| TheRunDown |
Honestly I think MDX is no better than Pilot when talking about quality if not to say that MDX has more quality problems than Pilot.
Anyone has any input? |
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| robrecht |
Some people put together this pseudo head-to-head comparison of the specific items rated by Consumer Reports in this thread:
Pilot first, MDX second.
Acceleration: 3, 4
Transmission: 5, 5
Routine Handling: 4, 4
Emergency Handling: 3, 2
Fuel Economy: 2, 1
Braking: 4, 3
Ride: 4, 4
Noise: 4, 4
Driving Position: 4, 5
Front Seat Comfort: 4, 5
Rear Seat Comfort: 4, 4
Third-row Seat Comfort: 5, 4
Access: 5, 4
Controls and Displays: 5, 4
Interior fit and finish: 5, 4
Cargo Area: 4, 3
Predicted Reliability: 4, 5
The Pilot has room for 1 more little person in its 3rd row and about 8 cubic feet more cargo capacity (mostly vertical).
Keep in mind these are 2003 models rated. The '04 MDX has side curtain airbags, while the Pilot will probably get these (and VSA) in '05. The '04 Pilot has an even more useful 3rd row because of the adjustable 2nd row which the MDX does not have. One might also expect that the Pilot reliability data, though good, will improve as it moves beyond the 1st model year, though I wonder if that process might be delayed by the move to a new assembley plant.
Oh, and the Pilot also still has the sunglass holder! |
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| msu79gt82 |
Fool me once shame on you ...
Fool me twice shame on me :rolleyes: |
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| azfansinnc |
Whatever.:8:
This comes up from time to time. I have no problem with the Pilot and the pride of the owners who have them. It's a nice vehicle. I would have bought one if it was not for the sloppy handling and the terrible Ody style shifter on the column. (It would probably be nice to have the useable console but the shifter sat right on my knee in D3.:14: I also use the shifter in my MDX. Column shifters suck.)
No regrets about my MDX, which is an '03. |
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| hsj |
quote:
Originally posted by robrecht
Some people put together this pseudo head-to-head comparison of the specific items rated by Consumer Reports in this thread:
Pilot first, MDX second.
Acceleration: 3, 4
Transmission: 5, 5
Routine Handling: 4, 4
Emergency Handling: 3, 2
Fuel Economy: 2, 1
Braking: 4, 3
Ride: 4, 4
Noise: 4, 4
Driving Position: 4, 5
Front Seat Comfort: 4, 5
Rear Seat Comfort: 4, 4
Third-row Seat Comfort: 5, 4
Access: 5, 4
Controls and Displays: 5, 4
Interior fit and finish: 5, 4
Cargo Area: 4, 3
Predicted Reliability: 4, 5
The Pilot has room for 1 more little person in its 3rd row and about 8 cubic feet more cargo capacity (mostly vertical).
Keep in mind these are 2003 models rated. The '04 MDX has side curtain airbags, while the Pilot will probably get these (and VSA) in '05. The '04 Pilot has an even more useful 3rd row because of the adjustable 2nd row which the MDX does not have. One might also expect that the Pilot reliability data, though good, will improve as it moves beyond the 1st model year, though I wonder if that process might be delayed by the move to a new assembley plant.
Oh, and the Pilot also still has the sunglass holder!
You see no diff between mule and a Horse, Both Pull though....
:1: |
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| Fabvsix |
| i THINK the MDX is by far a better looking SUV. I don't like the BOX look of the Pilot. Cheap inside too ! |
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| mdx99 |
quote:
Originally posted by TheRunDown
Honestly I think MDX is no better than Pilot when talking about quality if not to say that MDX has more quality problems than Pilot.
Anyone has any input?
Pilot! no way! that cheap looking box, no comparison to MDX as far as styling, interior etc, except maybe they all have cheesy speakers. |
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| DaleB |
quote:
Originally posted by mdx99
Pilot! no way! that cheap looking box, no comparison to MDX as far as styling, interior etc, except maybe they all have cheesy speakers.
You mean the Pilot has the upgraded speakers from the MDX? What a selling point! :D |
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| greatscot |
quote:
Originally posted by azfansinnc
Whatever.:8:
This comes up from time to time. I have no problem with the Pilot and the pride of the owners who have them. It's a nice vehicle. I would have bought one if it was not for the sloppy handling and the terrible Ody style shifter on the column. (It would probably be nice to have the useable console but the shifter sat right on my knee in D3.:14: I also use the shifter in my MDX. Column shifters suck.)
