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SUVs Honda Pilot 2009 Honda Pilot
1070 messages, Last post on Aug 26, 2009 at 8:26 PM
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Here we are again, making a decision on the next family vehicle. We have been leasing for about 5 years now, and plan to lease again. Was wondering if anyone had any specific thoughts on one versus the other. Right now we are looking at a $40-60/month difference in payment, comparably equipped. We are looking at two trim levels of each: Pilot in EX-L and Touring, and Acura in Base and Tech. Feature-wise, they are comparable, although I realize the MDX will be a step up in ways that don't show up on lists. A little history... my husband had a 2005 Pilot, now has a 2008 Ridgeline, and I went from a 2004 Odyssey to a 2006 MDX. We have been very happy with all of these vehicles. I did spend a lot of time in our 05 Pilot and obviously know my 06 MDX very well. But it's hard to say if those comparisons even matter now because both vehicles have been redesigned. When I test-drove the new Pilot I was very impressed. The ride was better, and they improved the features and technology a bunch, it has everything I need. The new MDX has a very sporty ride, I liked it, but was surprised how different it drove from the old MDX. We were also considering the Mazda CX-9 (safety ratings aren't as high, so it didn't make the short list) and the Volvo XC90 (our first choice, but payment is sky-high due to poor lease terms right now). Anyway... I like that the automakers are constantly redesigning and improving their vehicles, but it makes it difficult sometimes -- just when you think you know everything there is to know, you realize you probably don't know much of anything! I'd love to hear any thoughts... thanks.
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Replying to: love2driveinct (Jan 12, 2009 6:37 pm) The biggest reason was more cargo/passenger room in the Pilot vs the MDX. I drive a Nissan Maxima and our 2009 Pilot is mainly driven by my wife. But it also doubles as our "utility / family vehicle" and is used when we need to take more than 4 people somewhere or if I need to take advantage of the cargo area. The Pilot is clearly superior over the MDX in that regard. In your case, it sounds like your Ridgeline may serve that role, in which case you might not see this as a benefit but possibly a negative due to gas mileage and handling concerns. There's also the price difference. For a few grand more, you'll get a more refined interior and the cache of the Acura badge. I'm not a status-seeker, and while I think they could have done more with the Pilot interior, the upgraded MDX interior wasn't enough for me to merit the increase in price. |
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We looked closely at both vehicles (as well as the CX-9 and Volvo) before settling on the Pilot in August. In terms of the major differences: MDX is a better driving experience and a vastly nicer interior finish (the exterior was nicer in our opinion too). And the nav system had a paid-option for real-time traffic alerts and re-routing, which is nice. On the Pilot’s plus side it has substantially more interior room. You could seat up to 8 adults in the Pilot (we have) where the MDX can seat 7 bodies, but only 4 seats are compatible with most adults(and lest you think 4 is enough, remember if you have little kids in car seats, they will need those middle row side seats which reduces adult space to 2 or 3). Neither the rear row or the middle seat of the second row are viable for grown-ups (I had to physically bend my neck sideways because I was taller than the roof, even in the middle of the second row; I am 6’1”). More storage space too. The Pilot also has more “tech” than the tech package on the MDX, ironically. I was shocked that the MDX still doesn’t have the iPod integration standard in the Pilot Touring. We use this more than our radio. Other than the real-time traffic on the MDX and iPod control on the Pilot the nav and radio systems are identical. The Pilot also gets better gas mileage and doesn’t require premium fuel so your cost to operate will be less. On top of all this, the Pilot retains as much residual value as the MDX, which is surprising. You should also make sure that you really are getting comparably equipped in your comparison. For example, the tow prep and tow hitch is not standard on the MDX in any package but is standard on the Touring… The CX-9 is a great car. It was the extremely close second for us. The Volvo wasn’t as impressive. It has a weak nav system, poor MPH and surprisingly its safety record is no better than the competition. Its customer satisfaction record is middle of the pack at best. Good luck. |
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I have a 2009 pilot touring and I bought it as demo vehicle with a premium runing board and moonroof visor for 37,000 including taxes,registration and anything with 6,000 miles on it. this my first buy vehicle. is the deal was ok? after 1 month I noticed that the vehicle will slowly pulls to the right, and just brought to the dealer today. they let me enter in their service bay and alllow me to look at the computer wheel alignment monitor and they say it has a slight misalignment at the pass side front wheel and rear. now my 2009 pilot is back on track. Glad! to the mechanic and service crew...
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Replying to: donix (Jan 14, 2009 8:00 pm) If you look at the dealer cost of those accessories and then back off what should have been savings on a demo, I'd think you should have been around $32k before taxes. |
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| I just had the trailer harness installed on my 09 pilot. I would like to purchase aftermarket tow ball mount but I am unsure of the spec for the mount - Drop, rise and length. Can anyone help or know the specs for the OEM mount? | |
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Replying to: mike334 (Jan 17, 2009 12:52 pm) |
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Replying to: mike334 (Jan 17, 2009 12:52 pm)
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| Has anyone seen the bali blue honda pilot color in person? Does it look navy blue? | |
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Replying to: dcfak (Jan 19, 2009 3:27 pm) |
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