IS350 is a heck of a nice car. I sure wouldn't trade it in just for the sake of AWD.

 

I have a set of good winter tires on the 17" wheels... IDK, I had a lot of problems just getting out of my driveway this winter...

 

Hills are what does a car like that in. I traded my GTO in for the exact same reason, and now I am loving the RDX. Too bad it hasn't snowed since!

 

And the IS250 AWD is definitely not the answer. I drove that yesterday. Yikes. Maybe it suffered for having been driven just after the G35x.

 

wait few months for new Audi A5

 

So my moms RX330 is being repurchased by Lexus. No arguments from them either. It was in for a number of electrical issues. Sent them a letter requesting repurchase, a week later they called and faxed over a repurchase agreement.

Makes it easier for me to trade in the IS if we get two vehicles from the same dealer - little easier to negotiate the price.

I'm leaning towards the RDX or the MDX. I'll drive both this week. I'll throw in the G35x, 328xi and 525xi.

Being the RDX crowd you are, I know the majority will say RDX, anybody have thoughts?

 

08 Infiniti EX or 08 New Subie WRX

 

I think the problem (for me) is that the RDX is a little like a kid's car

I want smoothness and refinement, if you drive the 328xi, I think you will have a hard time accepting anything else.

 

I am considering selling my RDX as I miss a manual transmission. It's a great vehicle with plenty of power and refinement -as well as handling and reliability (100% flawless). Let me know if you may be interested.

 

I think I'm leaning towards getting another 06' RL. It doesn't quite have all that fun to drive, but it wasn't bad and it was awesome in the snow. The local dealer has a couple new 06's on the lot.

 

I gave the MDX a thought too, cause the price difference of the tech RDX, it was nill. I just didn't want a larger car with more MPG. I don't need it. I like the small CUV, and that was the market I was in. MDX offers nicer back seat interior, with passenger push button seat adjustment, and third row.