| HDClown |
Wife and I are looking at SUV's. I'm topping out at $35k. We've narrowed it down to new SUV's as the Pilot, 4runner, and Pathfinder and used MDX's (04's, 05's, and possibly one locally used 06).
The 4runner/pathfinder are trucked based, ahe Pilot and MDX are car based, as I understand it, so I am doing some cross platform shopping here.
After price negotiations, my $35k should get be an 07 Pilot EX-L with NAV. In the 4runner/Pathfinder, I'd be getting a nicely optioned vehicle, but no NAV. The MDX's I am looking at are all Touring, and a few with NAV. The 06 MDX has Tourning, NAV and RES, but it's also $2500 above the $35k mark.
The SUV Is for my wife as her daily driving commuting car. She does about 20 miles round trip to work. She is pregnant now and pops out kid #1 in April, so there will be a car seat in the back and lots of junk to cart around. There will be no offroading.
I've compared specs at nauseum. We are going to go drive next week. I'm looking for insight from those who have owned or driven a couple of these vehicles in comparisons to give me their opinions as to why they chose one or the other, or if they thing I should go one way or another
In particular, I'm interested to know if the MDX, being a luxury vehicle, is worth going used for, vs. brand new on all the others. |
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| deparson |
A new '06 EX-L Nav Pilot should run you ~~USD27,000 + TTL from what has been posted here.
FYI, The pilot is much wider than the Runner if you are thinking about car seats and stuff. Also, a TON more cargo room.
However, the Runner will go off road where the Pilot would not make it.
-D
quote:
Originally posted by HDClown
Wife and I are looking at SUV's. I'm topping out at $35k. We've narrowed it down to new SUV's as the Pilot, 4runner, and Pathfinder and used MDX's (04's, 05's, and possibly one locally used 06).
The 4runner/pathfinder are trucked based, ahe Pilot and MDX are car based, as I understand it, so I am doing some cross platform shopping here.
After price negotiations, my $35k should get be an 07 Pilot EX-L with NAV. In the 4runner/Pathfinder, I'd be getting a nicely optioned vehicle, but no NAV. The MDX's I am looking at are all Touring, and a few with NAV. The 06 MDX has Tourning, NAV and RES, but it's also $2500 above the $35k mark.
The SUV Is for my wife as her daily driving commuting car. She does about 20 miles round trip to work. She is pregnant now and pops out kid #1 in April, so there will be a car seat in the back and lots of junk to cart around. There will be no offroading.
I've compared specs at nauseum. We are going to go drive next week. I'm looking for insight from those who have owned or driven a couple of these vehicles in comparisons to give me their opinions as to why they chose one or the other, or if they thing I should go one way or another
In particular, I'm interested to know if the MDX, being a luxury vehicle, is worth going used for, vs. brand new on all the others.
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| N_Jay |
Forget the 4Runner and Pathfinder.
If you are not into off-road, you don't need what they offer, and they offer much less of what you can use.
The MDX and Pilot are both great, but very different.
If you like a little more comfortable ride, seats, interior, etc, AND are not the type who loads your car to the max, then get the MDX.
If you are a person who can live with "normal levels" of comfort, but always seem to need a little more room for one more bag when packing, or want to save a few $$ get the Pilot.
P.S. This comes from many hours of discussions with friends and relatives with who have one or another of these four cars. |
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| rocky |
Don't buy the pathfinder/4runner if you have no need for truck towing or off road capacity
Buy the Pilot if you value keeping your money which having the same chassis/powertrain as the 06 MDX. The 07 MDX is all new.
Assume the Toyota Highlander fell by the wayside in the decision process.
I got the Pilot over the MDX not seeing sufficient benefit/return on the premium being asked.
Have been extremely happy with the purchase. Covered over 20500 miles since July 05, including 5500 since July 11 06 when I had the 15k done.
BTW, congrats on the growing family. You'll be amazed at the stuff you need to bring to keep the little one happy, and appreciate the greater cargo capacity of the Pilot/MDX over the other two. Furthermore, they are wider which is important to Mum who will likely sit in the second row of the Pilot/MDX with a baby seat in place. |
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| ikkoku |
Congrats on the pregnancy. Spend 30k on a Pilot and use the remaining 5k for diapers and baby stuff.
The MDX is really nice and you can really tell a difference sitting in one versus the Pilot. However, I wouldn't spend 37.5k on a used 06 MDX.
