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Comments
Now I have to ask one of them for my deposit back. Before I do that I wanted to know if anyone is interested in taking my place. I'm NOT looking for any $$. We would still need to talk to the dealer about the swap but that should not be a problem.
If you are interested call me at cell 966-8519 or post here.
Fed
He was definitely uncomfortable in the third row, and didn't want to sit there for the test drive. I'm planning on leaving the third row flat for the most part and using it only when transporting more than 5 people.
However, while I couldn't ride in the middle seat of the middle row for very long, he had no problems with sitting there.
So I did decide to take the Pilot. It's a white EX-L.
Accessories: running boards, lower trim with fog lights, air deflector, rear splash guards, wheel locks and in-dash CD changer.
I know you asked about the Acura dealer (& I'm intersted to hear the reply to that), I'm wondering if you have any experience with area Honda dealers re: Pilot. (I'm also in Central Florida.)
Holler seems to be changing the order of their wait-list based on who is willing to pay the most (we were promised MSRP & were near the top of the list, now our saleman is having to "fight" to get us a vehicle) & Courtesy had $3K in add-ons with no apologies/exceptions. So far it looks like DeLand Honda is our best option, but we shall see in 10 days or so (expected delivery).
Any recommendations? TIA.
I was at Coggin Honda (on OBT and Sand Lake) yesterday, taking a first look at the Pilot. I did not bother asking about the price. I also went to Fountain Acura, which is near Coggin Honda, and took a look at the MDX (I was comparing the cargo room + middle seat of the 2nd row between the two vehicles). I also did not bother to ask for prices. I am still assessing whether I would like either one to replace my 2001 Pathfinder LE (need more cargo room), which is why I did not bother to inquire about pricing.
What I did notice was that the price for an MDX, per carsdirect, has been reduced by $500 under MSRP, which is good news to us. If any of the Central FL Honda dealerships keep marking up the Pilot, then the MDX might seem to be a better buy than the Pilot.
I'm also still waiting to see what changes the 2003 Acura MDX will have. If changes are significant to the previous model, I might accept an MSRP purchase of a 2003 MDX. If not too much changes, then a 2002 MDX with substantial $ reduction (maybe $1000 or so, wishful thinking) from MSRP + a good trade in value, might be the direction I am headed.
The Pilot is a good vehicle, but I would not pay more than MSRP for it. Please don't buy into the hype.
Under equiped
Not even keyless entry!
No sunroof!
Poor Warranty (of course many people will thank Honda for the opportunity to spend $1200 to extend it. And I'm sure it will be needed considering the intro of the Ody & Civic which had many problems.
.......And it looks like the prvious CRV. When I drove around the dealer's lot I kept missing it. When I realizied I found it, I didn't even bother to get out of the car. It looks OLD. Like it came out 10 years ago. Drove back around to look at the CRV. Much better. The CRV has some style. And there will be many more exciting SUVs coming out soon.
It reminds me of years ago when I bought a new Acura Legend because I bought all the hype. As I drove it I kept telling myself " I have to like it, everybody says it's a wonderful car". Well I finally admitted to myself that I hated it. No more buying a car everybody else thinks is great, but I don't.
-mike
It has a remote entry.
"No sunroof!"
Will someone tell me what is so allfired special about a sunroof? I have one in my Accord of 7 years and have hardly ever used it. I won't miss it one bit.
"Overpriced"
I'm getting mine for the same price as a Highlander, but more room and HP. Better quality than domestic.
If I were making it, I'd have made the second row tray an option and included some minor things, but I'm happy with it.
KC
Accords, Pilots, etc., are designed to bring in big bucks for Honda. If it weren't for those high-volume, mainstream products; there probably wouldn't be any fun Hondas, like the S2000, etc.
Bob
the way i see it, we should have been one of those pre-sold 6 pilots at holler - we got on the list in february (!), but want white or silver after having had a black car for the last three years. the sales manager told my husband flat out that they are planning to sell for $5K over, but they were giving us a "deal."
now the targa top on my old del sol - THAT i miss.
