Any experience with the Honda Pilot?

scuba264 · 01-28-2013, 03:23 PM

So the wife has a 2010 Mercury Mariner right now. Have really loved the thing so far, but afraid it is running into some issues, and just had a baby 3 months ago so think it would be nice to have something just a bit more roomy.

Found a 2011 Touring edition and took it for a test drive. The thing is seriously awesome, found a few for around 29,500 to 31,500 in the high 20/mid 30k miles.

Really great ride, lots of room, gps, dvd, bluetooth, lit running boards, back up camera, hitch, AC outlet, usb, aux input, 6 disc changer, individual passenger temp controls, remote start, AWD, I mean just everything. 3.5 v6 engine so plenty of power to get around but still gets in the 20s mpg highway.

Curious if anyone has any first hand experience. Hondas tend to be pretty indestructible, can put tons of miles with just regular maintenance.

scuba264 · 01-28-2013, 03:27 PM

And we really dig the body. Noticed when looking at SUVs lately that everyone is trying to make them more rounded and sleek/sporty I guess, but it just doesn't work for us. When you round out an SUV it just starts looking like a van. The Pilot retains that kinda edgier look an suv should have.

Toasty · 01-28-2013, 03:30 PM

Guess it's me, but I don't picture the pilot as all that much bigger than the mariner. IMHO, I think you'd get more bang for your buck in a Traverse or Acadia

christianmotox · 01-28-2013, 03:39 PM

If you want to have an 8 passenger SUV with the best reliability and gas milage go for the Pilot, cant beat that.

I have a 03 with 97000 miles and no issues.

scuba264 · 01-28-2013, 03:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Toasty

Guess it's me, but I don't picture the pilot as all that much bigger than the mariner. IMHO, I think you'd get more bang for your buck in a Traverse or Acadia

Oh it totally is. It has a 3rd row off seats that folds down and that gives it like twice as much hauling space in the back, plus just a little roomier all around

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Toasty · 01-28-2013, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scuba264

Oh it totally is. It has a 3rd row off seats that folds down and that gives it like twice as much hauling space in the back, plus just a little roomier all around

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ah yah, forgot about the 3rd row seats

Mr. iNCREDIBLE · 01-28-2013, 04:22 PM

one of the parents at my kids school has one and a neighbor does, and the only complaint they both have is the MPG, I guess they believe because it is a Honda it's supposed to get 30+ mpg regardless of it's size and weight..

They both b*tch that it is in the 12-15mpg range.

scuba264 · 01-28-2013, 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by karguy

I would also check the latest PILOT like SUV's from Hyundai or KIA.
Much better/longer warranty.
Or the VW Tiguan,small Mercedes SUV,which are both available with torquey diesels for 2013 that get better mpg and are more fun to drive...

She actually is interested in one of the Kias as well, I forget the name but I know we weren't as impressed of the bat. Still plan to take a look just in case

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Scalded Dog · 01-30-2013, 01:04 PM

My brother has six kids, and a Pilot. He loves it. He also doesn't pay any attention to that pesky "maintenence" thing... oil change? What's that? Air in the tires? Who cares, if it still drives! CLEAN IT?!? Why on Earth would anybody do THAT? But, those are just some of the things that make us vastly different as brothers... I like Camaros (not high on the list of "practical" family cars!), he's in it purely for the practicality. He doesn't give a rat's a55 about the sexiness of a car, just the reliability, durability, functionality, and room enough to haul a country- schoolhouseful of kids. He has all of those in the Pilot.

Spektrum · 01-30-2013, 01:22 PM

Honda still has a weak point with their transmissions and rear-ends. Just make sure you flush the transmission every 30,000 and the rear end serviced every 15,000. You should have a reliable vehicle otherwise.

scuba264 · 01-30-2013, 01:35 PM

Thanks for all the input. Found some great looking deals and found she owes less than we thought. Definitely promising to hear good things about an import when I ask about it on a camaro site lol.

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upflying · 01-31-2013, 08:45 PM

Isn't a Pilot that same as a Ridgeline with the back roof cut off?
Pilot is a bit too rich for me at $40,000.
I'd go for a Honda CRV if I was shopping Honda.

sspolo · 01-31-2013, 10:00 PM

They do have that transmission issue, so take care of it. I would also look at the Toyota.

