As usually I won’t stop much on specs. If you are making an important decision you have to do your home work. I think in all my posts I highlight only stuff that’s missing from other’s reviews and might be important to swing you to either side (I mean to buy or to not…). I’m leasing 2004 MDX. And so far I loved it, hated it and like it again. At this time of the year you probably won’t find 2004 models in stock but there are plenty of 2005’s have arrived. 2005 is slightly improved over 2004. But only two improvements worth of mentioning – break assistant – the feature I definitely would like to have on a heavy SUV – and MDX is a heavy vehicle, and satellite radio controlled real time (with 30 minutes delay) traffic alerts linked to navigation system for auto rerouting in case you might hit a traffic jam. But you have to realize that both features are new to Acura (and not only to MDX model). Acura has only one year of experience with both features is being installed on other cars, and all this features are computer controlled – so there is a huge chance they will not work perfectly on 2005 models yet! The rest of the improvements (including Bluetooth phone link) are just the toys for grownups. All information you need you can find on acuramdx.org including links to the cheap aftermarket parts. I’m going to repeat important stuff (from my point of view) that I did publish on that forum. You need to decide for yourself if you like it or not. The bottom line I like MDX, it’s a good “family SUV” it’s not near luxury, people who saying that just didn’t drive luxury card. I convinced that Lexus is a better car maker than Acura, but it cost more. In 2004/2005 if I would have to get SUV with car like ride I would get MDX again. If you just going to lease a SUV I really suggest you to look into Chrysler Pacifica (but not for buying as Pacifica will loose its value quicker and will have more problems down in a road than Japanese cars have. If you are a woman I really suggest you to get Lexus RX-330. I’m against nice looking, sporty and fast Infiniti FX as they have really bad crush rating. Also its worth of mentioning that Lexus GX is a truck based SUV and not car based as MDX (MDX is build on same chassis as mini-VAN Odyssey). For me any car is just a transportation with some added excitement when the vehicle as new (MDX is my third new vehicle and seventh so far I had). I don’t wash, wax or spend any time on improving its appearance. I’m warming engine no more that 1 minute in cold weather, I will return this SUV back to dealer in 3 years and I’m not sure if I’ll get another Acura again. It will depends on what car/SUV will be most save and reliable in 2008.
And now some complains and thought I have posted previously on acuramdx.org
Post 1:
I can't get why for this size vehicle, my leg room should be less than 43in - which is make my Long trips (over 2hrs) very uncomfortable, and I’m only 5 feet 10inches. Don’t understand why there is no battery rundown protection, and the headlights not going off automatically when the alarm is armed, don’t get why auto mode for the lights take an input from the driver’s door only. Once my wife stayed in MDX in passenger’s seat, listening to the radio, turned the ignition off, exited, armed the MDX and left – but because driver’s door wasn’t open the light stayed on and drained down the battery. Can’t get how one of the important safety features as auto locking is missing, don’t like there is only one door key cylinder, which doesn’t allow to open all doors and back. If I don’t have remote – I’ll have to open driver’s door and unlock everything manually. I hate cruse control, which does not maintain speed downhill (my previous Avalon did shifting down to slow the vehicle) – the MDX does nothing and being quite heavy can quickly pick up 80 mph downhill in 55 mph zone. So I have to press brakes on each downhill, which cancels cruse cntl, and makes me to re-enable it dozens/hundreds times during two-hour trip. In my opinion all this essentials must be standard in $35-40k SUV.
Post 2:
I had door auto-lock feature on Avalon and loved it. Toyota designed it to auto-lock on speeds over 5mph (or so) in drive or reverse but only once after ignition started. I would prefer to have this done each time I set transmission from "P". Avalon had no auto unlock, but driver's door unlocks automatically when you pull door opener handle (or whatever its proper name) so I didn't have to unlock anything if I wanted to get out. My wife was taking care of her door if she needed to get out. Also during severe accident (some cases like airbags inflated) a security system unlocks the doors for you so help can get to you sooner. In roll-over situations the sensors unlock the doors ONLY AFTER motion (roll-over) stopped (again it's done automatically for you by security system).
As a former engineer I think it's a state of the art design and Toyota/Lexus makes more save cars. But the price tag is heavier also.
Post 3:
8.1 mpg
Folks,
I read some threads but very suspicious on my mileage. I'm into my first 200 miles and into my second tank. Driving only in city (New York) stop-and-go with AC all the time on. Even if I try being very light on acceleration -- can't get over 9.2 mpg. Should I go back to dealer or it is normal?
P.S. it is normal for MDX. Get used to pay $40 every 210 miles if you driving mostly in a city!! It’s way better on a highway (about 21-22 mpg)
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 34000
Condition: New Model Year: 2004
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