2007 MDX Sadly not 200k review

[edyvw]

Originally Posted by HoosierJeeper
I live in WI and literally none of my vehicles have rust.... washing once a week in the winter does wonders!

I just got 2011 BMW that lived all its life in PA, and looks like it got out of factory today.

 

[HoosierJeeper]

Yup. It's all in how you take care of stuff. Rust is preventable.

 

[Andrew1972]

Originally Posted by HoosierJeeper
Yup. It's all in how you take care of stuff. Rust is preventable.


The only rust I have ever encountered is where body work took place previously typically 5yrs+ ago. The case of the MDX that I missed.

 

[supton]

Originally Posted by HoosierJeeper
I live in WI and literally none of my vehicles have rust.... washing once a week in the winter does wonders!

I've thought of going and doing this, instead of FF on the undercarriage. What does yours look like, underneath? I'm always worried about brake lines and whatnot. I've seen undercarriage gizmos that you can slide under the car to really spray underneath; is this what you do?

I moved recently and at this newer house it might be possible to wash the cars a couple times per month (I always worried about the ice at the old house, new one has a nice paved driveway with lots of sun).

 

[Andrew1972]

I took it in for an oil change but really to see what it would cost for NH state inspection to pass:

$1000 body work to patch rust holes
$800 for rotted manifold to cat pipe (noisy)
$400 broken spring and related strut

$2200 too rich for my blood on a $2k-$3k car. I will drive till April 10 when sticker expires and sell for ??? As is.

 

[dishdude]

Originally Posted by madRiver
I took it in for an oil change but really to see what it would cost for NH state inspection to pass:

$1000 body work to patch rust holes
$800 for rotted manifold to cat pipe (noisy)
$400 broken spring and related strut

$2200 too rich for my blood on a $2k-$3k car. I will drive till April 10 when sticker expires and sell for ??? As is.


13 year old car at the end of it's life. Time to move on.

 

[supton]

Originally Posted by madRiver
I took it in for an oil change but really to see what it would cost for NH state inspection to pass:

$1000 body work to patch rust holes
$800 for rotted manifold to cat pipe (noisy)
$400 broken spring and related strut

$2200 too rich for my blood on a $2k-$3k car. I will drive till April 10 when sticker expires and sell for ??? As is.

I'd sell today. It has a sticker on it so a buyer could drive it for a couple months. Plenty of time for them to hobble a repair in on their own time and dime.

 

[Vern_in_IL]

Sell it out of state where they don't have inspections.

 

[Mr Nice]

Buy a new vehicle. Dont feel bad to get rid of old vehicle.

 

[Barkleymut]

How does someone in Wisconsin wash the underside of a car in Jan/Feb? I'm honestly curious.

 

[Hyundai Respecter]

How does someone in Wisconsin wash the underside of a car in Jan/Feb? I'm honestly curious.

All the car washes around my area, automatic touch less, or tunnel, have an option for underbody blast. This winter I am subscribing to a touch less car wash for unlimited (one a day) car washes that includes the under body blast for $25 a month. When the roads are salty this winter I plan to use it 2 or 3 times a week. So it’s pretty good deal, considering the wash is normally $12 per wash.

 

[Stinger63]

I purchased my 2007 Acura MDX Technology (Nav, Fancy stereo with DVD audio, Talk to Car, Bluetooth) in 2011 with 84k in average condition but meticulous maintenance at dealer (CarFax) from the owner for $17k(trade in offered to him).

It has been good in terms of reliability and really maintenance over my 9 year ownership period.

I followed the vehicle computer reminder in terms of services for oil, transmission(2x), AWD(once). I only ignored the valve adjustment and had timing belt only (no water pump/tblet tensioners etc) for $550 + $200 plugs at 105k. Most services done at small garage and never exceeded $100 - $150.

Unexpected repairs: ~($1000)
105k acc belt tensioner - $100
100k and 150k - two AC relays self installed for $10 Honda part each time, too cheap to buy the $30 revised on that did not croak
140k - Speed sensor - $140
150k - exhaust donut and bolts - $80
185k - transmission pressure sensor - $200
170k - alternator - $500

Pros:
*Powerful smooth Honda V6 (300HP),
* incredible AWD (can shift power front to back and even individual wheel and overspeed them slightly for handling)
* Comfortable front back for 4 passengers, but can handle 7 which has been great
* Low cost maintenance except the $800 105k service(plugs/timing belt/skipped valve adjustment)
* durable parts - still running around on original struts and suspension parts - tired but works
* Everything you touch feels decent and well though out
* Still smooth/repsonive 5 speed Honda auto despite everyone thinking Honda transmissions are questionable
* My $65/hr small garage (one man show) Subie specialist works on it with pleasure and ease. Honda's are easy/simple service for him

Cons:
* Rust between wheel wheel and door both side, one has a hole now
* Poor MPG/fuel pig (17.5 average) on Premium. Best is 22 MPG highway worst is 15MPG city/cold
* Wind leaks since I bought it
* Leather was lower grade and wore faster IMHO then luxury and even VW cars I have seen

The potential death is going to be severe rust at some poor body work when I purchased and is getting estimates of $1200+ to fix. It won't pass NH state inspection

Bummed I wish it could have hit 200k but have 195k. Debating to buy another recent generation MDX and have a do over or fix the rust and drive another 1-2 years.

Working at Manheim Auctions I was always amazed at how bad older Honda paint and interiors were vs Toyota
Leather always seemed ripped and wasted
Dashboards cracked
Paint gone
Just my observation
(I never paid the huge premium for either but if I did it would be a Toyota)

 

[mattd]

While the automatic washes will help, they will not reach all areas of the under carriage. Oil based under coating is still the most effective way of keeping rust at bay.

And I’ll bet if you added up 12 per week for 4 months it would add up to the same if not more than the cost of having a coating applied. FAR less if you do it yourself.