I see threads here with topics like "What can I buy for $10k or less" and "I need a cheap SUV" so here is my report of my '05 MDX.
I'm not really an SUV guy and this was the first thing I've purchased that did not have a clutch pedal. But 2 years ago I needed a new daily beater. I'm not gonna go all TFL and lecture people on spending money, but I'm 42 and until '09 I had spent every month of my adult life mailing off a car payment and I just got sick of it. So I picked this up. I got it at the end of the year so the dealer was willing to let it go cheap, I have clients that are car dealers so I was able to look at all the Manheim auction reports so I knew exactly where I needed to be in it.
It had 109k on it. I'm up to 136k now.
Mechanical malfunctions: 0
I put this in the dash to bring it up to modern standards - bluetooth, ipod, sat radio, backup camera, etc.
A couple of the dash lights were out so I replaced them, the bulbs are cheap. It needed the full 105k service and I got it all done for $390 - fluids, timing belt, etc.
It's a great car. Acuras are built like tanks. Buying a black car in this part of the country is stupid, but both A/C units are great. We don't have spawn but I've used the 3rd row seat several times transporting family and tailgating with folks at FSU games.
The J35 has plenty of power, I haven't tried to tow anything but it came with the factory towing package. Trans oil cooler. I've been suspicious of Honda slush boxes for as long as I can remember, but so far so good.
It's a comfortable, quiet car. We did a couple of 13 hour days last spring on a road trip to D.C. and you can drive all day in that thing.
One of the things that has really impressed me is the VTM-4 and the stability control. We have torrential downpours here from time to time, and that thing just powers through adverse conditions. I've driven through some hellacious crap where standing water was sheeting over the roof and the VSA light activates and the AWD and the minions in the ECU correct everything and pull you through.
Gas mileage could better. Fuelly says 18.1 mpgs over the time I've had it. With the A/C on full blast in the summer it dips down in the 14s around town, I've seen 22-23 on the interstate if I keep it around 72-73.
The worst thing I can say about it is that it doesn't have any power outlets in the back row seats. When you're stuck in post-game traffic with 7 people that have low batteries on their phones, it's annoying. Also it doesn't have enough cup holders, but if that's all I can find to complain about, well, ****.
Anyway, if you need a cheap people hauler or something that could work like a pickup in a pinch, you could do a lot worse. My plan is to drive it another year and put another 15k on it and dump it for a newer model. Probably.
I'm not really an SUV guy and this was the first thing I've purchased that did not have a clutch pedal. But 2 years ago I needed a new daily beater. I'm not gonna go all TFL and lecture people on spending money, but I'm 42 and until '09 I had spent every month of my adult life mailing off a car payment and I just got sick of it. So I picked this up. I got it at the end of the year so the dealer was willing to let it go cheap, I have clients that are car dealers so I was able to look at all the Manheim auction reports so I knew exactly where I needed to be in it.
It had 109k on it. I'm up to 136k now.
Mechanical malfunctions: 0
I put this in the dash to bring it up to modern standards - bluetooth, ipod, sat radio, backup camera, etc.
A couple of the dash lights were out so I replaced them, the bulbs are cheap. It needed the full 105k service and I got it all done for $390 - fluids, timing belt, etc.
It's a great car. Acuras are built like tanks. Buying a black car in this part of the country is stupid, but both A/C units are great. We don't have spawn but I've used the 3rd row seat several times transporting family and tailgating with folks at FSU games.
The J35 has plenty of power, I haven't tried to tow anything but it came with the factory towing package. Trans oil cooler. I've been suspicious of Honda slush boxes for as long as I can remember, but so far so good.
It's a comfortable, quiet car. We did a couple of 13 hour days last spring on a road trip to D.C. and you can drive all day in that thing.
One of the things that has really impressed me is the VTM-4 and the stability control. We have torrential downpours here from time to time, and that thing just powers through adverse conditions. I've driven through some hellacious crap where standing water was sheeting over the roof and the VSA light activates and the AWD and the minions in the ECU correct everything and pull you through.
Gas mileage could better. Fuelly says 18.1 mpgs over the time I've had it. With the A/C on full blast in the summer it dips down in the 14s around town, I've seen 22-23 on the interstate if I keep it around 72-73.
The worst thing I can say about it is that it doesn't have any power outlets in the back row seats. When you're stuck in post-game traffic with 7 people that have low batteries on their phones, it's annoying. Also it doesn't have enough cup holders, but if that's all I can find to complain about, well, ****.
Anyway, if you need a cheap people hauler or something that could work like a pickup in a pinch, you could do a lot worse. My plan is to drive it another year and put another 15k on it and dump it for a newer model. Probably.