GMC Acadia or Honda Pilot

[86LXJunker]

Ok - First let me start out by saying that we are a GM family. Over that past 6 years we bought my 02 2500HD - and then 02 Trailblazer. We sold the Trailblazer in 04 and bought a new Z-71 Tahoe. My deal with my wife is that we buy her a new car every 3 years because we use it to commute to work together. We liked the Tahoe so much we kept it an extra year. So now its time to trade in the Tahoe and buy something new.

We really want to buy an Acadia - but cant seem to be able to pull the trigger. I cant get past the High Sticker price of a SLT2 Acadia - your looking at over 45k for a 'mid sized' CUV. Thats the same price I paid for the Tahoe. Also - with Bernacki lowering interest rates almost every day(not really) - Just seems like it - I cant get past the lack of good interest rates GM is offering....If they went to 1.9 or even 2.9 - it will make it easier to swallow the higher price - but 5.9 or 6.9 is ridiculous.

Now for the Pilot - so the new 09's are coming out within a month - Correct ? - so the dealers are really pushing the 08s. I see people on this board paying 3500 less then invoice. Plus I think Honda is doing 2.9%. Thats 29k+/- for a loaded Pilot. One of the Top rated Mid SUV's out there.

Another thing that bothers me - is that I am looking to get around - maybe if I am lucky- 15k for my Tahoe in trade - thats a huge hit off the 45k sticker - where I see trades for 04 Pilots getting 19k/20k when the sticker was only 34k.

Am I going to be hit on the Acadia just like the Tahoe in 3 years - because its not a "Honda or Toyota" ? - I really want to stay GM - but the High Price and High Interest rates GM has is killing me !!!

I know this is Honda board but so I may get flamed - but you guys are making it really easy to Switch over !!!!

[Rally Pilot]

I understand what you are going through. . . I have an 05 EX-L Pilot and my lease is up this June .
I am actually looking at the Acadia & Saturn Outlook OR wait for the '09 Pilot to hit the showroom or just get an 08 SE ! I want a little better MPG than my 05 returns (21 hwy) and the GM's are rated @ 24 .... just waiting for more details on the 09 Honda ... the poss 6spd auto will help and maybe give me the same return.
I was thinking of a Diesel, but with that over $4.20 / gal in western NY already , forget that ! Where oh where can I find a Hybrid Pilot (Honda ?), damn Highlander is tmfm ($40k) . Keep us updated which way you choose.

[jdeanski]

Originally posted by Rally Pilot
I understand what you are going through. . .

I do to..............What we have from GM is "new thinking" and "old thinking". The new is that GM has built a really good and competitive SUV. The bad is that GM has always used their trucks and SUV's as their cash cows and they're trying to push the price upward. Right now Honda isn't playing that game. We'll see what the '09 lists for................

[switch]

Have you considered the Highlander?

Or if you liked your Tahoe so much, how about a new Tahoe?

[deparson]

I don't know about the GMs but many American brand cars sell for far below invoice these days; even new models.

What is the difference between the expected purchase price of the two cars?

[mtryb]

Based on edmunds.com data ( http://www.edmunds.com/new/2008/hond...2&setzip=18848 ) you will take a bath on the Acadia.

Edmunds says Acadia SLT-2 AWD purchase for $43,294 will be worth $22,436 (51.82%) in year 3 or a loss of $20,858

The same source says that the Pilot EX-L Nav AWD would be purchased for $32,656 (you can probably do better but ignore that for now) will be worth $20,102 (61.56%) in year 3 which is a loss of $12,554.

If you like both vehicles, the Pilot makes much more financial sense as you start out with almost $10,000 more in your pocket and in 3 years they will both be worth about the same money (within 10% of each other).

Good luck on whatever you decide to do.

mtryb

[deparson]

Ok, I will answer my own question.

The SLT-2 with as similar equipment to the Pilot EX-L NAV as I could find has an invoice of $38,500 less $500 cash rebate. Subtract from that the dealer hold back and you could get it for under $37,000.

The Pilot should run about $29,000 if I recall.

Note: To get the sticker of the SLT-2 up to the 45K you quoted you would have to add a TON of equipment that is not available on the Pilot at any cost. e.g. HUD, HID, etc. That would not be a good comparison IMO.

