Honda Pilot 2003 through 2005

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Comments

  • gm_litogationgm_litogation Member Posts: 168
    Lojack is a theft recovery device installed in your car. I had an offer from a local car stereo place to have it installed for $349 plus tax which is alot cheaper than the $595 they are wanting to charge you.

    What I'm wondering, what is Simonize??
  • wmquanwmquan Member Posts: 1,817
    "Also, the second row seatbacks do not adjust backwards."

    Do you mean that you can't adjust the angle of the second row seatbacks to anything but one position?
  • bengelkingbengelking Member Posts: 59
    However, it's not offered in all parts of the country, just some of the major metro areas.

    Simonize is probably one of the "environmental" packages one of our dealers was offering. Either soundproofing, cloth protetant, paint protectant, or something of that nature.
  • gm_litogationgm_litogation Member Posts: 168
    In the actual press release Honda stated

    "Consumer research further confirmed that while many SUV owners wanted more interior space and versatility, they did not necessarily desire a larger vehicle on the outside. The result is a vehicle that delivers the largest and most versatile cargo capacity of any vehicle in the mid-size class (90.3 cubic feet) in a compact-class exterior package."

    Is this really true?? I believe the Aztek and Rendvous are in the same class and have more available cargo room. Would this be considered false advertisement?
  • diploiddiploid Member Posts: 2,286
    Perhaps when they said "class," they meant mid-size car-based SUVs that actually look like SUVs, rather than minivans and garbage trucks?
  • g_huskyg_husky Member Posts: 32
    Is this for real? 1000lb max on the trailer without brakes? The brochure I brought up on Honda web site clearly shows 3500/4500lb (with premium fuel) and towing package options installed, no mention of brakes! Since you typically only read the owners manual AFTER you buy, I find this extremely misleading. Trailers typically come with brakes if their max weight capacity is 2900lb or so (maybe this varies by state), and I doubt many will buy this type vehicle to tow more than that. So is Honda basically saying this vehicle should not be used to tow?
  • homerghomerg Member Posts: 30
    I think Honda is comparing cargo space with the second row still in the vehicle. You have to remove the seats from the Aztek and Rendezvous to get that kind of cargo space.
  • gm_litogationgm_litogation Member Posts: 168
    With the seats just folded in the Rendevous you get something like 94 cubic feet, 84 with the Aztek.

    That's still misleading if you ask me...
  • pwitzpwitz Member Posts: 51
    Saw 6 on a dealer's lot up here in Rochester.
    Redrock, Silver, Black, and White. All of 'em were EX-Ls. All but two of them pre-sold. Salesman was honest about pricing...prefers to use the term "market price", but he was at MSRP figures. Was very frank to say that as trucks came in...if they sat on the lot for more than a day, they would be optioned up..took that to mean that a square MSRP deal was probable on a order or incoming.

    There is a lot of room with the 3rd seat folded down! Going back to drive tomorrow, but really want to see a LX and regular EX.
  • redlensesredlenses Member Posts: 36
    Those seat backs do adjust. Just release the latch on the top of the seat and push back. It will then lock.

    Cheers
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    << Is this for real? 1000lb max on the trailer without brakes? The brochure I brought up on Honda web site clearly shows 3500/4500lb (with premium fuel) and towing package options installed, no mention of brakes! Since you typically only read the owners manual AFTER you buy, I find this extremely misleading. Trailers typically come with brakes if their max weight capacity is 2900lb or so (maybe this varies by state),... >>

    Yes this is for real. This unbraked (and unadvertised) trailer brake issue is a real hot button with me. Just ask anyone over in the Subaru forms...

    You're right, very few car brochures mention anything about trailer brakes. I know Chevy does on their SUV and pickup brochures, and so does Land Rover. In fact, Land Rover even indicates what the tow capacity is in both Low and High range&#151;with and without trailer brakes.

    And you're also right in that people buy these vehicles think that they can tow a certain weight, only to find out after they've bought the vehicle, and are reading through the owner's manual, that they didn't get what they thought they were buying.

