Hatchman

Long story short, but the wife is going to need a new car. She has been driving a Dodge Caravan, 4 cylinder, for the past 5 years, her company car, and loves the room, versatility, and gas mileage it gets (22mpg@80mph) for this size of vehicle.

The Lightning and the Mustang are too much for her to handle, so those will be staying, which is a good deal for me. Spec clutch is a pain in the **** to drive, and she says the L is too big for her, and both have too much power for her to handle. Not to mention, any damage she would inflict on them would be very bad for our relationship. She just doesn't know and treat cars like I do. She treats them like a mode to get to work, I treat them like my pride and joy, especially since we have no children.

So, she wants to get a mini van, but I'm trying to talk her into a SUV or Crossover type vehicle.
She likes the look of the Nissan Murano, but I want something with a little towing capacity in case we need it. I tow my 7x14 vnose enclosed trailer w/sportbikes to the track, and if more than 2 people are going, the L is not very cozy for three.

So I am looking at the Acura MDX. Comes with the 300hp, which isn't bad. And it seems like a fairly safe and luxurious car. The SH-AWD sounds pretty neat, and a nice safety feature for wet/slippery conditions, but I heard it sucks up a lot of horsepower.

Anybody have any experience or thought/opinions on this model? Looking for an '07 with low miles, since these things tend to depreciate a lot in the first few years, and she doesn't want a brand new car. They also redesigned them in '07, so want to stick with the new design.

Thanks for all inputs, good and bad.

codeman94

MDX is nice...turbo too....but acura? how about an edge SEL AWD?

Zastava_101

Really? The last I heard is that Honda/Acura depreciate the least.

Are you looking for SUV or crossover? Based on the info that you gave us, I would go with Mercury Mountaneer. Towing is great, is just as luxury as Acura, and they're really cheap these days since barely anyone is buying them. Gas mileage might be a problem since Mountaneer doesn't get more than 13-15 mpg city and 19-21 highway, but Acura MDX is not more economical at all (15 mpg city, 20 mpg highway).

Hatchman

I don't think they have turbo, just the 3.7L V6. Wife is a big fan of Honda/Acura, wants something that is reliable and has it in her head that Honda/Acura is the most reliable.

Don't know much on the Edge SEL AWD, but will look into it, thanks!

Hatchman

The guys on the Acura MDX forum were saying this thing depreciates like a rock, for some reason. Maybe a few "new Buyers" just heard stories of people getting great deals on used ones.

I am keeping options open for either SUV or CUV, but need at least 20 MPG.

Zastava_101

MDX gets 15 mpg city, 20 mpg highway.

Mountaneer gets 13-15 mpg city, 19-21 mpg highway.

MBK

you know, i'd go with an edge. i like the way they look

97svtgoin05gt

Back in 02-03 the MDX had transmission issues, each one boning their owners for about $4,000+ to replace and Acura wasn't hearing any of it. I'd make sure stuff like that has been resolved before jumping in. I know a loaded up new one will set you back quite a bit, I believe $45k+. A history of transmission issues coupled with your intention to tow might make me a bit anxious. I'd lean toward Edge. I guess the wifes been hitting the Honda coolaid stand huh??

teke

I have owned both a 2004 and 2006 MDX. Both have been excellent vehicles. No issues with reliabilty. I think much has to do with the dealer that you purchase it from and whether they will stand behind the the vehicle should any issues arise. The 2007 and 2008 were a totally different re-design, and actually I think they are smaller than the 04 -06. The MDX also takes premium fuel......The MDX is a 7 passenger vs the edge which is only 5.

BA Mustang

My mom really likes her 09 highlander, I've driven it several times and I really like it as well.