| hondaguy |
Hi all,
Since this is an Acura forum I have a feeling I know how most of you will reply to this :-) but I'll give it a shot anyway.
The 2005 MDX w/NAV and the 2006 Pilot w/NAV are similar cars with similar features (I said "similar"). Now, due to discounts on the 2005 MDXs, the price difference is only around $4,000 (give or take).
In your opinion, what are the advantages and disadvantages to going with one or the other? (2005 MDX w/NAV vs. the 2006 Pilot w/NAV).
And since both cars really do have similar features, is it really worth the extra 4-grand for the MDX?
Please be honest. Thanks in advance... |
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| socalJD |
Off the top of my head . . .
'05 MDX Navi has that '06 Pilot EX-L Navi does not:
- Bluetooth
- OnStar
- Memory Driver seat & side mirrors
- rain sensing wipers
- auto headlights
- available w/RES (Pilot can't have both Navi & RES)
- Tilting passenger side mirror (when in reverse)
- 17" alloys & 65 tires
- Shifter on floor (Pilot has column shift)
- Acura Roadside assistance
- 4yr/50k Base warranty
I'll let the others talk about ride & handling, as I have not personally driven a recent model Pilot . . . |
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| nightguy |
I like the front clip on the MDX better as well as the interior. To me, the Pilot interior is meant to remind the stainless steel coffee mug holding soccer mom that she is driving an SUV. Everything about the MDX felt more solid and refined to me. I'd rather shift on the floor than the column.
Of course there are many other reasons...
Mostly that this idiot troll likes the Pilot. |
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| Sooner in FL |
We were in your shoe except it was a 05 X and 05 Pilot.
The X is more refined and a better ride IMHO. The Premium X was comparable to the EX Pilot. The Pilot interior was to bland and dull. The Pilot interior is goofy to me like having a tape deck, single CD, then a 6 CD in the middle. The Pilot does have more storage space around the driver and passenger side
It's all about how much driving are you going to do. For light driving, the Pilot is fine. For regular long driving, X is my choice. It's smoother and its handling is better to me. If you are towing like I do, the X can tow 4500lbs with a boat and 3500lbs for trailer. I think the Pilot is rated at only 3500lbs for both.
Everyone in their dog has a Pilot, but few have a X. If you like to stand out a little bit, get the X. If you are a "soccer mom or dad" the Pilot will fit.
If you like gadgets and little extra convience, then the X is for you. If you can care less, then Pilot is your number.
But if someday your are driving a Pilot and still having second doubts and dreaming of driving a X, by all means...bite the bullet and buy the X. It's only money. You will make more.:p
Good Luck. You would not go wrong with either the X or Pilot. |
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| Sooner in FL |
There you have it.
Two seperate people having the same opinion about the Pilot and express it at roughly the same time.
PILOT = Soccer Mom |
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| dj-mdx2 |
quote:
Originally posted by Sooner in FL
There you have it.
Two seperate people having the same opinion about the Pilot and express it at roughly the same time.
PILOT = Soccer Mom
Hey, we have soccer moms driving X's too, you know. And what's so bad about being a soccer mom or baseball dad? |
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| hondaguy |
quote:
Originally posted by Sooner in FL
PILOT = Soccer Mom
So, if Pilot = Soccer Mom...
What does MDX = ?
. |
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| dj-mdx2 |
quote:
Originally posted by hondaguy
So, if Pilot = Soccer Mom...
What does MDX = ?
.
Well, if you follow some members' logic,
MDX = Macho Dude Xtreme |
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| JL_SS |
quote:
Originally posted by hondaguy
So, if Pilot = Soccer Mom...
What does MDX = ?
.
They are both just levels of mini-van substitutes. One is a little more luxurious than the other. In our area, both the MDX and Pilot are family haulers for families that don't want a mini-van. |
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| JL_SS |
quote:
Originally posted by dj-mdx2
Well, if you follow some members' logic,
MDX = Macho Dude Xtreme
There is nothing Macho about an MDX..........or a Pilot. |
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| hondaguy |
Update: After getting a few quotes and figuring in the tax, etc., the price difference between the 2006 Pilot w/NAV and the 2005 MDX w/Nav is about $4,700. (I was off by 700 bucks)
After careful consideration (mostly thinking about how trashed our Jeep is due to our 2 1/2 year old son and large Golden Retriever), I've pretty much decided that the Pilot makes more sense for us.
Thanks for all the help and comments! |
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| socalJD |
quote:
Originally posted by JL_SS
There is nothing Macho about an MDX...........
