2009 Honda Pilot
- Thread starter JosephD05
- Start date
Totally agree with you Thai. That's precisely why we went with the last of the 08's instead of the first of the 09's. They just looked better to me as the newer one looks like a Forrester and a Cherokee mated (I guess that is who Honda was trying to compete with).
I know part of the issue was that with the initial design of the 2G Pilot they worked from the back and moved forward. They wanted to assure from the get go that the third row seat could sit an adult fairly comfortably. That meant a squared off top for headroom (no swoop down like on the 1G). Then they had to shorten up the 'trunk' space and square it off straight down.
If they had done the swooping lines and such that they attempted to on the 1st gen, then thrown a square back on it, it would have looked awful. So they seemed to go for function over form. They were able to get good interior space, keep the price point similar, and meet the needs of their audience, but lost the things that I liked about it (the front grill on the mid-cycle redesign looked pretty good, as did the swoop across the length of the vehicle).
Think of the 4Runner.... the first of the group that came out in what year? 2003(?) with gray cladding and the angular wheel wells looked just bad to me. They made changes and by 2006 it was the best looking SUV I'd seen, even though I HATED them at first. I guess it all comes down to whether you like how it treats you, then they start looking a bit better.
We've had the chance to upgrade to a 12 Pilot, but the 08 is great, so no reason. The MDX looks pretty smooth, and we aren't having any more kids. Maybe that's next. Or maybe... the 4Runner Trail. But my choice is one of those Mercedes you used to have.
I think my wife will end up in an AWD BMW or Lexus, and I'm cool with that. Just wish they still made the GX470 (hating the 460). Maybe we'll move to another country and buy a used Prado!
Thai
Elite Member
Well, if you don't need the 3rd row, then i would recommend Subarus...Toyota-like quality with some of the best AWD system avail. Since owning one, i can tell you that Subaru is very different than the BIG brands...they take care of you...it's like joining a club (a la Land Rover experience). More personal touch to the little things.
My 2 cents, not really a comparison issue...apples to oranges...
We just sold my wifes Camry to make room for our '07 Ridgeline purchase ( my Dad can no longer drive)...Yes we miss the XLE and the creature comforts BUT with 3 grandkids.....The Honda folks designed a "Working" enviroment for multitasking 3, 4 and 7 year olds
eace::vader:.....
Now I can "Draw" lines between my Tacoma and the Ridge BUT WHY????
The Tacoma will go places the Ridge will NEVER see BUT the Ridge brings the family anywhere with 4 door comfort and will easily out tow the YOTA...
The great thing about having the Ridgeline is it opens doors to "Think" about trading the Tacoma towards another 4-Runner....with just enough hauling capacity in that bed,more towing power and maintainence free
The "doors" open for a wheeling 3rd Gen...either a Sport or Limited that already has that "Locker" and the same 16" Rubber my Taco has...:naughty:
And no I will not compare a 4-Runner to a Pilot. 2 different vehicles also..
Honda treated my Dad well 5 times and close to 400k miles while Toyota has been GREAT to us since '81.....
We just sold my wifes Camry to make room for our '07 Ridgeline purchase ( my Dad can no longer drive)...Yes we miss the XLE and the creature comforts BUT with 3 grandkids.....The Honda folks designed a "Working" enviroment for multitasking 3, 4 and 7 year olds
eace::vader:.....Now I can "Draw" lines between my Tacoma and the Ridge BUT WHY????
The Tacoma will go places the Ridge will NEVER see BUT the Ridge brings the family anywhere with 4 door comfort and will easily out tow the YOTA...
The great thing about having the Ridgeline is it opens doors to "Think" about trading the Tacoma towards another 4-Runner....with just enough hauling capacity in that bed,more towing power and maintainence free
The "doors" open for a wheeling 3rd Gen...either a Sport or Limited that already has that "Locker" and the same 16" Rubber my Taco has...:naughty:
And no I will not compare a 4-Runner to a Pilot. 2 different vehicles also..
Honda treated my Dad well 5 times and close to 400k miles while Toyota has been GREAT to us since '81.....
stanleybb50
New member
^^^Ridgeline has a higher towing capacity than a Taco??? Do you have a 4cyl Taco and forgot to mention this? Or does the Ridgeline somehow have the towing capacity of an F-150 or something, all with its Accord chassis and 3.5 L???
Just wondering if there's something I'm missing here...
Just wondering if there's something I'm missing here...
