Honda Pilot 2003 through 2005

sofla

Just picked up my EP EX-L from the dealer. Had several DIO's installed including fog lights, day/night mirror (w/compass), a cargo cover, and... ta da... the underseat six-disc CD changer!
All very nice.

My first choice was the in-dash CD changer, but while it will fit in the space where the plastic pocket is, and it will connect to the head unit, apparently there is no plastic bezel available to fill-in the space around the edges of the changer. It seems the in-dash unit is intended only for use with the smaller head unit in the upper dash area of the LX.

Consequently, my dealer had to remove the in-dash changer and was reluctant to try the under-seat changer. It seems that there was a lot of confusion regarding whether or not the under-dash changer would work in an EX. The parts department was telling the service manager that it would not fit, but after I showed him the installation instructions (thanks, collegehillshonda.com) he agreed to try it.

The end result is that everything fits and works fine. So if your dealer is telling you that the under-seat changer will not work, insist that they look up the installation instructions before you give up.

Now... who's got the best price on additional CD changer magazines?

zorglub

And it's only been released for 9 days!! I was thinking about creating a couple new ones too. What do you guys think about:
- Honda Pilot vs. Honda Civic
- Tires for Honda Pilot
- Honda Pilot gas mileage driving in the rain
- Bike racks for Honda Pilot
- Honda Pilot vs. Public Transportation vs. Segway vs. Mike Tyson

Anyway, please feel free to suggest new and exciting conference subjects for the Honda Pilot. :-)

diploid

I noticed that, too.

Pilot-Aftermarket Accessory
Pilot-Prices Paid
Pilot vs. RDV
Pilot vs. RDV/Highlander
Pilot vs. Highlander
Pilot vs. JGC/Explorer/Highlander
Pilot vs. Saab Wagon

But I'm shocked we haven't seen this one:
Pilot vs. MDX!!!

guy44

Sofla,

How much did your dealer charge you for the CD changer? Mine was quoting me $660 for the in dash one which I passed on and subsequently got a call tonight from them saying they couldn't do the in dash version on my EX anyway as you mentioned in your post.

I had gotten an estimate from Circuit city for $389 for an Alpine under the seat changer but that was before they'd seen my car or had any specific data on the car.

Is your Honda version made by Alpine? Do you effectively get 7 CDs by having six in the changer and one in the dash?

No that I'm driving my Pilot, it's time to get serious about the changer. I'm real happy with the quality of the audio so far.

sofla

My installed price for the under-seat six-disc changer was $543. The owners manual (folder?) doesn't say who makes it. And yes, you can use both the changer and the CD in the main unit... and everything is controlled from the main unit, of course. The display shows "CD" for the internal single CD and "CDC" for the external changer.

varmint

Zorglub - A few years back, we had "CR-V vs Hills". It was an interesting discussion. The CR-V won the categories for acceleration, value, and ease of parking. However, the hill was better in safety, max payload, and visibility. A tough call, really.

paisan

Just creat a Pilot owner's club and then you can have all those topics under it like the Subaru and Isuzu Owner's Clubs?

-mike

stever

The Pilot Owner's Club is under "study" as of June 9 - mostly waiting to make sure last week's new software rollout doesn't have any nasty hidden bugs.

Steve
Host
SUVs, Vans and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards

ssminton

With a major wreck closing I-5 in Southern California today, I spent nearly 6-hours sitting in the Pilot to complete what is normally a 90 minute trip. The great thing about it... I felt great upon arrival. The smooth ride and minimal intrusion of road affects in the vehicle makes the driving experience a lot less wearing than my previous truck-based SUV.

I do have a few questions for all you techies out there. Let's start with the steering... When I test drove my vehicle, I notice a significant pull to the right. The dealer made an adjustment, and the vehicle now tracks straight. However, the steering wheel is not centered but maintains a slightly clockwise rotation when the steering is "centered". I actually don't mind the shift because it makes it more comfortable to grip the wheel when your elbow is on the center armrest. My question is whether this rotation is problem? If so, what has to be done to get the steering column recentered?

