What is the new Pilot like to drive?

On Wed, 06 Aug 2003 21:51:41 GMT, "zorro" <stanislavski DeleteThis @hotmail.com>
wrote:

>Have you driven a Pilot and what are they like? What are they like off
>road...say a good dirt road, logging road or a mudd, snowy road? How are
>they for hiway driving or in the city ? How are they on gas and do they
>compare to a Toyota forerunner Thanx

If you plan to do some serious off roading, then the Pilot's not the
vehicle for you. You should be looking at SUV's which have truck
chassis, such as the 4Runner, Pathfinder, and those big boxy SUV's out
of Detroit.

You'll know which ones are truck based SUV's when you testdrive them.
They ride just like a truck. The Pilot, the Highlander and a few
others that are car based SUV's have a smoother ride and better
handling. Good luck!
 >> Stay informed about: What is the new Pilot like to drive? 

Thank you for the input...My nextdoor neighbour is crazy about toyotas and
thinks that the 4runner is a good vehicle..but I did sit in a Pilot and
thought that it was an excellent vehicle just with all the room and the way
that it was organized.
"Steve Lee" <dont.TakeThisOut@thinkso.com> wrote in message
news:l236jvkpeugc70rbf8i3dpfelcteo4da5v@4ax.com...
> On Wed, 06 Aug 2003 21:51:41 GMT, "zorro" <stanislavski.TakeThisOut@hotmail.com>
> wrote:
>
> >Have you driven a Pilot and what are they like? What are they like off
> >road...say a good dirt road, logging road or a mudd, snowy road? How are
> >they for hiway driving or in the city ? How are they on gas and do they
> >compare to a Toyota forerunner Thanx
>
> If you plan to do some serious off roading, then the Pilot's not the
> vehicle for you. You should be looking at SUV's which have truck
> chassis, such as the 4Runner, Pathfinder, and those big boxy SUV's out
> of Detroit.
>
> You'll know which ones are truck based SUV's when you testdrive them.
> They ride just like a truck. The Pilot, the Highlander and a few
> others that are car based SUV's have a smoother ride and better
> handling. Good luck!
 >> Stay informed about: What is the new Pilot like to drive? 

I have had mine on dirt roads and slick launch ramps. It's fine. It has
the automatic 4 wheel drive and I don't even think about it. I've not had
it in snow, yet. On the road, it is very smooth. Almost too smooth as the
suspension is quite soft. It could use stiffer shocks because it has an
almost Buick-like ride. The Pilot is a dream to park and maneuver in close
quarters. Maybe because of the silky smooth steering and short wheelbase.
The tranny does shift a lot. That could be because when it does need power
it must get into the higher rpm, VTEC range to make serious power. It does
get up and scoot when you demand it do so.
Dave

"Steve Lee" <dont.TakeThisOut@thinkso.com> wrote in message
news:n2k7jv4kdr3p87nf87ftop2gdcgliu0e5j@4ax.com...
> Go check out www.honda-pilot.org and do a search for the 4Runner.
> Just recently, someone posted a question much like yours there and the
> members discussed in detail the differences between the two cars.
> Worth a look for sure to make an informed decision. Good luck!
>
> On Fri, 08 Aug 2003 05:35:36 GMT, "zorro" <stanislavski.TakeThisOut@hotmail.com>
> wrote:
>
> >Thank you for the input...My nextdoor neighbour is crazy about toyotas
and
> >thinks that the 4runner is a good vehicle..but I did sit in a Pilot and
> >thought that it was an excellent vehicle just with all the room and the
way
> >that it was organized.
> >"Steve Lee" <dont.TakeThisOut@thinkso.com> wrote in message
> >news:l236jvkpeugc70rbf8i3dpfelcteo4da5v@4ax.com...
> >> On Wed, 06 Aug 2003 21:51:41 GMT, "zorro" <stanislavski.TakeThisOut@hotmail.com>
> >> wrote:
> >>
> >> >Have you driven a Pilot and what are they like? What are they like off
> >> >road...say a good dirt road, logging road or a mudd, snowy road? How
are
> >> >they for hiway driving or in the city ? How are they on gas and do
they
> >> >compare to a Toyota forerunner Thanx
> >>
> >> If you plan to do some serious off roading, then the Pilot's not the
> >> vehicle for you. You should be looking at SUV's which have truck
> >> chassis, such as the 4Runner, Pathfinder, and those big boxy SUV's out
> >> of Detroit.
> >>
> >> You'll know which ones are truck based SUV's when you testdrive them.
> >> They ride just like a truck. The Pilot, the Highlander and a few
> >> others that are car based SUV's have a smoother ride and better
> >> handling. Good luck!
 >> Stay informed about: What is the new Pilot like to drive? 