    I personally feel that braked and unbraked trailer info should be on all sales material&#151;especially brochures&#151;by law! I doubt that will ever happen though...

    Here in Maryland, only trailers with GVWs of 3000 pounds and over are required to have brakes. Trying to find a trailer that's rated under that with brakes, is next to impossible.

    Bob
  • cb70cb70 Member Posts: 226
    gm_litogation "Aztek versus Honda Pilot" Jun 3, 2002 2:11pm

    gm_litogation "Buick Rendevous vs. Honda Pilot" Jun 3, 2002 8:30am

    I'm sure you will agree that these are the two places you can debate the Pilot vs Aztec vs Rendezvous without anyone being annoyed. Hope you don't have any troubles staying on topic.
  • gm_litogationgm_litogation Member Posts: 168
    Another comment, against me! Why is there no justice in the world??

    Spyponder why don't you like my questions, what's yours and Diploid's problem??
  • gm_litogationgm_litogation Member Posts: 168
    Just asking if you thought this was false advertisement, if you are all Hondaized to the point of being blind then fine.
  • cb70cb70 Member Posts: 226
    I am interested in the Pilot. I am not interested in the Aztek or RDV. Stay on topic. You are debating about GM vehicles against the Pilot. There are already threads started on debating these vehicles.
  • gm_litogationgm_litogation Member Posts: 168
    I was stating that I noticed what I considered to be false advertisement!! I don't care which SUV's had more cargo capacity. The point is, I believe Honda is making a claim that isn't true!

    What is wrong with that?
  • bengelkingbengelking Member Posts: 59
    Yes you are comparing the Pilot to GM products. Go back to those threads. If you want to discuss the Pilot on it's own merits and not in a total comparison mode (since all of your posts bring up something about Aztez/RDV versus Pilot), stay here. Otherwise, go to the forums where it is appropriate.

    My understanding is that your mission in life (for whatever reason) is to rid the world of GM bashing. Do so in the proper forum. This is not the place for it.

    If you have no intention on purchasing a Pilot. Please defer to the comparison posts. That is all we're asking.
  • homerghomerg Member Posts: 30
    I had a deposit on a Redrock EX-L that was supposed to arrive sometime late this month, but my salesman at Ed Martin Honda, Indianapolis called me Saturday to tell me that there were 5 pilots due in that evening or Monday morning if I wanted to see what they were like. Well I took the family in today and he showed me a Redrock EX-L RES selling at MSRP ($32,480) with no add-ons. I noted all the comments people have been making about the vehicle, especially that the second row middle seatback is hard, but overall I couldn't find too many things not to my liking. The rear seat is for special occassions only, if you need the rear seat quite often, you probably would to better with a minivan or a bigger SUV. I can see this being a handy seat for when you don't want to take two cars to go out to dinner. I did notice that you have more room between the back seat and the back of the vehicle than the Rendezvous I was also considering. I checked the rear headrests, and even though the back of the seat is low, as others have noticed, the headrests have extra long bars in them, and I was able to adjust them to where they caught the middle of my head, and I have quite a long torso. The ride of the Pilot was equal to the Rendezvous that I have test driven. Very quiet and sedan-like. I noticed very little windnoise, and no roadnoise from the cargo area of the vehicle, like I got from my CR-V. Acceleration was strong, and the transmission shifted smoothly. The vehicle was typical Honda, it just did everthing well.

