New here, considering used MDX, Tranny gamble?

[electricview]

Hi new here, i've also posted the same thing on the acurazine website, i'm trying to get a good idea of if an MDX will be right for me or not..

Hey guys i've done searching and reading and my question is kind of unasked.. I've currently got a honda accord 2002, the transmision has started... 'flaring' between 1st and 2nd gear, i've come to find out hondas having .... problems.. with transmissions lately, and apparenly that's carried over into acuras? I've always wanted an acura as my next car, and i kind of wanted something with 4 wheel drive, in case i wana go skiing or what not.. After reading for a while and seeing 2001 and 2002's MDX's are the worst year to have for tranny issues, i've come to read some edmonds reports that people with 04's 05'a and 06's and sometimes 07's are still complaining about transmission issues...

I cant afford an MDX any newer than about 2005 (i'm looking at 13k or less if possible).. At the acura dealer he instructed me that the problem years were 2001 to 2003 i think, i believe he said anything 2004 and newer should be fine.
Is this a safe bet? I had seen a 2003 with a claimed 'new transmission' installed, it doesnt seem to be listed anymore so i guess it sold, but it was around 8900 and i think had 120k miles on it...

But it's also possbile to get a 2004-2005 with about 130k miles for around 11-13k as well. I really would hate to sell my honda to upgrade to an acura and then have a tranny problem with that as well... Should i just look else where since i'm limited in what i can afford? or would i have a pretty safe bet with a 2004-5 in terms of transmission?

and then i read something on here about hitch pitched whine that is a bearing in the tranny cuasing this on the 04 and 05's? and is a 'common' problem I'm assuming an expensive repair as well (over a 1000?)....

Just your honest opinion would helpful.

thank you!

[HTL Motorsports]

Originally Posted by electricview

Hi new here, i've also posted the same thing on the acurazine website, i'm trying to get a good idea of if an MDX will be right for me or not..

Hey guys i've done searching and reading and my question is kind of unasked.. I've currently got a honda accord 2002, the transmision has started... 'flaring' between 1st and 2nd gear, i've come to find out hondas having .... problems.. with transmissions lately, and apparenly that's carried over into acuras? I've always wanted an acura as my next car, and i kind of wanted something with 4 wheel drive, in case i wana go skiing or what not.. After reading for a while and seeing 2001 and 2002's MDX's are the worst year to have for tranny issues, i've come to read some edmonds reports that people with 04's 05'a and 06's and sometimes 07's are still complaining about transmission issues...

I cant afford an MDX any newer than about 2005 (i'm looking at 13k or less if possible).. At the acura dealer he instructed me that the problem years were 2001 to 2003 i think, i believe he said anything 2004 and newer should be fine.
Is this a safe bet? I had seen a 2003 with a claimed 'new transmission' installed, it doesnt seem to be listed anymore so i guess it sold, but it was around 8900 and i think had 120k miles on it...

But it's also possbile to get a 2004-2005 with about 130k miles for around 11-13k as well. I really would hate to sell my honda to upgrade to an acura and then have a tranny problem with that as well... Should i just look else where since i'm limited in what i can afford? or would i have a pretty safe bet with a 2004-5 in terms of transmission?

and then i read something on here about hitch pitched whine that is a bearing in the tranny cuasing this on the 04 and 05's? and is a 'common' problem I'm assuming an expensive repair as well (over a 1000?)....

Just your honest opinion would helpful.

thank you!

buying a used mdx...If transmission been replace/ updated..should be ok to buy..If not...becareful..

[kghjr]

I bought an '05 with 83,000 miles three years ago with service records for the first 45,000 miles then nothing. I changed every fluid, installed auxiliary in-line filters on the transmission return line and the power steering return line, and have not had an issue. At 130,000 miles now. I use D5 only for highway travel, D4 around town.

At the time, 01/10, it was Consumer Report's highest rated mid size SUV for that year model. It also gets good reviews from Edmonds.

