I finally sold one of my favorite cars that I have ever owned, a 2008 Acura MDX. I bought it new on Jan 1, 2008. My wife and I drove it happily for lots of years and sold it to my daughter back in 2020. She drove it until about a year ago and then sold it back to me. She was going to sell it to someone else and I did not want to let it leave the family.
Over the years my Acura MDX vehicles have been overall very good cars. The first was a 2003 silver grey. When I bought ththe 2003 it was hard to get them as they were so much in demand. I drove it for family trips, business, and occasionally some off road. Next was the 2008 this article is about. I loved the 2008 from the start. It was the first MDX I had with super handling all wheel drive. And that feature worked great. It managed the slight looseness of the rear end when navigating high-speed, sweeping corners. Additionally, during rainy or occasional snowy weather, the new handling feature ensured that I maintained control of my vehicle’s direction. The V6 engine was impressive, providing quick acceleration from a standstill and maintaining a steady pace thereafter. The transmission, with its five-speed configuration, was perfectly adequate for the vehicle’s needs.
Barbara, my wife, drove the car most of the time. I was always a bit envious of her car compared to mine. In 2008, we also acquired a silver-gray Toyota Avalon Limited. It drove like a small limousine, offering exceptional comfort. The Toyota also boasted some of the most comfortable seats I’ve ever experienced. The back seat was spacious enough to stretch out and fully relax. It provided more room than any of the 39 other cars I’ve owned, including a Lincoln Towncar. Both of my first two Acura MDX were incredibly reliable and served as reliable sport utility vehicles.
Over the years we kept the 2008 MDX. We then bought a large motorhome in 2009 and when we needed a tow car we got a Jeep Wrangler. That was a great tow car but not a great city car or travel car. And of course it was good to have on a motorhome trip when off road opportunities came up. And the Jeep’s height made it easy to hook up and detach from the RV. So I ended up being even more jealous of my wife’s car at that point.
In 2022, I decided I needed a new MDX. I bought a 2022 and sold my 2008 to my daughter. I made a hasty decision to buy the new one because I had such a positive experience with the first two. However, it turned out to be a mistake. While the 2022 was in many ways better than the 2008, it lacked the features that truly mattered to me. The 2008 had a fantastic engine, a reliable 5-speed transmission, simple audio controls, and we used Garmin instead of the Bluetooth system in the 2022. Oh, and the 2008 had a great CD changer, which the 2022 eliminated. The handling of the 2008 was also superior to that of the 2022. Was the 2022 a bad car? No. Was it a great car for me? No.
My 2024 Acura MDX Type S is an excellent car. It’s fast, handles well, is comfortable, gets decent gas mileage, and is quiet inside. However, it doesn’t feel or drive as good as the 2008 model. There are advantages to the 2024, but there are also disadvantages.
2024 is better than 2008. The hood does not distort and worry you that it is going to fly up. The new one is newer and has a warranty. You can adjust the height of the clearance if you need to avoid hitting some rocks or other obstacle.
The 2008 model is superior to the 2024. It drives and rides better, with a more comfortable leather interior and an advanced audio system. The CD player is a standout feature, eliminating the hassle of switching between phone connections. Additionally, the 2008 comes with a spare tire as standard, unlike the 2024, which requires an additional $500. The engine and transmission work seamlessly together, providing a smooth driving experience without the ten speeds of the 2024 and the stop start feature.
All four of these cars have been reliable. One basic complaint I have on all four has been the requirement to use premium gas.
I hade an excellent experience with the 2008 MDX. I bought a new MDX in 2022. Then two weeks later my wife was diagnosed with terminal cancer. She passed away six months later. If I had know about the problems Barbara was going to have I would have just kept the old Acura. At the time I also had the Jeep Wrangler. We only have two garage spaces. So when the new Acura came in the 2008 spent most of it’s time on the driveway. So I sold it to my daughter. Then 1 1/2 years later she wanted a new car and sold the Acura back to me. I eventually found a good home for my 2008 and it is now living with them.
If you’re looking for a new or used car, Acuras are a great option. While the Acura MDX may not receive as high a rating from automotive journalists as some competitors like Lexus, Kia, BMW, and others, it’s important to remember that journalists don’t have to buy their test cars and their recommendations are often based on performance and handling. Most regular driving isn’t on a race track, and I have to pay for repairs. In my opinion, regular buyers and drivers will appreciate owning a new or old MDX. Give it a try, and you’ll likely enjoy it.
BobNuttmann.com 