New members: ask here instead of starting new thread

[r_hammel]

Originally posted by reed4
Hi gang,

I'm currently the proud owner of a 2000 Odyssey EX with 41K Flawless miles and am very interested in a new Pilot but have a few concerns I'm sure you all can answer:

1. We do several two day driving trips, one way, to our vacatrion locations and my two kids (10 & 14) are understandabily unwilling to give up their "individual" captains charis. Is the second row bench in the Pilot going to offer the same level of comfort as the captains chairs in my current Odyssey. Does the bench split and individually recline?

2. Can someone give me some technical details reguarding the 4WD System. I have no need for a 4LO gearbox or for steep hill climbing but I'm wondering how it would perform pulling our jetskis up a very slick boat ramp or maintain decent traction in very icy and snowy conditions. Currently my Tacoma 4X4 does the boat ramp duty but we always end up taking both cars to the lake to accomidate the family. I have read that the Pilot offers a rear locking differental. Is this standard or an option?

Looking forward to learning much about the Pilot.

Thanks......Reed

I do not think they would find the Pilot's second row as comfortable as the Odyssey's captains chairs, nor do they give you the wrap around feeling you get with the captains chairs. The 2nd row seat backs do not really recline, as such, but they do have a couple of different positions. However, there is only a few inches of difference in the inclination between the extremes of these positions. In my opinion, the only useable position is the fully back position. At least if someone is sitting in the seat. It does not recline other than that.

I would take them to the Honda Dealer with you and let them sit in it and see how they like it. They are not uncomfortable, they just are not going to compare too favorably with the captain's chairs.

[Roundy]

2. Can someone give me some technical details reguarding the 4WD System. I have no need for a 4LO gearbox or for steep hill climbing but I'm wondering how it would perform pulling our jetskis up a very slick boat ramp or maintain decent traction in very icy and snowy conditions. Currently my Tacoma 4X4 does the boat ramp duty but we always end up taking both cars to the lake to accomidate the family. I have read that the Pilot offers a rear locking differental. Is this standard or an option?

Looking forward to learning much about the Pilot.

Reed,
I'm a newer member here but I think I can help on this one. The Pilot uses a computer controled 4WD system. The car "generally" drives the front tires (helps fuel economy) but under certain conditions the rears are added via a set on electronic clutches. From the Honda web site: "The VTM-4™ electronic control unit (ECU) constantly monitors speed and road conditions. When cruising or braking, the Pilot operates in front-wheel-drive only for maximum fuel efficiency. When accelerating, however, the VTM-4 ECU detects wheelspin before it happens. The ECU then calculates the best power split between the front and rear axles and engages 4-wheel drive."

There is NOT a 4WD-Low setting on any Pilots. All Pilots come with the VTM-4 system. You can push a button on the dash to lock the rear axles "on" when you know that you are in a slippery situation (snow, boat ramps, etc). The lock will only stay on when in the lowest two gears and at slow speeds (less than 20 MPH I think). There is a nifty little movie on the honda web page to help visualize how it all works.

The Pilot seems to be a perfect fit for your situation. We used to take two vehicles everywhere too. By the way, my kids used to want an Odyssey but once they sat in the Pilot the begged us to buy one. The second row seats are very comfortable and have a ton of leg room. And, IMHO, the Pilot is just a "cooler" car than any minivan.

[reed4]

Hey All,

Thanks for all the quick informative responses.

1. Rear seat comfort is obviously subjective to the person who spends the most time there. I'm sure they are very comfortable even if they are not the captains chairs we're used to. We will be making a trip to our local honda dealer this weekend to evaluate this. Rear seat in our Odyssey is usually folded into the floor to make room for all of the "stuff" that ends up there for the trips so the storage ends up being more useful to us than the extra row.

2. The AWD system seems more than adequate for what I will need. Has anyone replaced the stock tires with a more agressive all-terrain tread or a snow tire?

One more Question: I noticed that the Pilot DOES NOT have the AC system running through the roof like in our Odyssey. Does anyone have any complaints or comments reguarding the effectiveness of the AC system i.e. (very hot summer days). The vents in the roof seem as though they would be much more effective in distributing that cold air??

