Hi, we are in the market for a CUV. The usual suspects one would consider. But we want reliability, so the germans are probably out. Aside from the fact x3 comes with no spare tire, what a deal breaker that is. We are closing in on the RDX, just trying to get over the finish line that this is the best for us.

Anyways, I had questions regarding the reasons the folks on german car threads bash RDX, such as:

no passenger seat adjustment, no rear vent, no parking sensors, no lighting package, navi lockout while driving, no led rear light ,no pano roof, no reading lights in rear seats, re=badged CRV



are any of those lacking things regretting that you bought the rdx.


Also, i was watching the consumer report youtube video where they show tires spinning in rain and lots of body roll....is this the norm, or were they just showing the extreme?


any input appreciated. thanks!

 

The spinning tires are no joke on the FWD...just today I pulled out into what WAS a clear right-turn-on-red but couldn't get the front tires to grab for anything. Pavement was damp; but the surface looked to be free of oil, etc. Darned fronts just wouldn't bite...I had to feather the gas almost as though I was on ice...dang!!! Check up was Monday, tires and pressure were fine.

The rest of the nits make me think you should look at the XC60. I've come to terms with the 'missing' goodies given the lower cost.(Not sure how the current navi works...likely the same for safety)

 

Additional features often come with additional tech nightmares - one reason that the Germans have a poor reliability record here in the US.

What features do you want? The RDX tech has HIDs and - aside from a slightly faster "on time", conventional real lights are identical in function to LEDs.

The non-adjustable passenger seat is a PITA if you need it but regular passengers get used to it fairly quickly.

Do you want the pano roof and the other features that are unavailable on the RDX? If so, then the RDX isn't the car for you. If you don't want them, then who cares if they aren't available.

Most of us have chosen Acura for the rock solid reliability. Yes, you can't input into the nav easily while moving but my Acura hasn't left me stranded like my BMW did with 2000 miles.

 

GF has a 14 RDX, she loves it I am OK with it. I am not a SUV/CUV person. That said yes some of the Acura shortcuts annoy me. But for the money it can't be beat. I do not find the body roll to be excessive, it is typical of anything in this class that is not sporty oriented, I would guess the Germans handle better. The RDX head unit (Infotainment) is the old gen unit and it is annoying as to how locked out it is and how many steps it takes to use the navi. As for wheel spin, we had a 10 RDX and that baby going up our steep driver always spun the front wheels, so we fixed that by getting AWD in the 14 RDX. It is no SH-AWD, but the AWD is engaged on initial acceleration so the 1 MPG penalty is well worth the better wheel control. It also came in handy during the usual snowy icy winter we had in GA this year. My only other complaint is the crappy rear shocks, if you look at the "clunking from rear" thread you will see some of us have had issues.
For the money you can't beat the RDX, it has issues as does any vehicle, but it will give you years of reliable service. The V6 is smooth and pulls well and delivers very respective MPG, gf gets 23-24 on her AWD doing her daily commute in suburban traffic using mid-grade fuel.

 

thanks guys, Im coming from a 08 rx, that nav locks out too when driving, so no worries there....I dont really need those tech items

what i do need is a car that is OK in all 4 seasons of the year...does the awd model wheels spin too in the rain?

i have a real busy job, just cant afford reliability issues, so Im not focusing on Germans.

 

I've never had any noticable wheel spin with AWD.

Overall I would buy my '13 AWD non-tech again without hesitation. Anyone who has sat in or driven mine has said they want one. It's not a Cayenne or SQ5 but I think if you're looking to buy (and not lease) and spend 35-40k you really can't find a better package.

 

For me and for the price, I am very happy with my 2014. I checked on other brands with the added features they have available, but I really did not want to spend $50,000 and more for things I am really not that interested.

 

We have a very steep driveway that causes the tires of a FWD RDX to spin even on dry pavement, the wheels have never spun in any type of rain either going up the driveway or anywhere else. Again if you look at how it works, under acceleration the RDX will shift some power to the rear wheels regardless of traction conditions, so to me that becomes very difficult to spin the wheels unless you just nail the accelerator.

 

I love my wifes RDX. AWD and I try to break the tires lose and they dont. its tough and then traction control fixes everything. last snow then ice, then more snow storm we had shut down the city and i was out playing around helping people get un stuck.

