I'm thinking about my next car and i'm just not sure what i'm going to go with. I love the TL's looks and styling although i have not driven it yet. Also a plus for the TL is the mpg's you get. The MDX just offers such a smooth ride, the advantage of 4 wheel drive and comfort of an SUV, however it does not give you as much as the TL's when it comes to gas. Due to always increasing gas prices i really don't know what to go with; I am a driver and love to drive, I think it might come down to which car drives the best for me. I would love to hear what you guys think..........please comment.

 

the MDX's have the transmission issuse with them. Also it only gives you 2 wheel drive only. The only time it is 4 is when it is in gear 1 with VTM (varable torque management) on (18MPH or less) Also the MDX is only good if you need to haul something such as a big family.

 

If you are a driver as you claim to be, get the TL. The older gen MDX is nice, but it's similar to the minivan it is based off of in terms of overall handling and power...

If your deciding factor is only gasoline... Get a prius. You really can't compare the MDX to the TL with a deciding factor of fuel economy.

Mike

 

The MDX got a newly designed transmission in 2003, and according to the MDX forums, failures in later model 04-06 MDXs are nearly unheard of.

Also, you're misinformed on VTM-4. VTM-4 is ALWAYS on, the MDX operates as FWD in normal driving but should those fronts begin to slip, it routes power to the rear wheels. You're talking about VTM-4 Lock with under 18MPH.

 

I am speaking of the 04+ model.......I have been in one and it handles extremely well, it is also very smooth as i mentioned. While i was in it i did not feel it change gears and while driving in NYC it was very comfortable....Yes i am a driver but i want the combined comfort of an SUV and a good driving experience which from what i have experienced the MDX fits this category.....+ don't want any trouble with know or have to worry about holes on the road. if you guys are from the north jersey, NYC area you know what i'm talking about

 

I own both vehicles, the '04 MDX is nice I love it's styling over the '07. The TL will get better gas mileage by about 3~5mpg, I got 20mpg on my MDX, although I drove pretty conservatively.

The MDX has a bit of pep to it an isn't underpowered by any means, the TL has a little more pep to it and is a bit faster.

I actually had an '03MDX and an '04 MDX, and on both vehicles the transmission blew, unfortunately, just make sure not to . On the '04 it blew at 77,000mi and on the '03 it blew at 107,000mi. They're fun and easy to drive, I enjoyed them as much as the TL. With the '04 MDX you get the rear view camera, which is a great luxury, I find the TL hard to back up with whereas the MDX is a bit easier because you are sitting at a higher stance.

The TL is great, the A/T isn't to shabby the Manumatic mode is somewhat fun, but you're better suited not using it. It has a smooth ride, so does the MDX, although the TL's handling is slightly better. I've done some unimaginable manuvers with the MDX even with a flat tire.

The MDX is nice and so is the TL, but if I had to give an opinion, keep in mind I've only driven the TL for 7,000mi. I'd say take the MDX I had no issues with the car when I took it on long trips to Canada. It's mpg isn't bad and it's a good car for everyday use.

Although I will say this if you are buying these cars used I wouldn't pick either. Acura offers awful warrantees on their used vehicles, if you buy it from a dealer, also people drive their MDX's and TL's very aggressively.

 

I have an 02 MDX and a 05 TL both purchased new. Both have ~30,000 miles with my wife doing most of the driving of the MDX. The TL is slightly more fun to drive day to day. When we need to haul almost anything, MDX all the way.

In town, in city traffic mine get nearly the same MPG with a 1-2 MPG advantage to the TL. On the highway, the TL advantage increases to ~5 MPG. I have had no trouble with either vechicle. so far. Post #4 is the correct description of VTM4.

I am happy with each and like driving both but for different reasons.

 

I am going to get an 07 MDX for my wife. I just like everything about it.

 

I think the '07 MDX is cool but the exterior styling doesn't really fit my style. I like the RDX, though.

 

you are correct, i was mistake for VTM-4 lock. The tansmission issues still exist in the 04-06 MDX's, go into the tansmission forum on acuramdx.org and there are a few 04s, 05, and no 06's because they won't have 70k on them already.

