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GMC Acadia or Honda Pilot - Click HERE for Original Thread
86LXJunker
Ok - First let me start out by saying that we are a GM family. Over that past 6 years we bought my 02 2500HD - and then 02 Trailblazer. We sold the Trailblazer in 04 and bought a new Z-71 Tahoe. My deal with my wife is that we buy her a new car every 3 years because we use it to commute to work together. We liked the Tahoe so much we kept it an extra year. So now its time to trade in the Tahoe and buy something new.

We really want to buy an Acadia - but cant seem to be able to pull the trigger. I cant get past the High Sticker price of a SLT2 Acadia - your looking at over 45k for a 'mid sized' CUV. Thats the same price I paid for the Tahoe. Also - with Bernacki lowering interest rates almost every day(not really) - Just seems like it - I cant get past the lack of good interest rates GM is offering....If they went to 1.9 or even 2.9 - it will make it easier to swallow the higher price - but 5.9 or 6.9 is ridiculous.

Now for the Pilot - so the new 09's are coming out within a month - Correct ? - so the dealers are really pushing the 08s. I see people on this board paying 3500 less then invoice. Plus I think Honda is doing 2.9%. Thats 29k+/- for a loaded Pilot. One of the Top rated Mid SUV's out there.

Another thing that bothers me - is that I am looking to get around - maybe if I am lucky- 15k for my Tahoe in trade - thats a huge hit off the 45k sticker - where I see trades for 04 Pilots getting 19k/20k when the sticker was only 34k.

Am I going to be hit on the Acadia just like the Tahoe in 3 years - because its not a "Honda or Toyota" ? - I really want to stay GM - but the High Price and High Interest rates GM has is killing me !!!

I know this is Honda board but so I may get flamed - but you guys are making it really easy to Switch over !!!!

:confused:
Rally Pilot
I understand what you are going through. . . I have an 05 EX-L Pilot and my lease is up this June .
I am actually looking at the Acadia & Saturn Outlook OR wait for the '09 Pilot to hit the showroom or just get an 08 SE ! I want a little better MPG than my 05 returns (21 hwy) and the GM's are rated @ 24 .... just waiting for more details on the 09 Honda ... the poss 6spd auto will help and maybe give me the same return.
I was thinking of a Diesel, but with that over $4.20 / gal in western NY already , forget that ! Where oh where can I find a Hybrid Pilot (Honda ?), damn Highlander is tmfm ($40k) . Keep us updated which way you choose.
jdeanski
quote:
Originally posted by Rally Pilot
I understand what you are going through. . .


I do to..............What we have from GM is "new thinking" and "old thinking". The new is that GM has built a really good and competitive SUV. The bad is that GM has always used their trucks and SUV's as their cash cows and they're trying to push the price upward. Right now Honda isn't playing that game. We'll see what the '09 lists for................
switch
Have you considered the Highlander?

Or if you liked your Tahoe so much, how about a new Tahoe?
deparson
I don't know about the GMs but many American brand cars sell for far below invoice these days; even new models.

What is the difference between the expected purchase price of the two cars?
mtryb
Based on edmunds.com data ( http://www.edmunds.com/new/2008/hon...=2&setzip=18848 ) you will take a bath on the Acadia.

Edmunds says Acadia SLT-2 AWD purchase for $43,294 will be worth $22,436 (51.82%) in year 3 or a loss of $20,858

The same source says that the Pilot EX-L Nav AWD would be purchased for $32,656 (you can probably do better but ignore that for now) will be worth $20,102 (61.56%) in year 3 which is a loss of $12,554.

If you like both vehicles, the Pilot makes much more financial sense as you start out with almost $10,000 more in your pocket and in 3 years they will both be worth about the same money (within 10% of each other).

Good luck on whatever you decide to do.

mtryb
deparson
Ok, I will answer my own question.

The SLT-2 with as similar equipment to the Pilot EX-L NAV as I could find has an invoice of $38,500 less $500 cash rebate. Subtract from that the dealer hold back and you could get it for under $37,000.

The Pilot should run about $29,000 if I recall.

Note: To get the sticker of the SLT-2 up to the 45K you quoted you would have to add a TON of equipment that is not available on the Pilot at any cost. e.g. HUD, HID, etc. That would not be a good comparison IMO.

quote:
Originally posted by deparson
I don't know about the GMs but many American brand cars sell for far below invoice these days; even new models.

