My beater one year later

[andrew_j]

A year ago I purchased a 2013 Acura RDX tech for under $5k with 159k for work commute (100 miles/day x 5 days every other week).

It now has 175k.

To pass N.H. inspection it needed a mirror turn signal led and headlight xenon ballast replaced . I also found culprit behind a chirp noticed after buying . The spool valve was leaking top front of motor covering engine in oil and ruined drive belt. For $350 got that sorted by friend

The only other issues were exhaust fell apart and fixed for $500. Also transmission I thought was done as skipping bad but turned out to just need a 3x flush and perfect. I did spring under $500 for Prinx all weather tires

The only issue now is suspension is creaky and guessing it needs $1000-$1500 in work if I ever do it.

Basically it’s an old car. That needs tending.

I love comfort , frigid AC, lots of power 275HP V6 coupled to 26 mpg highway on regular.

 

[fantastic]

Trying to get the last use out of these 2nd hand or 3rd hand autos. Might still be worth it to you to repair?

 

[nwjones18]

I paid $3k for my 07 Mazda 3 7-8 years ago with 125 k on it (its sort of beat up). Has nearly 170k on it now and I've replaced a clutch, cv axle and a couple of thermostats (freakin motorad). Been one of the best cars for the money I've ever heard of. Suspension is still fine, no rust and the A/C still works.

 

[IndyIan]

I paid $3k for my 07 Mazda 3 7-8 years ago with 125 k on it (its sort of beat up). Has nearly 170k on it now and I've replaced a clutch, cv axle and a couple of thermostats (freakin motorad). Been one of the best cars for the money I've ever heard of. Suspension is still fine, no rust and the A/C still works.

Yeah, my sort of related, 06 Focus would still be on the road if it wasn't for the rust, KISS cars with reasonably good parts. Do you have to take off the intake manifold for the thermostat? I did on the Focus, but the ford thermostat has been good since then. I broke the head off one of the housing bolts, but enough was left to make it into a stud!

 

[KS-Ryan]

Spray some silicone lube on all the suspension bushings and see if that helps with the noise.

 

[supton]

Nice find. That 26mpg is paid for by being cheap to buy.

If the suspension is safe, might be best to ignore. Not "ignore the loose ball joint" but rather, if it's just noises, realize that the frost heaves will destroy it anyhow.

Did Honda have their a/c figured out in 2013?

 

[nwjones18]

Yeah, my sort of related, 06 Focus would still be on the road if it wasn't for the rust, KISS cars with reasonably good parts. Do you have to take off the intake manifold for the thermostat? I did on the Focus, but the ford thermostat has been good since then. I broke the head off one of the housing bolts, but enough was left to make it into a stud!

No need to remove the intake on the 2.3 in mine. First thermostat failed open so I ordered a non-Motorad brand, but got a Motorad in that box anyway. Removed the old one and wouldn't you know.. It was a Motorad, now 3 years later the one I put on has failed.... I'm still not smart enough to spend the $60 for OEM so rolling the dice on a cheap SKP from rockauto this time.. haha

 

[BISCUT]

Man, NH/VT winter and mud seasons really wreak havoc on the undercarriage and suspension. Interested to hear how this car performs for you. Looong commute 5x a week. Ever consider a run of HPL to clean out what may be hanging around from the previous owner(s) mileage? I would likely do just that or commit to the multiple runs of Valvoline Restore and Protect.

 

[JeffKeryk]

I say, "Keep 'em alive!"

 

[The Critic]

26 mpg highway on regular.

 

[Patman]

Nice find. That 26mpg is paid for by being cheap to buy.

If the suspension is safe, might be best to ignore. Not "ignore the loose ball joint" but rather, if it's just noises, realize that the frost heaves will destroy it anyhow.

Did Honda have their a/c figured out in 2013?

Honda still didn’t have the AC problems figured out at that point. Even the tenth gen Civics (2016-2021) have issues. There is an extended warranty that covers the condenser and compressor. My 2016 ended up getting a new condenser in 2021, thankfully at no cost to me thanks to Honda’s extra warranty.

I’m not even sure they even fixed the AC problems with the 11th generation cars. Time will tell.

 

[andrew_j]

Honda still didn’t have the AC problems figured out at that point. Even the tenth gen Civics (2016-2021) have issues. There is an extended warranty that covers the condenser and compressor. My 2016 ended up getting a new condenser in 2021, thankfully at no cost to me thanks to Honda’s extra warranty.

I’m not even sure they even fixed the AC problems with the 11th generation cars. Time will tell.

The V6 do not seem to have issues in AC which this Acura has shoehorned in

 

[andrew_j]

View attachment 315335

I just go by fuel door sticker which says premium recommended not required.

 

[Donald]

A year ago I purchased a 2013 Acura RDX tech for under $5k with 159k for work commute (100 miles/day x 5 days every other week).

It now has 175k.

To pass N.H. inspection it needed a mirror turn signal led and headlight xenon ballast replaced . I also found culprit behind a chirp noticed after buying . The spool valve was leaking top front of motor covering engine in oil and ruined drive belt. For $350 got that sorted by friend

The only other issues were exhaust fell apart and fixed for $500. Also transmission I thought was done as skipping bad but turned out to just need a 3x flush and perfect. I did spring under $500 for Prinx all weather tires

The only issue now is suspension is creaky and guessing it needs $1000-$1500 in work if I ever do it.

Basically it’s an old car. That needs tending.

I love comfort , frigid AC, lots of power 275HP V6 coupled to 26 mpg highway on regular.

You can live maybe with the suspension not being in great shape unless the tires start to wear oddly indicating worn struts.

But you definitely need to keep up with ball joints, tie rod ends, etc.

 

[super20dan]

i have gotten 10 yrs out of my 2003 kia sorento i paid 2300$ for with 147k on the clock. i have had 13 issues that needed repair in that time. some small some big due to the amount of labor-which i did all myself.no big $ repairs yet. drive train is solid still at 166k now. only repairs i have skipped so far are valve cover gaskets and ac leak from condenser m,y g oal is to get to 200k . no rust and interior still decent

 

[CKN]

i have gotten 10 yrs out of my 2003 kia sorento i paid 2300$ for with 147k on the clock. i have had 13 issues that needed repair in that time. some small some big due to the amount of labor-which i did all myself.no big $ repairs yet. drive train is solid still at 166k now. only repairs i have skipped so far are valve cover gaskets and ac leak from condenser m,y g oal is to get to 200k . no rust and interior still decent

So you would have exceeded what is worth to pay shop rates for the repairs. Is that what you are saying?

 

[dwcopple]

i have gotten 10 yrs out of my 2003 kia sorento i paid 2300$ for with 147k on the clock. i have had 13 issues that needed repair in that time. some small some big due to the amount of labor-which i did all myself.no big $ repairs yet. drive train is solid still at 166k now. only repairs i have skipped so far are valve cover gaskets and ac leak from condenser m,y g oal is to get to 200k . no rust and interior still decent

You've put 19k miles in it in 10 years and had 13 problems?

 

[fantastic]

You've put 19k miles in it in 10 years and had 13 problems?

Probably previous neglect & or maintenance.. 03' would be the early days for Kia so I'd say it's expected.

 

[andrew_j]

You can live maybe with the suspension not being in great shape unless the tires start to wear oddly indicating worn struts.

But you definitely need to keep up with ball joints, tie rod ends, etc.

I am going to fix those items. No odd wear on tires previously on.

 

[super20dan]

So you would have exceeded what is worth to pay shop rates for the repairs. Is that what you are saying?

for sure!