pilot_seeker, I think this is one of those deals where it is "doable" but not optimum from a safety or peace-of-mind standpoint. Honda obviously has some margins in their ratings to give you a factor of safety which can be used, but if you get into a tight spot, this reduction may have consequences. I'd probably give it a go, but drive conservatively and try and make every effort to minimize the load and make sure my trailer brakes are up to snuff.
What is worrisome on the Pilot is that even the 4500-lb limit is predicated on towing a boat, so there doesn't seem to be a lot of headroom there to begin with, or I think Honda would have said 4500 is fine with any load.
Another concern is whether Honda radically reduces allowable trailer weight when you start loading the vehicle. With back seat passengers and luggage, you may find that your 450-lb tongue weight goes away. There have been some discussions in the Ridgeline forum where two rear seat passengers more than halves the allowable tongue weight, which essentially reduces towing load from 5K to 2K. So if you're going to be loading the Pilot with passengers and luggage in addition, you could be beyond prudence and into foolishness.
We have the reverse warning on our 2004 Pilot. The system emits one long beep when you shift it into reverse, to let you know the system is functioning and engaged. (Since there is an On/Off toggle switch, one could potentially think it is engaged when the system is in fact turned off if it didn't beep, so the beep lets you know it is on. For example, you have to turn it off if you have a trailer attached.)
I like this feature, not only for the practical reason mentioned above, but also because it provides an audible feedback as to what gear you are in without having to look at the dash. Ever thought you were in R and really were in N?
Since Honda touts safety for every one, I hope they will have rear side airbag too. Better make it able to be turned off if necessary.
And they should put the VSA standard on every model.
Will they shed a few hundred pounds from Pilot? Recently there was an accident locally between a Pilot and a Geo something (Prizm?). All people in Geo died, but two in Pilot were severly injured too. Lighter weight may help to reduce braking distance.
Why is the Pilot rated at 4500 pounds for a boat and 3500 everything else. Although there may be an aerodynamic difference, that would show up as the speed you could tow at. Weight is weight. 4500 pound boats are the same as 4500 anything unless you go fast and the aerodynamics of the boat may have some influence.
When I shift into reverse, there are three "beeps", pause, and the cycle KEEPS repeating. The inboard two sensors on the bumper don't seem to do anyting. The outboard sensors seem to function, ie. increase in speed of beeps as you get closer with a higher frequency, but the volume is low, and the constant three beeps drowned out the sound. Two Honda dealers tell me this is normal, and the constant cycle is to warn me the unit is working. This is not what I expected. Am I wrong?
We've just traded in our '02 Odyssey EX-L for a '05 Pilot EX-L. We're really going to miss the sliding doors, low rear floor, luxurious rear seating, huge cargo capacity incl. length. We've come to love the rear remote controlled sliding doors which worked great in tight spaces including in our garage. We'll also miss the Odyssey's space where our two dog crates would sit well below the line of vision. (We'll likely switch to 'see-through' wire crates for use in the Pilot.) Additionally, one dog crate was 3' long and still had ample air-space between it and the tailgate.
I agree our '02 Odyssey EX-L has rather poor seats. Traded it for a Pilot and will find out shortly if it's seats are any better. Though Odyssey seats rate well in reviews, I compare them to our Saab and find them really lacking support over long drives. Following a one-day 15-hour drive I found myself the next day quite crippled up, hardly able to walk for two entire days. A long drive yes, but easy in the Aero and tough in the Odyssey.
Love the Pilot. But with gas prices soaring and my Impala getting 24 city and 29+ Hwy, I am having trouble saying to buy.
Also the declining stock market is affecting my funds to buy with. Again, stock market decline primarily due at current time to rising oil prices Sort of a double whammy.
Just read a write-up in the Raleigh paper estimating price of Subaru will be $36,500. Hope that is top of the line. Compared to Acura, BMW, Didn't mention Pilot so previous comment about B9 being aimed at upscale market appears to be correct.
Help Please --- If you have a Honda Pilot w/ Honda backup warning system, please read my message on 6349 and comment if yours works the same as mine. If not please advise in detail how yours works. Thanks alot.
Other than looking pretty, do they make a difference? Have them on my Impala and to be honest, the only way to tell they are on is to either (1) turn off the headlights by going to parking lights (Have DRL) or by (2) looking at the fog light switch to see if the inside light is on. As far as penetrating the fog and shedding moire light, they are worthless. Honda fog lights are pretty expensive for a look cool thing.
