Vegas_TL04

Hey,

Haven't posted in a long, long time. I've owned over 11 Acuras, many TL's, MDX's, and a couple TSX's over the last 9 years. I just traded in my 12 MDX Advance for a 14 MDX SH-AWD Tech. I couldn't justify the extra $ for the ADV especially when I had to pay for a lame TV option that's already outdated when it's released. No one uses these things anymore, and they should be (at the very least) integrated in the rear headrest a 'la BMW, Rover, MB, etc.

Anyway, I do not like either the 19" tech wheels or the 19" advance wheels for 2014. UNFORTUNATELY, Acura did a really crummy thing by changing the 2014 bolt pattern to 114.3 x 5. 2007 to 2013 was 120 x 5. Now I can't put 20" ZDX accessory wheels, or 2013 Advance wheels on because they won't fit. I don't have the patience to try aftermarket as there is always some problem with fitment, or vibrations, or not being hubcentric/lugcentric. So now I'm only stuck with getting the 19" tech wheels chromed. My sister just bought a 14 MDX Tech in Graphite/Ebony and my mom got a 14 MDX SH-AWD in White Diamond/Parchment. I had them do the 19" chrome tech wheels on my mom's, and my sister liked the alloy look. Wanted to make all 3 new 14 MDX's look different. I'm especially irritated that they narrowed the rim width down from 19 x 8.5 to 19 x 8. A long time Acura customer very annoyed right now

wilsel

All the little things they did just to slightly improve fuel economy, but they kept the 6spd trans. Overall width is narrower as well. Acura is really falling behind, and IMO they messed up the 1 good vehicle they had left.

Vegas_TL04

I WILL tell you the 14 MDX is leaps and bounds better in terms of ride and handling over my 12 Advance. It really is. the combination of the new suspensions/IDS really is great. My sister got the FWD, and my mom and I got the AWD. The AWD does ride smoother, but not sure if thats because my mom has the heavier chrome wheels. Both also have the continental tires. The Michelin latitudes on our previous MDX's really flatspotted badly and were very temp sensitive. I love the front and rear styling of the 14 as opposed to the 12, but I'm not crazy about the side profile as it makes it look a bit more wagonish. I highly suspect and predict that a 15 MDX Sport Hybrid will land, and will look more like the prototype and have a 7SPD DCT and different/larger wheels. They will have to do some styling changes and wizz-bang features to attract buyers to the hybrid and offer something the gasser does not. I will say so far that I feel my 12 advance ELS system sounded better, and had much more bass ability and lows. The new ELS sounds cleaner, but not as powerful. I also feel like I'm sitting ALOT lower and not digging that, as well as the steering wheel does not feel like it comes down far enough