2005 Honda Pilot EXL 3.5 from North America
Summary:
Best vehicle I have ever owned
Faults:
Nothing has gone wrong. Had a front leather seat crack (2") at 30k miles. The dealership replaced the leather with new at no charge to me.
General Comments:
I purchased this SUV new in May 2005. It is the only vehicle I drive. I am a salesman, I drive 90% city miles and I stop, park, start, and drive 10 times a day, 8-10 hours a day, 5 days a week (18 MPG). On weekends, I tow a boat (4,500 lbs) or a small trailer that I use for home projects and some house remodeling I do on the side. I have taken long trips with four adults comfortably with luggage (24 MPG) loaded. I put plastic down in the back and I have used it to haul building materials, landscaping, mulch and you name it. I always vacuum it out, and run it through one or two car washes a week, change the oil and transmission fluid and all maintenance by the book. I am on my third set of brakes (counting OE) and the third set of tires (counting OE), new shocks and struts, and timing belt maintenance at 105k miles by the book. That is it. No repairs ever. Only maintenance. It still looks great.
The 2 negatives I have experienced:
1. Every three years (45k miles) I have had to replace the battery (I buy the best battery I can find too. Not cheap).
2. Road noise. On the highway it is loud. Wind and some tire noise basically. There is very little sound proofing, and that is a shame, because besides that, this has been a perfect vehicle for me.
I am starting to think about buying another new vehicle, only because it will be ten years old soon and I have the itch to drive something else. I believe this one will go for at least another 100k miles, no doubt about it. I'm just looking for a change, and the new 2016 Honda Pilot is coming out this summer. I only hope it is quieter.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 1st January, 2015
10th Nov 2010, 19:05
Well okay, you've had one major problem with this truck but why the low performance and comfort marks? I think you are just miffed at the problems you are having. Why would you have bought this vehicle if you only rated it a 3 out of 10 for comfort?
Overall, has it really been that bad? Yes, the radiator design is a flaw if it affects the transmission. Do you have a tranny cooler on this truck? The whole vehicle can't be that bad from one problem.