Thinking about purchasing a used pilot

[dudeman893]

Hi, I am currently looking at a Used 2003 Pilot EX-L for purchase. It currently has 108K miles on it. Is there any known problems with a high mileage pilot as long as it is maintained well? Anything I need to look for?

[ctobio]

At this mileage, you should change the timing belt.

[rocky]

He's right, though it should have been done at the 105k service. That service alone as it covers so many things is a $1k expense.

So worth checking.

[youbetcha]

Originally posted by rocky
He's right, though it should have been done at the 105k service. That service alone as it covers so many things is a $1k expense.

So worth checking.

I bet they sold the car before they did that service!!

[N_Jay]

The only "weak" points seem to be:
1) Some high mileage transmission failures
2) The AC fan transistor (more an an annoyance than anything else)
3) Some front-end clunks (and shock replacement all around)
4) Some recurring EGR issues

None of these are very common, but might be seen as slightly more common than expected on a Honda.

Mine is an '03 with 130,000 that we still take on regular 2,000 miles trips fully loaded.
I have had 1 #2, and 1 #4 (under warranty), a little #3, and get nervous about every shift that does not feel exactly right )#1).

[dudeman893]

Thanks, I "was" thinking about buying one. I am going to the acura dealer tonight. I could afford an acura mdx, but right now I really don't want to be paying that monthly payment plus the premium gas. So I am looking for something cheap, but it seems that too cheap will get me in trouble.

I was talking to a honda dealer and said that the honda pilot could last over 200k miles. I know thats not true for every single suv that comes off their lot, but I asked him the percentage and he said %90. I'm know that was a sales tatic. I am a do-it-yourself type of person and not worried about changing the oil, filter, AT fluid, timing belts, but I know honda's can be expensive outside the warranty.

Would putting $1000 into it really be worth it?

[N_Jay]

Originally posted by dudeman893
Thanks, I "was" thinking about buying one. I am going to the acura dealer tonight. I could afford an acura mdx, but right now I really don't want to be paying that monthly payment plus the premium gas. So I am looking for something cheap, but it seems that too cheap will get me in trouble.

I was talking to a honda dealer and said that the honda pilot could last over 200k miles. I know thats not true for every single suv that comes off their lot, but I asked him the percentage and he said %90. I'm know that was a sales tatic. I am a do-it-yourself type of person and not worried about changing the oil, filter, AT fluid, timing belts, but I know honda's can be expensive outside the warranty.

Would putting $1000 into it really be worth it?

I think the MDX of similar years (or a year earlier) has about the same issues. '02 MDX = 03 Pilot, etc.

[jl_ss]

Originally posted by dudeman893
Thanks, I "was" thinking about buying one. I am going to the acura dealer tonight. I could afford an acura mdx, but right now I really don't want to be paying that monthly payment plus the premium gas. So I am looking for something cheap, but it seems that too cheap will get me in trouble.

Stay away from 2001/2002 MDX's, even though you will probably find them cheap. They have much higher than normal transmission failure rates, often requiring multiple replacements. Many owners run 2001-2006 MDXs on regular gas without issues (unless racing or towing)- our 2003 ran fine on it.

[a_bu_babe]

We purchased our 2003 Pilot with 93,000 a couple of weeks ago after I totaled my Accord. Honda is really AWESOME and my Accord had 115,000 on it. It didn't leak anything and drove excellent. It was just getting broke in But you always want to do the stuff the maintenance guidelines say to do! I was told that if something happens to the timing belt, the whole engine can be lost

We went ahead and purchased a two year warranty from the dealer on the Pilot just for peace of mind. Something else we found out--you can negotiate the price of the warranty, mileage covered, AND the deductible!

[KarenCaren]

If you said it is well maintained that mean you will have less problem in the future. It will be a good buy.

I still don't get your thread. your looking but you said it has 108K mileage on it.



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