No regrets about my MDX, which is an '03.
The Pilot shifter is on the column? The one I sat in at the San Jose Dealership had the shifter on the console like the X. Also, they had it fully "pimped" w/chrome everywhere, wheels, mirrors, bumpers, stepsides, all for $10,000 less than the X. But the "box-like" appearance leaves a lot to be desired. As a Honda product, I expect it will sell well on it's Honda reputation for reliability. |
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| rod1105 |
| No one mention the biggy - long-term transmission issues with the Pilot. I heard the same problem plagued the MDX in earlier models but it was redone on the 2004 version. |
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| DBamaC |
| One of the biggest problems I have with the Pilot vs. the MDX is no sunroof. I guess they figure that people who demand a sunroof will just move up to the MDX...and I guess they were right. |
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| DBamaC |
| One of the biggest problems I have with the Pilot vs. the MDX is no sunroof. I guess they figure that people who demand a sunroof will just move up to the MDX...and I guess they were right. |
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| azfansinnc |
quote:
Originally posted by greatscot
The Pilot shifter is on the column? The one I sat in at the San Jose Dealership had the shifter on the console like the X.
New to me. The '03 I last looked at had it on the column.
**edit**
Never mind. The pics on their website still show a column shifter. |
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| wmquan |
I personally don't think the column shifter is that big a deal.
The three main issues for me with the Pilot are the lack of side curtain airbags (when every major competitor in the segment has them), the lack of VSA (not that Honda's is very effective, but it's better than nothing and again, every major competitor in the segment has it available), and the questionable, recently recalled transmission based on the same problematic one from the Odyssey/TL/CL/Accord V6 and shared with the 01-02 MDX. |
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| DaleB |
quote:
Originally posted by wmquan
I personally don't think the column shifter is that big a deal.
I have to agree with that. The only advantage of the console shifter is cosmetic. If we had the sport trannies of other sedans, that would be another story. There are many times I find the shifter in the way, and it would be a great location for something carrying food & drink, etc. (Get your mind out of the gutter! :D )
Maybe we need a console shifter that can be snapped out for 'those occasions'. |
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| robrecht |
quote:
Originally posted by wmquan
I personally don't think the column shifter is that big a deal.
The three main issues for me with the Pilot are the lack of side curtain airbags (when every major competitor in the segment has them), the lack of VSA (not that Honda's is very effective, but it's better than nothing and again, every major competitor in the segment has it available), and the questionable, recently recalled transmission based on the same problematic one from the Odyssey/TL/CL/Accord V6 and shared with the 01-02 MDX.
Are there any data available comparing transmission problems on '03-'04 Pilots with '03-'04 MDXs? I thought the tranny recall on the Pilot was a relatively minor issue meant to fix a design flaw that caused only 10 failures out of some 600,000 vehicles. My understanding is that it is not really related to the earlier Acura transmission problems. Of course, one never really knows about trannys ... Hence, my query regarding data. |
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| wmquan |
quote:
Originally posted by robrecht
Are there any data available comparing transmission problems on '03-'04 Pilots with '03-'04 MDXs? I thought the tranny recall on the Pilot was a relatively minor issue meant to fix a design flaw that caused only 10 failures out of some 600,000 vehicles. My understanding is that it is not really related to the earlier Acura transmission problems. Of course, one never really knows about trannys ... Hence, my query regarding data.
In regards to "only 10 failures out of some 600,000 vehicles," my take on that is that at the point the stat was taken, only 10 had failed. But does that mean in a similar period of time over the future, only 10 more would fail? I doubt it.
Honda, like some other manufacturers, desperately tries to avoid the stigma of recalls and often tries to hide them under the guise of TSB's (e.g. the airbag issue in some Pilots that IIHS discovered during testing). I do not think they would have issued the recall unless they found that there was a serious design issue that could cause serious problems as the transmissions aged. 10 failures to date, but unchecked, the failure rate could go much, much higher. And during the recall, they can replace transmissions that look like they're going to fail, but have not failed yet.
Finally, the recall only addresses some aspects of the transmission failures reported to date. There is still the issue of the infamous third-gear clutch pack that seems to be a central part of 01-02 MDX transmission failures, and, as the Pilot fleet ages, likely to be there as well.
The vast majority of the older-design transmissions will not fail, but I suspect that over time we will see a higher failure rate than normal. Honda may finally extend the transmission warranties on the Pilot and 01-02 MDX. |
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| robrecht |
quote:
Originally posted by wmquan
In regards to "only 10 failures out of some 600,000 vehicles," my take on that is that at the point the stat was taken, only 10 had failed. But does that mean in a similar period of time over the future, only 10 more would fail? I doubt it.