Rapid Runner · 02-01-2013, 12:07 AM

If 3rd row seating is not necessary, take a look at the Cherokees. They finally gave it the 8 speed transmission for all engines including the diesel

01-28-2013, 03:23 PM	#1
scuba264 Drives: Manual 2011 CGM LS Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Steeler Country Posts: 570 View My Garage	Any experience with the Honda Pilot? So the wife has a 2010 Mercury Mariner right now. Have really loved the thing so far, but afraid it is running into some issues, and just had a baby 3 months ago so think it would be nice to have something just a bit more roomy. Found a 2011 Touring edition and took it for a test drive. The thing is seriously awesome, found a few for around 29,500 to 31,500 in the high 20/mid 30k miles. Really great ride, lots of room, gps, dvd, bluetooth, lit running boards, back up camera, hitch, AC outlet, usb, aux input, 6 disc changer, individual passenger temp controls, remote start, AWD, I mean just everything. 3.5 v6 engine so plenty of power to get around but still gets in the 20s mpg highway. Curious if anyone has any first hand experience. Hondas tend to be pretty indestructible, can put tons of miles with just regular maintenance. __________________ My Garage \| Audio Build

01-28-2013, 03:27 PM	#2
scuba264 Drives: Manual 2011 CGM LS Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Steeler Country Posts: 570 View My Garage	And we really dig the body. Noticed when looking at SUVs lately that everyone is trying to make them more rounded and sleek/sporty I guess, but it just doesn't work for us. When you round out an SUV it just starts looking like a van. The Pilot retains that kinda edgier look an suv should have. __________________ My Garage \| Audio Build

01-28-2013, 03:30 PM	#3
Toasty Custom User Title :D Drives: 2011 Summit White 2LT/RS Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Bolingbrook, IL Posts: 2,342	Guess it's me, but I don't picture the pilot as all that much bigger than the mariner. IMHO, I think you'd get more bang for your buck in a Traverse or Acadia __________________

01-28-2013, 03:39 PM	#4
christianmotox Drives: ( . )( . ) Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 2,827	If you want to have an 8 passenger SUV with the best reliability and gas milage go for the Pilot, cant beat that. I have a 03 with 97000 miles and no issues. __________________

01-28-2013, 04:22 PM	#7
Mr. iNCREDIBLE Drives: 2012 2SS/RS Convertible Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: SoCal Baby... Posts: 2,530	one of the parents at my kids school has one and a neighbor does, and the only complaint they both have is the MPG, I guess they believe because it is a Honda it's supposed to get 30+ mpg regardless of it's size and weight.. They both btch that it is in the 12-15mpg range. __________________ I'm only responsible for what I say, not for what you fail to understand.*

01-30-2013, 01:04 PM	#9
Scalded Dog Drives: 2011 1LT Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Crestline, CA Posts: 3,029	My brother has six kids, and a Pilot. He loves it. He also doesn't pay any attention to that pesky "maintenence" thing... oil change? What's that? Air in the tires? Who cares, if it still drives! CLEAN IT?!? Why on Earth would anybody do THAT? But, those are just some of the things that make us vastly different as brothers... I like Camaros (not high on the list of "practical" family cars!), he's in it purely for the practicality. He doesn't give a rat's a55 about the sexiness of a car, just the reliability, durability, functionality, and room enough to haul a country- schoolhouseful of kids. He has all of those in the Pilot.

01-30-2013, 01:22 PM	#10
Spektrum Drives: 2013 2SS 1LE Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Behind you! Posts: 488 View My Garage	Honda still has a weak point with their transmissions and rear-ends. Just make sure you flush the transmission every 30,000 and the rear end serviced every 15,000. You should have a reliable vehicle otherwise.

01-30-2013, 01:35 PM	#11
scuba264 Drives: Manual 2011 CGM LS Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Steeler Country Posts: 570 View My Garage	Thanks for all the input. Found some great looking deals and found she owes less than we thought. Definitely promising to hear good things about an import when I ask about it on a camaro site lol. Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2 __________________ My Garage \| Audio Build

01-31-2013, 08:45 PM	#12
upflying Drives: '86 Monte Carlo SS Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Reno, NV Posts: 3,119	Isn't a Pilot that same as a Ridgeline with the back roof cut off? Pilot is a bit too rich for me at $40,000. I'd go for a Honda CRV if I was shopping Honda.

01-31-2013, 10:00 PM	#13
sspolo Drives: 2014 Camaro SS 1LE Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Vancouver, WA Posts: 562	They do have that transmission issue, so take care of it. I would also look at the Toyota.

02-01-2013, 12:07 AM	#14
Rapid Runner Drives: 2012 Audi TT-RS Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Philadelphia Posts: 134	If 3rd row seating is not necessary, take a look at the Cherokees. They finally gave it the 8 speed transmission for all engines including the diesel