pilotowner, I am simply amazed that anyone would order a vehicle sight unseen, no test drive, no vehicle history. If I only had that much money and the luxury of such a decision!
Be amazed. If I don't like the Pilot, I don't have to buy it. There are 100 people behind me that will want it. All that I've done is placed an order for one...the dealer will have NO problems selling it if I don't want it. Go ahead and wait to see one, drive one and wait for a vehicle history. Then tack on 6-8 month wait like when the ODY first came out. Keep in mind this vehicle will have same platform as the same 3.5L engine as the ODY and MDX. A lot is already known about this vehicle
Ordering sight unseen is pretty common. You put down $500, get on a list and then when the vehicles start coming in you take it for a test drive. If you don't like it your deposit is refunded (no big deal). It's fairly low risk on products built off similar platforms (Pilot similar to MDX and Highlander based on RX300).
We ordered sight unseen an Odyssey back in 1999 and could have gotten our deposit back. We bought the vehicle and have had no regrets. Not so sure what so "amazing" about this practise...
The Honda dealer in Ohio seems to think the interior colors are gray, saddle, and fern. These are all interior colors currently in use in various Honda products. See:
Stlgasman is absolutely right... my dealer had misread the color codes. There is no Fawn interior. The three interior colors are Fern, Gray and Saddle.
The saddle is available on the Sandstone beige and Evergreen green exteriors.
Instead of going at it seperately, What do you think would happen if a group of us went to one dealer and bought from that one dealer? Would the dealer discount the price from MSRP? I think those of us in it together would have more negotiating power. Just a thought.
...IMHO, if the Pilot is the same success as the Ody, MDX, and CRV (for the most part), the dealer will be most excited to see one group come in and buy all his allocation for X weeks. This will only reinforce the dealers' perception that the vehicle is a tremendous value and will not require discounting in the future.
I agree. If a group of 10 buyers went in together, those 10 Pilots could be sold within a week without a discount. Honda does not care. They know they have a hot ticket and will keep it there.
As far as ordering sight-unseen, my deposit is fully refundable based upon my approval of the vehicle and a test drive. I was not offered a choice color. I'm # 2 on the waiting list. Basically whoever is # 1 gets first dibs on the first vehicle off the truck. If they don't want it, it goes to me. If I don't want it, it goes to the next guy. Basically, I wait until the color I want comes in.
Does anyone know of a definite date that the Pilot's will show up in dealerships? Are we looking at April. May or June. Or does anyone know when the Pilot's literature will be coming out?
My dealer thinks the first shipment will arrive by the end of May or early June. Keep in mind that these vehicle are produced in Canada, are put on railcars to a central depot then transported via truck to dealerships. All of that takes time so Pilots will arrive at dealerships over a few week period.
BTW, dealers were informed today that 2 of the colors will not be available until August. They are the sandstone beige and the sagebrush green. Both colors will also show up in '03 MDX and '03 ODY. Dealers had to place their initial order (against the allocation that they were given) today.
Anyone on a waiting list ought to check with their dealer on status. Not all dealers received an allocation for the first shipment. I have also heard that Honda is requiring 2 of the vehicles in the first allocation to be demos at the dealer, not initially sold. Probably makes sense if they are planning a big marketing roll-out. The problem with the ODY when it first came out is that dealers sold them all and there was nothing left for test drives.
I would think that if the dealer had a vehicle to sell to someone on the waiting list, they would at least ask the customer what color and what model they wanted. Keep in mind their are 5 models of Pilots to choose from: LX, EX, EX with leather, EX with leather and rear entertainment system and EX with leather and Navigation system. Unless you have already told the dealer which model you want, how do they determine which model to get for you...never mind color!
When I put down my deposit I specified a white EX without leather. So in some cases the dealer does know what a customer is looking for. I'm 15th on their list but nearly all of the ones in front of me wanted leather so I'm hoping that will effectively put me higher on the list. My dealer also said very end of May or early June for the first shipment. He estimated they would get 8-12 in that shipment.
Hey pilotowner, From the Honda web site, they only showed different levels of EX. There was nothing added from LX to EX. So I ordered the LX. Why did you order the EX?