    My wife and I had been debating if we wanted to pony up the extra $1500 now for a RES, or if we wanted to wait and install an aftermarket one. I looked at the nice way the system was integrated with the stereo control, and the IR headsets that were included. I liked it too much not to try to make a deal. So I had my dealer look at my 00 CR-V SE with 26k that I purchased at that dealership 2 years ago, and he offered me $15,500 for it! I was thrilled with that considering I owed substantially less than that. I haven't been thrilled with the trade in values I've been getting with my previous cars. I asked if I could get a little better since I was looking at it with a RES (couldn't hurt to try!) and they came up another $500 on my trade! So I got $16,000 for a vehicle I payed $22,000 2 years ago, and that was trade-in. This was $1000 better than I had been offered by a Buick dealer 2 months and 1,500 miles ago! I've been upside down so many times in trade in on the Chrysler products I've owned. I can only expect to get this type of value from the Pilot if I ever trade it in. An Odyssey would have met my needs just as well, and would have easier access to the back seat and saved me a couple of g's, but my wife hates mini-vans, and if another $50 a month makes her happy it's well worth it. And since the Pilot is a 2003 model vs a 2002 if I got an Odyssey, I should recoup the difference the next time I trade.
  • diploiddiploid Member Posts: 2,286
    GM, 90.3 is measured with 2nd & 3rd row seats *folded*.


    http://www.edmunds.com/reviews/roadtests/firstdrive/62442/article.html


    "Lowering the seats reveals an impressively large 90.3-cubic foot cargo hold."


    Buick RDV:

    http://www.edmunds.com/reviews/roadtests/roadtest/48245/article.html


    "Unlike many minivans, the third-row seat folds flat when not in use, availing 54.5 cubic feet of space to you. Take out the second-row seats and a cavernous 108.9 cubic feet opens up, giving you more space than most vehicles in the category, such as the Acura MDX and Lexus RX 300."


    In order to get the 108.9 rating, the second row seats must be *taken out*.

  • cb70cb70 Member Posts: 226
    take this comparison post to the RDV VSPilot board. None of the rest of us want to debate this further.
  • diploiddiploid Member Posts: 2,286
    I don't think GM can actually debate this any further. The RDV's interior isn't as versatile as the Pilot's, so its second row seat can't be folded down like that of the Pilot. He will never be able to come up with an interior rating that is measured when the RDV's 2nd row is folded flat like those in the Pilot, because it can't.
  • guy44guy44 Member Posts: 67
    Bill,

    I've had great luck with Ron Bouchards Honda in Fitchburg. I spent about three hours with my Sales Rep Jose Ortiz on Saturday. I'm getting the vehicle at MSRP with no add ons. Check him out and tell him that Steve with the Black EX-L sent you.
  • stuartcstuartc Member Posts: 33
    Hi Bill:

    Take a look at my post#2579 about Boch Honda. They were ready to sell me a Havasu Blue EX-L at MSRP with no markups or add-ons on Saturday. My wife didn't like the color so we passed on it. Try calling Mohammad Karim at 781-619-6826. He's a no pressure salesman who was very patient and accomodating with my wife and me. I was very impressed with the dealership.

    If you do call them, please let us know how it goes. My only experience with them was last Saturday and since I didn't buy the car, I couldn't say for sure that they would not pull any last minute shenanigans, though I highly doubt that they would. Anyway, let us know.

    Another dealer who said they would sell at MSRP with no add-ons or markups was Honda Cars of Boston in Everett, MA. The salesguy I spoke with was Jose Goncalves.

    Keep us posted.
  • bill01923bill01923 Member Posts: 57
    Lojack is a vehicle recovery device(in areas that are covered). http://www.lojack.com/

    The dealers try to convince you that without it your car is a goner and that with the insurance discount it won't cost you anything.

    The Pilot comes with an alarm and a coded key this gives you 20% off comprehinsive (fire and theft)in MA.(35% for Lojack) If you live in a high theft area this can add up but my total comp is about $100 and if a theif can get past the coded key I'll never see it again any way.


    The Simoniz is paint and seat protectant.


    http://www.simonizusa.com/estore/

  • keeno1keeno1 Member Posts: 1
    First of all, thanks for all the informative posts. Great way to keep each other informed about this new product and avoiding gluttonous dealers.

