Hi All:
___First off, I want to thank all the present and future MDX owners for sharing their time in educating us hopeful new MDX owners with our future purchase. This is truly a great resource for the enthusiast and general use MDX owner.
___So far, I have been very interested in threads discussing 87 vs. 91 Octane, Pilot vs. MDX comparisons, $’s under MSRP in Florida and possibly DFW, Zaino, and of course Tim’s MDX accessory store and group buys … I have a few questions and comments.
___In the 87 vs. 91 Octane threads, I see the Pilot producing the same power (although the torque curves are more than likely completely different) at an imperceptibly different RPM using Regular Unleaded. Does anyone ever mash their foot into the floor for 5000 RPM + operation? I am almost ready to purchase an MDX for a 10 + year life span and this kind of activity seems to trounce on that idea? Engine performance between the two may matter to Car and Driver or Motor Week but to the average owner? I have a 92 Previa heading for the sales lot now and I have never mashed my foot to the floor even though I have had it in almost every state in the lower 48, pulled Landscape trailers far exceeding what most anyone here would pull with their MDX’s over short hauls, and weighs as much as an MDX yet only produces 140 HP! God only knows what I am going to do with a 240 HP automobile … Highway mileage in the Pilot seems to have dropped just a tad which may be accounted for with the lower Octane fuel and if so, I could only assume you have to weigh the lowered highway mileage against the cost of fuel. $150.00 to $200.00 in ones pocket per year is $1,500.00 - $2,000.00 over a typical cars lifespan and this is real money. Mentioning ones reasons to use Premium fuel vs. regular unleaded based on the cost of the vehicle purchased or because that is what the manual recommends for the maximum HP potential is a poorly thought out solution IMO. If I could only purchase an MDX with a detuned 170 HP 3.5 L but getting 26 - 27 MPG highway …
___In the MDX vs. Pilot comparisons, the Pilot looks like a bread box (higher Cd) whereas the MDX … most here know which looks superior and the MDX probably slips the wind somewhat better Similarly, I thought luxury was to be mentioned in the same breath as a smooth and comfortable ride + performance? By all appearances, the MDX will be tuned for an even harsher ride in 2003? I don’t test the skid pad limits in any car I own and by all appearances, no one else would either. If my vehicle is at its limits, I could appreciate the extra .01 G’s on the pad but in real life day to day situations as well as even emergency situations, I would gladly take the smoother tuned suspension given most would not challenge their vehicle with the softer ride to its extremes in the first place … I guess that is my small rant. Can someone please place the Pilot’s suspension on my future MDX, please?
___In the MSRP + options threads, it appears as if Acura dealers not only know how to infuriate loyal Acura owners but piss off just about everyone in the business with unrealistically high option price add-ons, higher than MSRP in a lot of cases, overly priced interval maintenance costs, for pure profit motivation instead of attempting to satisfy the customer for a future Acura vehicle purchases, and a general “you will accept my terms regardless if I screw you or not”? I see some dealers trying to move away from this activity now that the 2003’s have been announced in a somewhat limited form but my god, I hear less complaints about Ford and Chevy dealers from those I work with! A month ago, my local Acura dealer (Libertyville, IL.) wanted to add all the accessories at over inflated prices on top of MSRP for a 2002 MDX Touring whereas I just received an E-Mail yesterday stating they will now just ask for MSRP w/ no options attached … Makes me want to drive to the Central Florida or DFW area Acura dealers just to stay clear of the highway robbers here in Northern IL. It is not about MSRP as I will probably be paying this regardless but its that extra $500.00 - $1,000.00 that makes the difference between a customer that comes back for a future TL and one that heads over to the local Lexus dealer to purchase an ES.
___On a similar note, Acura Canada sells the MDX in Touring trim (I know they do not call it this) for almost $7,000.00 less and it has an even longer warranty. This isn’t an Acura dealer problem but Honda Motor Company taking the Americans to the cleaners. Lastly, I compared prices of the Pilots accessories like all-weather floor mats ($119.00 vs. $124.70 installed), cargo tray ($89.00 vs. $139.70 installed), rear splash guards ($42.00 vs. $89.80 installed), and sidesteps ($499.00 vs. $626.00 installed). I can see the sidesteps and rear splash guards as it takes ~ an hour each to install but $50.00 for a cargo tray just because it says Acura on it? Someone is definitely reaching up the profit scale on these items …
___Zaino … What more do I have to say. The pic’s are worth a thousand words and I have some of the product on order now
___Tim, how many more accolades can I add. You have provided a great service for the MDX owner and I look forward to purchasing from you in the not to distant future over and over again.