Now, I could understand that remark if you were paying the $3K markups we've been reading about, but that's dealer-gouging, not over-pricing. When I look at the other vehicles currently priced at $30K, the Pilot looks pretty reasonable.
I have two questions for you.
1. How does the in-dash changer work on the EX. It seems that there is not any room to fit it in the dash. Or did you get the 6 disc changer under the seat?
2. Is there any way you can post pics of your white Pilot. I am deciding between white or silver and I have seen silver but no white Pilots. The brochure had very color but white.
THANKS
Joe
Alas, I have to wait till the end of the month before I get to drive it home, so I have no pictures of it. But I'll be glad to as soon as I get it.
$795 for Beautyseal. The dealer showed me an Accord in the showroom with Beautyseal on the exterior paint and interior cloth seats and dash. Half the car exterior had Beautyseal (6yr warranty) and the other half did not. It felt and appeared like a clear-seal wax over the paint. On the interior, the salesperson took a cup of water and poured it on both front seats. The seat with the Beautyseal pooled the water (like Mercury in a cup). The water on the other seat soaked in. The warranty does not cover blood or tar. Obviously, this is way for the dealership to add to their profit, but the demonstration appeared to show some value of the product. I have a 2 and 3 year old, so I'm hoping Beautyseal will perform well in protecting the leather. I'm curious about the product, and since my area (SF/Bay Area) is selling Pilots for MSRP + $500-6,000, I'm willing to pay the extra $795 for a fancy version of Scotchguard/Wax.
just outside the bay area there are a couple dealers selling MSRP with no add on garbage...
Merced Honda and Ukiah Honda for instance...worth the drive
Alas, I have to wait till the end of the month before I get to drive it home, so I have no pictures of it. But I'll be glad to as soon as I get it.
I think that the demand for the MDX is not as high in Orlando as in NJ. There are more pickup trucks here than there are cars. And IMHO, not too many people can afford an MDX on Disney dollars
Or, if you're willing to go to Tampa, you can try and hook up with giovanetti (post# 2805). He seems to have an extra MSRP deal that's he might not use.
Both Sandstone and Sagebrush are new colors that will be released in August...Still not certain whether that means they will be on dealer lots in August or early September
How much did you get charged for the in-dash CD changer with installation? I was quoted $660 total which I thought was high. Was yours in that ballpark?
As for the other price-inflated options, the 6-disc CD changer is a bit of a rip. My neighborhood high-end electronics store (Sound Advice, g8tor) is selling an Alpine CHMS655RF 6-disc CD changer with FM modulator for $199.95. It is a below-the-passenger-seat unit, not an in-dash one. The Honda unit costs $397.50 at collegehillshonda.com. Does anyone know what brand CD Changer Honda uses?
Also, the Rear Entertainment System for an additional $1,500 in the EX-L RES is also a bit much. Same high-end electronics store is selling a brand-new, just-came-out Panasonic PKGDVD2 Multi-Media Entertainment System for $899.95. It also includes two IR headphones and DVD remote control. DVD player can be installed under a seat or in the dash. Does anyone know what brand DVD system Honda uses?
$1,897.50 versus $1098.00! I could use certainly use that $799.50 on other things.
IMO, the useful options are the side steps, cargo tray/mat, cargo net, Cargo Cover, All Season Floor Mats, Rear Splash Guards and Cross Bars (for EX models).
i thought about calling giovanetti, but that red won't work at all with my gator tags!
thanks for your input, will keep you posted.
A real machine that actually performed more nimbly than the landcruiser on steep gravel roads and very steep mud rutted inclines.
A great small(2 kids max.)family SUV w/ DVD
At least a 4.5 stars out of 5.
I am thinking of adding either the parking sensors or the rear camera. from the booklet the camera has a steep angle, not sure how it helps or is it like the q45 camera. What do you think, is this camera only to help with your hitchup or can you use it to backup and manuver like the q45 or motor home. if not i'll get the sensors.
tow hitch--can you get it withoutthe tow package (coolers) i'd would only use it for a small utility trailer, or should i wait for after market
Probably will order
ex-l-nav in Redrock pearl as i get info on the above i will add accordingly
tested it at speed yesterday, very nice, it doen'st handle as well as my ml320 and the steering is a bit numb, but much quieter than the ml320. also the trans hesitates a bit the ml320-though has less power seems to be better at low speed acceleration, the ml320 better in curves at speed, but honda quality will win.