On to the hitch... I only plan to carry bicycles and tow lightweight trailers under 1000lbs. Anyone know whether draw-tite or others are making receivers yet for the Pilot? What about light wiring... is the vehicle pre-wired with a plug somewhere? I also wonder weather using the Honda towing package instead, even though not needed for towing, may be a benefit due to significant mountain driving and high mileage use?

Finally, auto insurance... Anyone surprised by the high premiums of the Pilot? I experienced a 30% insurance hike over my previous SUV that was only 2 years old and had a sticker price of 4K more than the Pilot. Is this just a new vehicle syndrome, or is there something with the injury values and vehicle risk that we should be concerned about?

I appreciate your thoughts:)

honda_autobahn

Hidden Hitch has a hitch for the Pilot at www.hiddenhitch.com. It is the same as the Acura MDX. They show the details at: http://www.hiddenhitch.com/images/products/instructions/70545.pdf

for part #70545.

It look fairly easy to do your self. Hitch Web shows it as $175.65 including shipping at http://www.hitch-web.com/HiddenHitch/hiddenprice.htm

Someone let me know how it looks.

paisan

You might try JC Whitney, I know they carry Hidden Hitch Brand and are usually pretty cheap.

-mike

paisan

Which part of your insurance increased? Liability or Theft? If it's liability I dunno why it would, if it's theft, it's simple, cause Hondahs are the #1 or #2 stolen vehicles in the country and the Pilot will likely be right up there with the Accord for stolen parts needed.

-mike

guy44

My insurance was significantly higher as well (I traded in a '99 ML 320). My insurance rep at State Farm didn't have any data on the Pilot and called their underwriter to get help with the quote. She told me that the reason it was higher was because they didn't have any data (I'm assuming crash data) on the car and once it's been out for about six months or so then the rates would be adjusted accordingly. I thought it sounded a bit odd so I'll probably shop for a better rate and then use that as leverage to have mine lowered accordingly with State Farm.

By the way I live in NH which isn't exactly the car theft capital of the world so I'm doubting theft rate increases would have made much of a difference here.

johnnyb84

Got my black ex a week ago, and loving it.

My two cents on DVD's.
If you have two kids (like my 7 and 9 year olds) they are perfectly happy listening to their separate disc players in the back seat.
There are 12V outlets for both of them in the pilot (one in in the rear compartment).

I personally would rather have them listen to music and look out the window, than stare at a DVD screen for two hours. They watch enough TV at home.

sjwsmw

Susan,
I am in San Diego, did you have to pay over MSRP for your Pilot?

What options did you get?

Thanks.

rms41

Did you mention that the pilot has an ignition-immobilizer feature to reduce theft? I mentioned it to my State Farm office and they said it would lower the rate.

rms41

I thought the woofer was vibrating when music with lots of bass was on. I was wrong. I had the third row folded down and It turned out that the metal piece on the end of the seat belt for the third row passenger-side seat was in contact with the plastic storage compartment by the wheel well. I raised the seat and relowered it making sure the metal piece was under the folded seat and the vibration disappeared.

paisan

Haaaa Funny. FLATBED TRUCK will over ride that, or a 12 year old kid from the hood!

-mike

wvpilot1

I am picking up my black EX this weekend and wondered if there is variance in the cost of the extended sv contract. They offered me 7yr/100k for $1495. With a new model I am hesitant not to take it but don't know about pricing diffs between dealers.

ssminton

Officially I paid $1000 over sticker. However, with my costs on options, I figure it was within a couple hundred of MSRP. Since I had sold my SUV, I needed a vehicle and could no longer participate in games with the dealer where I had an order in. The options and prices paid are below:

Pilot EX-L $31,980

6yr/100K mile extension of manufactures original warranty with $0 deductible and rental for all service: $1000

Exterior, interior, and undercarriage teflon protection (got to love Honda paint... at least this way some one else will get to pay for the chipping) $495

Mudflaps, wheel locks, and cargo tray included.

paisan... I do not have my new policy in writing yet so I do not know specifically where the increase was. I know I was surprised when the agent told me the Pilot an average safety rating and a below average injury rating. I asked if this was the same ratings that were being used with the MDX, but she was unable to confirm. I plan to do some additional research because my 6 month premium jumped from $438 to $720... compared to my Mercury Mountaineer.