I have a Nissan Pathfinder and recently test drove a Pilot while shopping
for a minivan. I had considered
trading the Pathfinder for a Pilot. But the ultimate decision was to keep
the Pathfinder and bought an
Odyssey. I like the handling of the Odyssey. It is excellent for its size
and the engine provides ample
power.

I did not like the Pilot. Period. The engine was not tuned for a heavy
vehicle and the extra drivetrain
for the 4WD is robbing too much power. Handling is vague or too soft. The
Pathfinder, even though only
150 HP, felt peppier and steering was quicker and more precise.

"Dave" <dave1027.RemoveThis@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:b4GdnXndF66PcKiiXTWJkg@comcast.com...
> I have had mine on dirt roads and slick launch ramps. It's fine. It has
> the automatic 4 wheel drive and I don't even think about it. I've not had
> it in snow, yet. On the road, it is very smooth. Almost too smooth as
the
> suspension is quite soft. It could use stiffer shocks because it has an
> almost Buick-like ride. The Pilot is a dream to park and maneuver in
close
> quarters. Maybe because of the silky smooth steering and short wheelbase.
> The tranny does shift a lot. That could be because when it does need
power
> it must get into the higher rpm, VTEC range to make serious power. It
does
> get up and scoot when you demand it do so.
> Dave
>
> "Steve Lee" <dont.RemoveThis@thinkso.com> wrote in message
> news:n2k7jv4kdr3p87nf87ftop2gdcgliu0e5j@4ax.com...
> > Go check out www.honda-pilot.org and do a search for the 4Runner.
> > Just recently, someone posted a question much like yours there and the
> > members discussed in detail the differences between the two cars.
> > Worth a look for sure to make an informed decision. Good luck!
> >
> > On Fri, 08 Aug 2003 05:35:36 GMT, "zorro" <stanislavski.RemoveThis@hotmail.com>
> > wrote:
> >
> > >Thank you for the input...My nextdoor neighbour is crazy about toyotas
> and
> > >thinks that the 4runner is a good vehicle..but I did sit in a Pilot and
> > >thought that it was an excellent vehicle just with all the room and the
> way
> > >that it was organized.
> > >"Steve Lee" <dont.RemoveThis@thinkso.com> wrote in message
> > >news:l236jvkpeugc70rbf8i3dpfelcteo4da5v@4ax.com...
> > >> On Wed, 06 Aug 2003 21:51:41 GMT, "zorro" <stanislavski.RemoveThis@hotmail.com>
> > >> wrote:
> > >>
> > >> >Have you driven a Pilot and what are they like? What are they like
off
> > >> >road...say a good dirt road, logging road or a mudd, snowy road?
How
> are
> > >> >they for hiway driving or in the city ? How are they on gas and do
> they
> > >> >compare to a Toyota forerunner Thanx
> > >>
> > >> If you plan to do some serious off roading, then the Pilot's not the
> > >> vehicle for you. You should be looking at SUV's which have truck
> > >> chassis, such as the 4Runner, Pathfinder, and those big boxy SUV's
out
> > >> of Detroit.
> > >>
> > >> You'll know which ones are truck based SUV's when you testdrive them.
> > >> They ride just like a truck. The Pilot, the Highlander and a few
> > >> others that are car based SUV's have a smoother ride and better
> > >> handling. Good luck!
>
>
 >> Stay informed about: What is the new Pilot like to drive? 

While I do agree with most of what you are saying, I have to defend the
Pilot a little. As far as the PF seeming peppier. Consider that the Pilot
gets the same MPG while being able to haul twice as much bodies/stuff.
Also, I know it's hard to get away with on a new tester but did you happen
to stomp on it to see how it goes in a real situation? Remember, I said you
have to get the thing past the 4k mark before it really starts to move (240
hp).
Dave

