So I finally bit the bullet and bought a 2014 Acura RDX fwd base. Didn't think the tech package was really worth it. I am not a huge Navi user and plus reviews for it says it's very outdated. Only thing I wanted was the power liftgate. I just really wanted that button but my husband said it shouldn't be a deal breaker.

I literally watched this car for 3 yrs and did a ton of research. Every year I would go to the car show and race over to the acura section to see the RDX.

My previous car was a 2002 toyota rav4. I didn't trade it and it has 200k miles on it. I will use it as a runaway round car because the trade value would suck. And plus I paid $23k plus tax, tag, and title. Why give it away for a $1,000 bucks and it still runs. But anywho, it was time for an upgrade. I wanted something luxury but yet affordable. Bmw and mercedes maint can break the bank. Also, I became a believer when acura got rid of the turbo and moved to a v6. I drive 54 miles round trip every day so I need good gas mileage.

Are there things that the rdx is missing? Of course but so is bmw, mercedes, and Infiniti. There is no perfect car unless you custom order it. And let's not forget that I got a good deal on it $31k.

So I need your advice. What are some of the tips and tricks that you have learned about your rdx.

Sorry for the long post but wanted to give the history. Lastly, I can't wait to see 2016 rdx and if power liftgate is standard on base then I am a trading it. lol just joking

 

congrats on your new purchase! no tips and tricks as the rdx is just a good preimum suv

 

Congrats on your new RDX! It sounds like you got a really good price at $31,000.

I paid a lot more for mine,but I wanted the HID lights,and my wife wanted the navi. I didn't think I'd like that feature,but now that I have it,It's growing on me.Same with the power lift gate.

I bought the splash guards from Currey Acura via Ebay,and although the protection coverage is minimal,they make it look more complete,and nicer.I think they should have come standard.

If yours came with the XM radio,and you enjoy it like I do,be sure to read the posts here on how to negotiate a better,half-price or more deal after the 90 day trial ends.I'm glad that I learned of that tip here.

Also,see the posts that show the easy instructions on how to change the cabin filter,and best places to buy parts on-line,to save $.

Steve

 

31k is a awesome price, where was this purchased?

 

Congratulations! That's a steal!
I feel bad since I paid way more. But then I got a tech.

 

Congratulations on your new car. And BTW good decision about your old car. Keep it until it dies. That's only how you make even on purchases.

 

Congrats!

 

I probably should have said it was not brand new. It was pre-owned with 8k miles. Practically brand new to me. The 2014 were all sold out in my area. I had to drive 75 miles to Sarasota to get the car.

I must say it wasn't the most pleasant car buying experience. They really haggled on the price. I really do believe if I would have held out I could have gotten them to go lower but by that time I really wanted the car. I still think it was a good deal. Some times I will watch the internet to see if there is anything lower. I saw a 2013 with tech and 16k miles on it. But decided to pass on that one because it wasnt certified and had more mileage and it was practically the exact same price. Might as well go with the newer car.

All in all I am happy with the purchase. Just want my power lift gate.

 

while the nav system is so so, the HID lighting is worth the price of admission.. HID is leaps and bounds ahead of the halogens on the base model.

Tips you ask? for around town keeping it at 2K during acceleration should help gas mileage a lot while providing decent economy. I managed 23 mixed when I had one for a while...

Seats are typical Acura sweetness

Did I mention it is FAST when you want it to be?

 

IMHO... You made a wrong presumption regarding buying the tech package. You will suffer possible loss of more than the original tech package cost at resale time and a much longer time period to sell the vehicle if you attempt a FSBO sale.


Please don't shoot the messenger....

 

lol. I will probably have the car for some times. No worries there. Look how long I kept my previous car. 😄

 

Everyone will have their own ideas about their needs and wants it may be different from the majority opinion. If you like the non-tech version that's entirely at your discretion. It's good that we have choices. I would take the tech package any day though.

 

I know about keeping a vehicle for a long time. My previous ride was a Lexus 1999 RX, without a built in GPS. Lexus did not offer it until 2000. 15 years of driving and looking through their windows at other peoples cars with GPS's at stop lights! Like a kid with his face pushed against a candy store window with only a nickel in his pocket.


For 15 frigging years I had a Garmin GPS and hated it. I could not find a reasonable place to mount it. I was a R.E. appraiser for about 5 of those years in a new to me city & state and REALLY needed a GPS that didn't fall off the dash or over heat in the hot FL sun. I Loved my RX, but hated the lack of a built in GPS... A luxury car should have a GPS as standard equipment.


