Can an Old First-Gen Acura MDX Go Off Road? | Red Canyon Jeep Trail

Jeff is saying good-bye to his first car, a 2005 Acura MDX. As a final send off, he decided to see if it could tackle the Red Canyon Jeep Trail. So can the 15 year old, 205k mile car make it?
Special Thanks to NotaRubicon and Whatz Production for their excellent videos and guides of this trail! Also special thanks to Pat, Ryan, and Leslie for their help on this video!
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[@robertwood9730]

Don’t part ways with it! Very similar to your story, my parents bought a 2001 new, and I’ve had it now for a couple years. I’ll never get rid of it & at 301,000 miles it’s still a great car👍

[@JimLBon]

@@williamperri3437 Mine has 246k on the original trans. I added an external cooler at 22Xk and swapped from Honda atf to Valvoline maxlife with lubeguard additive. It was slipping occasionally and with the fluid swap and friction modifier she’s shifted like a champ since. The Maxlife is a little more viscous than the ZTF after it ages, even though the ZTF is a little more viscous when new.

[@rastomasstanford7708]

Amen

[@dochvtech22]

Look up Robert breaker n Gene kim on KZbin

[@colechapman6976]

My parents did the same thing. They bought Ford for a few years and were really disappointed by the shoddy reliability and build quality so in 2003 they bought this car at the time when it was only two years old. My family used that car until 2018 when my parents sold it, and it was still running very well even after all the long trips to the Catskills for skiing and all the carpooling we did in it. The car was very comfortable and did its job well, we liked its roominess and comfort, but the MPG was the big disappointment. My parents bought a 2016 Lexus in 2018 and they plan on keeping it for a very long time

[@MrSamPhoenix]

Hell yeah!

[@bricefloyd9480]

i recogniuze that startup noise hear it every day

[@ctothegiles]

I doubted my 05 MDX until I took it off road with my Bro's lifted Cherokee. I kept up with him no problem. I was amazed at how well it does through mud, snow, ice, small rocks... going up to the mountain snowboarding where chains are required, I've never had to chain up. It absolutely blows me away how well it does. Oh and by the way, its been way more reliable than my 03 Outback and just as good off road if not better.

[@ctothegiles]

Not yet! Still has low mileage though. 141k

[@surajsaini6427]

Awesome video I’ve got an 01 Mdx with the touring package with 297,000 kms on it! Awesome to see the mdx off-roading

[@seanwalker9287]

How many transmissions

[@markmasur821]

I miss my MDX. We had a 2006 Blue one that I grew up on until I left for college. So many cross country trips, memories!

[@MrSamPhoenix]

The MDX wasn’t made for heavy off road duty. Color me impressed!

[@joshuasteinwald2539]

I joined the Acura club yesterday! Just got a mint 2008 MDX with 126 thousand kilometers. Unfortunately needs an exhaust leak fix so it didn't pass safety but once I fix that she's gunna be a beast. I test drove a Hoda pilot of the same generation. Both good but MDX feels better and plus MDX is the king when it comes to icy roads. It just grips!

[@Ebisima]

Damn...watching this video i felt that same sinking feeling i got when my mum's 01' Dodge Grand Caravan got totalled in a hit and run. That thing took us across up and down the country three times and seeing that pup crashed up just killed me inside. RIP Caravan....Ill forever remember you and our journeys.

[@evmcanlas]

I'm sold ...gettin me a early gen MDX!!!

[@ac9448]

I love mine. A few quirks but a great and safe vehicle.

[@josephpeiser8057]

I’ve driven one for 4 years, just drove it in about 5 inches of snow in around my very hilly area, it’s such an amazing car

[@builderspluscustomhomesand2146]

I got an 04 ... wouldn't trade it for a new vette even if it qualified too lol. You WILL NOT be disappointed and the gas mileage I get around 20... Truthfully, it's an older model car and just like this new generation ... nothing looks sexier built after 1999.

[@lucashoward6602]

I have an 05 and Indiana just got slammed and the plows buried my driveway and I didnt even need to shovel to get it out lol

[@pronto7362]

@@builderspluscustomhomesand2146 i wanna get one for my first car that has 174k miles on it . is that too much ?

[@Anonymous-gu1bt]

I recently purchased an 06 MDX Touring trim level, it's super clean and I'm definitely camping with it. Cool video man, thanks for showing me how the vehicle can potentially perform.

