Thanks everyone for your inputs! As for the model year, would you recommend a 2010+ or the 2008-2009 is still a smart choice ? (It is also better for my budget)
I know there is a slight decrease in MPG for the 2008-2009 because of their 5 speed tranny. Anything else I should be aware of?
The City MPGs difference is hardly noticeable due to erratic shift pattern program in the 6 Speed.
In real world scenario both should give comparable City MPGs but the 6 Speed will edge the 5 Speed on 0 to 60 in a hard WOT. Hwy wise they are the same since 5 and 6th speed are the same ratios as the 4 and 5th in the 5 speed so hwy mpg is the same on both cars. You can check Fuelly.com for more info on MPGs just compare 07-09 to 10-13 and the difference is minimal.
My personal MPGs in my 2007 varies due to different driving patterns..
1.- If I drive it like I love to drive it (SS all the time, shifts in the 3-4K area?) I will get abysmal 11-13mpg city.
2.- If I drive it like I have to keep the same gas tank all year long I can get it up to 16-17mpg city but hipermiling the MDX is really boring, Kills your soul all the way and you will get middle fingers every time you leave a stop light since you have to avoid going above 2K RPM.
3.- On the Hwy my personal best is 32mpgs (Tested on the pump as well) but this is with a perfect low traffic, flat ground and no wind scenario so not your typical Mpgs for the hwy.
4.- On the Hwy driving normally with elevation changes and traffic I can get it to do 22-24mpgs around 90% of the times at 70mph, Above +75mph you will kill MPGs and Fast.
So decidedly the worst Mpgs will always be CITY MPGs on the big fat X unless you drive it really, REALLY SLOW.
2010 and above got a nice bump in tech goodies for me personally Adaptive Cruise Control is a MUST! but then again 2010 and above got horrible oil consumption issues although some members will say otherwise is just a matter of going online and searching for reliability issues on car complaint sites about the 2010-2013 models, Number 1 issue will always be oil consumption issues on all 3 years of the facelift model.. While the 07-09 models will always have the HFL module as the No 1 complaint so pick your poison!