| Mkell |
I have a confession. I bought the Pilot without doing any research online or otherwise. I had driven and extensively researched other SUVs - Durango, Explorer, but not the Pilot. I decided to test drive it as a last minute thing before picking up the Explorer. It took less than a minute into the test drive to decide I wanted it. As I told my wife: "sometimes you just know." Of course after I came home with my new Pilot I read everthing I could find and was delighted to see so many positive reviews. My test drive certainly agreed with all those reviewers. How long did it take you to decide to buy the Pilot?
One day or less
One week or less
One month or less
Two months or less
Between two and four months
Greater than four months
I'm still in limbo land |
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| xyzzy |
About 36 hours. I can tell you that it was a pretty intense 36 hours. My DSL connection was pretty much smoking by the time I got done! My conclusion was actually a dual decision. If I could find a Pilot available within a reasonable amount of time, it would be mine. If not, I would have purchased the Highlander and would have been just as happy. I really do like them both! I did have a time constraint since the transmission in my old car was starting to slip and was really starting to burn oil pretty quick (96 Intrepid, go figure).
Chris |
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| pilot03 |
quote:
Originally posted by xyzzy
I did have a time constraint since the transmission in my old car was starting to slip and was really starting to burn oil pretty quick (96 Intrepid, go figure).
Chris
A person I know says Intrpids or Concords are the Ultimate Road Machine. Plz note that he didn't say they are Ultimate Driving Machine. |
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| xyzzy |
quote:
Originally posted by pilot03
A person I know says Intrpids or Concords are the Ultimate Road Machine. Plz note that he didn't say they are Ultimate Driving Machine.
I think you may have mis-heard him. He probably said that they were the ultimate blow-by machine. The oil consumption was rediculous! |
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| Tasha |
I am embarrassed to admit....practically no research prior to plunking down our deposit. Our confidence was based on our experience with our Oddy. I had heard about the Pilot on Edmunds & coerced my hubby to go for a Harley ride and just ride by the Honda dealership to take a look. They had 3...all spoken for. We weren't even allowed to sit in them. 20 minutes later we were officially on the waiting list. :D
After that....I had 2 months to wait. During that time frame, I test drove other vehicles and have countless hours in research into the Pilot & a few others that were on the short list.
Not a single regret either! |
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| wroberts3x27 |
Well to begin with the Pilot is the wife's vehicle. She wanted an SUV and we began thinking about one in March. We looked around some and she really liked the Highlander. I talked her into waiting for this new SUV Honda was coming out with in June basically to stall her and maybe confuse her to give me some time to lobby for a good American vehicle. She relented and agreed to wait to see if this new Honda was better than the Highlander. The trap was set.
In early June we went by the local Honda shop and they had this new SUV they called a Pilot. I could tell the minute she saw it I was in trouble. And when she got in it and drove it my doom was sealed. She would not even let me talk her into test driving anything remotely different. The Highlander was out and anything remotely resembling a domestic SUV was out of the question.
I held out hope for a couple of weeks and even used the patriotic ploy on her, but she never gave in and we put a deposit on Honda's "new SUV" July 8. We never test drove anything else, but I did hook up with everything I could find written about the Pilot including this site (thank god). We now have Honda's "new SUV" and wife is ecstatic about it. Me too I guess. |
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| nascar_pilot |
| I knew i wanted to buy a Pilot even before they were in the showroom. Wife test drove a MDX and one of the salesman there let it slip that Honda would be coming out with a SUV based on the MDX. Then I knew it was time to wait and get more for my $$. Never test drove my first Accord either!!! |
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| Pilotless |
Back in March I was close, real close to buying a Mountaineer, like $300 close. If the salesman had just met my final offer I would have signed the papers. Instead he let us walk.
On the way home I saw an MDX. Love at first site. Went to a dealer and test drove it. I loved the ride, it blew the Mountaineer away. The local dealer wanted $1500 above MSRP, but I found a dealer 50 miles away that would sell one at msrp, but it had a 3 month wait. At MSRP it wasn't much more then the Mountaineer.
