A co-worker of Mrs. DX is looking at Honda Pilots and at what they want to spend, the ones I am finding are 05-09's. These are the ones that with 85k to over 100k miles on the clock. Any issues to keep an eye out for? Are they rock solid as most other Hondas?
My mom has had hers for probably 10 years now, think it's either an 06 or 07 and had something like 120k miles last I saw. It's been a great vehicle for her, has needed literally nothing aside from routine maintenance. Boring as hell to drive, but that's kind of the point I guess - quiet, comfortable, well mannered. Would definitely recommend.
From what I have been told, it looks like they are looking for a solid, reliable family vehicle. I think her co worker has a kid or two so they need the room. They had it narrowed down to a Nissan Murano, Mazda CX-9 or Honda Pilot. I threw my vote in either for the CX-9 or Pilot and seems the Pilot won.
FWIW, A former coworker of mine at a previous position drove a Pilot nearly 100 miles round trip a day to work with no issues averaging 21-22 mpg. He ended up moving closer to work and was in the middle of a separation/divorce and wanted something more fun to drive/didn't need all the suv room so he traded it in on a newer 6 speed Accord Coupe. It had about 150k miles on it when it was traded in with no major issues.
Check for rust where the rest subframe meets the chassis. I remember that tidbit from when I was researching them about a year ago.
Yes. They basically feel like a less enagaging v6 accord or like an odyssey with a lift kit. Perfectly adequate DD material. Like most Hondas, a vehicle with 85k is just starting its life, though this was still the "malaise era" for Honda. Little things go wrong like squeaky master cylinders, interior lights burning out way before they should, etc, but nothing mechanical that would leave one stranded in the parking lot a of strip mall. By '05 the 5 speed auto problems had been worked out, so there shouldn't be any issues on that front.
A word of caution, they can't tow any kind of significant weight. I believe it's rated a 4000 lbs, but it is not geared correctly. This doesn't sound like it will be an issue for it's intended purpose.
Trans. Around 06 things get better, but like all Honda autos, look out for transmission issues and 05 or earlier plan on replacing at some point.
Need AWD? If not, an Odyssey is more utility and economy for less money.
My co-worker had a Pilot. Comfy, but pretty horrible fuel mileage. Broken AC vents.
I think I would go for a Tahoe or Suburban in the well-used full-size SUV category. If you're going to get V8 fuel economy, might as well get the towing capacity?
I wouldn't call any Honda built beween 2000-201x? rock-solid reliable.
So would 06+ be the best for less trans issues? Looking at from what I have seen the Ody's are no cheaper than the Pilots I have found of that vintage for sale. I don't think they are looking for something to tow with.
Is the chassis/driveline of the Pilot shared with the Ridgeline? I'd think they would be mechanical twinsies the was a Suburban is really a Silverado with more seats and a factory cap.
I remember test driving one and finding it resolutely boring. The Acura version had more character, but it was too "nice" for me - a guy who actually uses SUVs for utility.
I have family that loves Pilots. They totaled one (driver ran a red light into them) and were uninjured and immediately replaced it with another well loved Pilot. They are not big car repair people, and they hold up well under their ownership. They've had to do a couple things recently (motor mounts, radiator) but they're well over 150k miles at this point.
I have an '04 with 266k miles. Runs like a top, driven all over the country. All maintenance including timing belts done by me. A lot of the rubber bits are getting worn out now, I should probably part with it one of these days, but might make it to 300k. The engine is still fantastic, though a bit of a gas guzzler by today's standards.
Got rid of a 02 with 240 on the clock for an 09 with 50 on the clock all the options, in the past 12k of miles it has been gravity reliable. With no issues to be found, including squeks and rattles Nill............. Enjoy, put in gas, buy tires every few years, change oil once a yr....
I believe that, at least on early ones, the Ridgeline has a more stout drive train. We had an 03 and we loved it. But, it's not great for towing, other than small items, and the trans had to be rebuilt around 120k. And, we did very regular trans fluid changes with Honda fluid because it started to act up around 75k.
I have one, an 04 with 185K. All the bushings were replaced before I got it. Change the cabin air filter, you have to cut the dash to remove it, the dealers don't even check it. The plugged filter took out the fan motor but that was easy to change. Rear fan motor is bad too. Change the radiator with an aftermarket one to prevent the pink milkshake problem. Expect the change to take days. Change the ATF with Honda brand every 2 oil changes.
Mine is starting to rust but it should be stoppable. I don't care about looks so I will coat it with undercoating.
Great for a large family and a wheel chair. It can tow small loads. The 4wheel drive lock should get you out of anywhere. Running boards help short people get in.
I was sort of looking at these a few months ago. About two thirds of the ones I see around here have rust starting just behind the rear wheels, under the gas cap where the quarter meets the bumper; enough examples to scare me off of the clean ones because I feared that it would just be a matter of time before it started showing up.
I got a 03 with 183k on it. Change the Trans and rear end fluid often or they self destruct. I would not tow much of anything with any year.did you miss the part about it being boring?
Boring? In what way? It's a big box suv. What are you comparing them to? They're way more engaging to drive than their competition. Compared to a Suburban they're a Miata. I like them but have no need for one.
The person ended up buying a 2010 or 2011 with not insane mileage on it. Where they got it, the original they went there for was snatched up and they had another on the lot which they ended up buying.
Our 07 has 196k on it, bought new. Generally good but has had the following problems:
-Harmonic balancer exited stage right around 140k
-4 or 5 window regulators have failed, some of those were repeats
-Noise cancellation module goes haywire, emits bass like a hoopdie. (TSB, new module repair but out of warranty)
-Rear AC controller crapped out
-PS pump makes noise, new orange o-ring didn't fix it. Still works but annoying, may not have bled properly. (TSB)
-Slow leak in the jackshaft seal
-Random misfire CEL but no other symptoms (TSB)
All of the above repairs together were under $1k plus my time. We tow boats with it, maybe 6-8k of those miles. Has the tranny cooler, I change fluid every 20k. No trans issues.
My parents also have an 07 with ~140k and haven't had any of the above, no problems at all that I'm aware of.
I might by another one, maybe the new Ridgeline, who knows.
Piloteers forum is pretty good.
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