Oh, I beg to differ. There is nothing macho about a mini van, or RX330, or Highlander. Short of a H1 or H2, the MDX does just fine in the testosterone zone . . . |
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| marcmdxer |
06 Pilot better because:
- MDX will be outdated next year, whereas Pilot takes a few more years before the completely redesign.
- Cheaper
- better overall value in its class
- 3 curtain row airbag
- more bang for your money
To be honest, I test drove the 06 pilot, it drives very similar to the current MDX |
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| JL_SS |
quote:
Originally posted by socalJD
Oh, I beg to differ. There is nothing macho about a mini van, or RX330, or Highlander. Short of a H1 or H2, the MDX does just fine in the testosterone zone . . .
I agree those vehicles are even less macho. I'll give the MDX sporty, but not Macho. |
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| socalJD |
Hondaguy (you can tell by his userID) has already made up his mind, so the point to this thread is moot.
The only thing I would concede to the '06 Pilot is that if you have ZERO need for AWD, you can get a 2WD version with VCM (Variable Cylinder Management) that is not (and should not) available on the X. But this coincides directly with the demographic and marketing strategy of the Pilot to make it more appealing & affordable for the masses.
As stated before, you cannot get BOTH Navi & RES on a Pilot, whereas you can have both on the X. Acura is targeting a much different segment with the X, so I do not see the Pilot & MDX being in the same class, and I'm sure the marketing honchos at AHMCo do not either. Boils down to personal preference and lifestyle, and no matter which you end up choosing, I'm sure the big wigs at AHMCo are giggling all the way to the bank . . . |
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| hondaguy |
quote:
Originally posted by socalJD
Hondaguy (you can tell by his userID) has already made up his mind, so the point to this thread is moot.
I can see why you might think that, but it's not true. I chose "hondaguy" as my userID simply because I was on the HondaPilot.org site and couldn't think of a creative userID. When I came over to this site I figured I'd just use the same ID.
The truth is, I'm really quite UNdecided about which car to get. I still look at every single Pilot *and* MDX I pass on the road. I just hate to think that the $4700 extra I'd spend on the MDX will go to waste since our 2 1/2 year old son and our dog will most likely destroy the interior of any car we get.
quote:
As stated before, you cannot get BOTH Navi & RES on a Pilot, whereas you can have both on the X.
Well, that *is* a great feature for those that need it. But... we don't want our son watching TV/movies in the car, so we do not want the RES option. Therefore, that point is moot for me.
quote:
Boils down to personal preference and lifestyle
True. |
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| marcmdxer |
I am some ****ing idiot, people. in here think their MDX is GOD.
any dislike or criticizm to their MDX is against them. |
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| nightguy |
quote:
Originally posted by marcmdxer
I am some ****ing idiot, people. in here think their MDX is GOD.
any dislike or criticizm to their MDX is against them.
Where have I heard this before ? I would ignore marcmdxer, Lann and whoever else "he" is but the unintentional self-deprecation rocks ! :cool: |
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| Warzau |
quote:
Originally posted by nightguy
Where have I heard this before ? I would ignore marcmdxer, Lann and whoever else "he" is but the unintentional self-deprecation rocks ! :cool:
Im sure he get's help |
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| socalJD |
quote:
Originally posted by hondaguy
. . . the $4700 extra I'd spend on the MDX will go to waste since our 2 1/2 year old son and our dog will most likely destroy the interior of any car we get . . .
Ok, I get it. Maybe the thread should have been titled differently. Are you sure it's narrowed down to a Pilot or MDX, or would you consider other options. If your son & dog are going to trash the interior, I agree that you shouldn't throw down 40k+ on any vehicle. Maybe you need to start with a list: must have items, like to have items & wish to have items. (ie Navi, leather seats, side bags, etc) Maybe you're better off with the CRV or Element, especially if the vehicle may become disposable in the next 3-4 yrs . . . |
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| marcmdxer |
| the same ****ing people again and again? |
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| hondaguy |
quote:
Originally posted by socalJD
If your son & dog are going to trash the interior, I agree that you shouldn't throw down 40k+ on any vehicle. ... Maybe you're better off with the CRV or Element, especially if the vehicle may become disposable in the next 3-4 yrs . . .
Well, we currently have a Jeep Grand Cherokee, so we need something with at *least* that much cargo room, and we'd really like third-row seats this time around. Reliability and safety are more important now due to our son. My wife won't drive a mini-van (I'm not mad about that thought either) so that leaves a mid-sized SUV (we really don't need a large SUV). ConsumerReports rated both the Pilot and MDX very highly in the mid-size SUV category -- in fact the Pilot was given a "Top Pick".
