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We did just start an '06 Forester (which isn't new, just refreshed a bit) discussion because we keep hearing that we need to have more threads because the most users can't find things in a discussion with 15,000+ posts.
I don't know what we'd do if the Old Beetle was around - remember the ads? VW would talk about how the Beetle stayed the same from year to year, and then they'd print a laundry list of the 2,000+ changes and improvements made in the last year.
Thanks for the comments!
Steve, Host
Thanks
I think my new Pilot has a 5 in front so I am not sure what the numbering system is now. Have seen several sites but most are out of date.
www.analogx.com/contents/vinview.htm
I've driven my fathers Odyssey 300 miles, stopping a couple of times (had passengers). This vehicle bothered my back.
The Pilot is 05 w/ leather. The Odyssey is 02 w/o leather. Not sure how the seats are in the newer Odyssey.
Hope this helps. Good luck.
Have a Pilot and just finished a 1200 mile trip and nobody had any problems with the seats (or anything else for that matter).
Don't think the Pilot seats are different as at one point I posted a suggestion that they take the Ody seats out and put Pilot seats in and it seems there was a reason you can't.
Anyway, for what its worth, I have no problem with the Pilot seats. Best solution is go take a long test drive.
That said, I prefer those in the Pilot while my wife thinks the Odyssey seats are better than those in the Pilot. Go figure!
heck, my parents used to take us 3 kids cross country in a Volvo 240 sedan. Expeditions and Sequoias are just NOT necessary for a standard family. If you WANT more room, that's one thing, but you don't NEED more room than the Pilot (heck the pilot is even too big most of the time, IMHO).
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '08 Charger R/T Daytona; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '08 Maser QP; '11 Mini Cooper S
We briefly considered the Sequoia and are glad we didn't go in that direction. All of the vehicles that are larger than the MDX/Pilot are much less fuel efficient and drive like a cross between a truck and a school bus.
However today kids need to be in booster and child seats. Three child seats just fit inside a Pilot. Three Booster seats fit better however its really hard to fit your hand in-between to buckle the kids up. In Allision's case only the 5 year old might be in a booster, so a Pilot should work fairly well.
I'll agree you don't need the Expedition, Tahoe or Sequoias. But you do need a wide car/SUV/van for 3 kids. Always putting a kid in a 3rd row of a SUV is a pain and to be used only now and then. Using the 3rd row also cuts your storage space big time.
If you happen to tow a boat or camper then your options become SUV or Van. The mini-vans are not great tow options either, but do work for smaller boats and campers.
--jay
- Mark
Pilot: Length 188, Width 77.3, Height 71.7, Curb Weight 4431
Ody: Length 201, Width 77.1, Height 70.0, Curb Weight 4494
Sienna: Length 200. Width 77.4, Height 68.9, Curb Weight 4310
I know a Ody gets better mileage (due to lack of awd and better aerodynamics), but it should be a better people and cargo hauler for its extra 13 inches of length. The pilot would fit better in my garage and is large enough for what most people need. If you have 3 kids or less, do you really need such a huge vehicle as an Ody?
I have 3 kids age 5 and under and I fit all of them in car seats in my 2000 Accord sedan and my 2002 CR-V. They are a bit tight, but it is easily "do-able." Even so, I am thinking about moving up to a Pilot to add a bit of space in the 2nd row for the kids, plus the flexibility of hauling additional passengers on occasion. I just found the Ody and Sienna a bit too huge. I kind of wish more companies would offer a slightly smaller (more mini-) mini-van, like Mazda's Mazda5. They just don't seem to sell very well. I guess most people like the extra hugeness of these supposed mini-vans.
Adding extra kids isn't an option in the Accord however. We car pool to school so 5 kids (all under 10) need to fit. Got a mid size sedan for that?
Allison - Pilot vs Yukon isn't that much difference. We looked at both and ended up with a Tahoe. Why? Honda dealer was not pleasant and wanted MSRP plus over $1000 for towing package. The Tahoe (one year used only 9k miles) was cheaper by a bunch. Even new the price is very close. (given employee pricing and discounts)
I still follow this page because the Pilot was nice and may replace the Tahoe once the kids are older. (4 or 5 years)
--jay
--jay
Anyone with the Cargo tray/mat have problems with everything back there sliding around? Any way of preventing it? I ownder if Rhino Linering the cargo tray would help? Any suggestions?