Honda, like some other manufacturers, desperately tries to avoid the stigma of recalls and often tries to hide them under the guise of TSB's (e.g. the airbag issue in some Pilots that IIHS discovered during testing). I do not think they would have issued the recall unless they found that there was a serious design issue that could cause serious problems as the transmissions aged. 10 failures to date, but unchecked, the failure rate could go much, much higher. And during the recall, they can replace transmissions that look like they're going to fail, but have not failed yet.
Finally, the recall only addresses some aspects of the transmission failures reported to date. There is still the issue of the infamous third-gear clutch pack that seems to be a central part of 01-02 MDX transmission failures, and, as the Pilot fleet ages, likely to be there as well.
The vast majority of the older-design transmissions will not fail, but I suspect that over time we will see a higher failure rate than normal. Honda may finally extend the transmission warranties on the Pilot and 01-02 MDX.
Hi, wmquan. Don't get me wrong. I was trying to say that I don't think I will ever be completely free of concern about a Honda/Acura transmission for a while and a recall is always a reason for additional concern regarding the many unknowns of transmission reliability.
I was always curious about why the MDX transmission was upgraded while that of the Pilot was not.
If it was an upgrade meant to prevent current problems, wouldn't it be in Honda's interest to make the same upgrade on the Pilot, a vehicle with a very similar drivetrain and (at the time) built in the same factory?
If it was it because of the 20-25 hp increase in the MDX in 2003-2004, does that mean that the tolerances were so close that the 2002 MDX transmission couldn't handle such a marginal increase in horsepower? Was the extra cost of retooling for assemblying two different transmissions projected to be less than the cost of MDX tranny failures between 36-50k?
I've read that the newer MDX transmission is more compact? Is that an improvement or perhaps required for some other reason? VSA? I think I recall you speculating that the shift in MDX weight distribution with the compact tranny might have something to do with its downgraded crash test scores in 2003 (now partially corrected).
Can you point me to a source that explains some of these tranny issues? I've tried to follow the tranny threads here but there are so many, I apologize if I've missed it. Are there indications that the 2003-04 MDX transmissions are more reliable than the 2001-02 trannys? Or are we all just guessing at this point? Or counting beans?
I'm fascinated in the incremental changes/upgrades that engineers introduce in cars and other products during their life-cycle. To me that is the real test of an automobile manufacturer. Nothing is ever engineered perfectly and any car can always be improved, but at what cost? When is an improvement cost-effective, either due to warranty costs or for overall reputation for quality? My father was a zealous engineer and I guess his struggles with these questions rubbed off on me as well. |
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| robrecht |
With respect to some of the other points raised in this thread ...
I think the column shifter is actually an advantage of the Pilot. Frees up quite a bit of convenient storage space. Unless you want to pretend you have a FWD manual transmission. :roadtrip:
De gustibus et coloribus et stylingibus non disputantum est. Believe it or not, some people actually prefer the traditional, masculine SUV styling of the Pilot. I always liked the more contemporary, sportier image of the MDX, but I have to admit that the Pilot is growing on me. Maybe the MDX's fresh 2001 styling will get sale a little quicker.
Is the Pilot's sloppier handling a disadvantage in a 2-ton+ FWD bus? Not according to CR's emergency handling test, despite the lack of VSA. I know it's only one test, but it must have some meaning. Unless, you're gonna get a real Porsche Cayenne, maybe you shouldn't pretend that an SUV is a sports car?
Is the Pilot's interior cheaper than that of the MDX? Not according to the fit and finish rating of CR. And there's something to be said for a little bit more roominess.
The MDX-Pilot comparison is an interesting example of branding and niche marketing. Kind of SWM yuppie image making vs family values. If the MDX is nouveau Republican, maybe the Pilot is tradtional Democrat. Oh God, I hope this thread doesn't turn into another ultraconservative shouting match. :7: |
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| wmquan |
quote:
Originally posted by robrecht
Hi, wmquan. Don't get me wrong. I was trying to say that I don't think I will ever be completely free of concern about a Honda/Acura transmission for a while and a recall is always a reason for additional concern regarding the many unknowns of transmission reliability.
I was always curious about why the MDX transmission was upgraded while that of the Pilot was not.