I don't believe there are allocations on leather vs. cloth. Nor are there allocations on LX vs. EX (like there use to be with the '99 ODY when Honda slowed down production on the ODY EX to fix problems with the sliding electric doors). RMS, I am not sure of your reasoning for moving up in the queue. If the dealer has an allocation of 8-12 units, he could order all leather if he wanted to. BTW, your dealer now knows the exact number of vehicles that he was allocated because he had to submit orders today. If he was allocated 8, assuming 2 have to be demos, he would have 6 to sell in month 1.
The difference between the LX and EX will be very similar to the differences in options on the ODY LX vs. EX. Check the Honda web site for the difference between those two models, including power seats, CD (instead of cassette), homelink, etc. Also, if you look at the list of standard equipment for the LX on the collegehillshonda site, you will note that air conditioning is NOT listed as standard on the LX. I gotta believe that is just a mistake on an early Prototype list and that A/C will be standard on all models....but it is not listed as such!
I'm fourth on two separate waiting lists but neither asked me for any preferences yet. If they had to get their order in today then I'm a bit concerned that it'll just be a take it or leave it situation.
Can you all help me speculate when I should order my new Pilot if I want it in Sept? Man, I can't wait. This is absoutely the best vehicle going. It simply has everything! Only downside it seems is no Navi/Entertainment System combo--only 1 or the other.
Any thoughts on Moonroof yet?
Does anyone have a photo of this "Fern" interior? I'm interested in the Sagebrush Green color, and it looks like Fern is the only interior option for this. Is it a light tan, grey, or green. The word "Fern" itself makes me think of the plant. Woof, that would be an ugly interior color!
You should be able to work with a Honda dealer now who will put you on their list for September delivery. Vehicles delivered in September would be ordered in mid-June...right after the "official" debut of the vehicle. My suggestion is to find a dealer who will work with you on your delivery date requirements. He loses nothing by putting you into the September allocation list. Just make sure what number you are in the queue and how many vehicles he is allocated so that you are not too far down on the list.
The fern interior is gray with a ting of green. Find a 2000 - 2002 ODY in white or Granite Green. The interior of those vehicles is Fern. White was introduced in 2000, was not available in 1999.
TL navi's u can buy an adapter so that it can play dvds and tv tuner. quite a few on another TL forum have done this. i'd rather get the Navi than Entertainment because of this adapter it would be more costly to do it the other way around
What I would do is bringing along my laptop with me: with a $100 GPS receiver and Microsoft Street and trips, it's a Nav. Insert a DVD, it's a Entertainment with 14 inch monitor. Well, I admit, it's kinda hard to operate it if I am the only one in the car.
The Odyssey was for my wife, but we decided to wait 2 years for the redesign. All I did was call the dealer and have him switch my deposit.
I don't see the Pilot as a good alternative to the Odyssey for our needs (we're keeping our '99 Odyssey). With four kids, we need the extra trunk space for trips.
If you use the 2002 Civic SI as a benchmark, pricing will be made available approx. 3 weeks prior to first shipment of the vehicles. In other words, we'll probably see pricing around the 1st week in May.
It looks like a cross between an Odyssey, Caravan, CRV, and Expedition.
They show a sheet of 4 foot plywood going into it. I assume by "sheet", that they mean 4X8. Anyone know for sure? Any idea how many sheets it can take (weight limit)? Eight to ten 3/4 inch would be quite doable for many.
My dealer called me today to try and get my requirements for their allocation. I told them I was leaning towards the EXL but wanted to have an idea of what the price would be. They told me that they thought prices would range between $28K and $35K and that they thought an EXL would come in around $31K. After I hung up, I thought about it and it didn't really jive with me that an EXL would be $31K as the Nav system on the Odyssey is $2K more then the EXL version without it. If their range is correct then the EXL would more likely come in at $33K.
I'm going to swing by there tomorrow to to look at colors and ask some more questions on pricing. Has anyone gotten any better pricing estimates?
We received our allocation for our initial Pilot order. Even though we only are allocated 25 Odysseys per month, we only received 7 Pilots. The last of our Passports are fimally gone, so hopefully we will have a larger allocation in the near future.
