I am going to replace my 2014 Base MDX and have been doing the research. Looks like another MDX, but I read about issues, in general, with the 9 speed transmission. The issues seem to be more active with the 2016 and less with the 2017. However, I find very little detail about the 2018 , and believe me, I have been searching looking.
It looks like I could avoid the issues with the 9 speed entirely by waiting for the 2018 Sport Hybrid. But a 2018 SW-AHD 9 speed w/Tech would be a negotiable price (and less expensive) than the Sport Hybrid which likely won't be negotiable for quite a while.
Confusion increases with reading that the 9 speed is fixable with software updates and assuring proper fluid levels but I also read a comment from someone who claims to know an engineer who works at Z9 and claims that "the transmission is fixable". Add to the mix the fact that, after many years, Honda has designed a new transmission and that 10 speed will replace the 9 speed - an indicator that the 9 speed isn't very good?
So my question for you is where does the 9 speed transmission issue sit today relative to a 2018. Is the transmission a poor performing problem, a stinker that kind of works, just mildly annoying once in a while or not really much of an issue?
It looks like I could avoid the issues with the 9 speed entirely by waiting for the 2018 Sport Hybrid. But a 2018 SW-AHD 9 speed w/Tech would be a negotiable price (and less expensive) than the Sport Hybrid which likely won't be negotiable for quite a while.
Confusion increases with reading that the 9 speed is fixable with software updates and assuring proper fluid levels but I also read a comment from someone who claims to know an engineer who works at Z9 and claims that "the transmission is fixable". Add to the mix the fact that, after many years, Honda has designed a new transmission and that 10 speed will replace the 9 speed - an indicator that the 9 speed isn't very good?
So my question for you is where does the 9 speed transmission issue sit today relative to a 2018. Is the transmission a poor performing problem, a stinker that kind of works, just mildly annoying once in a while or not really much of an issue?