[thegazelle]

Second Generation MDX Owners:

Need some advice and feedback here.

So...just because nowadays I have a bit of time on my hands, I am spending time going on fun test drives of 2008 MDXes. It gives me a chance to get to feel the vehicle to see if I want one in the future. I think my biggest beef is the navigation wheel, and I guess that concern is not uncommon...I did look at a 2008 MDX in beautiful shape a few days back...BUT it had no RES (kids insist) and the seller/dealer wasn't willing to budge, not even a dime. So I said, thanks, but no thanks.

So today I went to look at another. It was a 2009 with 155,000KM on it (96,000 miles). Outside was acrtic white and I am telling you, I could not find a scratch on it. Absolutely beautiful outside, gorgeous.

Inside was beige leather...now, I have an old Volvo XC90 with beige leather and while the initial novelty of having clean leather seats years ago was nice, coupled with the fact that the light leather didn't burn my butt in the summer, now that I look at it years later, the leather looks just plain dirty and worn. The inside of the MDX was in good shape with some wear on the driver's side and some mild staining from something (looks almost like rust spots on the leather). Not a big deal - leather is supposed to crack, but it makes me appreciate my grey leather in my 2004 MDX even more.

So the specs - it is NOT an Elite (which in Canada is the equivalent of the US Sport model, which tons of people on here have warned about regarding the costly shocks). It is a Technology package, so aside from the normal stuff that is base (and in Canada, headlight washers and second row heated seats is standard) it has navigation, RES (with wireless headsets and remote controls), power liftgate and the usual stuff that comes with the trim.

The vehicle is single owner, a lady, and has been a regular customer of this dealer for a while, seller her once-dealership-bought new cars, to this wholesaler. The wholesaler has such a good relationship with her, he has a number of her service records (big plus). In addition, the Carproof turned out clean - no accident.

There are a couple of things about it that I did not like, one which I REALLY did not like. The first is that slider blind door for the cupholders seems kind of stuck - retracting it was very difficult. Second, and this one was both puzzling and really makes me wonder - the steering wheel has a spot that is really worn - like worn through to the material. Not sure what caused this...but it is tremendously ugly and unsightly.

Now, the price...I wasn't able to talk him down much, but as a wholesaler, they do have it listed for less than everyone else. I know this for a fact, and the site where I have been looking at the car rates the price as a decent deal compared to the average price - I was able to get another $500.00 knocked off that...so all this described, is being sold for around $15,000 Cdn.or $11,200 US., and that includes a 3-year powertrain warranty, and they are paying for the safety/certification/emissions test, as well as paying for my new plates and registration. There is provincial and federal sales tax on top of this, but that is neither here nor there.

Here's some photos of the vehicle that I took when I was there (it was with my cell phone so not sure about the quality)...they all show the great condition...and then there is the darn steering wheel.

All your 2G owners - what do you think? I love my 1G, and just installed the bluetooth module today...but I don't know - this to me seems like a decent deal and with one owner and service records and the manuals and 2 sets of keys and the overall condition (it also has been previously rustproofed as well, and obviously no rust on it)...I am mulling it over this evening.

 

[thegazelle]

And the darn steering wheel..

 

[skirmich]

That is not an ORIGINAL RES Package..
How you can tell:
1.- You don´t have a DVD Slot in your Center Console head unit (RES can be controlled from the Center Console).
See the 2nd Slot in this Center Console:

That is where the DVD for the Rear Entertainment System goes.

2.- Because you have 12v outlet behind the Center Console (RES Added a 110v Outlet in the Center Console which defeated the 12v behind the Rear Console).. The center console should have 3 headphone outs for the 3 people that wont be using the OEM Wireless Headphones (Rear Center Kid and 2 on the 3rd Row).

3.- This is how the OEM RES DVD screen looks:

Did you saw the Power Tailgate? Only RES and Sport (Elite in Canada) have it and your Key FOB should have an Extra Button for it but they can also be Extra Keys from a Power Tailgate model.. You need to see it in action!! If you wanna spot a power tailgate unit is easy:
Open the Tailgate and there should be an Extra Rod coming from the inner panels that pull and pushes the tailgate for you. You can see it in this picture, Its on the Top Left corner of the interior panels its a Rod that goes to the Tailgate frame

From the looks of it that is a TECH package with an Aftermarket DVD Unit and New Keys from a Power Tailgate Model.