I had an 04 Pilot with the fog lights. I did not find them to produce a great amount of additional light under normal conditions. I never had the opportunity to run them in thick fog to know how well they worked. I mainly purchased them for the sport look (I was getting out of a Mustanf GT). I now have the 05 Pilot w/out fog lights and to tell you the truth, I think it looks better without them. One note, if you are somewhat mechanically incline, you can download the installation instructions and install them yourself - I'm sure that would save quite a bit on labor. I probably complicated your decision further, if so, sorry.
we moved to the boonies shortly after buying the Pilot and my wife insisted I add the fog lights to help on those dark backroads. I picked them up off Ebay for something like $220, IIRC. Took a few hours to install (toughest part is just worrying that you might break something while removing the front grille and bumper cover, but it turned out to be much easier than it seems). Anyway, the end result was that they do, as a matter of fact, help to illuminate the sides of the road a bit better. Its nothing spectacular, but that extra split second it gives in spotting a deer may very well prove a lifesaver some day.
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
I think the Pilot is significantly larger than the X-trail. The X-trail is more like the Forester's size. I think Nissan actually copied the dimensions of the Forester when they created the X-trail. I would consider an X-trail, but I don't like the instrument panel in the middle of the dashboard. Call me a traditionalist, I guess.
From everything I've heard, the Pilot is one fine SUV. I can't understand however, why people complain about the gas mileage. You are buying a 4,000 lb. truck, for Pete's sake!!! What do you expect, 40 miles per gallon? I think one should be happy with 15 mpg (US) in the city and maybe 20-22 on the highway. Be realistic! If you want a big vehicle like this, then don't carp abut gas mileage! Buy a Forester or X-trail instead!
I got a quote for a '05 Pilot EX-L, and I was surprised that it will be $200 a year more expensive to insure than my Sienna.
I thought I remember someone on here that has a Pilot and a Odyssey. Is the Pilot more expensive to insure? My insurance person was making it sound like Pilots were fairly expensive for insurance.
Not sure what you were quoted for the Pilot or what the cost of the Sienna is or what you consider expensive insurance. I have an 05 EX-L and that costs $800 a year, with a $500 deductible. Single driver, good driver rate. Good luck!
Yeah, that's in line with what I got quoted. I guess the Sienna is just cheaper (around $600/year). Maybe vans are cheaper than SUV's to insure. Thanks.
Maybe the parts are more expensive or its harder to fix?
Our Subaru Outback, Chevy Tahoe(4x4) and previous Plymouth Grand Voyager(2wd) all cost just bit over 600 per year. So I didn't see any diff between SUV and vans.
No way!! The sensor beeps once when you go into reverse, then is silent until you get close to an object then beeps repeatedly and gets more frequent as you get closer and goes to a solid beep about 18 inches away from the object. I had put the car in reverse with the parking brake on and the tail gate open to test it. There is a high pitch beep as you walk around the corner of the bumper, then it goes to a lower pitch directly behind, adn high again as you hit the other corner. Just today, I backed up out of a space and the sensor worked perfectly. My reverse sensor is the OEM Honda sensor with four sensors on the bumper.
eps105 - Please read my message #6349 re backup sensor. Is yours the same as mine? Thanks, amriet
amiret - My experience is the same as mtbdad -- The sensors on the corners emit a different tone than the two facing the back. If one of the tones is constantly beeping over the other no matter what is behind you, then your system is DEFINITELY malfunctioning. Sounds like you have a defective sensor.
Check out the user instructions on handaaccessories.com at http://www.handaaccessories.com/odyssey/backupsensor.pdf and you will see on step 5 on page 4 that there are supposed to be 2 different tones based on the rear or corner sensors.
Your system is defective and your dealer doesn't know what he's talking about.
amiret - One more thing. Page 6 of the manual states that a series of 3 beeps from the system indicates a self-diagnosis that one or both of the center sensors are faulty.
I take it you don't have or didn't read the manual. :-)
If I were you, I'd have a good word with the person at your dealership that said it's supposed to work that way, and see his/her reaction to the facts.
Oh, I forgot one thing. When I first got the sensors, I had alot of weird beeps.( Can't quite remember the particulars) There was a loose wire. After they fixed it..no problems. I suspect that there is a wiring problem with yours.
Thanks to eps105 and mtbdad for your help in proof to my dealers re problems with back up warning system. I never did have a manual or instruction sheet with the system, and the link was the final word that I needed. Thanks again for the support.
