MDXSeeker

I'm in the price range where I'd have to choose to drop the AWD to get all the advance features or drop the advance package to get the AWD. What are your thoughts on which is the better option?

Thanks in advance for helping out a potential buyer and Acura message board newbie.

Comfy

Depends on what your needs are. Do you live in the snow belt or hilly regions? How important is AWD to you? Do you prefer to have all possible tech features than AWD? These questions can only be answered by you. Both of those cars are reasonably well optioned. If I were you I'll spend an extra few grand and buy the advance with AWD, it would save you the dilemma.

MDXSeeker

I've been in an AWD SUV for the last decade and I live in a somewhat rainy southern US state. Hills and snow are not options in the MDX's future. At the price point I'm finding, it's 5k more to get to the advance. If I could get the adaptive cruise and front collision braking options and the tech package, I'd be sold on an AWD tech package.

Tigmd99

$5k more...+$2k for AWD...that is $7k. If you're financing, then might as well suck up $7k over 3-5 yrs and get best of both worlds.

For me, i picked TECH SH-AWD. Tech comes with Foward Collision WARNING, lane assist, and blind spot. Radar cruise on MDX Advance is not 100% smooth...it is like my old Prius radar cruise; sometimes jerky if traffic changes often. I would love to have it since i drive a lot on highway, but it was too expensive for me to make a jump from TECH to ADV since i did not finance mine. I do not use rear DVD since my kids have iPads. I do not use NAVI because i prefer to use my iPhone.

RDX FAN

Reading all the problems here on the 2014 MDX, I would pass on purchase. Look at 2015, or the 2016 will be out late Spring.

MDXSeeker

After working the fighting chance system and getting some very good loan rates, I got a new 2015 AWD Tech. Only 59 miles right now but we're loving the car. End price was about $1k below MSRP out the door with remote start, all weather mats, and the tri fold back.

9SpeedTran

The SH-AWD significantly improves handling and stability, especially in rain or snow. Unless you live in like AZ, I would go for Tech/AWD. That's what I did when I leased our 14 MDX.

Tigmd99

And AWD gives you a SPARE TIRE too!

MDXSeeker

Between the handling reviews for the SH-AWD and the spare tire, it was the right way to go. I went back to my numbers to see if we could get to the Advanced setup, but the 7k difference is just too large and I can't justify it.

Tigmd99

Yeah, same with me. TECH has enough for me. Love to have Advance (to avoid buyer's remorse!), but $7k was tough to swallow. Blind spot is damn cool IMO! Never had it until MDX...love it! I did turn off Lane Warning...worst than it was in my Prius!

BTW, i still do not understand why AWD gets a spare while FWD does not. Too lazy to do a forum search.

RDX FAN

It may well be due to the ability of the AWD to tow up to 5000#.

PS like your avatar.

Tigmd99

Good point. Thanks...P239 conceal carry for me...never FTE for over 5 yrs!

sumoroach

The donut or full size. I ask to order the full size spare tire. And was in the contract to purchase the MDX. The dealership put the wrong amount and order the donut spare. The dealer had to pay the difference of 500.00 dollars because they knew that my intentions was a full size spare the whole time. They would of lost the battle for the spare because it was in the contract. I am glad that they paid the difference. I just told them I finally got what I wanted for my trade in. And the 500.00 was that amount.