What is the difference between the expected purchase price of the two cars?

catsailr
My wife likes the new Buick Enclave and is considering trading new 05 RL for one. The 05 Acura RL with 50K miles has a tradein value of $21,000. Not to good for a sticker price of $50,000. Don't believe the Acaida of Enclave would do any worse.

I was considering trading my 05 Pilot for a Tahoe until I checked the resale values. An 05 Tahoe is worth about $1,000 more than an 05 Pilot, but costs about $12,000 more when new.
rocky
Don Willens would drool to see this thread!

If you use the Tahoe for heavy towing, then the Pilot may well disappoint. Face it there is nothing like a large vehicle with V8 to keep a trailer under control

Math wise there is no comparasion with the Pilot being the better deal and you sound like me with to much data to make a choice.

Do a comparison matrix. Chose 5-8 things that matter to you and your wife in a car. Rate each car either 1 or 2 (or if three cars 3) see who wins. then buy that car

EG Fuel Economy, purchase price, resale price, cost of servicing, comfort, space, insurance, ride handling noise
colorider
Welcome to HP.org 86LXJunker!! There have been several threads on the Acadia over the last year or so. A couple got a little wild due to one person that worked for GM. Seems all he wanted to do was stir the pot. In any case, we are glad you joined and I think you will find what you are looking for here.

Good Luck!

(moving this to Comparisons)

:)
jl_ss
quote:
Originally posted by catsailr
My wife likes the new Buick Enclave and is considering trading new 05 RL for one. The 05 Acura RL with 50K miles has a tradein value of $21,000. Not to good for a sticker price of $50,000. Don't believe the Acaida of Enclave would do any worse.

I was considering trading my 05 Pilot for a Tahoe until I checked the resale values. An 05 Tahoe is worth about $1,000 more than an 05 Pilot, but costs about $12,000 more when new.



The Acura RL is not a good comparison, as it is not typical of Acura/Honda resale. It is generally recognized as an overpriced vehicle compared to it's competition and Acura needs heavy rebates to move them.
ptsmh73
If you plan to use the back seat for passengers, check it closely. There is little leg room and under seat sapce compared to Pilot.
86LXJunker
All of your responses have been great - Thanks !

As for the current Tahoe - we do not use it for what it was intended. We have no kids - We have never towed anything with it....We never carry anything large - thats what my Silverado is for....we only use it for a commuter car - It was really kind of a waste, but we hated the Trailblazer so much and GM was doing 0% on the Tahoe at the time so we said what the heck !! Because 99% of our driving is highway - we average 16 mpg with the Tahoe - so I would expect the Pilot to be at 20 or better ?

As for the Acadia - Yes the 45k sticker is pretty much for a Fully Loaded one....with NAV & DVD - HUD - all the toys - I know you cant get all of that in a Pilot - So its not a fair 100% comparison...but its seems around here - the GMC dealers order the Acadia's Loaded with all the toys or they order them with nothing - cloth - no toys etc.

jdeanski - I agree with you 100% - GM is doing just that - they have special financing or Cash back on all models except for the Acadia and the New Malibu. But I guess it makes sense - if I was a business owner - I would be doing the same thing. The Acadias around here a selling like crazy - they cant keep them on the lot - so why discount them.

We are going to stop tomorrow and see what our local Honda dealer has in stock for Pilots - if nothing works out - I have heard allot about BOCH Honda in MA - it seems that that are the #1 Honda dealer in North America - the say the beat all other dealers hands down in pricing. So it maybe worth it for me to take the hour drive up.

I really feel the Pilot is the best option for us right now - but I will keep you posted.
jay
I'd be surprised to see you get 20 or better mpg with the Pilot, but if my choice was GM or die, you could kiss my butt goodbye!:1:
colorider
quote:
Originally posted by jay
I'd be surprised to see you get 20 or better mpg with the Pilot.


At "99% highway", it might happen, depending on speed, etc, particularly if he is getting 16 today with the Tahoe under similar conditions.
jay
quote:
Originally posted by colorider


At "99% highway", it might happen, depending on speed, etc, particularly if he is getting 16 today with the Tahoe under similar conditions.

That was essentially my original post. :p If you could get 16 from a Tahoe, 20 from a Pilot is possible.
86LXJunker
So is 20 not possible with a Pilot ? We are getting 16 with the Tahoe - the Driver Info Center right now with 75k miles of calulations say I have averaged 15.8 miles over the life of my ownership. I have manually calculated the milege as opposed to the DIC and have come with over 16 mpg quite regularly.