    We got to the Honda dealer in Annapolis, MD, first thing this morning. Yesterday, they received two Havasa Blue LX's and an Evergreen EX. The sticker did not reflect a markup on Sunday, as they had just arrived off the truck (still wrapped). By the time we arrived first thing this morning, each one had a dealer markup of $5,000 over MSRP. After our test drive, we were asked how much we were willing to pay. I flatly told them I was not paying anything over MSRP. I also told them our financing was pre-approved. They initially declined. Supposedly, they called the owner on his cell phone and he said the lowest they could go was $1000 over MSRP. We walked out, and as we were driving off the lot, the salesman stopped us and said the owner called back and said we have a deal at MSRP. Since they just received the vehicle, there were no add-ons.

    First impressions: Honda did a fine job with this SUV. Ride...very smooth, shifts and runs quietly. Accelerator is a bit mushy. Front seats ...very comfortable, plenty of legroom and headroom(I'm 6'). Great visibility, and brakes. Quite an improvement from our 1993 Rodeo which our family of 5 has outgrown. Third row seats are definitely for small kids.

    Wish the LX came with rear privacy glass. Towing capacity is not a concern of ours. We plan on buying an aftermarket VCP/TV Entertainment system for those long rides.
  • varmintvarmint Member Posts: 6,326
    GM_Lito - You have a point. Honda seems to be picking and choosing which market the vehicle competes in. There are no other 8 seater, mid-size, non-luxury, AWD, cross-over SUVs on the market. So Honda PR guys get to have a field day. You've done the same thing by comparing the Aztek to everything under the sun.
  • bill01923bill01923 Member Posts: 57
    Thank you

    I read your post also and I sent them an Email.
    They responded immediately.

    I called the person on the email (PR person)
    She didn't know exactly what was available but suggested I call a Sales Mgr.
    I would rather work with a sales person so I will give Mohammad a call.

    I had also sent an email to Honda cars of Boston.
    They asked for more details of what I want.
    Since he was helpful I will give Jose a call also.

    Thanks for the referrals.
  • shellymeister2shellymeister2 Member Posts: 115
    Passed by my local Honda Dealer this afternoon, and spotted 3 Pilots on the lot- 1 silver LX, 1 Havasu blue EX, & 1 silver EX. I inquired about pricing & availability & I was surprised to learn that only one had a prior deposit, the other 2 were fully available. Now, you have to remember that this is Long Island NY, home to some of the largest import-buying public in the country, a place where the MDX routinely has a 6 month wait, and the Odyssey EX has at least a 3-4 month wait. The fact that the Pilot was so readily available was kind of surprising. I don't know if the lack of interest is due to the low key ads, or if it portends potentially moderate sales. I guess time will tell. Oh yeah- the dealer would sell at MSRP if I twisted his arm just a little (HIS WORDS), but I still can't warm up to the '97 Bloated CRV styling. I know styling isn't THAT important, but for $30,000 it does have some impact...........
  • vtec2vtec2 Member Posts: 43
    I just read something funny in the Truck Trend July/August 2002 issue. They have a Pilot "first drive". The funny part is where they say "The column-mounted shift lever might be a minivan touch, but it frees up center floor space, allowing Honda to include the CRV-esque flip-up center table."

    I mean, come on, did they even look on the inside of the thing?
  • varmintvarmint Member Posts: 6,326
    After I test drove the Pilot, I was heading down route 95 through RI (dangerous territory, I know). As I'm driving along, I see an MDX in the rearview. Just as he catches up with me, a Pilot merges on the freeway ahead. Just someone out for a test drive. I could see the plastic still on the rear seats. The guy in the MDX must've seen him too, cuz he starts to accelerate and try to get past me. We managed to pass the Pilot one after another and both gave him a thumbs up.

