Given that RDX production is ending, it has pulled forward my decision on whether or not to replace my current car. I prefer to be under factory warranty because under extended warranty there are exclusions. I'm at 3yr/40k on the 2023. Ordinally, I would have waited to get closer to 4yr/50k miles. So now my choices are:

- Stick with the current car and get an extended warranty and live with the exclusions.
- Trade in the 2023 now and get a 2026. As far as I can tell all I get is the redesigned center console and will be forced to get a gray interior instead of the beige that I have now. There are no other changes. Not sure what kind of deal I can get. Part of me feels like this is not a good time to buy an ICE car new, and I should be looking into hybrid/electric. Unless the dealer is willing to give me a killer deal like $4k-$5k off MSRP, but I doubt it.
- Stick with the current car till the warranty is almost over and buy something else. There's nothing out there that I really care for. The NX hybrid is an option but seems overpriced and full of compromises (run flat tires, 12v battery drain issue, occasional build quality issues like B pillar and fuel door alignment). Model Y seems like a decent option but the build quality is still not the best and ride is quite harsh despite improvements with in the updated version. A Macan EV would be nice but is well out of my range of affordability.

What do you guys think?

 

I am not you, but if I liked the current car I would keep it, and not buy an extended warranty. Especially since the new one offers no upgrade, and I also much prefer the tan interior.

I've never had a car less than 11 years, and never had an extended warranty. My previous car I had for 20 years. My current car (2019) should be my last non-self-driving car (it should outlast me), unless it prematurely blows an engine or transmission. I suspect that my wife's 2022 RDX will blow the head gasket at some point, but we will fix it or junk it when that happens. She is likely to blow her own head gasket before the RDX does. My car had a battery replaced under warranty, and no other issues in 6+ years. The wife's RDX has had no issues, except taken to the dealer to investigate the passenger airbag seat switch malfunction, which they could not replicate and has not yet re-occurred.

 

I agree with the above since you aren't getting much upgrading to the 2025. I have a 25 and honestly i would rather have the old center console since the wireless charger is useless and like that retractable cover. Also if you are already wanting Hybrid, you may just want to wait for the next RDX anyway since that is what it will be and just enjoy no payments for a while. Not to mention the next version of Acura Watch, which will likely be much closer to self driving. Esp since the 21+ now has Fullscreen AA, there is nothing to gain except new factory warranty.

I also agree that an extended warranty is unnecessary, and usually a waste of money, just set money aside in a HYSA for repairs instead of paying for something you may never use. If you are taking care of it you don't have much to worry about.

 

Thanks for the replies.

Didn’t realize they got rid of the sliding cover. I am at the dealer now waiting for service so decided to check it out. I definitely like the beige interior better and also the wheels on my current ride. They are only willing to offer $1k off MSRP so doesn’t even seem like a great deal. I was hoping to get $4-5k off MSRP as mentioned in the first post, otherwise I don’t think it’s worth it for me.

Regarding skipping the extended warranty —
I have already had the infotainment system replaced under warranty. And at this service I have been told there’s an oil leak, but they are going to put something to track it so I have to bring it back in 500 miles. Just given the amount of electronics, I wouldn’t want to risk it. One thing goes wrong and the warranty will pay for itself. If I get rid of the car, I will get a prorated refund. But I have time (about a year) before I need to worry about getting it.

 

FWIW, I've already had the following replaced under warranty so far:
- Transmission
- Battery
- Infotainment system

Per the service advisor, the current leak appears to be from the transmission.

 

Forgot about the TSB for squeaky brakes which didn’t fix the problem.

 

If you like what you have, you can always get an extended warranty if that gives you peace of mind. It's not that expensive through Acura (maybe a couple of grand, depending on the length - less expensive if you get one while yours is still within the factory warranty (probably less than the taxes on a new one and significantly less than your depreciation hit on a trade-in).

