Traded in a 2007 MDX for a 2014 RDX tech today!
Reason: Never used the third row, and looking to downsize.

Enjoy the lighter RDX, easier to steer and accelerate!
Noticed right away that the vents don't blow as hard when I start the car.
Anyone know why?
(It's frickin' cold here!)

Less cargo space compared to MDX isn't a big deal; it's sufficiently sized well.

Roomier entry into front seats, but door is farther away to close (minor)

Will take some time to get used to the new button placements.

Like the rear camera, power tailgate, and Dolby sound!

How do people deal with a salt and stuff sticking to our black cars??! (New black car owner rant!)

Sam

 

Congrats on the new car!

I don't live in the snow belt any longer, but if you have a garage you can use one of these no-rinse products to wash your car in the garage.

Like this...

http://www.autogeek.net/optimum-no-rinse.html

They do work well and I have used it to wash my car in the garage in the winter. Uses almost no water. What I do is get a 1/2 gal garden sprayer and fill that with the water/ONR mixture and use that to spray on the car and let it soak. Then it washes up very easily with a wash mit and dry and you are done.

Oh, and while your car is new I'd consider applying Opti-coat 2.0.

 

I could have actually been into a new 2nd Gen MDX for less money than my RDX, but I wanted something smaller and coming from a TL Tech (2010), could not do without the push button start and touch entry.

I think the vents don't start blowing hard until the car warms up as it is cold air blowing initially.

On the salt front my poor baby was covered in it and it looked real bad. Gotta go to the touchless car washes.

 

Get your car opti-coat protected. Then you just need to rinse it off and it looks better than new.

The climate control doesn't blow air until it has reached a temp where it'll do you good. No sense in blowing cold air into a cold car. This also warms the car faster.

 

What does Opti coat typically cost to have put on? I live in Houston so I am not sure where to start. When I looked around today I found information on forums but those users paid from $800 and up easliy.

 

You can do it yourself. It is not hard. The product is less than $100. The big cost is in the preparation. For a new car, if you are not super anal, you could put it on the factory finish (after proper cleaning) and have great results. Most people that put it on their car will need to spend some time to clean up the paint, swirl marks, chips etc since you don't want to lock that stuff under the Opti-coat. That is where the cost is. I bought a tube and did my TSX and my wife's Civic and still had over half the product left.

 

Wash under the car and tire wells weekly. Rest washed at least every 3 weeks. Weathertech mats.

 

Loved all the great suggestions. Thanks!

I've noticed something peculiar that perhaps some of you can explain. After letting go of the gas pedal and start cruising to a stop or a light, the car engine does a noticeable and abrupt deceleration, kinda like a downshift (but it's an automatic!). Is this normal?

I can see how this helps with the braking. But it's something new and I don't want it to be something wrong too!

Sam

 

^yes it is normal for the auto to downshift when coming to a stop

 

AFAIK, the AT downshifts are to keep the rpm higher and conserve gas.
Above 1,300rpm or so when the gas pedal is not pressed the injectors are off and no gas is burned.
This can't be done under 1,300rpm as the engine will start to stutter so some gas has to be burned to keep things smooth.

 

I've noted how dirty that back-up camera can get. Especially with all the melted snow on the roads these days.

Cleaning is a must before getting in.

Wish it had a flip-up door when in use!

 

I also came from an 07 MDX, and my observations mirror yours. Has similar (altho not quite same) luxury; much better MPG; is perhaps faster; and overall a better size for me as well. Wish i still had the under floor storage compartment in the back, but thats about it.