Did you recently take on (or consider) a loan of 84 months or longer on a car purchase?
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I have a 2004 Pilot EX-L and have been towing a utility trailer and a 14 foot aluminum boat, with a 3400 lb. trailer, with no problems. In summary, my suggestion is to get the Honda hitch with the additional cooling equipment.
Cheers
First, I have serious doubts about the clmaims that curtain airbags help in rollover. Unless the curtain airbags keep inflated like the safety canopy system in Ford, I don't think it will help much in a rollover. In a rollover, a vehcile is likely to roll over multiple times.
While for side colission, the curtain airbags is definitely essential to sustain the first few milliseconds of crushing force.
Thanks.
On my wife's 2004 Pilot, I feel like there is no place to rest my foot. There is a plastic strip at a slight angle that implies where my foot should go, but it feel so awkward.
My wife actually likes it, because she has always driven with her left leg bent at a right angle at her knee, not stretched out.
I have resolved that Honda designed that due to the higher seating position. They want you to sit with your lower leg perpendicular to the floor. Even on the passenger side, the glove box is so low, that you can't stretch your legs out without your shins rubbing against it.
If I raise the driver's seat high enough to cradle my thigh, I can get reasonably comfortable with my lower leg perpendicular to the floor. However, it still takes me a while to get used to when I drive it.
My bigger question here is that you said you test drove a 2005 Pilot. Supposedly, according to Honda's press release, they added a footrest for 2005. I was excited to hear this, but I haven't seen any pictures of what they changed.
Based on your complaint, it doesn't sound like they changed a lot.
Elliot
I spend 90% of my time on the highway, the rest is on trails and towing my 3800lb boat and trailer. My current vehicle is a 1988 Chevy S10 Blazer with 4.3L V6 (150hp 220 torque). I tow my boat only a dozen times a year about 2 miles from the house to the ramp and back.
The Blazer is now much too small and old. I can't stand vehicle payments, and will keep whatever I buy for 15 years. Chevy has been reliable but creature comforts are minimal.
Is the Pilot up to my task?
It's AWD system is shared with the Pilot. I have not taken my MDX on any terrain, but have driven it through 8+ inches of snow. The system worked really well, and when needed I used the differential lock to pull me through deeper spots where the plows had blocked side road entrances.
I think the AWD system is up to the challenge (especially with the rear locking option), but for "real" trails I would think the 4runner is a better truck. The suspension isn't really there for trail riding though in my MDX. Perhaps the pilot is a little softer and can handle trails better? I did see a motorweek where they had the pilot running over some logs that were fairly significant.
I have not towed with my MDX but did add a hitch for a bike rack...very easy installation. I recommend the towing package if you plan to use it in that capacity
Even thought the Tahoe is a relatively old model since it hasn't been redesigned in 4 years or so it has many creature comforts. Consider a used one? Thats what we did and its been great! It cost nearly 4K less than a new Pilot. Service for oil changes is easier and faster. Also the tahoe is a bit wider to haul the three kids and not use the third row. Got to have room for all the stuff that goes with three kids
Cost? a new loaded LT Tahoe will be 4K more maybe not even that much with all the cash rebates? A base (LS) model will be much closer in price to the base Pilot.
Over all the size difference isn't that much.
Tahoe is 1.5 inches wider, 10 inches longer and 5 inches taller. Turning radius is only 4 inches larger.
Power goes to the Tahoe! 45hp and 90ft-lbs of torque more than the 04 Pilot.
Gas milage goes to the Pilot. However we do typically get 18 to 19 mpg ont he highway and have gotten as high as 21mpg 3 or 4 times. We also get 14mpg in city driving.
We really liked the Pilot and I continue to follow these boards just because it might be our next SUV? Who knows....its definetly a top choice. We also very much like the Tahoe.....
--jay
For a normal front facing seat, same thing. Here you can use the strap and really get the seat tight. If you stand outside the car you can wiggle the whole car by pulling on the seat and the seat shouldn't move much.