The Mercury dealership called back and told me that they will meet my price and also would give me a substantial amount for my 1993 Mercury Villager. Too late tho. Not interested.....
Anyway, I heard something about a Honda version of the MDX. I did some research, found what I could and went on faith that it would be real close to the MDX. So in late March I plunked down $500 and 6 months later I drove off the dealership in my Pilot. It was worth the wait.:D |
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| redrok03 |
Can I vote twice??
I had been looking for a replacement vehicle for a Plymouth Voyager for about 1year. I had almost given up. I had tried every SUV and found all lacking, mostly in the headroom area. A lot of the ones with the moonroof were too short and brush my hair.
Then my son talked me into a test drive in an Acura MDX. Plenty of room, even with the moonroof. I was in love with the car (not the moon roof). Then I looked at the price. I was love sick.
So I waited till the Pilot showed up at my local dealer. We test drove it on the first day. I was back in love with a different car. Isn't love fickle. And she isn't high maintenance (price or otherwise).
So how long did it take me to decide, just one look after months of waiting. |
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| Len |
| Four months from hearing about the Pilot to its introduction June 3. Lots of reading on the internet. Then one test drive and I was sold. |
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| gopilot |
Had a 95 civic Si, and 92 Civic EX... both cars were so ASESOME and hardly ever had to bring them in... the service was always great.. and I just ordering a Pilot EX-L based on my experience with Honda.
Hope I am not going to have any problems, but I am sure that Honda will make good to anything that is going to go wrong..
take care
rob |
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| tibbitts |
| I had been considering the MDX. Tired of minivans, but had to have third row seat. Not at all encouraged by friend's review of his Durango, Blazers not much better. I still like Explorers, but did not care at all for the hoops you have to jump through to get the leather and third row seating. Honda and MDX made it easy. However, try and find an MDX on the lot. They aren't there. Read about the Pilot while on vacation. As soon as we got back, I went to the Honda dealer. Decided then and there, I had to have it. Two months later, it finally arrived. |
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| macbethderham |
We were "building" our Ody online and wishing for an SUV that would seat 8, and last and last. Just then, the first Pilot commercial came on TV, and out jaws dropped.
Sure, I still had to test drive the Pilot, and compare it with other vehicles (Montana 4wd, seats 8), but there was just no comparison. After satisfying my husband's requirement that I be objective, we sought our Pilot.
Overall, one wish, 30 second decision, and lots of shopping around, just to make it look good. ;)
Next, I'm wishing for an 8 bedroom house on the water with pool and tennis court...:26: |
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| shartwig |
I loved the pilot the first time I saw it. I'm a huge Honda fan, so it wasn't much of a stretch for me. My wife was not as enthused, however. I showed her pictures online, and she was underwhelmed.
We were driving home one day in July, and I pointed out the Pilot in real life. She was so excited that we went to the lot that night. I did some research, and that was that. Our deposit was down within the week.
Now, all you who are wanting the DVD system in a sagebrush EX-L, knock it off. Entertainment is over-rated.
s. |
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| tibbitts |
quote: Now, all you who are wanting the DVD system in a sagebrush EX-L, knock it off. Entertainment is over-rated.
Looks like somebody is trying to chase away the competition and hedge his bets. Your experience was much like mine. I started with the MDX, but they never had one on the lot. And when they did, they were all sold. Minimum 4 month wait. While on vacation, I discovered the Honda Pilot. As soon as we got back to Lexington, my oldest son and I went to Honda. Lo and behold they had a Black EX on the lot. We drove it and the rest is pretty much like your story. Wife took a little convincing, but now she drives it more than I do. It was supposed to be mine as a result of achieving one of those significant decade birthdays. (can't recall the exact #) Anyway, I think she snookered me. We love it and really enjoy all aspects of it, including the RES. Nice picture of it over in the Family Photo Album. Good luck, hope it is not too long a wait for you. |
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| TNT |
shartwig~
I waited 2 1/2 months for my Sagebrush EX-L w/ RES. It was 100% worth the wait. Don't give up!!!!