Note: The Small "DVD" logo on the Head unit says "DVD AUDIO" which is a Special High Resolution Audio Disc that came as a DVD, The Head unit can play DVD AUDIO discs but no DVD Movies.

 

[thegazelle]

That is not an ORIGINAL RES Package..
How you can tell:
1.- You don´t have a DVD Slot in your Center Console head unit (RES can be controlled from the Center Console).
See the 2nd Slot in this Center Console:

That is where the DVD for the Rear Entertainment System goes.

2.- Because you have 12v outlet behind the Center Console (RES Added a 110v Outlet in the Center Console which defeated the 12v behind the Rear Console).. The center console should have 3 headphone outs for the 3 people that wont be using the OEM Wireless Headphones (Rear Center Kid and 2 on the 3rd Row).

3.- This is how the OEM RES DVD screen looks:

Did you saw the Power Tailgate? Only RES and Sport (Elite in Canada) have it and your Key FOB should have an Extra Button for it.
From the looks of it that is a TECH package with an Aftermarket DVD Unit.

Note: The Small "DVD" logo on the Head unit says "DVD AUDIO" which is a Special High Resolution Audio Disc that came as a DVD, The Head unit can play DVD AUDIO discs but no DVD Movies.

Very, very interesting...yes, I tested the power tailgate myself...swanky...there was a tailgate button on the tailgate underside.

Is it a bad thing that the DVD setup is not stock? The screen is huge...I didn't get a chance to test the DVD yet though as I had none on me.

Would you caution me against buying this due to the aftermarket install - I am thinking maybe it would interfere with something else.

Another possibility is this - I am wondering whether the Canadian models are configured differently - we do have the headlight washers which apparently are unique to Canada.

But what you say makes sense - clearly that combo RES unit was made by Acura and that is consistent with the previous generation (my 04 has RES and yes, the unit, albeit separate, is in the front with front controls to turn off the sound, etc. For this one, the DVD is installed on the ceiling unit.

 

[skirmich]

I wonder how the Canadian Models were equipped?
It has a Power Tailgate but no RES? Perhaps a Tech Package that was offered a Power Tailgate but no RES?

In the USA:
BASE
TECH
TECH + RES
SPORT (RES INCLUDED)

 

[thegazelle]

I wonder how the Canadian Models were equipped?
It has a Power Tailgate but no RES? Perhaps a Tech Package that was offered a Power Tailgate but no RES?

In the USA:
BASE
TECH
TECH + RES
SPORT (RES INCLUDED)

In Canada there is Technology and Elite


Technology is pretty much the same as US version of technology

Elite is a combination of Sport and Tech+RES

Your assessment is dead on. I checked the carproof report and this vehicle is a Technology trim which means that the DVD unit is aftermarket

 

[PTC DAWG]

DVD is old tech anyways....Power tailgate is something I never thought was useful, until I had it.

 

[Benson]

New steering wheel is $244. If you disassemble the console you can probably find the cause of the cover sticking. New shutter assemblies are $92 if required. Prices are USD from OEMAcuraParts.com


Both jobs are fairly easy DIY projects.

 

[thegazelle]

So...I didn't end up buying that one. Wasn't just the steering wheel, but the fact that the aftermarket DVD unit had no control from the front. That would allow the kids to go crazy and when I am driving, I can't turn off the video...the vendor also took only a cash deposit, which was kind of odd...and he wasn't willing to go down that much on the price.

So...I went to another place, a smaller mom and pop place yesterday and fell in love with a 2008 MDX...it has only 117,000 KM (72,000 miles), has the nav, factory RES, power liftgate, etc. the outside is a smoke grey colour and the inside is the beige. Great condition inside - outside has some rust spots under the door but the dealer said as part of the deal, they can send it to a body shop to sand down, prime and repaint, to which I agreed. I plan to rustproof it anyway.

The vehicle has also always been regularly serviced at Acura and I have the service records. Everything works. As part of the safety certification and included in the price, they are also including brand new rotors and pads, and also replacing the rear shocks (I found out it is the ADS system, so happy that they are covering it). Everything works and they gave me the car by myself for 30-40 minutes to drive wherever I wanted, which is great not to have a salesperson in my face while I am test driving. I couldn't find anything wrong with it, the mileage was great, and the service history is all there. It had one minor accident where the left rear bumper needed some touch up (only $300.00 so).