[@S50saloon]

awesome video. love the editing, music and all! keep it up! do more videos with the MDX if u got it still

[@TheyllNeverGetMe]

I drove the apline loop in Colorado in my 2001 MDX last year. I was very impressed. It was miles of switchbacks as steep or steeper than the hill y'all drove on. The car is definitely very capable. I still enjoyed the video. I hope you enjoy that car for years to come. Heres to more offroading.

[@TheCurbsidePodcast]

Sounds like an epic trip!

[@calvinbawesome7715]

This is a great video! You guys deserve more subscribers.

[@bengie11355]

My parents have the Honda Pilot; sister vehicle of the MDX as you probably know. It holds the same type of sentimental value that your MDX does. We've been on so many adventures with that SUV. No sedan or modern day crossover could have done the same like our Pilot did.

[@jasonbeaumont420]

Nice vid. I've got an 04 mdx with 270,000 kms on it. I've had a few trucks over the years and love camping/ fishing and finding random trails. When I got the MDX, I've taken it through way rougher trails than any of my trucks and it's still going strong.

[@MrBluoct]

Tire choice?

[@i.chavez7219]

My first car was a 1994 nissan altima and my dad got it new. I ended up with it in 2003 and used it until 2014 when I gave it to my little sister. But because of the extreme care I had for the car it got up to 450,000 miles. And it could still do more. The value of a car isn't in how far it can take you, buy how far you can take it. Don't give up on your MDX. I just got my own and I can't wait to find out how far we'll go together.

[@christiancalderon8177]

I love ❤️ so much my Acura MDX 2004 217 miles Amazing 🤩 machine

[@victorsvidss]

Great car and great message towards the end. Our 04 mdx had a great 12 year journey with my family until it came to an unfortunate end when I was driving down the highway one night and slammed into a bus taking a left without yielding. I still miss the car to this day. On the plus side, big thanks to the engineers at Honda my friend and I lived to tell the tale!

[@majhoolmaroof2065]

Please keep making videos on other products. Dude, you are amazing. I watched this video because I was looking to buy the same car. Yes, your last words made me change my mind, but man, you are a great product reviewer. Thanks for the history lesson as well. 😉

[@stephanieluna5733]

Thank you so much for this video I have a 2004 MDX and we are going out to Fossil Creek Wilderness and have a 14 mile bumpy road to go through and worried we wouldn’t make it 😬

[@king_james_ghost3643]

And the ending was pretty great with the speech

[@offroadhuasteca8576]

Finally what happened to the MDX? Excellent car! Don't throw it away!

[@mzhnj54]

thnx for the video! guys

[@thames33]

Lmao putting new scratches on the wash!!!

[@masmo333]

nice video man

[@donnutkid9402]

Ive got a 2004 that's got 295,000 miles on it. The rear end is missing some teeth, rear suspension is all broken, power steering comes and goes. But it's still my daily driver and it has pulled cars out of ditches its gone places that vehicles shouldn't go. Its been a hell of a trooper. And if it rolls over 300,000 miles like i think it is. Im gonna get ALOT of new parts for it and put another 300,000 into it.

[@TheCurbsidePodcast]

Haha, hope it makes it to 1mil miles!

[@HPSGamingTech]

Good Luck

[@klujics123]

I have an ‘05 that I bought last week. It has 307,000 on it. Just found out as I’m looking at the maintenance that the timing belt is still original .... that says something ! Though I’ll remedy that this coming week. What oil you run in your MDX? Thanks

[@donnutkid9402]

@@klujics123 I use 5W30

[@donnutkid9402]

@@klujics123 and i just got home after a long day. At 301,993 the rear end fell apart and i slid off the road. No major damage but im about to get onto rock auto and spend $1000 on this old acura. It deserves it for all of the abuse my dad did to it and then what i did to it.

[@king_james_ghost3643]

Pretty good video. Has info and a personal touch that isn’t annoying. Usually when people make videos like this they give no info and never shut the fuck up but you had a good balance

[@ProjectPaatt]

... look at my procrastination with lowering that tire pressure >.

