Author Topic: 03 Acura MDX or 03 Honda Pilot? (Read 5860 times)

tman · « **on:** February 02, 2006, 09:10:51 am »

The Acura is fetching maybe $1-3k more than the Pilot in the used market, at least here in the GTA. The MDX came out in 2001, with slight boost in power in 2003. The Pilot was launched in 2003 so the used ones on the market are the first year batch. I see almost as many, or more, 2003 MDX's than Pilots. Mileage is in the range of 70-100k.

Which would you choose?

Once consideration - premium fuel on the MDX and premium maintenance costs? How much more expensive is it to maintain a premium-brand car compared to a non-premium brand twin?

mdxtasy · « **Reply #1 on:** February 02, 2006, 11:15:09 am »

We have an 04 MDX and service for oil changes don't cost me any more than a Honda oil change. $28 for dino oil. I pay $70 or so for synthetic oil. 2003 got the boost in power to about 260hp I think, but other than that, the only thing new was the availability of the nav system.

I'd pick the MDX for the reasons I like our MDX over a Pilot. But in 2004, there were more features in the MDX over the Pilot such as side curtain air bags, TPMS, projector headlamps, sunroof etc. In 2003, the differences weren't as many.

tman · « **Reply #2 on:** February 02, 2006, 11:45:41 am »

Thanks MDX....I know you've only had your MDX for 2 years so hopefully no major repairs yet, but do you know if major repairs are Acura dealer dependant?

mdxtasy · « **Reply #3 on:** February 02, 2006, 12:06:52 pm »

I've had no major problems. The only thing I had replaced was the sub as the thing rattled the plastic shrouding in the rear compartment. That and a software update for the nav system. Everything else works fine.

The engine is strong up to about 5K. Then it wheezes a bit up to redline but it's got grunt. The tranny shifts well even if it's a bit slow, but it is very smooth. 2003 may have transmission problems and there is a well documented recall on them.

You can take the car anywhere you want, I just go to the dealer for quick little oil changes. But my guy in the service department left so I am starting to re-consider. The new guys there aren't as good.

si · « **Reply #4 on:** February 02, 2006, 04:58:47 pm »

Both drive very similarly, however the creature comforts and looks of the MDX win me over

inco · « **Reply #5 on:** February 07, 2006, 04:54:35 pm »

Content = MDX. Price = Pilot

Doesn't get any simpler than that. More bang for the buck with the MDX but that's why it's more money new.

Used though they might be a lot closer and here the MDX wins again because of what you get. Both require premium fuel IIRC since they are the same engine. The differences is in the packaging and the name.

tman · « **Reply #6 on:** February 08, 2006, 02:01:54 pm »

THanks guys. I've pretty much decided to go with the Pilot. Our price range ($30-33k + tax) meant I was comparing 2003 Pilots EXL's to 2003 MDX's, with maybe $2-4k more for the MDX.

There really wasn't much in the way of content the '03 MDX offered over a Pilot EXl. The only major "MDX-only" features I see are - stab control (nice to have), better audio system (not important to us), power passenger seat, seat memory (forget what its called), a bit more hp and tourque.

I don't think the '03 MDX had tire pressure monitors, definately no curtain airbags, backup sensors or any other major feature. Also, the MDX takes premium, while the Pilot takes regular unleaded. I know the feature content was improved in '04 and '05, but those are outside my price range.

Also, seating is only for 7, versus 8 for the Pilot, which is an issue for me since I can count on having 8 people in the SUV a few times a year. My wife is perfectly happy with the Pilot's styling and she'll eventually be driving the SUV 75% of the time.

Am I missing anything in this decision?

inco · « **Reply #7 on:** February 08, 2006, 02:24:05 pm »

Both are Hondas and that means you won't lose regardless. For the price you can't beat the Pilot but check again about the gas requirements. Both have the same engine and for the MDX to need premium and the Pilot can use regular is odd.

The engine may be detuned for the Pilot, but might be better off using the premium. Check owner's manual to see if they say something like regular can be used, but octane 91 or higher is recommended. Also might be posted on the door where the gas is added.

