Hi everyone,

I just picked up a 2003 MDX touring. Amazingly, I got a discount on it (not much) by buying the one that the dealer had in stock. It was somewhat of an impulse purchase, since I was looking for a daily driver / winter vehicle for the past few months.. I wasn't even looking at the MDX - my main choices were the Toyota Highlander 4WD V6 and the Honda Pilot EX-L, but I decided to go to the Acura dealer and worked out a deal in less than an hour.

After driving it about 50-60 miles at break-in speeds and acceleration, I can't help but wonder if I should have bought a BMW X5 3.0i. Maybe it was because I stepped out of a BMW 3 series and into the Acura? Even though I took the car slow, the handling just doesn't seem like as nice as the BMW. This is also my first truck / jeep / SUV, so maybe this is why? I've never driven the X5.

What do you guys think? Did I make the right purchase? I keep telling myself that I was looking to spend around $30k initially, and pushed myself further to spend $40k, but can't stop thinking that I could have pushed a bit further and spent $45k on the BMW.

Thanks,
-Brian.

 

I personally like the styling of the X5, but i've never been in one or driven one. But don't think you went wrong by purchasing an MDX. they're solid vehicles

 

You get alot more value with the Acura...I mean, if it was handling you were looking for, maybe you shoulda bought an Audi or a WRX. The X5 will of course handle a bit better than the MDX, but it is significantly more expensive when optioned equally and the Acura is faster.

I don't understand why you wish you had bought the X5 when you've never even driven it

 

The mdx is a good choice, i'm contemplating on wanting one also since acura don't have a convertible. For about $42,000, you get everything, including navi and a dvd entertainment in the rear. Personally, I like the styling of mdx better than any other suvs. It look sleek. I wish the dash on the mdx can be softer though, like the tl.

 

cool bro, the mdx's are nice, does it have power?

 

There aren't many cars, let alone SUVs that would match the handling of BWM 3-series. Acura MDX is the best handling SUV out of all SUVs I drove. I didn't drive X5, but I doubt it would handle significantly better than MDX.

 

Bro, I can tell you right now that the X5 was meant to have the 4.4L engine (or even better, the 4.6). But we're talking an extra 15k - 30k here.

The X5 3.0, to me, seems underpowered and overpriced. Nothing special about it. I get one as a loaner all the time. For cheaper than that, you can get a sexy MDX that pretty much has every feature you want.

 

X5 is awesome in the handling and performance area but is nothing in roominess than the MDX.
I have driven both and the X5 drives like a car but you cant haul much with it.