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What would you do? New 08 Rav4 v6 Limited vs. Used 2005 Acura MDX?

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
Hi. I've been considering buying a Silver 2008 V6 RAV4 Limited 4x4 for a couple of weeks now since I began researching smaller SUVs. I currently have a 2001 Dodge Stratus SE with 93,000 miles and am feeling its time for a replacement. Anyhow, after much agonizing, I finally chose the aforementioned RAV4 and got an excellent price from my friend who is a salesman at the dealership.

I had planned on buying an Acura TL as my next vehicle, but couldn't quite justify the payment. I have a work vehicle and typically drive my personal car about 200 miles a week (go to class at night.. highway miles). Also, given the snowy winters here, I decided to get at least 1 SUV as my wife has an 07 Corolla S.

Recently, I began researching the MDX (excluded RDX because of 4-cyl despite Turbo). I was curious as to what a used MDX would be in comparison to a new RAV4. At the same dealership, they have a 2005 Silver MDX (not touring/nav) with 33,000 miles for 24,999 MSRP. I haven't seen it yet, test driven it yet or obtained a buying price.

I figured this forum may be a bit biased towards the RAV4, but I have been using it as an excellent research tool in my analysis of the RAV4.

What would you buy in this situation? Are their common problems with the MDX?

My decision is being influenced by:

1: Gas mileages isn't huge as I have a vehicle for work.
2: New vs. Used
3: Luxury Vehicle versus "Perceived" Chick Car (I'm sorry to bring this up again, but I've already heard it about 9x since I mentioned buying one despite the changes in the body style).
4: Comfort factors..
5: Not wanting a massive monthly payment (why I would never buy a new MDX). I'm thinking of putting about 5k down.

Any insight would be greatly appreciated.
 
#2 ·
TimC said:
I figured this forum may be a bit biased towards the RAV4, but I have been using it as an excellent research tool in my analysis of the RAV4.

What would you buy in this situation? .
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Just a wee bit, I'd say. :D Well, I can tell you what I did. I bought a new 08 Limited V6 AWD.

Acura makes nice vehicles and I am not knocking them, but unless you need the MDX's size, why take a chance and buy somebody's used SUV? I'd rather have a new one.

If you do a simple comparo, notice all the superlatives that the 08 RAV V6 has over most the competition. But then I am a bit biased.
 
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#3 ·
My coworker got a 2006 MDX last year and he likes it. He says it handles almost as well as his Audi A4.

As for your questions...

1 - The MDX is bigger and will waste more gas, but IIHS did a study that showed a lower death rate with heavier SUVs.
Image

http://www.iihs.org/research/fatality_facts/occupants.html

2 - The MDX is very reliable according to Consumer Reports and MSN. So I don't see an issue of it being used. The MDX is older than a new RAV4, but the MDX still also has the same safety features. Either one is fine.
http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/cars/models/used/acura/mdx/reliability.htm
http://autos.msn.com/research/vip/reliability.aspx?year=2004&make=Acura&model=MDX

3 - No need to "perceive", here are some numbers... The 2007 RAV4 has 59% female drivers and the 2007 MDX has 32% female drivers (I can't find data for the 2005).
http://www.jdpower.com/autos/toyota/rav4/2007
http://www.jdpower.com/autos/acura/mdx/2007

4 - As for comfort, you'll have to test drive both. It's a personal preference.

5 - $5k down is pretty tiny. Do you really need a new car now or maybe you should save up some more. You'll loose a lot of money in interest. Or maybe consider a used RAV4 to lower your interest loss even more.
 
Discussion starter · #4 ·
MDX, no question. It's a much nicer vehicle. You should absolutely check it out for yourself.
 
#6 ·
I have to say that I am biased towards new cars. SO I would opt for the rav over the mdx. With that said you will most likely get a more luxurious ride with the MDX. My parents own one and I have driven the car and they are amazing. With that said the actual gas mileage is not great and would be no where near the rav. Since you aren't going to drive it a ton that might not matter too much, but its something to think of.

At least you have good options.

Best of luck!
 
#7 ·
I had a 04 MDX, traded it in after 2 years. The last generation MDX has many problems, the chances of getting a used lemon is pretty high. Typical of Honda products, the MDX has one of the best engine on the market. The transmission however, is another story. Along with many built quality issues, the older MDX also has many design issues that Acura refuse to address until the recent redesign. As for the poster who mention the MDX handles like a Audi A4 :). Sorry, not even close, I think the RAV sport handle better than the old MDX.
 