I am interested in seing the new GY color, and the Sandstone Beige.
There isn't any way to know pricing on Pilots right now. We go through this every time there is a new car or model. Honda is VERY tight lipped about this. Anyone whos says different is guessing. If your dealer says that he will sell to you at MSRP, then you have a concrete commitment...just look at the Monroni sticker when your car comes in.
When the new Odyssey came in this year, speculation was that they would increase the price by 1,500 or more. They only had a 350 increase...this is with a new engine, trans, 4 wheel disc brakes among other changes. Honda will look at their market and price this car very competitively.
jmurman42-you seem to have an inside track. I am set on the vehicle, the trim level, just not the colors. Of course my top choices are the beige and the new grey, the two unknowns. You mention 'Sandstone' beige. On the College Hill Honda site, www.collegehillshonda.com they state that it is 'Mesa Beige', an existing Ody color. The grey would be great if it was 'Granite Green', also an Ody color. But speculation is also saying 'Sage Green'. Personally, I really like the CRV darker beige.
Please confirm when you get some concrete info please. Thanks a lot!!
I have confirmed with the dealer that the Sandstone Beige (Saddle interior) and Sagebrush Green (Fern interior) will not be available at launch. They will be available in August...will also be available on '03 ODY and MDX. The six colors at launch are: white, black, silver, red, evergreen green and havasu blue
Must be the "dark beige" on the CR-V you are referring to. That color is like a chameleon, IMO. Sometimes it looks copper, other times it's has a green cast to it depending on the light (maybe I need to get my eyes checked!!).
Interesting that two colors won't be available for launch on the Pilot. I don't ever recall Honda doing that. I know they have had colors that are planned as limited runs (the gold color on the CL comes to mind).
Pilotowner - I just checked with my dealer and he says Honda is limiting Pilot orders to 55% with leather. A similar restriction is in place for Ody orders although the percentage is a little different. So ordering a Pilot without leather (which means you can't have the navi or res) can get you a vehicle sooner if others ahead of you insist on it.
I have a 2000 white ODY now with Fern interior. The color Fern is greenish-gray but the green is very, very muted. At a casual glance, the interior looks gray. No one has ever commented to me that the interior of the van looks green!!
Comments
If I knew, you'd know.
I am simply amazed that anyone would order a vehicle sight unseen, no test drive, no vehicle history. If I only had that much money and the luxury of such a decision!
Be amazed. If I don't like the Pilot, I don't have to buy it. There are 100 people behind me that will want it. All that I've done is placed an order for one...the dealer will have NO problems selling it if I don't want it. Go ahead and wait to see one, drive one and wait for a vehicle history. Then tack on 6-8 month wait like when the ODY first came out. Keep in mind this vehicle will have same platform as the same 3.5L engine as the ODY and MDX. A lot is already known about this vehicle
Ordering sight unseen is pretty common. You put down $500, get on a list and then when the vehicles start coming in you take it for a test drive. If you don't like it your deposit is refunded (no big deal). It's fairly low risk on products built off similar platforms (Pilot similar to MDX and Highlander based on RX300).
We ordered sight unseen an Odyssey back in 1999 and could have gotten our deposit back. We bought the vehicle and have had no regrets. Not so sure what so "amazing" about this practise...
http://www.collegehillshonda.com/2002.htm
The only reference I can find anywhere to "Fawn" as a color is on a Passport, which is made by Isuzu, not Honda.
The saddle is available on the Sandstone beige and Evergreen green exteriors.
We have switched our order to the Evergreen.
As far as ordering sight-unseen, my deposit is fully refundable based upon my approval of the vehicle and a test drive. I was not offered a choice color. I'm # 2 on the waiting list. Basically whoever is # 1 gets first dibs on the first vehicle off the truck. If they don't want it, it goes to me. If I don't want it, it goes to the next guy. Basically, I wait until the color I want comes in.
My dealer in North Jersey was allocated only a total of 8.
BTW, dealers were informed today that 2 of the colors will not be available until August. They are the sandstone beige and the sagebrush green. Both colors will also show up in '03 MDX and '03 ODY. Dealers had to place their initial order (against the allocation that they were given) today.
