Honda Pilot - 2008 Review

Overall 4.73 of 5 view all 15 reviews

A-2008-Pilot-4Sale
South Saint Paul, MN

Stuck with a vehicle we hate

married, daily driver

Pros

Cargo separator, heater & seat warmers work well

Cons

doesn't hold it's value, no auto headlights, no daytime running lights, no keypad entry like Ford products, No telescoping steering wheel, exterior paint chips & nicks

DEC

2008

Honda Pilot - 2008 —

My husband & I purchased the highest trim possible (leather & navi with backup camera) and had several upgrades added including the 3M invisible bug guard/rock sheild. We think it is the most uncomfortable car we have ever owned. The 2008 Honda Pilot does lure you in while you are test driving, but once you own it and have been driving it for a month or two, you come to realize that the honeymoon period is over. But by then you are stuck with a vehicle you can trade or sell without losing your butt.
Cons:
- not so good gas mileage, but we were award of that ahead of time (we traded in a 2005 suburban that got the same gas mileage)
- the exterior paint chips so easily (we have the 3M invisible shield & exterior seal guard)
- the navigation unit is a piece of crap - if you are lucky 2 out of 10 inquiries/locations will be recognized and we live in Minneapolis/St Paul Metropolitan area
- the acceleration is very poor
- the engine has an annoying hum (service department says that is just the honda engine, nothing we can do about it)
- the cargo liner is cheap & not worth the price - we paid for this upgrade and were told that it needed to be factory installed in order for the factory warranty to be in effect - well, when we picked it up from the service department, it is velcro'd on!!!
- no auto lights on (had it on the suburban, thought I could get use to not having it, but not so much!)
- no auto door locks
- If you drop something between the front seats & the center console - good luck trying to retrieve it - it now belongs to the land of the lost
- the leather stratches very easily and we upgraded with leather protection package

Pros:
- the heater & seat warmers work fast
- cargo separator is cool, but only if you have a BIG dog to contain in the cargo area.

We have tried to trade in our Pilot after owning it approximately 6 months, but in order to do so, we would be taking a $12,000 loss which we can't afford to do it.

Bottom Line:
I wish I would never had traded in my suburban and if you think the Honda Pilot is the SUV for you, I would go rent one from a car rental facility for a week or so, to make sure the honeymoon will continue long after you sign your purchase agreement
Good luck!