Husker4theSpurs

Few more observations ... getting about 22.5 mpg on highway (about 2 mpg less than my RX), but that doesn't bother me much. I REALLY MISS MY RAIN-SENSITIVE WIPERS! Also miss the dimming side mirrors ... the mirrors on the MDX have some kind of dimming coating or something, but it doesn't work as well. All in all I'm glad I made the switch ... I'm using the sport mode and manual shift more than I thought I would. I'm liking the extra room as well and I am loving the overall looks of the car with the accessories I chose.

Better start looking now as I believe most of the 2007s have all made their way to the lots ...

It will be the exact same size until next model year (09 ... coming out in April of 2008).

Some quick observations after having my MDX for a few days ... I agree that I like it w/o the rack ... I was GREATLY pleased when I looked at my car for the first time with all the accessories on it (side body moldings, sport running boards, front & rear garnish -- exterior acc). The car DEFINITELY is a more sporty ride than the RX. I kind of miss the cushy ride, but the times I've driven more aggressively with the MDX I've changed my mind :) I am having more fun driving, but I still have to say Lexus is your ride if you want comfort all the way around. I am enjoying the combo of sport and nice ride. Loving the tech features and not minding one bit that the Navigation doesn't have a touch screen. I'm learning the voice commands pretty well and they work nicely. The stereo is darn nice! I'm going to appreciate the slight bit more room the MDX offers. Love the interior layout as well. The person above is correct ... the Lexus is cheaper right now, especially after the accessories on the MDX. Sticker on mine (with MSRP accessories was just over $48,000 ... I have the SPORT model) ... ENTERTAINMENT package would add $2200 to that. I was wrong on pricing. I am glad I bought the MDX ... I have had the Lexus and it's nice to try something new. I'm not saying there aren't things I miss about the Lexus, but this new MDX is great all-around!!!! If you're looking for something a little more sporty and aggressive-looking with a little more personality ... the MDX is your thing ... also if you need a 3rd row or would just like the option (or a little more cargo room). If you just want all around comfort of drive ... go for the Lexus.

Go wherever is cheapest that you feel OK doing the list of things you want done ... NO REASON to use Lexus imho.

That's the catch with Acura ... Same thing with the doors (imho) ... they look all bare on the sides, but of course there's an accessory for side moldings that look like they should've been there to begin with. Add in running boards, roof rack, garnishes, etc. Oh well ....

It is an add-on accessory ... Acura's way of bending you over ... mine will have it.

Here are some pics of what the interior will look like ... the last pic is what it will look like as well with different rims and NO roof rack (at least for a while).

I will try to get some pics in a week or two ... I am picking it up on Saturday and then heading home for the holidays. Quick opinion question .... should I get the roof rack? My MDX will look just like the one above except I'm not having them put the roof rack on yet ... I want to see it in person without it first. I know I don't NEED one, but sometimes they make the car/truck look nice ... I thought maybe it'd look a little more sleek w/o.

new for the 2008 model due in Feb 2007: new front grill chromes door handles 7 spoke 18" wheel available 2 new colors: desert sage and brandy wine new wood trim for the gray leather interior

Problem was ... I was going to have to special order to get one w/o wood trim. They wouldn't discount at all for that ... had one dealer offer me just over $2000 off of one with wood trim though.

It's still annoying to me that you can't get that from the factory ...

JayJay ... I REALLY enjoyed the MDX a great deal. Let me set the stage for you ... I am 31 and single, so I don't need the room either. I really have enjoyed the Lexus a lot, but it maybe felt a little bland to me. I don't have much bad to say about the RX line though. I'm not really a gear-head, die-hard single male in any typical sense of the word. Test drive of the MDX: Yes it feels bigger, but not a ton bigger. I noticed the width, but not the length. The transmission is MUCH smoother than my 05 RX (there are smoother trannys in the 07 RX 350s vs the RX 330s from what I've heard). I felt like the ride of the MDX was a nice combo of slightly more sporty, yet it still rode nicely. On the Interstate I thought it drove wonderfully. Around town it felt a little more sporty in turns than my RX 330. I really like the interior on the MDX. Classy, yet not stuffy. I like the fact the wood isn't too garish (I think it's fake wood though ... I don't really care about that) and blends in with the interior rather than being so noticeable. I have never cared for wood trim a great deal. The layout is very nice and I like the location of the shifter ... closer to the driver in the middle console. There's the option for manual shifting if you're so inclined. The backseat had less legroom than the RX, but it wasn't tight in the least. One thing I love about my RX is the rear seat legroom! Again, I felt there was PLENTY in the MDX though. Seats in the regular MDX are a little softer than the RX ... the SPORT line of MDX has perforated leather and they weren't as soft, but felt like they'd hold up better (by not as soft, I don't mean that in a bad way). The rear passengers get their own temperature control. Heated rear seats are available in the ENTERTAINMENT PACKAGE (also includes, rear DVD, and power rear liftgate). The contours in the 2nd row make it better for 2 people than 3 (like in the RX), but the increased width makes it easier to have 3 across the back. The 3rd seat is only for kids or only for short trips for adults ... it may come in handy a few times. With the 3rd row seats down (they fold flat) there is definitely more room for cargo. When I drive 4 of us to play golf, it's sometimes hard to squeeze everything in the back. The slope of the RX adds to that problem. MDX - Noticeably more room back there now and the increased width helps here. The load level is maybe a little higher than the RX line. The exterior ... personally I like the aggressive look. I am accessorizing the car with garnish that adds a metal flare here and there. Acura makes a lot of their money on their "accessories" ... the side profile of the MDX makes the doors look a little bare, but of course there's an accessory or two available to take care of that. There are side body moldings (like on the RX) that apply about 1/3 of the way up from the bottom. I'm also adding the sport running boards. I just finished negotiating on a 2007 MDX - Sport Package ... Formal Black w/Black interior. It will look like this minus the roof rack (I'm going to wait to see what it looks like w/o the rack in person with all the accessories before deciding to put one on). I will not have some things that I have on my RX though ... -- no AFS, but it does have HIDs (that are auto-leveling in the SPORT package). -- no power rear gate ... I hardly ever used this in mine. I will note that the power gate in the MDX operates a lot more quickly than the one in the RX. -- no rain-sensitive windshield wipers ... I think this will be something I miss (even though I feel like I constantly adjust them anyhow :)). -- no touch-screen on the Navigation (I don't have Nav now anyhow, but have messed around with one in the RX incessantly) ... after getting acclimated to the MDX Nav system I really don't think this is as big of a deal as I was worried it would be. Some of the reasons for going with the MDX include ... -- Incorporated iPod/aux jack ... not a HUGE deal I know, but it's nice. -- MUCH nicer stereo (especially the 410 watt in the TECHNOLOGY package) -- Nicer Navigation package overall ... better voice recognition. -- Nice combo of SLIGHTLY more sporty, yet still a smooth ride. -- Bigger engine (although it's still a little slower than the RX) -- The fact it's a new model ... can be a downside to that too, but if I bought another RX I'd feel like it was outdated in a little over a year when the 09s come out. -- That slight bit more room overall (cargo, width, etc) without feeling much more bulky. -- Just the overall look of it ... I like it! -- Improved AWD system (over my 05 at least) I will miss things about my RX I'm sure ... a little bit smaller and a consistently nice drive. Lexus service is generally wonderful. In the end I probably wanted to try something different as well. I don't blame anyone ONE BIT for getting the RX though.

