Honda Car Forum

We have owned a RX300 and now have a Pilot. The Pilot is bigger, runs on
regular gas, handles better and costs less to maintain than the RX300. Our
Lexus cost close to $2,000 US in maintenance costs for the first 30k miles.
That with the oil gelling problem, and a recommended belt change at 75k for
$2,000 made it even less attractive to keep any length of time. The Pilot
is around 10-15k less expensive than the new 330.

"Niles Standish" <rwardak@homail.com> wrote in message
news:Sg%Pa.4773$b_4.392@lakeread07...
> I'm shopping for a mid-size/car-based SUV and so far I like the RX 330
> (checked out the Acura MDX, Infiniti FX and Nissan Murano as well). I
have
> yet to see a Honda Pilot (they are not in stock at the local dealer). The
> Honda seems like it's pretty functional and rugged based on what I see in
> reviews and on the Internet. I'm not too crazy about the appearance of
the
> front end on the Pilot though but I imagine I can get some appearance
parts
> to improve that. I haven't seen much in a direct comparison of them.
> Anyone compare these? Thoughts?
>
>

I'm curious about the oil gelling problem. Did you use din-oil or synthetic?
How frequently did you change the oil? Type of driving?

Also, who wanted $2,000 to do a belt change and what caliber hand gun were
they holding when they gave you the quote?

--

- GRL

"It's good to want things."

Steve Barr (philosopher, poet, humorist, chemist,
Visual Basic programmer)
"twaugh5" <twaugh5@cox.net> wrote in message
news:zXcQa.3732$zd4.704@lakeread02...
> We have owned a RX300 and now have a Pilot. The Pilot is bigger, runs on
> regular gas, handles better and costs less to maintain than the RX300.
Our
> Lexus cost close to $2,000 US in maintenance costs for the first 30k
miles.
> That with the oil gelling problem, and a recommended belt change at 75k
for
> $2,000 made it even less attractive to keep any length of time. The Pilot
> is around 10-15k less expensive than the new 330.
>
> "Niles Standish" <rwardak@homail.com> wrote in message
> news:Sg%Pa.4773$b_4.392@lakeread07...
> > I'm shopping for a mid-size/car-based SUV and so far I like the RX 330
> > (checked out the Acura MDX, Infiniti FX and Nissan Murano as well). I
> have
> > yet to see a Honda Pilot (they are not in stock at the local dealer).
The
> > Honda seems like it's pretty functional and rugged based on what I see
in
> > reviews and on the Internet. I'm not too crazy about the appearance of
> the
> > front end on the Pilot though but I imagine I can get some appearance
> parts
> > to improve that. I haven't seen much in a direct comparison of them.
> > Anyone compare these? Thoughts?
> >
> >
>
>

>We have owned a RX300 and now have a Pilot. The Pilot is bigger, runs on
>regular gas, handles better and costs less to maintain than the RX300.

redesigned RX330 is FAR superior to the RX300.

>Our
>Lexus cost close to $2,000 US in maintenance costs for the first 30k miles.

Lie. My Lexus cost less than $700.

-=-
I smell....

..... therefore, you stink.
-=-

The oil gelling problem is well known with Toyota V6s. Apparently a design
problem. Ours was suposedly OK at 33 k miles, probably because we had it
serviced on the severe schedule every 5k. The 2k charge on the belt is
apparently because the belt is difficult to get to. But, Lexus service is
way overpriced anyway -- $150 for a minor service, which is little more than
an oil change. But, to ensure the extended warranty Toyota offers (to 80k
miles) because of the oil sludge problem, you are pretty stuck with taking
their service -- or getting a lawyer.
Our local Honda dealer is better.

"GRL" <GLitwinski@CHARTERMI.COM> wrote in message
news:vh37gsove03lf6@corp.supernews.com...
> I'm curious about the oil gelling problem. Did you use din-oil or
synthetic?
> How frequently did you change the oil? Type of driving?
>
> Also, who wanted $2,000 to do a belt change and what caliber hand gun were
> they holding when they gave you the quote?
>
> --
>
> - GRL
>
> "It's good to want things."
>
> Steve Barr (philosopher, poet, humorist, chemist,
> Visual Basic programmer)
> "twaugh5" <twaugh5@cox.net> wrote in message
> news:zXcQa.3732$zd4.704@lakeread02...
> > We have owned a RX300 and now have a Pilot. The Pilot is bigger, runs
on
> > regular gas, handles better and costs less to maintain than the RX300.
> Our
> > Lexus cost close to $2,000 US in maintenance costs for the first 30k
> miles.
> > That with the oil gelling problem, and a recommended belt change at 75k
> for
> > $2,000 made it even less attractive to keep any length of time. The
Pilot
> > is around 10-15k less expensive than the new 330.
> >
> > "Niles Standish" <rwardak@homail.com> wrote in message
> > news:Sg%Pa.4773$b_4.392@lakeread07...
> > > I'm shopping for a mid-size/car-based SUV and so far I like the RX 330
> > > (checked out the Acura MDX, Infiniti FX and Nissan Murano as well). I
> > have
> > > yet to see a Honda Pilot (they are not in stock at the local dealer).
> The
> > > Honda seems like it's pretty functional and rugged based on what I see
> in
> > > reviews and on the Internet. I'm not too crazy about the appearance
of
> > the
> > > front end on the Pilot though but I imagine I can get some appearance
> > parts
> > > to improve that. I haven't seen much in a direct comparison of them.
> > > Anyone compare these? Thoughts?
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
>
>

I went to go see a Honda Pilot and was surprised at how unhelpful the sales
person was. They did not have a Pilot in stock, and the ordered vehicles
took about 2.5 months to arrive. I'll definitely need to see one before I'd
buy one. How is the Honda service in general?