Have you also considered the Highlander or Lexus RX? |
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| HDClown |
Aesthetics are a big part of car purchasing for my wife and myself, and she does not like the look of the Highlander, so it's not an option.
I looked at used Lexus RX's, but couldn't find any good deals within 100 miles. I'm not to hot to certain aspects of the dash setup.
It's pretty much down to these 4 at this point, I'm pretty certain. We were also looking at the new RDX, but it's just way small comapred to these other vehicles, and there isn't going to be any deals because it's so now.
I've found a few 06 Pilot's, EX-L w/NAV in Silver locally. My wife wants something silver or gray on the outside, with a blue or red be next. No black. Interior preference is to a gray color with black next. No Taupe/Tans.
The deals being offered on the 06 Pilot's are extremely tempting. The 06 at 37.5k is definitely more then I care to spend. It's at an Acura dealer, and the price is lower their their AutoTrader listing, so they may be willing to deal more on it. If they offered it at $35k, I'd consider it heavily. Knowing I can get brand new for the same money as used is also leaning me away from the MDX. But I'm a BMW M model owner (M3 previously, now M5, and an Audi A4 before both of those), so I go after luxury segment cars. We'll have to see how we feel about them in person I suppose. |
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| N_Jay |
quote:
Originally posted by HDClown
But I'm a BMW M model owner (M3 previously, now M5, and an Audi A4 before both of those), so I go after luxury segment cars.
I remember those days.
Ah, well that will all change! :rolleyes: |
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| Medic721 |
IThe first question is do you need a truck (deep off-road, heavy towing)? If not I would highhly recommend the Pilot. I could not see paying the difference for an MDX and I like the extra space. I have had 5 kids and 2 adults in the pilot fairly comfortably(6yo - 14 yo) with the Thule box ontop.
I tried a few vehicles before buying, these are just my feelings:
(I was moving out of a 200 Jeep Cherokee Limited into the new Pilot)
Toyota Highlander: too small, liked the hybrid fuel economy but not for 6k more. ride was nice, finish was nice, but felt I got more form the pilot. Third row useless.
Ford Freestyle: nice ride, but same price as the honda, w/ less towing capacity. I like honda reliabilty.
Ford Explorer: bad experience in past and felt tight in the seats.
4 Runner: just didn't fit right in the vehicle and it felt very tight for me 6'2" 250lbs.
Pacifica: didn't like the way it drove, vision past the hood, and can't get leather w/ a bench in the second row. I don't like the kids seperated.
I like the look of the older pathfinders, not really the new ones. I like the x-terra look but just felt more comfortable in the pilot.
I was hesitant abot a 'crossover' vs a truck style, then I sat down and looked at how often I took my Jeep "off-road" and how many of those places I couldn't get the pilot. and decided i did not need a 'truck" I take it on the beach and light trails to go camping w/o a problem.
-Mike. |
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| 07_Nimbus_EXLN |
I was able to get an 07 Pilot with Nav at invoice $31,338.86 versus $34,740.00 for MSRP. We decided that getting a newer one and in a color we both liked was worth the difference. It's Nimbus Grey w/grey interior. I have a similar color on my Acura CL-S, and it hides dirt well.
I can also appreciate some of the differences with the MDX, but my wife was really turned off by the fact that the MDX requires Premium fuel.
Good luck with your choice. |
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| Scoobs |
For your needs get the Pilot. The MDX doesn't give you anything more for the $ that you will need. The 4Runner is not the type of vehicle in which I would want to put a carseat in the 2nd row. This from a guy who owns 2 of the 4 vehicles you are looking at.
BTW way, the Pilot has more cargo space than the 4Runner, not a "TON" more space. The rear hatch opening on the 4Runner is actually wider than that of the Pilot, and if you are loading something long, like lumber, you can roll down the rear window and stick it out the back. Try doing that in a Pilot.
It is recommended that you use premium fuel in the MDX, it is not required. The MDX will run just fine on regular. The MDX is marketed as a vehicle which handles better than the Pilot but any testing I have seen shows that there is very little to choose between the Pilot and MDX in the handling department. Be aware that the brakes in both the Pilot and MDX are weak in comparison to those of the 4Runner and the Pathfinder, I should say significantly weaker.