Once again, thanks for the informative responses......Reed

[ex0904]

One more Question: I noticed that the Pilot DOES NOT have the AC system running through the roof like in our Odyssey. Does anyone have any complaints or comments reguarding the effectiveness of the AC system i.e. (very hot summer days). The vents in the roof seem as though they would be much more effective in distributing that cold air??

It performs quite well in the humid Houston heat. My daughter who sits in the rear always praises the A/C. Love the climate control system

[Sage]

No A/C problems here either. And it's HOT. And HUMID.
Back seats - 2nd (and even the 3rd) row is cooool.

[havasu]

Yes, great A/C system. Heavy-duty vents in the back of the center console, shooting right at the back seat. The third row seat, if in use, could take a bit longer to cool down, but we use it rarely -- and are glad to have it then. Drive to Florida, dump the luggage and take the inlaws out to dinner - it's perfect for that. Kids sits in the third row then.

[Sage]

Originally posted by havasu
Drive to Florida, dump the luggage and take the inlaws out to dinner - it's perfect for that.

But first...
Stop by Sage's house, jump in the pool and throw back some Marguerita's!!

[gopilot]

Originally posted by Sage


But first...
Stop by Sage's house, jump in the pool and throw back some Marguerita's!!

I am in! (damn forgot I live in BC!!!!!!!!!!!!)

[Tony]

Our A/C runs great, nice and cold here in Arizona!

[Sage]

Originally posted by gopilot


I am in! (damn forgot I live in BC!!!!!!!!!!!!)

Hey, We'll give ya a head start!!

[308systems]

Hi all,
Do you know how to find out the GVWR of a Honda Pilot(2003)?? The stock sticker says GVWR 5,950# with a towing capacity of 3,500#, however with a transmission cooler and towing package it will tow more(4,500#). Thus, I am trying to find out if the Pilot will exceed the magical 6,000# GVWR mark with the transmission cooler and towing package.

Thanks,
Mark
ps - please email me directly at mlueker@308systems.com if possible

[Twinkie]

Originally posted by 308systems
Hi all,
Do you know how to find out the GVWR of a Honda Pilot(2003)?? The stock sticker says GVWR 5,950# with a towing capacity of 3,500#, however with a transmission cooler and towing package it will tow more(4,500#). Thus, I am trying to find out if the Pilot will exceed the magical 6,000# GVWR mark with the transmission cooler and towing package.

Thanks,
Mark
ps - please email me directly at mlueker@308systems.com if possible

Thank you IRS! I haven't had a chance to weight the PILOT at a state scale, but I plan to do so by the end of the year to see if it tips the magic number with the addition of accessories. This is a lot shakier ground that a vehicle that tips the factory scales at 6000+ lbs, but can be done. I recommend that if your state has a commercial vehicle licensing operation where they actually weigh your rig, go there to get an official weigh in.

For those of you that don't own a small business, the IRS has a more accelerated depreciation schedule for business vehicles weighing in at 6000 pounds or more. So, if you have two equally priced vehicles 'for business purposes only', and one weighs 6000 lbs and the other weighs 3500 lbs, you will be able to claim a substantially higher first year depreciation expense against your income (or lack thereof ).

[nurserose]

Would anyone like to help me decide which is better. Ordering by Internet or from a dealer? I live over 60 miles from my nearest Honda dealer.
Thank You for you help,

Happy Honda Accord 2000 Owner

[xyzzy]

I would call the dealer first to see if you can establish a good relationship with them first. You can probably explain your situation and work most of the deal over the phone. This is what I did with a dealer that was 110 miles away from me. If they talk about forced options, paying above MSRP, or anything like that just politely end the call and either call the next closest dealer or work through an Internet site/broker. This is just my opinion. Others may suggest something different.

Chris

[havasu]

Well I sort of like getting to know the folks to whom you will take your car in for service ... and to support the local economy. So we went for the local dealer. Could probably have gotten our car weeks earlier if we had not cared about dealer location.