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Honda Pilot Buyer's Remorse

21 messages,  Last post on Sep 17, 2010 at 2:29 PM

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What is this discussion about? Honda Pilot, SUV

Messages Page 3 of 3

#13 of 21 Re: Buyer Remorse [tornadog] by sandra4453

Sep 19, 2009 (4:40 am)

Replying to: tornadog (Aug 21, 2009 8:54 am)
tornadog: Have you decided what you're going to do about your new purchase? I know exactly how you feel. I too have buyers remorse and I'm sure my reasons would be challenged by others but it doesn't matter.....it's regret that I'm feeling 3 weeks after buying a CR-V EX. At this early stage in your purchase, you're going to take a loss BUT, depending on how badly you feel about your new purchase, you can either get it done with and do a trade and your new car will be valued at used-car price (but you'll be happier and those nagging feelings, soon will be history) OR, you can continue to always regret this purchase and just keep driving it until you can justify a trade a few years down the road.
 
Because my tailgate hood flips up instead of swinging open is/was my first issue...first day home from the dealer into the garage. The hood of the car hits the top of the garage door runners...there's just not enough clearance. I have to back the car in and I don't have a lot of room in the garage to work with. I'm about to pay out an additional $4,500 to get into a new 2010 RAV4 Sport (equivalent in features to the CR-V EX). My car is an '09 with 600 miles. I buy a car once every 6 to 8 years and that's a long time to live in regret as far as I'm concerned. As well, I feel like I'm driving a van...don't like that. The RAV feels more like a cruising vehicle in comparison...more comfortable.
 
If it's going to make you happy or if you're sure the Pilot is not what you want afterall, you have time now to take less of a loss than you will if you wait a little longer. I'm waiting now for delivery on my trade...I can't wait to feel the enjoyment new owners feel with their new cars... I'm sick of beating myself up. These are mistakes that can get fixed quicker than the constant regret of "should have's"........

#14 of 21 Re: Buyer Remorse [angie_b] by vrm

Sep 19, 2009 (7:56 am)

Replying to: angie_b (Sep 09, 2009 8:31 am)
An regarding the conversation mirror, visit the baby section of your local Target and pick up one of those for about $4. That should solve one of your issues.
 
Here's the complete shopping list to fix all the issues mentioned in the post by tornadog on 08/21/2009:
 
Conversation mirror - buy from Target
Industrial strength glue (to fix the loose plastic panel) - buy from Home Depot
Foam padding (to prevent tailgate damage since Pilot power liftgate is not programmable) - special order at Home Depot
 
If does all of the above it MAY partially cure his buyers remorse.

#15 of 21 I wonder about the brakes......... by chuckfromli

Sep 19, 2009 (8:30 am)

Iv'e seen some tough reviews regarding braking distances. One (Edmunds?) was close to not recommending the vehicle because of this. I wonder if there isn't an aftermarket manufacturer of better pads and/or rotors. While I realize that it would be expensive to change all four rotors, and it shouldn't even be necessary on a vehicle that costs 30-35K, it would provide peace of mind.
 
I also believe that higher quality brake rotors, like those aftermarket ones (Brembo?) for performance cars, are less susceptible to warping and may last the lifetime of the vehicle. If I used a late model Pilot to transport my family, I'd probably be willing to to spend a grand if I was sure it would help the stopping distances.
 
PS-Does anyone know when these poor stopping distances started occurring? Is it just since the redesign ('09?), or are the earlier models affected? I may be in the market for an '07 EX L. Apreciate it if anyone knows.

#16 of 21 Re: Buyer Remorse [sandra4453] by tornadog

Sep 19, 2009 (9:15 am)

Replying to: sandra4453 (Sep 19, 2009 4:40 am)
Well, I am learning to like this vehicle. One big factor is my wife and 3 yr old absolutely love it. I also went back and test drove the competition and the pilot still comes out bettr of the lot. I also had the dealer check out the vehicle for a couple of days and they gave it a clean bill of health.
 
I am still looking for a good conversation mirror, the ones at target are useless pretty much.

