I raced an MDX in my 3.0!

Well, I never thought I'd post about an SUV vs. SUV street race... but it happened!

I had my wife and son in the car tonight, heading home from dinner. Near our house is a long and steep (any truck over 2-axles is prohibited) hill that is two lanes up, then a single lane at the top. The hill is about 1/2 mile long with a light at the bottom.

At the bottom, the MDX and I waited for the green. The light changed, and we both headed up the hill at a normal pace. Usually, at this point, I give the car a bit more gas so I can be ahead at the top when the road becomes one lane. I got on the gas, and so did the MDX. I gave it more gas, and the X5 downshifted - the MDX was still level with me going up the hill. He heard my downshift, and (what a jerk) floored his truck (I could hear his engine screaming).

Being a guy, I couldn't resist the challenge. We were about halfway up the hill, and doing about 45 mph...

I floored it, and the X5 screamed. We were now neck and neck (both floored) going up the hill...50... 55.... 60.... 65.... 70.... and I started pulling on him. We passed 75... 80... and I was nearly two cars on him.... As we crested the hill, we both let off the gas and coasted down the backside. He stayed back (in my dust) and turned off a bit later.

I was pretty impressed. I've got the "weakest" X5, yet it was able to pull against the MDX (most likely the 240 horsepower model). I never would have bet on it.

You've got to love the inline-6!

That's hilarious!

German horses are better.

How did your wife and kid react?

Sounds like he was used to beating people up the hill and you agitated that habit of his. I hate those two-to-one lane roads. All they do is lead to racing and road rage, but I am not picking on you as I don't blame you. Who the hell wants to ride behind an SUV/SAV anyway? I don't know about doing that with the kid and wife in the car, though. I find that I am a different driver with the kid and wife in the car, but 70 is not 90-100. I was wondering about the MDX's capabilities so thanks for the report.

My wife knows I am a good, and safe, driver. This road is wide and safe, with a concrete guardrail in the middle. The X5 is very stable, and I wasn't going to play "chicken" if I wasn't pulling on him.

My wife did comment - almost as a joke - as we passed "80" and the OBC beeped (I've got the alarm set for 80 mph). She hates that thing!

You have completely made my day!

I had narrowed down my choices to the MDX and the X5. Drove them both, really liked the X5 better, but I'm not a good judge (I am, and so there do, drive like a girl).

Fit and finish on the MDX wasn't as good. Posts on several Internet forums brought up horror stories of starter problems, idle control valve trouble and new transmissions before 19K.

The only more attractive item on the MDX was price.

None of it has really mattered since I brought home my X5 - every minute I'm sure I made the right choice, but the closest I can come to real-life comparing them is parking next to one at the office, and I always smirk as I walk away (looking over my shoulder to admire my ride).

You've done that one better!

Originally posted by Emission
My wife knows I am a good, and safe, driver. This road is wide and safe, with a concrete guardrail in the middle. The X5 is very stable, and I wasn't going to play "chicken" if I wasn't pulling on him.

My wife did comment - almost as a joke - as we passed "80" and the OBC beeped (I've got the alarm set for 80 mph). She hates that thing!

My wife trusts my driving as well, and knows I'm a safe, good driver. But she'd still have a cow at me.

Knowing a little about you and your judgment, I'm sure it was fine -- was just curious about the dynamic.

I still always get startled by the speed beep... (mine's set to 100)

Originally posted by Plaz
My wife trusts my driving as well, and knows I'm a safe, good driver. But she'd still have a cow at me.

Maybe my wife is nuts (most likely)...

She's been in my Passat crossing the desert to Phoenix while I held it at 130 mph (GPS read 130.5 - my darn HR rated tires prevented me from going faster).

With that in mind, I would never do anything to endanger other drivers, or if I make the people in my car nervous.