"Tang Wong" <tangwong DeleteThis @adelphia.net> wrote in message
news:qQA_a.1404$Nc.834995@news1.news.adelphia.net...
> I have a Nissan Pathfinder and recently test drove a Pilot while shopping
> for a minivan. I had considered
> trading the Pathfinder for a Pilot. But the ultimate decision was to keep
> the Pathfinder and bought an
> Odyssey. I like the handling of the Odyssey. It is excellent for its size
> and the engine provides ample
> power.
>
> I did not like the Pilot. Period. The engine was not tuned for a heavy
> vehicle and the extra drivetrain
> for the 4WD is robbing too much power. Handling is vague or too soft. The
> Pathfinder, even though only
> 150 HP, felt peppier and steering was quicker and more precise.
>
> "Dave" <dave1027 DeleteThis @comcast.net> wrote in message
> news:b4GdnXndF66PcKiiXTWJkg@comcast.com...
> > I have had mine on dirt roads and slick launch ramps. It's fine. It
has
> > the automatic 4 wheel drive and I don't even think about it. I've not
had
> > it in snow, yet. On the road, it is very smooth. Almost too smooth as
> the
> > suspension is quite soft. It could use stiffer shocks because it has an
> > almost Buick-like ride. The Pilot is a dream to park and maneuver in
> close
> > quarters. Maybe because of the silky smooth steering and short
wheelbase.
> > The tranny does shift a lot. That could be because when it does need
> power
> > it must get into the higher rpm, VTEC range to make serious power. It
> does
> > get up and scoot when you demand it do so.
> > Dave
> >
> > "Steve Lee" <dont DeleteThis @thinkso.com> wrote in message
> > news:n2k7jv4kdr3p87nf87ftop2gdcgliu0e5j@4ax.com...
> > > Go check out www.honda-pilot.org and do a search for the 4Runner.
> > > Just recently, someone posted a question much like yours there and the
> > > members discussed in detail the differences between the two cars.
> > > Worth a look for sure to make an informed decision. Good luck!
> > >
> > > On Fri, 08 Aug 2003 05:35:36 GMT, "zorro" <stanislavski DeleteThis @hotmail.com>
> > > wrote:
> > >
> > > >Thank you for the input...My nextdoor neighbour is crazy about
toyotas
> > and
> > > >thinks that the 4runner is a good vehicle..but I did sit in a Pilot
and
> > > >thought that it was an excellent vehicle just with all the room and
the
> > way
> > > >that it was organized.
> > > >"Steve Lee" <dont DeleteThis @thinkso.com> wrote in message
> > > >news:l236jvkpeugc70rbf8i3dpfelcteo4da5v@4ax.com...
> > > >> On Wed, 06 Aug 2003 21:51:41 GMT, "zorro"
<stanislavski DeleteThis @hotmail.com>
> > > >> wrote:
> > > >>
> > > >> >Have you driven a Pilot and what are they like? What are they like
> off
> > > >> >road...say a good dirt road, logging road or a mudd, snowy road?
> How
> > are
> > > >> >they for hiway driving or in the city ? How are they on gas and
do
> > they
> > > >> >compare to a Toyota forerunner Thanx
> > > >>
> > > >> If you plan to do some serious off roading, then the Pilot's not
the
> > > >> vehicle for you. You should be looking at SUV's which have truck
> > > >> chassis, such as the 4Runner, Pathfinder, and those big boxy SUV's
> out
> > > >> of Detroit.
> > > >>
> > > >> You'll know which ones are truck based SUV's when you testdrive
them.
> > > >> They ride just like a truck. The Pilot, the Highlander and a few
> > > >> others that are car based SUV's have a smoother ride and better
> > > >> handling. Good luck!
> >
> >
>
>
 >> Stay informed about: What is the new Pilot like to drive? 

On Thu, 14 Aug 2003 00:36:38 GMT, "Tang Wong" <tangwong RemoveThis @adelphia.net>
wrote:

[snip]
>The
>Pathfinder, even though only
>150 HP, felt peppier and steering was quicker and more precise.

Funny, I testdrove a Pathfinder SE last year as I was shopping around
for an SUV and despite it's 240HP (the same as the Pilot. I testdrove
the automatic), I still felt the Pilot was peppier and felt it took
turns, corner and sudden lane changes better. To each to his own, I
guess.

Maybe you never stepped on the Pilot hard enough to get the V-TEC to
kick in. I thought it was a gimmick at first, but once you feel its
smooth but assertive powers, you realize what those Honda owners were
talking about. I expected a similar type of performance from the
Pathfinder's VI/VT engine, but just wasn't there for me.
 >> Stay informed about: What is the new Pilot like to drive? 

"zorro" <stanislavski.DeleteThis@hotmail.com> wrote in message news:<NLeYa.643645$3C2.15614790@news3.calgary.shaw.ca>...
> Have you driven a Pilot and what are they like? What are they like off
> road...say a good dirt road, logging road or a mudd, snowy road? How are
> they for hiway driving or in the city ? How are they on gas and do they
> compare to a Toyota forerunner Thanx

Have you passed your driving test yet?
 >> Stay informed about: What is the new Pilot like to drive?