___Good Luck
___Wayne R. Gerdes
___Hunt Club Farms Landscaping Ltd.
___Waynegerdes@earthlink.net
___First off, I want to thank all the present and future MDX owners for sharing their time in educating us hopeful new MDX owners with our future purchase. This is truly a great resource for the enthusiast and general use MDX owner.
___So far, I have been very interested in threads discussing 87 vs. 91 Octane, Pilot vs. MDX comparisons, $’s under MSRP in Florida and possibly DFW, Zaino, and of course Tim’s MDX accessory store and group buys … I have a few questions and comments.
___In the 87 vs. 91 Octane threads, I see the Pilot producing the same power (although the torque curves are more than likely completely different) at an imperceptibly different RPM using Regular Unleaded. Does anyone ever mash their foot into the floor for 5000 RPM + operation? I am almost ready to purchase an MDX for a 10 + year life span and this kind of activity seems to trounce on that idea? Engine performance between the two may matter to Car and Driver or Motor Week but to the average owner? I have a 92 Previa heading for the sales lot now and I have never mashed my foot to the floor even though I have had it in almost every state in the lower 48, pulled Landscape trailers far exceeding what most anyone here would pull with their MDX’s over short hauls, and weighs as much as an MDX yet only produces 140 HP! God only knows what I am going to do with a 240 HP automobile … Highway mileage in the Pilot seems to have dropped just a tad which may be accounted for with the lower Octane fuel and if so, I could only assume you have to weigh the lowered highway mileage against the cost of fuel. $150.00 to $200.00 in ones pocket per year is $1,500.00 - $2,000.00 over a typical cars lifespan and this is real money. Mentioning ones reasons to use Premium fuel vs. regular unleaded based on the cost of the vehicle purchased or because that is what the manual recommends for the maximum HP potential is a poorly thought out solution IMO. If I could only purchase an MDX with a detuned 170 HP 3.5 L but getting 26 - 27 MPG highway …
___In the MDX vs. Pilot comparisons, the Pilot looks like a bread box (higher Cd) whereas the MDX … most here know which looks superior and the MDX probably slips the wind somewhat better Similarly, I thought luxury was to be mentioned in the same breath as a smooth and comfortable ride + performance? By all appearances, the MDX will be tuned for an even harsher ride in 2003? I don’t test the skid pad limits in any car I own and by all appearances, no one else would either. If my vehicle is at its limits, I could appreciate the extra .01 G’s on the pad but in real life day to day situations as well as even emergency situations, I would gladly take the smoother tuned suspension given most would not challenge their vehicle with the softer ride to its extremes in the first place … I guess that is my small rant. Can someone please place the Pilot’s suspension on my future MDX, please?
___In the MSRP + options threads, it appears as if Acura dealers not only know how to infuriate loyal Acura owners but piss off just about everyone in the business with unrealistically high option price add-ons, higher than MSRP in a lot of cases, overly priced interval maintenance costs, for pure profit motivation instead of attempting to satisfy the customer for a future Acura vehicle purchases, and a general “you will accept my terms regardless if I screw you or not”? I see some dealers trying to move away from this activity now that the 2003’s have been announced in a somewhat limited form but my god, I hear less complaints about Ford and Chevy dealers from those I work with! A month ago, my local Acura dealer (Libertyville, IL.) wanted to add all the accessories at over inflated prices on top of MSRP for a 2002 MDX Touring whereas I just received an E-Mail yesterday stating they will now just ask for MSRP w/ no options attached … Makes me want to drive to the Central Florida or DFW area Acura dealers just to stay clear of the highway robbers here in Northern IL. It is not about MSRP as I will probably be paying this regardless but its that extra $500.00 - $1,000.00 that makes the difference between a customer that comes back for a future TL and one that heads over to the local Lexus dealer to purchase an ES.
___On a similar note, Acura Canada sells the MDX in Touring trim (I know they do not call it this) for almost $7,000.00 less and it has an even longer warranty. This isn’t an Acura dealer problem but Honda Motor Company taking the Americans to the cleaners. Lastly, I compared prices of the Pilots accessories like all-weather floor mats ($119.00 vs. $124.70 installed), cargo tray ($89.00 vs. $139.70 installed), rear splash guards ($42.00 vs. $89.80 installed), and sidesteps ($499.00 vs. $626.00 installed). I can see the sidesteps and rear splash guards as it takes ~ an hour each to install but $50.00 for a cargo tray just because it says Acura on it? Someone is definitely reaching up the profit scale on these items …
___Zaino … What more do I have to say. The pic’s are worth a thousand words and I have some of the product on order now
___Tim, how many more accolades can I add. You have provided a great service for the MDX owner and I look forward to purchasing from you in the not to distant future over and over again.
___Good Luck
___Wayne R. Gerdes
___Hunt Club Farms Landscaping Ltd.
___Waynegerdes@earthlink.net