Anyone on a waiting list ought to check with their dealer on status. Not all dealers received an allocation for the first shipment. I have also heard that Honda is requiring 2 of the vehicles in the first allocation to be demos at the dealer, not initially sold. Probably makes sense if they are planning a big marketing roll-out. The problem with the ODY when it first came out is that dealers sold them all and there was nothing left for test drives.
I would think that if the dealer had a vehicle to sell to someone on the waiting list, they would at least ask the customer what color and what model they wanted. Keep in mind their are 5 models of Pilots to choose from: LX, EX, EX with leather, EX with leather and rear entertainment system and EX with leather and Navigation system. Unless you have already told the dealer which model you want, how do they determine which model to get for you...never mind color!
From the Honda web site, they only showed different levels of EX. There was nothing added from LX to EX. So I ordered the LX. Why did you order the EX?
The difference between the LX and EX will be very similar to the differences in options on the ODY LX vs. EX. Check the Honda web site for the difference between those two models, including power seats, CD (instead of cassette), homelink, etc. Also, if you look at the list of standard equipment for the LX on the collegehillshonda site, you will note that air conditioning is NOT listed as standard on the LX. I gotta believe that is just a mistake on an early Prototype list and that A/C will be standard on all models....but it is not listed as such!
I'm fourth on two separate waiting lists but neither asked me for any preferences yet. If they had to get their order in today then I'm a bit concerned that it'll just be a take it or leave it situation.
http://www.mahwahhonda.com
http://www.motortrend.com/autoshows/detroit02/index.html
Can you all help me speculate when I should order my new Pilot if I want it in Sept? Man, I can't wait. This is absoutely the best vehicle going. It simply has everything! Only downside it seems is no Navi/Entertainment System combo--only 1 or the other.
Any thoughts on Moonroof yet?
Does anyone have a photo of this "Fern" interior? I'm interested in the Sagebrush Green color, and it looks like Fern is the only interior option for this. Is it a light tan, grey, or green. The word "Fern" itself makes me think of the plant. Woof, that would be an ugly interior color!
The fern interior is gray with a ting of green. Find a 2000 - 2002 ODY in white or Granite Green. The interior of those vehicles is Fern. White was introduced in 2000, was not available in 1999.
I don't see the Pilot as a good alternative to the Odyssey for our needs (we're keeping our '99 Odyssey). With four kids, we need the extra trunk space for trips.
Does anyone know of a dealer that is taking deposits in the SF bay area?
Thanks
They show a sheet of 4 foot plywood going into it. I assume by "sheet", that they mean 4X8. Anyone know for sure? Any idea how many sheets it can take (weight limit)? Eight to ten 3/4 inch would be quite doable for many.
Select item:
2003 Honda Pilot Models and Colors - TOV News 3/19/02
"http://www.vtec.net/news/"
I'm going to swing by there tomorrow to to look at colors and ask some more questions on pricing. Has anyone gotten any better pricing estimates?
I am interested in seing the new GY color, and the Sandstone Beige.
Jerry
When the new Odyssey came in this year, speculation was that they would increase the price by 1,500 or more. They only had a 350 increase...this is with a new engine, trans, 4 wheel disc brakes among other changes. Honda will look at their market and price this car very competitively.
Jerry
I am set on the vehicle, the trim level, just not the colors.
Of course my top choices are the beige and the new grey, the two unknowns.
You mention 'Sandstone' beige. On the
College Hill Honda site, www.collegehillshonda.com
they state that it is 'Mesa Beige', an existing Ody color. The grey would be great if it was 'Granite Green', also an Ody color. But speculation is also saying 'Sage Green'.
Personally, I really like the CRV darker beige.
Please confirm when you get some concrete info please.
Thanks a lot!!
Interesting that two colors won't be available for launch on the Pilot. I don't ever recall Honda doing that. I know they have had colors that are planned as limited runs (the gold color on the CL comes to mind).
The new colors Sage Brush Pearl/Fern and Sandstone Metallic/Saddle should be available approximately September 02.
There was some mention that the interior color Fern is really Gray...it is not. It is a grayish green.
Jerry