We were ONLY looking at 7-passenger crossovers and wanted a newer design so the Pitot was not on the list as its last year (has been out since 03).

We (she) wanted the heated, leather, memory, nav, etc.. etc..

We stopped at the Toyota dealership to see if the new Highlander was out but not for a few more days they said, also I don't like to get the very first of a new car, I did with my Sienna but usually would rather wait 6 months or so.

We went to the Hyundai to look at the Veracruse (sp) but honestly we were not impressed just looking at it. The car on the showroom had the handle for the rear seat missing (come on guys would Honda/Toyota have a clearly broken vehicle sitting on the showroom?) Also they don't have any Bluetooth, maybe in 08 they told me. I mean come on Bluetooth has been out a while, I think it's bush league to have an all new car and not include it even as an option. It looks like this SUV will sell mainly on price I'm sure it will cost a lot less OTD than the MDX but it's not a Lexus/Acura or evenbn Toyota/Honda (those 4 cars I'd pay extra for).

Next we looked at the CX9 from Mazda. I wanted to like this, we drove one with nav, sunroof etc... MSRP $39K 'red tag price' $37K. IMO it was not as great as I was hoping for. I had read it was equal or almost to a MDX. But the nav was not great (IMO), I have a 04 Sienna and the nav was about the same, I am expecting better from 07 almost 08 nav systems. Also the sunroof made an obnoxious noise. It was terrible like a can opener (whrrerrrerr). I don't know if that’s typical but it sounded very very cheap. The plastic and leather was OK but not as good as my Sienna (IMO). the middle row of seats was tight (IMO). It drove nice, quiet, good power etc.. Nothing like zoom-zoom but it's a 4400 lb SUV so what the heck. The CX9 I drove had dubs (20” wheels) and I think the ride was a bit harsh at times.

Last, we went to the Acura dealer. Always last when you end up walking out with a car. Similar size to the CX9, but much nicer quality of interior (IMO) a LOT nicer. It has power tilt-scope wheel which the CX9 didn’t. Its got heated rear seats (don’t matter to me, but my wife likes that). Has the BEST (hands down) best nav I have ever used, with voice activation and live traffic. Has cristal clear, back-up camera (I have this in my Sienna and the CX9 had it, but the picture was larger and clearer on the MDX).

The MDX has +40hp from the CX9, (the MDX needs premium gas). I drove 2, one with standard and one with sports suspension. The sports suspension has a sport/comfort button and different wheels and leather. I preferred the standard wheels and leather. The sports button made the car more tight, firmed things up but also made you feel the bumps a lot more. We got everything except the sports suspension. That is NAV, upgrade stereo, power tailgate, rear entertainment, rear seat heaters, plus all the standard features which is a lot (ie. Bluetooth, 6-disc, HIDs, XM-radio etc..). The Stereo is great IMO it's the best I've heard in a car (but I have not heard the best HK or ML etc.. I just mean way better than other so-called premium stereos which ususlly don't do anything for me like the premium stereo in my Sienna which is just average).

We said we're just looking and would rather have the 08 which is out in 1 or 2 months. but we got (I think) a great deal which was invoice price +TTL (about $4K off MSRP) and also got 2.9% for 36 months (no money down) which saves about $1500 (vs a 5% loan)

 

PICS PICS PICS PICS.........plz

 

thats a whole garage full of family friendly cars uve got
except for the S2000
hehe

good buy

 

Congragulations. A new vehicle is always an nice moment in life.

Just out of curiosity, where did you pick it up? (if you'd rather not say, I understand......no problem). There are much fewer Acura dealerships in the D.C. area than there are Honda ones.


I've reviewed both the new MDX and the top-of-the-line CX-9 Grand Touring model...the Grand Touring's interior probably would have impressed you, unless, of course, that was the CX-9 you looked at. Haven't looked at the Veracruz yet, so I can't comment on it......that is on my list for the near future.

I agree with you that Honda/Acura has what are probably the best NAV units. Most car reviews say they are the easiest ones to use. You also made a wise move, IMO, by passing up the adjustable sport suspension...that is just more money, more complexity, and more difficult and expensive repairs if it fails out of warranty. If it is sporty driving you want, the MDX is not really the better choice to start with...the smaller RDX easily outhandles the MDX, and outruns it with its Turbo 4.

I take it you know the break-in rules by now....we often discuss them on CL, so most of the CL membership knows them by now. If not, PM me and I'll give them to you. Also PM me with your name/mailing address if you want a small complementary bottle of SCRATCH-OUT for your new paint...I give it to many people when they get their new vehicles. It will take out a lot of small surface paint problems and keep it looking new.

