topic Re: GMC Acadia or Acura MDX? in Auto Loans

GMC Acadia or Acura MDX?

Anonymous — Fri, 01 May 2009 13:25:39 GMT

We need seating for 5 children & 2 adults at any given time. Don't want to completely murder our gas mileage (or the environment), otherwise we would bite the bullet and get a Yukon or equally conspicuous vehicle.

I know the MDX is a better choice in terms of cost of ownership, but our cc balances are still higher than we'd like (due to the move & being out of work while DH was in rehab most of last year) so we would like to take the likelihood of approval into consideration. (However, our auto-enhanced FICOs are golden, so will be slightly higher than our regular FICOs regardless of the cc balances we're carrying.)

We will be trading in a 2005 Buick Rendezvous, and I understand there are some GM-for-GM incentives right now. However, we NEVER buy new, and with either brand will go for a 1-2yo model and I'm not clear if the GM incentives apply to pre-owned vehicles. Does anyone know?

Is the GMC brand easier to get approved for right now, given the issues they are having, or harder? If there is no difference in the FICO requirements, we will certainly go for the MDX because of the long-term cost of ownership advantages, plus it's cushier inside and I am spoiled with my woodgrain, cream suede/leather, heated seats, wipes-my-butt-for-me Rendezvous Ultra.

DH has one 6-yo paid CapOne CO for $250 and that is the only negative on his report. No late pmts on anything in the past 3yrs, only 2 30-day lates from 2005. I have one medical collection (disputed a million times, I could sue their pants off as it isn't mine, but I've been FICO-lazy the past 6 months) from 2003 and 60-day lates from Sallie Mae from 2004. Current CC balances are 14500/15000, 6000/8200, 4900/5000, this is tanking our scores but it's just a fact of life when brain tumors happen.

Re: GMC Acadia or Acura MDX?

Schoolbuskid — Fri, 01 May 2009 13:56:52 GMT

Hey Ivy, its nice to see that your back, you have been greatly missed!

IMHO, i would say go with the Acadia, i feel that they are more roomy than the MDX, and definitely wont cost as much( wait what year are you considering?).

I see that you mentioned wood grain, and seat warmers, have you looked at the Buick Enclave, same size as Acadia,but has more of a luxurious feel, kinda like your Rendezvous Ultra!

Good Luck!

Re: GMC Acadia or Acura MDX?

Anonymous — Fri, 01 May 2009 14:05:02 GMT

Hi Schoolbus!

I have missed you all, greatly. It's been very trying, adjusting to his retirement, his first "real" job (haha, civilian job) which is also his first time back at work since the BT...

I have looked at the Buick Enclave but honestly I'm trying to drive something a little more my "age" that looks slightly less like a kidmobile (I am only 26, lol) or grocery-getter, but will still seat all of 'em..

Re: GMC Acadia or Acura MDX?

Anonymous — Fri, 01 May 2009 14:45:44 GMT

I would be short - if you can afford MDX - go for it. This is way better car. But if you want to lower maintanence and overall cost to own - then no.

Re: GMC Acadia or Acura MDX?

Schoolbuskid — Fri, 01 May 2009 15:27:26 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
Hi Schoolbus!
I have missed you all, greatly. It's been very trying, adjusting to his retirement, his first "real" job (haha, civilian job) which is also his first time back at work since the BT...

I have looked at the Buick Enclave but honestly I'm trying to drive something a little more my "age" that looks slightly less like a kidmobile (I am only 26, lol) or grocery-getter, but will still seat all of 'em..

Well on that note, i say go for the MDX, although, you can find a some pretty decked out Acadia, for a good price. Did you look at the Saturn Outlooks as well? Sorry not trying to change your mind, just wondering if you have explored all options! Although i could have suggested the "Ford Flex".

But with the two you picked i'm sticking with a well loaded acadia!