Try here for comparison of the Pilot and 4Runner.
http://www.hondapilot.org/forums/sh...+toyota+4runner |
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| tracy |
| I own a '06 Pilot and my parents owned an '04 4Runner until a couple of weeks ago. The 4Runner is a very nice carlike truck. The Pilot is a very nice trucklike car. The Pilot is roomier and drives/rides more like a car. I don't think you could really go wrong with either one, but if you don't need the trucklike capabilities, I'd go for the Pilot. |
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| HDClown |
I looked over the Pilot vs 4runner thread, but it's so old it's not very relevant anymore. Back then the Pilot lacked some things the 4runner had, and the 4runner lacked some things the Pilot has. They seem to be much more inline now feature wise.
Anyone know how the 06 models of the Pilot, MDX, and 4runner stack-up against each other safety wise?
It sounds like it's going to come down very much to personal preference at this point. I've found a few things I like better in each of the 4 SUV's in the subject, such as the roll down rear window in the 4runner, the larger cargo capacity in the Pilot, the individual fold flat seats in the Pathfinder + fold flat passenger seat, and the extra luxury aspects of the MDX. Might be a touch decision. |
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| ikkoku |
I think it'll come down to which one the wife likes since she'll be driving it. It's sounds like it's all about 'feel' at this point.
quote:
Originally posted by HDClown
I looked over the Pilot vs 4runner thread, but it's so old it's not very relevant anymore. Back then the Pilot lacked some things the 4runner had, and the 4runner lacked some things the Pilot has. They seem to be much more inline now feature wise.
Anyone know how the 06 models of the Pilot, MDX, and 4runner stack-up against each other safety wise?
It sounds like it's going to come down very much to personal preference at this point. I've found a few things I like better in each of the 4 SUV's in the subject, such as the roll down rear window in the 4runner, the larger cargo capacity in the Pilot, the individual fold flat seats in the Pathfinder + fold flat passenger seat, and the extra luxury aspects of the MDX. Might be a touch decision.
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| Scoobs |
quote:
Originally posted by HDClown
I looked over the Pilot vs 4runner thread, but it's so old it's not very relevant anymore. Back then the Pilot lacked some things the 4runner had, and the 4runner lacked some things the Pilot has. They seem to be much more inline now feature wise.
Anyone know how the 06 models of the Pilot, MDX, and 4runner stack-up against each other safety wise?
I guess if all you are worried about is "features" that would be true, otherwise most of what is in that thread is still relevant.
As far as safety is concerned are you more worried about passive safety or active safety. I've driven both the Pilot and 4Runner in accident avoidance situations, 2 days ago in the 4Runner as a matter of fact when the*^&&^% in front of me lost a queen size box spring off the back of his pick-up at 70 mph. The 4Runner ( especially with the X-Reas suspension ) inspires a lot more confidence under these types of situations than does the Pilot.
Also as I mentioned earlier the braking in the 4Runner is significantly better than in the Pilot. The 4Runner Sport does 70-0 in 170 ft, the Pilot does 70-0 in 205 feet. That's a significant difference of 35 feet. To put the 4Runner braking into perspective the new 2007 Infiniti G35 Sedan does 70-0 in 160 feet. The 2006 BMW 330i does 70-0 in 168 feet, only two feet less than the 4Runner.
A person in the SF area might also be interested in the hillstart assist in both the 4Runner and Pathfinder. When you take your foot off the brake while stopped on upward incline the vehicle will stay in the same spot without rolling back ( for a maximum of 5 seconds ) while you depress the accelerator to drive off. The Pilot will roll back unless you keep your foot on the brake while depressing the accelerator ( this has been discussed in other threads ) The 4Runner and Pathfinder also have downhill assist control, the Pilot does not. The downhill assist control can work while you are driving down a hill, or even while backing down a hill. |
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| jcantanixon |
quote:
Originally posted by Scoobs
I guess if all you are worried about is "features" that would be true, otherwise most of what is in that thread is still relevant.
As far as safety is concerned are you more worried about passive safety or active safety. I've driven both the Pilot and 4Runner in accident avoidance situations, 2 days ago in the 4Runner as a matter of fact when the*^&&^% in front of me lost a queen size box spring off the back of his pick-up at 70 mph. The 4Runner ( especially with the X-Reas suspension ) inspires a lot more confidence under these types of situations than does the Pilot.
Also as I mentioned earlier the braking in the 4Runner is significantly better than in the Pilot. The 4Runner Sport does 70-0 in 170 ft, the Pilot does 70-0 in 205 feet. That's a significant difference of 35 feet. To put the 4Runner braking into perspective the new 2007 Infiniti G35 Sedan does 70-0 in 160 feet. The 2006 BMW 330i does 70-0 in 168 feet, only two feet less than the 4Runner.
