[bkj1s]

I was going to order a 2002 MDX this year but after thinking about it I decided to wait for the 2003 because I’m seeing a lot of new SUV’s coming out for that year like Honda, Lexus, and Volvo to name a few. I feel that there will be more competition and more room for haggling am I wrong?

 

[BarryH]

The '03 MDX is supposed to get a bigger engine and a bunch of other features to separate it from the Honda Pilot. If Acura does their job well, it should keep demand high and the MDX should remain competitive with the newer SUV's out there. So, I don't know if a huge discount on the '03 is a reasonable expectation.

 

[RedMdxMemphis]

..If Acura does their job well, it should keep demand high and the MDX should remain competitive with the newer SUV's out there. ...

Hopefully Honda keeps MDX up just like the Odyssey. Both are selling like hot cakes. Ody has been around longer and it shows no sign of going downhill (as quoted in the magazine).. Now the 2002 the MDX is the BEST pick in mid SUV in Automobile magazine (beating BMW X5)... more people would try to get it... The funny thing about the article in Automobile magazine (Feb 2002), the editor almost sounded like they regreted giving BMW X5 last year's top. Anyway, price will almost always comes down but one would have to keep on waiting....

 

[Aiya]

I am also most likely waiting till the '03 MY to place my order for a MDX. While I am completely anxious to get my hands on a '02, there are minor things which would seal the deal if Acura decides to add for next year. ie, Xenon, auto up as well as down for the front windows, hand operated e-brake, slighty wider tires (at least in the rear), stick shift as an option, and idealy the tail light mod done straight from the factory. =D heehee. Just some thoughts to throw out here.

 

[Zrelaxed]

The '03 MDX is supposed to get a bigger engine and a bunch of other features to separate it from the Honda Pilot. If Acura does their job well, it should keep demand high and the MDX should remain competitive with the newer SUV's out there. So, I don't know if a huge discount on the '03 is a reasonable expectation.

Is there any more information out there regarding changes for the upcoming 2003 MDX and the expected release date?

I'd hate to get a 2002 only to realize that 2003's came with more power...

 

[davegood]

definitely have something

If you can stand that wait, you might as well. There is a lot of talk about potential 2003 enhancements. Even if it does not receive the options of more power (which I think it may), I think that it is a safe bet that it will be slightly improved, or offer more options (like rear entertainment system or something)....

If you can wait, do it. If not, you still get a great SUV.

 

[renov8r]

Short supply -- forever??

I really believe that Acura will have a nearly impossible time dealing with their backlog.

The different vehicles that they can churn out of the Canada & Alamaba plants are (will be) in high demand for as far forward as anyone can see...

The people who need minivans will continue to grow. Ody will just add features to win more "converts". The price edge that other makes have on the low-end is somewhat false, as even the biggest fans of GM, Ford or Mopar/Mercedes would readily admit that the Ody drives better, is quieter, is just as roomy.

The Pilot should be a blockbuster -- winning over all but the hardest core buyers of "non-luxury" SUV shoppers. Ford, GM, Isuzu, Mitsu, all should be running scared.

The MDX "availibility" is truely telling. For comparison visit any luxury SUV showroom. Near me there are Range Rover dealer, a Lexus Dealer, a BMW & a Mercedes store. There are dozens or RRs ready for delivery. Ditto on RX 300. Pretty much the same on the MLs. There are about 8 X5s. The Acura dealer has exactly 3 MDX -- and all are spoken for!

The 2003 MDX would have to have several things happen to relieve the supply situation:

(in no particular order)

a huge price increase -- if the MDX entered into 50K territory it would hurt sales

another plant or portion of a plant -- currently the capacity at Canada & Alabama is about 300K. If the MDX production were doubled it would help relive the short supply.

newly improved or all new competitor -- the RX 300 could get bigger & more powerful, so could the ML-class vehicle. I don't think VW/Porsche are currently targeting the MDX size class, but they could. Caddy( and most others) have ZERO credibility among MDX target buyers...

economic carnage -- apparently enough techies in WA got out in time to live VERY comfortably even with the dot com explosion. If things get mid-1970ish in terms of interest, unemployment & gasoline then luxy cars will be hurt (along with damn near the whole planet...)

While waiting for a 2003 might make sense if you need/want to save up and/or wait for possible enhancements, I cannot believe that any of the above situations are likely enough to happen that 2003 supply will be signficantly better than 2002. Horrifyingly, I suspect that MANY of the 2001-2002 owners would be first in line if the xenons & more power were part of the 2003 -- you'd be competing with buyers who are trading up a one or two year old MDX! Acura could easily up the price of the 2003 to mid 40K and still offer the 2001-2 buyers GREAT trade-in value. This is the Lexus/M-B/BMW pricing/certified-used strategy , and it has been increbily effective...

 

[octavian]

Chuckle, chuckle check out the www.odyclub.com forum where for the past year, debates have been raging over whether one should stick with the 2000 Ody (like me) or 2001 or jump to the 2002.

So here we are debating the same question with the MDX.

What can we learn?

If you can wait, wait. The MDX in 2003 will undoubtedly have more enhancements than the 2002. But the 2004 will probably be even better.

But the changes, according to all pundits, will be evolutionary, not revolutionary.

At some point, ya gotta go with your gut. It will be a relief to have made your decision. Or will you start regretting it the moment you put your deposit down?

Ain't car buying fun?

 

[vdo]

I heard from a Honda technician that 2003 MDX engine will be 3.8 L. That will be more power, but I guess it's still V6 not V8.
I'm Ok w/ my MDX engine now. It's strong enough and mileage is affordable.

 

[RedMdxMemphis]

How big the engine you really need...?

At some point of time, one got to stop wishing, hoping and waiting and should just begin to smell the roses (and drive the MDX)

Unless you really need a big truck, the MDX the way it is is just fine. I can speed up and get out of a traffic log almost anytime I want. The MDX can run much faster but I don't speed much beyond. The accelleration is great... So talking about bigger and bigger and bigger of anything does not necessary make it any better better and better...