On another note... got my XM satellite radio and integrated phone transferred to the Pilot yesterday. It is amazing how much better the radio sounds with digital input vs. FM tuner... and all the little cubbies made installation simple. Anyone else experience similar thoughts on the radio sound? What could be causing such the change? I did not experience the variance on my previous SUV with premium sound.

kandor

I want to get the XM as well...what manufacturer did you choose, and is it in dash or sits on top of the dash?

ssminton

I love XM! I installed it early last fall and have really enjoyed the product. I went with the Pioneer FM modulated satellite tuner and Pioneer antenna. I originally had a Terk antenna but changed it out last November due to reception issues. I much prefer the Pioneer. The FM modulation works great. The sound quality is much better than I anticipated. It is very difficult to distinguish XM FM modulated digital sound and pure CD sound... a significant improvement from the FM modulated CD changers of years past.

Driving 35K miles/year, I find XM a great value! Initial equipment and installation ran about $425 and the monthly fee a little under $10/month. The transfer of my gear to the new Pilot was seamless. I could not imagine listening to anything else. My only caution is to remember to switch to a local station for traffic now and then. I have managed to get myself really stuck a few times while enjoying XM bliss.

varmint

Ssminton - Oh no! The dreaded PTTR!!

Since 1997, when the CR-V was first introduced, many owners have noted a slight Pull To The Right. Its even happened with a few of the newly designed 2002 models. Not all vehicles have this, but there have been enough to make us wonder.

Dealers, in their infinite wisdom, have tried to explain this away as a safety feature. "They all do it. If you fall asleep at the wheel, the car will drift to the shoulder..." Umm, no.

Many CR-V owners have fixed the problem with a tire rotation or having them aligned. I'm not sure what your dealer has done.

I'm very curious to see if other Pilots have this problem and what is done about it. Keep us posted.

rms41

Does anyone know if the washer fluid for the rear window comes from the same reservoir as the windshield washers or is there some other reservoir? If separate, where is it?

rsholland

pretty much hits the nail on the head.

Bob

http://www.auto.com/reviews/tony13_20020613.htm

stever

I guess I missed it before, but can someone compare the "fold flat" seats to the Odyssey's magic 3rd seat? I take it that the floor height is higher in the Pilot to accommodate the drivetrain (and outside spare) with a shallow or nonexistent seat well when you fold up the rear seat?

That 4x8 carrying ability continues to sound like the most useful feature to me.

Steve
Host
SUVs, Vans and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards

bengelking

My dealer quoted my $1,100 for a 7yr/75k Honda Care warranty. I've got two years to decide so I'm going to wait and see how the vehicle holds out.

Picked it up last night and suddenly had 86 miles on it when I got home from the dealer. Awesome vehicle. It's big, but very nimble.

bengelking

I also don't see the big deal on the shifter. It's really easy to shift. Yes, it will hit your knee when your in first gear, but how often will that be?

mkaye

Correct me if I am wrong, but looking in the Pilot brochure, the carrying capacity is 4' wide, but although sizable, only 6' long. So, a Pilot would not be able to carry a 4x8' sheet of plywood with the rear hatch closed.

stever

Hey Bob, your link must be wrong. Heck, my Quest can do a 4x6....
(of course, an Odyssey can handle a 4x8, though not exactly sliding in flat, iirc).

Steve
Host
SUVs, Vans and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards

paisan

My Trooper can just do a 4x6 with the doors closed, so the Pilot not being much larger should fit it.

-mike

kexicao

I have put a $500 deposit down for ex-l-nav with msrp. I noticed that on the order form there was a pre-printed $199 "anti-theft window etching" item. The salseman claim they put this on all their cars because customers can save insurance money with this. Do you think I should fight this since it seems I am pretty lucky if I can get the pilot for msrp these days?