The RDX does leave some to be desired in the way of the towing options. if you want that, I suggest looking at something else. otherwise i really enjoy it when i drive it. my other is a TL and before these acuras we were a hard core Mazda family. we have a 2013 full tech package with protective trim paint, allweather matts, and roof racks.

 

acura is one of the reliable auto manufacturers, but doesn't mean there will be no problem. sometimes we're just out of luck and got a lemon..

back to wheel spin. i haven't experienced any with my 14 rdx awd. my 07 TSX, which is fwd, used to do it once in a while. i think the awd definitely helped.

there's definitely room for improvement on this car. if budget/price is not a concern, then i wouldn't buy the rdx. and if you don't need the engine power, i would suggest also to look at some non-premium brands such as honda, toyota or nissan. they have SUVs that offer more features than the rdx at lower price. otherwise, the rdx is one of the value suvs in the market

 

You mean no passenger seat "height" adjustment (it moves other ways). Yes it would be nice if the RDX came with all those additional features. (I don't care about pano roof even if were available as an option).
I fretted a lot before purchase about not having rear vents, but realized that my kid who sits in the rear center almost always asks us to shut the rear vents in our other car (Its either blowing too hot or too cold or too much wind). In the RDX she likes the cubbyhole at that site where she likes to rest her feet. So we are not missing anything there. Your situation might be different.
We had purchased the RDX comparing it with all those vehicles which had many of these features (RDX still won since it is an overall nice, well built and reliable car). I don't regret purchasing this car and would buy it again if I'd to do it all over.
The other thing I love about RDX is its smooth and gutsy V6 engine which many others don't have.

Yes, the X3 was knocked out in our first round itself when we realized it doesn't offer a spare tire and a replacement of RFT would cost somewhere near $500.
I understand your current car is a Lexus. I assume you are also looking at the upcoming Lexus NX since it is a nice competitor to RDX.
Test ride all of your short listed cars and find out what is perfect for "you" (not for others or the car reviewers). Good luck.

 

how does the Rdx feel to you on the highway? stable? is there a lot of wind noise?

Im negotiating with my local dealer on a 2014 and hope to close the deal this week if the wife approves

 

budget is a concern, but we are open to consider anything in this price range give or take a few grand...I REALLY like the x3 but no spare tire is a deal killer for both me and my wife(and we hardly agree on anything ever)....I love the q5, but the local dealer here is horrible and Im worried about service issues....what non premium brand cars are there? we already owned the Murano, rav4 is too small, highlander too big for us...thanks!

i love the rdx from what Ive seen, but the local dealer wont allow us to take it on highway, so Im working with another dealer to let me, and if its ok, I will close the deal

 

If you can wait 1 year, there should be a substantial MMY refresh on the 2016's.

 

I frankly have everything pinned on this. With the Lexus NX, Lincoln MKC and (possibly) the Jeep Cherokee Limited as alternatives I really hope the MMC steps up. I waited in hopes of the 2015 RDX having enough changes to convince me to pull the trigger, but all we got was another price increase. I had a 2014 Ford Focus ST as a rental for a week this summer and I was incredibly surprised by the performance and the tech. The MyFord Touch Sync was so well done that it makes the Acura navi (all models I've seen) embarrassing.

 

When was the last time that Acura had a "substantial" mid model year refresh?

The Ford touchscreen has been heavily criticized by all on the car reviewers and - while it does have some nice features - doesn't work very well.

Acura has had a similar iteration of the current nav since 2005. It is unlikely that they will bring out an entirely new system for a refresh. New technology usually starts with the flagship models (RL/RLX) and trickles down.

The only significant refresh item I can think of in recent history is the 6 speed auto on the TL in '12 - and the deletion of the chrome trunk trim on the TSX.

Expecting grand changes is wishful thinking.

 

Hey ceb, we have already discussed this, you or no one else knows for sure, so quit thinking you are an authority on such things.

The MMY RDX is rumored to have the Advance package. Different motor or trans .... Who knows.

It's a message board ceb, stfu and enjoy it instead of being so uptight and trying to be the authority know all, or think you know it all.

 

i really cant wait another year
budget is ballparked 35k give or take a couple grand either way
i just want a reliable car good in snow, wife wants backup camera as a minimum....the 2011+ x3 or q5 with the backup cameras are harder to find, come with the nav package and we are hitting 40k

is there something else I should consider?

