pasino26: Stumbled on a clean and a good deal Acura MDX 04 here on NL Nigerian used. I am fixated on having the car someday but with the advice from two close friends am a bit confused. Is there any real issue peculiar to the model yr and brand? Also I based in Port Harcourt can I have the location of a good service workshop should I take on the deal. It is to be my first SUV so I sure do need this advice

kingschild123: It's a great car with little or no maintenance at all just minor works on the brake oil and pads that's all. My verdict- go for it, it's a nice car.

Pros
Room for seven passengers or serious amounts of cargo, gutsy V6 engine, well-balanced suspension, top-rated crash test scores, low price.

Cons
Limited off-road capability, below-average tow rating, ho-hum interior design and materials.

domack99:
I use MDX 04 personally myself (Touring with RES), am presently based in Lagos. You have to understand that the car is a luxury SUV that is equipped with all necessity.
MDX 04 is a 3.5 litre capacity engine so you can't compare the fuel consumption with other basic SUV like Highlander, Pilot, CRV, etc. MDX is in Toyota lexus category
I bought mine early this year and I have been using it for six month now with no issue, you get the best fuel efficiency on highways not really good with city with lots of traffic, this is true for all high capacity litre engine. I spend an average of 5k on weekly basis including weekends and I believe this works for me because my office route is against Lagos traffic. My previous car is a V6 Mazda with 2.4 litre engine capacity and then I spend like N3,500 weekly.
The car is a very good one but you need to inspect well to ensure you are not buying liability, I mean a faulty one. And also never allow any how mechanic to touch the vehicle, I usually do my home work myself before going to the Mech, you can learn a lot here on Nairaland.
let me know if you still want to know more

sultaan: Google 2004 Honda accord, pilot, odyssey and Acura MDX transmission so you know what you are buying

Victoriousvic: I think the main problem it has is its transmission issues. There have been many complaints about the transmission, but besides that, I believe it's a great ride.

sultaan: Google 2004 Honda accord, pilot, odyssey and Acura MDX transmission so you know what you are buying

domack99:

I have to disagree with both of you, MDX don't have transmission issue, infact if you googlle transmission problem for any type of car be it TOYOTA, Mazda, Kia, Honda, just name it you will see lots of result but i will tell you that Transmission issue is not peculiar to MDX 04 model, i have colleagues in office that are using the 02 and 04 model and also have a neighbour that uses the 03 model, none ever complain about the transmission to me.

I heard the same thing about honda cars concerning shaft and transmission, i did my research thoroughly to the extend of talking to MDX parts dealer in Ladipo and Oyigbo market in Lagos before buying the SUV, what i could say is maintenance is the key here, for you to use this type of car you must be ready to buy high level quality oil and go to reliable mechanic, understand car part and do little diagnosing by using ELM327 to understand your vehicle performance.

domack99:

I have to disagree with both of you, MDX don't have transmission issue, infact if you googlle transmission problem for any type of car be it TOYOTA, Mazda, Kia, Honda, just name it you will see lots of result but i will tell you that Transmission issue is not peculiar to MDX 04 model, i have colleagues in office that are using the 02 and 04 model and also have a neighbour that uses the 03 model, none ever complain about the transmission to me.

I heard the same thing about honda cars concerning shaft and transmission, i did my research thoroughly to the extend of talking to MDX parts dealer in Ladipo and Oyigbo market in Lagos before buying the SUV, what i could say is maintenance is the key here, for you to use this type of car you must be ready to buy high level quality oil and go to reliable mechanic, understand car part and do little diagnosing by using ELM327 to understand your vehicle performance.

Victoriousvic:
You seriously need to do a little more research sir. Speaking with some colleagues who have been "lucky" so far, and some mechanics abi part dealers, doesn't mean that there are others out there who aren't passing through the transmission issue. I know what I'm saying.

I'll ask you to do one thing for me, just one. Google 'Transmission mdx 2004' and tell me what you see.

domack99:

I have to disagree with both of you, MDX don't have transmission issue, infact if you googlle transmission problem for any type of car be it TOYOTA, Mazda, Kia, Honda, just name it you will see lots of result but i will tell you that Transmission issue is not peculiar to MDX 04 model, i have colleagues in office that are using the 02 and 04 model and also have a neighbour that uses the 03 model, none ever complain about the transmission to me.

