2003 Pilot EXL 61k vs. 2005 Pilot EXL 82k

[magnetopulse]

Hi,

I'm looking at buying a used Pilot and have the choice between a 2003 EXL with ~61,000 miles or a 2005 ELX with ~82,000.

Does anyone have any recommendations as to which would be best? Are the fuel economies roughly the same? Safety? Reliability?

Many thanks,

Rod

[rocky]

Florence Italy????

Unless imported by US military and left behind what are they doing over there?

[magnetopulse]

Hi,

No Pilots over here in Tuscany, but I'm moving to the DC area in a week or so.

Cheers,
Rod

[Shindig78]

Compared to 2003, the 2005 EX-L models have a moonroof and, more importantly, Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA). They also add the Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) and a six-disc CD changer.

Honda has the details in their "Model Library" - http://automobiles.honda.com/certifi...l-library.aspx

It's a tough call -- 20,000 miles is significant, but so is the safety advantage of VSA. I read a statistic somewhere that 10,000 lives could be saved in the U.S. every year if all vehicles were equipped with stability control.

In my opinion, if the prices were equal, I would lean towards buying the '05 with the added safety equipment. Better yet -- if you can find an '06, you'll get VSA plus side-curtain airbags.

Good luck with your upcoming move, and please post pictures once you purchase your Pilot.

-Shindig78

[2pilot]

I agree with Shindig78. The 05 has more safety, and is propably more reliable just because honda for the most part worked out the bugs by then, and the added moonroof, and VSA, I would definetly go for the 05.........

[magnetopulse]

Many thanks for the quick replies. I also forgot to mention that the 2005 does not have a rear DVD, but the 2003 EXL has one, although it looks like an Audiovox aftermarket unit from the photo (and looks like there is electrical tape on part of it for some reason.

I'm not sure if these aftermarket DVD units cost that much, or if the Audiovox in the 2003 is any good, but my question is, is there any reason that you can not put a rear DVD system in the 2005 because of the sunroof?

Thanks,
Rod

[2pilot]

Yes you can, but the a honda dealer would probably need to do it, but its definetly possible, and theres lots of pilots with after market dvd players, pilots with sunroofs........

[rocky]

2005 without a doubt.

[magnetopulse]

Perfect. 2005 it is then. Anyone have any idea how much it is to have the dealer install the DVD? Or recommend a specific aftermarket unit?

Thanks,
Rod

[2pilot]

No clue, I guess the honda dealer might know the most popular one though???