[DaleB]

It looks like my prediction was right after all. I like the engine in the current MDX, a bigger engine will likely result in poorer fuel mileage. Acura still has to do more to make the purchase of an MDX over the Pilot make sense to me. I would say as a first priority that Acura must improve the quality of the interior, such as using mar-resistant plastic and better leather, etc.

They are predicting the Pilot fully loaded will top out at 32K. Thats a good 3K below the MDX. But will it be as nice?
I don't know. From what I have seen it certainly does not look as nice inside or out, but mechanically it's the same vehicle. If Nav will be available, then that's a plus, but now a fully loaded with Nav will run about 34K.
That's really creeping into MDX and RX300 territory, so the MDX will need to make some departure from what they have now, and I suppose a bigger motor will be one way to do it.
MDX could have a bigger motor with slightly worse mileage, but runs on regular. That might be a fair trade-off.
It will be interesting to see what happens.

 

[BDMDX]

UPDATE

Just want to update the forum with what I learnt at the NY auto show. First as per several Acura employess, there will not be any major change for 2003. I specificly asked about the engine upgrade as the Pilot is out with the same engine, but their responce was that the demand is so strong for MDX that engine improvements will come at 2004 but for now as much as they no they don't expect any changes.
As for the pilot EX with Navi will be for 32K, my personal observation, first look it looks like a blown up CRV. I have been waiting to see the Pilot in person before I decide between MDX. I think MDX, is by far more upscale and the best looking suv in today's market.
Just my 2 cents.

 

[DaleB]

Re: UPDATE

I think MDX, is by far more upscale and the best looking suv in today's market.
Just my 2 cents.

I don't think you will get much argument there, at least on this forum!

 

[Pauls MDX]

BDMDX That's What I Heard

I heard the same thing for the 2003 MDX. There would be no major change, even in the engine. They are working on the 2004 for an upscale V-6 and even a V-8 option.

 

[golfinvestor]

I am dealing with Carolyn Clark at Kearny Mesa Acura in San Diego and she has been great so far. She told me they would be taking deposits for the 2003 models in the beginning of June with delivery late November. She also told me buyers coming through the Costco program not only get the car at MSRP, but all options would be at dealer cost. Such the deal!

My next mission is to find a 2002 Honda CR-V EX with auto transmission. Best price I've been able to find is out in the Palm Springs area at Honda of the Desert for $600 over invoice. Any better deals out there to be had please share.

Thanks.

Golf

 

[DaleB]

She told me they would be taking deposits for the 2003 models in the beginning of June with delivery late November.
Thanks.

I put down a deposit with a dealer last month which I was told is good for a 2002 or a 2003. I can keep refusing a 2002 and stay in line for first available 2003.
It seems if they already have people waiting for 2002's someone would get a little pissed if you made a deposit in June and got ahead of them if they decided to slip their place in qeue to get an '03. I like the Costco deal though, may go down to talk to Costco.

 

[mod]

2003 vs 2002

I've been on the list for a GG 2002 Touring w/ Nav expected this month. My enthusiasm has been high but diminished a bit from the time I put the desposit down.

I got on the website with Costco and applied for a 2003 MDX with their car buying program. I got on the list with another dealer after a $1000 deposit and I think I will wait the 6 mos. for a 2003.

I am pretty sure some of the gripes on 2001/2002 models will be addressed much as the road noise issue was improved in the 2002. What the other issues will be, who knows? I am certainly curious.

The bottom line is that if I buy a 2002 now it will be eclipsed in 6 mos by the 2003. If I buy a 2003 in October, it will be current for 12 mos. I can drive the '98 Explorer another 6 mos. and I don't think it will make a lot of difference in "its" resale value.

One thing seems evident, with the Pilot comming out this summer, they have to do a few things to the MDX to justify its existence. One rummour I heard is they may offer satellite radio as Acura owns a stake in that and perhaps On Star.

Somehow, I feel better waiting at this point.

 

[golfinvestor]

<One rummour I heard is they may offer satellite radio as Acura owns a stake in that and perhaps On Star.>

I sure hope that rumor comes true. Your logic for waiting makes perfect sense. I was hoping with the increase number of MDX's being produced the price would come down, but I'm not holding my breath.

 

[DaleB]

I was hoping with the increase number of MDX's being produced the price would come down, but I'm not holding my breath.

I would be very pleased if it stayed the same!

 

[ctxultra]

Waiting and Waiting and Waiting.........

Perhaps this will help someone who is twiddling thumbs in the 3-6 month waiting line, but it worked for me, so here goes.....

1. Made friends with the local sales staff
2. Decided on the exact model I wanted
3. Did a DEALER LOCATOR search on acura web site and printed out the list.
4. Called all the dealers within 100 miles (reasonable to me), using the dealer locator report from above.
5. From those calls, I found a sales person willing to do an internal VEHICLE LOCATOR search and fax it to me. This Acura report details dealer inventory and anticipated arrival dates of brand spank MDX's. Specifically: color, dealer #, Dealer Name, City, ST, telephone, in stock or on order, build date, expected delivery date.
6. I Highlighted the dealerships that had my MDX in stock or coming in and called them.
7. Had several dealerships calling me. Competition was great for price negotiations (surprise)
8. One week after deciding on the model I took delivery at MSRP with accessories below cost. Worked for me......no long lines!
9. Ended up buying locally to boot!

Window Tint and speaker upgrade soon! Considering Myron&Davis 10.4" flip down DVD....

 

[youngsoo-c]

Dale,
I guess you ordered one at Stevens Creek, didn't you?

I am also waiting for a Silver one from a different dealership.
I would rather stay with 2002 unless mine is delivered by early June (but I am sure it will ).

