which actually leads me to believe I could have done better

 

We are 1200 away from a deal over the phone.

Basically they are at 33000 for the RDX TECH and showing me 23500 for my 07 TL with Navi and 24300 miles.

I need them to show me 1200 more or come down 1200 less on their RDX. I don't care which way it shows....but we are $1200 away from a deal!

I'm going in tomorrow to see what we can do, but honestly I'll only budge about 200-300 on that difference. If it doesn't happen then I'll walk away and wait until fall/early winter to get a 2010 when deals are HOPEFULLY better on it!

 

The 2010 RDX will get a USB adapter, Bluetooth Audio, Auto headlights, footwell ambient lighting, back up monitor/compass in the rear view mirror and the obvious, Acura's Signature Grille. I spoke with my manager today about what was posted at TOV, he gave me the message that was sent from Acura on June 11th stating the changes and the arrival of both the MDX and RDX to be towards the end of August.

 

That's a decent list of upgrades. I'd still like to see the taillights go LED. Or at least the break light on the spoiler (like the ZDX).

 

I'm glad I bought a 09 with 2500 incentive cash and 3.9%.

If that is all it is getting plus the lack of these two major incentives....the 09 is a better value right now than a 10 IMO.

 

I was also hoping for keyless entry... not overly impressed.... I bought my 2008 (used) with the plan to upgrade to the 2010 this fall. Now I'm not so sure it makes sense...

 

I totally forgot about that option. Guess I was just thinking of aesthetic changes to help offset the new (and ugly) grille. =)

 

the grille will work for the RDX

 

base model for 36k? anyone think so?

 

I think the base model price will go up by no more than $500.

 

Base around 34-35000 and tech around 39-40000

Just look at the TSX and TL pricing and how that has gone up. I cannot see Acura doing a MMC and keeping the price the same. They have not done that yet on any of their vehicles.

Why do you think I jumped on an 09 tech for $32-33000 right now

 

....i think a reasonable expectation for the RDX base would prob be at least 1k higher..the base is already 34,705....i think like a 35,850 would be close...i mean the price jumped around 500 from my memory for the 07 to 08 - and that was just a mem seat & auto dimming mirror

 

Also, they added BlueTooth to the 2008 base which the 2007 base didn't have. A big Plus+

 

all models had BT standard...it was the MID display that was upgraded from the 07 to 08 base (same mid display as the Tech)

 

price diff was actually a grand not 500...

 

I hope Acura keeps pricing around the same.

I think Acura's TSX V6 pricing is going to push a lot of potential buyers elsewhere in the market.

The IS250-350 looks much better and will cost around the same as the TSX v6...not good for Acura.

To me Acura has always been the 1 luxury car company that got it right in terms of pricing...Until the TSX and TL releases recently!
Lets hope they don't kill the RDX with pricing too!

PS...Mike, do you still feel as strongly about your K&N drop in as you did in all of the old posts I read? My drop in filter should be here next week and I cannot wait to see the differences. I will probably drive the RDX for around a week on the stock filter and then swap to the K&N.

 

yea...its definately a benefit...i drive alot for work, it nets at the least about 2mpg better...id have to refill at 260 miles to a tank, now ill get a routine 300...it helps on all fronts, doesnt make alot of sense not to have it in...also, my highway mpg will get to a routine 23+, whereas with the stock 21 was a prayer...and those are just the mpg benefits...

good thing about the RDX is that it will still be the cheapest player in the premium/near premium small suv class...but i dunno approaching 36k for a base...i hope they make some solid improvements because i still think the overall quality of the RDX is no better than a regular Honda...theres no premium feel to it at all, for me

 

i hope the build quality F"ING IMPROVES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

What Belkin adapter do you use?

 

It is called the Auto Kit.

Works GREAT...I just ordered a black one so it will match the all black interior better. I was using a white one in my TL but I'm giving that one to my girlfriend to use in her civic.

 

From what I am reading on the MDX side they both should be in the showrooms any time after mid-August, with end of end August the most likely for the MDX. I don't know what the three models of the MDX will be, but I'm sure the prices will be higher if the power lift gate is standard across the board. My dealer is contacting me as soon as he gets an equivalent of the '09 Sport package. I will be sad leaving this side, but I need the additional room the MDX offers, plus the mileage should meet or beat the RDX with the new 6-speed tranny in the MDX if it is indeed upgraded.