KC

raybear

It costs the dealer about 25 bucks to register it, I suggest you refuse to pay anything.

minliang_c

Pilot uses the same AWD system as MDX, Acura/Honda call it VTM-4. The new Pilot brochure doesn?t give much explanation on this. But the MDX brochure states ?There are 3 distinct modes of VTM-4 engagement?. I know how 2 of the modes work, namely , ?wheel slippage control logic? and ?a lock button on the dash?.
But I don?t understand ?The acceleration torque control (ATC) mode?. The brochure says ?It works even on DRY pavement to distribute driving torque to all 4 wheels as the MDX (or Pilot) accelerates from a stop to cruising speed?.

Does this mean that every time I start from 0 before reaching a constant cruising speed, it applies torque to all 4 wheels?
What happens while driving in stop-and-go traffic, VTM-4 applies torque to all 4 wheels all the time because I haven?t reached a cruising speed?
If this is true, then it?s not fuel efficient?

Then the writing continues ?When you start out across a slippery intersection, torque is immediately available at the rear wheels. This torque to the rear wheels increases smoothly to the maximum recommended for a given rate of acceleration. At constant cruising speeds, all driving torque is delivered by the front wheels for smoothness, quietness and fuel efficient. By apportioning driving torque to all 4 wheels needed, ATC logic also helps improve steering control in corners?.

Can someone explain how this ATC mode really works?
Thanks.

rsholland

not 4x8. BTW, anybody ever try to find a 4x6 sheet of paneling at the lumber yard? Good luck...

Paisan, your Trooper won't fit a 4x6 (or 4x8) flat on the floor like the Pilot can. I'm sure it can do it on edge, but not flat on the floor. The Trooper doesn't have 48+" between the wheel wells.

Bob

ssminton

I actually measured the Pilot yesterday, hoping I could fit a couch in it. I figured 4X8, that's 96", no problem for a 77" couch right? With the seats in normal driving position, I measured about 75" at the floor and 66" at the ceiling... so much for carrying the couch:( No problem though... I still love my Pilot:)

paisan

You are right, not flat on the floor, but with the rear seats folded once (instead of foled and tossed) You can place a 4x6 sheet on top of the wheel wells and on top of the 2nd row of seats. For me it's not an issue since:

1) I always have gear in the back of my truck (tools, etc)

2) The payload on both the Trooper and Pilot would not allow for one to fill floor to ceiling with 4x6 sheets of plywood.

-mike

paisan

In stop and go traffic you will be activating and de-activating the 4wd system constantly as you hit the gas. It may result in poor milage but you'd have to try it out and see.

-mike

ssminton

Actually, the dealer fixed the "pull" to the right before I left, but I am not sure what they did to resolve it. The current problem (not really a problem just looks a bit strange) is that when the driving is centered, the stearing wheel is actually cocked to the right. If I were to drive with the stearing wheel centered, the car would actually go to the left? The car drives perfect, just the steering wheel position is a bit off.

By the way... thanks for all the pre-Pilot release spying. After months of talk and anticipation, it is awesome to be riding in one.

Tomorrow, the Pilot gets it's first trip up the mountain. We'll see how it compares in mileage, umph, and dirt road driving compared my old V8.

kclfoxtrot

My pilot's alignment appears to be okay, but the steering wheel is definitely tilted to the right when moving straight down the roadway. I corrected the pressure in all the tires (all were at 39 - 42 psi) and this seemed to help just a tad bit as the right side pressure was a bit higher than the left.

ssminton

Even though your wheel is canted to the right, does the Pilot center fine while driving? Or is there also pull to the right? Mine seems to drive fine.

Did you experience a significant increase in insurance premiums with the Pilot over your previous vehicle?

stever

The last time I complained about my steering wheel being off-center, they told me they did an alignment to fix it. The van wasn't pulling at all, drove fine and the tire pressures were on spec.

Steve
Host
SUVs, Vans and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards

mkaye

The VTM4 system on the Pilot/MDX is still a 'generally' front wheel drive system. The system can 'anticipate' when wheel slip may occur, with certain driving conditions, and activate the VTM system accordingly. Under normal driving, normal acceleration from stop for example, you will be in 2wd.
If you stomp on it or crank the wheel, you will be in 4wd. This is ATC
If you are accelerating on a wet road (since you'd likely get easy wheel spin), it would 'sense' the wheel speeds vs. throtle position and apply VTM accordingly. This is ATC
The same is true when cornering and losing traction, it would 'sense' or measure the change in each individual wheel's rotational speed (indicating an unwanted angle-understeer/oversteer) and apply 4wd before significant slip occurs. This is ATC
If you lock the dash button, you will remain in 4wd from stop until you shift into 3rd or go over 18mph where the VTM will revert to normal operation, 2wd mode with the potential for 4wd.
The system uses information from the ABS sensors, throttle position, and driveshaft speed to determine conditions when slippage may occur. A unique feature of the VTM system is that, in essence, torque can be split to either rear wheel (individually) or to both rear wheels, depending on slippage. This type of system is considered better than a limited slip rear axle. In fact, the rear axle is not a true differential, but an electrically operated 'clutch pack.' The front axle is a standard open differential. There is no center differential or 'clutch pack' as there would be in a rear wheel drive/4x4 such as a Trooper or Expedition, which also use a BorgWarner system (VTM is B/W).
As an aside, the driveshaft to the rear axle is always turning, just not powering the rear wheels until the rear clutch packs are 'activated.' The transition from front-wheel drive to 4wd is seamless, since the clutch packs can gradually add torque just as with manual transmission, you can 'slip' the clutch for a smooth start.

opus5

Boy, the Pilot continues to receive glowing reviews!

http://www.caranddriver.com/xp/Caranddriver/5best/2002

kclfoxtrot

The Pilot seems to drive fine. Let go of the wheel and the car pulls slightly to the right if I am in the right hand lane, and slightly to the left if I am in the left hand lane.

Insurance - haven't called my insurance company yet. Am I going to be surprised? My rates for my old Caravan were fairly reasonable.

g8tor

my insurance company (usaa) couldn't give me a rate b/c the pilot is so new. they couldn't even input the vin #, b/c their system wasn't set up for the pilot yet. i did ask if the rates would be adjusted once there was more information on the pilot (crash tests, ratings etc.) and they said of course. anyway, they said they'll be able to let me know in a few days. my last car was a leased volvo, so it will be hard to compare rates, but it will be intersting to see how it compares to our 99 exploder.
on the window etching - this was a big deal to them. they asked me 3 separate times if i have it (i don't). i guess i would want to know how much it would save me before i paid $199 for it.

sbcooke

I have noticed that there is some torque steer with my MDX on the highway. If I let go of the wheel while gas is being applied, it pulls left. No gas, straight.

crikey

Orange Country Sheriff in FL occassionally gives window etching for free -- I see it on the news all the time. I would not let the dealer put it on.

So, what did you wind up getting? Pilot or MDX?

g8tor

Thanks for the information - I will look into having it done for free.
We went w/ the Pilot. DeLand Honda came up with one for me in the color I wanted (sliver or white) in four days. No "DM" & no DIO, so we were happy w/ the deal. Naturally, Holler called the next day to let me know that "my" Pilot was in. Felt bad for our sale guy, but he just didn't do a good job of communicating with us.
So far we're very pleased...

crikey

...that is, if you don't mind me asking. How was your experience dealing with Acura dealerships in the area? That is, if you looked at the MDX at all. How was MDX pricing? Is it similar to carsdirect.com (for zip 32828)?

The wife is getting antsy about getting a 'bigger' SUV. I think that she can't wait for the 2003 MDX since it may be much more expensive than the 2002 MDX. A Pilot EX-L RES is what she wants in Redrock Pearl.

I'm leaning towards an EX-L and do an aftermarket RES but I'm afraid installers will screw it up and make me regret it.