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This Honda place says the retail for the entire kit, which would be 2 fog lights, switches, relays, wiring harness and whatever else was necessary is $395. They normally sell the kit for $282 and they have it on sale right now for $197 and still making money. http://www.handa-accessories.com/pilext06.html
Point is, that even at full $395 retail for the Kit, one light assembly should be considerably less than half of that. Nice guys! I would have a sit down talk with the General manager and the service manager over that one.
The lights should hold up to small stones and such. But if it was launched from the tire(s) of a vehicle in front of you and you were going at highway speeds toward it.....!
Also it could have been something steel like a bolt or nut!
Kip
http://www.hondaautomotiveparts.com/auto/jsp/mws/prddisplay.jsp?inputstate=5&cat- cgry1=Pilot&catcgry2=2007&catcgry3=5DR+EX+2WD&catcgry4=KA5AT&catcgry5=FOGLIGHT
Live and learn I recon!
Kip
If we ever had this happen again, I would be tempted to see if Hella or Piaa made a fog light that would fit in same space as factory unit.
Thank you for your time and the good info.
John
Probably be best to "Set" the deal first.
Mr. Dealer, what is the labor charge for installing a fog light!
OK, that sounds fair.
I can get the part from another Honda dealer for this much, will you match the price?
They would probably refuse to match the price and tell us they only install parts they sell. :P
However, there are some good mechanics and body shops around that could do it.
Kip
It smells somewhat like a cross between anti-freeze and exhaust fumes. Goes away in a few seconds. It is possible that there is a slight breeze blowing the rich "Start up" exhaust toward the front of the car (fuel smell) and the heater fresh air intake is picking it up and bringing it inside the car. This has been going on since the car was new in Febuary of 03.
Runs good and gets great mileage for a Pilot. Don't want them messing with it!
Kip
tom
Bringing humid air into the car and heating it up, doesn't work as well for me, as, Recirculating and getting rid of the moisture in the inside air. A very short time with the AC compressor on will get rid of the moisture. It will also help the engine to warm a little faster and cold/humid outside air doesn't have to be dealted with.
With that said, In the summer if the car windows allowed rain or humid night moisture inside and the day is dry and low humidity, bringing in fresh air works just fine.!
Kip
However - please tell me if I am mistaken! The owner's manual says something to the effect that, A/C is ON and CANNOT be turned off when in the defrost, foot/defrost, foot and bi-level modes! ??? I found this was the case in the '05 when turning on the defroster, but the climate control would read a/c on and I could turn it off, and would hear the change in engine sound when the compressor would turn off. The VP's a/c control includes a toggle button with a light. I have been listening fervently to the engine and so far haven't heard a difference by pressing the button on/off. (It has been bitter cold here in northern NJ these past few days, so perhaps that's affecting the a/c and whether it actually turns on or not?)
SO my question is, does anyone know if this nonsense is true? If so, how can I get around it? It certainly would explain why reported mileage is a little low! Why on earth would I need the A/C running when I just want heat on my feet??! :confuse:
The youngster at the dealership who gave me the 'here's how to work your car' lesson didn't even know how to unlatch the seat belts in order to put the 3rd row seatbacks down... the salesman himself didn't realize that the VP came with tinted glass and a CD changer... so I am not confident I will get an accurate answer from the dealership.
Any comments, suggestions, advice?
Thanks.
Karen
I got around that by interrupting the wire going to the compressor with a toggle switch.
Kip
Anyone have any thoughts or solutions???
Thk u!
thank you very much for responding and sharing. I am so stressed over this! so the solution was exchanging fuel tanks right? I would think they were all the same type of tank???
Good luck..
thanks for your post. I am going to pursue this week to get the fuel tank replaced, emphasizing that i want a tank with barriers/baffles to prevent the fuel from moving around.
car salesman quote of the day in response to my problem: "turn the radio on & I won't hear it!"
I have always wondered why I don't have to run my home air conditioner in the winter??? It doesn't leak if I don't use it??
Just wuuundering.
Joe
Complained about this too, but was told that it depends on my driving and it would get better with time. It hasn't and I am very easy on the gas pedal. I read on this forum that some Pilot owners got 22-24 mpg. Hard to believe, the discrepancy is way too big. But, hey, I am luckier than you, I don't get the burning rubber smell.
Other than my transmission going out at 37k miles, I have been very happy with my Pilot. The early Pilots (and Odysses) had transmission problems, and I needed mine replaced at 37k miles (I couldn't believe it!). I've never taken it off road or towed anything. Even though it was out of warranty (only 1k miles over), Honda agreed to pay for it. Supposedly, they have fixed the problems with their trannys now. I do think it was a fluke, and still recommend the Pilot to friends. Just remember, you've bought a very nice car that has many outstanding features, and I'm sure it will give you many problem free years.
Many pre-2004 Honda/Acura models that shared the 5 speed auto had a problem with the tranny burning out. Honda has been good enought to bear the cost of replacement even if the car is out of warranty.
I was set on getting a CRV or Rav4 when I read about large incentives being offered on the Pilot. I have a question about the Pilot's reliability. I read through a few of the posts on the Pilot. I did not see any significant problem like the rear differential problems on some CRVs. Am I missing something? How reliable is the Pilot? Are there know problems that are common on the Pilots?
Thank you for your help.
-Rob
1. A groaning sound from the rear end on slow sharp turns. The dealer had not changed out the rear end dope (4wd) during the 15K service. New dope solved the problem. So that wasn't really a Pilot Problem. More human error of the dealer.
