Izzy-Type-S

iTrader: (1)

This December I will be driving from Chicago all the way to Acapulco, Mexico with stops in Austin, TX...San Antonio, TX and Mexico City where some of my family is, then on to Acapulco for some fun in the sun....2,317 miles one way. All this driving will take place from December 15th through about January 15th so it will be a nice get-a-way. I've done this drive many times but this time I wanted to check in with the Azine peoples about maintenance items & things to look out for. The wife has an 07 tech package MDX and I have an 08 Type-S, since she is flying down I'm thinking on taking the Type-S.

I always keep up with maintenance so the following items are on schedule to be done or are already done: coolant drain & refill, new wipers, new cabin filter, just got a CAI on less than 1 month ago, synthetic oil change, trans fluid drain & refill done 5k ago, Continental Extreme DWS tires put on less than 3k ago will be balance & rotated & all brake service. 3000k yellow HIDs are a mod I'll do before leaving. I'm at 75k and wondering if I should do the timing belt now or anything else? Any other recommendations? Thanks!

05TLdcc

i hope you bring AK's lol

I wouldn't do the timing belt now it should still be fine.

achenator

What you smugglin?

Gfaze

Not trying to discourage you but you could draw the wrong people's attention in the TL while in Mexico. Personally I'd take the MDX.

05TLdcc

i'd take a geo

MWalsh9152

personally I would find a safe place to leave your car, walk across the border and rent something with Mexican tags.


A friend of mine just came back from Mexico City last week, went down for 24hrs to run sound for a concert. He said that the bus carrying them ran every single light and stop sign because of banditos

Gfaze

Nah that's how they normally drive down there. Put it this way I would NEVER drive in Mexico City.

Scrib

MWalsh9152

he said he asked the bus driver why he was doing it, and thats what the driver told him

Gfaze

Well maybe that guy was doing it for that but seriously, they drive nucking futs down there. Four lanes painted on the street but there's 8 rows of cars. At a red light the cars are creeping across the intersection and by the time the light turns green they're already all the way across. You give them a shred of room in between you and the car in front of you and they will swerve to get in front of you.

combat mediC

iTrader: (1)

Im in san antonio, my neighbors bro-in-law is a border patrol agent. I'd rethink that mejico trip my friend.. Be safe though, and yeah take the griswold wagon hahaha

civicdrivr

iTrader: (9)

Id take a seat next to your wife on the plane....

combat mediC

iTrader: (1)

^

civicdrivr

iTrader: (9)

Bwahahahahahahaha, not what I meant.

charliemike

You're driving through Mexico? Better take this:

MR1

You are aware of the political situation probably better than most of the posters and know the risk. If the roads are good for the TL and you aren't concerned about attracting attention, take it. I don't think that I would worry about the timing belt service prior to the trip. Sounds like the car will be ready.

Gfaze

The roads are fine for the most part. The only time you'll encounter poor road conditions is when you're headed to small towns away from the bigger cities. The toll roads are usually well maintained and though they're a bit pricey, they are usually safer than taking the non-toll roads. You're more likely to be ambushed on the narrow, poorly maintained roads than you are on the nice, wide-laned toll highways.

gr8ness97

iTrader: (5)

Always wanted to drive in Mexico, but I'm too afraid. That's one time I'd rather fly (and I hate flying)

OP, sounds like your maintenance is fine except I'd do another oil change. I didn't go more than 7k between oil changes in my TLS. Wait on the TB.

4cruizn

Awesome road trip!! I did San Diego to New Jersey and back to AZ a couple months ago in a 17 year old Legend and didn't think twice about it. You'll have a blast.
Just do it. You can (and should) get Mexican insurance but it's easy - you can print a one-day policy online for like $25-30. I did that a few years ago and drove to a beach town in Sonora called Rocky Point.






Not trying to thread jack, just showing you it's feasible to take an Acura south of the border and make it back in one piece. Good luck and have fun!

Mr. Maker

iTrader: (4)

That last pic is awesome.

