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The Pilot will probably be more heavy-duty than the Highlander, but not nearly as heavy-duty as the 4Runner. The Pilot will split the difference, so to speak, since Honda will only be offering one mid-size SUV, whereas Toyota will have two mid-size SUVs.
Bob
MSRP is set by the drive makers based on what they think is the fair value for the car and already include what they think is a fair profit for the dealers.
Of course at the end, supply and demand and the no of people who are willing to have this car no matter what cost will determine the price.
And this is where it gets tricky...just how much does each one of us think the Pilot is worth?
I say 27-29K is fair game for this vehicle.
I always look at the total cost out the door for one vehicle vs another and see which one provides ME a greater value...
I like Spyman's theory though...and I'm sure it would work. It's the game Honda is playing right now...They know exactly what the vehicle costs them and they are waiting until the last minute to figure out how much they can get away with setting the abritary MSRP number. It's just a game..we want to pay as little as possible, they want us to pay as much as they can squeeze from us.
True Market Value is not Edmund's position as to what you SHOULD pay for an MDX or Pilot, it is what people are paying on average. Or should I say, overpaying for an emotional purchase. Many purchase new and used vehicles for well below TMV.
And it is not a question about paying $2.39 for a bag of chips vs. $.99. It is a question of saying it is OK to pay $5.50 for that bag of chips that is marked at $2.39! If you think it is OK, go right ahead.
I say 27-29K is fair game for this vehicle.>>
The Pilot will sell for whatever the market bears. It is based on all things that are produced, supply and demand. If the quality is high, and the product represents a real diference, then you'll see MSRP. Anything OVER MSRP isn't worth buying...IMHO
Jerry
So if people are willing to pay more than that arbitrary number, to get a car they really want, sooner rather than later, suddenly they're "suckers", or pawns of the dealer?
You talk about rationalizing an emotional decision - it seems to me that you and others who treat MSRP as some line in the sand, to be crossed at your own peril, are really the ones getting emotional here. The emotion being fear, fear of getting taken, when all you are really doing is spending a few extra bucks to get the car you want now, instead of a year (or more) from now.
The people who pay over MSRP aren't suckers; they're the ones who will be enjoying your longing stares as they cruise around in their nice new Honda Pilots this Summer...
<< off soapbox >>
"Longing stares" is kind of funny too. We're not talking Porsche or Ferrari. I don't typically drool over standard family vehicles. Do you drool over Accords when they drive by? If you "long" for an Ody or Pilot, maybe you should set your sites a little higher. Don't forget, although Car & Driver liked the Pilot, they did use words like, 'uninteresting,' 'bland Pilot styling,' fun-to-drive isn't really part of this vehicle's character.' I don't recall they mentioning 'longing stares' or people stopping them asking 'what are you driving?' Anonymous is more like it. Which is fine. But longing stares?
And I doubt that all the "suckers" who have been enjoying the MDX's they bought last year for over sticker will spite you for it.
Let's just say there's some that will and some that won't. Ain't that what makes America (& Canada) great?
So, we wait and see what the market does. If you buy above MSRP, more power to you and enjoy an obviously quality vehicle. Just remember, there are many equally well built and versatile vehicles out there and a good deal is still a good deal.
I also didn't wait in line to see Star Wars today. So, I'll wait a week or so and get in away from the heavy crowds.
The pricing for the 2003 Honda Pilot has been released:
LX $26,900
EX $29,270
EX-L $30,520
EX-L w/DVD Entertainment System $32,020
EX-L with Navi System $32,520
Destination and Handling $460
Release Date June 3rd
Moonroof
Heated Seats
Heated Mirrors
Fog Lights
Leather Steering Wheel
Simulated Wood Trim
Trip Computer
Auto/Day Night Mirror
17' Wheels and Tires
4/50,000 Warranty
Acura exclusivity
If resales are comparable, which I would suspect they will be, you will get a portion of that $4,200.
Have an order in for the Pilot at an Acura/Honda dealer. Maybe I'll shift to the MDX????
Figure that some buyers will tack on a few or several hundred dollars of accessories. E.g. CD changer, driving/fog lights, autodimming rear view mirror, cargo tray, cargo cover, etc. Discounters like www.hondacuraworld.com should have good prices on those items, most of which should be easy to install yourself (the driving lights should be the biggest issue).
http://caranddriver.com/xp/Caranddriver/roadtests/2002/june/200206_roadtest_pilot.xml
$2300 for AWD and a rugged SUV image seems about right.
However if you need AWD, don't like driving the minivan "bus", want something a bit smaller, then the Pilot makes sense.
As for comparisons to the Highlander. The Pilot is cheaper, has a larger and more powerful engine and has 3 rows of seating. If you think about it, it straddles the line between a Sequoia and Highlander in terms of size and capacity, yet is cheaper than a Highlander. Admittedly, it's closer in concept to the Highlander, but it definitely has some larger SUV traits.
Looks like the LX model does not have privacy glass.
Jerry
pilot wait <1month
mdx ????????
$2,300 more for the Pilot EXL than the Odyssey EXL is more than a little higher. Combine that with dealer markups, I'm wondering if the Pilot is worth it. I could save big bucks getting the Odyssey, or get a Luxury MDX for a few grand more.
He He.
At least Honda is rebadging Toyota's now and not Isuzu's.
-mike
Grand High Poobah
The Fraternal Order of Procrastinators
I haven't had any problems as of yet, although I did get a $56,000 DTS as a loaner when they put my spoiler on and my window tinting.
Also I have 24 hour roadside assistance and Onstar. So am I really worried about reliability? No I'm guaranteed to have a perfect car for the next 5 years and I'm plenty happy with that. That's when it will be paid off with $0 interest.
-mike
I'm only 26 so I won't be missing my daughters graduation! Again I will never be fixing my car either. If it ever does have a problem they will pick me up ASAP and deliver me to my destination.
Oh and who has a graduation at 3am???
I haven't had one problem since I left the dealership with it back in November. I just turned 12,000 miles on it and it's just like it was when I bought it.
If you can't get a better deal then I would just wait or look at the other SUV's available on the Market. You know one of the many 100's it seems like you can buy today.
Dealers will eventually get wise and reduce or eliminate their markups.
Jerry