Traded the T4R for a MDX Advance

[darkandshiny]

I'm glad you're happy with the MDX. Nobody can say that it isn't a well designed, engineered, and built vehicle. But this is a 4Runner forum and we've a duty to opine :hatsoff:

Anyway +1 to this

The fact that people cross shop the 4 Runner with crossover packages is more a testimony to the brilliance of the 4 Runner than a commentary about its shortcomings.

The 4Runner is a body on frame truck. No apologies. The MDX is an awesome crossover but it is designed around a different platform that is more pedestrian than the T4R.

Thanks for posting.

 

[KCcarguy]

I have a tough time understanding the thinking behind sports car handling in a crossover package. Although the MDX is interesting to me (more so the RDX with the turbo 4), I become as confused as I do when I see the Porsche Cayenne. You can drive that SOB like a mad man thinking the whole time that you are the next Schumacher, but everybody outside will know that your wife was at Safeway yesterday buying groceries with it.

It's a car-based crossover intended to be driven on the street. If you can make it fun to drive, why the hell not? If you ever get a chance to drive a MDX, you'll love it. Once that engine gets above 4000RPM hold on! And it sounds soooo sweet. It's a do-it-all vehicle for the guy who might be a gear-head, but has to be responsible and drive the family-hauler. Like a Japanese X5. I'm not sure I understand the grocery-getting comment. How many lifted 4runners are full-time grocery getters? Quite a few I'd imagine. The 4R and MDX are two great, versatile all-around vehicles that just have different "specialties".

 

[Gasdoc]

Sporty crossovers are a blast to drive. My wife has a BMW X5d and that thing hugs the road like it's on rails. You can not believe how well it corners at high speed unless you experience it first hand. Truely amazing.

We also needed a more practical vehicle for hunting/camping/off road, etc so I got a 4R LE. Now we have the best of both and couldn't be happier.

Congrats on the MDX. If it handles anything like an X5 I can easily see why you traded assuming you don't need off-road capability.

 

[Ryan F.]

It's a car-based crossover intended to be driven on the street. If you can make it fun to drive, why the hell not? If you ever get a chance to drive a MDX, you'll love it. Once that engine gets above 4000RPM hold on! And it sounds soooo sweet. It's a do-it-all vehicle for the guy who might be a gear-head, but has to be responsible and drive the family-hauler. Like a Japanese X5. I'm not sure I understand the grocery-getting comment. How many lifted 4runners are full-time grocery getters? Quite a few I'd imagine. The 4R and MDX are two great, versatile all-around vehicles that just have different "specialties".[/QUOTE

I guess that I just question if there is such a thing as a "...do it all vehicle." The 4 Runner is a truck that doesn't pretend to be anything but a truck--and a damn fine engineered one at that. The MDX is a SUV pretending to be a sports car. That might be fine until you get out of it, and realize that you are not getting out of a sports car. My point about getting groceries is that you would do that in a 4 Runner, you might not in a Porsche 911 (which the MDX might like to be but isn't). I cross shopped the RX 350--not saying that this is the same thing as a MDX--and walked away because I could not tell what that vehicle wanted to be--a station wagon, a SUV, a LS? I knew what the 4 Runner was the second I sat in it--and I come from nothing but unibodies. Like my man DW says, "Do what you know!"

 

[atv223]

I guess I don't really understand all the complaints over the SR5 ride and handling?? I think it has a great ride, very comfortable. Due to commutes and kids, my wife is driving the 4Runner everyday passing her Acura TL to me. :shrug: She just loves driving the 4Runner coming out of the TL. I love Acuras, and the MDX appears to be fantastic, but not seeing the comparison to the 4Runner, just very different vehicles in my opinion.

I wanted a vehicle to tow a trailer, take off road occasionally, drive it on the beach and keep it for 10+ years and not spend a small fortune on it so when I stick 2 wet sandy kids in or put my motocross boots in the back or climb in it with wet waders, I won't stress out. That's why I got the 4Runner.

 

[Ryan F.]

I guess I don't really understand all the complaints over the SR5 ride and handling?? I think it has a great ride, very comfortable. Due to commutes and kids, my wife is driving the 4Runner everyday passing her Acura TL to me. :shrug: She just loves driving the 4Runner coming out of the TL. I love Acuras, and the MDX appears to be fantastic, but not seeing the comparison to the 4Runner, just very different vehicles in my opinion.

I wanted a vehicle to tow a trailer, take off road occasionally, drive it on the beach and keep it for 10+ years and not spend a small fortune on it so when I stick 2 wet sandy kids in or put my motocross boots in the back or climb in it with wet waders, I won't stress out. That's why I got the 4Runner.

You know, I have thought a lot about this topic given that I walked away from a SR5, but fell in love with the Limited's handling. For me, the SR5 was a huge departure from the unibodies that I had been driving previously. I wasn't ready for that type of truck-like handling. The stiffer Limited with the XREAS suspension was the perfect feel for me. So, in a nutshell, the SR5 wasn't stiff enough for me; but by truck standards, I would suspect that it would be considered very good or great--just not to my liking. I have often wondered if the SR5 skeptics are like me--coming from unibodies.

 

[Curt Sauve]

I think that the new GX460 price has gone up quite a bit...a base GX is around $54k. And at that price, you get a pretty loaded MDX with features that are not avail on GX.



All true, but i just wish that the 4runner got better scores for roof strength. (In a capable SUV that off-roads, i like the roof strength scores to be higher.)

GX starts at $52,445, MDX with Advance package starts at $52,555 according to thier respective websites.

