[dr bob]

FWIW, I've had one of those 4x8 folding utility trailers for at least a couple dozen years. Anything big or dirty goes on that. Takes 5-10 mins for setup/breakdown, takes up a relatively small garage footprint when folded, etc. I originally bought it to haul jet-skis, but those were upgraded to bigger and bigger toys over time, so the little trailer was repurposed to utility duty only. Under $500 most places, including a plywood plus carpet deck and some tie-down rings and hooks as add-ons.

 

[cintocrunch]

I am having trouble narrowing down to what I want too!!! 3rd row would be good, luxury preferred.



Meh... none of those sound appealing (minus the Passport). I test drove a Durango a while back when I became obsessed with the QX80, don't remember what trim but I wasn't impressed with the interior. I'll add it to the test drive list and see how it handles now that the QX80 fog has cleared.

I'll also look into the Wrangler too. I saw a very nice green Sahara that is way out of my price range. The rest of the Wrangler inventory looks meh... I may still see if I can get in the green one just to have a feel.

Yea it's really hard to make good recommendations until you narrow down what class of vehicle you really want to be in. Or you try a bunch until you find something that speaks to you. Personally I define "fun" and "fast" as two different things. My Traverse is way faster on good back roads than the Wrangler but I have much more fun doing it in the Wrangler. If you do go that route, Sahara is the more luxury oriented trim so that's the one you would want to test drive.

Unfortunately the car market is a little insane right now. The Toyota dealer near me has 7,500 markups on 4Runners and 5,000 markups on Tacomas and Tundras. You'll never get as much for your used vehicle but you may pay even more on the newer one.

 

[xGS]

Unfortunately the car market is a little insane right now. The Toyota dealer near me has 7,500 markups on 4Runners and 5,000 markups on Tacomas and Tundras. You'll never get as much for your used vehicle but you may pay even more on the newer one.

$5,000 off on a Prius Prime.

 

[GurlRDX]

Yea it's really hard to make good recommendations until you narrow down what class of vehicle you really want to be in. Or you try a bunch until you find something that speaks to you. Personally I define "fun" and "fast" as two different things. My Traverse is way faster on good back roads than the Wrangler but I have much more fun doing it in the Wrangler. If you do go that route, Sahara is the more luxury oriented trim so that's the one you would want to test drive.

Unfortunately the car market is a little insane right now. The Toyota dealer near me has 7,500 markups on 4Runners and 5,000 markups on Tacomas and Tundras. You'll never get as much for your used vehicle but you may pay even more on the newer one.

I've been side eyeing the Traverse too. I think I'm going to go on a car testing binge and drive anything I've ever fancied.

Today saner thoughts are prevailing and I won't be surprised if I'm not here again next year dissing the Pilot and looking for a fancy replacement.

Fast and fun are not necessarily synonymous, but I believe what makes a ride fun, for me at least, is that it's not sluggish. There are times when driving the Pilot feels like riding a bike uphill... or so I imagine since I dunno how to ride a bike.

 

[GurlRDX]

FWIW, I've had one of those 4x8 folding utility trailers for at least a couple dozen years. Anything big or dirty goes on that. Takes 5-10 mins for setup/breakdown, takes up a relatively small garage footprint when folded, etc. I originally bought it to haul jet-skis, but those were upgraded to bigger and bigger toys over time, so the little trailer was repurposed to utility duty only. Under $500 most places, including a plywood plus carpet deck and some tie-down rings and hooks as add-ons.

Now that's an idea I haven't thought of. But in reality, as am getting over the DIY house projects , I'll probably not need the hauling capacity the Pilot offers.

We were planning on taking the Pilot on an annual road trip where it would haul 7 folks, but I've been really thinking about a small RV for road trips when the kid is out of school... its not a fully formed thought yet as I personally hate to drive.

 

[briantii]

Now that's an idea I haven't thought of. But in reality, as am getting over the DIY house projects , I'll probably not need the hauling capacity the Pilot offers.

We were planning on taking the Pilot on an annual road trip where it would haul 7 folks, but I've been really thinking about a small RV for road trips when the kid is out of school... its not a fully formed thought yet as I personally hate to drive.

Sounds like you should rent a van. Seriously. 7 in the Pilot is about an hour maybe 2 max in my book. Rest of the time you can roll in something way more fun.

