JB.
New member
That's the risk of buying on image. Better to secure a pair beforehand so they don't go with the truck.
Traded the T4R for a MDX Advance
- Thread starter rotorhead6
- Start date
That's the risk of buying on image. Better to secure a pair beforehand so they don't go with the truck.
Thai
Elite Member
Oh, that's right, you like your 4runner over H1 Alpha because you have a 3rd row?? Doesn't 3rd row seatings belong on minivans and other soccer mom vehicles...just wanna point that out to you....
rotorhead6
New member
DocMT,
I went with the Acura factory hitch which is wired for towing. I have never really been a fan of after market gear namely hitches on new vehicles...IMO.
I went with the Acura factory hitch which is wired for towing. I have never really been a fan of after market gear namely hitches on new vehicles...IMO.
Acura changed the grill a bit in the 2010 model year. Our 2009 has the "bolder" grill, which I actually prefer. A lot of people must have been complaining about the Acura grills in general because Acura toned them down quite a bit on the newest models.
Another thing some people do is have them painted body color. I saw a black TSX with a body-colored grill and it looks really good.
Yeah, me too. But Hidden Hitch makes some great looking hitches that often look as good or better than the OEM hitches. I've never seen one on an MDX though.
Ryan F.
New member
Oh, that's right, you like your 4runner over H1 Alpha because you have a 3rd row?? Doesn't 3rd row seatings belong on minivans and other soccer mom vehicles...just wanna point that out to you....
Naw, I like my 4 Runner over the H1 because my 4 Runner is a Toyota. :trophy:
rando
Senior Member
I haven't had a chance to drive a 5th gen yet but I much prefer the exterior styling over my 4th gen. My wife also passed me her TL and uses the 4runner to haul the family, grab groceries, etc. We've been shopping for a new rig for her, and looked at most of the market.
X3 - she loved this but the cargo area is just too small
RDX - she didn't like the light steering, limited cargo room
MDX - this handles nice, most roomy of the bunch, poor gas mileage, interior quality a tad behind Lexus, due for major redesign in 2012 or 2013.
Highlander Ldt - She didn't like the very light steering, and thought the interior materials were cheap looking, very good utility, ok on cargo room
4runner Ltd - no on-road advantage over highlander except better looking. Not nearly enough luxury even in Ltd trim.
Edge Ldt- Not enough cargo room
Explorer Ltd- Compares favorably to MDX but she couldn't get over the Ford name plate. She also thought the interior materials were cheap looking
RX350 - Surprisingly good cargo space. Top notch interior, moderate to heavy steering she prefers. Sloppy handling (she doesn't seem to notice). Lots of gizmos. Slightly cheaper than MDX. Recent redesign means style will remain current for a few years.
Fortunately, my '04 runner only has 45k on her. I can enjoy her silky smooth v8 a while longer. Maybe I'll be back in the 4runner market for the 6th gen. :crybaby:
X3 - she loved this but the cargo area is just too small
RDX - she didn't like the light steering, limited cargo room
MDX - this handles nice, most roomy of the bunch, poor gas mileage, interior quality a tad behind Lexus, due for major redesign in 2012 or 2013.
Highlander Ldt - She didn't like the very light steering, and thought the interior materials were cheap looking, very good utility, ok on cargo room
4runner Ltd - no on-road advantage over highlander except better looking. Not nearly enough luxury even in Ltd trim.
Edge Ldt- Not enough cargo room
Explorer Ltd- Compares favorably to MDX but she couldn't get over the Ford name plate. She also thought the interior materials were cheap looking
RX350 - Surprisingly good cargo space. Top notch interior, moderate to heavy steering she prefers. Sloppy handling (she doesn't seem to notice). Lots of gizmos. Slightly cheaper than MDX. Recent redesign means style will remain current for a few years.
Fortunately, my '04 runner only has 45k on her. I can enjoy her silky smooth v8 a while longer. Maybe I'll be back in the 4runner market for the 6th gen. :crybaby:
Mark86
Super Moderator
Great discussion going on here! My brother let's me take his MDX whenever I want to (and I let him take the runner) and it is kind of like the best of both worlds. I actually find the MDX slow off the line compared to my runner. Once you hit 50 mph, that thing shoots like a rocket. He always comments how much he loves the V8 and how the design never gets old. I don't think both vehicles can be compared. I remember seeing an advertisement comparing the GX470 and MDX in the Acura showroom- another unfair comparison.
Salem4runner
New member
I know I’m probably bumping this thread but I’ve been looking at MDX‘s and currently have a 2014 forerun with 166,000 miles on it. I bought it was 149,000 in the thing has been trouble free. Last month I put Bilstein 5100s all around, replaced the rear brakes and one caliper and the spark plugs. This made the vehicle much more zippy, better handling and overall funner to drive than when I first purchased it. I’m kind of in a dilemma because I’d love to get my wife an MDX that rides a little more luxurious but every time I get in my SR5 forerunner I have a hard time justifying trading it in for an MDX. Anybody else go through similar situation?
