03 vs 05 vs 06

[RSD]

we have decided to pay off the remainder of the lease on our 03 EX. while talking the dealership my dad found out that for $2000 we can trade in for an 06 model

i know that there were engine and structural tweaks to the 05 models and some interior tweaks like lighting, standard cd changer, larger fuel tank and tire pressure monitor

i would prefer to get an 05 as i pretty much hate the new ridgleline and how the pilot got some styling from that monstrosity.

most likely just trade EX for another EX so not many new options.

what would you guys do?

[jlee2070]

I (obviously, as I have one) prefer the '06. I assume the main dislike is the Front Grill. This can be changed with an optional grill available from honda (08F21-S9V-100). The biggest advantage to me for the '06 over the '05 is the Side Curtain Airbags and the Roll-Over Sensors that go with it and the VSC. I prefer the Projection Style Head-Lights as well.

http://www.handa-accessories.com/pil...-frontside.jpg

[lizzard1]

Originally posted by jlee2070
I (obviously, as I have one) prefer the '06. I assume the main dislike is the Front Grill. This can be changed with an optional grill available from honda (08F21-S9V-100). The biggest advantage to me for the '06 over the '05 is the Side Curtain Airbags and the Roll-Over Sensors that go with it and the VSC. I prefer the Projection Style Head-Lights as well.

http://www.handa-accessories.com/pil...-frontside.jpg

I agree. Plus much better front seat and headrest that got the best rating In the IIHS rear crash test as opposed to poor for 05. In my opinion 06 is much better deal

[CMasten]

Originally posted by lizzard1


I agree. Plus much better front seat and headrest that got the best rating In the IIHS rear crash test as opposed to poor for 05. In my opinion 06 is much better deal

I dont know about poor ratings for the 05 headrest (http://www.iihs.org/ratings/head_res...nts.aspx?honda) the 05 rated exactly the same with leather as the Ody 05/06 did, but its a 5 star rated vehicle any year you get. http://www.automotive.com/2005/12/ho...ety/index.html

I might be one of the few that actually prefers the 05 seats and headrests, but rear side curtain airbags would be worth it without question. Also I prefer the front end of an 05 better and the solid red tails.

[RSD]

well, we decided to just pay off the loan
the dealer wanted us to release the new pilot and the reason we wanna pay off the pilot is becuase of the lease, so we said no.
still happy with mine though, love it

[andyschneider]

Originally posted by RSD
well, we decided to just pay off the loan
the dealer wanted us to release the new pilot and the reason we wanna pay off the pilot is becuase of the lease, so we said no.
still happy with mine though, love it

We bought an '04 EXL/RES near the end of the year. When the '05's came out shortly thereafter, I found the following differences on the EX-L model that I would have liked

- standard sunroof
- stability control
- TPMS

I own an '06 LX (while my wife has her '04 still), and there are more subtle differences beyond the '05, including the style ones you listed. If you like the current style and want some decent upgrades, then an '05 is a good bet. The '06 is no slouch, although I contend that its shift points don't allow for as good as an MPG as the earlier models have, and the changes to the headrests actually cause my wife some issues since they articulate forward quite a bit (sort of like the Volvo ones do)...

andy

[01MDX]

Originally posted by jlee2070
I (obviously, as I have one) prefer the '06. I assume the main dislike is the Front Grill. This can be changed with an optional grill available from honda (08F21-S9V-100). The biggest advantage to me for the '06 over the '05 is the Side Curtain Airbags and the Roll-Over Sensors that go with it and the VSC. I prefer the Projection Style Head-Lights as well.

http://www.handa-accessories.com/pil...-frontside.jpg

I have heard from some that the 06 seems to be quieter (can't say if it's true). Keep in mind that the 06 also has the newer tranny style that was adopted by the MDX in 03 or 04. Not sure if that makes a big difference but it could prove to be more reliable. Oh, and better looking wheels IMO. I much prefer the 06 design but that's just me.

[dsvuba]

I have an 05 which to me is slightly better looking than an 06, but I would still trade for the 06 because of the extra airbags, and the NAV is better as well isn't it?

[sjlee]

Originally posted by CMasten


I dont know about poor ratings for the 05 headrest (http://www.iihs.org/ratings/head_res...nts.aspx?honda) the 05 rated exactly the same with leather as the Ody 05/06 did, but its a 5 star rated vehicle any year you get. http://www.automotive.com/2005/12/ho...ety/index.html

I might be one of the few that actually prefers the 05 seats and headrests, but rear side curtain airbags would be worth it without question. Also I prefer the front end of an 05 better and the solid red tails.

The 2005 Pilot w/ cloth got a "poor" rating, while the leather got "marginal" according to the IIHS. Part of the problem is that the headrests on the older Pilots weren't adjustable. The 5-star ratings for the 2005 Pilot was only for the front and side impact.

My only complaint about the headrests on the 2005 is that they aren't adjustable. I definitely do not like the styling changes that they made for 2006... especially the grill and tail lights.

[CMasten]

Looks like the ratings for safety are exaclty the same for 03-05

http://autos.msn.com/research/vip/sa...da&model=Pilot

Its interesting watching the video of the frontal offset crash, ugh hope to never have to experience that one.

I think its fair to say they are all very safe vehicles

[GreenMachine]

Took our Pilot in for its first B16 service, and they gave me a 2003 Pilot as a loaner (a recent donation from the used car dept to the service dept). It had 76K miles and was showing it wear inside, but it was still safer than the 2004 or 2005 Civic I was expecting. The rear air did not work and the vents were completely destroyed. Dirt and wear aside, compared to our '06, the inside did not seem as nice. Maybe it's because I am used to ours, but the gauges, the chrome trim about the radio and climate control knobs, the cloth seat material are nice touches in our 2006. The radio in the 2006 is so much nicer looking and has the 6 disc changer built in too. As for the scrunching, ours has a hint of it on one door (one of the things I was hopefully getting fixed), and I can only hear it when the radio is off. Even then it's only a faint sound. On the loaner, all four doors scrunched so loudly it was REALLY annoying. I hope no one's is as bad as this one. As for how it drove,I put about 55 miles on it that day so I have a small basis for comparison. I had to keep in mind this one was three years older, 65K more miles too. The transmission definitely shifted earlier, and not near as smooth. The rpms were lower as everyone already knows. The engine didn't seem to have the pep ours does either. I also had a suspicion I had a Canadian model because this EX cloth had heated mirrors. When I saw the DRL light on the dash and the climate control reading 23 degrees when on automatic, I knew it was Canadian. I think this Pilot was really beat on and after getting back into our 2006 the drive/experience was so much better, smoother, and nicer.

BTW, my opinions are not meant to say that pre-2006's are "not as good" as this was a quick comparison from a fairly new Pilot to one from up North that didn't seem to get the best care. Honestly, had Honda made VSA and side curtain airbags available from the start, we'd probably have a 2004 since it was the first year with the movable second row.

You really can't go wrong with any year, but the 2006+ have the most safety features of all.