Pilot vs. competitors?
 

Hi all,

I'm looking for owner reviews of the Honda Pilot, as I'm considering
buying one of the new 2004's. I'm comparing to Highlanders, Tauregs,
and 4Runners...

Any help/suggestions?

Re: Pilot vs. competitors?
 

Honda's fuel economy specs are right on for the Pilot, assuming that you
operate it as an SUV...not too much over speed limits. It handles rough
dirt/gravel/rocky desert and mountainous roads well, on one occasion: high
desert road to north rim Grand Canyon (Toroweap), survived entering an
extremely deep and hardened rut at some 60 MPH (shouldn't have done that),
tossing front end skyward and violently to the right, horrendous
crunch/thumps and all, from which it recovered with what I assumed had to be
a severely damaged wheel and front end. Alignment shop later determined
that no damage was suffered although they had to pry out some rocks wedged
into control arms...no alignment needed. This is not to say that the other
models you mentioned couldn't have fared as well.
Maneuverability is superb, turning radius surprisingly tight. The only
gripe I have to report after some 10K miles is driver's window which
intermittently fails to up/down auto. I continue to enjoy all that I've
paid for, all that Honda claims, and remain completely satisfied.

Richard

Re: Pilot vs. competitors?
 

Honda's fuel economy specs are right on for the Pilot, assuming that you
operate it as an SUV...not too much over speed limits. It handles rough
dirt/gravel/rocky desert and mountainous roads well, on one occasion: high
desert road to north rim Grand Canyon (Toroweap), survived entering an
extremely deep and hardened rut at some 60 MPH (shouldn't have done that),
tossing front end skyward and violently to the right, horrendous
crunch/thumps and all, from which it recovered with what I assumed had to be
a severely damaged wheel and front end. Alignment shop later determined
that no damage was suffered although they had to pry out some rocks wedged
into control arms...no alignment needed. This is not to say that the other
models you mentioned couldn't have fared as well.
Maneuverability is superb, turning radius surprisingly tight. The only
gripe I have to report after some 10K miles is driver's window which
intermittently fails to up/down auto. I continue to enjoy all that I've
paid for, all that Honda claims, and remain completely satisfied.

Richard

Re: Pilot vs. competitors?
 

Honda's fuel economy specs are right on for the Pilot, assuming that you
operate it as an SUV...not too much over speed limits. It handles rough
dirt/gravel/rocky desert and mountainous roads well, on one occasion: high
desert road to north rim Grand Canyon (Toroweap), survived entering an
extremely deep and hardened rut at some 60 MPH (shouldn't have done that),
tossing front end skyward and violently to the right, horrendous
crunch/thumps and all, from which it recovered with what I assumed had to be
a severely damaged wheel and front end. Alignment shop later determined
that no damage was suffered although they had to pry out some rocks wedged
into control arms...no alignment needed. This is not to say that the other
models you mentioned couldn't have fared as well.
Maneuverability is superb, turning radius surprisingly tight. The only
gripe I have to report after some 10K miles is driver's window which
intermittently fails to up/down auto. I continue to enjoy all that I've
paid for, all that Honda claims, and remain completely satisfied.

Richard

Re: Pilot vs. competitors?
 

Honda's fuel economy specs are right on for the Pilot, assuming that you
operate it as an SUV...not too much over speed limits. It handles rough
dirt/gravel/rocky desert and mountainous roads well, on one occasion: high
desert road to north rim Grand Canyon (Toroweap), survived entering an
extremely deep and hardened rut at some 60 MPH (shouldn't have done that),
tossing front end skyward and violently to the right, horrendous
crunch/thumps and all, from which it recovered with what I assumed had to be
a severely damaged wheel and front end. Alignment shop later determined
that no damage was suffered although they had to pry out some rocks wedged
into control arms...no alignment needed. This is not to say that the other
models you mentioned couldn't have fared as well.
Maneuverability is superb, turning radius surprisingly tight. The only
gripe I have to report after some 10K miles is driver's window which
intermittently fails to up/down auto. I continue to enjoy all that I've
paid for, all that Honda claims, and remain completely satisfied.

Richard

Re: Pilot vs. competitors?
 