 

[GurlRDX]

Sounds like you should rent a van. Seriously. 7 in the Pilot is about an hour maybe 2 max in my book. Rest of the time you can roll in something way more fun.

Probably... it's 4 adults and 3 kids. But one of the said kids is now almost as tall as I am. It worked 2 yrs ago (skipped last yr and this yr due to COVID) as he hadn't sprouted much then.

 

[RAL]

In no particular order, test drive the following
Acura MDX;
Ford Explorer; or
Dodge Durango.

All have packages available to give a sportier ride.

If you can do with the smaller size, the CX9 is a gem. Think of it as a plus sized two row rather than a size counterpart to the 2d gen Pilot.

All will be more fun to drive and less of a headache to own, in cost or actual reliability, than anything from Europe. If you want something European or German, lease and return. You cannot own a car out of warranty when the dealers want 150-200 an hour in most major metro areas to work on them. The private shops that work on them in that area will key prices off the dealers less a discount, and have to make the major investments in factory tools and know how that underlie the high dealer costs, so you will pay less at a good private shop, but not that much less.

Good luck.

 

[cintocrunch]

I've been side eyeing the Traverse too. I think I'm going to go on a car testing binge and drive anything I've ever fancied.

Today saner thoughts are prevailing and I won't be surprised if I'm not here again next year dissing the Pilot and looking for a fancy replacement.

Fast and fun are not necessarily synonymous, but I believe what makes a ride fun, for me at least, is that it's not sluggish. There are times when driving the Pilot feels like riding a bike uphill... or so I imagine since I dunno how to ride a bike.

The Traverse is not a "fun" vehicle. I find it to be more solid and more fun to drive around than the Pilot (the Pilot pogos more but that's the tradeoff for more travel in the suspension).

I still maintain you should test drive a Wrangler Sahara.

Someone else brought up the MDX. Definitely a nice vehicle IMO but you may want to give it a year and try the MDX Type S, it will have a nice horsepower and torque bump and will be more performance oriented.

I've seen the CX-9 brought up as well. Everybody lauds the new Mazdas, I was pretty unimpressed when I've been in them. Nice vehicles, but not the "near luxury" or "sporty" vehicles the magazines make them sound like.

Probably... it's 4 adults and 3 kids. But one of the said kids is now almost as tall as I am. It worked 2 yrs ago (skipped last yr and this yr due to COVID) as he hadn't sprouted much then.

Kids will be perfectly happy in the 3rd row of the Pilot unless they are over 6' tall. Sometimes we forget how little seat cushioning and all that mattered when we were kids. As long as my kids have cool air blowing on them so they don't feel sick they are good to go.

 

[GurlRDX]

Someone else brought up the MDX. Definitely a nice vehicle IMO but you may want to give it a year and try the MDX Type S, it will have a nice horsepower and torque bump and will be more performance oriented.

I test drove the MDX before I went for the Pilot. Second row leg room was dismal at best and it was a very rough ride. It also felt a bit meh too which is why it's not on my list right now.

I still maintain you should test drive a Wrangler Sahara.

Alright... only one I liked that is available is like $50K. I dunno if it makes sense to test drive this particular one if I can afford it.

I did see a VW Atlas the other day that looked pretty good but am not too familiar with it. Wondering if someone is and how they feel about it.

I'm scheduled go test drive a fully loaded Q7 tomorrow. I really like how they look but I've never been in one before. Looking at XC90, the used one and all new ones available have the beige interior color I don't care for. I always like my interior black and I always get the windows tinted too... light colored interiors make me jittery for some reasons.

 

[pinrut]

I am debating if it's time to turn in my 2013 Honda Pilot for something else more fun to drive. I have a love/hate relationship with the pilot. I really love the cargo space and how much am able to haul without needing to rent a truck. The second row leg room is also very good which was the main reason I chose the car as I had to upgrade from the RDX. I hate the handling of the pilot. I drive about 3 hrs/day in stop and go traffic and the visibility even after playing with all the mirrors suck.

Below is what I've test driven so far. What else can I look at that would give me the same cargo space and second row room as the Pilot that is dependable? I don't like the new Pilot look so it's not on the list.

1. Infiniti QX80- this had been my dream car for two years running. However, I test drove a loaded 2018 one yesterday and the vehicle felt too big for my needs. Plus I've been on the QX80 forum which even though it's not very active, I've had sticker shock on the repairs amounts they've quoted. I don't see many of these on sale with 200K miles either and I see a bunch of Pilots for sale with 200K miles so I'm worried about long time dependability.

