- #6626 of 7138
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Re: 2009 Honda Pilot Test Drive [thegraduate]
by coldcranker
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Jun 21, 2008 (8:14 pm)
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Replying to: thegraduate (Jun 21, 2008 8:01 pm)
No. You are looking at the 4WD Pilot from last year getting 15/20, not the 2WD versions compared above. The 4WD system reduces MPG, but that is another story. See www.fueleconomy.gov for info. I was comparing only 2WD versions of all these vehicles just to stay consistent for comparison purposes across the board.
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- #6627 of 7138
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Re: 2009 Honda Pilot Test Drive [coldcranker]
by thegraduate
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Jun 21, 2008 (9:44 pm)
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Replying to: coldcranker (Jun 21, 2008 8:14 pm)
The 2WD Pilot has a rating of 17/23. The 4WD has a rating of 16/22.
The old 4WD one has a rating of 15/20, so the VCM (among other tweaks possibly) has improved mileage from 15/20 to 16/22.
I'm afraid you got it mixed up. 
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- #6628 of 7138
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Re: 2009 Honda Pilot Test Drive [thegraduate]
by coldcranker
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Jun 22, 2008 (4:12 pm)
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Replying to: thegraduate (Jun 21, 2008 9:44 pm)
I was comparing 2WD-only versions, while you were talking about 4WD-only versions. And, yes, the jump from the 2008 4WD 15/20 rating to the 2009 4WD 16/22 is only about half due to the introduction of cylinder deactivation (VCM) in the 2009 4WD model. Note the 2WD version, from '08 to '09, also gained 1 MPG in both city & highway, and the 2WD version has had VCM for several years now, so it is due to tuning and possible gear ratio changes in the 5-speed automatic. Now Honda has a Pilot that makes up for not having a 6-speed automatic (or CVT) by using cylinder deactivation. Adding direct injection and a 6-speed would give about 3 MPG more, if Honda would just do it.
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- #6629 of 7138
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CX9
by ceric
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Jun 23, 2008 (4:58 pm)
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I own a CX9 AWD for 5600 miles.
Great vehicle in terms of space, design, tranquility, and driving dynamics.
The one thing that I dislike is the lack of accessories.
One can't find many accessories from Mazda or on aftermarket.
For example, one can hardly find any sidestep (maybe because CX9 is lower than most others) or running board even at its 2nd year in USA. In contrast, the new Pilot offers FOUR different side steps/running boards from Honda when it was just released. For those who are thinking of buying, please take this into consideration it this is important to you.
That said, I still love my CX-9. It drives like a sports sedan that can haul 7 people + cargo. Give Mazda a chance when cross-shopping. Mazda is selling them at $1500 BELOW INVOICE. Be an informed shopper!
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- #6630 of 7138
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Re: Gas prices killing the crossover too? [ateixeira]
by coldcranker
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Jun 24, 2008 (12:23 pm)
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Replying to: ateixeira (Jun 11, 2008 9:50 am)
You already picked a Forrester, a good choice, but a better choice would have been the TaurusX. It uses a Volvo-derived XC90, S80, VC70, Land Rover LR3 body, a structurally optimized platform costing less than the Volvo or Land Rover versions. Good MPG, too. The Forrester is OK, except for Subaru's odd lagging behind almost everybody else by using a 4-speed old-style slushbox tranny instead of a more modern 6-speed or CVT.
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- #6631 of 7138
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Re: Gas prices killing the crossover too? [coldcranker]
by thegraduate
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Jun 24, 2008 (12:29 pm)
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Replying to: coldcranker (Jun 24, 2008 12:23 pm)
It's kind of hard to tell someone that they bought the wrong choice, I'd think. They bought the car they were most comfortable with, and with a brand they have had good service with, and trust.
A Taurus X is bigger and uses more gas, and may be more car than they wanted. They aren't that cheap, either.
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- #6632 of 7138
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Ford Flex
by mattandi
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Jun 24, 2008 (7:02 pm)
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Anyone around here bought one of these yet?
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- #6633 of 7138
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Re: Ford Flex [mattandi]
by thegraduate
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Jun 24, 2008 (7:06 pm)
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Replying to: mattandi (Jun 24, 2008 7:02 pm)
I didn't think these were out yet. My local dealer sure doesn't have any, and I know - my folks are buying a Ford this weekend so I've been there a lot.
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- #6634 of 7138
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Re: Ford Flex [thegraduate]
by mattandi
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Jun 24, 2008 (10:52 pm)
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Replying to: thegraduate (Jun 24, 2008 7:06 pm)
They arrived here last week. It's only been a few days. Figured they are not everywhere yet, but some places might have gotten them earlier. It will be nice to here from some owners when they are on the road. I haven't driven one yet, but I did swing into a dealer to take a quick look.
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- #6635 of 7138
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Re: Gas prices killing the crossover too? [thegraduate]
by coldcranker
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Jun 25, 2008 (5:14 pm)
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Replying to: thegraduate (Jun 24, 2008 12:29 pm)
thegraduate, I agree the Forester is a good choice. It weighs only 3200 lbs compared to a Freestyle's (and Taurus X) 4000 lbs, and an Acadia weighs 4500 lbs. I had to go look, but you're right the Forester is about $4000 cheaper than a TaurusX. I paid $22,500 3 years ago for a Freestyle (TaurusX ancestor), and am amazed at the high MPG with the CVT tranny and 3.0L V6, within 1 MPG of the current smaller Forester. The Forester's AWD and 4-speed reduce its MPG a little. Good crash tests on both models.
Talk about going even bigger, the Acadia/Outlook has competition now with the huge Ford Flex some are talking about in this forum. Based on the Freestyle/TaurusX/Volvo platform, that Flex is one big slab-sided bus if there ever was one. Paint it yellow and take the neighborhood kids to school.
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