I have a '05 Pilot with the towing package...it 'came' with a 4 prong harness...does Honda have have a 7 prong harness that I can have switched?...I've had my vehicle just over a month..and just bought a new boat..I will call Honda...but figured I'd inquire here first...thanx
I have a '05 Pilot with the towing package...it 'came' with a 4 prong wire harness...does Honda have have a 7 prong harness?(I actually need a 5 prong, extra prong is for the backup lights/shuts off the brake actuator on the trailer..but a 7 prong is ok, I can simply plug in a adaptor)...I've had my vehicle just over a month..and just bought a new boat..I will call Honda...but figured I'd inquire here first...thanx
I just came back from driving a pilot and was quite impressed. I have driver every car it seems like in the book. We own a 04 yukon can't afford to keep it, too big of payments and gas guzzler ( I pay 110.00 or so a week of gas, NO KIDDING)I drive a lot and gas prices here are horrendous, so basically I am shelling out 1,000 a month of this car. We have 3 kids 10 and under so van would be nice but Sienna's seats are short and Odyessy horrible lumbar support. I had a 2001 Odyessy and that was no better than new one. I took new one out today to test just to double check and within minutes my back was so sore and tired I just can't imagine how people like it. I know everyone's back is different but....So the pilot was completly different, seats were comfy and can't can't figure why it's different but it certainly was. My back is still sore from Odyessy 2 hrs later. Anyway I was thinking seriously of working figures with that 05 Pilot but ran into a snag. The car was a demo, owner's wife has driven it for 6600 miles and just turned it in. It was the sage brush, she had put chrome on front bumpers and back, day and night mirror and 1300.00 hitch so the car was marked up but had miles. Well I could not do anything with it because I want to lease and they told me you can't because it has miles on it. I have not heard this, is it true? I grant you I do not know much about leasing but I thought that was weird. Just thought maybe I could work out a good deal and I am going to lose money on this yukon since it's barely a year old. I hope with 3 kids it's going to work out o.k. but I have not found a van that is comfy, big SUV's are too big and gas guzzlers but...
The dealer can't lease you a car that has some miles on it? Wow - sounds like this dealership needs a new finance manager.
In fact, I bet Mrs Dealership owner would happily tell Mr. Owner about this one.
You can lease USED cars - you can lease NEW cars you can lease ALMOST NEW cars.
However, you shouldn't lease options you don't need like the towing package.
You should read various people's experience with Pilot gas mileage I don't know your Yukon mileage but I've seen 15-20 MPG real world numbers from the Pilot. It seems to get better after break-in.
There seems to be plenty of Pilot inventory these days - you should have plenty of choice.
In my household the 5 star crash rating and good visibility helped make the sale.
VCM- Please no! It doesn't appear to be working that well on the 05 Ody with all the complaints on mileage and the Odys with it seem to be getting about what the Odys without should be getting. Also, Since it only shuts the same cylinders each time, will there be an issue of uneven wear on the cylinders? Please let the Ody folks try it out for a while first.
Airbags - Neutral. Ok but will raise the price. I personally don't care.
Upgraded leather - Nice but what they have is nice too.
Interior and Exterior styling changes. Would like to see before comment. Anybody see something at one of the auto shows? Hope it isn't like the Ridgeline front end.
Kinda wanted to go ahead and get an 05 but if they are restyling, then I might have to wait since the price on the "old models" will drop.
Yeah, I'm taking a wait and see attitude too. I figure if I like the '06 better, then great, but if not, then they should be practically giving away the 2005's later this summer.
VCM seems to have mixed opinions. One comment I've picked up on is that the people that are not seeing improved MPG tend to be faster drivers (80's+). I've also seen people getting 30, so who knows. Driving style probably plays a big part. Some people only get 13 on the current Pilot, while others are low 20's. Go figure.
Nobody knows what the styling changes will be yet. I've been to a couple auto shows so far and the Honda people have no clue. They supposedly have to redo the interior a bit though to get the air bags to fit (2nd row). Rumor of a little more legroom in the 3rd row too.
I expect the styling to be a bit edgier though, as that seems to be Honda's direction. The Pilot seems to be the plain one of the lineup now.
Why did we trade off the Odyssey? 1) We've owned SUVs in the past and missed being able to go off-road even if it's jsut down to a river's edge to let the dogs go for a swim. 2) At 49,000 km it got a second transmission due to whinning noise. Then almost exactly a year later at only 70,000 km it gave my wife grief on a trip to the mountains and when she got back home they said it needed a 3rd transmission. The guy at the shop said that the 2nd one wasn't likely new but rebuilt - so we figured that if it's some sort of congenital defect with secondary parts wearing/failing - then they may just be recycling the problem until the warranty was up.