[@Gone_rn]

Just my opinion but the mdx is a much better off roader than the sub

[@inaj27]

205k miles and still going off reading ! Right on ❤

[@zachs5719]

Wound up on some narrow ATV tracks in Central Oregon with my '07 MDX, a giant beast compared to this one. I should not have been there but I stupidly put my faith in Google Maps which changed my route over and over again, thinking the trails were just national forest roads. Honestly I was more worried about my tires getting cut on a sharp rock than anything else. At any rate, with proper tires and a couple inches more ground clearance, it would be a lot of fun on the trail in the video. The SH-AWD will not replace a locked straight axle or any of the other actual off-road things, but it is a marvel of technology - nobody else had anything like it when it came out - and even though it's designed for good handling on roads, it knows how to put torque where it's needed on any type of terrain. I bought it with 200k miles and I plan to drive it into the ground.

[@supremejonathanmat645]

Should mod my Acura MDX 2005 for off road

[@SpencerLowe-kg4rg]

My 06 MDX has 250k KM which my dad gave me for free is still running like a dream. I will keep driving it as long as it lasts.

[@wisdomisawesome5934]

Same it’s a good ass car

[@SpencerLowe-kg4rg]

@@williamperri3437 never did

[@prestondunn1991]

these are plenty capable. i have an 01 that i have modded quite a bit. I take it to the dunes and take her farther than im willing to with my 5th gen 4runner, which ive also modded for camping/overlanding. dont get rid of your mdx, just keep it and build it to be a good camping rig. The VTM 4lock is a beast.

[@downtowndallaspopcornshopp9913]

Same here with my 04! The MDX is an underrated beast!

[@marieramirez6130]

What have you done to it if you dont mind me asking, looking to take it out on some light trails. But I'd rather be safe than sorry haha

[@prestondunn1991]

Marie Ramirez for light trails you’ll be ok being stock. I’m on 285/70/17 tires. Led headlights/fog lights. 2 inch spacer lift. “They don’t make shit for the mdx/pilot. I have installed a transmission cooler, after a long 4 hour journey through Cold Creek, the transmission started to overheat. “Toughest climb that she’s been in yet”. I took out the compressor and 3rd row seat for “some” weight reduction.

[@prestondunn1991]

Marie Ramirez manual shifting and VTM are going to be your best friends, I also have a lot of recovery gear that I keep in the back. I’m just now getting around to adding my roof rack and light bars

[@prestondunn1991]

Marie Ramirez take in mind that it’s not my daily driver either. I have taken it to the sand dunes, lowered my tire pressure and she RIPS!

[@markboisvert1857]

that mdx still is better than the suvs brand new on the road today. last long long time. trust me from experience. you shouold love it. sad you cannot replace it but the new honda passport is the close replacement.

[@DrewMoney801]

Picked up a 2011 with only 110k miles last year. Pretty happy with it.

[@louf8335]

1st generation mdx looks more bad ass with rear spoiler, and running board. These suv are awesome.

[@camper2310]

I may be 12 years old but my sister has this car it has lots of features, and it looks like it can be a really good starter car 👍

[@epctfl]

My first car was a gold 2004! I loved it

[@micahrocks5969]

Just got my windows tinted and the triple back looks great with the chrome door handles and metal side steps. This really is one of the powerful reliable SUVs. It gets a lot of hate for being Soccer-ready but VTEC and it is a time capsule. You can run any grade fuel through it. It has a longer wheelbase than you’d think when you really look at it low from the side. I love putting the petal down and enjoying the 3.5 do it’s job. It was expensive that is not a lie. And I too get around 16 MPG. I never do better than 24 MPG highway cruise control. We have 224,000 miles on her. We bought her new in 2005. She’s an 06.

[@klujics123]

At what mileage you Change the timing belt? Also you what kind of oil you use?

[@luketc1]

These motors run awful on 87, please don’t tell people to “run any fuel” on an Acura 3.5

[@6mt_sdan]

You motivated me to take the MDX to Indio now! Nice video and love the editing!

[@TheCurbsidePodcast]

Thanks! It's a lot of fun! Just remember to be prepared and don't go alone 👍🏻

[@Jb10197]

My first car was a 1988 Acura legend coupe blue top with gray on bottom

[@Seeker22000]

I have one, almost the exact same, including the grey paint and mileage. Still driving it now. Biggest beef is the horrendous gas mileage. It was parked for a year but my CR-V passed away last week so I had to take the MDX out of mothballs. New battery and it started first crank. I forgot how big it is, not easy to park in tight spots. Very comfortable and roomy.The climate control works perfectly. But here we go again. Just as before it always seems to need something. Wheel bearing, tie rod, squeeky belt, rear pads and rotors ...... Nothing major, just maintenance items. But still, it always seems to need something, specially more gas.

