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Currently driving a G37X and looking for a small/medium crossover/suv. I tried out an A-Spec last weekend and I was impressed. Big improvement over the last gen. Love the look and driving dynamics.
Things I didn't like:
Infotainment is better than Lexus but I really prefer a touchscreen.
Stereo was worse than my G37 Bose system although I didn't spend a ton of time tweaking it.
Disappointed it doesn't come with a spare tire or even a kit.
Piped in engine noise is a little much. Too bad you can't toggle it on/off.
The Goodyear RS-A is a poor choice for a $47K vehicle. My G37 had those and I couldn't wait to get rid of them. They are horrible in snow.
Mostly nitpicks I guess.
Everything else was great. I really like the dark gray with the A-Spec rims. It's in the running but the dealer wasn't willing to offer much of a discount since he claimed they are selling like hotcakes.
Regarding the sound system, when I did my test drive, it sounded horrible too. Then went in again for another test drive, same thing. Both times were the same Elite Platinum trim (advance in the USA). Then I went to test drive an a-spec model which should have the same stereo system, and it sounded much better. I think either the system in the other test car was messed up or someone else messed around with the settings. The system in my RDX sounds really good which isn't surprising since most reviews do rate it very highly, if not the best in class.
The wife has the A-spec in Modern Steel with the red seats and she loves it. She gets way more positive comments on It, than she ever got in her black leather Q5. The red looks sporty in that dark gray.
The infotainment system needs a little getting use to, but becomes second nature once using it for awhile. We Like it, cause it avoids finger print smudges on the screen. As for the stereo, I find it better sounding than the Bang & Olufsen in my S5, could be the cabin size in the coupe vs. mid size SUV.
There is a flat fix kit in the trunk, but you'd be SOL with a large blowout on the road. Luckily, I took out the spare and jack out of our 2nd gen. RDX before trading in, and keep it in the garage while she drives locally. Should she get a flat, I can take the spare to her.If we go anywhere together, I throw it in the back, to be safe.
The Goodyear RS-A have not been a issue in the snow, but my guess would be that the SH-AWD and snow mode would be the reason. She handled very well in a northeast snow fall we had in November. My guess is that a G37 RWD with those tires could be treacherous.
It's a great vehicle, find a large volume dealer in your area, and they'll be more willing to deal.
I would need a spare included. I don’t have an extra to lug around and occasionally throw in the back. Not interested in making that compromise.
The GS-As are ok when new but you’ll hate them after about 10-15k miles. My G37 is AWD.
I noticed the other trims have Continentals, not sure why they would offer a different tire on the A-spec.
A couple things I’d need to work out in the deal. Swap the tires and include a spare.
When purchasing my car, i was thinking the same thing about the RS-A's. But my opinion has changed on them during the northeast snow storm we had last month. They gripped really nicely.
I think I bought the one you are looking at! I agree, I didn't want RSAs, but the RSA's have been better than I had hoped. The reviews are crap on tire rack, and I personally would never put goodyears on my vehicle, and I think they will be worse as they wear, but not replacing them until I need to. I like the touchpad, touchscreens are nice at times, but I don't like smudges and fingerprints, and I could not deal with smudges all the time in the sunlight! There is a flat kit under the rear hatch compartment, which may fix minor leaks, but not a blowout obviously. Acrua Care does take care of a lot, so atleast you are covered if a bad blow out happens. Piped-in noise is only in sport mode, and doesn't sound bad IMO. Lastly, I had an S4 with B&O sound system, I can't say the 3D ELD system is better or worse, both have pros and cons, but its good enough once you tune it to your liking. I got $2k off sticker, with a $900 installed package with clear door edge protection and some paint sealant I refused to pay. Looks like people are getting AWD A-Specs for sub $44k now, just shop around.
What dealer did you buy from? I was at the Bloomington dealer. I didn’t get really serious about the price negotiation as my wife was working and she needs to test drive it.
But he didn’t seem open to much movement. He also low balled me on trade but came up a little.
I guess I didn’t realize the fake engine noise adjusts with driving modes.
I bought mine from McGrath Acura in Westmont. Their Morton Grove dealer was also competing and offered same price (different family owner). Rizza Acura also offered me one for $45,100, but McGrath gave me a year of free oil changes and less hassle, they met my price.
I have A-Spec as well. Yeah first 4 years Acura care covers roadside issues for free. Stereo system seems good to me. Not sure about the tires. I live in MD where we get snow, so I'll see. Like mentioned above go to a high volume dealer. I had to go 70 miles away to get A-Spec AWD for $45,250 out the door (OTD) price. My local dealer wouldn't go down from $47,250 OTD.
