ellisnc

It has the new compact transmission introduced on the 03 MDX. No problems with the new design. That is one of the change points on the 06 model Pilot. IIRC both 2WD and 4WD get this upgrade.

All the cars that have had trouble are the old design based on the 2000-2001 TL 5AT I believe. Accord trouble should be minor, it was mainly Odyssey, TL, and CL produced from 2000 to 2002 I think that had trouble.

DiamondDave2005

My neighbors love their '04 Pilot.

QUIKAG

Wow, almost universal praise. Trying to steer the wife towards one of these in the next several months. She was thinking a certifed pre-owned RX330 as well, but the Pilot almost seems better for less money and it would be new.

We've driven the RX330 at length as that is the car they always give her at the Lexus dealer when her IS300 is in for service. It's a nice enough ride, but gawd, is it bland and boring to drive. It's quiet, rides good, and gets around town nicely, but that is it.

Tugz_S2K

Wonderful SUV....my aunt has a 05 Pilot and uncle has a 04 Pilot. Both have been trouble free and they drive like a high quality refined car. Excellent resale value too..

As for the Toyota Highlander and Lexus RX330....complelty boring in comparison. Pilot feels more like a sports car then the Highlander.

alexchou

we have 2 pilots in my family and i think it's a pretty nice car with plenty of room for 7. the 06 gets new navigation and minor styling changes, which i like the front more than the taillights. overall it's very nice full size SUV compare with the competitors.

geezer

My wife loves hers.
The only drawback might be roadnoise.
If you can live with that it really is one of the best out there.

TheChemist

For 99% of how SUV's are used daily, the Pilot is great (my wife has an '05). It can hold 8 in a pinch (last row is best for young ones). Mileage is reasonable for something this heavy...acceleration and braking are pretty good-handling is not too bad either. It's comfortable and relatively quiet...unless you're trying to impress the neighbors (or folks at the club), this is a very good SUV for the money. Also, I believe that the cylinder deactivation is only available on the (new for '06) 2WD only. If you want 4WD, then the engine is the same as the '05.
Good luck!

MDXLuvr

"the wife" huh

I like the Pillot but IMHO a used MDX is a better choice. More luxurious interior, quieter, more standard equipment etc etc.

weaknesses: ITS not a true SUV. Obviously you know that already.

The MDX/Pilot twins are IMHO wagons with some off road capabilities and some towing capabilities. Obviously you are going to do much "offoroading" in DFW, and you already have a Silverado for towing. So that should be a mute point.

I loved my MDX. Can't wait to see what the next gen offers.

btw, missed you at the DE last wknd

QUIKAG

Thanks for the info. MDXlover. Rick wasn't able to get me in at the last minute. I'm doing the 12/12 event for sure though, presuming the extension on the track is complete. You going to be there?

steve c

Drive one.

Good all around, but cheap interior, the seats are a bit uncomfortable (at least for me) and near zero capabilities off road.

If you need to haul people around they are a great choice -- but wouldn't the Odyssey -- which is really what it is anyway -- be a better choice?

If you need a real SUV at the sacrafice of space the SR5 4runner is in that range with the V8. I rented one last week. Quite a bit of power, a lot less space, feels more dated but has a proper 4X4 system with better ground clearance, approach/departure angles etc.

The Highlander like you say is smaller.

The next gen RAV4 should debut soon too (I thought this spring?). ~300hp seating for 7 around 30k new ... a direct competitor to the Pilot/MDX series.