Hello, I purchased a new Honda Pilot 2005 in February of 05. I don't recall if I noticed a hesitation when I first bought it but I surely do now. The same problem your having when rounding a turn without coming to a complete stop is the same problem I'm having. It is driving me absolutely nuts. I read that you've been to 2 different dealers and they found nothing wrong. I'm wondering if maybe there's going to be a recall with the trans. It just doesn't seem normal to have to drive this way. I glad I'm not the only one with this problem. It almost makes it not fun to drive--very annoying. Well I just hope it's a problem that can be fixed in the future. Jennifer.
I should have added, that now that we've had the Pilot a few weeks we really like it. However, I wish we could pull out the third-row seats and use the space for more underfloor storage. (We noted that the Land Rover LR3 gives you a two or three row choice. Really wish we could afford one of those - just don't understand the rush to turn every SUV into a bus or glorified stationwagon.)
The Odyssey had a lot more utility in terms of space - it jsut lacked ground clearance and 4wd.
HI. I just bought a Pilot LX in NYC. Have the same feelings about it: Was considering the Ody but the ground clearance and lack of 4WD did it for me. And, yes, that space in the back is very tempting. I'm now looking for seat covers: Have a dog (hair) and go out to the country all the time. Used to use a tarp, but that looks so incredibly...uh...tacky. Still, in all, am very happy (so far).
If the bath towels aren't cuttin' it anymore, try www.wetokole.com. These are not the cheapest by any means, but they're water proof (mud from dogs) and made to fit(no mud on the side of the seat and look factory). There is also a company called Performance Accessories that makes covers. Sorry, can't recall web page.
I'm surprised to see that the rollover rating for the 2004 Pilot is only 15%. How can this be the same as the Subaru Outback, which is a station wagon. I was considering the Outback because I was assuming it had a smaller chance to rollover.
My other favorite was the Subaru Forester, but the rollover rating is even higher (16%).
Comments
Steve, Host
What is worrisome on the Pilot is that even the 4500-lb limit is predicated on towing a boat, so there doesn't seem to be a lot of headroom there to begin with, or I think Honda would have said 4500 is fine with any load.
Another concern is whether Honda radically reduces allowable trailer weight when you start loading the vehicle. With back seat passengers and luggage, you may find that your 450-lb tongue weight goes away. There have been some discussions in the Ridgeline forum where two rear seat passengers more than halves the allowable tongue weight, which essentially reduces towing load from 5K to 2K. So if you're going to be loading the Pilot with passengers and luggage in addition, you could be beyond prudence and into foolishness.
Good luck,
- Mark
I like this feature, not only for the practical reason mentioned above, but also because it provides an audible feedback as to what gear you are in without having to look at the dash. Ever thought you were in R and really were in N?
Elliot
Very good elaboration.
Since Honda touts safety for every one, I hope they will have rear side airbag too. Better make it able to be turned off if necessary.
And they should put the VSA standard on every model.
Will they shed a few hundred pounds from Pilot? Recently there was an accident locally between a Pilot and a Geo something (Prizm?). All people in Geo died, but two in Pilot were severly injured too. Lighter weight may help to reduce braking distance.
Also the declining stock market is affecting my funds to buy with. Again, stock market decline primarily due at current time to rising oil prices Sort of a double whammy.
Ok, back to the Pilot.
Steve, Host
Just read a write-up in the Raleigh paper estimating price of Subaru will be $36,500. Hope that is top of the line. Compared to Acura, BMW, Didn't mention Pilot so previous comment about B9 being aimed at upscale market appears to be correct.
Still working getting on the Pilot.
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
check out: http://www.acronymfinder.com/
From everything I've heard, the Pilot is one fine SUV. I can't understand however, why people complain about the gas mileage. You are buying a 4,000 lb. truck, for Pete's sake!!! What do you expect, 40 miles per gallon? I think one should be happy with 15 mpg (US) in the city and maybe 20-22 on the highway. Be realistic! If you want a big vehicle like this, then don't carp abut gas mileage! Buy a Forester or X-trail instead!
I thought I remember someone on here that has a Pilot and a Odyssey. Is the Pilot more expensive to insure? My insurance person was making it sound like Pilots were fairly expensive for insurance.