Gfaze

Street Spirit

Why is this trip epic?

gr8ness97

iTrader: (5)

^ It's not really epic. 4600 one way....maybe

Izzy-Type-S

iTrader: (1)

Thanks for the comments, I knew I'd get some warnings or negative comments. My dad has been doing the trip yearly in an 06 white Nissan G35 loaded coupe alone & has never had an issue at all, 96 convertible Pontiac TA yearly before that. Zero issues! Knock on wood of course but u cant believe everything the media says, common sense & good judgement like not driving at nights on lonely roads. Most think the entire nation of Mexico is full of pick up trucks and dirt roads but u see TONS of Nisans, VW jetta's, BMWs, Benzs, etc. Funny thing is I think the MDX would attract more attention since the drive down does take you through lonely roads where people would rather snatch a truck than a sedan. If you dont hear from me by mid January 2012 watch Azine for some bandito parting out my car, LOL!

Izzy-Type-S

iTrader: (1)

YOU want the seat next to my wife? PM me. LOL JK!

navarretg

Izzy, good to hear you want to go down to Mexico with the type s! My parents are from Puebla and I also have thought about driving down there but the thought of criminals slowly entered my mind.

I would still consider the drive if my town didn't have a lot of topes every block lol my car isn't lowered but I'm still concerned I would scrape something.

Be sure to take pics and write down the route your are taking. Are you planning to travel down the east coast or through Mexico? I will be down in Mexico around december/january as well.

navarretg

Forgot to ask, how long does it take your dad to arrive to acapulco?

CAgine

I don't see an issue at all. I cross countried from LA to VA twice, in my previous V6 Accord. Just make sure you have a spare, and of course cell phone charger for your car. Other than that, an oil change and transmission fluid flush (depending when you got this done) before the trip and you're good to go.

Izzy-Type-S

iTrader: (1)

I normally like to leave in the early evening and drive through the night. We are stopping in Lake Texoma on the border of TX and OK for a day and two nights. It's a bed and breakfast cabin on a lake in a wooded area. From there a stop in Austin where my wife's family is, a stop in San antonio and some small towns south of there where my family is. Crossing the border at Laredo early in the morning, going through Monterey, Saltillo, San Luis and stopping in San Miguel de Allende for a day or two, then finally on to Mexico city for the holidays. After the holidays we drive down one of mexicos most scenic highways La Carretera del Sol, a 3.5 hour drive from Mexico city to Acapulco. You can't live life in fear of media reports, common sense and good judgement along with driving at daytime are best. There are reports of shootings on chicagos south side almost daily on the news yet we all drive in Chicago.

oo7spy

You can't live in fear of media reports, correct, but you should always think about your surroundings and image when traveling in unfamiliar places. It sounds to me like you are familiar with the areas you will be driving through. I think the idea is to remain low key. Don't stand out, and you won't get bothered. Having said that, I would consider picking up a '95 Civic coupe in SA. Put a flow master muffler, a little chrome, and some LEDs on the wipers and you will blend right in.

What's the purpose of driving? I can't imagine with gas prices that it would be less $$$ than a plane ticket and a rental car when needed. If your car gets hit, then it definitely isn't justified. Just wondering.

Gfaze

Well he's going to be making multiple stops so flying is not ideal. Plus, roadtrips are fun. At least to me they are.

Izzy-Type-S

iTrader: (1)

I've always loved road trips, nothing like taking the ride you love long distances. The funny thing is how people make assumptions about places they've never been to. Mexico City has about 35 million people, they're not all driving old pick ups. People forget there's such a big city there and think of all of Mexico as a desert full of poor people on donkeys or trucks. Actually gonna hit up one of the 3 Acura dealers in mexico city for a nav disk once i am down there My dad has taken his G35 coupe down since it was brand new since 06 with zero issues, 96 convertible trans am before that.

Izzy-Type-S

iTrader: (1)

Will post plenty of pics of the Type S all over once I'm back.