Been weakly considering a cheap used 4WD/AWD CUV/SUV for the winter so I don't have to bring the CTS-V out on badly snowy days. Budget is less than $10k so I won't need a car loan. As some of you are aware, I finished paying off my V 2 months ago and I don't have a car note now, don't want one for a while.

Found a 2005 Pilot EX-L 4WD (we already own a 2007 as mommymobile) at a Mercedes dealer, just traded in, only 99k miles, they are asking only $10,900, which is less than KBB and Edmunds. Clean Carfax. Really tempted to take it if I can talk them down to $9.5k or less as I'm 100% sure it hasn't had its 105k service (timing belt, water pump, etc) yet and as you know, that costs around $1k.

Only thinking about it because it's soooooo cheap. Most Pilots around here at $10k have 120-150k miles on them, so this one is sure not to last.

 

Buying a model significantly cheaper than average would have me on edge all the time and I wouldn't be able to enjoy it.

What about something like an Impreza? Significantly smaller, but if you need the space you already have the other Pilot. And it's AWD.

 

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-s...27332761&Log=0
^ go over that with a fine tooth comb. Some older Runners have frame rusting issues. The miles are low on this, it's a 4wd, one owner. Could be a great buy if it checks out.
http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-s...02139706&Log=0
http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-s...25679692&Log=0

 

Meh...if you want something used for crappy weather days..I'd try and find a 2001 and up infiniti QX4 or Pathfinder. Nice ride, reliable, inexpesive to maintain, bullet proof engines, and fun.

And they should be WAY less than 10g.

 

Maybe it was 98 and up...whenever they went to the larger 3.5 engine.

http://cleveland.craigslist.org/cto/3323101440.html

http://cleveland.craigslist.org/ctd/3278085864.html

 

+1 on the Pathfinder/QX4. I've had a 99 with the 3.3 and an 02 with the 3.5 in the past. Both were HUGE fun off road and more reliable than any Honda me or my family have owned.

 

If you already own a 2007 Pilot, why would you want another? Get yourself some seat time with a real truck. For a couple thousand more you can find a nice Toyota 4x4 pick-up (with a removable canopy) that will be useful in the summer as well for hauling yard debris and what not. After-all, you won't want to put bark chips in your SUV. A neighbor of mine did that three years ago and claims he still find red bark in his 4runner to this day.

 

No need for another bulky pilot, get an older subaru outback wagon, or impreza rs, something along those lines. Throw some good winter tires on it and enjoy the traction.

 

I'd say no.

 

If you can get a good deal on the Pilot . Why not go for it ? I mean whats the worse that can happen ?

 

^ you end up with 2 pilots lol.

 

Thanks for the comments, guys, they are helpful.

 

Bob,

I came to Car talk today to start a thread about pretty much the same thing.

I will not hijack your thread though I will start my own. I like the comments though and would say get something other than another Pilot just for the hell of it but if you get a good deal on that first one go for it.

 

isnt it always better to have two of something? like 2 girlfriends etc ? lmao

 

Actually, Pilots are very reliable and routinely run until 200k with routine maintenance. We love ours and the wife still enjoys driving it even with 60+k and almost six years on it. We will likely be driving it until it dies.

That said, I passed on the Pilot in question because it was a POS that was not well cared for. Some of the options you guys mentioned I hadn't seriously looked into, so I now have food for thought.

Thank you again AZ, you guys rock!

 

^ just changed the timing belt/water pump in our 2003 Pilot last weekend at 215K miles. Still on the original brake rotors, CV joint boots, exhaust, .... the list goes on. I think it'll get 300K miles without any major problems, really trouble free vehicle.

A neighbor has two 1G Pilots. The wife traded her 2G Ody for her Pilot and he traded in a 2G TL for his. So not too rare for a household to have two.

 

how many miles do you think you'd be putting a year??

I would initially say try something different, but the pilot will last a very long time, my guess.

Other cars to look into.. 4runner, Outback, volvo xc70/90 (are they reliable??) These cars are probably not as reliable, except the 4runner. But I'd take a guess and say resale value is not as good so you can possibly find one with lower miles? No clue just throwing more suggestions out there

 

I only plan to put a few hundred miles on a winter beater 4wd/awd car/truck a year. I would literally only pull it out on exceptionally bad snow days when I don't want to drive my CTS-V, which will remain my daily driver for at least another year (I just can't get tired of it ). Further, i cant just use the wife's Pilot in those bad days because she has her own schedule. That's why I want to go as cheap as possible. It would be a dumb financial decision to put massive resources into this.

I'm not in a hurry. In fact, it is more than likely that I will just maintain the status quo as it has worked for the last 3 winters.

 

get the legacy GT wagon