jbmccul
New member
Test drove the new outback as well, it's a really solid car, but make sure you get the v6, the h4 is sluggish IMO. Plus not sure about the towing capacity
4runner, pilot, or xterra
- Thread starter Crissyphotog
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Test drove the new outback as well, it's a really solid car, but make sure you get the v6, the h4 is sluggish IMO. Plus not sure about the towing capacity
4everunner
Member
I had 2008 pilot and trade in for 2010 4runner. T4R the best!!!)))Much smoother, better handling, ! Of course I don't know about new pilot body. Never had xterra, but I have frontier, smoother then 08 pilot. Also pilot very noise!!!! It was nice suv, lotsa room, I had 3rd row, but t4r better(to me). Good luck!
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I know i can look this up but easier to ask ya'll. What model do I need in order to get steering wheel controls? My local deanship have 6 4runners, none had steering wheel controls and sticker on all was $32......one had 3rd row others were 2 rows.
I really don't care about options but I need my steering wheel controls
I was exactly the same way. I could vary on some other options, but a firm requirement was the steering wheel audio and bluetooth controls. You can view your local Toyota Dealers inventory online and confirm which silver 4r's have the AM/FM/CD/MP3 AUDIO SYSTEM (DJ) option. That is the best way to tell (other than having NAV, that you get the useful steering wheel controls. The description of the DJ options is:
o AM/FM CD player with MP3/WMA playback capability, eight speakers, XM® Radio (includes 90-day trial subscription) , USB port with iPod® connectivity, hands-free phone capability and music streaming via Bluetooth®wireless technology
philsey
New member
I consistantly get 19 aound town, which is most of my driving. Typically get 22+ hwy at 70 mph. Head winds will reduce this by 2 mpg.
I drove 50 miles the other day in the rain, cruise set at 60, stayed at 26 mpg the whole trip. I suspect a tailwind tho.
philsey
New member
Not sure I agree, only because towing is rated at 3500#, and I ASSUME it's FWD.
@OP - One thing I have come to wish my 4R has, primarily because I'm getting some arthritis in my shoulders, and that is a power tailgate. Don't know how tall you are, but the 4R does not offer this and the Pilot does. Seems like you'll be in-and-out a lot. You should experiment with the 4R's tailgate. Might be a drawback for you, it's heavy to open and close. My wife is short and doesn't like it.
Crissyphotog
New member
I have decided on the Pilot.
I took a 4runner home last week for a few hours and didn't like it. It was just "blah" in my opinion but the three biggest reasons I scratched it was NO storage other than the openness but no cubbies anywhere and even the glove compartment was small. Brakes sucked. And my husband noticed something about the steering.
I had decided to just get a Kia Sorento LX to save money, figured if I didn't like it in a year I would trade in for the Pilot but after researching and researching, it just scares me to go the Kia/Hyundai route and the 2011 Sorento seems to have a suspension problem.
Last night we went to a Honda dealership to check out a 2009 Pilot Touring RES they had listed for 29700ish, of course that was a deal I would have jumped on if in good condition but it was dogged. We also drove a 2009 Pilot ESL with an added aftermarket DVD player. I really liked it but we already had a bad experience at this Honda dealership when we got the Civic SI Mugen and trying to make a deal on that Pilot just confirmed it so we walked out. I am sending my husband to the dealership where we got the Element to work with the same salesman today. If they have a used one we can get for 27000ish I told him to bring that home, if now just to see what he can work out with a new EX. I really liked test driving those 2 and riding in. As far as the road noise/ride, coming from the Element, anything will be smoother/quieter I think.
I took a 4runner home last week for a few hours and didn't like it. It was just "blah" in my opinion but the three biggest reasons I scratched it was NO storage other than the openness but no cubbies anywhere and even the glove compartment was small. Brakes sucked. And my husband noticed something about the steering.
I had decided to just get a Kia Sorento LX to save money, figured if I didn't like it in a year I would trade in for the Pilot but after researching and researching, it just scares me to go the Kia/Hyundai route and the 2011 Sorento seems to have a suspension problem.
Last night we went to a Honda dealership to check out a 2009 Pilot Touring RES they had listed for 29700ish, of course that was a deal I would have jumped on if in good condition but it was dogged. We also drove a 2009 Pilot ESL with an added aftermarket DVD player. I really liked it but we already had a bad experience at this Honda dealership when we got the Civic SI Mugen and trying to make a deal on that Pilot just confirmed it so we walked out. I am sending my husband to the dealership where we got the Element to work with the same salesman today. If they have a used one we can get for 27000ish I told him to bring that home, if now just to see what he can work out with a new EX. I really liked test driving those 2 and riding in. As far as the road noise/ride, coming from the Element, anything will be smoother/quieter I think.
Crissyphotog
New member
And we decided to keep the Tundra. If it becomes a problem down the road to pay the note then we can sell it outright.