 

mmarshal, I"m interested in this scratch-out??? Do you offer this to everyone that gets a new car? If so, you're a very nice guy...

 

we got it in Gathersberg (Rosenthal Acura). After I had a price from them, I called a few other Acura dealers in MD one said they could do better, I got their price and Rosenthal matched that which saved me just $300 but every little bit helps.

we did look at the top of the line CX9, it also had 20" wheels (acura only has 18"). But I honestly and my wife were not impressed, my sister-in-law said the same thing the Acura had nicer materials (plastic and leather) they were both put together well. Thw Hyaundai didn't impress me enough to ask for a test drive.


thats very nice of you. I would have PM'd you but it happened so fast, we were more or less just looking but my wife has driven the Trooper for 7.5 years. We could have waited for the 08s but I'm not sure if we could have gotten invoice price. But it's true the SUV market is not the best.

About the scratch-out that would be great, like a lot of new cars there is no side molding to protect from door dings. I'm trying to anticipate when I park, but my wife won't bother so I'll need it surely.

 

Rosenthal's dealerships (I know a number of them well) have a reputation for pressuring customers and haggling like a Middle Eastern Bazzar, but they are one of the better places to buy if you want a low price and want to negotiate it rather than settle for a no-haggle price. They want to sell cars and will argue till midnight, if necessary, to get you out the door.

Sometimes it's better to buy in the MD suburbs, sometimes in the VA suburbs. MD has a higher new-car tax (5%) and higher registration/tag fees but a much lower dealer-processing fee....state law strictly limits it to $99. VA has a lower new-car tax (3%) and lower state registration fees but adds a county registration fee which you have to take care of yourself...the dealers don't handle that. And many VA dealerships really screw you on the processing fee, which has no state-imposed limit.

In your case, if you live in MD, you probably did better buying it there....first, you saved the gas driving to VA and back, and second, no matter where you buy your car, by law, the dealership must charge you the taxes and registration fees of your state of residence, so you would have paid the 5% Maryland tax and tag fees anywhere. And you have to show proof of insurance as well.



Service? I don't know about that particular dealership's service department.......haven't heard much about it. But, by law, you don't have to take the car back where you bought it for service. You can use any Acura dealer you want.........and you might be able to save some money on simple things like oil changes and fluid replacement by having them done at Honda dealerships for a lower price. That should satisfy warranty requirements, as they use many of the same factory filters and parts that Acura dealerships do. I know that many Toyota shops will service Lexus vehicles (for a lower price), as long as it is not a warranty issue, which has to be done by Lexus.


Paint problems can come from a whole lot more sources than just parking-lot dings.....believe me, I know, from 40 years of car-ownership experience.

 

rai - huge congrats, the new MDX is an EXCELLENT vehicle. I'm sure you'll love it for years. Thanks for the detailed write-up on your decision process, it's always interesting.

Now why do you need the Sienna, Trooper, and Legacy wagon as well?

 

Well, I can (maybe) understand keeping the Trooper. Anything with the name Isuzu on it may become a collector's item not too far off.

And the Legacy wagon? Unless you are carrying big loads, there aren't many vehicles, IMO, that beat your run-of-the-mill Subarus as daily drivers, especially in bad weather. In a warm state like FL though, your Miata can be a blast.

The Sienna? Yes...that's a good question.

 

They 07s are amazing aren't they? I had an 05, but the 07 was too much nicer...I had to trade up!

 

The 05's were richer-looking inside, with wood trim, and had softer-riding 60-series tires. The 07's, like many newer vehicles, have a more high-tech look inside and firmer-riding 55-series tires standard. The new ones would probably be preferable to someone who wants a slightly more sporting feel than the last-generation model....though, in rai's case, I still think, for other reasons as well, that he did the right thing in passing up the optional suspension...that was a good move.

 

Congrats. The new MDX is a great looking vehicle.

 

Very nice truck. Please post only pics from the side and rear!! lol

 

I have to change my sig. We got rid of the Trooper. It has been burning oil for a while 1 qt per 1000 miles.

Me: S2000
My wife: MDX
Nanny: Legacy (I also drive it from time to time)

Sienna is for trips and also for the nanny to drive the kids with.

The Sienna is much better for room with luggage etc..

The Legacy wagon is fairly cheap and safe but for the most part just basic transportation gets OK gas mileage and great in the snow.

 

Did you buy it or lease it? How much is your monthly payment? The reason I'm asking is because I'm kind of considering an SUV, b/c I could really use the utility for work, and if I go with an SUV, the MDX is the only one I would consider.