2004TL_believer

Just for kicks and giggles.

Loved my TL so when started looking for a SUV went with the Honda Pilot. Thought about the MDX, but when test drove heard some rattles that were very similar to my TL. Took the Pilot out and was amazed by the quite ride and 0 rattles. Honestly I think Honda's Quality Control is superior.

Wouldn't trade my TL in for anything. But wish the QC was better from Acura. These creaks and jiggles could drive a man

Abyss Blue Pearl/Camel/Navigation/TL
Redock Red/Saddle/Pilot

bunyip

I have a NBP 03 Pilot EX. It's fairly quiet, except for a nasty vibration frrom about 60mph on. Also the doors have a really high friction seal, that is really noisy over less than perfect roads, which are few in my area. The doors were "fixed" for the 04's I think, but not the vibration. Anyway, check out www.honda-pilot.org, it's helpful sometimes.

DMZ

You'll have to have the sunroof added. The Pilot does not come with one.

bunyip

It will in 05, and finally get NAV and a 6 disc CD.

PetesTL

The Pilot is a very competent SUV but the styling isn't as appealing as the MDX---it's one of the most bland SUV's I've ever seen.

DMZ

NAV and CD changer are available as options on the current '04 model.

criss

I couldn't get past the shifter on the column but then again I have never owned a auto with one. Plus we wanted the RES and the NAVI and for the 03 Pilot it was one or the other.

We have had the MDX for 13 months/25k miles and have had no problems what so ever and it's the only SUV (Jeek GC and Chevy Blazer) that we enjoyed owning.

roadman

Our '04 MDX is awesome, no rattles, go check out another one. We looked at the Pilot and the MDX is hands down a far better choice.

Where are you test driving these Acura's my '04 TL has no rattles either

rondog

iTrader: (1)

I just bought a Pilot brand new, it has 200 miles on it. I want to trade it in for a used MDX with 10k miles or less. I liek the pilot, but it doesn't seem to be any quieter than any other acura and the shifter thing is kinda weird. it doesn't have a sunroof and the navi is the same as my 2001 acura CL-S. Worst of all, it looks soooo boring, when I see an MDX, I get jealous. anyway the pilot is in pristine condition and for sale.

SBTL

I've had a Honda Pilot EX with DVD since 10/03 and it has proven to be a reliable and great family hauler. It has a lot of interior room and will hold 8 as opposed to the MDX that holds 7. Third row seats are small on both vehicles and only fit for kids except on short trips. The gas mileage averages 14-15 mpg city and may reach 19-20 on the highway if you are not carrying too much. And a big plus.... it runs on regular gas and routine service is cheap (compared to my wife's previous car that was a Mercedes 300TE wagon)! The steering column shifter is not a big deal once you get used to it and remember to move your knees when you shift into low. It's kind of nice to have all that extra space between the front seats for storage. Sure, it has a rattle or two but with noisy kids, who hears rattles! It gets beat up and takes it all without complaining. It is fairly quiet (for an SUV) but most SUV tires create a lot of road noise. It gives you more room than the MDX, 75% of the bells and whistles and runs on regular gas for about $10,000 less. The only things I wish it had that were unavailable at the time I bought it are memory seats and a sunroof, but they are not worth $10,000 and they may be available on newer models. Hope that helps!

rondog

iTrader: (1)

the new 2005 pilot will have voice navi and sunroof standard on the ex-l model. I just bought the 2004 with navi and i'm pissed. I wish it had the auto tilt side mirror and the memory seats too. but it is a great ride and very practical.

criss

The MDX runs on Regular as well. Premium is not required as it is on the TL.

KrgTL04

Are you sure about this?

We have two MDXs in the family and both use premium gas.

criss

Yeah the compression is not as high on the MDX as the TL. Acura recommends Premuim but does not require it as they do with the TL. Check out the MDX board, one of the member did some testing that is way above my head but the end result was there was no perfomance gain or loss, MPG even stayed the same. I have been running 87 since.

Mindcrime

I thought about the Pilot for my wife but ended up with the CR-V. The CR-V is much smaller but for the money it is a great little SUV. Gas mileage is great at about 22 city and high 20's on the highway. It handles great in the snow and has plenty of space for her. The 4 cylinder engine is not a horse but is strong enough for around town and going into the mountains here in Colorado. She has had no mechanical issues during the first year and just 1 rattle due to a loose screw on a plastic piece on the sunroof area.

If the Pilot had better mpg I would probably have gone for that one but at 16 mpg rated it wasn't worth it for just around town driving.

rondog

iTrader: (1)

she isn't pissed your pushin the acura tl and she's in a honda cr-v? my wife is pissed I bought her a Honda and traded in her BMW.

GaleForce

MDX is a POS, every other car on the road is one, it is rediculous.

As for the Acura TL vs the Honda Pilot... well there is a reason Acuras are more expensive than Hondas.

rondog

iTrader: (1)

Pilot is around thge same price as a base acura. and the MDX is no piece of shit, thats why everyother car on the road is one. I plan to fully customize it when i get one. that will prolly help.

Mindcrime

Nope. When we got married I basically saved her butt from the piece of crap she was driving. She had a 99 Ford Exploder that she was upside down on with the loan. It cost me $4,500 to get her out of the junker. It then cost me $2,500 to put down on the CR-V lease as she didn't have any equity to put down on a financed one. So it cost me $7,000 just to get her in something decent. If there is one thing I learned is that most women are clueless on what to buy, and what is a good car/truck compared to a piece of junk.

For my TL I sold my BMW that was paid off and got $19,500 for it. I put down another $1,500 so I have a payment of $297 for 4 years compared to her CR-V lease which is $293 for 4 years. I think she now realizes how things should be done and that in the end I'm driving a hell of a nice car compared to hers for a lot less out of pocket.

BrandHdriver

I'm amazed at how many '04 TL owners have a Pilot also. My wife drives an '03 Pilot in sagebrush color - it's a nice ride.

Mindworm

We have both as well....'04 Pilot (the month it came out we bought) and I just purchased an anthracite / ebony / non-navi myself a few weeks ago. I liked the Pilot over the MDX for the extra space alone...two kids means lots to haul, and the added room makes a HUGE difference, imho.

My TL kicks it's butt up and down the street though, to keep with the main thrust of the thread.