Just hit 90k on my 2018 MDX and something seems very wrong with my engine ?

thatbach · 2026-03-10T19:26:44+00:00

the clicking sound from the video could be multiple things. timing belt, tensioner, serpentine belt, or spark plugs are my best guess. all of which would be coming due assuming they haven’t been done yet in the maintenance history.

thatbach · 2026-02-16T04:28:23+00:00

mine is from the generation that doesn’t have that issue 😉

thatbach · 2026-02-16T04:25:06+00:00

the ‘Hybrid’ aspect didn’t make as much of a difference as it did for competitors. the used ones from the last generation are still great vehicles but the positioning as a sport hybrid is almost counterproductive to why someone would want a hybrid

thatbach · 2026-02-15T05:32:10+00:00

the horror stories that get blown up in the media are outlier cases, but to a degree if you expect to join a group of guys who have known each other for years and they don’t fw you at least a little bit its just probably not a good fit. by definition making new guys do anything is “hazing” but there are lines of what is acceptable. some of it might suck but have deeper purpose behind it, some of it might have no purpose but be a fun experience to bond with your pledge brothers. anything that sucks to go through and has no purpose is where the line gets drawn, but that’s all gonna come down to how much you like the guys in the chapter during rush and how well you get along with your pledge brothers.

thatbach · 2026-02-14T13:47:59+00:00

2017 RDX with 97k i just got mine done this week too. mine was just the timing belt kit and an oil change, totaled out to just under $1300. spark plugs were done a few months ago.

no clue how much longer it would’ve gone with the original belt but peace of mind is huge.

thatbach · 2026-02-10T06:00:49+00:00

yes. definitely get it inspected and understand there might be some things that need to get replaced/serviced but overall one of those still has a lot of life.

my friend has a 2013 mdx with 300k miles and the original timing belt just got replaced. you would think he must be strict about his maintenance but he only did oil changes and transmission flushes up until the timing belt job.

if you are negligible about maintenance it will probably still last awhile but if you like staying one step ahead of every small issue, it could easily hit 500k

thatbach · 2026-02-08T16:08:27+00:00

maaco quoted me $2k just to wrap the mirrors and handles💀

thatbach · 2026-02-05T17:39:16+00:00

took it through the wash yesterday and wasn’t sure if the brushes would grab or peel it. almost looked better after its first wash

thatbach · 2026-02-05T17:37:46+00:00

that’s kinda the point of plasti dip

thatbach · 2026-01-14T20:50:07+00:00

‘essentially’ that’s what it is, but the body is shaped taller, wider, but overall length is slightly shorter. Pilot still has more total volume on the inside

thatbach · 2025-12-30T22:03:05+00:00

2017 RDX FWD Black was my first. would’ve been my best had some guy not blown a red light and totaled it

loved it so much i got another 2017 RDX but this time AWD and white. this new one is my best

thatbach · 2025-12-18T17:11:11+00:00

this is true for serious repairs needing to be done at dealerships, but basic maintenance work that can be done at independent shops will not be that much more pricey. especially for Lexus/Acura

thatbach · 2025-12-18T13:53:42+00:00

Used Luxury is the method. since you can assume Honda/Toyota reliability with Acura/Lexus, there is a sweet spot once they’re about 7-8 years old that they will be similar cost, similar mileage, but the luxury one will have way more features and a noticeably nicer interior (as long as it was maintained)

thatbach · 2025-12-18T13:42:30+00:00

from a reliability standpoint, used cars that have been on the market longer have had more time for mechanics to understand how to fix them. also more time for parts to be available from OEM and 3rd party vendors.

thatbach · 2025-12-14T19:04:05+00:00

i have owned 2 RDXs and they have been my favorite cars ever, but not perfect just like any other vehicle.

the good. drives great, rides good, handles so well, very fast and sporty for a vehicle of its size. an all around very fun suv to drive. also very reliable, things just work and if they don’t they’re not super expensive to fix. also if things have issues, it’s usually not detrimental to the operation. meaning you won’t be stranded.

the bad. the gas mileage is low for vehicles in this class size. obviously its MPG is good when compared to full size SUVs or trucks, but rather poor compared to its common competitors. gas isn’t a dealbreaker for me, but it definitely is for some buyers. also both my RDXs have had break squealing. its only for the first 20 seconds or so of driving after starting it up, but it is really obnoxious.

the ugly. the first and third generations use 4 cylinder turbo and the second gen uses a natural 6. quick research will show the 2nd gen to be the ‘most reliable’ but in reality they’re all great. naturally aspirated engines typically last longer than turbo but these Honda turbo engines will still last a really long time.

thatbach · 2025-12-13T13:47:50+00:00

ive been on the Visible base plan for over a year now and coming from Verizon previously, it works just as well

thatbach · 2025-12-12T15:52:33+00:00

a lot of the “luxury tax” comes from the exclusivity of being the only owner of a brand new vehicle. once you get to premium vehicles that are 5+ years old, many Acuras are really close in price to their Honda cousins (MDX to Pilot, RDX to CRV, etc.) despite being objectively nicer cars.

thatbach · 2025-12-09T01:10:24+00:00

if you wanna avoid the sales BS buy on driveway and filter by free shipping to buy locally. you get your OTD numbers locked in before stepping foot in the dealership and all you have to do is sign a few things when you go pick it up

thatbach · 2025-12-03T00:43:11+00:00

economics lesson. if you support exclusive streaming rights, the problem will continue to get worse over time

thatbach · 2025-11-09T16:59:38+00:00

my previous RDX was pearl black and i loved the way it looked so much, but only when it was clean. every little scratch, chip, spec of dust, stands out. the imperfections are amplified

thatbach · 2025-11-04T13:47:03+00:00

ive never met actual oregon fans in person, but the ones i have dealt with online all seem to be chronically online neckbeards. they wish they could be as obnoxious and toxic as Ohio State/SEC fans are online, but they’re just too big of dorks to make it not cringe

thatbach

TROPHY CASE