When they say that it means you can get by using the lower grade, but for performance and engine long term helath it would be best to use 91 or higher.

ovr50 · « **Reply #8 on:** February 08, 2006, 03:20:54 pm »

Inco's point above is valid. I suspect that you would prefer, from a performance POV, to use premium in the Pilot as well. My Highlander 3.3L V6 can run on regular, but premium is recommended for "improved performance". I run premium for the extra few pennies over the year I'd rather have the engine performing at it's best.

Some new models (noted on an adv for Lexus 330 IIRC) are now saying in the small print how the hp rating was determined (say on premium gas), and that hp rating would be slightly less on regular. I suspect this is in response to the new SAE rules for calc. of hp ratings.

tman · « **Reply #9 on:** February 08, 2006, 04:23:46 pm »

Both honda.ca and honda.com list the Pilot as requiring regular unleaded. The fuel usages figures are based on regular. I'll check the manual (if I get my hands on one) to see what's recommended, but I assume regular should be good enough.

mdxtasy · « **Reply #10 on:** February 08, 2006, 05:06:53 pm »

Differences you missed? Sunroof. The MDX is nicer inside but the Pilot is more functional. As for the 8 passenger seating, good luck fitting 8 decent sized people in that thing.

The Honda engine has lower compression I believe....while fancy Acura buyers had a bit more HP and as a result, needs the fancy gas.

Benhaze · « **Reply #11 on:** February 18, 2006, 08:06:19 pm »

Quote from: mdxtasy on February 08, 2006, 05:06:53 pm

Differences you missed? Sunroof. The MDX is nicer inside but the Pilot is more functional. As for the 8 passenger seating, good luck fitting 8 decent sized people in that thing.

The Honda engine has lower compression I believe....while fancy Acura buyers had a bit more HP and as a result, needs the fancy gas.

Good post and credible considering the source

. Though I find the Honda interior has aged better than the MDX. And the cost of premium fuel is more significant when buying a $30K vehicle than $55K, IMO. Gas stations don't do any price war over premium so expect to pay 15 to 20% more for premium than for regular gas. Something to factor in.

mdxtasy · « **Reply #12 on:** February 18, 2006, 08:19:56 pm »

The Pilot interior is a lot more functional. Lots of storage everywhere. I liked it, with the exception of the column shifter, and the instrument cluster....the coloured ones in the Acura looks nicer.

Careener · « **Reply #13 on:** March 04, 2006, 11:19:37 pm »

Pilot

mdxtasy · « **Reply #14 on:** March 06, 2006, 12:02:30 am »

Quote from: careener on March 04, 2006, 11:19:37 pm

Pilot

Any reason why?

y2chuck · « **Reply #15 on:** March 09, 2006, 04:17:30 pm »

late to the party, but oh well.......MDX for sure. Pilot is bland-as-stink IMO.

Careener · « **Reply #16 on:** March 12, 2006, 11:16:08 pm »

Quote from: mdxtasy on March 06, 2006, 12:02:30 am

Quote from: careener on March 04, 2006, 11:19:37 pm
Pilot

Any reason why?

Pilot is cheaper, MDX has better looks. I'm cheap... so Pilot it is

mdxtasy · « **Reply #17 on:** March 13, 2006, 12:18:14 am »

Quote from: careener on March 12, 2006, 11:16:08 pm

Pilot is cheaper, MDX has better looks. I'm cheap... so Pilot it is

Being cheap and ugly isn't all that it's cracked up to be.

The Pilot is a fine choice....there's nothing wrong with it at all. I almost bought one.

tman · « **Reply #18 on:** March 13, 2006, 08:42:49 am »

For what it's worth, the person who started this thread (me) chose the Pilot. Both are excellent choices. The MDX does offer more (content, style, brand-name) and, naturally, costs a bit more $. All comes down to your needs, wants and budget. We found a 2004 Pilot hard enough to begin with, in my choice of color, dark blue, in excellent shape inside and out, with reasonable mileage (60k) for $31k + tax. And the sales rep at Mid-town Honda was easy to deal with.

For that much $ I could have found a 2002 or 2003 MDX with 80-100k (and there are a lot more used MDX's than used Pilots in the GTA) but my wife wasn't too crazy about the MDX styling and loved the Pilot's so that decided it since she'll eventually be pulling family-hauling duty. I've been driving the Pilot for over 3 weeks now and absolutely love it.

mdxtasy · « **Reply #19 on:** March 13, 2006, 09:32:08 am »

Nice....congrats.