I felt like a kid waiting for Christmas. :D |
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| ex0904 |
| Well, what can I say? Wife and kids wanted the Odyssey and I wanted an SUV. We went to the dealer on Labor day for looking at the Odyssey. There was a black Pilot on the lot. The sales person asked us if we wanted a test drive. The ride was much smoother than the Odyssey and that decided it. We finalized on the Pilot after lunch and put our deposit for the SS EX that would arrive in a week. |
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| grafton |
I'm a die hard sports car fanatic - love them - always have always will. HOWEVER (and isn't there always a however), my son started playing hockey last year (goal tender) and it became harder and harder to fit all of his gear in my TA (not to mention he had to be like gumbie to sit in the back seat on a normal day). However I was dead set that I was going to keep the car and he could hang out of the T-tops....
Anyway, last week my TA started having problems (2 months out of warranty of course), so last Monday I dropped it off at the repair shop and I went looking at SUVs. I figured I'd buy an Explorer - if I bought anything - because I have so many friends that have them - but just to be sure I went around town and looked at every dealership I could find. Ford, Chevy, Dodge, Toyota, Pontiac....and then.....HONDA. There it was....in all its glory....only one on the lot (a demo they can't sell of course). I got in it - drove it - and that was it. I mean, that was really it. Amazingly there was a truck coming in sometime that week with a couple of silver ones and a sagebrush one. They guy convinced me that the Sagebrush would be the best choice - so I gave him a deposit and waited for it to come in (I can't imagine waiting months....4 days drove me crazy). My buying it was contingent on me approving of the color - and when I finally saw it Friday - I fell in love. I didn't take it home until Saturday afternoon (one must not make hasty decisions) and I haven't stopped staring at it yet. I even go in the garage just to look at it (ok, I've also driven by the dealership every night since I got the Pilot to 'see' my TA too - it's a sickness I'm sure).
Mind you, when I went to get it Saturday I was sitting in the showroom with my sales guy and he had left the car open, some lady got in it and was looking around in it - I jumped up and was like "GET OUT OF MY PILOT!!" Ok, I didn't say that but I did jump up and look and the sales guy immediately locked the doors on it..... selfish, aren't I?
So far I haven't missed my TA much (ok ok - I go visit it every nite - I do miss it a little) and I'm definitely pleased with my choice. Maybe someday when they start making the TAs again I'll buy a new one of them - and park my Pilot and TA side by side!
PILOT - LOVE IT!
Kim |
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| shartwig |
quote:
Originally posted by TNT
Don't give up!!!!
I felt like a kid waiting for Christmas. :D
I just hope to get it before Christmas. I having a hard time dealing as it is. moving into the new year would just be too much.
s. |
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| shartwig |
quote:
Originally posted by grafton
Sagebrush would be the best choice - so I gave him a deposit and waited for it to come in (I can't imagine waiting months....4 days drove me crazy).
Kim
Well, you know how it goes. It's like a broken heart. You never think you'll make it after a rough breakup. Then, as time passes, the intensity of grief fades.
Until you see your love again, and it all comes crashing back.
Unfortunately, there are more and more pilots driving around town every month. It gets more and more likely that I am going to crash into a bridge embankment, stricken with grief. Ending it all. The last drive in the sky, without my pilot.
Ok. It's not quite that bad. I'm not really in 'love' with my pilot, but geez.
s. |
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| colorider |
quote:
Originally posted by Mkell
I have a confession. I bought the Pilot without doing any research online or otherwise. I had driven and extensively researched other SUVs - Durango, Explorer, but not the Pilot. I decided to test drive it as a last minute thing before picking up the Explorer. It took less than a minute into the test drive to decide I wanted it. As I told my wife: "sometimes you just know." Of course after I came home with my new Pilot I read everthing I could find and was delighted to see so many positive reviews. My test drive certainly agreed with all those reviewers. How long did it take you to decide to buy the Pilot?
