Honda Pil0t... thoughts?

[Willard]

I am looking at a 2004 Pil0t (70,000 miles) (there is no issue with the tranny '2nd gear' recall).
One owner no accidents. EX (cloth/climate control/tint)

Any thoughts on them?

On e-ghey: The 2004's range from $12k to $16k depending on trim level.

At 70mph = 2000rpms = very nice.
3.5L VTAK torque =

Drive by cable =

Key issues:
-Gas milage = so-so... but you can use 87 octane. (~23ish on the highway (unloaded)) (~high teens in the city?)
-How can you improve the gas milage? (Intake/vafc?/exhaust)?
-Tires = can some lower friction units (vs. LT units) be fitted w/o issue?
-Price range (under $15k sound ok)
-Major service = 109,000 miles (IIRC) for the timing belt/etc. (any other expensive work?)
-Steel wheel for a full size spare = can you get them (not at the dealer)?
-Power steering and tranny coolers = install just to over protect?
-What else is prone to breaking?

Thanks,
Willis

[get RIGHT]

As a Honda salesman: Pilots have really led the way in the midsize SUV class.
Its a great ride for what it is. Safe, reliable, car like in its ride.
If I hadnt already promised myself a Ridgeline, I would want one too.

Have you considered leasing?
The Pilots right now have an outragous lease rate. You can lease an 08 with WAAY more features than an 04 for a fraction of the cost of buying used.

[Bbasso]

Is that the one I have seen in person and that I know about or are you thinking of a different one?
It's a Honda, just do the maintance and use

[Willard]

Have you considered leasing?
The Pilots right now have an outragous lease rate.

Lease = does not compute.

A 2008 EX = out the door for ~$29k (@2.9%) = nice deal... if I could afford it.

A used 'purchase' is my deal for right now until the cash flow situation changes.


I know that the Pil0t has changed things for the mid sized SUV... they are 'everywhere' here in Charl0tte.
I have not heard anything bad about them other than the 2nd gear recall and the gas mileage (which is not that bad for the size).

[Willard]

Is that the one I have seen in person and that I know about or are you thinking of a different one?
It's a Honda, just do the maintance and use

It is the one you are thinking of.
Maintance = change oil and drive. I won't know what to do with myself if that is the case.

I will then have some time to prepare the wagon for E8.


ALL of the service has been done (oil/tranny/rear end/engine filter/cabin filter)... and the price is right.
I checked it over this past weekend and everything looked great to me.
The brake pads still have ~1/2 life left (@ 70,000 miles!!!)

It will need 2 tires in about 10k miles (it is currently on a "2 tire at a time" purchase schedule).

Other than a little rattle over near the passenger side mirror area... it is perfect.

It will need a good scrubbing and a nice polish/wax.
I will flush the brake fluid with some Honda stuff... and look things over closer once I decide to get her home.

The "major service" is at 109k miles (from what Yack said).

I can't understand why H0nda would want to cover the engine up with all of those plastic pieces.

If it is under $14k I will get it... I guess.
With our tax refund checks and the 'P.O.S. economy check' we will be over 1/3 of the way towards the purchase price.

VTAKK here I come.

[Bbasso]

wanna trade services, full detail+ cash for trans work? LOL!

I understand the reluctantancey to buy... it is a SUV but with the history and price plus it's a honda Just get it.

[Willard]

wanna trade services, full detail+ cash for trans work? LOL!

I understand the reluctantancey to buy... it is a SUV but with the history and price plus it's a honda Just get it.

trans work = titts.
I can do that. Just getting me and the trans in the same spot =

Detail = the first words out of Nic's mouth when I said 'clean it up a little' were "can Rob come visit again? We will give him cash to make it shine again plus he will be able to get the scratches out of the paint from the dog".

SUV = gas monster... but history/hounda/price =
It gets about the same mileage as the '93 wagon... but uses 87 vs. 93. There is a 'little' more room inside of the pilot... plus the dual a/c = nicey nice.

Interior = brown/tan... so dirt does not show up much at all.

[splat]

At least joo still have one brick at the haus

Put a prancing moose sticker on the Pilot

[Bbasso]

Just getting me and the trans in the same spot =

And the Honda and me in the same spot =

But that should be changing in just a few weeks

[Willard]

The the trigger was pulled.

All it needs is:
-a 'good' cleaning (in and out)
-4 wheel alignment
-balance all tires (with rotation)

Room for the five of us =
It is so nice to have the 3rd row avaliable and not need to use it.

The girls' dvd player works fine and with the factory tint they can see movies better.
They can relax and stretch out without kicking the back of my seat.

It sucks to get low 20's (mileage).... but for the size of the auto... I guess that is a positive.

[Willard]

A quikc trip to the DMV went well this am.
The title/tags were all swapped to make the Pil0t and the wagon legal.