So I took it on the highway and goosed it. Oh man, the pick up is so much better than the 04 MDX. But the comfort ride is fantastic as is access to the radio and the arm rest thing.

So I ended up buying it and I pick it up on Friday, which happens to be my 44th birthday!

 

[Priscillababy]

So...I didn't end up buying that one. Wasn't just the steering wheel, but the fact that the aftermarket DVD unit had no control from the front. That would allow the kids to go crazy and when I am driving, I can't turn off the video...the vendor also took only a cash deposit, which was kind of odd...and he wasn't willing to go down that much on the price.

So...I went to another place, a smaller mom and pop place yesterday and fell in love with a 2008 MDX...it has only 117,000 KM (72,000 miles), has the nav, factory RES, the outside is a smoke grey colour and the inside is the beige. Great condition inside - outside has some rust spots under the door but the dealer said as part of the deal, they can send it to a body shop to sand down, prime and repaint, to which I agreed. I plan to rustproof it anyway.

The vehicle has also always been regularly serviced at Acura and I have the service records. Everything works. As part of the safety certification and included in the price, they are also including brand new rotors and pads, and also replacing the rear shocks (I found out it is the ADS system, so happy that they are covering it). Everything works and they gave me the car by myself for 30-40 minutes to drive wherever I wanted, which is great not to have a salesperson in my face while I am test driving. I couldn't find anything wrong with it, the mileage was great, and the service history is all there. It had one minor accident where the left rear bumper needed some touch up (only $300.00 so).

So I took it on the highway and goosed it. Oh man, the pick up is so much better than the 04 MDX. But the comfort ride is fantastic as is access to the radio and the arm rest thing.

So I ended up buying it and I pick it up on Friday, which happens to be my 44th birthday!

congrats and smart move- hopefully that ADS systems is truly intact and working okay, as I'm sure you're well aware that if it (ADS system) ever needs to be service and/or replaced- the US dollar cost for that can sneak up into the $4000 dollar range or more!!...those shocks aren't cheap!! :wink:

 

[thegazelle]

Thanks. I have read though (and read here as well) that a number of owners have swapped out the ADS shocks for regular ones...that may be a cheaper option later. Unfortunately in Canada, getting the RES and power tailgate means you have to have the Elite trim package, which has ADS. At least the dealer is replacing the rear (presumably with ADS).

 

[Priscillababy]

Thanks. I have read though (and read here as well) that a number of owners have swapped out the ADS shocks for regular ones...that may be a cheaper option later. Unfortunately in Canada, getting the RES and power tailgate means you have to have the Elite trim package, which has ADS. At least the dealer is replacing the rear (presumably with ADS).

that is true- I had been on the verge of swapping out my ADS shocks for regular- that was of course until I had randomly stumbled upon this very message board thread just this past December '16- which solely b/c of it, I now have a brand new 2nd gen. MDX ADS system (leaving my X driving like new again- minus the sticking gas pedal issue I still encounter whenever I subconciously floor the pedal accelerating at full speed)- all on the stealership's dime :x

http://www.mdxers.org/forums/74-second-generation-mdx-2007-2013/139058-warranty-extension-active-dampers-us-mdxs-4.html

*perhaps the thread below (related to Oh Canada!) may be of more particular interest to you...you've likely already come across this though...
http://www.mdxers.org/forums/74-second-generation-mdx-2007-2013/126170-ads-extended-warranty-notice-canada.html

 

[thegazelle]

The good news is that I am under the 160,000 KM limit (the new car has 117,000 KM). The bad news is the either/or stipulates also the mileage or December 2016, which is almost 3 months past. Also, based on the safety cert inspection so far, only the rear two have to be changed. I guess once I take the vehicle on Friday, I can just drive by Acura and ask them to switch the front as a goodwill gesture if there is nothing wrong with them...