Originally posted by deparson
I don't know about the GMs but many American brand cars sell for far below invoice these days; even new models.

What is the difference between the expected purchase price of the two cars?

[catsailr]

My wife likes the new Buick Enclave and is considering trading new 05 RL for one. The 05 Acura RL with 50K miles has a tradein value of $21,000. Not to good for a sticker price of $50,000. Don't believe the Acaida of Enclave would do any worse.

I was considering trading my 05 Pilot for a Tahoe until I checked the resale values. An 05 Tahoe is worth about $1,000 more than an 05 Pilot, but costs about $12,000 more when new.

[rocky]

Don Willens would drool to see this thread!

If you use the Tahoe for heavy towing, then the Pilot may well disappoint. Face it there is nothing like a large vehicle with V8 to keep a trailer under control

Math wise there is no comparasion with the Pilot being the better deal and you sound like me with to much data to make a choice.

Do a comparison matrix. Chose 5-8 things that matter to you and your wife in a car. Rate each car either 1 or 2 (or if three cars 3) see who wins. then buy that car

EG Fuel Economy, purchase price, resale price, cost of servicing, comfort, space, insurance, ride handling noise

[colorider]

Welcome to HP.org 86LXJunker!! There have been several threads on the Acadia over the last year or so. A couple got a little wild due to one person that worked for GM. Seems all he wanted to do was stir the pot. In any case, we are glad you joined and I think you will find what you are looking for here.

Good Luck!

(moving this to Comparisons)

[jl_ss]

Originally posted by catsailr
My wife likes the new Buick Enclave and is considering trading new 05 RL for one. The 05 Acura RL with 50K miles has a tradein value of $21,000. Not to good for a sticker price of $50,000. Don't believe the Acaida of Enclave would do any worse.

I was considering trading my 05 Pilot for a Tahoe until I checked the resale values. An 05 Tahoe is worth about $1,000 more than an 05 Pilot, but costs about $12,000 more when new.

The Acura RL is not a good comparison, as it is not typical of Acura/Honda resale. It is generally recognized as an overpriced vehicle compared to it's competition and Acura needs heavy rebates to move them.

[ptsmh73]

If you plan to use the back seat for passengers, check it closely. There is little leg room and under seat sapce compared to Pilot.

[86LXJunker]

All of your responses have been great - Thanks !

As for the current Tahoe - we do not use it for what it was intended. We have no kids - We have never towed anything with it....We never carry anything large - thats what my Silverado is for....we only use it for a commuter car - It was really kind of a waste, but we hated the Trailblazer so much and GM was doing 0% on the Tahoe at the time so we said what the heck !! Because 99% of our driving is highway - we average 16 mpg with the Tahoe - so I would expect the Pilot to be at 20 or better ?

As for the Acadia - Yes the 45k sticker is pretty much for a Fully Loaded one....with NAV & DVD - HUD - all the toys - I know you cant get all of that in a Pilot - So its not a fair 100% comparison...but its seems around here - the GMC dealers order the Acadia's Loaded with all the toys or they order them with nothing - cloth - no toys etc.

jdeanski - I agree with you 100% - GM is doing just that - they have special financing or Cash back on all models except for the Acadia and the New Malibu. But I guess it makes sense - if I was a business owner - I would be doing the same thing. The Acadias around here a selling like crazy - they cant keep them on the lot - so why discount them.

We are going to stop tomorrow and see what our local Honda dealer has in stock for Pilots - if nothing works out - I have heard allot about BOCH Honda in MA - it seems that that are the #1 Honda dealer in North America - the say the beat all other dealers hands down in pricing. So it maybe worth it for me to take the hour drive up.

I really feel the Pilot is the best option for us right now - but I will keep you posted.

[jay]

I'd be surprised to see you get 20 or better mpg with the Pilot, but if my choice was GM or die, you could kiss my butt goodbye!

[colorider]

Originally posted by jay
I'd be surprised to see you get 20 or better mpg with the Pilot.

At "99% highway", it might happen, depending on speed, etc, particularly if he is getting 16 today with the Tahoe under similar conditions.