I'm now retired and don't really need a GPS. But... dad gum it! I now have it in my new RDX. Although, I really like the BIG screen back up camera. and the bright HID head lights, and the fog lights, and the automatic rear hatch, and the super mega speaker stereo, and..... and.... My buyer will appreciate it, and pay me for it. As I'm sure he/she will think that all luxury cars should have a GPS or their not a luxury car (IMHO).


I'm glad that this time, I had the option to get the top of the line package with the built in GPS. I'm glad that I didn't "cheap out". I must admit I did think about it..... for a second.

 

The power liftgate is interesting. I've been a wagon/ute guy for decades, going back to my '72 Volvo wagon that could hold nearly all my worldly possessions at that time.
Looking back at the period in which power gates were commonplace, we had the following:
Tribute--No
V70--No
RX330--Yes
XC70--No
XC60--Yes
RDX--Yes

Looking back, I enjoyed the separate window-opening liftgate on the Tribute much more than I ever cared about the power-lift feature. I used the power gate once yesterday on the RDX; but only after I thought about it...I just don't find it a particularly interesting feature(after the novelty wears off, so to speak). As part of a package, I would likely include it; but I wouldn't miss it if we didn't have it. The power latching feature is somewhat interesting; but I don't mind closing my own hatch.

I generally find the Tech Pkg worthwhile, although I don't attempt to use many of the features of the Nav/Voice recognition/Super-duper stereo other than the essential functions. As others have mentioned, I'll get a good portion of the cost back at the time of trade...don't plan to keep it a decade and change, however.

Enjoy your 'new' ride...as you say, if a new whiz-bang model comes along in a couple of years, you likely won't get dinged too much if you sell or trade at that time.

 

If you keep your car for a long time, then the GPS is not an advantage as it will be long outdated by then - however - the other items, HID, uplevel audio and power hatch will reap rewards.

 

Just bought a new '15 RDX tech myself. The navigation is already out of date, the upgraded version is on the MDX.

 

How can you tell if it's out of date? Of the places I've been,it seems spot-on.The most useful feature is that it shows me what direction I'm going.I have a terrible sence of direction,especially when the sun is directly overhead during the day.

I need to learn how to do the voice activation on it.Anybody got some tips on that? I wish there was a YouTube seminar that would demo how to do it.

Steve

 

It works fine, but the graphics are not modern at all. Reminds me a little of a Pac Man game visually. It does not have a 3D view like the MDX and virtually every other newer NAV out there. It's not just me saying this, it's in all the on line reviews.

 

Personally, I would rather that my RDX had a "Heads Up" choice of display as my old Garmin has. It may have, But I haven't discovered how to get it on the screen.


This is my first vehicle with a in dash GPS. I'm like a pilgrim just off the wagon train.... A you tube demo seminar sounds good. My sales lady has tried to show me voice recognition, but it goes right over the top of my head...


I have two friends that have new Hyundai sedans, one has a loaded Azera the other a loaded "Sport" Elantra. They just smiled at each out after playing with my GPS. I overheard a little "snicker" as they walked away shaking their heads.... One of them (Azera) did say " you paid how much, for that?". He asked where the switch for my cooled seats was....


The Elantra has the back up camera hidden in the middle of his hatch Hyundai emblem. It rotates up exposing the camera when he puts the car in revers.... Very Cool.


I passed on a 7K mile 2013 RDX White AWD Tech for 31K just before I bought my 2015 AWD Tech for 38K. I thought it made more sense resale wise to get a 2 year newer car with zero miles for 7K more ($3.500 per year).


The 2013 RDX was in WI, I'm in FL. About 1K more for shipping. But it was nice with AWD, Tech and only 7,500 miles. If not for the distance and shipping. I would have bought it. I do not think that 31K for a non tech 8K mile 2014 is a "Great" deal, but its a "fair" deal if you did not have to compromise on the color you wanted? To each his own though. It will show on your CarFax report when you sell that it is a 2 owner vehicle and a dealer will "gig" your for that on a trade. Good luck and God bless...