Wow...that's impressive |
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| Scoobs |
quote:
Originally posted by ikkoku
I think it'll come down to which one the wife likes since she'll be driving it. It's sounds like it's all about 'feel' at this point.
BTW, my wife prefers to drive the Pilot. I think I know which one you will end up getting. |
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| jl_ss |
I've owned both the MDX and the Pilot. The MDX has a sportier ride (less body roll/etc) but the ride is firmer becuase of it. The Pilot is less sportier but also less firm. We live down a fairly bumpy back road that I much prefer the ride of the Pilot on because it absorbs the bumps much better. Our MDX/Pilot is a family hauler so the better handling of the MDX is never really taken advantage of anyway. It's interesting that the Pilot did better in CR's accident avoidance manuevers back when the MDX had VSA and the Pilot didn't.
I tried to test drive the 4runner back in 2003 when we bought the MDX and my head hit the roof with the seat in it's lowest position so it was not an option (and I am only 6 ft). |
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| GreenMachine |
quote:
Originally posted by Scoobs
Also as I mentioned earlier the braking in the 4Runner is significantly better than in the Pilot. The 4Runner Sport does 70-0 in 170 ft, the Pilot does 70-0 in 205 feet. That's a significant difference of 35 feet.
The cheap tires Honda puts on the Pilot could explain some of that difference. |
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| fjwagner |
quote:
Originally posted by Scoobs
A person in the SF area might also be interested in the hillstart assist in both the 4Runner and Pathfinder. When you take your foot off the brake while stopped on upward incline the vehicle will stay in the same spot without rolling back ( for a maximum of 5 seconds ) while you depress the accelerator to drive off.
That takes the fun out of driving. My manual 95 BMW makes me coordinate the parking brake, clutch, accelerator and shifter at the same time! What is the world coming to. |
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| Spartus |
| if you're looking for leather and sunroof, the new 06 MDX's are going for $30,900 due to very strong incentives. No need for a used MDX or paying close to $30k for a Pilot when you can get an MDX for a few grand more. |
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| ecsw |
Reasons I didn't choose '06 Pathfinder....
1. Windshield is way smaller than Pilot (limited viewing while driving)
2. driving over 2500~3000 rpm you can hear the revving from the engine very loud.
3. 3rd row is way too small and 2nd row is not movable.
4. 4.0L V6 is not as gas efficient as Pilot's 3.5L V6. |
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| sg207ptg |
Here are my personal impression of the 3:
Pathfinder: drove a new rental for 2 weeks in CA. Being more off road capable, it does not seem to have as good road handling as the Pilot. Engine seems pretty strong. Agree with comment above about gas mileage. Pathfinder has overhead air ducts which I think work more efficient than the Pilot. However I have read somewhere that the Pilot AC is one of the strongest and it does cool down the cabin fast on hot days.
Pilot: replace your OEM tires (put them on Craigslist, perhaps) ASAP and you will see better handling still, night and day. Love the huge center console. Very practical and useful.
MDX: testdrove it but though it's not worth the extra money, at least in my case it's a lease and I got a very good lease deal on the Pilot. Gear shift lever moved to the center console but then you lose all that space. |
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| sg207ptg |
| One more thing, the rear door handles on the Pathfinder are designed high on the door frames. I have a friend who drives one and told me his smaller kids cannot reach to them. Something to think about if you happen to have younger children. |
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| Gromulus |
Well I compared the Pilot, MDX, 4Runner, and GX extensively back a few years back and chose the V8 4Runner Limited and have never looked back. :) As Scoob indicated, there are plenty of threads comparing the two.
Sounds like the Pilot may fit your urban lifestyle better. Also, it seems Honda has worked out the tranny problems that plagued many of the earlier Pilots and MDXs.
IMO I never thought the MDX was worth the extra $ over the Pilot....but......this may change for 2007. The new MDX will have Honda's SW-AWD (Super handling all-wheel drive) system that was introduced on the Acura RL). This is a MUCH more sophisticated and aggressive AWD system than the VTM-4 reactive system offered on the Pilot and current MDX. From what I read this system will NOT be offered on the new Pilot. Also, the MDX tow rating was increased to 5000# Handling is reporetedly significantly better in the Sport optioned model as well. The new engine is a 3.7 liter V6 with 300 hp and 275 lb-ft of torque. Time will tell to see how much of this technology will trickle down to future Pilot models. As a supplier to Honda/Acura and Toyota/Lexus I can say that Honda is doing more these days to differentiate the Honda and Acura models.
