Honda Pilot 2003 through 2005

diploid

Actually, fat people float very well in water. It's called buoyancy.

anonymous02

Rosie O'Donnell can start her own fleet of Honda Pilots, then.

stangelj

We've already seen pictures of 2 Pilot's at auto shows, the metallic red one, and a white one. Which one was at the Honda Classic? Thanks.

j_walker

The red one.

ickes_in_mn

was probably at the golf tournament too. I would think that it would be in a location more accessible to people (other than Rosie or Jesus) to get a closer look.

moonkat

stlgasman, jmurman42,

My dealer says GY = "Sage Green - kinda like the Granite green, and with fern interior" ???

stlgasman

It was the red one.

chernne

HELLO!

I am happy to join you guys in this forum.
I have a question for you. Does anyone know if the Honda Pilot and Odyssey can come with both the Navigation System and the DVD entertainment system options TOGETHER and not like now where you can only choose one or the other?

Thanks
Andreux

megasuvowner

What are the price estimates on this Honda version of the MDX? Lets see if they learn from toyota not to have similar cars at similar prices. The mistake that toyota made was that the Highlander started out at $26k and with all the options ended up in the mid-30s and the Lexus RX300 which is practically the same car starts at the mid-30s, which left some consumers between chosing between a Lexus or a Toyota.

will4271

Gaging from the interest between the MDX discussion group and the Pilot group, there seems to be more interest in the Pilot than the MDX.

Probably more ex-potential MDX buyers will buy the Pilot instead of the MDX if all components like simaliar.

nofeer

The Pilot will be our family vehicle, getting a baby in may, the side air bags are they safe for a car seat? How would i find out if the design allowed for car seats. Some websites say don't get rear air bags unless designed not to interfer, how would one find this out.If they work with car seats infants, i'd like to have them, babies get bigger and we plan to have this for a while. If not i won't order it.

g8tor

almost every infant seat comes with a warning that it is not to be used in a seat with an airbag. i didn't know that there were airbags designed "not to interfere" with a seat. but hey, i didn't know that rear airbags were an option either.
ot - a nice thing about the mdx, that i think will carry over to the pilot, is that it is wide enough to accomodate 3 car seats, or to allow grown-ups to be belted in along side a car seat (not the case in my volvo, which is not wide enough for this). you may not know it now, but this is a big deal.

robertsmx

Honda's side airbags use sensors for activation/deactivation based on occupant's size, weight and seating position. With a child seat, the system may get confused, and more importantly, airbags are better kept away from children and small occupants.

porknbeans

Keeping childseats away from airbags is smart and just a good thing to do. However, what DO you do when you've got two childseats and side airbags. Unless you've got three rows of seats, where the two seats can be in the middle of the back two, how do you avoid not having them next to the airbag? I can also fully understand a system going buggy about not knowing how to handle a childseat when you have to strap them so tight to the seat. The system may register the seat as heavier than it is because of the tension.

With the Pilot it is good to know that it will be wide enough to handle three across seating for childseats or two with an adult. I've run into this problem more times than I care to think about.

wmquan

Acura does not advise putting rear-facing infant seats in the third row of the MDX and this may also be true of the Pilot.

Since there's no apparent way I know of to deactivate the front airbag, one should never put a small child in the front passenger seat. Thus that leaves the second row (and the third row, if the child is not rear-facing). There are no side airbags in those rows so there is no airbag danger there.

That said, NHTSA has been conducting tests and they seem to indicate (at least thus far, and from how I've read the documents on their website):

1) If a vehicle has rear side airbags (that protect the thorax), there is some potential danger if the child is out-of-position (head sleeping against the airbag cover, climbing around and plain unrestrained). It seems to be somewhat more risky if the side airbag is door-mounted vs. seat-mounted. Please note that as of the last NHTSA publication date there have been no recorded injuries with children and side airbags.

2) If a vehicle has rear-side airbags, and the child is properly restrained and does not sleep against the side airbag, there has been no danger documented.

