[jammike]

My 2015 mdx sh advanced tech has 126k and timing belt, water pump has not been changed out, they traded in before they did the 100k service on it. It still drives likeba beauti. My mechanic drove it and drives like bran new. So ill get all that done in the next 10k or so. 2015 engine is more reliable than normal. Look at consumers reports as the pilot 2014 (same engine) is the most reliable suv.

Yes it may be driving great now and second later it may break and it will cost you more than the vehicles worth. Replacing Timing belt at the manufacturer recommended interval is like buying insurance.

 

[Sal And]

Consumer Reports is a laughing stock (i.e.: Great for entertainment purposes). Please take what they say with a grain of salt even if it’s positive or negative. Any engine can be reliable if the owner takes great care of it and maintains it properly.


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They are not always right. Cars that were designed in and made in Japan were/are the best (now Korea i.e. kia) If you buy a first year model your bound to possible serious issues, and most likely if its made in usa. That the reality. You can baby and take care or a poorly disigned car, no matter were made it will not last you, you take a lexus and take care of it, i will last you over 1miles. Research that. Lol

 

[mdxstang]

you take a lexus and take care of it, i will last you over 1miles

Well, that's good. I'd be very irritated if a car lasted less than that.

My 1998 Durango lasted 235K miles and was still fine when I donated it and didn't have many problems in that timeframe. It was the first year of a Durango. I've had other American branded cars and kept all of them to over 100K miles. Although my primary vehicle is now the MDX, a Japanese brand made in the USA, I'd have no issue buying another American brand vehicle. I wouldn't buy based on gross generalizations of the manufacturer native country, especially when many of them, including Lexus, assemble the vehicles and source subcomponents globally.

 

[hoskim]

62,000 miles on a 2014 MDX (bought it new in Oct 2013). Maintenance is recommeneded at 105,000 miles or 7 yrs which ever comes first. So its 8.5 yrs in use but mileage wise its not even close to the 105K.

Dealer is recommending replacing
a) Timing Belt, Alternator Belt, Water Pump, Auto Tensioner, Coolant etc for $1200 + tax.
b) If I do the spark plugs at the same time, he can do it all for $1500 + tax.

I plan to keep the MDX for a while. So definitely want to get the OEM parts put in only.
So the question is
1) Should I wait for another year or 2 to get all the work done at the dealer ?
2) Get the Timing Belt work done now at the Dealer and spark plugs later. Getting Spark Plugs done later will cost $450.
3) Get all the work done now and not to worry for next 7-8 yrs for this kind of maintenance based on no of miles I drive per yr.

Appreciate your response. Thanks.

I had the same thought and my logic was (if I am going to keep it for "awhile," might as well do it). Not sure which part of NJ you are in but I was able to do all you mentioned around 1300 including tax at a local honda specialist around Plainfield. Also, I am sure your looked around to find coupons / service specials, but if you have not shop around - just be careful as some dealers include / exclude things like serp. belt, coolant flush etc. You can ping me separately if you want to know the indy shop

 

[brian_tii]

Well, that's good. I'd be very irritated if a car lasted less than that.

My 1998 Durango lasted 235K miles and was still fine when I donated it and didn't have many problems in that timeframe. It was the first year of a Durango. I've had other American branded cars and kept all of them to over 100K miles. Although my primary vehicle is now the MDX, a Japanese brand made in the USA, I'd have no issue buying another American brand vehicle. I wouldn't buy based on gross generalizations of the manufacturer native country, especially when many of them, including Lexus, assemble the vehicles and source subcomponents globally.

Not to mention that "Made in Japan" Japanese cars are no guarantee of perfection. Look at the 90's sports cars for example. The Supra was the only one of them that really held up. RX-7? Engine, transmission and turbos EXPECTED around 70k miles and don't put your elbow on the center console - might go through it. 300ZX? Oh yeah - no issues there . Mitsu 3000GT VR4? Can anyone say AWD driveline seizures? Plenty of examples once you start looking.

And you're right - plenty of American made cars that keep on running despite quite a few miles and truly questionable service sometimes. I buy what I like no matter where it was made assuming I can reasonably afford it. I really want a GLE450 for the wife and a C8 Z06 for myself... but well $$$$ is a thing and I'm cheap.

 

[datechboss101]

They are not always right. Cars that were designed in and made in Japan were/are the best (now Korea i.e. kia) If you buy a first year model your bound to possible serious issues, and most likely if its made in usa. That the reality. You can baby and take care or a poorly disigned car, no matter were made it will not last you, you take a lexus and take care of it, i will last you over 1miles. Research that. Lol

Says the guy who probably only owned Toyotas and bought his first Honda because the current crop of Yotas suck.

My 2016 Nissan Rogue SL has entered this thread. In reality, my former car never had any issues at all other than being soooo boring and numb to drive, yet extremely reliable (actually the most reliable car we’ve owned to date, as I am just going through the service records that I have for a 99 Accord, my 17 MDX, former 16 Rogue and current 19 Rogue). So tell me, how my 2016 Rogue only needed oil changes and nothing else. Could’ve easily hit 200k miles without any major issues. Dealer maintained.