My other option was the six-disc under-seat unit, at about $40 more (more involved installation), but the service manager insisted that the changer would not fit under the power driver's seat in the EX. I found this particularly interesting since the factory instructions clearly indicate that the changer should be installed under the drivers seat in all cases, even for NAVI-equipped Pilot's (which we all know are EX's). I also checked to see if the area under the power seat actually shrinks and expands when the seat is lowered or raised. It does not.
Hopefully, the in-dash unit will install with no problems. I'll let you know how it turns out.
Accords, Pilots, etc., are designed to bring in big bucks for Honda. If it weren't for those high-volume, mainstream products; there probably wouldn't be any fun Hondas, like the S2000, etc.
Bob
I agree with yah. Not a bad thing that they have the non-exciting models, just an observation.
-mike
Steve
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I have a question for you. You took delivery of a pilot then the next day you got an MDX? Where do you live? I didn't think you could return a car.
What do you mean gave me 3000 equity in my leased ODy.
Tom
Jerry
How do you get equity out of a Leased Car?
Every lease I've signed say's there's an early
termination fee(Pay the whole lease off and turn it in when you want). Are you telling me I can turn me leased car in now for a down payment on a new car? Thanks for the info
-Tom
Jerry
I went back to read your post but couldn't really understand your trade in value for your two cars for $5500.
Exactly, how much did you pay for your MDX (touring + Nav, right?)?
I am in the market for one in Portland, OR. So far pretty much all MSRP. One tough car to buy!
Thanks
I had leased my ody instead of buying it
Thanks to all
-Tom
If I decide in a few years to tow a boat or camper I'll have the dealer retro-fit the coolers.
The flat four connectors are really easy to install. There is a plug under the hidden storage in the back of the vehicle that you tap into.
I did not drive any of the vehicles. I just went to compare 3rd-row seating, and my comments are limited to just that; 3rd-row seating:
Pilot vs. Expedition
You may even wonder why this comparison. The answer is simple: I'm sure Honda would like to lure SUV customers who are on the fence between deciding between a mid-size and full-size SUV. As we all know, the width of the Pilot is very close to that of a full-size SUV. Therefore I believe the comparison is legitimate.
The Expedition wins hands down. Frankly, there is no comparison. The ease of entry/exit is vastly superior to that of the Pilot. Three adults can easily fit comfortably in the Expedition. There is plenty of room—especially legroom, which the Pilot lacks. Like the Pilot, the Expedition, has a 60/40 third seat split. On Eddie Bauer models, it can be had with a power-folding rear seat.
The Expedition is the same size as the last-generation model, and has a 119" wheelbase, vs. the 106" wheelbase of the Pilot. This easily explains the much easier entry/exit as well as rear leg room.
Pilot vs. Explorer
Again, in the Ford, it is easier to access the 3rd-row seating, than in the Pilot. However, the Expedition is still much easier to access/exit, and roomier than the Explorer (which is to be expected). Also there is a bit more rear legroom in the Explorer too. The rear seat seemed a bit lower, and not as well padded as the Pilot's rear seat. The Pilot also has the advantage of a 60/40 split, whereas the Explorer's rear seat is an "all-or-nothing folding affair.
So the 3rd-row rear seat of the Pilot is better than that of the Explorer, but it has less legroom, and is harder to access and exit than the Ford. The Pilot's rear seat is wider, and it seats 3-across, whereas the Explorer is set up only for 2-across seating. The Explorer has a 113" wheelbase, vs. the 106" wheelbase of the Pilot. Again, this additional wheelbase is the primary factor for the better ease of entry/exit and rear legroom of the Explorer.
Bob
My use will be for it to primarily be folded down for the extra space (and visibility) and use it for the rare need of carrying more than four or five people.
Did anyone get fog lights with their Pilot? Where do they cut the bumpers?
And I agree with you...continual or more than occasional Pilot third-row usage is probably not recommended. Ditto with how it will be used.