 

i hope to god they dont F with the steering in the '10 RDX like the current TSX & TL. I just took out a new TL and forgot just how horrible Acura's new steering mechanics are (i had previously had an 09 TSX for a considerable amount of time while my RDX was being worked on - i reviewed that a while ago on here) man the steering is shit in these cars. Floaty, there is almost no center, vauge feel all over the place, transmits nothing to the driver, feels like the car is never planted. uhg

but man - the new displays imo i think Acura has the best factory nav/hud unit - the cell phone interface is fantastic as well. I actually wouldnt mind getting the tek pkg with this new unit (ELS sounded alot better in the new TL)

 

The ELS should sound better as it is Gen 2 and the power is way up over Gen 1.

 

power has nothing to do with it. The clarity and quality of the sound is greatly improved. whether or not they changed any mechanics of the system or the components i dont know, havent looked into it yet

 

From Crutchfield: (the advantage of having a higher power amplifier) "more power — for cleaner sound and better bass response, something you'll notice even at lower volume levels"

P.S. The '10 Pilot has a new 512 watt amp and 10-speaker surround system.

 

Good sales pitch from Crutchfield. Thats pretty generic for people having no clue where or how to blow their money.

You can have fantastic sound without a high powered amp. If we break it down really simply...not all amps are created equal, not all speakers are created equal, not all components are created equal...does power help? Sure. But power alone is not the answer to a great sounding system, far from it. Frequency response, compenents, the DAC of the system, are critical to any good sounding stereo regardless of wattage.

If you buy into the wattage ='s a better system, than thats plain stupid.

wattage is not always the answer..the RDX has a 410 watt ELS, the new TL is 440 - I drove both within a few weeks of eachother and the TL shatters the system in the RDX...as far as a 3G TL ELS compared to the 09 TL - there really is no comparison there.

http://www.theautochannel.com/news/2...18/096839.html

The 2009 Acura TL(R) features the next generation of the Acura/ELS Surround(R) Premium Audio System, reengineered to offer extended frequency range, lower distortion, enhanced clarity and transparency, and improved second row listening experience. Designed specifically to match the vehicle's interior acoustic characteristics, the next generation 2009 Acura/ELS Surround(R) audio system features a new titanium dome tweeter, redesigned woofer, higher output power and 10 speakers, including new 8-cm SDR rear door speakers.

What still sucks is that for whatever their reasons are, they leave out a mid-range EQ.

 

i found that article after i had written my reply...sort of solidifies what i thought was going on in the new TL/new ELS...its just a much better aural experience

 

from what i remember the 07 did not have BT as base model. I looked up on KBB and was not listed as a specification with all the others.

 

the difference was the MID display, not BT as standard equipment.

 

I agree with you that a bigger amp will not necessarily mean a better sounding system. However, as you note, Acura (Panasonic ELS) has been upping the power on all its systems since the ELS debuted in the TL (225 watts) along with better speakers, etc.

Bose, Acura/ELS, and Mark Levinson systems seem to the leaders in auto sound now. I surmise the '09 TL has the best ELS system right now. I was hoping that the '10 MDX will also have the next generation ELS system. That said, the MDX is a different sound environment than the TL and I am sure the audio engineers will make it sound just as good, or better than the TL, as the MDX is becoming the flagship for Acura rather than the almost non-selling RL. I am pretty confident that the ZDX will probably have an even better system due to its designated "flagship" designation by Acura until the next generation RL comes out, if ever.

 

imo - ditch els all together, because its all gimmicks to me - the emulation of dolby sucks, there are much better systems out there. the new TL is very good, very good...but they still cannot seem to balance the center channel out with the rest of the system, its still not proportional in terms of cabin sound, it just doesnt sound "right" yet -but the new ELS is just so much better than the one its replacing. What they did with the new system is actually give it the quality, material, and compenents it needed IN THE FIRST PLACE, besides all the dolby & dvd-a garbage

 

Have you turned the "Panorama" feature from off to on to increase presence, and have you tried adjusting center channel width? It made a big difference to me. https://acurazine.com/forums/showthr...light=Panorama

 

yep..too much focus is put on the center channel overall and it diminishes the system...given that its supposed to be a "surround sound" system, therefor the center plays an important role, but before you even get there, i dont think a surround sound system belongs in a car to begin with lol keep that stuff for the movies and your house, i just dont buy into the whole concept of wanting surround in the car...but thats an argument for another time