One day or less
One week or less
One month or less
Two months or less
Between two and four months
Greater than four months
I'm still in limbo land
Bump
This looks like a neat poll. I know of one member that is still in the final choice category.......:eek:
:2: :2: |
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| Sage |
| Actually waited 2 years...before it was on the market. Dealer told me about a replacement for the Passport in 2000. Checked the website every year and finally 2003 was it! :D |
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| ck55 |
After our minivan was totaled, I had read the reviews and wanted a Pilot. We went to the nearest dealership, and ran into a sleezy salesperson. We really liked the Pilot, although it seemed small after the minivan, but we were turned off by the salesperson and the forced dealer add ons. We drove to a Toyota dealer to look at the Land Cruiser, just for fun, and ended up driving home in a new Sequoia that evening.
About 6 months later, when we needed to replace our second vehicle, we went and bought a Pilot, (at a different dealership). |
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| 2GREENCARS |
quote:
Originally posted by ck55
After our minivan was totaled, I had read the reviews and wanted a Pilot. We went to the nearest dealership...
Our experience was very similar - totalled minivan, desperate family, but a very nice salesperson (whose last week it was, it turned out). We went in to testdrive an Odyssey. I had seen a couple of articles on the Pilot THAT DAY. It was the ultimate impulse purchase. We drove it home that night...We're so happy with it ... but I do wish we'd thought long enough to get NAVI. :( |
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| 74PILOTMOM |
quote:
Originally posted by 2GREENCARS
Our experience was very similar - totalled minivan, desperate family, but a very nice salesperson ... :(
DESPERATE? I wandered into the Honda dealership 8 months pregnant with 2 kids already. There's a desperate car buyer. I had to pull up in my free '88 Park Avenue ("grandma") So I'm sure they didn't take me seriously that I could actually afford a Pilot. I was under no pressure to sign for this beautiful perfect automobile that I had heard about for years. I have to admit though that the first photos did not impress me- it was so square and the nose was too short. Then I actually SAW one in person, and realized photos don't do her justice.
I read all the reviews about reliability and 5 star crash ratings, and EIGHT SEATS! Could it be? My own school bus?
Then I drove it and instantly fell in love with it. The steering, seating position, acceleration, quiet ride, great 7 speaker sound with a sub woof in back. But could I afford this? Msrp was still nearly 10K out of my price range. But we're making it work, and it's worth the sacrifices elsewhere in my spending. I'd say anyone considering a Pilot should:
1) Pull up in a crappy car so there is no pressure ;)
2) Drive the Pilot, and fall in love.
I paid Msrp back in December, and still feel like I got a decent deal, with the 3.49%APR. |
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| sfhondapilot |
After beginning to experience a lot of mechanical problems with my 96 Toyota Landcruiser, began researching alternatives. Began researching in August and bought in December. Took dealer about 3 weeks to get the vehicle I wanted, EX-L RES (either Black, Silver or Sage).
Got the Sage !!!! |
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| tracy |
Um... instantly, and yet it's taking years. ;)
I don't remember when we first fell in love with the Pilot, but it was long before you could even see the it on the Honda website, let alone a showroom. I'm a Honda girl, and since the purchase of my first CR-V I've been an SUV girl, so I knew it would be perfect for me. :D
We visited a Honda dealer the day before they were supposed to be released, hoping they'd have one out early. And they did. We got to drive it, even though we told the salesman there was no way we were buying one right now - he was still a sweetie about it (tried to buy a CR-V from him later, but he didn't have a single one in stock... see, salespeople, we customers really do come back when you treat us right!). IIRC, they were charging a grand over MSRP. Well, they weren't charging extra, they were just requiring $1000 worth of options that cost them about 35 cents. :rolleyes: Of course, we knew we'd eventually have to have one.
