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2024 Acura MDX — how much room below MSRP when inventory is normal? — second opinion before I spend money

V8Fan152Community StarterNov 26, 20252024 Acura MDX Type SBrooklyn
I am shopping a new car with several similar units sitting nearby. Dealer started at MSRP plus fees. What is the best way to use competing written quotes without turning the process into endless back-and-forth?
apr
4.89
location
Brooklyn
ppi planned
term months
48
asking price
46000
dealer addons
1495
dealer doc fee
899
permalink

39 replies

EVBuyer929Community StarterCommunity StarterNov 26, 2025permalink
I'd want competing paper, not competing stories. Keep sale price, trade, and financing split on the 2024 Acura MDX so a “good payment” cannot bury a worse deal. I'd rather lose the car than buy a foggy deal. Post the numbers (or the code) and people can get more specific. PPI guy I use is booked until next week, so I'm waiting.
ManualWrench159Community StarterCommunity StarterNov 26, 2025permalink
I'd slow the salesperson down here. If they're pushing term length to shrink the payment, the 2024 Acura MDX price probably got worse. That's the part that actually changes the decision. Happy to compare notes if your setup is different. Calling insurance in the morning before I reply to the desk.
RotorOwner247Community StarterCommunity StarterNov 26, 2025permalink
I would not stare at the monthly. In Brooklyn, insurance quotes flipped a 2024 Acura MDX comparison for me more than the sale price did. Screenshot the worksheet if you can. Keep sale price, fees, and rate as three different conversations. If the title is messy I'm out, full stop.
DailyWrenchCommunity StarterCommunity StarterNov 26, 2025permalink
I would not stare at the monthly. In Brooklyn, insurance quotes flipped a 2024 Acura MDX comparison for me more than the sale price did. Then the comparison gets honest. Time, temperature, and whether it's in gear are the notes that actually help a shop. A day of patience here is cheaper than a wrong part. If the title is messy I'm out, full stop.
V8Fan152Community StarterCommunity StarterNov 26, 2025permalink
Quick update: a second 2024 Acura MDX quote made the first offer look ordinary. Wrote this up on my lunch break.
V8Fan152Community StarterCommunity StarterNov 27, 2025permalink
Update from me: I finally have sale price, fees, and trade on separate lines for the 2024 Acura MDX. Sleeping on the number either way.
PistonWrench24Community StarterCommunity StarterNov 26, 2025permalink
Compare apples to apples or you'll get spun. Call your insurer in Brooklyn before you fall in love with the 2024 Acura MDX. If they balk, that's your answer. If it doesn't change the out-the-door or the repair estimate, it's noise. Sleeping on the number either way.
PistonWrench24Community StarterCommunity StarterNov 26, 2025permalink
Hard-won lesson from my last deal: A written buyer’s order on the 2024 Acura MDX is worth more than any verbal “we’ll make it work.” I'd rather lose the car than buy a foggy deal. On “how much room below msrp when inventory,” that was the fork that mattered for me. I'd want a dollar figure or a measured spec, not 'should be fine.' If your situation is the opposite, ignore me. If they get vague again I'm shopping the deal elsewhere.
ManualHunterCommunity StarterCommunity StarterNov 26, 2025permalink
Get the messy numbers in writing first. A written buyer’s order on the 2024 Acura MDX is worth more than any verbal “we’ll make it work.” If they balk, that's your answer. On “how much room below msrp when inventory,” that was the fork that mattered for me. I'd want a dollar figure or a measured spec, not 'should be fine.' Wrote this up on my lunch break.
PistonWrench24Community StarterCommunity StarterNov 26, 2025permalink
Insurance and tax belong in the comparison, not as a surprise. Keep sale price, trade, and financing split on the 2024 Acura MDX so a “good payment” cannot bury a worse deal. I'd rather lose the car than buy a foggy deal. On “how much room below msrp when inventory,” that was the fork that mattered for me. I'd want a dollar figure or a measured spec, not 'should be fine.' Wrote this up on my lunch break.
PistonBuyer760Community StarterCommunity StarterNov 26, 2025permalink
I would not stare at the monthly. If they're pushing term length to shrink the payment, the 2024 Acura MDX price probably got worse. Then the comparison gets honest. If they can't show the line item, I assume it's hiding. If the title is messy I'm out, full stop.
CamberMiles675Community StarterCommunity StarterNov 27, 2025permalink
Not convinced that's the whole story. If they're pushing term length to shrink the payment, the 2024 Acura MDX price probably got worse. Screenshot the worksheet if you can. Stop there until you know. Going to compare one more dealer before I decide.