My 2021 Aspec Shawd is at 35k in 5 1/2 years. Super reliable, regular maintenance and only consumables so far (new tires last month and a new battery at 48 months) - I choose not to get an extended warranty.

Everyone's thought process on driving with or without a warranty and financial position is different than yours. Make the best choice for you.

 

I seem to have been having bad luck with my Acuras. Both RDXs have had a ton of in-warranty issues. I got an extended warranty for the previous one due to the car market during COVID making it very hard to buy a car then and even in the short time that I owned it out of warranty I had a leaking shock that was covered by the extended warranty!

At this point, I have decided against a new RDX. I will wait a few months to decide whether to get the extended warranty or see if the NX gets updated to where I like it better than now. The new ES doesn't have run flats like the NX (just a tire repair kit) and the infotainment setup looks a bit better. So if that carries over to the NX, that would address 2 of my biggest concerns with it.

 

The Acuracare warranty (purchase it online, internet dealers are way cheaper than your local dealer), covers pretty much everything that factory does except bulbs/battery/trim/etc. It's extremely likely that non-covered stuff will be cheaper than the cost of trading in for model 3 years newer. Don't forget newer cars have higher insurance costs, higher taxes, etc).

 

I'm in CA and because of some law in the last few years (i.e. after 2022), only dealers in CA can sell extended warranties to CA residents. I shopped around a lot and found a couple of dealers that offered significant better deals than local dealer (like 30% of the local dealer's asking price and local dealer was not willing to budge).

 

Acuracare is proratably refundable. No reason to hold off getting it. Just remember you must be within factory warranty to buy it.

 

it starts to lose value the day you buy it because the time clock starts running.

 

Understandable if a little bigger than what you may need but is an MDX a consideration? I have been seeing some great deals on them lately.

 

I did consider it.

There are definitely better deals to be had on MDX due to oversupply. Local dealer has 100+ on hand (only around 40 RDX). Dealer tells me RDX production has stopped and they have already received their final shipment so whatever is there now is all they have. On the other hand MDX production is ramping up since that is the only SUV being produced in the US. Another positive for the MDX is that beige interior is still available.

Negatives for me --

- too big including a 3rd row which I never need
- even lower mpg than RDX which is already low (would be lucky to get 18 mpg with my mostly suburban driving)
- will cost more than RDX to buy and maintain despite deals
- don't like the interior as much as the RDX (the console containing controls is flat vs the RDX where it tilts out towards the cabin

Buying it feels like it would the classic "bought it because it was on sale even though I didn't need it" mistake.

It is definitely a bargain compared to literally any other SUV in its class.

 

I thought it starts running after factory expires. I think it is in the language somewhere but agree it timer starts at purchase then better to choose later.

 

What MPGs are you getting in the RDX? I know people who have owned both and actually get better MPG in the MDX, especially in the city due to the lack of turbo.

 

20-22. About 80% suburban and 20% busy highway (including stop-and-go).

 

Acura extended warranty can only be bought when you are still under the factory warranty of 4 years or 50k, whichever comes first. Once that expires, typically it much more expensive and third party. Yes, all quote are from the original in-service date (new). Thus a 6 year warranty is really just 2 additional years. They are sold by years and mileage, plus deductible.

I found Curry Acura a few years ago had great prices.
https://www.curryacuracare.com

 

They are sold as X years / Y miles

X starts ticking when the extended warranty is bought (not from when the car was bought and not from when the original warranty runs out)
Y is the mileage on the odometer

Curry doesn’t sell to CA anymore.

 

you need to shop out of state then. Dealers here are offering $4k to $5k off without even negotiating. I got $6k off plus $1k loyalty credit and 3.99% last month on a 2026 RDX Aspec.

 

I don't feel motivated to shop that hard since I can just stick with my current ride. There's a dealer about an hour away that lists $2k off MSRP for tech on their website. There are many dealers in state itself that I'm sure would do even better than the $2k.