First Ride 2012 Pilot - Honda Pilot

Tom Oelschlager · 09-13-2011, 09:33 PM

Hey Folks, had the opportunity to test drive the Pilot today, and having test driven the 2011 version I think the improvements are very good, I'm just not sure they're worth the extra bucks right now with the pricing and promotions that the dealers are offering on the 2011's. I like the new grille, the 18" wheels, much quieter Michelin MXV4s, some nicer looking plastic on the interior, and some reduced road noise due to some sound deadening stuff they've done. Not sure if it puts the Pilot there with the ride of some of the competition out there though. Fit and Finish is OK, but not like the Honda's of old in my opinion, and acceleration and braking are only so so. Having owned 8 or 9 Hondas (Accords and Pilots), I've drank the kool-aid and really want to purchase either a 2011 or the new 2012 Pilot but there's something holding me back. Will report on my final decision when made, and I encourage y'all to test drive one when they arrive at your local dealer.

JCturboT · 09-14-2011, 01:39 PM

Tom,
What was Honda giving you for incentives on the 2011 model?

We currently own a 2004 Pilot and might want to move up to a new model but with the lackluster reviews for the Pilots over the last couple of years we're keeping our options open.

Jeff

Tom Oelschlager · 09-14-2011, 03:32 PM

Hey Jeff, I got them down to $34,690 for the 2011 Touring which is a tight price. Went back today and drove one of those but I think I'm going to go with the 2012 EXL w Res instead which would be cheaper, $$33,944. 1.9 for 60 mos, and .09 for 36 mos.... I like the improvements made to the new version, and they gave me decent trade in on my 2003 EX

Familyman · 09-14-2011, 11:01 PM

hey Tom, so you think the new improvements are worth picking on up now?

have you tried the MDX? i am cross shopping a few 7 seat option vehicles.

Tom Oelschlager · 09-14-2011, 11:29 PM

Would love an MDX but don't want to spend that much. Test drove two cars today, 2011 Touring and a 2012 EXL. Both are nice and I'll be signing some papers tomorrow for a 2012 (pretty sure). The competitions cars all impressed me, I just think you're getting a little more for your money with the Pilot, and having owned 8 or 9 of them, I know there longevity and resale etc. Not to throw a wrench in the works, but have you checked out the VW Toureag Clean Diesel, heard some great things about that.

2009Pilotguy · 09-15-2011, 12:34 AM

I am in the market for a 3 row suv and considering 2012 Honda pilot or GMC Acadia any suggestion?

Tom Oelschlager · 09-15-2011, 05:49 AM

I've test driven the Jeep, Explorer, Acadia, Traverse, Acadia, and all are pretty solid, have not test driven the Durango which is getting great reviews as well. Reliability with the American cars scares me a little, and I think you get more for your money with the Pilot, however, if your main criteria is how it drives (quiet, smooth, handling, etc.) the Pilot will not be at the head of the list. I'm going with the Pilot which will number 8 or 9 in the Honda family for me.

nandaks2000 · 09-15-2011, 10:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom Oelschlager

Hey Jeff, I got them down to $34,690 for the 2011 Touring which is a tight price. Went back today and drove one of those but I think I'm going to go with the 2012 EXL w Res instead which would be cheaper, $$33,944. 1.9 for 60 mos, and .09 for 36 mos.... I like the improvements made to the new version, and they gave me decent trade in on my 2003 EX

Is $33,944 for 2012 4WD EX-L with RES?

Tom Oelschlager · 09-15-2011, 11:35 AM

No, two wheel drive.

Familyman · 09-20-2011, 09:54 AM

Tom it is funny, i have on my list, CPO MDX, Q7, X5, Toureg, and a few other luxury CPO and 2 new hondas Pilot and ody. I have test driven none yet

i like your price as my goal is to spend 35k for a new pilot. EXL 4WD Navi.
where/which state did you get this deal?

in the end i just want a solid car that is reliable, quiet and comfy. def want to avoid anything cheap/flimsy feeling

Tom Oelschlager · 09-20-2011, 11:51 AM

South Carolina, ended up going with the 2011 Touring 2WD, very nice vehicle...fit and finish not quite as good as some of my previous 8 Hondas though, good luck!

joed · 09-20-2011, 01:20 PM

In May, we bought a 2011 Touring with 9500 miles (it was the service mgrs company Pilot). Has black interior, running boards and winter mats (remote start too). We paid $31900..... thought it was a pretty good deal. My wife loves it. Great on long trips !

tellis22 · 09-20-2011, 02:31 PM

So your absolutely sure the $33,944 was on a 2012 EXL w RES and not a 2011? That is a heck of a deal if the pricing is correct. I'm looking to buy one (2012 w Nav or Touring) within the next two weeks.

Tom Oelschlager · 09-20-2011, 03:03 PM

Actually the $33,944 was for a 2012 4WD EXL, without RES...still a great price - the salesman said the sales manager made a mistake and quoted me the 2WD price which they would honor. I really needed the RES, so that's why we went with the 2011 Touring. BTW, if you see the 11 & the 12 from behind next to one another, the 12 looks pretty wimpy with those narrow car like tires (minor detail though).

GoRgOyL · 09-20-2011, 08:37 PM

Traded my 2008 for a 2012 over the weekend, got a Dark Amber Pilot EX-L FWD w/ beige interior for $32,450

I got $19,000 for my trade.

