Honda Pilot EX - 2003 Review

 I really didn't want to buy a new car.  I've always driven a smaller car with good gas mileage.  I'll buy something, baby it, and drive it until it falls apart underneath me.  My last car I drove until it had 230,000 miles, and only gave it up because I was rear-ended and it would cost too much to repair.

 After borrowing my mother's Geo Prizm and having a hard time with it in the winters of Pennsylvania, my husband and I decided I needed something better.  As someone who is on the road for her job, I wanted something reliable, safe and good in snow.  We have a stepdaughter and are looking to expand our brood, so we wanted lots of space, too.  Oh, and not be too expensive.  And fun to drive would be nice, and maybe if it could look cool, too...

 We decided on a Honda Pilot because it has 3 rows of seats, four-wheel drive, an excellent safety rating and terrific reviews regarding reliability.  My mechanic even said that it's a great vehicle and very sturdy. 

 This SUV has tons of space in a compact vehicle!  We looked at all the other SUVs/vans that have three rows and this was the roomiest.  Some of the other SUVs had a third row that was quite small, not alot of leg room unless you're a toddler, and the third row seat backs were flimsy.  My 12 year old stepdaughter and her TWO friends sat in the third row with plenty of space - impressive.  The second and third rows also easily fold down to create a ton of space for anything you need to haul around. 

 My only issue is that the rear differential had some sort of sensor that went within 2 months of owning the vehicle.  These are covered by the company for some models of the same year, but not mine for some unknown reason.  The sensor wasn't expensive, but it had to be replaced and it cost about $150 dollars.  If that's the worst of my issues with the Honda, I'll be a happy girl.  Cost-wise, it is probably a good price but some domestic SUVs are less pricey - but I don't know if they are as good a value as the Honda.

 Overall, I'm totally happy with the vehicle.  I'd love a hybrid, so if I could get a hybrid Pilot next time, I'll be in SUV heaven.  If it was a hybrid, I'd give it five stars...