[@Seeker22000]

@@williamperri3437 No issues, still shifts smooth as silk.

[@itztayy1739]

My 1st car was a blue 2005 Acura MDX Touring 3.5L

[@louf8335]

Hey where u located? Still have the mdx?

[@forwangclaude1519]

I got an MDX 2002, I will do this soonest

[@Honestandtruth]

The Curbside P...... The Reality of Life is that Everything is getting Old, Machines , Cars and People too.... NoWay around it.... It's Nature...👍😃

[@ryanfrost3669]

Start a series with this car

[@slavicraccoon5582]

This is my first car as well, same year. Some front bumper damage and 300,000 miles in it. It’s finally been put to rest, god bless it’s soul

[@TheCurbsidePodcast]

It had a good run :)

[@downtowndallaspopcornshopp9913]

Best first car ever! Where did it end up? And what had happened to for you to get rid of it?

[@scar3xcr0]

I have a 2004 and I love it. I wanna add a light bar and better tires. I have taken mine on roads far rougher and steeper even. They really are great cars many make it over 300k.

[@klujics123]

Buy tires yet? What kind and are they good in snow? Thanks

[@davidreeves2596]

Time-out.. whats the back story on the Acura? Why was it sitting for a year? No mechanical issues? Did you check the fluids? Change the oil??

[@BernonCars]

Hahaha this is awesome

[@downtowndallaspopcornshopp9913]

15 MPG?? Sure, in stop and go city traffic. But with cruise control, premium gas, and a couple of bottles of octane booster, and the AC off when the weather is nice, my trusty 04 Tech gets 30-34 mpg highway!

[@hughes3947]

No way. 21 max...

[@angelgjr1999]

2003 Mustang GT gets about 20 mpg highway. With a v8 engine...

[@angelgjr1999]

Although on hilly city roads I get more like 10 :(

[@Honestandtruth]

That's What Life All about..... Enjoy it with friends and family....😅🤣

[@nicobent19]

How much do you want to sell it for? I also have an 05 MDX Touring and I might need spare parts for a project 😏

[@xfunkyflipx]

Nice offroad video on our aging MDX. I have the 2002 touring and I don't think I'll be letting it go just yet. It's very capable on and offroad. It loves the sand dunes and the only downside to me is the clearance. I've switched the tires to BF goodrich ko2 and has improved the traction along with VTM4. Anyone here that has lifted their MDX please let me know where to start.

[@klujics123]

What kind of oil you use?

[@xfunkyflipx]

@@klujics123 Mobil 1 synthetic is the only oil i use for it.

[@eddyvictor6752]

My mdx 05 is 206miles on it but guess what..... The engines never been opened 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@Frost_Tiger]

When I bought my first car was and 03 mdx same sage brush color had 161k on the das when I got it and has 214k on it now all I can say is X gonna give it to ya being a hidden beast that it is 😎

[@Frost_Tiger]

@@williamperri3437 I do call mines DMX too rip 🙏🏾

[@alexflosho]

love the term "mommymobile"

[@bigcris6622]

Who else has an 05 MDX as a first car and hated it but looked to see what cool things it could do anyways 😂

[@tjandthebear]

I'm never selling my '04 Touring -- never.

[@utasajaia5681]

Don't you dare to say that Acura MDX first gen has inferior 4x4 system then even modern Subaru. You think this trail was a challenge for it? Not even close to what I put it through and man this car went up as if I had at least 2 diffs locked. Reaction time is instant and has plenty of power to put down on one wheel to get out. Unlike Subaru, especially with a CVT. I have seen plenty of videos where Subaru gets stuck when going steep uphill and gets 2 diagonal wheels in the air. While I put my MDX throught the same challenge, I get only a slight wheelspin and then I go like a tank. And I don't even engage VTM4-lock most of the times.

[@tjandthebear]

I'd challenge the assertion about cost. No car payment & cheap insurance more than makes up for any difference in gas & maintenance costs.

[@Nubiansage1]

After 25 + years you can drive it to classic car shows.

[@samuelgabbard8171]

I drive an 06 mdx, and have gone through far worse with no issues.