    Just a cute little family moment. =)
  • opus5opus5 Member Posts: 16
    Some of the "Tools" located at the main Honda Pilot website, http://pilot.honda.com, has been activated, including its Comparison function.
  • diploiddiploid Member Posts: 2,286
    vtec- Well, there goes Truck Trend's credibility.
  • woodard1woodard1 Member Posts: 37
    too cute. Now how often could that have happened? As for me I'm so jealous of all of you. Atleast you've got to touch, see, feel, and smell that new car! Keep your fingers crossed that my dealership gets there alocation today. (Or I'm gonna blow) BTW for any of you in SE Georgia Walker Jones Cheverolet 912-283-4250 (sick when you've called so much you have it memorized) is selling at MSPR they have two more coming in with mine not sold. Ask for Beverly Stroup she's great and very patience. Anyways, what happened with them making them keep two for demos. Was'nt that posted here awhile back that Honda was gonna make them hold on to two demos for 6 mths or something? Seems like all the dealers are selling what they are getting. BTW since saturday she told me that 4 people have come in to "get on the list" and before then it was just me since Jan 02. Guess those add's on t.v. are workig. I've still yet to catch one on.
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    Almost all manufacturers in the US require brakes over 1000lbs. CA requires brakes on all trailers over 1500lbs so most manufacturers just cover themselves by saying 1000lbs.

    -mike
  • nofeernofeer Member Posts: 381
    On a previous post, i thought someone say that there is room for a full sized spare tire instead of the "doughnut" ?Is this true, and what max tire size could be fitted. some of the reports in mags about the oversteeer may be due to tire size, so i am looking into upgrading the tires if you feel this is necessary. the ex has larger tires so this may not be an issue withthe ex. Your comments.
  • hislanderhislander Member Posts: 67
    Ah....Now I understand why you started the thread "aztek vs pilot". I thought what he was thinking but...very clever indeed.
  • kroliphkroliph Member Posts: 75
    I think it is definitely a well designed and useful vehicle. The fact that it starts out life as a front-wheel drive vehicle makes it even safer for most people in every day driving. The thing that really turned me off was the way that thing handled. It has the most disconnected steering rack I have ever experienced in a Honda product. Also, the thing was pretty sloppy in the corners compared to the Odyssey. I have not driven the MDX, but based on the reviews I have read, it has superior driving dynamic s. I'm sure people might be thinking, 'How can you compare a minivan w/ an SUV'. The reason you can compare them is that that are all built on the same platform. I'm going to stick w/ my Odyssey order. On the road, it is definitely a more enjoyable vehicle to drive. If you NEED 4WD or AWD, then by all means buy the Pilot. I would recommend you drive the Pilot and Odyssey back to back though. You may discover that the Odyssey is allot more enjoyable as a daily driver than the Pilot. I think that Honda made a mistake by making the Pilot's suspension softer than the MDX. It it just too sloppy for me. I know allot of people might be saying, but it is an SUV. But I say, this is a crossover car based SUV which really allows manufacturers to produce a superior handling vehicle than a truck-based SUV. Just drive a Ford Escape. Compared to the Pilot, it has amazing handling. The MDX is proof it can be done. I don't think there is any excuse for the way that thing drove. I'm not asking for a sports car here. I just felt very disconnected from the road. It has been a couple of months since I drove the new Ford Explorer, but I think that thing drove better than the Pilot. I'm sure Honda won't have any trouble selling as many as they can make though. It is a better alternative than most of the truck-based SUVs out there.

    I think if I really want to go off road, I'll drive my Odyssey to the edge to the woods and get out my backpack and hike in!
  • curiousalsocuriousalso Member Posts: 6
    I notice on the pilot.honda.com web site's new itemized comparison feature, it states that a CD changer is a standard feature for the Pilot EXL. That's wrong isn't it? I thought the only way to get a CD changer on the Pilot was to pay for the add-on.....
  • jmurman42jmurman42 Member Posts: 675
    We use two sources for our e-services. Autoweb and Autovantage. Both of them are still not set up for Pilot quotes.

    Frustrating!

    Jerry
  • jmurman42jmurman42 Member Posts: 675
    doesn't have the Pilot on their eHonda.com site yet.

    Go figure!

    Jerry
  • cb70cb70 Member Posts: 226
    what I was doing. LOL.
  • rms41rms41 Member Posts: 80
    everyone should ignore the troll and just discuss the Pilot, in a doltish manner and using cultist terms, of course. ;)
  • markus17markus17 Member Posts: 18
    Apologies if this has been answered to death, but I couldn't find the links.

