Buying a Pilot 06-08 Advice!

[Im2c0oL]

Sorry if this had already discussed, but I had a few questions about buying a used Pilot.

Since there's only 3 Pilot that's AWD out of 50 Pilots in my 200miles range. I'm planning to buy a 07 Pilot EX-L 79k, tow package, everything except Nav. I look up on Edmund value for Private Party is $17,008, I seller asking for $16,990, so I offer $16,000 cash. So that's my first question, is that seems to be a good deal?
http://www.decodethis.com/Default.as...YF185X7B015916

Second question:
The seller is 195miles away, and the car is still financed under chase, but we checked that the closes one to the seller is 130miles which is 70miles away from me. So my solution is I may have to drive there and test drive the car if okay, I'll try to have an agreement with seller to contact her chase to have the tittle mail to the chase near me which also the nearest to hers too. So it would be safer for me to pay it off at the Chase bank and get the title there. Also I'm banking with chase also. but anyone know how long it would take? and is there any better way handle this? thanks

[rocky]

What would the dealer trade in be? Start low- Have you checked the vehicle out?

[Im2c0oL]

Originally Posted by rocky

What would the dealer trade in be? Start low- Have you checked the vehicle out?

I'm planning to take the 4hrs drive today to take a close look at it, any tips what issue of the Pilot I should look for during the test drive will be really helpful, the Dealer trade-in on edmund is 15,700, seller told me her trade-in value is $15,500 so she wouldn't go under $16,000. thanks...

[samc]

I can't comment on the price since we're still a bit in asellers market, but certainly offering less then the book price is a good start. A few things:

Don't you think 79k is a bit high for an 07? That works out to 15.8k miles a year if the car was bought in the beginning of 07. A bit on the high side, consider that you will pay <$1000 for a timing belt job when the suv hits 105k miles.

Didn't you say you wanted AWD (4WD for us pilots), the one listed says 2WD unless somehow I wasn't reading carefully.

Really the pilot has no major issues, it has a rear blower problem which is an easy fix. Earlier models had tranny issues so you should just check for a smooth shifting transmission but I don't think you'll find any issues. Other then that check the engine, look under for leaks, over sprays of paint and what not.

But if you wanted to be anal here are a few nick nicks
-Does the interior dome light work properly?
-Does the front bumper line up perfectly? I've noticed that on alot of the pilots including mine it is a bit off.
-Does the back subwoofer work? Some complained of it blowing out easily.
-The black piece on top of the bumper in the back, is it lifting a bit? Mine is coming up a bit, very minor but it's still there.
-Check for a leaky engine mount near the coolant reservoir (passenger side). Minor issue but it's still an issue.
-The rear AC blower as I mentioned above.

I can't think of anything else, perhaps others can add.

[Im2c0oL]

Originally Posted by samc

I can't comment on the price since we're still a bit in asellers market, but certainly offering less then the book price is a good start. A few things:

Don't you think 79k is a bit high for an 07? That works out to 15.8k miles a year if the car was bought in the beginning of 07. A bit on the high side, consider that you will pay <$1000 for a timing belt job when the suv hits 105k miles.

Didn't you say you wanted AWD (4WD for us pilots), the one listed says 2WD unless somehow I wasn't reading carefully.

Really the pilot has no major issues, it has a rear blower problem which is an easy fix. Earlier models had tranny issues so you should just check for a smooth shifting transmission but I don't think you'll find any issues. Other then that check the engine, look under for leaks, over sprays of paint and what not.

But if you wanted to be anal here are a few nick nicks
-Does the interior dome light work properly?
-Does the front bumper line up perfectly? I've noticed that on alot of the pilots including mine it is a bit off.
-Does the back subwoofer work? Some complained of it blowing out easily.
-The black piece on top of the bumper in the back, is it lifting a bit? Mine is coming up a bit, very minor but it's still there.
-Check for a leaky engine mount near the coolant reservoir (passenger side). Minor issue but it's still an issue.
-The rear AC blower as I mentioned above.

I can't think of anything else, perhaps others can add.

Thanks, I fixed the VIN I guess I was checkin the VIN through all 50 pilots near by and posted a wrong one by accident... good to know about the rear blower I'm a entry mechanic myself so I think i'll be fine...

[Im2c0oL]

damn, all 06-08 Pilot lowest millage is 80k at cost around 18k. this is insane...

[TomStromie]

Another problem with the 2007 (including mine) is a radiator that starts to leak a bit over 90,000 miles.

[rocky]

Once they cross 105k the value drops rapidly due to big expensive service necessary about that time.

[samc]

I wouldn't say that's necessarily true rocky. Sure timing belt and radiator for a few but other then that it's still a very reliable SUV. Again I plan to keep mine till the wheels fall off.