Yes my Tacoma is a 4-cylinder.....but even if it was the 3.4 I would still tow with the Ridgeline over a Tacoma for any distance and max weight.....
Now compare a newer 4Runner against the Pilot ???.... I can not speak to that but you owners can...
Comfort and trust in your equipment works for me.....I move 73000 lbs around all day long with the "Mack Office" without hesistation and towing the boat with the Ridge instills that same comfort...
Now do not misunderstand my words please... I am DIEHARD Toyota fan since '81 BUT Honda has been good to my Dad for that long also......I just happened on a SWEET deal:thumb3:
Now compare a newer 4Runner against the Pilot ???.... I can not speak to that but you owners can...
Comfort and trust in your equipment works for me.....I move 73000 lbs around all day long with the "Mack Office" without hesistation and towing the boat with the Ridge instills that same comfort...
Now do not misunderstand my words please... I am DIEHARD Toyota fan since '81 BUT Honda has been good to my Dad for that long also......I just happened on a SWEET deal:thumb3:
rebelbowtie
New member
If you think a Honda Ridgeline can out tow anything short of a family sedan you need to reevaluate your knowledge of pick up trucks. It's common practice for truck manufactures to understate maximum payload and build in a safety factor since most consumers are negligent to those types of ratings. Honda claims a 1500# payload capacity out of the Ridgeline but I challenge you to actually throw 1500# in that 5' bed. You will be sitting on your bump stops for sure, on paper it would seem as though the Ridgeline can out tow and out truck all of the Big 3's half ton truck offerings.
Absolutely nothing about the Ridgeline is a truck, nor is it suited for truck like activities. The FWD biased drive train, unibody construction, 4 wheel independent suspension, high revving v6 borrowed from a sedan. Not to mention its price tag is ridiculously overpriced in the upper $30,000 range.
Congrats on your Honda Accord purchase bro
Absolutely nothing about the Ridgeline is a truck, nor is it suited for truck like activities. The FWD biased drive train, unibody construction, 4 wheel independent suspension, high revving v6 borrowed from a sedan. Not to mention its price tag is ridiculously overpriced in the upper $30,000 range.
Congrats on your Honda Accord purchase bro
stanleybb50
New member
I gotta be honest, I'm feeling many of rebels thoughts, but not with the same tone (no disrespect rebel).
Snoope - it seems as though you are comparing a first gen (4cyl!) Taco vs a new Ridgeline, with a standard v6... Its no surprise there. I appreciate your thoughts/etc, but I do feel your post is very misleading to others that could read this... To say a ''Ridgeline can out-tow a Taco'' is just inaccurate in many ways. That's all.
No arguments/etc - just saying, respectfully..
Snoope - it seems as though you are comparing a first gen (4cyl!) Taco vs a new Ridgeline, with a standard v6... Its no surprise there. I appreciate your thoughts/etc, but I do feel your post is very misleading to others that could read this... To say a ''Ridgeline can out-tow a Taco'' is just inaccurate in many ways. That's all.
No arguments/etc - just saying, respectfully..
rebelbowtie
New member
No disrespect taken, my post often sound offensive even to myself after I post them. Things get misconstrued over text
rebelbowtie,
no harm no foul....opinions are "free spirit"
Both Hondas towed the Grady White with dual axle trailer with ease...including the "trip" south...Maine to Florida with the Pilot....
I need to haul anything more than a cubic yard I have the "Mack Office"....
The Honda has done its work for my Dad and will do the same for me...while the Tacoma has never given me a problem it will become a 4-Runner if the "right deal" shows up....just makes $$$$ sense....
Plain and simple, If I wheel it down Class 4 & 6 roads/trails it will be a TOYOTA,while the Ridgeline can bring the whole family anywhere else while towing a boat....
no harm no foul....opinions are "free spirit"
Both Hondas towed the Grady White with dual axle trailer with ease...including the "trip" south...Maine to Florida with the Pilot....
I need to haul anything more than a cubic yard I have the "Mack Office"....
The Honda has done its work for my Dad and will do the same for me...while the Tacoma has never given me a problem it will become a 4-Runner if the "right deal" shows up....just makes $$$$ sense....
Plain and simple, If I wheel it down Class 4 & 6 roads/trails it will be a TOYOTA,while the Ridgeline can bring the whole family anywhere else while towing a boat....
rebelbowtie
New member
Well I am glad you can take criticism fact or opinion, most people cannot without getting butt hurt.