2. Skipping, missing and chattering, when the tranny tried to lock up the torque converter turned out to be a bad EGR valve. Didn't make sense to me, but the new EGR valve "Fixed" it. Seems Honda had gotten some bad ones from venders, but didn't know which vehicles they had been installed in. Problem didn't show up until pretty much after 20K or so and only on a very small % of vehicles. While it was a part that failed, it would be hard for me to find fault with Honda on this single incident.
Yep! Sometimes when I stop,there is some fuel slosh noise from the tank. On dirt road "Wash Boards", there are some vibrations. A little more road noise than I like, which could be helped by better tires. Tires are original as are the brakes.
About 90% of my driving is local 6 mile commute to work. Overall mileage is 18+/- mpg. Highway yields about the same at 80, around 23mpg at 70mph and 27mpg at 60 mph. More than pleased with that.
Keep in mind this one was the 1st year Pilot. The newer ones may have addressed some of my non issues. I would buy another one in a heartbeat, a New York minute, the Flick of a Bic! :shades:
I do have 1 real issue. Honda has not addressed. The Pilot is rated to tow 3500 # flat front trailer. Pilot does not offer a 7 pin electrical connection, in the rear, for towing a light weight 2000# camper or any trailer with electric brakes. Yet it is available for the Ridgeline. :confuse:
If I were in the market for a light duty pickup, I would buy a Ridgeline. Which is basically a Pilot with an open bed, a sub frame, a slightly less comfortable folding back seat and heavier duty cooling. Neighbors on both sides have Ridgelines, and my son recently traded his Mustang GT for one.
Of the 60+ vehicles I've owned in my life time, I have kept this Pilot longer, and have no desire to trade it for anything. For it's size, utility, performance, fuel mileage when driven conservatively, and comfort, it is a keeper.
Kip
Thanks,
-Rob
Kip
If the CRV and RAV4 fit your needs size-wise, I say go with one of those instead of the Pilot. The reason: MUCH better gas mileage (and also easier and more fun to drive).
But to answer your question, my 2007 Pilot has been 100% reliable, as have all the Hondas I have owned. I've had it for about 1.25 years and 16,000 miles. Haven't had to do anything but routine maintenance. I've never been back to the dealer for anything.
David
I was hoping that it was a little higher than the EPA estimate. I want a Pilot-size SUV so that I can comfortably fit in the SUV, but I may have to be practical a get an CRV because of MPG. I am a recent college graduate so I need to minimize expenses for awhile. It is very tempting, however, to still get a Pilot based on the low prices and great reviews.
-Rob
-Rob
Thanks for the feedback. With all of these glowing reviews, I will keep considering the Pilot despite the MPG difference with the CRV.
-Rob
Pilots are very capable of exceeding the EPA ratings. Spend some time on the "Pilot Real world MPG", and read for yourself. .
MPG depends an awfully lot on the driver, driving conditions, and the terrain.
A driver with a light foot will always get better mileage than a heavy footed one.
Serious traffic, like 20 minutes to go a couple of miles, will kill mileage.
So will lots of steep hills.
I agree with David. A CR-V or Rav4 is an excellent choice. Under "Similar" condition, either of those ( 4 cylinders ) will deliver better economy than a Pilot.
For local driving, I much prefer to take my wifes 03 CR-V. It is probably (feels) quicker 0-40mph, much more "Zippy". Turns sharper, more agile, and easier to park. MORE FUN! Even with my wife driving the CR-V, it gets 2-4 MPG better than I can get with the Pilot. With my driving of the 2, there is more like 3-6 MPG better with the CR-V than the Pilot. This is simply due to different driving styles.
Even if the mileage was identical, I would prefer driving the CR-V locally.
On the road, which is about 5%-10% for us, the Pilot is more comfy, quieter, and has more power available for passing and such. However, the 07 and 08 CR-Vs perform better than our 03 due to the 5 speed auto tranny vs our 4 speed. They are much quieter inside at road speeds, and will deliver better mileage than ours.
We do tow a boat or a utility trailer occasionally. If it was not for that, I would trade the Pilot for a "New" CR-V. Just for the "Fun to Drive" factor.
Kip
The CRV is surprisingly spacious on the inside for what appears on the outside to be a small SUV. Enough room for 5 passengers + a fair amount of cargo. I used to have one. I highly recommend it. As for the Pilot, unless you absolutely need the larger size, in my view the upsizing is not worth the extra costs (not only at time of purchase or lease, but also at the gas pump).
David
I think I will resist the temptation with the low prices of the Pilot and stick to a CRV, or maybe a Rav4. All of our driving will be in city with traffic and with a lot of hills once we move back to Seattle. We don't really need a larger SUV and never tow anything. So there really is no need for us to get a Pilot.
Thanks again for your feedback. This is my first new car purchase in a long time so I wanted to make sure I made a thoughtful selection. Your and other posters' feedback has been very helpful.
-Rob
What part are you disagreeing with? I agree with you concerning "YOUR" Pilot operating in YOUR conditions. Maybe you need to visit a mechanic.
>" There was another member here who got about the same on his Pilot, there were others, however, who, hard to believe, got 22, even 24."
There are members that get better than 24 on the road. There are many that have reported 18+ for their overall City/highway averages. Read up on it.
Kip
Hopefully the noise is coming from one of the external parts, such as the water pump, alternator, etc..
From day 1, Our CR-V had a squeak that lasted about 10 seconds when starting up from sitting over night. At a little over 30K the AC compressor self destructed. Haven't noticed the noise since it was replaced.
Kip