WrenchCollector59Community StarterCommunity StarterNov 26, 2025permalink
Hard-won lesson from my last deal: Call your insurer in Brooklyn before you fall in love with the 2024 Acura MDX. If they balk, that's your answer. On “how much room below msrp when inventory,” that was the fork that mattered for me. Time, temperature, and whether it's in gear are the notes that actually help a shop. If they get vague again I'm shopping the deal elsewhere.
PistonBuyer760Community StarterCommunity StarterNov 26, 2025permalink
If I were shopping this, if one piece looks too good on the 2024 Acura MDX, hunt doc fees, accessories, and the APR next. Screenshot the worksheet if you can. This is from a 2024 Acura MDX in Brooklyn. If they can't show the line item, I assume it's hiding. Worth doing even if the car feels fine right now. If they only talk monthly I'm walking.
EVBuyer929Community StarterCommunity StarterNov 26, 2025permalink
Walk if they won't put it on a buyer’s order. If one piece looks too good on the 2024 Acura MDX, hunt doc fees, accessories, and the APR next. Screenshot the worksheet if you can. If you share a photo of the worksheet, easier to sanity-check. Doc fee is the line I'm watching.
GarageScoutCommunity StarterCommunity StarterNov 26, 2025permalink
If I were shopping this, in Brooklyn, insurance quotes flipped a 2024 Acura MDX comparison for me more than the sale price did. Then the comparison gets honest. No need to make it theatrical. Worth doing even if the car feels fine right now. Doc fee is the line I'm watching.
GarageWrench215Community StarterCommunity StarterNov 26, 2025permalink
Hard-won lesson from my last deal: Keep sale price, trade, and financing split on the 2024 Acura MDX so a “good payment” cannot bury a worse deal. I'd rather lose the car than buy a foggy deal. On “how much room below msrp when inventory,” that was the fork that mattered for me. Time, temperature, and whether it's in gear are the notes that actually help a shop. If they get vague again I'm shopping the deal elsewhere.
PistonBuyer760Community StarterCommunity StarterNov 26, 2025permalink
Treat this like a math problem, not a vibe. Call your insurer in Brooklyn before you fall in love with the 2024 Acura MDX. If they balk, that's your answer. Verbal 'we'll take care of it' is not a plan. I'd rather be boring and correct. I'll post OTD once I have two apples-to-apples sheets.
PistonWrench24Community StarterCommunity StarterNov 26, 2025permalink
If I were shopping this, if they're pushing term length to shrink the payment, the 2024 Acura MDX price probably got worse. That's the part that actually changes the decision. Run the total, not the monthly, before you commit. I've seen both outcomes, which is why I'd test instead of assume. Not letting add-ons ride along because everyone does.
NoMarkupTuner214Community StarterCommunity StarterNov 26, 2025permalink
I would not stare at the monthly. If they're pushing term length to shrink the payment, the 2024 Acura MDX price probably got worse. That's the part that actually changes the decision. If they can't show the line item, I assume it's hiding. A day of patience here is cheaper than a wrong part. If the VIN lookup is clean I'm still doing PPI.
NoMarkupTuner214Community StarterCommunity StarterNov 27, 2025permalink
I'd want competing paper, not competing stories. Call your insurer in Brooklyn before you fall in love with the 2024 Acura MDX. I'd rather lose the car than buy a foggy deal. I'd want that in writing, not as a promise. I'd sleep better after that step, even if it finds nothing. Going to re-read the worksheet tonight.
FlatSixGuy974Community StarterCommunity StarterNov 27, 2025permalink
If I were shopping this, if they're pushing term length to shrink the payment, the 2024 Acura MDX price probably got worse. Screenshot the worksheet if you can. A shop burned me once by skipping that step. Not letting add-ons ride along because everyone does.
RotorOwner247Community StarterCommunity StarterNov 27, 2025permalink
Don't send a deposit on a phone quote. If one piece looks too good on the 2024 Acura MDX, hunt doc fees, accessories, and the APR next. Screenshot the worksheet if you can. This is from a 2024 Acura MDX in Brooklyn. Time, temperature, and whether it's in gear are the notes that actually help a shop. If the title is messy I'm out, full stop.
WrenchCollector59Community StarterCommunity StarterNov 27, 2025permalink
Insurance and tax belong in the comparison, not as a surprise. A written buyer’s order on the 2024 Acura MDX is worth more than any verbal “we’ll make it work.” I'd rather lose the car than buy a foggy deal. On “how much room below msrp when inventory,” that was the fork that mattered for me. Keep sale price, fees, and rate as three different conversations. That's my plan before I call anyone.
CamberMiles675Community StarterCommunity StarterNov 27, 2025permalink
I'd want competing paper, not competing stories. Call your insurer in Brooklyn before you fall in love with the 2024 Acura MDX. Do that before you talk monthly again. That's the whole play. I'd sleep better after that step, even if it finds nothing. If this is nothing, great. I want that in data.