New insuranc3 cards will be here in a few days and then all that is left is the Pil0t's inspection.

[Bbasso]

congratulations !
3-4 weeks and I should be down there, hopefully for good.
then i'll be able to keep everyone's car clean

[get RIGHT]

Nice.

[Willard]

I took her by the autobell car wash on Saturday morning.
$19.95 later she was looking good (glass/paint/carpet/etc).

After that I went by and had the state inspection done ($30)... and she passed with flying colors (I was worried about 2 of the tires). Now she is 100% legal.

I then went to the gas station and filled her up with 87.
I checked our first tank of fuel and she gets ~19.0mpg (mixed but ~75% city).
We are still learning how to drive her to keep that tranny locked into OD at all times.

Other helpful tips I found on Hp.0rg
-keep speeds under 70mph
-nice wish/wax
-keep the a/c compressor off unless it is hot (it defaults to run all of the time)
-keep the tires aired up and aligned
-drive with a light foot.


I have been enjoying the VTAK pop from the 3.5L.... so mpg's will suffer for a little while.
I wish that Aem would sell a cold air intake for it.

It does not burn oil (5w-20 castrol) and goes 5000 miles between changes

http://www.hondacuraworld.com/Merchant2 ... ry_Code=HP
We are looking to get a cargo tray, set of rain guards, and MDX braces.

I hope to get the tires balanced and all 4 wheels aligned this Wed.

Other than that... just drive and enjoy.
So far so good.


Long range list:
-another tranny fluid flush (maybe buy the cooler and install that)
-flush the rear end again
-replacement set of tires (NOT the POFS OEM units)
-find another wheel for a full size spare
-slowly start buying parts for the 109,000 mile service (timing belt/water pump/tensioners/spark plugs/etc.)

[Erik95LS]

I wish that Aem would sell a cold air intake for it.

Talk to Merritt from Hybrid. She works for AEM and has the task of fitting/designing intakes for every vehicle under the sun.

Glad you're liking it though.

[Willard]

removing the air box intake baffle results in no mpg changes.

best so far is a little bit over 25mpg on the highway.
the trip to the beach later this month will be the true test. I hope for 24 or so with it fully loaded and the a/c blasting.

so far so good... almost time for my first oil change (going to do the rear diff at the same time).

next thing will be to flush the brake fluid and get some super blue in the system.

other than that just drive and wait till I have to buy tires.

[splat]

best so far is a little bit over 25mpg on the highway.

Niiice. What steps to accomplish that? Work buddy has an '03, and he's very curious to see how your mileage efforts go.

PS - That's better than the Pig got on her Expo tank - 23.6 :cries:

[Willard]

25mpg figure = hrmm... not sure if that was a real figure.

Here is the info link.
http://www.gassavers.org/garage/view/1897

Gaslog link = nice purdy chart

[get RIGHT]

25 aint bad. Are you still on the stock "Integrity" tires?

[Willard]

21.6 mpg average (city and highway) = not to shabby.

The 'Integrity' tires come on the newer 05+ (?) units.

I am still rocking the OEM tires (second set?).... POFS.
Mine has the Dueler H/T D684 units. Wow... I can't wait for them to burn off.
One of them has a slight cup (the alighment was slightly off) and makes a nice noise.

I went by the dealer yesterday and picked up gallon of VTM-4 and 4 qts. of ATF-Z1.... wow.... liquid gold I tell ya.
I want to flush the rear end and tranny before our trip to the beach on Sat.

I picked up those fluids along with a few crush washers (3) and a new oil drain plug and I was out $95.

[Bbasso]

speaking of spending mo money on the pil0t,,, want me to clay/polish/wax it before the trip?

[Willard]

I wish.... to be honest, I can't afford to take a dump much less bling out the Hounda.

Once the beach vacation is over I will get the sand out of the inside and give her a nice once over.
Then the clay/polish/wax can happen to prepare for this fall.

[Bbasso]

Understood, But my price is pretty low

[Willard]

Still above 20mpgs for my combined average.

I replaced the front rotors last night and will flush the brake fluid (ATE Supa-bl00) this weekend.
OE pads still have ~40% left in them at 78k miles! :O

Once the wagon is sold and I clean up a few bills... a set of tires will be installed and the alignment will be checked.

Might even order a rear cargo mat to keep that area clean.

So far so good... great purchase.

[Willard]

Tires are going to be mounted Wed. evening.

Just have to get a rear suspension bolt and bushing.
Stupid passengers side adjustment bolt is frozen to the inside of the suspension arm bushing. :sigh:

I will be taking a trip to Geneva NY at the end of this month and want to make sure the tires are smooth and the alignment is ready to rock!

The brakes are back to normal and the pedal feels a little bit better with the fresh fluid and front rotarz.


MPG's = all normal... and I hope that they go up with the fresh rubbers/alignment.