So what are you guys getting with your Pilots - I figured I would be able to get 20 easy ?:confused:

If thats not the case - I may have to look at other options. Even the new Tahoe is stating 19 highway with the Displacment on Demand.
jay
The gas mileage thread is here.
86LXJunker
Thanks Jay - Looks like I should expect around 20 +/-

Oh - quick question - How are the Pilots in the Snow ???
jdeanski
quote:
Originally posted by 86LXJunker
So is 20 not possible with a Pilot ?


Through 10 fill up's so far this year I have averaged 20.84 MPG!!!! Best was on a 290 mile 90% interstate trip at 22.41MPG, worst was 19.21 in town!
NJGuy
quote:
Originally posted by 86LXJunker
Thanks Jay - Looks like I should expect around 20 +/-

Oh - quick question - How are the Pilots in the Snow ???



A 4WD Pilot should have no problems in the snow in your area. The only weak point of the Pilot in this case would be the OEM tires, which many members here would recommend upgrading. I haven't had any major traction issues with the Goodyear Integrities in the snow; but there are many better all-season SUV tires on the market to choose from if you're truly concerned about winter weather and want a feeling of higher confidence. There's lots of info in the Tires & Wheels section of this site.
86LXJunker
OK - so we went and Test Drove the Pilot today - an EXL w/Nav - Pretty nice SUV. It was allot bigger then I expected it to be. The interior was nicely laid out and didnt seem cheap and 'plasticky' except for the the trim ring around the Nav unit, it looked really cheap. The price was 29,898 with the 3,500 Factory to dealer cash or 30,898 w 2500 and 2.9% for 5 years. Now the problem of course came when we talked trade of my 04 Z71 Tahoe - they wanted to give me 11k. I laughed at them. The truck is mint - It looks exactly like to did on the showroom and it was meticulous maintained. BUT I guess it doesnt matter anymore. I should of treated it like a piece of junk - never changed the oil - got stains all over the interior and they would have offered me the same amount.

Now its off to the GMC & Saturn dealers to test drive the Acadia & Outlook this weekend.

I am thinking the GM dealers should recognize a Mint Tahoe when they see one....right

I might bring the Tahoe to Carmax and see what they offer ?
2garfields
When I traded in my 01 Nissan Pathfinder LE 4WD with 44k miles three weeks ago for my 06 Pilot EX-L w RES (CPO), the Honda dealer first gave me an offer of $6500. After 30 mines of "Back & Forward" game with the sale person & his manager, they finally offered me $11,000, plus I managed to lock down $1G on the pilot's asking price.

Some cars have better resell value than the others, & I believe GM is not one of them. Service records didn’t mean a thing to most of the dealerships I visited, when I told them my Pathfinder was serviced by the book.
Buckwheat
The Acaida has no headroom, if you have the DVD screen down and look in the rear view mirror the DVD screen fills the hole mirror. The Toyota and Nissans are even worse on headroom.:2: :2:
2garfields
I totally agree with the headroom, the pilot has much more headroom than Pathfinder.
jdeanski
quote:
Originally posted by 2garfields
I totally agree with the headroom, the pilot has much more headroom than Pathfinder.


.......and why I bought a Pilot instead of a 4Runner. No headroom, no carge room and a truck ride.
86LXJunker
Ended up buying the Pilot - pick it up on Monday.

I couldnt get past the 2.9% and 2500 rebate......and GM with 500 rebate OR 7.9% for 60 months....

GM loss.
Paul.V
86LxJunker, similar here...always had GM...now gone from 2007 SLE sierra Crew to 2004PilotXLE...whole family loves it...even tows great. I got a set of mich winters...we had alot of snow here last year....
Other car is Corolla....first time in my life GM free...last good GM I had was 93 transport...had 340000Kms before I sold it still running strong.
Hope you love your new pilot as much as we love our 04!
Paul
Bowzer
Like many, we shopped the Lambda's heavily. Looked at the Saturn Outlook and Buick Enclave in particular. Doubts on the real world gas mileage, documented problems with engine and transmission, and lack of capacity to quickly fix the problems were too close to traditional GM issues I did not want to be part of. I think the Enclave is a good choice once they work some bugs out.

So we're finishing month 1 with an 08 Pilot...loving it. My 6th Honda, grew up with many GMs good and bad. Always have appreciated the consistency in Honda as much as anything.

May still get an Enclave in a couple of years but the Pilot will stay, too. (Three growing kids to tote around.)

Hope you're having good luck with yours!

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