ManualHunterCommunity StarterCommunity StarterNov 27, 2025permalink
I'd want competing paper, not competing stories. Keep sale price, trade, and financing split on the 2024 Acura MDX so a “good payment” cannot bury a worse deal. If they balk, that's your answer. I'd want a dollar figure or a measured spec, not 'should be fine.' Might be overthinking it, but I'd rather overthink than overspend.
V8Fan152Community StarterCommunity StarterNov 27, 2025permalink
Quick update: a second 2024 Acura MDX quote made the first offer look ordinary. I'd rather look cautious in this thread than stuck later.
ManualWrench159Community StarterCommunity StarterNov 27, 2025permalink
Walk if they won't put it on a buyer’s order. In Brooklyn, insurance quotes flipped a 2024 Acura MDX comparison for me more than the sale price did. Then the comparison gets honest. Happy to compare notes if your setup is different. Going to compare one more dealer before I decide.
NoMarkupTuner214Community StarterCommunity StarterNov 27, 2025permalink
Hard-won lesson from my last deal: GAP, paint, and nitrogen are optional until you run the 2024 Acura MDX numbers without them. I'd rather lose the car than buy a foggy deal. On “how much room below msrp when inventory,” that was the fork that mattered for me. Verbal 'we'll take care of it' is not a plan. I screenshotted the quote for later.
V8Fan152Community StarterCommunity StarterNov 27, 2025permalink
Coming back with numbers — insurance in Brooklyn changed the 2024 Acura MDX comparison more than the sale price did. I'm keeping receipts and dates in one folder.
V8Fan152Community StarterCommunity StarterNov 27, 2025permalink
Coming back with numbers — insurance in Brooklyn changed the 2024 Acura MDX comparison more than the sale price did. If the VIN lookup is clean I'm still doing PPI.
WrenchCollector59Community StarterCommunity StarterNov 27, 2025permalink
The trap is a pretty payment hiding a worse car price. If they're pushing term length to shrink the payment, the 2024 Acura MDX price probably got worse. That's the part that actually changes the decision. Write the result down so the next test isn't a repeat of the last one. Not letting add-ons ride along because everyone does.
FlatSixGuy974Community StarterCommunity StarterNov 28, 2025permalink
Fair point. Counterpoint: If one piece looks too good on the 2024 Acura MDX, hunt doc fees, accessories, and the APR next. Then the comparison gets honest. This is from a 2024 Acura MDX in Brooklyn. Learned this the expensive way on a previous car. That's coming from doing this as an owner, not a shop. I'm keeping receipts and dates in one folder.
ShopMiles248Community StarterCommunity StarterNov 28, 2025permalink
Fair point. Counterpoint: Two 2024 Acura MDX quotes only help if both include tax, title, and the same options. Screenshot the worksheet if you can. This is from a 2024 Acura MDX in Brooklyn. No need to make it theatrical. If the VIN lookup is clean I'm still doing PPI.
GarageWrench215Community StarterCommunity StarterNov 27, 2025permalink
Compare apples to apples or you'll get spun. Ask for out-the-door on the 2024 Acura MDX with fees, add-ons, and rate on separate lines. Do that before you talk monthly again. This is from a 2024 Acura MDX in Brooklyn. Time, temperature, and whether it's in gear are the notes that actually help a shop. Sleeping on the number either way.
ManualWrench159Community StarterCommunity StarterNov 28, 2025permalink
Same neighborhood, different next step: Ask for out-the-door on the 2024 Acura MDX with fees, add-ons, and rate on separate lines. Do that before you talk monthly again. This is from a 2024 Acura MDX in Brooklyn. Post the numbers (or the code) and people can get more specific. This is the version I'd tell a friend.
V8Fan152Community StarterCommunity StarterNov 27, 2025permalink
PPI is scheduled. I'm not depositing until I see the 2024 Acura MDX notes. This is me being the wet blanket on purpose.
RotorOwner247Community StarterCommunity StarterNov 27, 2025permalink
Get the messy numbers in writing first. Call your insurer in Brooklyn before you fall in love with the 2024 Acura MDX. If they balk, that's your answer. On “how much room below msrp when inventory,” that was the fork that mattered for me. Write the result down so the next test isn't a repeat of the last one. Wrote this up on my lunch break.
EVBuyer929Community StarterCommunity StarterNov 27, 2025permalink
I'd push back a little: In Brooklyn, insurance quotes flipped a 2024 Acura MDX comparison for me more than the sale price did. Then the comparison gets honest. If you share a photo of the worksheet, easier to sanity-check. I've seen both outcomes, which is why I'd test instead of assume. Not letting add-ons ride along because everyone does.
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