On Sun, 14 Dec 2003 05:38:43 GMT, "Richard W. Palmer"
<rwpalmer@mchsi.com> wrote:

> Honda's fuel economy specs are right on for the Pilot, assuming that you
>operate it as an SUV...not too much over speed limits. It handles rough
>dirt/gravel/rocky desert and mountainous roads well, on one occasion: high
>desert road to north rim Grand Canyon (Toroweap), survived entering an
>extremely deep and hardened rut at some 60 MPH (shouldn't have done that),
>tossing front end skyward and violently to the right, horrendous
>crunch/thumps and all, from which it recovered with what I assumed had to be
>a severely damaged wheel and front end. Alignment shop later determined
>that no damage was suffered although they had to pry out some rocks wedged
>into control arms...no alignment needed. This is not to say that the other
>models you mentioned couldn't have fared as well.
> Maneuverability is superb, turning radius surprisingly tight. The only
>gripe I have to report after some 10K miles is driver's window which
>intermittently fails to up/down auto. I continue to enjoy all that I've
>paid for, all that Honda claims, and remain completely satisfied.
>
> Richard
>


Sounds like my feelings on the Honda are right on, then...

Thanks!

-Jeff

Re: Pilot vs. competitors?
 

On Sun, 14 Dec 2003 05:38:43 GMT, "Richard W. Palmer"
<rwpalmer@mchsi.com> wrote:

> Honda's fuel economy specs are right on for the Pilot, assuming that you
>operate it as an SUV...not too much over speed limits. It handles rough
>dirt/gravel/rocky desert and mountainous roads well, on one occasion: high
>desert road to north rim Grand Canyon (Toroweap), survived entering an
>extremely deep and hardened rut at some 60 MPH (shouldn't have done that),
>tossing front end skyward and violently to the right, horrendous
>crunch/thumps and all, from which it recovered with what I assumed had to be
>a severely damaged wheel and front end. Alignment shop later determined
>that no damage was suffered although they had to pry out some rocks wedged
>into control arms...no alignment needed. This is not to say that the other
>models you mentioned couldn't have fared as well.
> Maneuverability is superb, turning radius surprisingly tight. The only
>gripe I have to report after some 10K miles is driver's window which
>intermittently fails to up/down auto. I continue to enjoy all that I've
>paid for, all that Honda claims, and remain completely satisfied.
>
> Richard
>


Sounds like my feelings on the Honda are right on, then...

Thanks!

-Jeff

Re: Pilot vs. competitors?
 

On Sun, 14 Dec 2003 05:38:43 GMT, "Richard W. Palmer"
<rwpalmer@mchsi.com> wrote:

> Honda's fuel economy specs are right on for the Pilot, assuming that you
>operate it as an SUV...not too much over speed limits. It handles rough
>dirt/gravel/rocky desert and mountainous roads well, on one occasion: high
>desert road to north rim Grand Canyon (Toroweap), survived entering an
>extremely deep and hardened rut at some 60 MPH (shouldn't have done that),
>tossing front end skyward and violently to the right, horrendous
>crunch/thumps and all, from which it recovered with what I assumed had to be
>a severely damaged wheel and front end. Alignment shop later determined
>that no damage was suffered although they had to pry out some rocks wedged
>into control arms...no alignment needed. This is not to say that the other
>models you mentioned couldn't have fared as well.
> Maneuverability is superb, turning radius surprisingly tight. The only
>gripe I have to report after some 10K miles is driver's window which
>intermittently fails to up/down auto. I continue to enjoy all that I've
>paid for, all that Honda claims, and remain completely satisfied.
>
> Richard
>


Sounds like my feelings on the Honda are right on, then...

Thanks!

-Jeff

Re: Pilot vs. competitors?
 

On Sun, 14 Dec 2003 05:38:43 GMT, "Richard W. Palmer"
<rwpalmer@mchsi.com> wrote:

> Honda's fuel economy specs are right on for the Pilot, assuming that you
>operate it as an SUV...not too much over speed limits. It handles rough
>dirt/gravel/rocky desert and mountainous roads well, on one occasion: high
>desert road to north rim Grand Canyon (Toroweap), survived entering an
>extremely deep and hardened rut at some 60 MPH (shouldn't have done that),
>tossing front end skyward and violently to the right, horrendous
>crunch/thumps and all, from which it recovered with what I assumed had to be
>a severely damaged wheel and front end. Alignment shop later determined
>that no damage was suffered although they had to pry out some rocks wedged
>into control arms...no alignment needed. This is not to say that the other
>models you mentioned couldn't have fared as well.
> Maneuverability is superb, turning radius surprisingly tight. The only
>gripe I have to report after some 10K miles is driver's window which
>intermittently fails to up/down auto. I continue to enjoy all that I've
>paid for, all that Honda claims, and remain completely satisfied.
>
> Richard
>


Sounds like my feelings on the Honda are right on, then...