 

Thanks for the great feedback Eoanou, that is what i wanted to know. I have been reasearching on the transmission problem b/c i will be purchasing it used. Unfortunatelly i do not have the money to buy it w/ not miles, however i aim buying it cash..I just don't want to deal w/ monthly payments. The fact that the gas mileage difference is not that great i will more likely go with the MDX due to its vercitility. Great feedback so far. I will not be purchasing it until summer b/c my license is suspended but def. looking forward to the experience. Thanks for the info on the tranny and how it works....

 

Yeah the '03MDX literally died on me. In the later part of it's life, I hadn't driven the car for a week I start it up and the car was haywire. The car would rev to 3,000rpm and then go down to 1,000rpm and then back to 3,000rpm and kept repeating. I don't what happened but the dealer will be sending me a bill, I'm sure it'll be in the neighborhood of $7,000. The differentials were grinding and when you drove the car it couldn't go above 3,000rpm it was extremely odd.

Just make sure you change your tranny fluid and differential fluid, it'll cost around $100 at an Expressway, but since you are purchasing a used all - wheel - drive vehicle you need to be certain that you do your maintance to ensure your car will last.

Good luck with your car, hopefully you like it.

 

you are way too young for a mdx...

 

Actually it was my brother's he leased all three of the vehicles. I drove all three, I say my just for the sake of avoiding any confusion.

 

We have an 03 MDX and an 04 TL. We love both vehicles, but as you surmise, it is kind of comparing apples and oranges. Some comments, though:

TL over all gets 20-21MPG, but gets 29 on the highway at 70MPH.
MDX (driven by my wife more conservatively, but less on parkway) gets 15-16 over all, and 21 on highway. We definitely try to take the TL on long trips if we don't have to pack heavy.

TL actually has more driver leg room than MDX, important for my long legged 6'3" frame, though the MDX is quite comfortable in this regard. MDX definitely has more hauling room (more than most in it's class actually), and is wider (so wide that it has only about 2-3 total inches (1.5 on each side) pulling into our standard sized garage). I think the TL seats are more comfortable as well, though that is subjective.

It is really important that the VTM-4 fluid gets changed in the MDX when it should. Make sure you can see the maintenance records and consider an extended warranty if you get a used MDX.

 

I have a TL, and i love it...but I have to say that the new MDX is fucking nice.

 

I've got an 04 MDX (wife's car) and just got an 06 TL. To me, the driving experience in the 2 vehicles is quite different. The MDX is VERY smooth, limo-like to be honest, and gets kinda tipsy in corners. The power is great, but the city mileage is very bad, 13-15 mpg. You can get 24 mpg on the highway if you keep your foot out of it (which isn't easy). I've got 30K miles on mine and no tranny issues - as mentioned, the majority of the tranny issues were addressed starting with 04 model. Also, there's not too much you can't fit inside (TVs (non-plasma/LCD), dishwashers, washing machine, lumber, etc.)
The TL, on the otherhand, is MUCH quicker and rock-solid in corners, as would be expected with a lighter, lower center-of-gravity vehicle. The city mpg is not that good for me yet, but I only have 3K miles on it and running on the winter gas now. Hwy mpg is in the mid-high 20s.
Bottom-line, if you are a lively driver and like to tear into a corner every now and again and tend to keep an eye on the gas gauge (like me), get the TL. If you really need the versatility and drive conservatively, get the MDX. You really can't go wrong whichever you choose.

 

I agree with jetblakTL.

I have:
'04 MDX Base Model - 20,100 miles (wife's car)
'05 TL 6 speed Navi - 24,500 miles (my car)

They both are awesome in their own right. My only advice is whichever one you get, be sure to get all the options you want.

Our MDX is a "base" model, and once my wife saw my Navi in the TL, I was out getting her a Garmin portable unit.

Also, we don't have a roof rack with the '04 base model, which is almost ESSENTIAL when going on long trips and using the 3rd row seats. Not much storage when they are used.

You may also want to look at a Honda Pilot - obviously not in the league of an MDX but a nice package on the same platform for much less $$$.

Ideally, it's great to have them both - but if I had to choose, especially if you are a homeowner (tons of room to haul) or live in a snowy area, I'd go with the MDX.