16 city seems low but not bad, i get 18 city but have really been easy on the throttle. There aren't any hills here either which helps a great deal.
Spyderred.
I am doing research on the Pilot. Our kids are all less than 4 years old. I am trying to determine how "child-seat friendly" the Pilot is. Questions:
Are you saying that I can fit 2 child seats in the second row of the Pilot? If yes, will all 3 child seats be secured by LATCH? I was under the impression that the Pilot only provided LATCH anchors for 2 child seats. Thanks!
Only two child seats will be secure with LATCH. The one in the middle would use the seat belt.
I wouldn't let that dissuade you. A belted-in child seat that is properly installed is just as safe as a seat properly installed with LATCH (sources of this include NHTSA). In fact, some recent Consumer Reports testing showed that some seats were actually safer with a belted install than with LATCH!
The only issue in not using LATCH is convenience. LATCH installs are usually easier and there less error-prone (at least in theory). That's the main reason LATCH was standardized, because so many seats are installed improperly. There are plenty of local resources that will check the seat.
Thanks,
Rick
Our problem was as the kids get older (4+) and use booster seats its hard to buckle them all the time. Your constantly sticking your hand between the boosters. We like to put all three in one row during trips so there is more room for stuff in back. During the week we carpool kids to school and then the third row is full too.
Currently with a 8, 6 and 2+ we are down to one booster and a child seat so buckling is lesser of an issue. Now its.... He pulled my hair, or she touched me, I wan't to sit by the window, are we there yet?, I gotta go potty....
The Pilot works for 3. Its just a bit harder than the full size SUVs. We ended up with a Tahoe. Mostly because of the poor Honda dealer, their location (so far away), and the Tahoe was used and was chearper than the Pilot.
I'm still interested in the Pilot, hence following the boards. Very nice general purpose SUV for bigger families. Just wish a dealer was closer and nicer to work with.
Great forums here! I saw one thread where a guy picked up one of the above for 26k and change just today. Wow!
My local dealership just quoted me 295xx, but, they dont have what we want on the lot. Makes it harder to negotiate. They might try to get one. I thought We were getting a decent deal, 3k under invoice... seems like for the price maybe I should be getting an 06. Which I saw, and do look nice.. but not that nice! (seems like almost a 5k diff in comparably equipped)
Im in Arizona - any suggestions welcome. Its for the wifey, she wantes the sage brush pearl - for the money, I think you should get nothing but exactly what you want. But this bid from the local dealer, seems a bit high.
Just wanted to check my findings against you guys, get some feedback and maybe some suggestions on good dealerships in the mid-arizona region.
Hope thats okay to ask for-
Eric
Honda Pilot: Prices Paid & Buying Experience
Steve, Host
I am still getting the feel for where to post what, and I meant to stick that post in that thread. I will repost over there - sorry for my confusion!
Eric
There's a bunch of car buying tips hanging off the main Edmunds.com page too and the Confessions of a Car Salesman article is a real hoot.
Steve, Host
Xterrain tires by Michelin and michelin ltx ms are excellent tires. The GY Fortera Triple tred sounds good in the marketing but reality is unknown.
For the new model year, please visit the Honda Pilot - 2006+ discussion.
Steve, Host
Steve, Host
i went to the dealer and try to have the side panel fixed due to the annoying rattling noise. im trying to see if they can fix the slossing noise from the fuel tank. they tell me that some honda piilot makes that noise and some dont. i told them that if the noise was the problem in 03-04 model. why cant they fixed the prob. 05. of course they couldnt give me a straight answer. im trying to see if anyone had the problem(s) fixed or we just have to live with it .
The only thing that stops it is if I hold my hand to the glovebox
The new 2006 rear light covers would be much easier to modify and they can be ordered for $142 a piece. The delership in Atlanta is unable to give me a definite answer but the shape seems to be the same when I look at the pics of 2005s and 2006s. Does anyone know if these can be swapped? Should I get them?