09-13-2011, 09:33 PM	#1 (permalink)
Tom Oelschlager Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 17 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	First Ride 2012 Pilot Hey Folks, had the opportunity to test drive the Pilot today, and having test driven the 2011 version I think the improvements are very good, I'm just not sure they're worth the extra bucks right now with the pricing and promotions that the dealers are offering on the 2011's. I like the new grille, the 18" wheels, much quieter Michelin MXV4s, some nicer looking plastic on the interior, and some reduced road noise due to some sound deadening stuff they've done. Not sure if it puts the Pilot there with the ride of some of the competition out there though. Fit and Finish is OK, but not like the Honda's of old in my opinion, and acceleration and braking are only so so. Having owned 8 or 9 Hondas (Accords and Pilots), I've drank the kool-aid and really want to purchase either a 2011 or the new 2012 Pilot but there's something holding me back. Will report on my final decision when made, and I encourage y'all to test drive one when they arrive at your local dealer.

09-20-2011, 09:54 AM	#10 (permalink)
Familyman Registered User Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: NY metro Posts: 12 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Tom it is funny, i have on my list, CPO MDX, Q7, X5, Toureg, and a few other luxury CPO and 2 new hondas Pilot and ody. I have test driven none yet i like your price as my goal is to spend 35k for a new pilot. EXL 4WD Navi. where/which state did you get this deal? in the end i just want a solid car that is reliable, quiet and comfy. def want to avoid anything cheap/flimsy feeling Last edited by Familyman; 09-20-2011 at 09:56 AM.

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09-14-2011, 01:39 PM	#2 (permalink)
JCturboT Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: MA Posts: 7 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Tom, What was Honda giving you for incentives on the 2011 model? We currently own a 2004 Pilot and might want to move up to a new model but with the lackluster reviews for the Pilots over the last couple of years we're keeping our options open. Jeff

09-14-2011, 03:32 PM	#3 (permalink)
Tom Oelschlager Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 17 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Hey Jeff, I got them down to $34,690 for the 2011 Touring which is a tight price. Went back today and drove one of those but I think I'm going to go with the 2012 EXL w Res instead which would be cheaper, $$33,944. 1.9 for 60 mos, and .09 for 36 mos.... I like the improvements made to the new version, and they gave me decent trade in on my 2003 EX

09-14-2011, 11:01 PM	#4 (permalink)
Familyman Registered User Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: NY metro Posts: 12 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	hey Tom, so you think the new improvements are worth picking on up now? have you tried the MDX? i am cross shopping a few 7 seat option vehicles.

09-14-2011, 11:29 PM	#5 (permalink)
Tom Oelschlager Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 17 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Would love an MDX but don't want to spend that much. Test drove two cars today, 2011 Touring and a 2012 EXL. Both are nice and I'll be signing some papers tomorrow for a 2012 (pretty sure). The competitions cars all impressed me, I just think you're getting a little more for your money with the Pilot, and having owned 8 or 9 of them, I know there longevity and resale etc. Not to throw a wrench in the works, but have you checked out the VW Toureag Clean Diesel, heard some great things about that.

09-15-2011, 12:34 AM	#6 (permalink)
2009Pilotguy Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 2 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	I am in the market for a 3 row suv and considering 2012 Honda pilot or GMC Acadia any suggestion?

09-15-2011, 05:49 AM	#7 (permalink)
Tom Oelschlager Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 17 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	I've test driven the Jeep, Explorer, Acadia, Traverse, Acadia, and all are pretty solid, have not test driven the Durango which is getting great reviews as well. Reliability with the American cars scares me a little, and I think you get more for your money with the Pilot, however, if your main criteria is how it drives (quiet, smooth, handling, etc.) the Pilot will not be at the head of the list. I'm going with the Pilot which will number 8 or 9 in the Honda family for me.

09-15-2011, 11:35 AM	#9 (permalink)
Tom Oelschlager Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 17 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	No, two wheel drive.

09-20-2011, 11:51 AM	#11 (permalink)
Tom Oelschlager Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 17 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	South Carolina, ended up going with the 2011 Touring 2WD, very nice vehicle...fit and finish not quite as good as some of my previous 8 Hondas though, good luck!

09-20-2011, 01:20 PM	#12 (permalink)
joed Registered User Join Date: May 2011 Location: new england Posts: 1 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	In May, we bought a 2011 Touring with 9500 miles (it was the service mgrs company Pilot). Has black interior, running boards and winter mats (remote start too). We paid $31900..... thought it was a pretty good deal. My wife loves it. Great on long trips !

09-20-2011, 02:31 PM	#13 (permalink)
tellis22 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: mississippi Posts: 5 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	So your absolutely sure the $33,944 was on a 2012 EXL w RES and not a 2011? That is a heck of a deal if the pricing is correct. I'm looking to buy one (2012 w Nav or Touring) within the next two weeks.

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09-20-2011, 03:03 PM	#14 (permalink)
Tom Oelschlager Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 17 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Actually the $33,944 was for a 2012 4WD EXL, without RES...still a great price - the salesman said the sales manager made a mistake and quoted me the 2WD price which they would honor. I really needed the RES, so that's why we went with the 2011 Touring. BTW, if you see the 11 & the 12 from behind next to one another, the 12 looks pretty wimpy with those narrow car like tires (minor detail though).

09-20-2011, 08:37 PM	#15 (permalink)
GoRgOyL Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Miami Florida Posts: 55 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Traded my 2008 for a 2012 over the weekend, got a Dark Amber Pilot EX-L FWD w/ beige interior for $32,450 I got $19,000 for my trade.