If it was an upgrade meant to prevent current problems, wouldn't it be in Honda's interest to make the same upgrade on the Pilot, a vehicle with a very similar drivetrain and (at the time) built in the same factory?
...
I've read that the newer MDX transmission is more compact? Is that an improvement or perhaps required for some other reason? VSA? I think I recall you speculating that the shift in MDX weight distribution with the compact tranny might have something to do with its downgraded crash test scores in 2003 (now partially corrected).
Can you point me to a source that explains some of these tranny issues? I've tried to follow the tranny threads here but there are so many, I apologize if I've missed it. Are there indications that the 2003-04 MDX transmissions are more reliable than the 2001-02 trannys? Or are we all just guessing at this point? ...
Since I own an '01 MDX with a similarly suspect transmission, I am concerned as well about the long-term viability of my transmission. And I have had one unusual major transmission shudder to date, though now it's been a while.
Acura has never stated why the MDX's transmission changed for the 2003 model year. They've stated some of the benefits, e.g. a better front/rear weight ratio, but never true reasoning of why they went that way.
Why would Honda change it in one vehicle and not another, especially if there could be problems in the other? Obviously that could mean that Honda is comfortable with the old transmission.
But it may also simply be that they haven't gotten around to it yet. The Pilot had already been designed with the older transmission before the MDX released with the newer transmission. For all we know, those plans are on the boards already for the Pilot, but it's always expensive to execute a design change. Even if it is built in the same factory on the same line.
Honda traditionally takes a while to work changes through its models. Look how long it's taking VSA, xenons, side curtains, Brake Assist, audio upgrades, etc. to flow through the model line. I've said it before -- Honda doesn't always seem to work logically!
There is no empirical evidence that the 2003-2004 transmissions are more reliable. There have been a few failure reports but one can't absolutey say if it's simply the fact that some transmissions will always fail, or is the failure rate as high as the previous generation, given the same amount of time.
But what we do know:
- The old transmission is based on the same transmission that Honda has publicly admitted has a higher failure rate, and has extended the transmission warranty for.
- From analyzing the diagrams, those transmissions "look" very similar.
- Honda has publicly claimed that the old transmission is a "beefed up" version of the one it's based on (which may mean it doesn't have the same problem, may mean it will have the same problem, or will have the same problem over a longer period of time).
- From analyzing the diagrams, the new transmission does indeed "look" like a new design, and not a derivative of the old transmission.
- Honda has recalled the old transmission, and acknowledged at least one design defect related to the second gear.
- A lot of the failure reports with the old transmission seem to have to do with the third gear clutch pack.
- The most common failure in the publicly acknowledged problematic 5-speed transmissions is -- the third gear clutch pack.
So I'm willing to think openly about it, but I also realize there are folks who shake their head and scream, "duh, there are problems with the old tranny, it's been recalled already, and Honda dumped it in 2003, wake up and smell the coffee!"
But I will say that we are discussing differences that don't mean your transmission (or mine) will fail. E.g. it may mean that the old transmission fails at a 0.5% higher rate, which is large by automobile industry standards but obviously not something noticeable by some owners.
However, I'm never one to automatically defend Honda (please note I am not saying that you are, you are very logical and reasoned in your approach). Even if the failure rate isn't a very large percentage higher, it's not what one expects and pays for when they buy a Honda. I also freely admit that I'm on the pessimistic side. I don't hold Honda in as high a regard as some other MDX owners do, for numerous reasons (though I don't hold a lot of vehicle manufacturers in overall high regard, but that's another topic). Plus I've already had the transmission shudder on my MDX, and in my previous Acura, the transmission went out at 27k.
As far as threads, I'm not sure where to start. As you pointed out, there's a myriad of them. I'd recommend seeing some of the diagrams and the discussion of similarities:
http://www.acuramdx.org/forums/show...=&threadid=7513
Chris made a huge contribution by posting the diagrams for us to see! I was actually a bit more initially optimistic about the transmission in that thread. But then we dug down into the infamous third gear clutch pack, and now we have the recall. |
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| robrecht |
Thanks, wmquan. Great post, as usual. Really interesting tranny thread too, exactly the issues I've been wondering about. I had seen some of Chris' diagrams elsewhere but not all of them (too bad this source dried up). Surprising how little hard data we've gained since the Fall of '02.
Yes, I do share some of your concerns about our trannies. I also hope the creek don't rise and my basement stays dry. But I'm not too worried--we don't tow and my wife's not too hard on the tranny (as far as I know).