And she was abused alot by me during my first half of undergrad. Everyone said Nissans were unreliable. But I never had any issues with the Jatco CVT at all.

Maybe before you say incorrect stuff, check your facts again. Unreliable crapboxes exist for a reason because the owners neglect it.


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[jammike]

I had the same thought and my logic was (if I am going to keep it for "awhile," might as well do it). Not sure which part of NJ you are in but I was able to do all you mentioned around 1300 including tax at a local honda specialist around Plainfield. Also, I am sure your looked around to find coupons / service specials, but if you have not shop around - just be careful as some dealers include / exclude things like serp. belt, coolant flush etc. You can ping me separately if you want to know the indy shop

Yes I have looked around for Service Specials at Bill Vinces Acura, DCH Acura etc. Did you pay $1300 for complete Timing Belt work including Tensioner Replacement, Water Pump replacement, Coolant Flush and Spark Plugs or without Spark Plug Work ? and how far back was this work done as service charges have increased a lot in last 1 year.

 

[Av8rtrav]

The $1200 TB job sounds identical to what I was quoted for mine over at Acura. Honda on the other hand is a bit expensive. Have you looked at indie shops for the spark plug job or have you thought about working on it yourself? Spark plugs are one of the easiest jobs to do DIY.


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I would agree with belt and tensioner but hold off on plugs.
Plugs can be easy, but you can damage the aluminum threads in the engine fairly easily if you're not careful. From experience, let the car sit overnight and do it on a Saturday morning with cold engine. I got 5 out of 6 done on my CX9 and #6 locked up on me. Rather than buying a helicoil kit, i used 5 or 6 other spark plugs to basically rethread the hole and even then took significant torque to get the new one seated. Got lucky. Never had an ejection of that plug, but lesson learned. Wait for motor to cool overnight. Aluminum does not forgive. Lol.

 

[Av8rtrav]

Says the guy who probably only owned Toyotas and bought his first Honda because the current crop of Yotas suck.

My 2016 Nissan Rogue SL has entered this thread. In reality, my former car never had any issues at all other than being soooo boring and numb to drive, yet extremely reliable (actually the most reliable car we’ve owned to date, as I am just going through the service records that I have for a 99 Accord, my 17 MDX, former 16 Rogue and current 19 Rogue). So tell me, how my 2016 Rogue only needed oil changes and nothing else. Could’ve easily hit 200k miles without any major issues. Dealer maintained.

And she was abused alot by me during my first half of undergrad. Everyone said Nissans were unreliable. But I never had any issues with the Jatco CVT at all.

Maybe before you say incorrect stuff, check your facts again. Unreliable crapboxes exist for a reason because the owners neglect it.


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My 13 Altima 2.5 SL is a 1st year crapbox unfortunately. It might look nice with led lights under the rocker moldings, leather seats, nav, heated steer wheel, the works, but it is a crapbox. The only thing going for it is the reliable engine. The CVT and exhaust vibrations are awful, the camera goes out, the radio goes out, the rack & pinion is terrible, the steering response is non-existent, the front end parts just don't fit together well, the headlamps were unusable and did not illuminate the road so I had no choice but to buy OEM xenon lamps for the SL V6 model from Nissan, which thankfully much improved the lighting situation but this car... ugghh.. the day we get rid of it we are having a party.

 

[brian_tii]

I would agree with belt and tensioner but hold off on plugs.
Plugs can be easy, but you can damage the aluminum threads in the engine fairly easily if you're not careful. From experience, let the car sit overnight and do it on a Saturday morning with cold engine. I got 5 out of 6 done on my CX9 and #6 locked up on me. Rather than buying a helicoil kit, i used 5 or 6 other spark plugs to basically rethread the hole and even then took significant torque to get the new one seated. Got lucky. Never had an ejection of that plug, but lesson learned. Wait for motor to cool overnight. Aluminum does not forgive. Lol.

Interesting… I’ve never had an issue hot or cold. Wonder if that’s a common Ford thing. I know they had a lot of issues with plugs and threads on the 4.6L and 5.4L 3 valve.

 

[Av8rtrav]

Interesting… I’ve never had an issue hot or cold. Wonder if that’s a common Ford thing. I know they had a lot of issues with plugs and threads on the 4.6L and 5.4L 3 valve.

Could be. That was a Duratec 37. In 14 years and 106k miles it was a perfect motor. No pump failure. I miss that car. Miss the Aisin tranny.

 

[brian_tii]

Could be. That was a Duratec 37. In 14 years and 106k miles it was a perfect motor. No pump failure. I miss that car. Miss the Aisin tranny.

They were supposedly really solid - even the pumps typically lasted a while just when they did fail it was fun at all from what I recall in my research. A friend of mine owns a Mazda specialty shop and has posts doing the timing chain and pump on one of these. It was north of 200k and with new components I’m sure it had a lot more left in it.

Mazda tuning has always been quite exceptional and their quality especially as of late has been great too. They seem to be aiming for a sweet spot between Toyota and Lexus with a dash of performance. I’m really impressed with what they have been doing.