2. Lexus GX460- car felt smaller than Pilot. Handling was very stiff too. I also think the Lexus body doesn't age well. I may need to test drive it again after being disappointed by the QX80. But most Lexus owners I know swear by their reliability.

3. Toyota Highlander- way too small. Hated the passenger seat wasn't a power one.

I've taken the Audi Q7 off the list because it doesn't look like it can haul half what the Pilot does. Like am looking to haul some 50 boxes of vinyl flooring planks and I doubt they'd fit in the Q7. I've been trying to get my hands on a Benz GLS but don't see any with the dark interior I want.

Anything else I should add to the list or keep driving the pilot for a couple of years more? Yesterday was the 3rd time I've come very close to trading the Pilot in. It needs a $1K cosmetic job to fix a dent on the driver tire side and has a cracked windshield and I was offered $13K to trade it in by the Infiniti dealer which is $2K more than what the Toyota dealer had offered me when I test drove the Lexis GX460.

Have you tried the 2016+ pilot?

The interior is very quiet on the road, handles fairly well for a vehicle its size, easy to drive, driver assist features are nice for long drives (LKAS, ACC), great visibility.

 

[GurlRDX]

Have you tried the 2016+ pilot?

The interior is very quiet on the road, handles fairly well for a vehicle its size, easy to drive, driver assist features are nice for long drives (LKAS, ACC), great visibility.

I don't like the look of the new Pilots. I test drove a few and ended up going with the 2013 instead.

The front cabin felt awkward, and I couldn't rest my arm on the driver's door and I could barely reach the door rest on the new Pilot so it's not in consideration.

 

[Longdraw]

Our 2008 Pilot is at 170K miles and runs great. When the time comes to change we might do a 4-Runner or a Lexus GX460. But that s down the road. Way down the road.

 

[mmmmark]

If you plan on towing much at all, strongly consider a GM V8 (Tahoe/Escalade). Anything else is not a substitute. I’ve towed with my pilot and it is borderline at best. Love love my wife’s 2020 Advance package MDX, but towing is still marginal.

You’re smart to test drive many. You name some good ones, but you may add the Telluride to your list. Several mags hype it quite a bit.

 

[mpeebles]

To the OP, I didn’t see if you considered the Acura MDX as it is the sportier fun to drive version of the Honda Pilot. Also have you checked out the newer 2016 forward Honda Pilots? They are more streamlined than the boxier models they replaced.

 

[mpeebles]

Stay away from Dodge unless you enjoy frequently the dealer often. IMO from past experiences.
Have you checked out a Tesla model X

 

[kslu_wa]

The new Acura MDX. It has better handling. If you wait a little, you can get a turbo.

Have you tried the current Pilot? I think it handles better than 2003 I had. Passport is even better with stiffer suspension. It's fairly quick too.

 

[airpeace]

surprise not many people vote for the MDX. king of the 3row suv

 

[Surfin' Bird]

Take a look at a Honda Passport. The Pilots sexier, nimbler, younger brother. SUV's and large vehicles are not really designed to be "fun to drive."

THIS, is fun to drive...... BMW Z4 Base price 98K
View attachment 149998


If the Z4 is out of the price range then how about a BMW M2? Base price 58K View attachment 149997

Or a Toyota Supra......Base price 44K
View attachment 150000

The Mazda MX 5 has a base price of 28K
View attachment 149999

BMW's have the highest depreciation in 4 years of any vehicle. I spoke to some techs and they don't drive them. Sky high parts and labor costs.

 

[DDevers]

We had a Jeep Grand Cherokee with over 130K trouble free miles that we traded in on our Pilot. I wanted more room as was worried the new "L" version of the model with the Macintosh stereo system would be my downfall as it is more than I wanted to spend. The Pilot is far noisier than our Grand Cherokee was, its ride is worse on the highway and far worse on rough roads. We find the materials in the Pilot to be poor grade plastic; Kia is much better looking. Our Pilot does get about a mile per gallon better than the Grand Cherokee and the tranny is smoother. We spent over $3K on stereo and sound deadening to bring the Pilot to the level of our old Grand Cherokee. If I were to do it again, I'd bight the bullet and get another Grand with the Mac system in it; far superior vehicle in my opinion.