Wonder if the Pilot will get the newer tranny when it gets VSA? I suspect though that Honda did change the MDX transmission at least in part because it was worred about the bump in horsepower on a tranny that might already have been at the limits of its design. But then the question shifts to the real world performance of the new design. Time will tell, of course, but by then we'll have new questions.
By no means am I always indiscriminately pro-Honda, and I reluctantly agree that Toyota/Lexus may be a quarter notch above with respect to quality, but I am also turned off by their Chrysler-like advertising style and am not necessarily attracted by their GM-like multiplication of incrementally different models. Honda/Acura reminds me more of Ford, fewer models but good models with broad appeal. Does any of this marketing stuff matter? No, but it's still fun to talk about. Bottom line, I'd still rather have a Pilot than a Highlander/RX, mostly because of space and value.
Happy Father's Day, everyone! :7: |
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| robrecht |
quote:
Originally posted by wmquan
There is no empirical evidence that the 2003-2004 transmissions are more reliable. There have been a few failure reports but one can't absolutey say if it's simply the fact that some transmissions will always fail, or is the failure rate as high as the previous generation, given the same amount of time.
This isn't yet data, but an interesting observation I saw over at HondaPilot.org:
quote:
Originally posted by TheWorm
I concur w/RipRock's observation that the "new" compact tranny design in the 03+ MDX seems to have just as many failures as the original tranny in the 01/02 MDX and Pilots. Nonetheless, from my perspective it's hardly as widespread as the TL/CL fiasco...
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| wmquan |
quote:
Originally posted by robrecht
Wonder if the Pilot will get the newer tranny when it gets VSA?
Unfortunately, there is no correlation between VSA and a transmission. While VSA was added to the MDX at the same time it received the redesigned transmission, there really is no component of VSA that should tie to a transmission.
A VSA system employs the vehicle's ABS sensors, ABS itself, as well as yaw sensors, throttle input, and steering input. Another component of VSA is traction control.
Another way to look at it is that the TL's with the ill-fated transmission had VSA in their TL-S guise.
Of course, Honda may introduce VSA in the Pilot at the same time it introduces the new transmission.
Generally I don't think we have enough evidence that the 03-04 transmission is more reliable than the previous one.
But if you were to ask me as a 2001 owner, and likely other Pilot owners, this question:
quote:
If your MDX/Pilot was available with your choice of transmission, which would you choose?
- An older transmission design that is based on, and, from a diagram point of view, virtually identical to one that, in past form, has a higher failure rate acknowledged by Honda, as well as an active NHTSA recall against it.
- A newer design transmission that currently has no active recall on it and no history of Honda acknowledgement of issues.
Which would you pick?
Anyone have a link to that massive NHTSA report on transmission issues? I recall there was some stuff on the grounding of the third gear clutch disk, and how the quality of it might have dropped as its component manufacture was transferred from Japan to the U.S. and then to another U.S. plant. |
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| Fabvsix |
Wgqaun:
I think I have what you want but WAY too long to post on this board. Have you got a private email address so I can send this to you ? |
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| wmquan |
quote:
Originally posted by Fabvsix
Wgqaun:
I think I have what you want but WAY too long to post on this board. Have you got a private email address so I can send this to you ?
I think that oilchange's links actually have the report I was thinking of, so you probably don't need to transmit the email. Thanks for offering! And thanks to oilchange for posting that info!
EricL's posts from acura-cl.com are really well thought-out and the Honda/Acura community should applaud him.
I would daresay that he thinks that the newer transmissions may be okay from the standpoint that Honda has improved the quality of manufacturing process and also made some modifications. He does say that it should prolong life but not necessarily be the best design. So maybe Pilot owners are okay, depending on whether Honda "keeps it up" or not. I've had some reasons to doubt them lately (e.g. the big recall on CR-V's for faulty airbags, ouch).
quote:
I 'think' the newer ECU/clutch pack/"other mod" set of "upgrades"/"manufacturing process improvement" should keep the clutch packs cooler. The updated specs and process for the clutch disks "should" make them last longer.
IMO, if you are talking about the "spontaneous downshift issue (4-2 / 5-2)", you are probably going to be OK with the new mods.
IMO, if you are talking about having a tranny that will basically last for 200,000 miles, then I have my doubts. I would NOT classify the current transmission as a "build like a rock" design that will last for years and years.
One of these days I'll try to run through the report, but, as you can see, it is just massive.