Our Subaru Outback, Chevy Tahoe(4x4) and previous Plymouth Grand Voyager(2wd) all cost just bit over 600 per year. So I didn't see any diff between SUV and vans.
--jay
I had put the car in reverse with the parking brake on and the tail gate open to test it. There is a high pitch beep as you walk around the corner of the bumper, then it goes to a lower pitch directly behind, adn high again as you hit the other corner. Just today, I backed up out of a space and the sensor worked perfectly. My reverse sensor is the OEM Honda sensor with four sensors on the bumper.
amiret - My experience is the same as mtbdad -- The sensors on the corners emit a different tone than the two facing the back. If one of the tones is constantly beeping over the other no matter what is behind you, then your system is DEFINITELY malfunctioning. Sounds like you have a defective sensor.
Check out the user instructions on handaaccessories.com at http://www.handaaccessories.com/odyssey/backupsensor.pdf and you will see on step 5 on page 4 that there are supposed to be 2 different tones based on the rear or corner sensors.
Your system is defective and your dealer doesn't know what he's talking about.
Hope this helps!
Elliot
I take it you don't have or didn't read the manual. :-)
If I were you, I'd have a good word with the person at your dealership that said it's supposed to work that way, and see his/her reaction to the facts.
Elliot
Wow - sounds like this dealership needs a new finance manager.
In fact, I bet Mrs Dealership owner would happily tell Mr. Owner about this one.
You can lease USED cars - you can lease NEW cars
you can lease ALMOST NEW cars.
However, you shouldn't lease options you don't need like
the towing package.
You should read various people's experience with Pilot gas mileage I
don't know your Yukon mileage but I've seen 15-20 MPG
real world numbers from the Pilot. It seems to get better
after break-in.
There seems to be plenty of Pilot inventory these days -
you should have plenty of choice.
In my household the 5 star crash rating and good visibility
helped make the sale.
--SRL
- VCM
- full compliment of airbags
- upgraded leather (no perforations)
- interior and exterior styling changes
Also, Since it only shuts the same cylinders each time, will there be an issue of uneven wear on the cylinders? Please let the Ody folks try it out for a while first.
Airbags - Neutral. Ok but will raise the price. I personally don't care.
Upgraded leather - Nice but what they have is nice too.
Interior and Exterior styling changes. Would like to see before comment. Anybody see something at one of the auto shows? Hope it isn't like the Ridgeline front end.
Kinda wanted to go ahead and get an 05 but if they are restyling, then I might have to wait since the price on the "old models" will drop.
VCM seems to have mixed opinions. One comment I've picked up on is that the people that are not seeing improved MPG tend to be faster drivers (80's+). I've also seen people getting 30, so who knows. Driving style probably plays a big part. Some people only get 13 on the current Pilot, while others are low 20's. Go figure.
Nobody knows what the styling changes will be yet. I've been to a couple auto shows so far and the Honda people have no clue. They supposedly have to redo the interior a bit though to get the air bags to fit (2nd row). Rumor of a little more legroom in the 3rd row too.
I expect the styling to be a bit edgier though, as that seems to be Honda's direction. The Pilot seems to be the plain one of the lineup now.
1) We've owned SUVs in the past and missed being able to go off-road even if it's jsut down to a river's edge to let the dogs go for a swim.
2) At 49,000 km it got a second transmission due to whinning noise. Then almost exactly a year later at only 70,000 km it gave my wife grief on a trip to the mountains and when she got back home they said it needed a 3rd transmission. The guy at the shop said that the 2nd one wasn't likely new but rebuilt - so we figured that if it's some sort of congenital defect with secondary parts wearing/failing - then they may just be recycling the problem until the warranty was up.
Otherwise a great van and we still miss it.
I purchased a new Honda Pilot 2005 in February of 05. I don't recall if I noticed a hesitation when I first bought it but I surely do now. The same problem your having when rounding a turn without coming to a complete stop is the same problem I'm having. It is driving me absolutely nuts. I read that you've been to 2 different dealers and they found nothing wrong. I'm wondering if maybe there's going to be a recall with the trans. It just doesn't seem normal to have to drive this way. I glad I'm not the only one with this problem. It almost makes it not fun to drive--very annoying.
Well I just hope it's a problem that can be fixed in the future.
Jennifer.
The Odyssey had a lot more utility in terms of space - it jsut lacked ground clearance and 4wd.
My other favorite was the Subaru Forester, but the rollover rating is even higher (16%).
Maybe somebody will be able to explain me this.
Thanks,
Pablo