[Im2c0oL]

grrr, like around 40 pilots selling around be are FWD, kinda try looking into Highlander 08+ but goes around 19k+ but i dislike their interior, dash/center console doesn't seem roomy and hard to maintain vs Pilot more roomy and looks bigger. and alot of those FWD over 100k here are hella over price 18k+ doesn't drop value like you said rocky... I hope... I'm trying to keep myself patience, I don't want another FWD, since rains here are hard, at some point I had to drive 5mph on freeway or have to pull over to the side and wait till rain stop with my FWD Scion tC.

[Im2c0oL]

Originally Posted by TomStromie

Another problem with the 2007 (including mine) is a radiator that starts to leak a bit over 90,000 miles.

that seems to be normal for some car around that mileage, but some will hold up longer, although I'm kind of techie so all those normal maintenance like timing belts, brakes, radiator, thermostat, vc gasket or oilpan gasket, etc. I can fix my self so I'll save a bunch to keep it running, as long as the trans and the engine is in good shape.

[knight_pilot]

Hey every1

I just closed the deal today on my 06 honda pilot. The dealer was asking 18k. I got the car for 16k and got them to throw in a brand new set of tires. It looked like it still had the original tires on it. It is an EX non leather with every option except nav and sunroof(really disappointed about that) and the car has 55k miles. I think 16k is a bit too high with that many miles although for that is what dealers are asking for with that many miles. Before I bought this pilot I also went to see one that was a little over 200 miles from my location just because the price was right. The car however wasn't. I will never drive that far again because if the car isnt what you expected it is so disappointing. I made a one day trip out of it leaving my house at 2 am and getting back around 2:30 pm. I pick up my car on Wednesday and will post pics once i get it

[Im2c0oL]

Originally Posted by knight_pilot

Hey every1

I just closed the deal today on my 06 honda pilot. The dealer was asking 18k. I got the car for 16k and got them to throw in a brand new set of tires. It looked like it still had the original tires on it. It is an EX non leather with every option except nav and sunroof(really disappointed about that) and the car has 55k miles. I think 16k is a bit too high with that many miles although for that is what dealers are asking for with that many miles. Before I bought this pilot I also went to see one that was a little over 200 miles from my location just because the price was right. The car however wasn't. I will never drive that far again because if the car isnt what you expected it is so disappointing. I made a one day trip out of it leaving my house at 2 am and getting back around 2:30 pm. I pick up my car on Wednesday and will post pics once i get it

congrat for your new purchase, 55k on 06 is pretty low! is it 4WD? I feel you about car hunting man, it seem to be alot of previous Pilot owner doesn't keep their Pilot very well, it turns me down when I see how bad the exteriors and interior, vs my 99 Civic and my 07 Scion almost brand new condition no ding or scratches.

Today I decide to check out on three 06 Pilot that's at 66k, 70k all gone by the time I got there, they get those selling fast if under 70k. But for any pilot that's still in the lot are most likely exterior and interior are mad scratches. Anyways I able to see a white one I think it's a EX model no nav or rear entertainment, cloth seat, it was a lease return only 29k. And got to test drive the first Pilot of my life, behind the wheel I feels like I'm riding a 100k car, when I punch it from the stop steering wheel steer both side almost loose control, but when I punch it, it seems to be very lag of power like I'm drive my 99 Civic DX, not to compare with my Scion tC. I was really disappointing on my first test drive. I hope that vehicle has problem, but strange it's only 29k, I love the Pilot Interior vs our 05 MDX, RX350, and a C350.

[chriszke]

We've had my wife's '07 Pilot LX for about two weeks now. Bought it for $14,800 with a miniscule 25,600 miles on it.

It had two cosmetic issues. It had been through a hail storm (the roof and the hood bore the evidence) and the front fascia corners both had paint scuffs where the infrequent and apparently inexperienced driver had misjudged some obstacles.

We took it to a local "paintless dent repair" shop here in Michigan. The owner spent 3 hours on the hood (at a cost of $300) pulling and pushing the hail dents out with a variety of tools. We left the roof alone, as the cost didn't justify the visibility of the damage. The hood looked nearly showroom new.

Was so happy with the work that I took it back to the same shop for paint-touchup on the corners. $250 to repaint the corners and they also looked like new.

I've never been so pleased with money spent. The Pilot now looks like new on the outside, already had a pristine interior, and we've not quite ticked the odometer to 26,000. All for an out-of-pocket $15,350.

Quite possibly my favorite used car purchase (knock on wood).

Chris

[knight_pilot]

My pilot is a 4wd model. I didn't have any jerking in the steering wheel when I punched it but there definitely is a lack of power but it does only have 240 horses after all. I get my pilot today and will post pics of my oem stock black beauty.