I picked up a spare tire kit for my A Spec SH-AWD. It wasn't available when I first bought the car in July, nor would any dealer sell me the parts at the time, but it's available now. I will be installing it this weekend.
I have A-Spec as well. Yeah first 4 years Acura care covers roadside issues for free. Stereo system seems good to me. Not sure about the tires. I live in MD where we get snow, so I'll see. Like mentioned above go to a high volume dealer. I had to go 70 miles away to get A-Spec AWD for $45,250 out the door (OTD) price. My local dealer wouldn't go down from $47,250 OTD.
I picked up a spare tire kit for my A Spec SH-AWD. It wasn't available when I first bought the car in July, nor would any dealer sell me the parts at the time, but it's available now. I will be installing it this weekend.
where did you get yours and for how much, part number?
where did you get yours and for how much, part number?
This is part number for the 20" A-spec wheels: 06421-TJB-A50
I bought mine on E-bay for $286.57 with free shipping, but if I had it to do over, I would buy from AcuraPartsWarehouse, as they have the kit in stock ($212.87, plus shipping of $23), but not the tire.
Buy the tire on E-bay, or wherever. I paid $82.97 for a Kumho T155/90D17 BSW tire on the bay, which works fine. You will need to find a tire shop with a bead seater, as this tire will not seat with pressure alone. Huge gap, and a ratcheting tie down strap would not work for me.
Well my wife finally got in to test drive the A-spec.
Her observations:
Overall it is nice. It handles very well.
Engine noise is too loud.
Dash/steering wheel is too busy with buttons/gauges.
Heated seats get nice and hot.
Noticeable turbo lag.
She didn't even try the infotainment system.
After the drive the salesman offered $45,900 before taxes/fees.
She wasn’t happy with that offer. We’ll go back on a weekday without the kids and get a final price. Too damn busy on Saturday.
To be honest after test driving the Aspec I came away very disappointed. Rough and choppy ride, piped in noise was annoying, shifting was rough when I pushed the car. The 4 cylinder did not impress me at all. With limited discounts we passed on this purchase.
Lexus makes extremely reliable vehicles and some that are very attractive. However, I find them to be uninspiring and not very "fun" to drive. I agree on the piped in sound option but it does not appear to be bothering my wife who is the RDX's daily driver.
I would agree on Lexus in general being less 'fun' to drive. The NX F-Sport I test drove had the adaptive variable suspension option and it was actually fun to drive.
At some point I'll decide. I may wait until Acura offers some incentives. I'm really not into paying nearly full price.
I would agree on Lexus in general being less 'fun' to drive. The NX F-Sport I test drove had the adaptive variable suspension option and it was actually fun to drive.
At some point I'll decide. I may wait until Acura offers some incentives. I'm really not into paying nearly full price.
depends on where u live.....fairly decent prices in the DC area from Pohanka
Minneapolis. $45,900 not including taxes/fees is the best I've come up with so far for the A-Spec.
I was offered $44500 +taxes for the more $$ advance model at the end of Oct from Pohanka..think someone else got $44 +taxes......All timing I think..Good luck
I'm looking at AWD models. $44500 for the Advance AWD? The dealership I was at yesterday did have an Advance for $44,500 but it was FWD.
Yep that was AWD...fully loaded Advance model. Iknow when I was buying my Subaru a few yrs back..1 dealer in Illinois was selling them much lower....people would fly in and drive it home and still save big $$$$..Then subaru implemented a new rule that 1 could sell only so many outside their location. Pohanka and Radley (falls church) seem to give out good prices.....just agree to terms prior..fly out and drive home,lol make a vacation out of it
Hi Ross, coming from an ‘08 G35 sedan and also looking at the A-spec AWD.
Haven’t gotten a chance to test drive yet so really curious about any other impressions you had on handling and driving dynamics compared to the G.
As a side note had a chance to drive a QX70 for a week as a loaner and thought it was actually really fun. Hoping the RDX has a similar “fun” factor, in a smaller footprint.
Steering should be light and precise around town and become solid on the highway...
Go drive one, but they don't feel like tanks, but rather butterflies around town... Light steering/percise inputs/very dart like/firm suspension/tail happy at the limit. Well, my 2007 is... I know this 2019 is different, but Hondas and Acuras have a general feel to them...
Seems like I've been going through the same thought processes as you folks. Again without yet test driving either, via all the reviews and videos to date my lead horse is the rdx.
MM, thanks for the vid! What actually led me to the rdx was first seeing the new qx50 release, and then looking around at competitors.
12-10-2018, 09:59 PM
