2009 Honda Pilot vs. 2008 Mazda CX-9 vs. 2008 Toyota Highlander

476 messages, Last post on Nov 25, 2009 at 12:16 PM

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What is this discussion about? Mazda CX-9, Honda Pilot, Toyota Highlander, Car Comparisons, SUV

2009 Honda Pilot vs. 2008 Mazda CX-9 vs. 2008 Toyota Highlander - Although we've been hearing about a mad dash to get out of sport-utility vehicles and into fuel-efficient compacts, the reality is that seven- and eight-passenger crossover SUVs like the 2008 Mazda CX-9, 2008 Toyota Highlander and 2009 Honda Pilot aren't going away anytime soon. (more)

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#437 of 476 No one here is knocking your cx-9, sheesh. by mirrodie1 Oct 23, 2009 (10:09 am)
Numbers don't lie...I hardly believe that the Pilot feels peppier or feels torquier then the CX-9. Less power and more weight do not equal to a quicker, peppier, torquier vehicle, but as said before "to each it's own" I will take my CX-9 over the Pilot anyday, thank you! Hey, its alright. I know the stats but stats don't change perception. Even my wife said he liked the CX9 over the Pilot b/c she felt the cx9 didnt want to take off when she tapped the pedal vs the Pilot and my Altima, which leap forward. So 2 difference drivers had a similar take on the same car. To use you parlance, you can take your cx9. No one is suggesting otherwise. All factors considered and knowing ourselves, there is a good chance we'll sell the auto in 5 years, so considering the total cost difference to us today is $1000 but the depreciation is less on a Honda, it just makes sense for us.
#438 of 476 Re: WOW! [ceric] by lithnights Oct 23, 2009 (10:22 am)
Replying to: ceric (Oct 21, 2009 8:47 am) Ceric, Good point about the 20 not 8 ft. Like I said I was just guessing, good to know you have the actual figures. Even knowing this, which I DID know when I made the purchase (the brain forgets much after 6 months), it was not enough to sway me away from all the other great features of the Pilot. Evidently the same goes for the many other Pilot buyers. I imagine it all comes down to HOW important the braking issue is. For me and my family, who rarely travel highways anyway, it just wasn't enough.
#439 of 476 good point by mirrodie1 Oct 23, 2009 (10:35 am)
I agree. Its a great point and a number to go by. But its also why I had to test drive it again and warn the salesman that I would purposely be slamming in the brakes, God forbid a kid ran out in front, to simulate scenarios. One note though....we still take defensive driving although we dont need the point reduction. It does pay to drive defensively, as you never know what that 'idiot' may do!
#440 of 476 Re: CX9 vs Pilot [thegraduate] by tripl3threat Oct 23, 2009 (10:43 am)
Replying to: thegraduate (Oct 22, 2009 7:54 pm) My wife and I both were in need of new cars this year - she driving a 9 year old Sienna, and me a 10 year old Saab 9-3. We tested and liked both the Pilot and CX-9 - each for different reasons. Me, cold and analytical stat comparison; she, emotion and feel. Upshot - we got one of each. Her the Pilot, me the CX-9. $ for $, I think the CX-9 was the better buy, but ultimately we'll see what the residual values are for 3-year ownership. On paper they look like a tie for annual cost of ownership for both - with a higher OTD price for the Pilot, but probably a little higher residual value. Given that, we both are driving safe, reliable (and in my case FUN) cars - with a TCO of about $10K per year. TCO is a great way to analyze a buying decision, and so is being happy with what you drive. If cars didn't make us happy, we'd probably all drive something a lot cheaper. A mid-range Ford Focus costs about $6k per year.
#441 of 476 Re: CX9 vs Pilot [ceric] by thegraduate Oct 24, 2009 (8:44 pm)
Replying to: ceric (Oct 23, 2009 9:57 am) Modern transmission learns your driving style. Period. Not all. My Accord does not, and is a 2006 model. It doesn't have an adaptive transmission. Period. Have a great day, TheGrad
#443 of 476 About Highlander's tires by ceric Nov 09, 2009 (11:47 am)
A warning to those who plan to buy Highlanders.... Highlander (V6) uses a very special tire size 245/55R19. Check tirerack.com if you don't believe me. There is only ONE tire available for that size, which is the OE tire from Bridgestone Dueller as well (same as CX9). http://www.tirerack.com/tires/TireSearchResults.jsp?skipOver=true&width=245%2F&r- - - - - - atio=55&diameter=19&x=12&y=8 However, CX9 uses 245/50R20 or 245/60R18. Both sizes have many other alternatives. Why does this matter? The price for Bridgestone Dueler is about $175, which is a ripoff ('cause it is bad!) In comparision, Yokohama's Parada Spec-X is a much better all-around tire for only $159. (review scores of 4.8 vs 8.4!!!) Spec-X is available for CX9's 20" or 18" wheels. Check any owners of Highlanders and CX9s, they will tell you that this tire, Dueler, performs extremely poorly on snow (even light one), and is so-so in rain and on dry pavements. Check tirerack.com for owners' reviews on it. If you go with Highlander, you will have ZERO choice but to replace it again with the same lousy tires and they are not cheap either for their performance. My friend replaced his for $1000+ for a new set. I got my Spec-X for only about $800+. Price difference may be small, but you will be getting lousy tires for that kind of money and you have no other alternatives (unless you change sizes). Please take that into consideration. Make an educated decision to buy Highlander is why I am posting this info for you. Replies to this message: steveayz (Nov 10, 2009 12:41 pm) pjcrouse (Nov 11, 2009 9:25 am) ceric (Nov 11, 2009 11:33 pm) steveayz (Nov 12, 2009 4:30 am) and 8 more...
#444 of 476 Re: About Highlander's tires [ceric] by steveayz Nov 10, 2009 (12:41 pm)
Replying to: ceric (Nov 09, 2009 11:47 am) Base Highlanders use 245/65R17 that pretty common.
#445 of 476 Re: About Highlander's tires [ceric] by pjcrouse Nov 11, 2009 (9:25 am)
Replying to: ceric (Nov 09, 2009 11:47 am) I disagree with you. A lot of Highlander owners are successfully changing to 255-55-19 tire sizes for the 19" rims. I successfully changed to a 17" rim from Discount tire and have many tires to choose from, too. We are not stuck with 245-55-19. Replies to this message: ceric (Nov 11, 2009 11:33 pm) steveayz (Nov 12, 2009 4:30 am) ceric (Nov 12, 2009 2:27 pm) and 7 more...
#446 of 476 Re: About Highlander's tires [pjcrouse] by ceric Nov 11, 2009 (11:33 pm)
Replying to: pjcrouse (Nov 11, 2009 9:25 am) to stevayz: >> Base Highlanders use 245/65R17 that pretty common. I thought I mentioned "Highlander V6", didn't I? to pjcrouse: Yes, one can always up size or down size your tires. I do that many times in the past. However, how many people dare to do that? Most owners are naive about automobiles. If you read the manual completely, I am sure you will find a statement like "Toyota recommend the same tire size ....." (to that effect). Besides, places like Costco "refuses" to replace tires of a different size for you. Also, your odometer will be off slightly, which may be small in your case. Anyway, just a piece of useful information whether you like it or not. The fact remains true. Toyota uses a strange size tire as OE tires. I wonder why? Replies to this message: steveayz (Nov 12, 2009 4:30 am) ceric (Nov 12, 2009 2:27 pm) mdhutton (Nov 12, 2009 5:58 pm) and 6 more...