Cant decide 2007 Mazda CX9 or Acura RDX

[Kmesee]

Hello everyone,
This is my first time on this forum. Im hoping I can get some help here. Or perhaps Ill walk away more confused. About 2 months ago my 2000 Honda Odyssey died. It had 230,000 miles and it had a great run.

I just started to search seriously for a new used car and have narrowed it down to 2 choices, Mazda CX9 or ACura RDX. I am a single mother with 2 kids at home and 2 kids in college. I want a reliable vehicle because I cant afford repairs. I like the 3 rows of seating with the Mazda. It would be nice to have more seating when my girls ride with us or we transport more than 2 friends, although neither is often. I also like the fact that it is 87 octane. When I test drive it, it felt bulky and not as agile. Im not sure that it has the life of an acura. Im a bit of a car snob (not really) but I do like the Acura name over the Mazda. The Acura however requires premium gas and only has 2 rows of seats. The back seats don't lean back, I travel with my little guys quite a bit and they were used to a mini van. I loved the turbo engine and loved test driving this vehicle. It climbed hills much nicer, was quieter and more agile and smaller. It also felt much more luxurious, which would be nice after driving a no frills mini van for so long

I tend to keep cars for a very long time. I guess Im thinking of long term reliability and overall cost of owning.

Thanks in advance for your help.

[benleasco]

You need to think of your long term needs and what is most important to you. Do you want the pep of the acura? or the 3rd row. A couple of others that offer a third row would be a Nissan highlander or pathfinder. The Acura MDX also has a third row if that is interesting to you.