You may find that the center seating area is a bit too hard to get the child seat to get good and snug, due to the cup holder fold down. With two car seats there might be an inch or so overlap with the third row access, making it un-usable yet. (many car seats are 19 to 20 inches wide)
The past 7 years our number 1 check point on new cars/SUVs is how well (and easy) the child seats go in and fit.
--Jay
Worked for us, at least.
--jay
IIRC, we did have to use a rolled-up towel to help tilt the seat back further. Some people would recommend foam noodles instead. The MDX's center belt was used to attach the seat, of course. The key was getting it as tight as possible. As another poster here recommended, tightening the belt while jamming your knee into the restraint to press it down helps a lot.
What I'd do is get the car seat in with the seat belt buckled. Then, you open up the seat belt buckle and let it retract back a couple of clicks. Then, you really put your weight on the seat and try to get the buckle snapped again. It's easier to do with two people.
After the rear-facing seat is securely attached with the MDX's seat belt, the key is to use the Britax's tether to provide some tension to "pull down" the seat. The Britax seats are some of the few seats that use the tether strap in rear-facing mode as well as the traditional front-facing mode. Like you, I attached it to the seat frame under the front of the seat. However, someone smarter than me at this stuff found he could actually run the extended strap under the seat, and up behind it, and attach it to the anchor point behind the seat.
We found that not using the tether strap left the seat too loose (in rear-facing mode). Belting the seat in so it was a bit too upright, and then using the tether strap to "pull it down" did the trick. It made it very stable.
If all else fails, your local fire department or hospital can point you to certified technicians who can help.
Good luck!
My question is : Should I replace the tire with a new one or just repair it?
Thanks.
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
We currently own an 03 Pilot EXL-RES.
Before we purchased we considered the Odyssey until I test drove it and didn't like the feel of it (This was in early 2003). Since our purschase we've seen many changes in the Pilot:
Sliding/adjustable center row, vsa, sunroof, heated seats, improved subwoofer placement, TPMS,
BUT NO SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAGS!
I am always reminded that this vehicle has a higher rollover risk--thanks to the sun visor.
The 05 Odyssey has 3 row curtain airbags, even on the basic model. Why did Honda neglect the Pilot?
Re: 2005 Pilot and Odyssey
Some drivers complain bitterly that these systems make the brake system more difficult to modulate and "touchy."
- Mark
Thanks in advance!
I have an 04 EX, 3 months old. Thanks,
so this friend dealer gave you good deal on sale of 05 model but not the trade in of 04 huh? This sounds more like, "oh I am too embarassed to say what I paid because I paid msrp or more but I am too ashamed to admit it on line"
$1400 is worth it for having extra 15hp and a moonroof? what having 240 hp was inadequate for you?
What a big waste of money.
if you feel its a waste of money, then don't buy it. A capitalist society is an amazing thing, ain't it?
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
Jay
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
I have found this cheap, compact 12 volt TV tuner from Audiovox (model VBT100 on audiovox.com), that I could plug into the rear A/V inputs when needed. Before I buy one has anyone a better suggestion?
http://www.audiovox.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?- catalogId=10001&storeId=10001&productId=1765519&langI- d=-1
Had posted earlier but the post got off track on the Nav-Res which I don't want. Don't care about the stereo as I will rip that out immediately so I can install an Alpine unit capable of interfacing with my Apple iPod.
That's about all I know (and i hope its true).
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
I just installed a new 6-speaker MP3 setup in our beater car with a 4-channel 200-watt head unit driving 4 pioneer speakers and an 80-watt 2-channel amplifier driving the mid-woofers in the doors and its still a good deal below the sound in the Pilot. That doesn't say very much, but it at least tells me that I'd have to spend quite a bit of money just to match what Honda put in there.
Of course, I'd always like more bass.
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
Has anyone else experienced this problem? If so, any solutions? We have a baby so we are concerned about these musty odors.