1engineer
Moderator
The Pilot is a good vehicle. Just depends on your lifestyle as to what works best. Have fun and enjoy. I am coming from a Honda RIdgeline (Pilot with a bed)(I had 3 of them!) and IMO the 4Runner is far superior for my needs now. Best thing about it is my wife loves the seats compared to the Honda seats. Much softer and better suited for long trips. Maintenance costs will be less for the Toyota vs the Honda too. Completely different 4wd system. and lastly, my 4Runner is getting almost 20% better gas milage than my Honda RIdgeline, which equates to almost $1200.00 of savings/yr for me as I drive 30K miles/yr.
philsey
New member
Thanks for following up with your decision, not everyone will want the same thing. I came very near to buying a Pilot. Among a few other things, one of the things that dissuaded me was every Pilot I saw was driven by a woman.
I've owned several Hondas, wife has her second CRV, and you cannot go wrong. Good Luck.
I've owned several Hondas, wife has her second CRV, and you cannot go wrong. Good Luck.
PaulB-2006 T4R
New member
The Pilot is a good vehicle because in general Honda makes a great vehicle but it is a glorified minivan. It is built on the Odyssey platform.
philsey
New member
adoihcj
New member
For practical purposes, the Pilot is an excellent choice for what you are looking for. Can't beat the space and storage it offers. My opinion doesn't matter though, because I am all about vanity.
I too looked at the Pilot and it doesn't meet my needs. For looks and for an overall exciting driving experience, the T4R is the better vehicle hands down. And after owning it for over 18 months, it's the only car I've ever owned which still feel like new after having 18,000 miles on it! If you like attention on the road - and if you want friends to comment on the vehicle you own - the Pilot will just blend in with the crowd. The Pilot is too bland for my taste. I've had at least five strangers tell me they loved my 4R and asked me questions about it. Also, I've had friends tell me they loved it as well (especially the power rear window). And lastly, I feel a real sense of accomplishment and pride after washing the T4R. Washing a Pilot would feel the same way I feel after washing my '99 Jetta. "Ok, I don't have to wash it for another month or so now."
Not trying to persuade you, but the Pilot needs a major redesign before it will ever get my attention.
Crissyphotog
New member
I've come to find out that my needs vary greatly from others due to fact I want something with lots of storage cubbies, sit adults with carseats, and also lots of cargo storage for the cleaning supplies but I refused to get a minivan.
I see 4runners and pilots everywhere. Seems its hard to get a vehicle that stands out but if we want to be noticed, we just take the Civic. That car gets us stopped for questions no matter where we are.
Thank ya'll for all the help and guidance. It was a tough decision and I am hoping my husband can get a deal on one tonight so i can be offically done with carshopping for 4-5 years
I see 4runners and pilots everywhere. Seems its hard to get a vehicle that stands out but if we want to be noticed, we just take the Civic. That car gets us stopped for questions no matter where we are.
Thank ya'll for all the help and guidance. It was a tough decision and I am hoping my husband can get a deal on one tonight so i can be offically done with carshopping for 4-5 years
I have both the 07 Nissan Pathfinder and the new 5th gen 4runner. As for comparison, I think the Pathfinder would fit better in the class of the 4runner than the Xterra. Prior to purchasing the 4runner, I was also looking at the Honda Pilot. However, the Honda Pilot doesn't meet my taste by the following examples:
-It is NOT a true SUV. I could feel every bump on the road. I don't know how it could go off-road with 7/8 passengers on-board. The engine seems lack of power.
-The appearance is boring and plain. I think it is not intentionally designed for a younger crowd.
-It has noticeable road noise.
-the control panel is too busy with so many little buttons.
-The sitting and Shift knob feel like in a minivan.
-I can go on but I don't want to deter any potential Honda buyers here.
Well, This is just my opinion.
Good luck with your vehicle selection!
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I realize the original poster has already purchased her Pilot, and I hope she has all the luck in the world with it and enjoys driving it. I bought a Pilot on Feb. 28 of this year and traded it in on May 14 for a 4Runner. Couldn't be happier. I had some mechanical issues with the Pilot that the dealer had no interest in recognizing and/or fixing. In the end, the Toyt dealer gave me 500 bucks less for my trade than I originally paid for the Pilot, so I jumped on it. I did like the extra storage in the back of the Pilot and the third row was much easier to get in/out of. However, the 4R has other options the Pilot did not have and I think I made a good decision. I can sympathize with the poster who commented on "he only sees women driving Pilots". I have noticed this also. But, I wish the Pilot owner the best and hope she enjoys her new car.
troubleshooter
New member
A few comments about my pilot. I have a 2010 honda pilot that i have had for 1 &1/2 years. I previously owned a 2007 4runner and was much happier with it than my pilot. My pilot is an absolute gas hog. I kept fuel use data on a site called fuelly.com and my average has been around 15.8 for 12000 miles , with a mix of more highway than city driving. The tires on the pilot are half wore out already. The pilot does not have a trans lockout that you could put in 4th gear, Theres locks you in 3rd gear. When your locked in 3rd gearing towing a 3500 pound boat your looking at 8-10 mpg. My 4runner pulled my 3500 pound boat as good as my previous 2005 v8 tundra and i got around 13 mpg. When i traded it in it had 20000 miles on it and the tires looked like new. I was going to buy a 2010 new design 4runner but they changed the 4wheel drive system to part time unless you bought the limited. Not sure what i will buy next but it won't be a HONDA
dave
dave
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