Concerning the NAV feature... I don't really "need" it, but I fell in love with the thought of having a rear-camera (again, safety), and it's only available with NAV.
The Pilot seems to fit the bill. It has great reliability, great value, and thanks to the new curtain-side airbags, it's safe.
Would I rather own an Acura than a Honda. Sure. Can I afford the Acura? Yep. But when my soaking wet Golden Retriever comes out of the ocean or a lake and wants to jump in the back of my car, it might be better if he jumps in a Pilot, not an MDX. Know what I mean? :-) |
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| nightguy |
quote:
Originally posted by hondaguy
But when my soaking wet Golden Retriever comes out of the ocean or a lake and wants to jump in the back of my car, it might be better if he jumps in a Pilot, not an MDX. Know what I mean? :-)
Well my GR has never been in the ocean (probably stinks more) but she has been to the lake via the MDX. I just wait about 20 minutes before she hops in. We have a cargo tray and some blankets we pull over the bumper when she gets in and out. |
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| XStatic |
quote:
Originally posted by hondaguy
Concerning the NAV feature... I don't really "need" it, but I fell in love with the thought of having a rear-camera (again, safety), and it's only available with NAV.
Same here, with the rear camera available I couldn't justify saving the 2K in the event that something happened. (That plus my wife hit someone backing up a couple months earlier)
quote:
Originally posted by hondaguy
Would I rather own an Acura than a Honda. Sure. Can I afford the Acura? Yep. But when my soaking wet Golden Retriever comes out of the ocean or a lake and wants to jump in the back of my car, it might be better if he jumps in a Pilot, not an MDX. Know what I mean? :-)
So get it, I didn't like the way the pilot drove, felt like a truck. Also didn't like the stick on the column (I did like the storage area though).
I figured the MDX would be about the same as the Pilot, but decided to test drive anyway. It was a completely different animal! The MDX was the first SUV I drove which I liked, so I bought it. I have a 1994 Trooper, which is in almost every way a truck, but I wanted another verhicle that drove as well as my V70 which we were replacing - MDX was a close as I could get.
I wish I would have liked the Pilot since it was cheaper. Overall build quality and features seemed about the same though. |
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| hondaguy |
quote:
Originally posted by XStatic
I didn't like the way the pilot drove, felt like a truck... I figured the MDX would be about the same as the Pilot, but decided to test drive anyway. It was a completely different animal!
Hmmm... To be honest, I haven't driven EITHER car yet. I just figured that since they're both built on the same platform, they probably have a similar ride/feel.
Question: if they ARE both built on the same platform, why don't they ride/feel the same? |
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| JL_SS |
quote:
Originally posted by hondaguy
Hmmm... To be honest, I haven't driven EITHER car yet. I just figured that since they're both built on the same platform, they probably have a similar ride/feel.
Question: if they ARE both built on the same platform, why don't they ride/feel the same?
The MDX suspension is tuned sportier, while the Pilot is tuned more for comfort. Therefore, the MDX handles better but you feel the bumps more due to the stiffer suspension. The 2005 Pilot feels much less truckish due to a number of changes including throttle by wire. I've driven the 2005 Pilot and the 2003 MDX for extensive periods and there is little difference between the two. Now I am sure that the 2005 MDX rides better than a 2003 MDX so there is likely still a difference between the 2005 MDX and 2005 Pilot. |
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| marcmdxer |
quote:
Originally posted by JL_SS
The MDX suspension is tuned sportier, while the Pilot is tuned more for comfort. Therefore, the MDX handles better but you feel the bumps more due to the stiffer suspension. The 2005 Pilot feels much less truckish due to a number of changes including drive by wire. I've driven the 2005 Pilot and the 2003 MDX for extensive periods and there is little difference between the two. Now I am sure that the 2005 MDX rides better than a 2003 MDX so there is likely still a difference between the 2005 MDX and 2005 Pilot.
hahaha now you admitted that 05 pilot drive the same as 03 mdx.
What about 01, 02 mdx dumb ass?
one of the other post i said 06 pilot is definitely better than 01, 02 mdx and a bunch of morons here don't agree? |
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| marcmdxer |
| some bastards in here never accept the fact that 06 Pilot is better than 01, 02 MDX |
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| hondaguy |
quote:
Originally posted by JL_SS
The MDX suspension is tuned sportier, while the Pilot is tuned more for comfort. Therefore, the MDX handles better but you feel the bumps more due to the stiffer suspension.