Have you seen the stats here: Check out TrueDelta's stats

If you consider the number of MDX's sold vs the number of reported problems, it's still relatively small, but a total crap shoot. There is a transmission software update that came out about a year ago for the 05's. If you get one, make sure that free update is installed.

Make sure the timing belt, water pump, tensioner, and plugs have been replaced at 105,000 miles or seven years.

I have had a very slight high pitched whine for 50,000 miles with no change in anything. Seems like I read somewhere on here that is normal for this tranny. Can't hear it with the stereo on.

The maintenance schedule is critical to these cars.

You are correct to look at the 2004 - 2006 models.

I wasn't really looking for an MDX when I bought it, but I'm glad I did. The only thing that broke so far, was the front motor mount.

Good luck with your search.

[electricview]

so you didnt have your whine fixed? Is it something that if you can live with it, it's no big deal? or is that something that needs to be fixed? As i've read the few who have had it fixed said it was some kind of bearing... and that it was quite common.

anyone else please chime in.. it's starting to sound like i shoudl aim for a 2005 with 120-130k miles on it and hope it can get another 70k before anything seriously breaks? At least if i want an Acura Mdx?

[kghjr]

I don't think it's the same whine other people are talking about. Hard to describe a sound, more like a faint high pitched whir, barely noticeable. If I ask anyone if they can hear it, most cannot and the ones that do call me crazy for worrying about it, so I don't.

It's been there for 50,000 miles, I figure it's just normal operating noise. Are these trannys supposed to have zero decibels? Doubt it, but then I could be headed for catastrophic failure.

I get it serviced at an Acura dealer who says the tranny is fine, just keep following the maintenance schedule to the T.

[electricview]

Originally Posted by kghjr

I don't think it's the same whine other people are talking about. Hard to describe a sound, more like a faint high pitched whir, barely noticeable. If I ask anyone if they can hear it, most cannot and the ones that do call me crazy for worrying about it, so I don't.

It's been there for 50,000 miles, I figure it's just normal operating noise. Are these trannys supposed to have zero decibels? Doubt it, but then I could be headed for catastrophic failure.

I get it serviced at an Acura dealer who says the tranny is fine, just keep following the maintenance schedule to the T.

Well I understand that.. If I can get a 05 and only a small sound is my only issue, i'd be pretty happy..

I got to sit in a few today (didnt test drive though) they are feel nice, roomy, comfortable, and i have good visiblity.. I almost like the rear visibility better on the 04-05 than i do on the 06-07... Kinda like the older one!

How come some have that step panel thing as you're getting in and some dont? (i've seen a touring one without it even)


Also would it be safe to assume if i test drive one and its around 120-130k miles and the transmission is not acting up, that maybe its an okay one ? i've heard lots of people having issues between 60-100k i know thats not a gauranteed rule to follow though.

[boston]

Your accord tranny issue sounds like dirt if stopping the proper changing if the gears. Drain and refill tranny fluid.
IMHO The tranny fluid change interval should be half of Honda/Acura's recommended distance.


Sent from AutoGuide.com App

[kghjr]

Originally Posted by electricview

...
How come some have that step panel thing as you're getting in and some dont? (i've seen a touring one without it even)...

It's an accessory, running boards or step bars, added by the owners.

[electricview]

Originally Posted by boston

Your accord tranny issue sounds like dirt if stopping the proper changing if the gears. Drain and refill tranny fluid.
IMHO The tranny fluid change interval should be half of Honda/Acura's recommended distance.


Sent from AutoGuide.com App

When i had honda diagnose the problem they did a tranny fluid replacement (I asume that includes a flush?) for 90 bucks. Still have the issue...

[electricview]

Beyond everything else, If i tried to stick with an 04 or 05 with somewhere around 100-130k miles on it, would it be a complete crap shoot, or do you guys think i'd more than likely get something that will be okay becuase the actual percentage of issues is low?

I'm hoping that something with 120-130k miles would probably have already shown its head by that point.. but maybe i'm just dreaming..