Hi Scotty!
We are trading in our piece of crap money pit 2008 Buick Enclave that we bought used 4 year ago. piece. of. crap. WORST decision.
I want to get a new used car while it's a good time of the year to buy.
Looking at 2013 Lexus RX 350 with 56,000 OR there is a 2018 Acura RDX with 57,000 both are around $22,000.
Is it worth getting the Acura because it is 5 years newer? I like the 'lux' of the Lexus but it is a 2013. Husband leans toward the newest car but I know from listening to you that the older Lexus' can be a great buy and will run forever if taken are of. Obviously resale value is higher than the Acura RDX since both are the same price and Lexus is 5 years older. Since both have the same mileage with the same price.....it's stumping me.
Any advice is appreciate!
Thank you!
Nicole
Thank you all for your help and comments! I have decided to steer clear from the MDX all together because of the transmission issues. Since our Enclave has been such a money pit we need something we know will last w/o dumping money into it. Sounds like that is a Toyota or Lexus. Now, just have to figure out what used car can get me some 'lux' and 3rd row seating for around $20,000-$25,000. Thanks again! Much appreciated!
How about a Highlander?
Yes the Highlander is a spacious and comfortable vehicle I would look into one.
Both of those are very good cars. If you want something more sporty and better handling, the Acura is the better choice. If you want a more luxurious, quieter, comfortable car, then get the Lexus. Try getting the Lexus closer to $16-18K because $22,000 seems a little high for that car.
Overall I would probably go with the Lexus RX 350 - I prefer Toyota/Lexus SUVs to Honda/Acura SUVs. But, both cars are really good. Just be sure to get either one checked out by a mechanic before you make an offer.
Just FYI - keep in mind the Acura uses a timing belt with an interference engine. So, if you plan to keep the car for a long time you will have to budget in the cost to replace the timing belt in the future.
Ohhhh! Thank you! Thank you! That's a huge tip! The plan is to keep the new purchase for as long as possible. Our 2008 Buick needs a timing chain kit and it would run us $3,500. Plus it needs a rack and pinion. Hence the push to get out of it this week when the deals are out there.
As a owner of a 2003 RX330 and now a 2011 RX450H I can say that those two SUV's have been totally almost maintenance free. just the normal stuff, wipers, 12v battery and tires. The reason the lexus are more expensive than the same type vehicle in its classification is that they keep their value higher than the average.
Both are good cars but the Lexus will have less issues. Absolutely run away from AWD Acuras so DO NOT buy one that is AWD. The automatic transmissions are somewhat weak on Hondas, but this is an Acura SUV, which means it has even more transmission issues. If it is fine now than it could remain fine for a long time they are both very reliable but just keep that on the back of your mind.
https://www.carcomplaints.com/Acura/RDX/
https://www.carcomplaints.com/Lexus/RX_350/
They are both excellent. If you want the most life out of your car, I would go Lexus. If you like the Acura better because it is newer and has better handling, go ahead they are also good cars.
Now that you are considering a Toyota product, I would recommend something comfortable and spacious like a Highlander.
Thank you for the response and for the tip on getting the price down! I like the smoooooth ride so I might be leaning toward the RX. Plus I just noticed the RX has all available packages so is fully loaded. I'll test drive both and bring my OBDII Scanner with me. Thanks again!
You're welcome! Hope you enjoy the car.
Hi Dion,
Thank you for that feedback and for sharing your experience with your cars. That helps! We looked at a 450h a few years back and almost got one but decided to fix our raggedy Buick instead. Time to cut our losses on the Buick.
I'd love to get a 450h. There are not as many of them out there for sale. The ones I see are 10 years old with over 100,000 miles on them. Still look amazing though! Going car shopping today! Scotty says this week is a great time to buy. 🙂
lexus is not found everywhere but is sparse in smaller communities. Closest dealer from us is in Las vegas and were in Southern Utah. But ONE 450H did show UP here and we jumped on it....errr correction WIFE jumped on it..I tag along..LOL! As a side note...whenever you shop for a LEXUS no two are virtually the same insofar as options. Some are loaded and some are not. I suggest you go to the Lexus site and download the car manuals they have to offer for free to aquaint yourself to the options and standards each year offers. yeah the ouside looks pretty much the same but the inside options..thats is the difference. Anyways..it explains all the functions and you can see what they do as an interest. happy shopping and happy new years !
Thanks that's great information. I've decided no on the RDX. Took a real look at them this weekend and decided the RDX is not for the fam. Taking a serious look at the MDX now since it has similar space to my Enclave. Also still thinking about the RX 350. It's smaller but man, it's a nice vehicle and the one I looked at is fully loaded.
Thanks for the tip regarding the AWD. Many of the 2015-2017 MDXs that I am looking at are SH-AWD.
Run away from the MDX w/ the AWD systems. That is a good way to have transmission failure. The Acura SUVs with the AWD have tranny issues I would only consider FWD MDX vehicles, which already have ZF transmissions.
The transmissions are the weakest points, especially with AWD.
I've also read that the 2014 MDX was a bad year. I've been reading up on the transmission problems. There are a lot of the AWD for sale, probably why eh? Thanks for the advice!
Yes https://www.carcomplaints.com/Acura/MDX/
2014, 2016-2017 years have issues. The 2015 came with a 6 speed auto while 2017 came with 9 speed transmission. 2015 FWD seems like your best bet.
Have a 2017 MDX with AWD. have 50,000 with no issues. I have owned Hondas for 20 years. Their transmissions have been issues for a number of years, going back 20 years or so. I know a Honda tech with 30 years experience, he says, they will last a really long time if you do drain and fills on the transmission every 25,000 - 30,000 like clockwork,and use only HONDA transmission fluid. he said he has seen numerous Hondas over 250,000 miles with original transmissions...............he knows more than I do. All I know is I ran two Accords up to 200,000 miles each, still own one with 150,000 K, and ran an Odyssey up to 150,000 K also, NO transmission issues, maybe because I did changes the tranny fluid regularly???