#17 of 21 Re: Buyer Remorse [tornadog] by wmiller4

Sep 19, 2009 (11:43 am)

Replying to: tornadog (Sep 19, 2009 9:15 am)
I feel your pain.
 
I really like my 2009 EX-L Pilot but there are a few things I feel Honda should have included as standard on it too. (Like the trailer hitch harness for one! )
 
For your conversation mirror issue why not try to buy the sunglass holder "drawer" that has the mirror on it from a Honda dealer and replace the sunglasses holder in your EX? (I do not mean replace the whole console, just the sunglasses holder "drawer". The part that flips down.)
 
If you check out the instructions for installing the Hands Free Bluetooth assessory it desribes how to remove the roof console from the pilot.
 
http://www.collegehillshonda.com/instructions/2nd_gen_pilot/handsfreelinknoroof.- - pdf
 
Seems like a real easy modification to me. (Granted it sucks that you have to go through this just for the mirror.)

#18 of 21 Re: Buyer Remorse [tornadog] by bigdadi118

Sep 19, 2009 (11:44 am)

Replying to: tornadog (Sep 19, 2009 9:15 am)
Overhead Convex Mirror –
 
Also called a “conversation mirror,” this convex reflector allows you to see everything that’s going on in the back seat – without turning around. Enough said! Car-Ma Coach® Lauren Fix recommends a 5-panel Wink Mirror for about $20 which you can purchase online.
 
http://www.amazon.com/Wink-5-Panel-Panoramic-Mirror/dp/B000UVTZIM
Pep Boy, Napa, Advanced Auto ...
http://www.honda-tech.com/showthread.php?t=2551170&page=6
If you have same space you can do it like this video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0yr2z3lqh4I

#19 of 21 Personally... by isellhondas

Sep 19, 2009 (3:11 pm)

I've always thought the conversation mirrors were a bad idea. People should watch the road instead. Same applies to cellphone usage.
 
EVERY car has it's pluses and minus and no car will please everybody.
 
Plastic panels can and will come loose on all cars. This is why we have warranties.
 
I recently had a lady trade in a Rav-4 with 2000 miles. She just hated it for a number of reasons. She bought a CRV which she loves. the Rav-4 was quickly sold and hopefully it's new owner isn't bothered by the trival things that bothered the lady who traded it in.

#20 of 21 Re: I wonder about the brakes......... [chuckfromli] by strokeoluck2

Sep 21, 2009 (6:59 pm)

Replying to: chuckfromli (Sep 19, 2009 8:30 am)
We have an '08 Ex-L edition and have not noticed any braking issues. We have ~40k miles on it.
 
For the record, this is my wife's favorite car in her 25 years of driving vehicles. (I will admit, we have the convex mirror by the sunroof, but she never uses it...drives her nuts).
 
As for gas mileage, it's not great - I'll admit that. But for us, it pulls our boat just fine, hauls a bunch of kids and some bags/sports stuff when necessary, is very comfortable on long rides (rides like a car in our opinion), handles great in Minnesota winters, has enough giddy-up - though granted, it's not quick - and overall has been a terrific vehicle for us. Our plan is to hold onto ours for another 7 years (probably 180k miles total at that point) and then give it to our son when he turns 16. I also own a 2005 Acura TL that has 50k miles on it and we plan on driving that for another 5 years until we can give it to our daughter. Aside from a couple volkswagens we owned when we were younger, these are our first foreign vehicles. We have been very pleased w/our decision to purchase Honda/Acura vehicles.

#21 of 21 Re: I wonder about the brakes......... [strokeoluck2] by bowriber

Sep 17, 2010 (2:29 pm)

Replying to: strokeoluck2 (Sep 21, 2009 6:59 pm)
What is the weight of your boat/tow? I'm struggling with the purchase of a new pilot. My wife's family have a boat up north and when we stay up there, I'd love to be able to take the boat out, but I've been reading conflicting things about the Pilot towing a boat.
 
Off hand I don't know the size/weight of the boat, but it's definitely a smaller boat. They have a Durango that tows it and if I remember correctly, they have similar tow capacities?
 
Thanks.

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