 

[Priscillababy]

The good news is that I am under the 160,000 KM limit (the new car has 117,000 KM). The bad news is the either/or stipulates also the mileage or December 2016, which is almost 3 months past. Also, based on the safety cert inspection so far, only the rear two have to be changed. I guess once I take the vehicle on Friday, I can just drive by Acura and ask them to switch the front as a goodwill gesture if there is nothing wrong with them...

it's certainly worth trying- seems like in many cases, with regard to the peculiarities of the terms/conditions set forth within the warranty, that they aren't necessarily written in stone...

in the end, it may just come down to whether or not the service advisor/stealership in question is having a bad day and/or is just a d*** by default...good luck! :29:

 

[thegazelle]

Well, I just got a call from the dealer....Acura dealership is actually replacing the back two shocks as part of the deal with the car...glad Acura doing it rather than a third party...so definitely they are putting in ADS shocks which makes the deal even sweeter. I wish they would do the front as well but the front didn't need to be done...kind of weird as I thought all four done at the same time.

 

[thegazelle]

Actually, an update on this one, which I should have done last week. When I picked up the car, I was pleasantly surprised to find out that the Acura dealership was asked by the mom and pop dealership to replace ALL FOUR (4) ADS shocks/dampers at no charge (at least no charge to me). They did it because they really didn't want two new shocks and two old ones and in a year, I now have an expensive repair bill. I'm not sure they actually know how much Acura charges for these, but they got it done. They also found a steering pump recall and replaced that too. Along with the new rotors and pads, and the body work which looks great, I'd say this was one of the best deals I ever had.

Everyone at work thinks it is an 2013-14, from the outside and in. Of course, most of them don't know the 2014 is a redesign year.

I just took one of my good buddies and his son out to dinner tonight. They tell me FOR SURE GUARANTEED it is a 2012-2014. They say they know because of the condition and the 117,000 kilometers. I will wait until next week to shock them with the news it is a 2008.

For those who encouraged me to buy this, thanks. I really liked the 2004 model, but I absolutely LOVE the 2008. Still not a fan of the wheel, but the comfort, styling, and access to all these functions not to mention it looks great from the outside - I am very pleased. Gas mileage is very poor - I am averaging 18-19L / 100KM, which is really awful (while not a apples to apples comparison, my sister's new Mazda 3 does 6.7 L / 100KM. My 04 MDX did about 14L / 100KM which is bad, but not this bad. Still I wouldn't trade the 2G for anything. For the person who mentioned design modernity, you are correct. It looks like a current model even 9 years later whereas the 1G looks like it is from the turn of the century. I still love the 1G though, but my daily car is the 2G.

 

[skirmich]

Congrats on your buy! Told yah the 2G MDX was worth it
Where are you seeing those MPGs? and how do you drive ex: How much RPMs do you see often out of 1st gear?

 

[thegazelle]

Congrats on your buy! Told yah the 2G MDX was worth it
Where are you seeing those MPGs? and how do you drive ex: How much RPMs do you see often out of 1st gear?

Skirmich, your assessments and others' assessments were right on and had a great influence on my decision. This board gave me info that i may not have otherwise considered

The mpg or in Canada the Liters / 100km i get off the MID on the trip info section. It is now my main screen so i see the live data change on every trip. But before every fillup i record the info in my notebook

 

[skirmich]

I mean those Km per Liter are being given 100% in the City? or Mixed Driving? or Highway?
And how much RPMs do you see when you get out of a stop sign? This is important because the MDX efficiency is highly dependent on how you drive.

 

[Priscillababy]

.... but I absolutely LOVE the 2008. Still not a fan of the wheel.....

If ever you're in a situation where you have a day to kill, some extra cash at hand, and ever decide to replace/upgrade the wheels, check out this this particular message board's (likely) most viewed thread to help give you some ideas!!: :29:

http://www.mdxers.org/forums/74-second-generation-mdx-2007-2013/30125-pics-2nd-generation-mdx-aftermarket-rims.html

<img src="http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/hh131/s2k000L/MDX%20New%20Shoes%20Oct%202012/MDXsNewShoesProfile1Oct2012.jpg?t=1350834216">
<img src="http://www.mdxers.org/forums/attachments/second-generation-mdx-2007-2013/45289d1364923723-pics-2nd-generation-mdx-aftermarket-rims-mdxzdx5.jpg">
<img src="http://www.mdxers.org/gallery/500/Side_4.jpg">
<img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4153/5175470166_f4e1751d09_b.jpg">
<img src="http://www.ronjonwheels.com/ronjonimages/large/s28.jpg">