 

Tech package is like what Rascal mentioned above, good looking, it makes you love it but, personally, it doesn't do me any good. Just me, I'm not a fan of tech package if i have to spend money for that. Bluetooth, link, speaker, ......, and especially navigation, none of them is attracted me. In-system navi is worst to have, since having a smartphone with Google Maps and/or variety of other navigation apps, this in-car is way obsoleted. I don't even know it will cost anything to update or not. Plus with the smartphone, it's with me on every car, any corner of the street, in the States or out of it.

 

GPS is a tool...gets me where I need to go. It's obsolete if it doesn't get me where I need to go. And in ten years, or whenever, you can buy new DVDs to update. Latest and greatest...clearly not...but do I need 3D to tell me to take a right hand turn...or fumble with a phone while driving....or squint at a display smaller than the 8" one built nicely into my dash... I've driven now in 8 states and in canada...it's got me to every place I've asked, seems like a winner.

 

Now that you mentioned, you must be missing out on the "heading up" display. You can bet that this feature is there in your car. Just open up the setting in your navigations menu and you can change the setting from "north up" to "heading up". Just to know that if you zoom OUT beyond a certain point the "heading up" view will revert to "north up" view temporarily. I use the maps all the time, not for navigation itself but just to get a general layout of the roads ahead.

The one thing I wish I can change is the voice of the navigation software. I just don't like the way the lady announces (..."Inaa" quarter mile make a left turn...)

 

A 3D display is very useful in getting you where you want to go. It does a better job in urban settings where there are complex entry/exit ramps on freeways as well as when there are many side streets in a small area. Sure, the existing gps will get you there, but the 3D as equipped on most cars today does it better. They put it in Acura's best selling vehicle (MDX) and I wish my RDX had it.

 

Thanks everyone for your tips and tricks. Some how this became a tech vs non tech posts. I am glad Acura gives you the option to chose based on your family needs, wants, and preferences. I am very happy with my purchase and the choice we made for our family. Again, thanks everyone for the advice. I really appreciate it.

 

Until you are driving in an area with limited - or no - phone reception. Then you'll wish you had a "real" GPS.

 

I guess both systems have their ups and downs. One of the strengths of in car GPS being its powerful antenna which locates the car easily compared to cell phone or portable GPS receivers. It even works in underground parking lots ( but you don't need GPS there I guess..lol... Also while traveling in remote hilly / mountainous terrains the smaller GPS devices don't work as efficiently but they are more user friendly and up to date than car based devices.

 

Are there some photos out there of the HID lights vs. the halogen lights on the base model? Curious to see the difference....

 

If your RDX develops a clunk coming from the rear, have the dealer change the rear shocks.

 

hi-
just bought a 2015 RDX w/tech. I wish it had updated parking and GPS, but I really liked the vehicle better than any I drove. Was doing a search and found this forum and just joined.


Ossaguy- where is that link about the XM radio? I had planned to just let it go but if there is a way to get it that would be great. Thanks for the hints-


The dealer wanted to install some body molding and the cargo cover. Did anyone here do that at a local body shop instead?

Thanks!

 

Bought the 2015 AWD /Tech / White / Beige model over the weekend. After a long and hard thought process, went with the tech package. I am now glad that I got the tech package. Wouldn't have been fun without it.

 

qoute Ossaguy- where is that link about the XM radio? I had planned to just let it go but if there is a way to get it that would be great. Thanks for the hints-

Hi Calper,
There is a Sticky in the forums here about it,but in a nutshell,you wait until it's about to expire,then call them up and explain that you do enjoy it,but not at that price...just too much.You tell them you will have to cancel.They then put you on hold,and either come back on the phone to offer it at about half price,or I heard you can get transfered over to a "retention specialist",where they do the same.For me,they just came with a 1 yr at $89.00 plus fees.I read where you need to ask for an invoice so they mail it out to you,so you can send a check,vs. the charge card since they will auto-charge you next year at the full rate.So it was $102.00 total for me.For that amount,it is worth it to me,but not at the 189.00 or so they were asking for.They will still send you a bill next year for the full price,so you have to do the negotiating every year.I just wish they would price it at the "real" price that is a reasonable amount that they can still make a profit,as in the $102.00/year.

 

not to steal your thunder, but I just got a 14 loaner base with 4k miles & certified new for 28640 +ttl, no trade, cash deal. they had 2 kona brown base loaners & a silver base with chrome rims for $1000 less, not certifiable due to a Aftermarket wheels. Anyway, awesome engine com paired to the wife's cr-v. I'll post pics later.