We have been looking this past week at RDX models and have been surprised: the best deals seem to be on the fairly rare SH-AWD models, coming in at a couple grand less than comparatively equipped/mileage FWD models. I'm in the Los Angeles area, where AWD isn't a necessary feature. (We were at 81 on Christmas Day while the nation froze!)
Outside of weather demands that might otherwise drive AWD pricing higher in "weather" parts of the country, can anyone surmise as to why SH-AWD versions (circa 2013) would be bargains compared to the FWD standard versions? Are there increased repair costs once the RDXs reach a decade in age or certain mileage?

Also, is there anyone who, having bought a SH-AWD, wished that you had bought FWD instead?

Thank you for any input!

What year RDXs have you been looking at? The ones prior to 2013 had SH-AWD, which was a good system but the rest of the car is completely different than the 2013-2018 generation. The older RDXs were smaller and have a turbo 4 cylinder which was a gas hog in comparison and may need a turbo replacement with higher mileage. The 2013-2018 RDXs have a simple AWD system and more efficient/powerful V6 while being bigger.

So sorry...
Wrote this after my bedtime. Wrong vehicle; wrong forum.
I'll move it and delete...

Hmmm... I can't figure out how to delete the thread.

I would have if a FWD RDX was available in my market.

As a minimum, you have two extra CV shafts and a very expensive driveshaft. And if the weather is really bad, you are stuck behind people who only get in your way.

Do you think the AWD RDX will be more expensive to maintain than the FWD RDX? I'm looking at a 2018 AWD. Thanks.

Do you need an AWD? Do you get serious snowfall or are into winter sports?

Price out the rear halfshafts and the driveshaft. More parts means more $$$. The driveshafts went in my CR-V at about 110,000 miles. If you keep your cars a long time, something to think about.

I don't live in an area that gets snow, but I like AWD as I have it in my 2008 RDX. I really like this 2018 RDX. It has the advance trim which is almost impossible to find. I do want to keep this for a long time. Ugh!

Lots of parts can break, but the RDx has been very reliable with few reported cases of those additional drivetrain components breaking. Can the AWD components break? Yes, but not commonly. There will be a slightly higher maintenance cost due to the need to periodically change trans case / rear diff fluid. If you've found a 2018 AWD with well-documented maintenance history, you will probably have a good experience.

They do not break, they wear out. Just like the U-joint in my Honda CR-V, none of which have grease nipples and neither does the RDX.

"Wear out" may be a better term for the most likely failure mode. Those components do not typically wear out prematurely on these cars. RDx AWD drivetrain component failure is not commonly reported here, nor does it appear in consumer surveys as a concern. Certainly not to the point of buy/don't buy for a purchaser of a car, when weighing AWD vs. FWD or trying to explain pricing in the used market. 2nd Gen RDx is typically a very reliable car, AWD or FWD..

Certainly not if the vehicle is a rare find - ultra low mileage, ultra clean, etc., sort of like my GTS where owners tell prospective buyers to get the 5-lug hubs over the Centerlocks. Yeah right, I was going to pass on a 3 year old car with 98 miles because it had Centerlocks.

But I live in snow country and given the choice, I would have gone with an RDX FWD.

2018 RDX with Advance is almost impossible to find. Why would you prefer the FWD?

Not really after looking online on Trader, etc.

Maybe some owners keep their vehicles short term and get rid of them when repairs get expensive; I don't since my shop is well equipped. The 2-piece driveshaft on the RDX AWD is over $2700 and if I do not need AWD, why would I get it. I already replaced that shaft on my CR-V and luckily, it was a bit cheaper. The U-joints on none of these are greaseable and they are staked-in to prevent easy replacement.

Get what you want to get. As for the comment that kaehlin made that "these are reliable cars", exactly why I bought one, but all parts wear out, even on a Honda.

Driveshaft problems usually affect cars with long trips on the highway, if the car usually does not go faster than 60-65 miles, then these driveshafts will go over 200к miles without problems.
Therefore, on Acura, the problem of the driveshaft concerns a very small percentage of owners.

Provided the angle is kept small.

Good to know, in which case most of us have nothing to worry about. But then since my CR-V (as my RDX) has the cruise set at that speed, why did the rear U-joint fail?

I'm into using factory parts since my cars are in tip top shape, even when 10+ years old, which is why I do not buy cheap aftermarket parts or have things like the driveshaft rebuilt.

What year is your СR-V ?

1999. I have the records but not in front of me. I remember 110,000 miles. BTW, no jack rabbit starts and gently driven. The joint moved by 1/4". Wondered what the vibration was and thought I threw a wheel weight.

I suppose that it makes no sense to compare 2 different driveshafts in cars with a difference of 14 years.

Maybe, but then driveshafts and U-joints have been around forever. Progress: you can't grease them and no circlips for easy replacement...like I said, that is progress for you.

And I'd get a FWD if my market had them. My CR-V and RDX are useless in the winter because there is always some clown in front of you that cannot handle winter driving.