    Where can I go to buy things like cargo cover and room racks for a Pilot. I realize they may not be available yet.

    Thanks
  • aggyaggy Member Posts: 2
    I've seen the paint chips and the pictures in the brochure but it really isn't enough to make a color decision. Does anyone have any inside info on the actual color? Is it lighter or darker than Mesa Beige? Color is an important aspect of my decision since I plan on keeping this vehicle for many years.
  • guy44guy44 Member Posts: 67
    I've test driven my EX-L and it doesn't have a CD changer. The dealership told me the in dash changer cost $599 plus installation which they weren't able to quote on Saturday but knowing dealership labor I'm sure it'll cost another $100 plus to install it. HondaAcuraWorld quotes it at $487 for the changer and I told my dealer if I did the changer I wouldn't expect to pay more then the $487 plus install.

    I also checked out Circuit City yesterday and they sell the Alpine six CD changer (under seat version) installed for $389. They also sell a JVC 12 CD changer (under seat) and Cassette/Radio insalled for $250 on sale for this week. It would also require an indash spacer which makes me want to steer clear of that. Oh and of course when I did my test drive I never looked under the seat to see how much space was there.

    I'm waiting to see what the quote from Honda will be on the indash CD changer before I decide which way to go. Has anyone added this as an option yet or gotten a quote???
  • wmquanwmquan Member Posts: 1,817
    Honda, like other manufacturers, uses AIC for the comparisons. AIC often has errors in it, unfortunately. I'm surprised the manufacturers don't keep closer tabs.

    Here's the marketing conspiracy theory that's not really a conspiracy: Honda was initially going to make the CD Changer standard equipment, and listed it that way in initial specifications. Thus AIC listed it that way, and IIRC, more than one auto journalist said the CD Changer would be standard.

    However, before release, Honda decided not to include it as standard equipment.
  • pickeribpickerib Member Posts: 13
    I've owned two Accords in my life, and was very happy with both of them. My only critisim is that I was never happy about the braking. Seemed to fade easily and just not handle hard braking well (I'm a lead-foot I guess). Any way, I was hoping someone who test drove or now owns the Pilot would care to comment on the brakes.

    I now drive a '99 Taurus that I bought through a friend because the price was too good to pass up...I now know price isn't everything. I'm hoping that by the end of summer, pricing on the Pilot will be a little below MSRP (same as it was with the Highlander) Honda dealers better remember there ARE alternatives to the Pilot out there! I have to earn my money just as hard as the next guy and don't part with it unless I get value.
  • rms41rms41 Member Posts: 80
    With the driver's seat in its lowest position there is only about 3" of height available for a cd changer. Raising the seat up (if you get EX with power seat) can help. How big are the changers? Perhaps I can figure out if it will fit.
  • pickeribpickerib Member Posts: 13
    I've owned two Accords in my life, and was very happy with both of them. My only critisim is that I was never happy about the braking. Seemed to fade easily and just not handle hard braking well (I'm a lead-foot I guess). Any way, I was hoping someone who test drove or now owns the Pilot would care to comment on the brakes.

    I now drive a '99 Taurus that I bought through a friend because the price was too good to pass up...I now know price isn't everything. I'm hoping that by the end of summer, pricing on the Pilot will be a little below MSRP (same as it was with the Highlander) Honda dealers better remember there ARE alternatives to the Pilot out there! I have to earn my money just as hard as the next guy and don't part with it unless I get value.
  • sailing216sailing216 Member Posts: 98
    Braking on the Pilot is not what I call really good. MDX and Oddy braked better, and the Oddy is nothing great either. You can tell it's a very heavy SUV when you break. You need to give yourself some extra room. I didn't try to lock them up, but I jammed on them pretty hard at a stop sign. I would say average breaking for an SUV, terrible compared to a sport sedan or sports car. Not as bad as a Dodge Ram or Durango.
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