Buba1
New member
What year MDX are you looking at? I know they had some issues with transmissions but if it's newer I'm sure that's all sorted out.
Actually yes. I’ve been going back and forth on this for months. I have a new job that increased my commute and 17 mpg isn’t awesome. Honestly I’ve never loved the 4Runner but never hated it either. Well except for the way the interior scratches just by looking at it. If I could get close to a straight up trade on a used MDX I’d probably do it. Let me know what you decide. Maybe that will motivate me too.
Humble Leader
Senior Member
If you don't need a third row consider an RX for the luxury feel. I looked at acura SUVs when deciding on a new vehicle back in 2014. Test drove acura and lexus and for me (and the wife, it's her vehicle now) the lexus was the better choice. not as sporty but if sporty is not a significant decision factor, consider the RX, they are exceptionally reliable
RobS10
Member
I drove a SR% and walked away with the same impression as the OP. Then I found out about KDSS and am shopping for a TRD ORP with KDSS as a must-have add-on if you do mostly street/highway driving.
RobS10
Member
We have a cabin 17 miles out a Forest Service road, which ain't maintained like it used to be ;-). We have driven over it for 15 years in our 3rd Gen 4R in total confidence and comfort. My brother has always driven a '03 MDX. We both get there just fine, though his has more interior space and drives the 3 hours on the highway to the dirt in a little better comfort. But would I want his new 2021 MDX over a 2022 4Runner to drive from our cabin to our other piece of property on the rutted, steep rocky road that takes us over there? Would I want it to drive down the narrow, remote logging roads full of tall water bars over a new 4Runner? No way, Jose`!
But if you never need the off-road chops of the 4Runner, the MDX is a great car, my brother loves his 2021. But then again, he suggested I pick up a new Highlander instead of a 4R LOL!
But if you never need the off-road chops of the 4Runner, the MDX is a great car, my brother loves his 2021. But then again, he suggested I pick up a new Highlander instead of a 4R LOL!
Salem4runner
New member
I had my eye on a 2017 or 18 advance with 90,000 miles I understand I’ll have to replace the timing belt and water pump but the thing was meticulously cared for viewing the carfax there’s another same year technology with lower miles that I was also looking at.
John in NC
Member
When I bought my 2011 SR5 4x4 I was also looking at used MDX's as well. This was in 2014. Similar money.
Glad I got the 4runner as I've had no unexpected repairs and am at 145,000 miles or so.
I get 18.5-ish average MPG, 87 octane. I can get 22-23 on the highway if I keep the speed reasonable.
Toyota- standard oil changes, regular tires, non-fancy brake jobs, timing chain vs. the expensive to replace MDX's timing belt.
I wonder what I would have spent to maintain the MDX to 145,000 miles. Oil changes, tires, brake jobs are typically all more expensive, plus unexpected repairs, timing belt replacement ($1,000?).
About the same time- 2014, friends bought a 2012 MDX tech package and they almost immediately wished they'd gotten something bigger and less posh/ more rugged like a Sequoia. But if you like a blingy, high tech, fast ride, the MDX is a good choice. They liked my new to me 4-runner, and I drooled over their MDX.
Another pal recently bought a new 2021 Limited 4runner, it's very nice and has a much more upscale feel compared to my 2011 SR5.
Resale:
Looks like resale value for a 2011 4runner is higher than for a 2011 MDX. Many folks are scared of premium models after 120,000 miles or so. Put your nice 4runner up for sale and it's gone.
Final thought, the 4runner is a dinosaur, barely any technology compared to the MDX, and rides like an angry Ostrich.
But here I am, cruising it daily, grinning knowing it's a great all around ride I can take to 200,000+ miles no problem.
Glad I got the 4runner as I've had no unexpected repairs and am at 145,000 miles or so.
I get 18.5-ish average MPG, 87 octane. I can get 22-23 on the highway if I keep the speed reasonable.
Toyota- standard oil changes, regular tires, non-fancy brake jobs, timing chain vs. the expensive to replace MDX's timing belt.
I wonder what I would have spent to maintain the MDX to 145,000 miles. Oil changes, tires, brake jobs are typically all more expensive, plus unexpected repairs, timing belt replacement ($1,000?).
About the same time- 2014, friends bought a 2012 MDX tech package and they almost immediately wished they'd gotten something bigger and less posh/ more rugged like a Sequoia. But if you like a blingy, high tech, fast ride, the MDX is a good choice. They liked my new to me 4-runner, and I drooled over their MDX.
Another pal recently bought a new 2021 Limited 4runner, it's very nice and has a much more upscale feel compared to my 2011 SR5.
Resale:
Looks like resale value for a 2011 4runner is higher than for a 2011 MDX. Many folks are scared of premium models after 120,000 miles or so. Put your nice 4runner up for sale and it's gone.
Final thought, the 4runner is a dinosaur, barely any technology compared to the MDX, and rides like an angry Ostrich.
But here I am, cruising it daily, grinning knowing it's a great all around ride I can take to 200,000+ miles no problem.
