| jkotovsky |
I am looking at buying my first SUV and I have test driven the Mitsubishi Endeavor, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Toyota Highlander, Lexus RX-330, Ford Explorer, Honda Pilot and Acura MDX. The vehicle will be used for comuting to work and limited off the road activites related to work. I am in the real estate development business. At this time I have narrowed my choice down to the Pilot EX-L or MDX.
My question is whether the price differential for the Base MDX is worth it? Based upon the 2004 model, I was leaning towards the MDX because of the moonroof. Now since Honda has added the moonroof and vehicle stability control to the Pilot for 2005, the differences seemed to have narrowed substantially. The MSRP difference is $4,635 ($32,635 Pilot vs $37,270 MDX). Also, the 26 month residual for the Pilot is 2 basis points higher than the MDX (62 versus 60).
How do MDX owners compare the two vehicles? Which is the better ride? Do the 17" wheels versus the 16" wheels make a difference in the ride quality? The MDX adds plastic wood to dress-up the interior and it appears to be more refined, but is the leather a better quality than in the Pilot? Any differences in operating costs?
Is the cost to upgrade to the Touring package worth it? The price differential between the MDX and Pilot than increases to over $6,600.
One last point, is the moonroof on the Pilot smaller than the moonroof on the MDX? It may be an optical illusion, but it appears to be smaller to me.
Thanks |
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| mullysalt |
It sounds as if you've been around the horn test driving several different models in the class. You seem stuck in the same place I was, is the MDX touring worth the extra $$ compared to a decked out Pilot. I ended up with a MDX touring w/navi and res. Not one day has passed in a year-and-a-half and 30K miles have I regretted my decision. I luv my MDX. Either way you go you'll be getting a fine SUV it's just a matter($$) of how FINE!
You might try to do a search through the site on the MDX vs. Pilot. |
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| jkotovsky |
Thanks for your input. It does sound like that I am in the same place decision wise as you found yourself. I noticed that you are a Chief's fan. I am on the east side of the state in St. Louis and I am an avid Ram's fan, but I always root for the Chiefs when they are not playing the Rams becasue of the Vermiel connection. He is really a great coach and a first class human being.
Where did you buy your MDX? Do you recommend that dealership? The reason I ask is that the Acura dealerships in St. Louis do not seem willing to discount their vehicles very much or to negotaite very much. From threads that I have read in other parts of the country there are Acura dealerships willing to sell at close to invoice. |
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| 04mdx4sq |
| In St. Louis, you can sometimes get a better deal at St. Louis Acura, but service and support at Frank Leta are second to none. I have bought my RSX-S as well as my MDX from Leta. Go in and talk to Greg Sabbath. Tell him Rob from The Sound Room sent you and he needs to take care of you. |
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| SouthOCMDX |
The price differential between the Pilot EX-L and the Base MDX is probably slightly higher than you indicate because in these parts Pilots can be had close to/at invoice whereas base MDX's are still above invoice... probably closer to a $5500 difference between the two.
I was in the same place you are two years ago and chose the Base MDX. I'd do it again... no regrets.
There are lots of threads/opinions on this topic, poke around with the search functionality... a wealth of info is contained in these pages. |
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| Echo2625 |
The saying in these parts goes like this...
You sit on the seats of a Pilot and you sit in the seats of a MDX
The MDX is much more comfortable in my opinion.. |
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| nightguy |
Wow...moonroof in the Pilot now ? That was pretty much THE reason we went with the X. First vehicle I've had with one and I've vowed to never again have a car without one unless it's a ragtop. I guess with both the roof and stability I'd be real close to getting the Pilot.
I will say however, the MDX drives much more like a car while the Pilot drives like a truck. |
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| Northern_MDX |
Looks like you have done enough research from various aspects.
I think it comes down to how significant $5000 saving is for you.
It's very different among all of us.
Is MDX better ? yes.
Is MDX $5000 better ? :rolleyes:
As much as I love my 02 X, if I were in the market today, I may go with Pilot and use that $5000 for some aftermarket/custom performance/luxry upgrades.
I have done enough work on my X and I can tell you the materials used (leather, plastic, suspension&brake components) can't really make you feel justified for its price tag. (As compared to Pilot).
Nevertheless, MDX does look and drive better than the Pilot I had chance to drive, and probably will make you look better at work
:D Maybe that's worth $5000:2: |
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| JCMDX |
I was in the same spot like a lot of people on this forum. Why MDX?
I hate the Pilot's column shifter.
The interior seemed a little too plasticky.
The exterior door handles felt cheap.
Did not like the instrument cluster.
Found the MDX a little more capable (2004 model)
MDX had a navi option.
Reverse camera.
Projector headlamps.
MDX was a bit more stylish.
Side curtain airbags.
Why Pilot?
Cheaper.
Does not require fancy gas (but might now )
More cargo space.
Either way....it's still a Honda. |
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| RCtennis3811 |
| My family had the same dilemma. I'd say to go with the MDX since it has the prestige of a luxury car brand, a nicer interior (leather and seats seem to be of better quality), actual exterior styling which isn't Pilot bland, more HP, and side-curtain airbags for all 3 rows. You won't regret it! |
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| lawboy02 |
| Don't discount the better warranty you get with the MDX....and, in my opinion, better styling. Also, you can get the base MDX for darn near the MSRP on a Pilot. |
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| lawboy02 |
| Oh yeah...and the increased HP of the X... |
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| Billr |
I went with the Pilot in 03 and I should have gotten the MDX.
I too went through all of the cost justifications between the two.
The Pilot is a good vehicle but it's got no personality at all.
Some other things you need to add in are accesories like fog lights or adding a rear camera if you get the NAV (old style NAV at that) these are standard on the MDX.
I was all set to buy a left over 04 Touring but they didn't have the color I wanted now I'm looking for a great deal on an 05.
A few things I like with the 05 Pilot that the MDX doesn't have are
2nd row seats slide forward.
Access to the 3rd row seating from either side (the X is curbside only).
Regular gas.
Good luck |
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| GeoDude |
I would note that the EX-L Pilot for '05 is coming equipped with the moonroof and VTM, which are two of the major differences noted above, but they aren't free (i.e., the Pilot invoice went up by $1100, while the base MDX went up only by $350). One important thing I would think you should try is to drive both of them. To my thinking, Acura and Honda may have gotten their wires crossed when designing them: while the Acura is a better handling SUV and is probably better suited for off-roading because of the stiffer suspension, it trades-off the smoother ride you seem to get from the Pilot. While the Pilot seems smoother, it sort of wallows around as compared to the MDX. This is odd to me since I would have imagined the more upscale car to be the less-likely to be taken off-road, and the more likely to be concerned with ride quality.
In any event, once my wife saw the MDX (particularly the interior) there was no convincing her to go with the "smarter", but more pedestrian, Pilot.
On the bright side, the base Pilot comes nicely equipped as compared to the base version of all other luxury brands, so while I didn't get away as cheap as I wanted (I was pulling for the Pilot), it cost me thousands less than the RX-330, BMW X-3 or ($scarier$) the BMW X-5 she had coveted for several months! (The X-3 really isn't in the same class either in luxury or size-wise, and it gets expensive when you get it with leather, automatic, etc...).
Either vehicle you choose (i.e., the MDX or the Pilot), you can be pretty sure that you will get the most for your money in its class. Good luck and take care. |
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