3) So far there are no indications that side curtain airbags pose a danger to children, even if they're out of position.

Testing is continuing and NHTSA is talking about some new standards. The tests done to date are somewhat limited and ultimately it is up to each parent to decide. It's fairly moot at the moment because the MDX and, likely, the initial Pilot will not have side curtains or rear side airbags.

low_ball_88

For those who have seen the Pilot live, is the door handles have the same body color or is it black. Historically, LX model has black handle and black side mirrors, while EX model has body colors. If the model at the shows is the EX model, I am very disappointed because it looks cheap with black door handles. I could never understand why Honda would do such a thing. Comments anyone?

anonymous02

What ever happened to chrome?

low_ball_88

For those who have seen the Pilot live, is the door handles have the same body color or is it black. Historically, LX model has black handle and black side mirrors, while EX model has body colors. If the model at the shows is the EX model, I am very disappointed because it looks cheap with black door handles. I could never understand why Honda would do such a thing. Comments anyone?

carguy62

You are right about painted door handles on the EX trim, usually. The new CR-V EX has black door handles and body colored mirrors, while the LX has black handles and mirrors. Cheap? I guess that's a personal opinion, I don't view it that way. I personally like the contrast of the black (I have a Taffeta White CR-V) and would also have preferred the black mirrors. But you have a lot of company based on what I read over on the CR-V topics. For me, it's the vehicle that matters most. I'm not going to buy something hideous looking but black door handles don't qualify, at least for me. They will probably make the handles body colored on the CR-V EX at the next "freshening". As for the Pilot, don't know, sorry.

diploid

Usually means it's plastic. I would rather have the metal handles, which are usually either color matched or chromed. The plastic handles on our family Accord, Civic haven't broken yet, but they still feel like they'll break if you yank them too hard.

nofeer

Found a link to the MDX "best pick" and lowest cost of repair of midsize SUV tested....best bumper design.

http://www.highwaysafety.org/news_releases/2001/pr073101.htm

The fact that the pilot is based on the mdx, assures a good rating and low costs, a nice benefit for us who want pilot.

Kia Sedona--did poorly, Hmmmmmmmm 4-5 star govt rating and hwy institue poor rating. What's going on here....it's amazing that a vehicle that uses safty rating in it's commercials to get customers has such a poor rating with another safty standard. which to believe. Gov't tests then are majorly suspect for inadequacy....hwy institute, probably reflects real world adequacy, gov't tests should be revised or ignored by the public and that should be broadcasted to all. who do you trust when it comes time to put your family in a vehicle. I look at it all, if a vehicle does poorly especially with the hwy inst tests i stay away.

varmint

Nofeer - The bumper bash is not a safety test. Bumpers are supposed to break in a crash. That test only measures repair costs.

moonkat

nofeer:
Both tests, NHTSA & IIHS, are useful for evaluating crashworthiness of vehicles. NHTSA for head-on and side impacts, and IIHS for offset frontal impacts.

CU uses both, and vehicle handling to arrive at combined static and
dynamic safety rating. April 02 annual Auto Issue is a must read.

Recently, since the Ody, Civic, and MDX, when Honda says they are going to meet crash test objective, they do. They have been succeeding even without side airbags (Windstar is 20 star only with side airbag option). So will new Ody and Pilot score 6 stars on side impact? More likely they will make the test more difficult for the overachievers.

I agree that IIHS is more significant test. Can't recall when a vehicle has scored "good" on IIHS, and not scored well on NHTSA. But I haven't looked for this. Fairly common to see good NHTSA, and poor IIHS, like Sedona. And by the way, I too am annoyed with the Kia "only minivan to score 20 stars in govt test". Kia has come a long way in a short time, and they don't need to put any spin on the facts to make their point.

sbcooke

They are only a good yard stick in which to measure the competition. Conceivably cars/trucks can be designed to do well in crash tests without being any safer. Look at the Ford explorer, bad IIHS tests, they went back and modified it and now it gets the highest score? Is it much safer, or specifically designed to beat the system? I think both tests are valid...How about testing a car in an offset collision that has been on the road for 5 years? Would rust, and possibly weakened frame structures score terribly? Then is any car safe.