I have an 05 as well ... I don't know that I'd trade up JUST for that ... of course there's the improved AWD and better graphics/voice-recognition for the NAV as well. Personally I'd wait for a while just b/c the brand new 2009 will be out in about 16 months or so. Plus there is a re-freshing of the RX 350 for the 2008 model appearing in February of 2007 ... maybe wait and see if you like the re-fresh? There will also be EXTREMELY good deals on the '07 RXs at that time as well (there are already really).

I hear ya ... I sometimes feel I should just get a smaller car overall, but would like some decent traction/ground clearance for the winter months. The MDX seems fairly sporty for WHAT IT IS, but still rides fairly soft as well. Kind of a nice mix ... I sure do feel guilt about missing out on the fuel economy of the 400h should I choose to go that way though. Here's a pic of the 2007 Acura MDX ...

I currently own an '05 RX 330 and was thinking about trading up for the 400h, but in my looking around and pricing I found out about the remodeled Acura MDX. You really get a lot of features for LESS money than the Lexus RX line. Also the fact that the RX will be updated in a year and a half has me thinking of waiting or going with the Acura. Has anyone test drove one? I am planning on doing so tomorrow. Any opinions?

Since looking at the new Acura MDXs, I'm going to have to give them a hard look ... you get a lot of car for the money there. Fuel economy is the payment obviously ... I'll keep you guys posted. Has anyone else considered the 2007 Acura MDX? How about people who ended up going with the RX 350?

My 2005 RX 330 was built in Japan ... all 400h RXs are made in Japan.

Pics?

The fat american ~ as long as we're hi-jacking the thread :^) ... is NOT the average Lexus buyer. Lexus supposedly factors in "wealth" WAY over fat. And study's show wealthy folks are predominanty healthier / thinner then their fat counterparts. For a typical study: ----------------------------------------------- Yet STILL heavier than other countries/cultures.

As far as depreciation ... when looking at trade in for my 2005 RX 330 I looked up one as if it were a 2004 as well and the difference was $600. I do think I would miss having the Navigation in the long run ... sadly I'd miss the little hybrid badge on the side too. I really have little to NO need for the Navigation, but I think it'd be fun ... plus I would probably get a bluetooth phone and monkey with all of that as well. I do want to note though that even if you DON'T get Navigation in a 400h it comes with the screen with the energy monitor and power diagram where the navigation is ... nothing more though.

Basically I think I could get an '06 w/o Navigation for $42,000 VERSUS Getting the '07 for $47,300 w/Navigation ... $44,700 ordered w/o Navigation. I would have to wait 3-4 months for the '07 though (ordering w/o wood trim) ... not a big deal, but I would kind of appreciate having the hybrid badge on the side of the '07. I don't REALLY care if I have the Navigation or not though. The value of my '06 would be lower than the '07 right after driving off the lot as well since it's a year older.

It's a setting the dealership changes ... you most likely have to take it in. CBest settings are what they're called I think.

Please give me your opinion ... I have been considering a 2007 RX 400h for some time now. I haven't received as good of a deal as I'd hoped. Dealers had been saying to look into an '06, but I did not want the older Gen navigation system. It has NOW been brought to my attention that there are some leftover 06s out there w/o navigation. Navigation is not a must to me, so this is intriguing. What else would I be missing out on in the '06 vs the '07? I'm thinking not a whole lot except it would be one model year older (better deal to be had as well). Can anyone else give me some pros & cons or their opinions?

How far away from AZ did you price them? Where did you end up getting it from if you don't mind me asking?