Good info. Thanks.
quote:
The 2005 Pilot feels much less truckish due to a number of changes including drive by wire. I've driven the 2005 Pilot and the 2003 MDX for extensive periods and there is little difference between the two. Now I am sure that the 2005 MDX rides better than a 2003 MDX so there is likely still a difference between the 2005 MDX and 2005 Pilot.
What about the 2006 Pilot? That's the one I'm actually considering. |
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| nightguy |
| Interesting post times here. :hmmm: |
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| JL_SS |
quote:
Originally posted by hondaguy
Good info. Thanks.
What about the 2006 Pilot? That's the one I'm actually considering.
The 2006 Pilot should ride essentially the same as the 2005. |
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| Warzau |
quote:
Originally posted by marcmdxer
some bastards in here never accept the fact that 06 Pilot is better than 01, 02 MDX
I know this moron is banned, but only a dumbass would compair a 02 model to a 06 model and a different line. |
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| hondaguy |
quote:
Originally posted by JL_SS
The MDX suspension is tuned sportier, while the Pilot is tuned more for comfort. Therefore, the MDX handles better but you feel the bumps more due to the stiffer suspension.
I was thinking about this post and had a question... does this mean that the Pilot's ride is more comfortable than the MDXs? Better handling but less comfort? Is this true? |
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| nightguy |
quote:
Originally posted by hondaguy
I was thinking about this post and had a question... does this mean that the Pilot's ride is more comfortable than the MDXs? Better handling but less comfort? Is this true?
Huh ?
My Spidey sense is tingling. |
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| socalJD |
Hondaguy,
The only way you're gonna objectively settle this is to TEST DRIVE both vehicles. Preferably in the same day so that the impressions will be fresh in your psyche. I know I'm not going to go out and test drive a '06 Pilot just to validate my purchase decision, but you have a real choice to make . . . Good luck and feel free to post your test driving impressions. |
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| JL_SS |
quote:
Originally posted by hondaguy
I was thinking about this post and had a question... does this mean that the Pilot's ride is more comfortable than the MDXs? Better handling but less comfort? Is this true?
I can't comment about the 2005/2006 because I've only owned the 2003. The shocks in the 2003 are stiffer than the 2005 Pilot resulting better handling (less body roll). The stiffer shocks also mean you feel more of the bumps in the road. It's not all that different but it was noticeable. As socalJD pointed out, you really need to drive each to determine which you like. |
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| BostonX |
Come on people. This guy is obviously either 14 years old or a bitter and intellectually challenged owner of a 1986 Isuzu Trooper.
Ignore him and hopefully he'll go away... |
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| LabMeister |
| My wife deserved better and that's why I bought her the MDX instead of the Pilot. Plus, there are too many Pilots where we're stationed right now. So far, I've seen 1 other SBP, 1 NBP, 1 TW and 1 DRM. |
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| JL_SS_DAD |
quote:
Originally posted by JL_SS
The MDX suspension is tuned sportier, while the Pilot is tuned more for comfort. Therefore, the MDX handles better but you feel the bumps more due to the stiffer suspension. The 2005 Pilot feels much less truckish due to a number of changes including throttle by wire. I've driven the 2005 Pilot and the 2003 MDX for extensive periods and there is little difference between the two. Now I am sure that the 2005 MDX rides better than a 2003 MDX so there is likely still a difference between the 2005 MDX and 2005 Pilot.
I am very dissappointed person |
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| JL_SS_DAD |
quote:
Originally posted by Warzau
I know this moron is banned, but only a dumbass would compair a 02 model to a 06 model and a different line.
Im a dumbass person. |
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| uboltpb |
I fell that there has been good recommendations. There's nothing wrong with the Pilot. I think it looks a great deal like the MDX.
The MDX is more luxurious and does have a better ride. By luxurious I mean the leather is softer, there's more plood, and it has more toys- already discussed:
Bluetooth
Onstar
DVD available with NAV together- much cleaner look than buying after markets gadgets, plus it's integrated with the vehicle.
CD changer is in the dash as opposed to under the driver's seat.
Good luck, there is no bad choice with the 2 cars you're choosing. I will say my neighbor regrets being overly frugal and settling for the Pilot. If cost is a concern definitely go for the Pilot. If cost isn't an issue go for the MDX. |
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| nightguy |
| This whole thread smells like troll back to the beginning. Dude, give it up. We're on to you. You have the grace of an elephant. |
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| Warzau |
| whether or not this thread is going nowhere |
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