I do agree though that it seems honda really has taken safety into account, and seeing how the MDX scored well all around, probably so will the Pilot.

sobers

Sedona airbags deployed even for the 5 mph bumber bash test & that resulted in the 'poor' rating. This poor rating is for insurance cost & not the passenger safety!

Anwyays, airbags 'shouldn't' deploy for 5mph test & Kia may have to make some amendments. Not good to get $5000 repairs with just a kiss!

anonymous02

"Nofeer - The bumper bash is not a safety test. Bumpers are supposed to break in a crash. That test only measures repair costs."

I hit an oak tree 20" in diameter with our Dodge Monaco wagon at about 15-20 mph. It pushed the bumper in on its hydraulic mount, but didn't bend the bumper or even mar the chrome.

THAT was a bumper. I went on to go skiing as soon as I got the car out of the tree/snowbank. No problem.

I still don't know why they don't make BUMPERS any more..

???

carguy62

Do you remember how much that bumper weighed? Put one of those on todays cars and half the profit is gone, and the mileage goes down and.... ;-).

anonymous02

http://www.bulletproofmfg.com/

http://www.rockcrawler.com/techreports/bulletproof

anonymous02

http://www.jeepincj7.rockcrawler.com/catalog.html

Upgrading the bumpers on your truck or ORV is probably the most common modification...

http://www.off-road.com/toyota/taco/stout.html

anonymous02

http://www.rockcrawler.com/techreports/runck_tire_carrier/index.asp

varmint

What are you going to attach those bumpers to?

I'd rather spend $500 to replace a plastic bumper, than buy a new car because the bumper refused to give and the chassis ended up taking the full impact. Don't get me wrong, those will work wonders on a ladder frame vehicle, but that's not what we're dealing with here.

anonymous02

"They don't make 'em like they used to...mostly."

porknbeans

As a professor once told me... "The best thing about the good old days is that the good old days are gone." :^)

anonymous02

I'd go for a real bumper over plastic ANY DAY OF THE YEAR!!! In fact, when I had my Civic, the guy I had do some work for me used to race, and the best "trick" they had was to remove the plastic, and add metal material to the inside. They would tie it in to the radiator support, and therefore make it legal. He claimed it didn't gain him speed or grip, but kept him in the fight longer while others were falling apart. That speaks volumes.

varmint

Okay, good tip. Anyone racing their Pilot on the track should bolster their bumpers with metal inserts attached to the radiator. I'm good to go now.

diploid

The cost for repair to the bumper of the Sedona and the rear body panels (which were affected in the crash test) was $2,971. For the frontal barrier test, the air bag deployed and cracked the windshield, repair cost was $4,305. That's almost 25% of what the Sedona costs.

http://dailynews.yahoo.com/htx/nm/20020313/ts/autos_bumpers_dc_1.html

anonymous02

Diploid makes the case for us that cheapo plastic bumpers are not acceptable using the Sedona example. Hopefully, the Pilot will have more substantial bumpers. Maybe if people vote with their wallets (and feet), the manufacturers will wake up.

anonymous02

Here is a real family wagon the Pilot could really aspire to be!

Look at all the room in the front seat! Seats 6!

Also, look at the various tailgate/door options.

http://www.flee.com/ltd/ads/ltdads.htm

redlenses

My parents had wagons like that for years. It was like driving a battle ship. As my younger brother once said of the driving experience "You are not driving it but just going along for the ride".

Thanks for the drive down memory lane.

