Calling all pilots! (Er...drivers of pilots)

"Grindintosecond" (Grindintosecond)
01/03/2019 at 17:04 • Filed to: None

Mrs. Grind is in agreement with a Honda Pilot. I’m fairly alright with this. What Oppos present have one and are they just all around really nice as i’m led to believe? I am wary of that optional 9 speed the trim levels we’ re going to shop will most likely have. Having a bit of bag space behind the 3rd row is huge over the crampish highlander and the more spacious and torquey VW Atlas is so unknown for any reliability concerns, this 3 gen pilot seems the way. We keep stuff 10 years or so . We need that kind of thing. The ex-l and upwith awd and leather is our range.

DISCUSSION (15)

HammerheadFistpunch > Grindintosecond
01/03/2019 at 17:16

The only thing I hear with the pilots that’s a concern is the transmission doesn’t love towing, if you plan to use all 5000 lbs, get an aux transmission cooler. The transmission (6 speed) is the Honda type as an automated manual and it shares cooling with the iVTM4 unit which if you put a demand on either it can overheat.

Grindintosecond > HammerheadFistpunch
01/03/2019 at 17:20

Ah. Ok thanks. Not planning a tow but we are in mountain areas at times...never steep stuff though. If temp is all then thatll be something to watch. If its anything like the ridgeline has ist dash light monitor is pretty goid and well get a cooler on it if we start seeing that light showing up.

Manny05x > Grindintosecond
01/03/2019 at 17:23

Have you looked at the CX 9? I went to a mazda dealer and they had a deeply discounted 2017.

Under_Score > Grindintosecond
01/03/2019 at 17:29

My mom has a CR-V of that parts-bin era and she absolutely loves it. 32,000 miles and not a single problem. I’m around 6’5” and I fit in all three rows of the Pilot with the seats adjusted to good positions. The 2016+ is a massive upgrade compared to the old model, so this is a good way to go. The Pilot and the Atlas are both nice places to sit, based on an auto show trip.

TheRevanchist > Grindintosecond
01/03/2019 at 17:52

We have a 2007 Pilot (wife’s old car) , but that isn’t useful to you in any way.

camarov6rs > Grindintosecond
01/03/2019 at 17:54

Looked into the new Traverse? For pure size it seems to have the most space behind the 3rd row while leaving decent room for humans.

WilliamsSW > Grindintosecond
01/03/2019 at 18:23

My dad has a current gen (cloth interior) and my brother has a previous gen. Both seem to be very happy with them, but one is just used as a kid hauler, the other one (my dad’s) doesn’t even do that, really. But no troubles with either.

vicali > Grindintosecond
01/03/2019 at 18:42

Two Pilots in the family, 2006 and 2008.. Both are perfectly good at transporting people all over the place.

https://oppositelock.kinja.com/inlaws-new-ride-1793203558

BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind > HammerheadFistpunch
01/03/2019 at 19:50

Is the Pilots setup different than the Ridgeline? I regularly tow a ~4000lb trailer with a first gen Ridgeline and haven’t had any trouble.

BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind > Grindintosecond
01/03/2019 at 19:53

To echo everyone else, it’s a good, solid ride. Boring, but solid. Cheap feeling inside, but wears well.

I have more faith in VW than most, so I’d probably take the Atlas. Have you driven a Subaru Ascent? ; they’re also wonderful.

HammerheadFistpunch > BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind
01/03/2019 at 20:33

i think the 1st Gen ridgy had a bigger trans cooler with the towing package

E92M3 > Grindintosecond
01/03/2019 at 21:13

If you get a 2019, the ZF 9 spd trans has updated software that is supposed to solve most of the com plaints.

I just spent a week driving a 2017 MDX Advanced. It had the same 9spd, and I didn’t think it was that bad. The first gear shift coming from a stop (I think it starts off i n 2nd gear unless you punch it) could be smoother/quicker , but after that it was fine.

I own dead car brands only > Grindintosecond
01/04/2019 at 00:16

What about the Durango? I have one and let me tell you....I ABSOLUTELY love it. This from a guy who drove tu ned turbo Saab's for 10 years

Grindintosecond > BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind
01/04/2019 at 12:47

I just watched this. Whoever Alex is, he is really good at reviews like this. Avoided interior comparos and got down to the real stuff t hat matters in comparing them. Really like this guy.

BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind > Grindintosecond
01/04/2019 at 17:12

You’re right, that’s one of the best evaluative reviews I’ve ever seen. Makes a good case for the Subaru, no? The Pilot (with the 6 speed) likely will last longer with less maintenance; the Subaru likely will hold its value better. Seems like you can’t go wrong with either, really.