 

I drive a RDX every chance I get, I love it... it is nice on the inside FAST and returns unheard of fuel economy for what you get....

if you get one, get the tech....hid lights are way better than halogen...

your budget is $35K, get a forrester (Subaru). I got a legacy and that thing is awesomeness re-defined in the snow... given a choice between a forrester V6 and RDX for where I live, I'll take the forrester.

 

With AWD and the tech package your hitting 40K MSRP on the RDX. 2013 models are 33 to 36K. If you can find one in your local. You have chosen to hide your to hide your location. If your in the North its possible to find a good cop vehicle with AWD. Not so easy in the South...


Why do posters elect to not show their home location? In the witness protection program...?

 

Too afraid, we're all hiding under our porches...

Couldn't resist....

 

I had tested RAV 4 and Subaru Outback before I got this car. They are nice and offer quality feel but their camera is atrocious / practically useless. I would reconsider if backup camera is one of your / (wife's) priorities. I can't tell if its the small screen or poor resolution or both (the RAV 4 camera is useless in a sunny day). The camera & screen in RDX tech is leagues ahead if you want to compare at all.
The wide view option of the RDX is truly awesome and this is the mode I use most often. The only ones that better this view is the true surround view (4 camera setup) offered in some other vehicles.
I would recommend you to go for the AWD with tech if you can stretch your budget. You don't want to regret missing it later on.

 

Touche....

 

so we test drove the cars again
X3 is still out, wife is adamant bout spare tire
sante fe is nice, if you can excuse the excessive wind noise (pass)
it comes down to audi and rdx, but at our price range and what we want, the Rdx fits the need and we will go with that

we live in pennsylvania and travel all over the state, so I was hesitant bout the rdx weaker awd system, but over the internet, people dont really complain about it and I will also get blizzaks

so the we agreed to buy the rdx... I have a dealer who recently got a trade in, its a 2014 rdx with 16k miles that they havent listed, hes willing to give it for $34k with no certified warranty, hows that deal? it does have this in the carfax the dealer gave me that gave me some concern, aside for why someone would trade it in so fast: Maintenance inspection completed
Rear differential fluid flushed/changed
Washed/detailed
Inspection completed
Oil and filter changed
Tires rotated
Engine/powertrain computer/module reprogrammed

 

Is it the Tech model?

 

Why won't he certify it? At 16k it should have had two services (A1 and B1) but no reason to change any fluids other than oil.

I'd ask what the reason was for that and the reprogramming and what the customer traded it for. If the dealer sounds evasive then forget the car and the dealer and look elsewhere.

 

The dealer is probably trying to avoid the certified preowned process because of the cost.

Based on the article below it requires about a 160 point check. I also read in the past that it can cost the dealer up to $2000 to go through the certified process. In this case the dealer has a new car with less than 20k miles and is going to try and tell the customer that it is virtually new.

http://www.edmunds.com/car-buying/ce...ity-check.html


for comparison here is a listing for a 2014 RDX Tech with 15k miles for a similar price
http://www.edmunds.com/inventory/use...=&invtype=USED

 

Is it being sold from an Acura dealer? (I'm too lazy to read the whole post). If not, It can't be certified by another manufacturers dealer.... But you all know that any who....

 

it was a tech and at non acura dealer
but I dont think the used market has good deals, if you factor in $2k loss for one year old model, plus 20 cents per mile (15k * .20) = 3k, getting a price for $34k isnt really a "steal" or anything

plus the carfax was scary

therefore, I have been in negotiations with a acura dealer and will be picking up a new rdx with tech this weekend...while this is around $40k I got it to work in my budget as they gave me a generous trade in offer on my lexus rx, he said those are easily flippable and he is always on the look out for them

hoping to report back in 6 mos that the winter performance is solid

thanks for the assistance guys

 

This video is why the RDX NEEDS SH-AWD. End of story.

 

I think that you made a wise and prudent decision to buy new instead of used. I am in the same position and have been seriously exploring the used market for about three months. I'm about to make the same decision as you.

A used RDX from a non dealer has no Acura factory warrantee. A RDX from a Acura dealer has only a 12 month bumper to bumper warrantee and 7 years 100k miles for the drive line.