I would check out the 2007 MDX..
http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/d...rticleId=116651 |
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| tfrain |
I went through the same/similiar thing. In my opinion, the MDX rides rougher. It is sportier, but that results in a rougher ride. Plus with the shifter in the console you lose a ton of storage that the Pilot has. Plus I don't like all the fancy smanshy stuff in the MDX that can break. The pilot also has seating for 1 extra person in 3rd Row.
The 4 Runner Rocks! It really does. Rides nice. Quality Japanese built vehicle with good fit and finish. But the inside just feels small. You get in and you're like - Hey where did all the space I see on the outside go? With a baby seat in the middle of the back seat in the 4R only a 98 pound girl can sit on either side of it, which sucks. Plus if you can find one with the 3rd row, no normal human can sit back there. Your head smashes into the roof. I know it is built for kids to sit there, but I 5'10" can actually sit in the pilot 3rd row. The pilot is a much better value as well, you just get more for the same/less money. Honda doesn't do all the stupid packages like toyota where you have to buy this package or that package in that region to get the options you want. All pilots are optioned out the same which is nice.
The pathfinder has bad fit and finish. You can take your fingernail and pull the plastic door panel back where it meets the housing for the window switch. That was all it took for me to get out of that thing. They are fast though.
We narrowed down to 4R and Pilot. Wife actually like the 4R better driving it, but when we got back in the Pilot (right next door to the Toyota dealership - we went back and forth) it just felt cavernous, with sunroof and basically EVERYTHING, and it was cheaper.
Get the Pilot. |
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| HDClown |
Search is over, picked up a lightly used CPO 2006 MDX Touring w/NAV and RES today, Silver on Gray.
My wife read a lot of comments about the 4runner feeling very small inside. She's short (5'4") but didn't like the idea of feeling cramped, even if she wasn't. So she decided to not even consider looking at a 4runner. She also decided she hated the rear-end of the new Pathfinder, so she didn't want to look at this. I was fine by this anyway, since I was trying to push her into a car based SUV, which left us Pilot and MDX. The 07 MDX was out of the question, which is expected to start at 41k (which meant I'm looking at at least 45k optioned the way we want), and I think it's god-aweful ugly too.
Onto the cars. we drove an 07 Pilot EX-L w/NAV, and our MDX is an 06 Touring w/NAV+RES, lightly used, and CPO'd. I believe it to be the same one I mentioned in my first post, but had no way to confirm.
I thought the MDX road better then the Pilot on local roads. Highway was pretty much even. I thought I read the 07 Pilot's had better tires. Maybe it was improper inflation? Or do the 07's still have "poor" tires?
We found the seats in the MDX to be more comfortable. However, This could be attributed to them already being broken in since the MDX was used and the Pilot brand new.
I agree with those have said the MDX is similar to the pilot, but it's also not the same. When you sit inside, you can really see this in my opinion.
Price was, the MDX was 36,994 (new it was 45k), which is a tidy price over the crazy deals some have been getting on 06 Pilots. However, almost every last 06 pilot from local dealers sold last weekend. I couldn't find the right one w ith options and colors. Which left me looking at 32-34k for an 07 EX-L w/ NAV in 2wd.
As for the MDX being worth an extra 5k, I suppose that's debatable. The Pilot has an extremely close feature set to the MDX. There are extra gimmicks in the MDX that most people probably don't find to be worth the extra money, but my wife and I are both suckers for some of the few extras. 2 big ones were the rear vents being fan controlled, not just temp only like in the Pilot, and the MDX has seat memory options, which is very useful as I drive her car a lot. The wife and I are big on aesthetics as well, and we liked the MDX looks more then the Pilot.
While I don't expect to need much warranty coverages on a Honda made vehicle, the Acura has better coverages. My Acura dealer offers has a fleet of 30 dealer provided Acura's that they provide you for any service more then an oil change, free of charge, no rental cars.
The wife was most happy with the MDX, but could have gone either way. However, since it wasn't looking to be "easy" to get that 5k+ saving Pilot, and the wife really preferred the MDX, I was OK to spend the extra money.
Now, does anyone happen to know how I go about finding out the most recent NAV software version for the MDX, and where to get the newer versions? |
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