It is ironic that one of the root causes cited in the report does indeed seem to have to do with switching manufacture of a part from Japan to the U.S. (and then another switch within the U.S.). What I've noticed is that it's not just the plant where the vehicle is assembled, it's also the suppliers (either Honda or contracted). The most notorious recent example of this is the Mercedes-Benz M-class, where MB quality control was so bad that it let suppliers provide faulty window switches, rupturing steering hoses, etc. |
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| Billr |
quote:
Originally posted by TheRunDown
Honestly I think MDX is no better than Pilot when talking about quality if not to say that MDX has more quality problems than Pilot.
Anyone has any input?
I had the same question when I bought my Pilot over the MDX.
I've regretted my decision ever since.
I thought the two vehicles were close but after owning a Pilot for 2 years now I'm getting set to buy an MDX now (I'm torn between getting an 04 or waiting for an 05 to see what the differences will be).
My Pilot hasn't been bad but it's been very annoying with all the little things it has wrong with it (I hope the X is better).
Some of them are,
The window gaskets creak (even after having the TSB done)
I have a loud clunk in the right rear when going over bumps (3 tries to fix it and it's still there).
The plastic and interior scratches with the least little thing.
Occasional rattles (I had to fix the one in the dash myself).
Rear spoiler scrapes against the roof when opening in hot weather (even after the TSB)
There are more too.
Honda service VS Acura (the X has a better warranty too) I've tried 2 different dealers.
As far as the column shifter vs the console, I really love the huge bin the Pilot has for all of my stuff (a McDonald's 4 drink thay fits in perfectly).
Handling is fine but I had to get rid of the awful Goodyears the Pilot had (the Premium X has the same). |
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| JL_SS |
quote:
Originally posted by Billr
I had the same question when I bought my Pilot over the MDX.
I've regretted my decision ever since.
I thought the two vehicles were close but after owning a Pilot for 2 years now I'm getting set to buy an MDX now (I'm torn between getting an 04 or waiting for an 05 to see what the differences will be).
My Pilot hasn't been bad but it's been very annoying with all the little things it has wrong with it (I hope the X is better).
Some of them are,
The window gaskets creak (even after having the TSB done)
I have a loud clunk in the right rear when going over bumps (3 tries to fix it and it's still there).
The plastic and interior scratches with the least little thing.
Occasional rattles (I had to fix the one in the dash myself).
Rear spoiler scrapes against the roof when opening in hot weather (even after the TSB)
There are more too.
Honda service VS Acura (the X has a better warranty too) I've tried 2 different dealers.
As far as the column shifter vs the console, I really love the huge bin the Pilot has for all of my stuff (a McDonald's 4 drink thay fits in perfectly).
Handling is fine but I had to get rid of the awful Goodyears the Pilot had (the Premium X has the same).
If these issues are the reason you considering the MDX then you might want to reconsider. I have had lengthy conversations with the service manager at my dealership (the many times mine has been in for quality problems) and the conclusion is that MDX build quality is inconsistent at best. Mine has clicking door seals that they can't fix, many rattles, rear windows that have extra padding added so they don't rattle loudly against the rails, severe paint quality problems as well as a number of other issues. You also may get lucky enough to have the brake click and/or the gas tank clunk. The interior of the MDX scratches so easily that many owners have to gently guide their seat belts back when retracted so they don't nick the pillar. So the fact that the MDX has been out there for 4 model years does not mean it has matured to a problem free design. |
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| The X-men |
| I agree with JL_SS, the built quality on the MDX is no better than the pilot. They both share a manufacturing plant now, so they are built by the same people. Lets face it guys, the Americans and canadians' built quality are inconsistant, just like American cars and other foreign cars that are built in North America. I too test drove both the MDX and the pilot, but I didn't buy the MDX because it has better built quality. I bought the MDX because it alot more fun to drive and the standard options. |
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| Billr |
Thank you for the great feedback.
I do have the sloshing gas tank, the brake click and the scratched up A pillar (I totally gave up on that).
I want an MDX for the extra features and sportier demeanor as well but if it's of the same quality as the Pilot count me out.
It's really unfortunate because the size and design of the vehicle really meets my needs for an SUV.
I looked at the new RX330 and while it's very nice, it's too small and needs more torque for me.
Thanks again. |
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| mgtr |
We drove both the Pilot and the MDX (Touring) in March, back to back, over the same roads at the same speeds. We found the X was far more comfortable over most roads than the Pilot. Felt like you sat in the X, on the Pilot. However, on horrible roads, the X had a worse ride.
So, we bought the X, have loved it, glad we spent the extra money. |
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