Author Topic: CTC Review: 2008 Honda Pilot SE-L (Read 34447 times)

The JDM / Euro Mitsus were already covered by CanadianDriver at a press event. I'm guessing from Wing's hint that the cars are hanging around in the press fleet.

Dante · « **Reply #50 on:** October 18, 2007, 03:16:57 pm »

I too think Mitsu has some non-Canadian models in their fleet and I know the CD had reported on the media event earlier this year.
The thing is Wing had the chance to drive the Colt more than around the block during a press event so he has a more solid impression about the car.
I think this requires a new thread.

wing · « **Reply #51 on:** October 18, 2007, 03:47:43 pm »

go for it, I'll probably write 500 words or so, nothing huge.

I got to drive it for a day here on my own time, not an event so I got some quality time with it.

spud72 · « **Reply #52 on:** October 18, 2007, 03:53:53 pm »

$44000 SUV? I'll take a V6 4Runner Sport Edition with a real 4WD system. It's not like the back seat in the pilot would ever, or should ever, be used anyhow.

sailor723 · « **Reply #53 on:** October 18, 2007, 04:28:32 pm »

Quote from: spud72 on October 18, 2007, 03:53:53 pm

$44000 SUV? I'll take a V6 4Runner Sport Edition with a real 4WD system. It's not like the back seat in the pilot would ever, or should ever, be used anyhow.

I'd tend to agree with you but the fact remains that most people don't want/need a "real 4WD system" (or a real truck based SUV for that matter

)

Benhaze · « **Reply #54 on:** October 18, 2007, 07:14:59 pm »

Quote

Offering similar features for nearly $10,000 less than competition

Wing, how did you get to this conclusion??? A Saturn Outlook XR AWD with the rear DVD system and the sunroof comes out to $48K including destination.

Personally I would buy an aftermarket DVD system and go for a Mazda CX-9 GT ($48,700) before I'd buy the dated Pilot...

wing · « **Reply #55 on:** October 18, 2007, 08:18:37 pm »

Based on the equipment in my tester Acadia. That should read $10,000 less than some of the competition I suppose.

2JDM · « **Reply #56 on:** October 18, 2007, 09:35:02 pm »

The Pilot has been out since...2003? Pretty dated.

Same with the 4Runner.

So CX-9 it is.

prufrock · « **Reply #57 on:** October 18, 2007, 11:08:31 pm »

Quote from: spud72 on October 18, 2007, 03:53:53 pm

$44000 SUV? I'll take a V6 4Runner Sport Edition with a real 4WD system. It's not like the back seat in the pilot would ever, or should ever, be used anyhow.

When shopping for our Pilot, we looked long and hard at the 4Runner as we both always wanted one.

Here's why we went with the Pilot:

1. Cargo space. For our needs, we would always have had to lower the rear seats on the Toyota. Not so with the Pilot. It's amazing what a few extra inches can do. (easy everyone)

2. Standard equipment. To get side and curtain airbags in the 4runner you had to go to the limited level. That was a HUGE price jump! All levels of the Pilot had this as standard.

3. Dealing: Toyota wouldn't, Honda would.

spud72 · « **Reply #58 on:** October 19, 2007, 02:35:46 pm »

Quote from: prufrock on October 18, 2007, 11:08:31 pm

When shopping for our Pilot, we looked long and hard at the 4Runner as we both always wanted one.

Here's why we went with the Pilot:

1. Cargo space. For our needs, we would always have had to lower the rear seats on the Toyota. Not so with the Pilot. It's amazing what a few extra inches can do. (easy everyone)

Cargo room is very, very close between the two. Of course, your situation may be unique.

Quote

2. Standard equipment. To get side and curtain airbags in the 4runner you had to go to the limited level. That was a HUGE price jump! All levels of the Pilot had this as standard.

You had a point up until last year. Side Impact Airbags are now standard on the 4Runner, all trims.

Quote

3. Dealing: Toyota wouldn't, Honda would.

Can't really argue with that, you'd be lucky to get $1K off MSRP on a 4Runner. However, the 4Runner has, out of all SUVs pretty much highest possible reliability rating you can find. Actually, it might be the most reliable SUV out there. It is almost rare to find any with an issue and the resale is incredible. The fit and finish is amazing too. They're actually built at the Lexus plant in Tahara, Japan.

One thing the Pilot did seem to have a slight edge on the 4Runner though was the front seats "seemed" a bit wider than the Toyota.

Quote

he Pilot has been out since...2003? Pretty dated.

Same with the 4Runner.

So CX-9 it is.

Why mess with a good thing?

You've got a point though, but comparing a CX9 to a 4Runner is not fair. One is a car with an AWD system for the odd bit of inclimate weather. The 4Runner is a truck based SUV. The V6 also gets surprisingly good fuel economy for what it is - pushing 19MPG in town and low 20s on the highway.

2JDM · « **Reply #59 on:** October 20, 2007, 11:45:44 am »

Quote from: spud72 on October 19, 2007, 02:35:46 pm

Quote from: prufrock on October 18, 2007, 11:08:31 pm
When shopping for our Pilot, we looked long and hard at the 4Runner as we both always wanted one.

Here's why we went with the Pilot:

1. Cargo space. For our needs, we would always have had to lower the rear seats on the Toyota. Not so with the Pilot. It's amazing what a few extra inches can do. (easy everyone)
Cargo room is very, very close between the two. Of course, your situation may be unique.
Quote

2. Standard equipment. To get side and curtain airbags in the 4runner you had to go to the limited level. That was a HUGE price jump! All levels of the Pilot had this as standard.
You had a point up until last year. Side Impact Airbags are now standard on the 4Runner, all trims.
Quote
3. Dealing: Toyota wouldn't, Honda would.
Can't really argue with that, you'd be lucky to get $1K off MSRP on a 4Runner. However, the 4Runner has, out of all SUVs pretty much highest possible reliability rating you can find. Actually, it might be the most reliable SUV out there. It is almost rare to find any with an issue and the resale is incredible. The fit and finish is amazing too. They're actually built at the Lexus plant in Tahara, Japan.

One thing the Pilot did seem to have a slight edge on the 4Runner though was the front seats "seemed" a bit wider than the Toyota.
Quote
he Pilot has been out since...2003? Pretty dated.

Same with the 4Runner.

So CX-9 it is.
Why mess with a good thing?

You've got a point though, but comparing a CX9 to a 4Runner is not fair. One is a car with an AWD system for the odd bit of inclimate weather. The 4Runner is a truck based SUV. The V6 also gets surprisingly good fuel economy for what it is - pushing 19MPG in town and low 20s on the highway.

I see your point about the comparison. Well, the 4Runner can be compared to...the Kia Sorento, Jeep Grand Cherokee...Not much anymore in terms of midsize truck based SUV's. I'd choose the 4Runner those any day.