[@downtowndallaspopcornshopp9913]

Same here with my trusty 04!

[@samuelgabbard8171]

@@downtowndallaspopcornshopp9913 things are TANKS

[@209Fightclub]

1st car was 97 Acura integra ls I love Acura

[@rafaelortiz8971]

Mdx gang

[@tousifrahman2342]

Honda was going the right direction with this model, then turned into Soccer Moms Ride afterwards.

[@Joel-qw4ux]

After 13 yea but the 2022 is actually quite nice

[@tousifrahman2342]

@@Joel-qw4ux I seen that, looks good, wish we could get that in Australia, they stopped importing the MDX since 2007, I have a 2005 which pretty much became a rear car now & going up price :-D.

[@specraider6134]

I Love Honda / Acura I bought my wife an 06 MDX..The first Gen is So underrated 4wd super reliable, comfortable yeah ..I'm buying myself One In a few months Lift and supercharging it love em big fan and my wifes MDX gets way better gas mileage than yours and the parts are not that expensive I don't know what you're talking about with that

[@vitaliyvlasyuk451]

@@williamperri3437 the transmission issues in these cars aren't transmission issues. It's the person owning it issues from not changing transmission fluid in time, very solid cars that will outlast a lot of the new vehicles out on the road today Edit: adding a transmission cooler to these vehicles is definitely a good idea too

[@onealc9278]

02 With 130,000 miles. Run regular and get 16.4 average.

[@michellel564]

I got an MDX but I've had an 1996 Escort GT in WAY WORSE places than this! And still had my ground effects on her! She was one hell of a 4×4! Wish I still had it 😭. But hey I love my MDX she's style.😎 N 4 wheel drive.

[@tthumbnails2938]

Man i want one. I saw a nice one of these with 278,000 for next to nothing. You think I could squeeze 300k out of it?

[@joshimirobot8266]

Year? The first gen had bad tranny problems. 07 and newer, you can probably get 400k out of the engine with some minor repairs here and there. I own a 09 with 235k. Love it!

[@sandratorres996]

I got a 2003 Acura mdx

[@kylepeterson]

so, a dirt road?

[@rastomasstanford7708]

I would never give that MDX up.

[@tousifrahman2342]

The MDX is ready for much more than that, it’s a beast, watch this video: m.kzbin.info/www/bejne/mZewi2eOlst7hNk

[@gtdodgeviper]

7:10 you should had tried with out releasing air from the tires. That would had been awesome if the MDX made it.

[@mefirst5427]

No need for premium "sucker" fuel, just add a bottle of Chevron fuel system cleaner after regular oil change, it is a 3.5 VTEC, not a Mercedes!

[@gasgorillas8673]

Bruh why do you got a mask on in the middle of nowhere?🤣

[@samalmaleesha283]

Civic 1995

[@markboisvert1857]

????///easy no challenge ... realy???????? deflate the tires???? lol Ypou should see what i do in the Snow on logging rods in Western Maine Mountains. mdx better than that subaru hands down. better all around vehicle. Acura made a HUGE mistake stopping that MDX in 2006. 2007 to 2022 mdx terrible overpriced. Acura ruined the MDX

[@bohan9957]

Wow you guys knows absolutely nothing about off-road driving, didn't even bother to check tire pressure, rookie mistake. Nevertheless I enjoyed every minute of this video. I'm in Phoenix and looks forward to drive this trail one day. Subscribed!

[@mrdave777]

I don’t understand the mask.

[@thunderthumbz3293]

Can't take anyone who wears a mask outside seriously.

[@sforserpa]

mask up lol

[@jaredbennett4761]

If the mdx didn’t have a piece of shit transmission it would be worth more money like the Lexus gx and rx they made the transmission out of glass and rice

[@bjorneoslo8575]

The only problem with the mdx trans is the fact that it's cooler is inside the rad, and when it leaks it kills it. external trans cooler fixes the problem

[@BulldogHotrod]

You were outside, take the stupid masks off!!!

[@TheCurbsidePodcast]

sorry, don’t have the budget for a time machine 🤪

[@BulldogHotrod]

@@TheCurbsidePodcast I know, I was only kidding, it's nothing personal, just really over the whole mask nonsense. They never did any good.

[@coltallman854]

Dude. Take off the dang mask. 🙄