#8 ·
The MDX already has a new version out this year and it's a bit better. If you don't mind buying a "new to you" vehicle that's an older model and not sure how they took care of the car, you can get a nicer interior car for less money that will depreciate less. Of course if you try to sell it, it's going to be considered a 3rd hand car and you will get less.

Of course with that said, the Toyota is new but as with all new cars, it will depreciate the fastest when new. You know the history of the car and it's up to you how you maintain it and break it in.

It boils down to how long you plan on keeping the car and what luxuries you have to have or can live without.
 
#9 ·
Another thing to keep in mind is that the RAV is better than the last version of the MDX in the snow. My MDX use to spin out in 3 or 4 inches of snow and it was suppose to have VSC. I have a hard time spinning out my RAV. Here in the Northeast we had 2 big storm the last 2 weeks. I saw on the news 2 Honda pilot spinned out and cause accidents in two diff. instances. The Pilot essentially have the same AWD system as the older MDX and share some of design flaws as well.
 
#10 ·
I have both, my wife drives the MDX I drive the RAV4. We have had our MDX for three years, bought used with 30,000 miles. It now has 60,000 miles, my RAV has 11,000. You can not compare the materials, the MDX uses very high quality parts, the RAV feels cheap in comparison. Neither vehicle has ever required repair. The MDX has had a lot of abuse with the kids, it is almost impossible to wear out the leather, or break interrior parts. The RAV is already showing signs of wear, less than a year old. The MDX is very smooth riding, the RAV is reasonably close. The RAV feels like a sports car when you push it, the MDX is reasonably quick, but not in the same class.

When given the choice, my wife picks the RAV because of the sporty feel, I pick the MDX because of the status and comfort. Part of the reason my wife likes the RAV, is the built in Navi, and 11" monitors for the kids. I chose not to upgrade the MDX that way since we use the RAV more as a family car due to MPG. The third row in the MDX is much bigger than our third row in the RAV. I don't think you have a bad choice between the two. For us MPG was an issue which is why I don't drive the MDX to work. I would guess the MDX will lose a lot of resale in a few years, where the RAV won't so think about how long you want to keep it. Extended warranty on MDX is about twice the price. If MPG were not an issue, I rather drive the MDX.
 
#12 ·
The G Man said:
kaiserseal said:
You can not compare the materials, the MDX uses very high quality parts.
Click to expand...
Yup, the MDX has some of the highest quality of plastic wood trims I have ever seen in a $40000 car :)
Click to expand...
Okay an example, my girl spilled apple juice on the leather and we found it a week later, it came right off. The leather with two young kids, thier friends, snacks, carseats, puke, and the dog have not been able to age the interrior at all. Our former expedition looked like hell two years old. The RAV seats after two months began to loosen at the seams. The MDX dash is that soft ruberized material, the RAV feels like fisher price hard plastic. The MDX is padded leather everywhere you touch, nice chrome accents, and a very solid feel. The MDX does not use any natural wood, and having owned an RL with wood, the MDX is very obviously plastic, but still, our 2002 has no rattles, the RAV pops and rattles quite a bit. They are day and night. I think the RAV compares very well in its class, the MDX is not in its class. The MDX does almost everything right, it is pretty good off road, and seems to be built to last a long time. My wife has had about five accidents that required body work (mailboxes, trees, Mc Donnalds) and the truck is still silent and cleans up like new. The RAV with its great engine and fun feel could not stand up to her abuse. Compare the MDX to Toyotas that cost about the same, like the 4 Runner, and you get a pretty good bang for you buck from Acura.
 
#13 ·
Well, kaiserseal, like I have said before, I think you have one of few good MDX that Acura built. The early 1st generation of MDX is well known to have many design and quality problems, and I think you have acknowledged that you have a few of them.
As far as the leather seats, if you want leather seats, you should have gotten it in the RAV too, then it will be protected from the apple juice and such. The perforated leather on the MDX actually does not wear well. It wrinkles easily and when wet, it will fuzz up when the liquid soak into the padding from those tiny holes.
I get a kick out of people who complains about the hard dash board material. How many times do you actually touch the soft dash and say to yourself, this is dash is nice and soft :).
The MDX is actually padded vinyl everywhere you touch, not leather, only the seating surface area is made of leather.
The MDX is no more of an off road SUV than the RAV, in fact the RAV is better in the snow and have a much better VSC system. I guess you can compare the older MDX to a 4runner, the 4runner are much better built and is a real heavy duty truck, unlike the MDX.
Off road or in the snow, the 4runner just make the MDX look silly.
 