A Lexus CPO dealer warrantee is three years plus a 7 year drive line warrantee. I may not be mathematically correct on the above, but I'm close. The Acura warrantee for a used vehicle "sucks" compared to Lexus.

Right now, I am looking at a 2013 RDX AWD with tech for $34,200 with 15K miles. I would have to pay to have it shipped from WI to FL.... not cheap. I bought a boat last year from WI and it coat $2,500 to have it shipped. I think it will be cheaper for the car. I have not checked.

I have read on this forum that people have paid as low as $36, 500 for a new RDX with Tech. AWD should be $1,500 more. So, some Acura dealers will negotiate. The warrantee for a new RDX is four years or 50K miles plus the 7 year drive line. Please correct me if I'm wrong on those amounts?

I'm sure someone here will.... (lol)

 

Huh? Regardless of where the car is purchased, the remainder of the factory warranty transfers.

But yes, buying new in this case makes sense.

 

Congratulations...Good decision. Please don't forget to post pictures .

 

1. unless the car was listed as a total loss or flagged by Acura for non warranty (ie customer abuse), the remainder of the 4yr 50K mile warranty is in effect regardless of where the car came from. the CPO adds additional year/12K Miles to that warranty or if the car is out of warranty a 1 year 12K warranty.

2. Acura does 7 year 100K powertrain warranty on CPO 7 years or 100K miles from In Service Date or you can buy additional year or additional year +20K miles.

3. Used Lexus costs considerably more so yeah, that warranty isn't really free...

 

Thank you. Obviously I was not sure if the remainder of the 4 yr 50K mile was transferable.

 

when you see stuff like this on audi forum:
http://forums.audiworld.com/q5-sq5-d...-2-0t-2868738/

it just makes the decision to buy the rdx more easier for any of you on the fence....no doubt the q5 is more fun to drive, but reliability wise its no competition, and while the quattro is better than rdx awd system, my hours of research online has not found any1 complaining bout the new Rdx in the snow, so with blizzaks it should be as good as any...whats the point of a more fun to drive car if it wont start or is always in the shop?

 

Totally agree. What's odd is that consumer reports I think lists audi as top 3 or 4 in reliability...but talk to anyone with the 2.0 audi/vw engine, and you'd never know it. Hondas have had issues to, with the 3.5 also having some headaches. But...everyone I know with accords/Odysseys/pilots/MDXs swears by them, and basically just change the oil. Don't know any RDX owners but 1 with a gen 1 thats been bulletproof. Small sample still, but reliability is an acura strength.

 

Audi reliability has improved, but there still have models that suck. Mostly models based on the older platform, like the A4 and such. The A6 has average reliability, but I still won;t keep it past warranty as EVERYTHING in a German car is more expensive, from insurance to repairs to maintenance. I love my A6 and it is probably one of the best engineered cars I have owned, but I flip cars frequently enough that I don't plan on having it more than 2-3 years. At 9K mile and 11 months mine has been virtually flawless.

 

Excellent decision! I almost bought a used 2013 Tech from a nonAcura dealer before I got my base 2015 for the same price the used tech was going for with 17k miles ($32k). I am so glad I didn't because it wasn't certified and with all the complaints I read on hear about the clunking in the rear, I thought it'd be best to get a new one and deal with my local dealer if any issues arise. So far I am loving the car and especially since I came from a sedan (TSX) and have a tallish toddler...don't know how your experience will be compared to the RX, but I did notice like 5 used RXs at the Acura dealership but have been hard pressed to find any used 2nd gen Acuras at Lexus dealerships (or Infiniti and Audi which I also found at Acura).

Even though I do wish now and then I got the tech, for the price of I bought the base and not missing the navigation system, I can live with the base. But next car I buy will have all the bells and whistles. Hope you enjoy the ride and have a good report with no regrets in 6 mths!

 

There are good and bad examples at all brands. Wanna bet the "clunking rear suspension" thread has been linked in a number of other forums, too?

My wife's daily driver is a Q5 2.0T. Know how many mechanical issues we've had in nearly 50k miles? None. And maintenance? It was included free of charge, so zero there, too. All we've paid for is tires and wiper blades. 25.5 mpg lifetime average. I loved my past Hondas and Acuras, but not a one has ever given me 50,000 miles completely trouble-free. And yes - the Audi is more fun to drive. Did we pay more for it? Yes (although I bet not as much as you think). Was it worth it? Absolutely!