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2009 Honda Pilot First Drive and Full Test

54 messages,  Last post on Jul 18, 2008 at 11:15 AM

You are in the Honda Pilot Forum.

What is this discussion about? Honda Pilot, SUV

Messages Page 4 of 6

#25 of 54 Love 08 accord by josephd05

Apr 18, 2008 (1:29 pm)

My wife gets 25mpg on average, and 30mpg all highway. She has a 2008 EXL-NAV. Very comfy and handles great. Road noise is there, just like most hondas, but she drives 25k a year, i know this car will be rock solid for 200k miles. Can't say the same for most of the competition.

#26 of 54 Great, joseph, by verdi942

Apr 18, 2008 (2:23 pm)

My friends with '08's never see the bright side of 22MPG; it's good to know that a lighter foot can get 30MPG. Will the '09 be better?

#27 of 54 Re: Great, joseph, [verdi942] by josephd05

Apr 18, 2008 (2:29 pm)

Replying to: verdi942 (Apr 18, 2008 2:23 pm)
Yeah, funny I actually challenged myself to hit 30mpg. Basically doing 75mph using mostly cruise control. Many people don't realize these 4 bangers can kill you at the pump of you constantly rev them up to high. My 2006 V8 4runner gives me 16 city and as high as 22mpg highway, which is great for a V8. Why? because of the low end torque, I rarely drive above 3k rpm.

#28 of 54 First drive by batman47

Apr 18, 2008 (5:02 pm)

Report about the first driving of the 2009 Pilot may be found in this link
 
http://blogs.cars.com/kickingtires/2008/04/pilot-pricing.html

#29 of 54 Re: How ugly thou art, let me count the ways... [stingraydave] by elroy5

Apr 18, 2008 (10:27 pm)

Replying to: stingraydave (Apr 16, 2008 10:59 am)
Since people can never find fault with Honda's engineering, quality, and reliability, all they have to fall back on is "It's ugly". Give me a break. If you are looking at a Honda vehicle as a "Style" statement, you are missing the whole point. To a Honda owner for many years, the "H" on the front grill makes it beautiful. Function over Form, it's the Honda way. After a few years with the Enclave , you will be crawling back to Honda. Even a Ferrari looks bad, when you're standing beside it on the interstate.

#30 of 54 Re: Styling...umm...unhelpful. [mfisher4] by bigbadkahuna

Apr 19, 2008 (12:50 pm)

Replying to: mfisher4 (Apr 16, 2008 11:15 pm)
You are obviously an English major rather a car person. While I am impressed with your use the English language, I have to keep reminding myself that opinions are like a**holes, in that everyone has one.
 
I am currently driving my second Honda Pilot (2006) having previously owned a 2004, and I can tell you that the new styling is refreshing, and I can't wait until I am able to purchase a 2009. I'll be willing to pay list price for it, and won't need to be given a "massive discount" to sign on the dotted line.
 
The new and improved features, added length and width, and more utilitarian features are only icing on the cake in my opinion.
 
I actually think that the strategy of a common design theme to distinguish one brand from another is a very smart thing for a manufacturer to do, and obviously so do the folks at Audi, BMW, Mercedes, Infinity, and many other car companies. I don't think that Honda will have any difficulty selling the new Pilot.
 
As for the "ugly stick" that you claim has been applied to the Honda models you mentioned, it is interesting to note that the models you list have received universal acclaim for their styling and performance.
 
So, mfisher4, I could not disagree with you more. They say beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I don't know how many Pilots or Hondas you own, or plan to buy. I am sure however that Honda will survive quite nicely even without you, while you sit on the sidelines waiting for a "massive discount" that will more than likely never need to happen.

#31 of 54 Re: Article Comments - 2009 Honda Pilot First Drive [jt8] by bigbadkahuna

Apr 19, 2008 (1:18 pm)

Replying to: jt8 (Apr 15, 2008 3:32 pm)
I actually agree with your opinion about there oftentimes not being enough differentiation between a manufacturers base line and premium offerings. It was certainly the case between the old MDX and the old Pilot. IMO, there was little to make the MDX worth more than the Pilot, and therefore I bought the Pilot.
 
With the new Pilot and MDX, I believe that Honda has now put out a big effort to give each brand their own distinctive features. I am actually surprised at the lack of similarities between the two, and that is a good thing IMO.
 
I recently purchased a new luxury car, and chose the Infinity M Series over the Acura RL becuse I felt there was not enough difference between the new Accord, and the OLD RL. Obviously Honda agreed, since they recently redesigned the RL to give it more of a distinctive look.

#32 of 54 Re: Article Comments - 2009 Honda Pilot First Drive [bigbadkahuna] by carabel

Apr 19, 2008 (4:16 pm)

Replying to: bigbadkahuna (Apr 19, 2008 1:18 pm)
I like luxury brands when I can afford them but wouldn't pick outside of true lux like Mercedes, BMW, or Cadillac for maintreams. Why, no question about the luxury branding or the tradition of luxury branding. Household has MB for car and a Pilot for utility - well Pilot until the kids are a little older to respect the fine luxury SUV's. Little kids are a bit rough on cars. I think there is a fine line between Acura and Honda and Lexus and Toyota. Just my opinion. As for the 2009 Pilots - the followers will follow as long as Honda keeps their tradition of safety, reliability and rumored good customer treatment.

#33 of 54 Re: How ugly thou art, let me count the ways... [elroy5] by budi

Apr 21, 2008 (8:18 am)

Replying to: elroy5 (Apr 18, 2008 10:27 pm)
I never knew that honda was made by the car gods? Honda's track record of bullet proof reliability is a myth, can we say transmission failures on the CL,TL,Pilot Ody,.
Sliding doors on the Ody failing repeatedly? Pop on over to the MDX forums and you will see tons of complaints. Don't feel bitter that GM lambda's provide more room are quieter, styled better, and get better fuel economy. Honda was caught with their pants down. They only sell the pilot on price now and i foresee them selling the 2009 on price as well.

Messages Page 4 of 6

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