#15 ·
The G Man said:
Well, kaiserseal, like I have said before, I think you have one of few good MDX that Acura built. The early 1st generation of MDX is well known to have many design and quality problems, and I think you have acknowledged that you have a few of them.
As far as the leather seats, if you want leather seats, you should have gotten it in the RAV too, then it will be protected from the apple juice and such. The perforated leather on the MDX actually does not wear well. It wrinkles easily and when wet, it will fuzz up when the liquid soak into the padding from those tiny holes.
I get a kick out of people who complains about the hard dash board material. How many times do you actually touch the soft dash and say to yourself, this is dash is nice and soft :).
The MDX is actually padded vinyl everywhere you touch, not leather, only the seating surface area is made of leather.
The MDX is no more of an off road SUV than the RAV, in fact the RAV is better in the snow and have a much better VSC system. I guess you can compare the older MDX to a 4runner, the 4runner are much better built and is a real heavy duty truck, unlike the MDX.
Off road or in the snow, the 4runner just make the MDX look silly.
Click to expand...
Opinions vary, CR rates it pretty high outside of the tranny ( which could cost over $5000 to repair) I don't really compare it to the lexus. The RX is so small, it is at least a class below the MDX, if not in price, in size. I have also been flamed by others but the MDX can be a guys truck, the RX seems very feminine to me.

I have never had it in snow, but after the hurricanes, I took it off onto the interstate in the mud, and drove around a lot of other SUVs that could not push through. I could feel the transfer of power, and was pretty impressed. I expect to keep my MDX until 2012, ten years old. So far, very satisified. As a side note I have always owned cars with leather, my RAV is aftermarket. My RL and MDX had the best leather in my opinion. Ford was the worst. The aftermarket RAV leather is holding up well, but kind of stiff. Perhaps I could have done better if I dug in deeper.
 
#16 ·
My hommie drives a Pilot which I believe share the same chassis, engine, tranny, awd system as the older MDX. I noticed the body isn't that rigid. Everytime we need to make right turn and climb to a hilly road on the way home I can hear the body twist squeaking. Never happen to my RAV4 though. Almost got myself a Pilot but not after knowing the 18MPG and that body squeak. Also, the body is too wide for LA roads. I must admit it handles quiet well in high speed for an SUV. Used to drive the pilot to 100mph and it picked up real fast. Sucessfully, tailgated a nosy crossfire and 350Z driver as easy as a pie. :) Lose in about 2 body length head to head with an '07 Frontier. Not bad for .5L smaller engine size.
 
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Discussion starter · #17 ·
I test drove the MDX today (I drove the RAV4 twice already) and fell in love with it. I'm buying it tomorrow. Thank you for all of the input. Based on the research I conducted, your comments and several of my friends' expertise, I don't think either decision would have been a bad one.
 
#19 ·
The G Man said:
Another thing to keep in mind is that the RAV is better than the last version of the MDX in the snow. My MDX use to spin out in 3 or 4 inches of snow and it was suppose to have VSC. I have a hard time spinning out my RAV. Here in the Northeast we had 2 big storm the last 2 weeks. I saw on the news 2 Honda pilot spinned out and cause accidents in two diff. instances. The Pilot essentially have the same AWD system as the older MDX and share some of design flaws as well.
Click to expand...
If you're spinning out in both cars, then the problem is with your driving. Don't blame the car if you can't drive properly.
 
#20 ·
mhgsx said:
The G Man said:
Another thing to keep in mind is that the RAV is better than the last version of the MDX in the snow. My MDX use to spin out in 3 or 4 inches of snow and it was suppose to have VSC. I have a hard time spinning out my RAV. Here in the Northeast we had 2 big storm the last 2 weeks. I saw on the news 2 Honda pilot spinned out and cause accidents in two diff. instances. The Pilot essentially have the same AWD system as the older MDX and share some of design flaws as well.
Click to expand...
If you're spinning out in both cars, then the problem is with your driving. Don't blame the car if you can't drive properly.
Click to expand...
Please read my post before you respond. I said I can spin out my MDX easily but not the RAV. :roll:
 
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