I heard the same thing about honda cars concerning shaft and transmission, i did my research thoroughly to the extend of talking to MDX parts dealer in Ladipo and Oyigbo market in Lagos before buying the SUV, what i could say is maintenance is the key here, for you to use this type of car you must be ready to buy high level quality oil and go to reliable mechanic, understand car part and do little diagnosing by using ELM327 to understand your vehicle performance.

pasino26:

I really appreciate your lectures and am following keenly this series on MDX. My colleague in the office said his cousin keeps complaining bout the parts and all that stuffs with suspension. A close friend who deal cars just advised against it and he couldn't give a reason to his maybe his guts I think. But from a user like you am 70% convinced on the car been aware that maintenance is key here.. Once more am following you and will move to acquire the car this week after a relative carries out inspection on it.

seemsnice:


Stop deceiving ursef, A boss of mine bought dis Acura MDX, the car hardly spent 2yrs before developing transmission problem, he has to order for complete gear abroad and fix before selling it. I `ll advice u guys to get something better, thou all are used cars, it`s by luck you can get a better car, naiaja mechanics luv toyota, buh i can never agree as d best car, buy the one of your mind and maintain it very well.

GOOODLUCK.

Readone35L: you guys should calm down And listen
there is no car in these world I repeat no car that can't develop tranny issues
it matters on how you maintain your car
imagine using a wrong cheap tranny oil are you a mad man then you come online and start saying jagons Dr d car is rubbish
the people your talking about that had transmission issues do you use the car with them ?, No
to they even know if the car needs a tranny oil change?
No
when they see service engine soon or check engine do they scan ?
No as long as the car is moving abi. you will spend all ur money when it packs up


most issues with vehicles are caused by the users

take for instance a guy here on nl with a Camry 07 that complained of a sound in his engine
it showed low oil pressure on the dash he still went ahead with driving
your car is a fool? it will make u a fool too
nau he has purchased anoda engine
will he make such mistake again? No
acura mdx 2004 is a nice car buy if u like it

abatically:

Bro, google transmission 2005 Audi a4. Or transmission issues Toyota Camry 07, or transmission issues of any car and I tell u then no car will be worth buying.

sultaan: The warning with my post is you will need a more frequent transmission service with the newer fluid DW***.

Even the original fluid from factory was not good enough atfz-1.SO if the transmission is good when you buy it the interval for service is as small as 20k miles whereas the one for a grand cherokee/chrysler is about 70k miles

domack99:

Thanks Bro, I will certainly check this out, though have not change my ATF since the car arrive, I only did the normal Naija servicing. The last Bumper to Bumper check I did shows that my ATF is still in good condition.

sultaan:

I am not telling you to do a service just to know you can't ignore it like in most models because the original fluid was they are on the third fluid type since that transmission was made compared to other brands

seemsnice:


Stop deceiving ursef, A boss of mine bought dis Acura MDX, the car hardly spent 2yrs before developing transmission problem, he has to order for complete gear abroad and fix before selling it. I `ll advice u guys to get something better, thou all are used cars, it`s by luck you can get a better car, naiaja mechanics luv toyota, buh i can never agree as d best car, buy the one of your mind and maintain it very well.

GOOODLUCK.

Victoriousvic:
Yeah bro. I agree with you. My point is, the acura mdx 04 has a transmission issue. There's no point denying that fact, like he did.

mishooo: OP, you CANT go wrong with an MDX, especially the 2004 and after. 2001-2003 often develops transmission issues (if not taken care of well) after the 100,000Km mark but that has been corrected in 2004 and after designs.

I presently use a 2006 MDX and that car is very solid. the parts are easy to get as it uses some Honda parts but it is a luxury car.
Trust me, let your mechanic look at it and you'll surely enjoy it.

pasino26:

Thanks bro, will have it depart Lagos tomorrow just that I missed installing the nav and dvd by a nairalander. Am convinced am in for a thrilling experience cuz I got you guys.

chelseabmw:


http://www.carcomplaints.com/Acura/MDX/

Pls go through this. The 2004 is the most problematic

pasino26:

Boss I did as you adviced, yea true the 2004 model got tranny issues mostly the TORGUE CONVERTER. It is safe to note that some were recalled for fixing and some left out. With the facts before me I can safely deduce it's a 50/50 chance I will be having this issue. I can't safely state that particular I recently acquired was recalled or not, nothing is ever certain 100%. If it brakes, we fix it!!! But I don't wish to have issues. Thanks boss

domack99:


I use MDX 04 personally myself (Touring with RES), am presently based in Lagos. You have to understand that the car is a luxury SUV that is equipped with all necessity.

MDX 04 is a 3.5 litre capacity engine so you can't compare the fuel consumption with other basic SUV like Highlander, Pilot, CRV, etc. MDX is in Toyota lexus category

I bought mine early this year and I have been using it for six month now with no issue, you get the best fuel efficiency on highways not really good with city with lots of traffic, this is true for all high capacity litre engine. I spend an average of 5k on weekly basis including weekends and I believe this works for me because my office route is against Lagos traffic. My previous car is a V6 Mazda with 2.4 litre engine capacity and then I spend like N3,500 weekly.

The car is a very good one but you need to inspect well to ensure you are not buying liability, I mean a faulty one. And also never allow any how mechanic to touch the vehicle, I usually do my home work myself before going to the Mech, you can learn a lot here on Nairaland.

let me know if you still want to know more