The plan was to pay off DH's Accord (about 2 years), then trade it for a Pilot. But plans change - my CR-V was totalled and we couldn't afford to replace it with a Pilot (since they were still MSRP+, and I wanted an EX), so I bought a new V. And it turned out to be such a nice "family car" that we decided we could trade the Accord for the truck DH has always wanted. But the Pilot is still calling my name... the current plan is to buy one when my CR-V is paid off (maybe they'll have a sunroof by then :p). But plans change, so I hope it happens sooner! |
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| rockman19762001 |
| I started more than a year ago. The Chevy (piece of junk) Blazer was on it way out about 2 years ago. I studied Consumer Reports repair history an settled on either a Toyota or a Honda suv. My wife didnot like the looks of the CR-V, she sorted like the Element, but loves her Pilot. On July 19th, on a trip into Dallas to see the two grand-kids and The Dave Mathews Band. The A/C went out and in Texas it's above 90 without having to try. After attending the concert, we traveled over to our daughter and son-in-law, have to mention them. They actually think we care about seeing them. On Saturday morning at their house, our son wanted to borrow the Blazer. He walks in about 30 minutes later and says the A/C is not working at all, the check engine light is on, and the keys will not come out of the ignition switch. Then my wife says "Honey the transmission has been shifting really rough the last couple of weeks". I then say "Bobby" he's the son-in-law and loves to talk with car dealers, "Let's go to the Honda and Toyota dealers in Dallas, I'am buying a new Honda or Toyota today and I do not care what it costs". My wife, Bobby and I pile into the Blazer and drive to the first Honda dealer that has 6 Pilots on the lot. 5 hours later and while the Honda dealers sales the 5 other Pilots on the lot. We buy the last one available. A Sandstone Metallic number. So it took 2 years and 5 hours to get rid of that rolling junk heap called a Chevy Blazer. Should have gotten rid of it 2500.00 dollars in repair bills sooner, but the Pilot was worth the wait, 3 weeks an still loving the Pilot more every day. :2: |
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| gopilot |
| Rockman, my wife has a 98 GMC Jimmy (pretty much the same as a Blazier) so I understand your headaches! Wish I never bought my junk jimmy.. Now try to get anything for it is a miracle! |
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| jay |
| Rockman, I feel your pain. I had a '96 Blazer that was in the shop 22 times in 20 months. Piece of junk. I traded for an Accord. I had the Accord in the shop for a headliner TSB at the first oil change. If I hadn't known about alldata.com, which has TSB summaries availablt to Joe Public for free, I wouldn't have even had that TSB done. |
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| Ziploc |
Sorta like florida_guy, I researched the heck out of the Pilot and the Highlander....reviews, features, prices, etc. I spent maybe a month in this phase.
But, once Mr. Ziploc and I saw a Silver Pilot demo on the lot, it was love at first sight. :10: When we DROVE that demo, we knew for sure we wanted to "get hitched" to the Pilot....it was just a question of where to get the best price and fastest delivery to consummate the relationship!
The Highlander was but a distant memory..... |
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| tonyrwc |
I am slighty embarresed to say we bought ours in one day.
You wouldn't believe our story though, our lease was up on our 2000 Tahoe, and we wanted the Volvo XC90. We were on the waiting list and due to receive it in Aug. or Sept. at the latest.
One of my accounts is a Honda dealership, so I needed another vehicle for 4 or 5 months, so while I'm at the dealership, I saw a 00 Grand Prix that they were going to sell me at wholesale book. I figured I'd drive it until our Volvo came in and then turn around and sell it to get my money back and perhaps make a couple of bucks. Well I'm at the dealership, I just got done handing the salesman our check and just finished signing the papers for the Pontiac. We got talking about the reason I was buying the Pontiac and he asked if we had driven a Pilot yet, we both said no. So he takes us for a test drive and my wife loved it. My wife loves Hondas, while I'm more a Chevy guy, but since this is really her car I told her it was up to her.
I think if the Volvo was here and we could have bought it when we needed it ,we would have, but it worked out great, we got a nice vehicle that is way better on gas (than the Tahoe) and was around 15 thousand less than the Volvo and the maintenence will be less expensive, not to mention the Volvo with the T-6 engine requires premium fuel, the Honda is a nice vehicle for the money!
:4: :4: |
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