Considering all the facts and situations, the current MDX is still best choice for me.
The style of Honda Pilot does not appeal to me (seems to be a magnified version of CR-V) and a bigger engine should offset the gas mileage (and 3.5L is just right for me).
Lexus's GX450 must be more expensive, and even if RX300 is upgraded to RX350 with 3rd row seat, some people say it will happen in 2004.
According to an article on USAtoday, the 3rd row seat safety is still questionable,
"For example, GM's Buick Rendezvous, a crossover SUV based on a minivan, has just 8 inches between the third-row seat back and the tailgate glass. Ford's Explorer SUV has 13 inches. Honda's Acura MDX has about a foot, depending on how the seat's adjusted. Suzuki's XL-7 small SUV has about 13 inches of clearance, depending on the adjustment. "

So, personally, I would stay... Most of all, I want my MDX soon !!!

 

[DaleB]

Dale,
I guess you ordered one at Stevens Creek, didn't you?

I am also waiting for a Silver one from a different dealership.
I would rather stay with 2002 unless mine is delivered by early June (but I am sure it will ).
So, personally, I would stay... Most of all, I want my MDX soon !!!

No, I ordered mine at Hopkins Acura in Redwood City. I feel the same but if I can't get the colors I want (for example) I am prepared to wait until the 2003's come out.

 

[DaleB]

youngsoo

One more thing, I would not wait for a 2003 based on a larger engine. First of all, that is not confirmed. More major changes like other engines (possibly a V8 model) are anticipated for 2004.

I figure 2003 will more or less cap off the original 2001 design, and incorporate a few refinements and improvements.

 

[youngsoo-c]

Well, I was told that since Hopkins Acura is a small dealership they don't get many vehicle allocations, resulting in a long waiting list, although they don't ask "must-buy" accessories, the price of accessories are less expensive than other dealerships, and the sales persons (either Mike or a woman) are good.

No, I ordered mine at Hopkins Acura in Redwood City. I feel the same but if I can't get the colors I want (for example) I am prepared to wait until the 2003's come out.

 

[DaleB]

Everything you heard is true

Actually, I was just behind one person for a Granite Green arriving in May, so it may not be that long. Certainly not as long as the 6 to 7 month wait they told me last month when I signed up.
But if my preferences don't show up by summer I have no problem waiting for a 2003, and they know that.

 

[MDXcrazed]

For those of you who is considering waiting for a 2003, here is my experience with waiting for a 2002.

I put a deposit down on 5/1/01 and decided to wait for a 2002 (heck, no rush for a new car, also curious to see if there would be more color choices). I was the first one waiting for a 2002 in that dealership. The dealer told me that Acura usually start delivering new cars around the end of October, which turn out to be more like November. However, to get the exact color and model that I wanted, I did not get the car until mid Feb. 2002. That was 9.5 month wait! Worst than having a baby!

What I learned was that once you select the color and model, you will be placed on a sub-waiting list for that specific vehicle. So if you pick a new color, or a less popular color/model, the wait is still on after the new cars start rolling in. It all depends on the dealer allocation.

 

[DaleB]

Thanks for the info! And the dealer I am with typically gets a smaller allocation.
This week I am also pursuing a recommended auto broker in the area and see what they can come up with. Maybe I can shake a 2002 loose from somewhere.

 

[DaleB]

Well, I spoke to the auto broker and I am not all that impressed. He stands to make a minimum of $300 (my money) over the MSRP price with the benefit to me of getting a car sooner (supposedly).
But it bothered me when he said I need you to give me a cap on the car. I said, well the cap is MSRP. Why would I pay more?
So he is sounding more like one of the 'other' dealers who miraculously has a car available when you are willing to pay over MSRP.
The only thing he told me that gave me food for thought was my holding out for a Base + Navi. He said Touring + Navi have more availability.
I certainly figured that, but for what you get I always thought the extra $2600 was awful high.
Of course when you look at $37,200 against $39,800 it doesn't seem like THAT much more (I said, fooling myself).
I called Michael Andrews up at Hopkins and he has another GG coming up, Base + Nav that due to another customer wavering on color he could have for me. He said he will put down that I am to be considered for Touring + Nav also.
So we will see. I am going up to Santa Rosa next week and will stop into Prestige Motors and see where they may fit me in.
One interesting anectode, Michael told me he had a Land Rover come in, the guy wanted to do a trade in. (Probably can't sell it!) When he saw what he would get on the trade-in, decided to hold off a while. Buy Ugly, live with Ugly!

 

[MDXcrazed]

DaleB,

If you have a set budget and can't decide between Base + Nav or Tour + Nav, I would recommend that you go with Base + Nav.
Don't forget those MSRP price need to add on misc fees and tax. If you get Tour + Nav, by the time you write a check, it will be close to $43K, and that does not include any accessories.

While the touring package is nice, you really can't do much with that useless roof rack. (I have been itching to get rid of it since day one and put a Yakima rack on). But no Bose system, 17" wheel, memory seat and rear climate syncronize control is nicer than the Navigation system.

You must have read all the praises about the Nav. If nothing else, the entertainment value on the Nav is much higher than the Touring package. Spend your $2k wisely.

 

[DaleB]

Read this:

http://www.acuramdx.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=5279



I have changed my approach. I thought by making myself more available (accepting a tour+nav) my car would be more available but my dealer hardly blinked.

I agree, the roof rack and Bose don't mean a whole lot to me. (Can the rack be repleced or removed, and the open spots filed?)
I have a nice 12 disc Pioneer I will likely move from a minivan we are selling, even if I play it through FM, it is excellent. And I like having a cartridge than a bunch of disks loose in the car ( or in the dash!)
The tires are better, and the memory seat is 'nice' but hardly exciting. And the total pkg. is definitely not worth 2600 clams, but I got to have the Navi regardless, touring or not.