Today I learned

"Logansteno: Bought a VW?" (logansteno)
10/28/2014 at 19:34 • Filed to: None

First-gen Honda Pilot had a column shifter and locking diffs.

I have added respect for Honda for doing that.

...and that respect was instantly lost with the second-gen's shifter.

What the hell is with Japanese manufacturers and putting the shifter not on the console, not on the column, but on the fucking center stack?

I know Toyota does that in their minivan, and the Prii, and I think Nissan does too on a couple cars. I don't get it.

DISCUSSION (33)

Denver Is Stuck In The 90s > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
10/28/2014 at 19:38

Mechanically speaking, its basically my dads van in a SUV body + locking diffs, which IMO Is better

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
10/28/2014 at 19:41

Because of space. If the shifter is up there, it is not wasting cargo space. Lot's of people would much rather have the space. I'd love to have my shifter there, if it meant I got cup holders big enough to hold a cup.

Leadbull > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
10/28/2014 at 19:44

Ever driven an Element w/ a stick?

It's actually a really ergonomic spot for the shifter.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
10/28/2014 at 19:44

They could save just as much space with a column shifter. And it doesn't look like a growth on the center stack.

PushToStart > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
10/28/2014 at 19:45

Kinja'd!!!

yeah, but the Prius has this kickass gated shifter, bro

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > PushToStart
10/28/2014 at 19:46

I'm trying to figure out where everything is, and it's not making sense.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > Leadbull
10/28/2014 at 19:48

I personally don't think so. It block buttons on the stack from the driver's view, I can't set my hand on it when my arms on the armrest...

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
10/28/2014 at 19:48

It's just more convenient. I know it sounds wrong, but it is. You can see it, it isn't hidden behind the wheel. Also, it isn't buried with the steering column, so when the linkage gets loose(if it has a mechanical linkage), it's right there beside you and not in a bad spot.

Denver Is Stuck In The 90s > Leadbull
10/28/2014 at 19:49

I have seen one, the shifter position looks funky

PS9 > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
10/28/2014 at 19:50

Your first mistake was having respect for the Honda Pilot.

Alex B > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
10/28/2014 at 19:50

The column shifter is gross. Do not want.

m-b-w loves his SUBAROO > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
10/28/2014 at 19:51

My mom had 3 first gen pilots and 1 second gen. I greatly preferred the 2003,2005, and 2008 to the 2011.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > PS9
10/28/2014 at 19:52

Only momentarily. It's back to being just another wannabe SUV clogging roads.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > Alex B
10/28/2014 at 19:52

BUT THE GROWTH ON THE CENTER STACK ISN'T!?

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > m-b-w loves his SUBAROO
10/28/2014 at 19:53

You mom must really like the Pilot.

PS9 > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
10/28/2014 at 19:54

Well, maybe the next pilot will have a longitudinally mounted engine with V8 and diesel opt-AHAHAHAHAHAHA. I couldn't type that whole thing with a straight face.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > PS9
10/28/2014 at 19:56

Your first mistake was thinking Honda would be making their first V8 any time soon.

Alex B > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
10/28/2014 at 19:56

No, that's okay. It's like a modern column shifter.

Leadbull > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
10/28/2014 at 19:56

I think your face is far back enough from the wheel that the field of vision thing isn't a problem.

You don't need to touch an auto shifter while you're driving. If you rest your hand on a manual shifter, you should quit doing that .

m-b-w loves his SUBAROO > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
10/28/2014 at 19:57

She liked the first and second ones, but after those two, she wanted something else, but my dad was too stubborn to switch to a different make. Once she started the divorce, she gave him the pilot, and sold our 2010 Accord (which I had outgrown) and purchased a 2009 ford flex.

Leadbull > Denver Is Stuck In The 90s
10/28/2014 at 19:57

It's a racecar shifter position, yo.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > Alex B
10/28/2014 at 19:58

No, this is a modern column shifter:

Kinja'd!!!

That whatever it is is just ugly and intrusive.

PS9 > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
10/28/2014 at 20:01

You spelled 'ever' wrong.

Fookin' Prawns > PushToStart
10/28/2014 at 20:03

I drove one for two years and never noticed that. Just like a Ferrari.

Alex B > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
10/28/2014 at 20:06

Kinja'd!!!

mercedes has the best column shifter in my opinion.

Fookin' Prawns > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
10/28/2014 at 20:07

My parents have a 2002 Pilot (the first one in LA, I think) and we've used the locking diff twice. Once on a gravel trail in Utah, and another time when I drove up our slippery, high-grade lawn. It's nice to have it as an option.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > Alex B
10/28/2014 at 20:12

That shit is a re-purposed blinker stalk.

Alex B > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
10/28/2014 at 20:16

But you would ever know what it was unles you drove the car. Which is good.

PushToStart > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
10/28/2014 at 20:44

http://blogs.cars.com/.a/6a00d83451b…