 

[KCcarguy]

I guess that I just question if there is such a thing as a "...do it all vehicle." The 4 Runner is a truck that doesn't pretend to be anything but a truck--and a damn fine engineered one at that. The MDX is a SUV pretending to be a sports car. That might be fine until you get out of it, and realize that you are not getting out of a sports car. My point about getting groceries is that you would do that in a 4 Runner, you might not in a Porsche 911 (which the MDX might like to be but isn't). I cross shopped the RX 350--not saying that this is the same thing as a MDX--and walked away because I could not tell what that vehicle wanted to be--a station wagon, a SUV, a LS? I knew what the 4 Runner was the second I sat in it--and I come from nothing but unibodies. Like my man DW says, "Do what you know!"

I think your examples are a bit harsh. There are a lot of sports cars out there that don't compare to a 911. Comparing the MDX to a 911 is like comparing the 4runner to a H1. Each of these vehicles is a capable/ reliable people carrier. The MDX has a sporty element and the 4runner has off-road ability. And to be honest the MDX could probably do what most 4runner owners do with their vehicles off the pavement.

We also looked at the RX350 before my wife got her Highlander. I see your point. It's too small to provide much utility, it's too cushy to be a sport crossover. i guess it's intended to be a slightly more versatile sedan alternative.

 

[Batang.Gapo]

Congratulations on your new MDX.

MDX was one of the vehicle that I was seriously considering, really drives nice.

 

[Batang.Gapo]

... but not seeing the comparison to the 4Runner, just very different vehicles in my opinion.

I wanted a vehicle to tow a trailer, take off road occasionally, drive it on the beach and keep it for 10+ years and not spend a small fortune on it so when I stick 2 wet sandy kids in or put my motocross boots in the back or climb in it with wet waders, I won't stress out. That's why I got the 4Runner.

I completely agree with you...

 

[Ryan F.]

I think your examples are a bit harsh. There are a lot of sports cars out there that don't compare to a 911. Comparing the MDX to a 911 is like comparing the 4runner to a H1. Each of these vehicles is a capable/ reliable people carrier. The MDX has a sporty element and the 4runner has off-road ability. And to be honest the MDX could probably do what most 4runner owners do with their vehicles off the pavement.

We also looked at the RX350 before my wife got her Highlander. I see your point. It's too small to provide much utility, it's too cushy to be a sport crossover. i guess it's intended to be a slightly more versatile sedan alternative.

Yeah, I agree that I'm being a bit extreme, but you get my point--I'm cool that you disagree. Just my 2 cents. By the way, I would take my 4 Runner over a H1 any day.

 

[rotorhead6]

I have to say after having the MDX short of one week, what a sweet ride. Yest it handles like a sports car and yes it is still an SUV. I purchased a SR5 at the time because that was what I could afford. I had a 3rd gen. limited that I needed to replace before putting a lot of money into the rear end. The 2010 SR5 added a lot of features that you could not get in the SR5 in the past. I just never liked the trucky unstable ride IMO. I'm a fanatic about keeping my vehicles clean so "off-roading" was really not for me. What I decided was the MDX could do everything I needed it to do off-road and a lot more on-road for my style of driving. The Lexus GX460 was just getting into to high of a price range when adding additional accessories.

I almost did not get the Advance package, but for anyone considering, go all the way. Great gadgets, ride, braking...couldn't say enough so far.

To sum it up, the MDX can do everything the 4Runner did for me for my needs. Added the hitch to tow the ATV and mower when needed.

For the record...the wife's Highlander gets the groceries!

 

[Ryan F.]

For the record...the wife's Highlander gets the groceries![/QUOTE]

Try the MDX for that--I see a lot of them at the grocery store when I drive my wife's RAV there. Just don't park next to the ladies in MDX's with heels and attitude--they don't see door dings. :hello:

 

[Thai]

By the way, I would take my 4 Runner over a H1 any day.

Hmmm, i would give my left nut for an H1 Alpha anyday of the week! What is there not to like about super duty proven frame, 16" ground clearance, full set of 100% lockers (with ATRAC backup), integrated tire pump, godly torque from famous Duramax diesel, Allison tranny (from the folks that make M1 tank tranny!), integrated winch, ridiculous approach/breakover/departure angles, etc....

 

[Ryan F.]

Hmmm, i would give my left nut for an H1 Alpha anyday of the week! What is there not to like about super duty proven frame, 16" ground clearance, full set of 100% lockers (with ATRAC backup), integrated tire pump, godly torque from famous Duramax diesel, Allison tranny (from the folks that make M1 tank tranny!), integrated winch, ridiculous approach/breakover/departure angles, etc....

I'll keep my nuts and my 4 Runner, thanks.

 

[DocMT]

We have an '09 MDX and it is an excellent vehicle. It gives us SUV capacity & utility with a sporty car like drive/handling capability. I wouldn't take it off road, but still, the AWD system is VERY good in snow. Overall, it's a great combination for someone who needs (or wants) an SUV without needing (or wanting) rock crawling capabilities.

 

[Ryan F.]

Acura MDX Forum : Acura MDX SUV Forums

Let's talk 4 Runners shall we?

 

[DocMT]

To sum it up, the MDX can do everything the 4Runner did for me for my needs. Added the hitch to tow the ATV and mower when needed.

Did you get an aftermarket hitch? If so, which one? I'm thinking adding a hitch just for the mountain bike rack, but I'm not sure if it would be worth the effort.

 

[gwcpa]

Is there a grill mod available for the MDX? Don't know what Honda was thinking with the front end of Acuras. Like the MDX otherwise, but amazed how much they cost.

 

[Ryan F.]

Is there a grill mod available for the MDX? Don't know what Honda was thinking with the front end of Acuras. Like the MDX otherwise, but amazed how much they cost.

I will tell you in a minute...I'm over at the MDX Forum talking about 4 Runners. :bravo: