Honda Pilot 2003 through 2005

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  • raybearraybear Member Posts: 1,795
    http://www.isuzu.com/
  • markus17markus17 Member Posts: 18
    I've read some of the postings on the differences between the two and heard an estimate of $2K for the price difference.

    Anyone have anything definite on the differences? If not, care to speculate based on differences in the versions of the Highlanders or other SUVs?

    I'd hate to spend $2K for nicer trim and hub caps.
  • guy44guy44 Member Posts: 67
    I almost bought a MDX back in January 2001 and for some reason recall that the third row on the MDX wasn't leather but was vinyl that matched the front two rows color and pattern. I might be imagining this - who knows. Does anyone who has seen the Pilot at the Autoshows know if the third row is leather or simulated leather?

    Thanks!
  • diploiddiploid Member Posts: 2,286
    Is quickly circling down the drain. It's sad how the 0% interest for up to 5 years pop-up window launched a second time on its own after I closed it the first time.
  • wmquanwmquan Member Posts: 1,817
    The MDX's third row is indeed vinyl.
  • sobright1sobright1 Member Posts: 78
    I am one of those strange people who will only be happy if his car is red. I have seen pictures of the Pilot but often pictures just don't match the real world. My question to any of you who may have seen the Pilot in person is how would you describe the red? Is is bright red like the old CRV and similar to the two door Accord or is it a more of burgendy or rust colored red like on the new CRV?

    Attention all Japanese car makers - please stop all of this earth-tone garbage and give us some pretty colors!!!!
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    If the SUVs go south, which I think will happen in a few years judging by what I see, they still have a very good medium-duty commercial truck lineup, and they build GM's new diesel engine.

    Bob
  • davisdogdavisdog Member Posts: 99
    sobright1..the Pilot red (redrock pearl) is the same color used on the MDX...Its not a bright red...more of a burgundy...actually seems to change colors depending upon the lighting...I've got the chianti red (2002 CRV) and I think it is much closer to that (but not the same)

    None of the Red Pilot pictures I've seen match what the production Red should look like

    here's a link to pics of the MDX in the same color

    http://www.acuramdx.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=4944&highlight=redrock
  • kinnmankinnman Member Posts: 52
    I've been reading this forum for a couple of months, thanks everyone for all the info!! I currently drive a Pathfinder and like many out there, need more room. 2 kids, 2 dogs, lot's of stuff to haul. I was convinced the Pilot was for me, however had a recent change of heart. After visiting the auto show, and checking out the seating in the MDX (the Pilot was not featured, so the Honda rep said to check out the MDX), I realized that I'm not getting quite the room I was looking for. Yes I can seat a couple more people, but now where do we put the strollers or the groceries? There is very little room behind the third row of the MDX, not to mention the third row was a very tight squeeze. I then checked out the Toyota Sequoia. True, we are comparing a Full Size vs a Mid-Size, but Sequoia has the extra room I was looking for. (very similar to a Sienna in cargo space: 128 cu ft vs 134 cu ft) Intially I thought the Sequoia would be too expensive, $40,000+ MSRP. However, I checked out Edmunds TMV and priced one out (SR5) with options at $34,000. This was about $3000 below MSRP or $1200 over invoice. After a couple rounds with a Dealer, we settled at the TMV price and he took my order. (note: this was a special order, most Sequoia's come more heavily equipped) Delivery is 4 months away. I have the reliability I'm looking for, resale on Toyota's are similar to Honda's, more space (yes I'm spending about $1000 - $3000 more: vs EX $29,000 + $1000 to $3000 dealer mark-up = $31,000 to $33,000) and not having to worry about a waiting list. The Pilot will be a great vehicle, but for those in my shoes where the Pilot's 3rd row seating doesn't cut it.....well here's some food for thought.
  • jessdjessd Member Posts: 10
    This may have been addressed before, but can anyone give me some reassurance that the second row is wide enough for 3 car seats (1 forward, two rear-facing)? This (and being less expensive than the MDX) is what first caught my eye about the Pilot. Now I am just hoping they will be out before the twins arrive... Thanks.
  • wmquanwmquan Member Posts: 1,817
    I doubt if anyone can answer your question for sure about the Pilot right now. I know that for the MDX, I've seen posters say they've put three car seats in the middle row. Though I think the testimonials I saw had only one infant seat. A lot of it will depend on the dimensions of the child seats. The driver's side portion of the second row probably has the least space because it shares the 60% part of the second row with the middle seat.


    Access to the child in the middle seat is clumsy, however.


    If the Pilot does turn out to be wider than the MDX, it should be fine. If not, it still might work but it'll depend on the seats.


    Okay, here's a thread that includes a message from a poster saying she got a Britax Roundabout, a Britax Advantage, and an infant seat all in the second row. However, I'm not sure if either of the Britaxes were rear-facing when she did this.


    http://www.acuramdx.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=2394

  • sailing216sailing216 Member Posts: 98
    The MDX can fit 3 children's car seats across in the second row. It's alittle tight and will depend on the car seats. We have 2 kids and one just graduated at the time from rear to forward facing, so we threw all the seats in the MDX. 2 of the seats were the Eddie Bauer 2-tone ones, and the other was a rear facing that you could snap in and out of a seat mounted module so you could carry the seat out of the car. Anyways, they all fit fine but the handle that sticks up on the rear facing so you could carry it, may have been a destraction so close to the face of the other child, but just adjust the handle down.
    All in all, buy some seats from a retailer that you can return if needed, take them and the MDX on a test drive. Other postings say it looks like the interior is an inch or two wider in the Pilot(could be differences in insulation, don't know), so don't worry about it. Hope this helps
  • jkpricejkprice Member Posts: 6
    Placed an order yesterday for a "Redrock" EX. $500 refundable/transferable. Dealer Guaranteed MSRP and said I would have it by July at the latest. My wife and I are still on the fence though. It's between the Pilot and Odyssey.

    The advantages to the Odyssey for us are; you can walk around inside and sliding doors. Disadvantages are that with three kids someone will always be in the rear seat even though there is more room behind it than in the Pilot.

    Pilot can fit three kids across the main bench and has a huge trunk/third row when needed. As far as third row tightness, right now I drive a Cherokee Sport, the second row is tight all the time so that is nothing new. The fact that the second row should have way more room is promising. The downside to us is the lack of easy access to the rear from the front.

    Anyways I figure I can order an Odyssey if I don't like what I see in June.

    Any advice?

    If you had a Pilot what "extras" would you add?
  • jessdjessd Member Posts: 10
    Thanks for the responses to my question about the car seats--all helpful. I've been to the store & measured lots. All the infant and convertible seats are pretty much the same width (ie too wide to fit in my Outback). Like jk, the need to have one kid always in the far back is a big turn-off for me when it comes to the minivans. Plus I am hoping that putting big sister between her brothers will enable her to help entertain them!

    Guess I will take the advice and haul all the seats down to test an MDX seat out. (And thanks for the link to the Britax discussion, wmquan, as I didn't know it was such a hot topic. I still have one as the back-up, but all the new seats are from FP.)
  • formy3kidsformy3kids Member Posts: 40
    I also have three kids, all between 6 & 8. We were hoping the pilot would work for us, but after seeing it at the auto show in NY we are ordering an Odyssey. Our main concerns were that there are no vents in the third row, they are in the back of the console for the second row, identical to the MDX. Anyway, we have a van now with two in the last row and one in the second. The one in the second row is always hot or cold, depening on the season. With the Odyssey, they will each have their own vent. Access to the third row was difficult, part of the second row seat folded down and moved forward. The third row was also very close to the tailgate. The third row of the Pilot was not leather and the padding on the seat (back and bottom) was less than the Odyssey. Hopes this helps.
  • jessdjessd Member Posts: 10
    Thanks for the responses to my question about the car seats--all helpful. I've been to the store & measured lots. All the infant and convertible seats are pretty much the same width (ie too wide to fit in my Outback). Like jk, the need to have one kid always in the far back is a big turn-off for me when it comes to the minivans. Plus I am hoping that putting big sister between her brothers will enable her to help entertain them!

    Guess I will take the advice and haul all the seats down to test an MDX seat out. (And thanks for the link to the Britax discussion, wmquan, as I didn't know it was such a hot topic. I still have one as the back-up, but all the new seats are from FP.)
  • guy44guy44 Member Posts: 67
    We have an Odyssey and also have a deposit on a Pilot to replace my ML 320. I'm the type who doesn't like to be seen in a minivan. I do like the versatility of the Pilot. I also like knowing I've got a vehicle that will handle the snow. That being said however, if I had to give up one vehicle our Odyssey versus our ML320/Pilot, I would drop the SUV in a second and go with the Odyssey. It hauls more stuff and though it seats 7 people versus the Pilot's supposed 8, it does it in comfort. Don't get me wrong, I'm still very interested in the Pilot, but I wouldn't do it at the expense of our Odyssey. Just my two cents.
  • robertsmxrobertsmx Member Posts: 5,525
    Looking at this Row 2 picture it does look like that Pilot has three full seats instead of 2+1 layout. It is quite similar to the Row 2 in MDX.
    And looking at those two pictures (and having tried the third row in a large SUV like Sequioa), it makes more sense to get a minivan if extra room is desired, especially in the third row. Here is an Odyssey Interior Top View.
  • diploiddiploid Member Posts: 2,286
    It was too cold today to go to NYC. But anyways, for those who did see it in person, did you get to see the interior? I know you couldn't get into the car, but were the doors open for interior views?

    If so, do the materials (especially the cloth seats) look as cheap as they do in the photographs? Even vtec.net has commented on the overall quality of the materials.
  • bsm48bsm48 Member Posts: 7
    Hello everyone,
    I'm from Southern California and I'm looking for a dealer would would accept a fully refundable deposit for an EX Pilot where I would be guaranteed not to pay over MSRP. I've read some of the posts where people have done this. I've contacted two dealers and neither said they would accept deposits. Any constructive input would be appreciated.
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    at the NY auto show. The third row rear leg room I would guess is comparable to that of the new 3-seat Explorer. My guess is that it is fine for kids, and tolerable for adults for short distances. Don't think for a moment, however, that you're getting the kind of leg room that you would find in a 3-seat Chevy Suburban, or a 3-seat '03 Expedition.

    Again, the vehicles were locked up, so I couldn't sit in one; so this is just an educated guess on my part.

    Bob
  • stragerstrager Member Posts: 308
    My understanding is that the Pilot is about 77" wide. Being a SUV with no sliding doors, I think it's set up to get lots of dings in the garage and elsewhere if kids are going to be the primary passengers.

    Although vehicle width helps stability, I see more and more vehicles being designed for the US with complete disregard for the size/width of a typical 2 car garage. Perhaps the typical buyer of the Sequoia/Pilot/Expedition has a house with a wider than normal garage?
  • varmintvarmint Member Posts: 6,326
    Hmmm... Wouldn't that be something. An SUV with a sliding rear door. It wouldn't have to be all that big. Having at least one side work that way could be beneficial for smaller garages, fitting child seats, and loading cargo. People would never accept the styling though.
  • stragerstrager Member Posts: 308
    If the styling very clearly was the "truck look", then maybe one sliding door wouldn't be noticeable. And it could really be a marketing advantage in the growing SUV glut.
  • varmintvarmint Member Posts: 6,326
    Hmmm... An idea that would be functional... crosses the line between classes... and probably looks a bit odd... Subaru will be the first to do it. =)
  • couimetcouimet Member Posts: 130
    What does vehicle size have to do with garage size? My garage is for storage ...
  • carltucarltu Member Posts: 8
    Hi, Does any one know if sunroof is an option for Pilot ?

    Thanks
  • wmquanwmquan Member Posts: 1,817
    I don't think any publicly available information states that sunroof is not available, but it is interesting that there are no photos of one yet.
    .
    The rear entertainment system might make the sunroof difficult (as with the Odyssey).

    But if Honda makes all Pilots without sunroofs, that would be, IMHO, a very clumsy and unfriendly way to differentiate the Pilot from the MDX. I guess the excuse could be "so buyers can later add the entertainment system." Still sounds lame to me. Having a sunroof is not an unusual thing in mid-sized SUV's and certainly not limited to "luxury" models.
  • rcjosephrcjoseph Member Posts: 2
    Does anyone have any idea if the Pilot will be able to handle driving on soft, deep sand? I enjoy fishing an surfcasting.
  • ssmintonssminton Member Posts: 155
    Over recent weeks, I have visited numerous Southern California Honda dealers, with cash in hand, searching for info on Pilot ordering/ purchase lists. Each dealer had the same "sketchy" system where a salesman puts your name on his personal list. There does not seem to be a master dealer list.

    I tried to buy an MDX last year. After months on these "sketchy" lists and playing dealer games, I still did not have a car and was mentally exhausted. My desire with the Pilot is the same as with my MDX experience. I want to put a deposit down that guarantees me fair access to a vehicle at MSRP upon available delivery.

    Does anyone know of Honda corporate policy? I believe they do not allow car production orders as other manufacturers but sell vehicles when VINs are identified to the dealer. My previous experience tells me that local dealers then sell these vehicles to the highest bidder that day.

    I drive 35K miles/year. Honda reliability and resale are the most important factors for me. The Ford Explorers I have driven for over a decade become unreliable after 70K miles and are no longer holding their resale values. I need a Pilot! I would greatly appreciate any suggestions.
  • nofeernofeer Member Posts: 381
    How else to distribute something that only info is near hearsay. The dealer can make it a reasonable experience or not. My lexus dealer (columbus) was awsome. My local honda dealer has only the press release from honda, and much much less than your dealers, some get info, some look for info, most just wait. But get used to lists, with the right dealer it's like a "number" given at customer service counter, at least you have a place.

    Hmm, do the leather seats come with a heated seat option?

    What if----the first two are demo's and all others have to be ordered and waited for...like the ML320. Some previous cars, all were sold, and none to drive for customers, like the acura mdx, who would order or buy if at least offered a drive.

    We have over 1300 posts and we have speculation, If a launch date is late may or JUne 1st, then there is production right now,they know all the optionss, colors etc, honda is tight lipped for a reason. The launch date I speculate is to gather market momentum, since updated ;03 for fall (highlander, new 4runner, ml320, nissan etc) all the competitors will be late to the show....honda gets the market momemtum, why else the early launch date. Honda gets the buzz, competitors look like also rans till november when product shows up on the dealer floors.
  • serpico1serpico1 Member Posts: 30
    i saw the pilot at the NYC car show, and i did like it...but it looks nothing like the MDX..it looks more like a larger CR-V..do i need to check my eyes? and it was smaller than i thought..maybe i just came from seeing the land rover discovery, but it did look rather small...like the silver color though..
  • markus17markus17 Member Posts: 18
    I have a refundable deposit in and am confident that once I drive the thing will be able to make a good decision on whether to go through with the deal or not - except for one thing.

    I'll have limited data on Pilot reliability.

    Now, Honda makes extremely reliable cars and much of the Pilot is based on the very reliable Odyssey and MDX. This helps.

    But how reliable were the Odyssey and MDX when they first came out?
  • wmquanwmquan Member Posts: 1,817
    Should be good but NOT Honda-bulletproof.

    Especially for the first year model. The Odyssey was far from perfect in its first 1-2 years, judging from post on various forums and Consumer Reports. It's reliability score in the latter wasn't quite as high as an Accord or Civic is.

    The MDX suffered its first year issues though most were relatively minor. Most serious was an unofficial recall of the first 2,500 (approximately) because of passenger seat belt/airbag activation issues. The other well known problems were "the thud" and the "weeping mirrors," both addressed in the second half of the first model year by TSB's and fixed in 2002's.

    Realistically, these are more complex vehicles than an Accord or Civic. But the MDX first year still scored "above average." I would expect the Pilot to be the same, as it isn't dissimiliar. I would not expect the first year to be top-level, however.
  • stublstubl Member Posts: 4
    I am another one of the folks that really hopes the Pilot has a sunroof. I have my deposit in with the dealer and have ordered a Black EX without the Navigation/Entertainment.

    - My dealer is also in the dark regarding the potential for sunroof's being available.

    Like wmquan I find the potential excuse of not having a sunroof related to the special systems being a lame one.

    I understand the concept of wanting to differentiate the MDX but in Midstate Illinois the closet Acura Dealer is in Chicago - and I live near several 100,000+ population cities that are in the same boat -- we all have Honda dealers but no really accessable Acura dealers.

    I really don't want to buy a Toyota - but I really enjoy the sunshine --

    Here's hoping ---- also I appreciate everyone sharing what they find - this my first experience with message boards and it is great! Thanks everyone!
  • tidestertidester Member Posts: 10,059
    Welcome aboard! Now that you've made your first ever post, you're a PRO! We look forward to hearing more from you!

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  • sailing216sailing216 Member Posts: 98
    Not sure if this is old news, but from honda:Here are the colors that we be available -Exterior then interior color- Nighthawk Black with Grey - Redrock with Grey - Evergreen with Saddle - Havasu Blue with Grey - Taffeta White with Fern - Starlight Silver with Grey - and there are two others colors not coming until August Sandstone and Sagebrush.

    Is the Grey interior like the MDX (almost black), or is it grey? Any ideas?
  • tonyd73tonyd73 Member Posts: 5
    After seeing the Pilot at the New York Auto show, I was not excited with its styling. I then went to my Honda dealer to try to add accessories to make it look more like an MDX.

    To get a ball park estimate on accessories, we used prices from the Odyssey, CRV and MDX. That brought the price up to the mid 30's, about $2,000 less than the MDX. In addition, the MDX has a moon roof which the Pilot does not. I could not justify spending that much for a Pilot, because it still had that "box like" look. After waiting two months for the car show, I was disappointed. I have ordered an MDX, and I am very happy with the decision.
  • jrdowneyjrdowney Member Posts: 96
    Based on virtually every model ever introducted by any manufacturer I will be amazed if the Pilot doesn't have problems. The 99 Odyssey is known for several. Most car guides suggest not buying the first model year. Usually the third or later is the best as the major bugs are worked out.

    '01 Ody owner...
  • nofeernofeer Member Posts: 381
    Since the pilot is based on ody and mdx, all those problems were fixed, so with the pilot, which is higher volume than the mdx, i feel all the "test bed vehicles" only will add to the above avg reliablility. Why would they be recuring, in this vehicle! Then there is honda pride, three new vehicles, three bad instroductions--no way. They proved there point with the mdx and ody, the only bad is that acura dealers shot themselves in the foot with their attitude, which will bring mdx'ers to the pilot realm, like myself (I was told, nothing to test drive--order and then wait 6 months and if you don't like it then well, who's next on the list"). In 6 months you will see a new attitude with acura dealers(because of competition and pilot choice), if you buy one acura, you tend to buy another, but if your first dealer experience is poor, quess what, no more dealer visits for ANY acura. Dealer experience is paramount, quess why i like my lexus, quality quality quality at all levels of the buying experience.
  • nofeernofeer Member Posts: 381
    Do other honda's share these colors, so i can look at them.
  • dwawindsurferdwawindsurfer Member Posts: 2
    This may be old news to some, but you can sign up at http://www.hondacars.com/pilot/index.html for email notification of Pilot specs, etc. as they become available. Like many of you, I hope that Honda includes a sunroof to go with their sunglasses holder! Otherwise I'm probably going with the over priced MDX...
  • wmquanwmquan Member Posts: 1,817
    I would agree that one should think that since the MDX is based on the Odyssey and the Pilot based on the MDX, it should have less problems than both. Progressive refinement. However, I don't think it's an automatic. I really hope that Honda doesn't spend a bit less money in the Pilot production process in order to produce a less expensive, higher-volume vehicle. E.g. less assembly time hours and inspection hours. I don't necessarily think it will happen, but I wouldn't rule it out either.

    Also, "features" in the vehicles that some think are bugs will continue. E.g. the MDX has the famous sloshing gas tank noise from the Odyssey. Not sure if this is finally being fixed or not. Then there are some peculiar transmission noises (such as when shifting from drive to park) that seem to be a "feature."

    I don't think it'll hurt sales much, but I think the rumors/claims of engine sludge in the Toyotas might help steer someone to the Pilot from a Highlander, or an MDX to an RX300. Good dealer service or not. This paragraph is now off-topic so I won't digress much, but even if there is no problem if one maintains their Toyota V6 at the scheduled oil change intervals, it does indicate that the Toyota engines are designed to have very, very little room for error.
  • wmquanwmquan Member Posts: 1,817
    If it is true that Honda won't make a sunroof available on the initial Pilot as a way to differentiate it from the MDX, I would daresay that maybe the moonroof will be available on future Pilots.

    E.g. Honda lamely omits the sunroof to help differentiate it from the current MDX. Then it upgrades the MDX to better differentiate it. Then, with the Pilot-MDX differentiation in place, Honda turns around and offers the moonroof in the 2004 or 2005 Pilot.
  • bengelkingbengelking Member Posts: 59
    If a loaded Pilot is going to be +/- $32k without a moonroof, you need to add $1k for it next year or whenever they add it. At $33k, you're getting very close to closing the gap on the MDX unless they crank up MSRP on the MDX.

    A review on the Canadian Automotive Review said that the Pilot would come with heated leather seats. Hopefully that will filter down to the US.

    The dealer where I have my deposit is still insisting on a 6/30/02 delivery date.
  • SpyponderSpyponder Member Posts: 128
    It's interesting to see so much discussion about moonroofs on the Pilot. I had a moonroof on my '97 Accord, and currently have one in my '01 CL, and I never use it. Sure it's nice to be able to pop it open when putting around town, but I do most of my driving on the highway, where the wind and road noise make an open moonroof more of a hassle than a convenience. Not to mention the noonday sun getting in your eyes.

    Lack of a moonroof would certainly not be a showstopper for me on the Pilot. A nice-to-have maybe, but not a must-have.

    I'm not too concerned about reliability in the first year either. It's a Honda. This is the third go-around for this platform (Odyssey). Sure there will be some bugs, but if I were a betting man I'd say that there will be less problems than you find on your typical domestic vehicle in the first model year. Not worth worrying about.

    Now what I AM concerned about is the lack of a flip-up window on the tailgate...
  • will4271will4271 Member Posts: 187
    I have a sunroof/moonroof on my Accord Ex but don't use it much in the foggy SF Bay Area. But it's good to have one during long hot weather trips though.

    I think Honda wouldn't have that moonroof to save $$$$ on the pilot (production cost). After all the pilot is a strip down MDX.

    I did look at the Highlander but pulled away due to the sludge problem and how Toyota treated their customers after a sale. The V-4 had too little power. Probably at least a V-6 will do but the MDX has more horses.

    I bet some features on the pilot are similiar to the Odys.(also have heated leather seats).

    But a better comparision would be like Accord EX V-6 to the Acura TL. Lux vs. practical.

    Also, I hope the MDX will have stablity control. I think Toyota came out with it the 3rd year on the Lexus RX300, if I am not mistaken.
  • pilotmanpilotman Member Posts: 22
    Why would HONDA leave the roof out if most major competitors in this class have one? Cost hopefully was not the issue. I really want a Pilot but without it I am unsure. Will aftermarket ones be available and will they fit the model correctly? I wish they would offer the sunroof vs the DVD and Nav. The driver has no value with a DVD and the Nav is a crash waiting to happen.
  • nofeernofeer Member Posts: 381
    If there is a delay it may be because of the entertainment center, why would honda not want to make more $$$$$ for the customers. All ex versions of accord and civic, crv include the sunroof so honda can charge more....marketing pushing the $$$$

    Can't find any examples in any honda product of the SAGEBRUSH AND SANDSTONE. Any of you know where i can find an example of these (looked at ody, crv, mdx sites) My wife is torn between silver and the ody beige (unless the red in the autoshow comes up)
  • j_walkerj_walker Member Posts: 99
    This site has a price list for the Pilot and options:


    http://www.manhonda.com/sales/newauto.cfm?Action=List&ModelID=34


    A power sliding sunroof and heated seats are available as after-market options. They're very pricey.

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