Cheers

anonymous02

I learned to drive on one. 400cu in V8 muscle! Yikes!

varmint

This was posted by Ehaase over in a hybrids thread. According to the link, Honda is considering a hybrid version of the Pilot. The CR-V is also mentioned, but that has been rumored for quite some time.

http://www.autonews.com/article.cms?articleId=38689

pilotowner

My dealer took my order for a new Pilot EX today. Delivery in May. A little bit of a strange ordering process. Prices have not been finalized - I will be paying MSRP but not above MSRP. Also, the dealer does not have detailed specs....length, width, etc. only the eight color codes and the five model codes: LX, EX, EXL (leather interior)EXL with entertainment system and EXL with the Navigation system. You have to order leather to get the entertainment or Nav system and you cannot order both...one or the other. This is an actual order from a very reputable dealer who I have purchased vehicles from before.

theracoon

My parents actually owned a Ford LTD Brougham (sp?) 4 door when I was in high school. The ad lies. It was capable of seating 10, not 6. Trust me, I know.

moonkat

pilotowner:
So what color did you order?
What is the GY color?

pilotowner

Ordered the Sagebrush Green (which is code GY) and has the Fawn (light beige) interior. The eight colors are:
Sandstone Beige
Black
Evergreen Green (dark green)
Sagebrush Green (lighter green with grayish tint)
Red
Blue (Havasu blue which is the same as the new color for ODY and MDX..kinda a blueish gray)
Silver
White

moonkat

pilotowner:
Have you seen the color "Sagebrush Green"?
If you get leather, do you get "Fern Green" leather?
Any other Honda/Acura use this color? In other words any sample views?

What trim level did you order and what price do you expect to pay?

Tnx

j_walker

The fern leather is available in the tafetta white and granite green metallic Odyssey.

pilotowner

The interior color that is matched to the white and Sagebrush Green Pilot exteriors, is Fawn, NOT Fern. Fawn is beige. Fern is gray. There are three interior colors for the Pilots. Exterior colors and interior colors are a 1:1 match. In other words, you do not have a choice of the interior color for a particular exterior. It is what it is. For those of you who understand how the ODY and MDX are built, this makes sense. Each exterior color code is assigned build days in the month. In other words, all Silver vehicles are built together, white, black etc. Depending on orders, some colors will have more build days than others. As an example, White may just have 2 build days, Silver may have 3, Black 4, etc. All depends on # of orders for that color.

This reduces cost for Honda because in a just-in-time production environment, all the parts are brought together on manufacturing day.

The color combos are:
White and Sagebrush Green - Fawn interior

Red, Silver, Black, Havasu Blue - Fern (grey) interior

Sandstone Beige, Evergreen (dark) green - Saddle interior.

Saddle and Fern are colors that are currently used on the ODY or MDX.

moonkat

pilotowner:
Choice info on the color. However some of these are different from current Honda (eg Ody CA) colors. See: http://english.honda.ca/models/carconfig/frameset.asp?trim=65
Also, the beige color has a new name - Sandstone? New color?
Ody beige is "Mesa Beige Metallic" with Ivory leather (the 'Fawn' you refer to?); and Fern leather with White, Fern Metallic, and Evergreen paint.

Now only to see a sample, though you seem not to have a problem taking delivery on a color you have not seen.

moonkat

Get yours for $25 -

http://mclellansautomotive.com/sales-lit/bymake/honda/index.shtml


Year: 2003 Item #B24381 Click for photo!

HONDA (Pre-Production), "Honda Pilot", Press Kit: Portfolio, 14x9. Covers open to two page photograph of ground beside lake on which a Honda Pilot Sport Utility Vehicle has driven and three inset photographs of familes who enjoy their Honda. Portfolio opens to beautiful three page photograph of open road and snow covered mountains waiting to be explored. Contains: a) CD-ROM diskette, with matching cover, of photography with 5x5 sheet of thumbnail photos showing images on diskette; b) eight color slides; and c) fifty- two pages of press release information. Detroit Auto Show. Dated Jan. 6, 2002. U.S. Price: $25.


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