Thanks!

-Jeff

Re: Pilot vs. competitors?
 

not a very fair comparison.......4 Runner that's built on a truck
platform......Tauregs,........... cost allot more $$$....Highlander would be
close.

Tom

"nospam prodigy.net" <ebco@> wrote in message
news:tp6ntvg56ijauhqv1um179g3uvc548ck57@4ax.com...
> Hi all,
>
> I'm looking for owner reviews of the Honda Pilot, as I'm considering
> buying one of the new 2004's. I'm comparing to Highlanders, Tauregs,
> and 4Runners...
>
> Any help/suggestions?

Re: Pilot vs. competitors?
 

not a very fair comparison.......4 Runner that's built on a truck
platform......Tauregs,........... cost allot more $$$....Highlander would be
close.

Tom

"nospam prodigy.net" <ebco@> wrote in message
news:tp6ntvg56ijauhqv1um179g3uvc548ck57@4ax.com...
> Hi all,
>
> I'm looking for owner reviews of the Honda Pilot, as I'm considering
> buying one of the new 2004's. I'm comparing to Highlanders, Tauregs,
> and 4Runners...
>
> Any help/suggestions?

Re: Pilot vs. competitors?
 

not a very fair comparison.......4 Runner that's built on a truck
platform......Tauregs,........... cost allot more $$$....Highlander would be
close.

Tom

"nospam prodigy.net" <ebco@> wrote in message
news:tp6ntvg56ijauhqv1um179g3uvc548ck57@4ax.com...
> Hi all,
>
> I'm looking for owner reviews of the Honda Pilot, as I'm considering
> buying one of the new 2004's. I'm comparing to Highlanders, Tauregs,
> and 4Runners...
>
> Any help/suggestions?

Re: Pilot vs. competitors?
 

not a very fair comparison.......4 Runner that's built on a truck
platform......Tauregs,........... cost allot more $$$....Highlander would be
close.

Tom

"nospam prodigy.net" <ebco@> wrote in message
news:tp6ntvg56ijauhqv1um179g3uvc548ck57@4ax.com...
> Hi all,
>
> I'm looking for owner reviews of the Honda Pilot, as I'm considering
> buying one of the new 2004's. I'm comparing to Highlanders, Tauregs,
> and 4Runners...
>
> Any help/suggestions?

Re: Pilot vs. competitors?
 

I would say in general, that you will find positive reviews on each of
those vehicles. With those four in particular, I think you just need
to spend a lot of time looking at and driving each one and determine
which one you like the best.

You are looking at very different products though however. The
Highlander and to some extent the Pilot, which are very much "cars"
versus the 4Runner, which is definitely a truck.

On Sat, 13 Dec 2003 23:04:58 GMT, ebco@(nospam)prodigy.net wrote:

>Hi all,
>
>I'm looking for owner reviews of the Honda Pilot, as I'm considering
>buying one of the new 2004's. I'm comparing to Highlanders, Tauregs,
>and 4Runners...
>
>Any help/suggestions?

Re: Pilot vs. competitors?
 

I would say in general, that you will find positive reviews on each of
those vehicles. With those four in particular, I think you just need
to spend a lot of time looking at and driving each one and determine
which one you like the best.

You are looking at very different products though however. The
Highlander and to some extent the Pilot, which are very much "cars"
versus the 4Runner, which is definitely a truck.

On Sat, 13 Dec 2003 23:04:58 GMT, ebco@(nospam)prodigy.net wrote:

>Hi all,
>
>I'm looking for owner reviews of the Honda Pilot, as I'm considering
>buying one of the new 2004's. I'm comparing to Highlanders, Tauregs,
>and 4Runners...
>
>Any help/suggestions?