"Tom Waugh" <twaugh5@cox.net> wrote in message
news:IKHQa.5614$zd4.2886@lakeread02...
> The oil gelling problem is well known with Toyota V6s. Apparently a
design
> problem. Ours was suposedly OK at 33 k miles, probably because we had it
> serviced on the severe schedule every 5k. The 2k charge on the belt is
> apparently because the belt is difficult to get to. But, Lexus service is
> way overpriced anyway -- $150 for a minor service, which is little more
than
> an oil change. But, to ensure the extended warranty Toyota offers (to 80k
> miles) because of the oil sludge problem, you are pretty stuck with taking
> their service -- or getting a lawyer.
> Our local Honda dealer is better.
>
> "GRL" <GLitwinski@CHARTERMI.COM> wrote in message
> news:vh37gsove03lf6@corp.supernews.com...
> > I'm curious about the oil gelling problem. Did you use din-oil or
> synthetic?
> > How frequently did you change the oil? Type of driving?
> >
> > Also, who wanted $2,000 to do a belt change and what caliber hand gun
were
> > they holding when they gave you the quote?
> >
> > --
> >
> > - GRL
> >
> > "It's good to want things."
> >
> > Steve Barr (philosopher, poet, humorist, chemist,
> > Visual Basic programmer)
> > "twaugh5" <twaugh5@cox.net> wrote in message
> > news:zXcQa.3732$zd4.704@lakeread02...
> > > We have owned a RX300 and now have a Pilot. The Pilot is bigger, runs
> on
> > > regular gas, handles better and costs less to maintain than the RX300.
> > Our
> > > Lexus cost close to $2,000 US in maintenance costs for the first 30k
> > miles.
> > > That with the oil gelling problem, and a recommended belt change at
75k
> > for
> > > $2,000 made it even less attractive to keep any length of time. The
> Pilot
> > > is around 10-15k less expensive than the new 330.
> > >
> > > "Niles Standish" <rwardak@homail.com> wrote in message
> > > news:Sg%Pa.4773$b_4.392@lakeread07...
> > > > I'm shopping for a mid-size/car-based SUV and so far I like the RX
330
> > > > (checked out the Acura MDX, Infiniti FX and Nissan Murano as well).
I
> > > have
> > > > yet to see a Honda Pilot (they are not in stock at the local
dealer).
> > The
> > > > Honda seems like it's pretty functional and rugged based on what I
see
> > in
> > > > reviews and on the Internet. I'm not too crazy about the appearance
> of
> > > the
> > > > front end on the Pilot though but I imagine I can get some
appearance
> > > parts
> > > > to improve that. I haven't seen much in a direct comparison of
them.
> > > > Anyone compare these? Thoughts?
> > > >
> > > >
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
>
>

I did the "build it" thing on line with both and I see about a $9k
difference between them with roughly similar options (as close as I could
get, generally this meant no DVD or Nav system). To me that's a tie-breaker
if they're even, and not really a deal-breaker if I happen to like the more
expensive one. Someone in another post mentioned the off-road vs
forest-trail vs country-club-in-the-snow usage. I guess I'd be in the range
between forest trail and country-club-in-the-snow usage... I'll need to get
a few more close looks at them and see how the impressions settle in for me.

"twaugh5" <twaugh5@cox.net> wrote in message
news:zXcQa.3732$zd4.704@lakeread02...
> We have owned a RX300 and now have a Pilot. The Pilot is bigger, runs on
> regular gas, handles better and costs less to maintain than the RX300.
Our
> Lexus cost close to $2,000 US in maintenance costs for the first 30k
miles.
> That with the oil gelling problem, and a recommended belt change at 75k
for
> $2,000 made it even less attractive to keep any length of time. The Pilot
> is around 10-15k less expensive than the new 330.
>
> "Niles Standish" <rwardak@homail.com> wrote in message
> news:Sg%Pa.4773$b_4.392@lakeread07...
> > I'm shopping for a mid-size/car-based SUV and so far I like the RX 330
> > (checked out the Acura MDX, Infiniti FX and Nissan Murano as well). I
> have
> > yet to see a Honda Pilot (they are not in stock at the local dealer).
The
> > Honda seems like it's pretty functional and rugged based on what I see
in
> > reviews and on the Internet. I'm not too crazy about the appearance of
> the
> > front end on the Pilot though but I imagine I can get some appearance
> parts
> > to improve that. I haven't seen much in a direct comparison of them.
> > Anyone compare these? Thoughts?
> >
> >
>
>

It's better that they were unhelpful. At least you didn't get to hear their bs.


Niles Standish wrote:

> I went to go see a Honda Pilot and was surprised at how unhelpful the sales
> person was. They did not have a Pilot in stock, and the ordered vehicles
> took about 2.5 months to arrive. I'll definitely need to see one before I'd
> buy one. How is the Honda service in general?

I cant say about your particular town or city
Where i live though (winnipeg, cananda) all the honda dealerships are owned
by the same guy, and they all have absolutely horrible service. ABSOLUTELY.


"Niles Standish" <rwardak@homail.com> wrote in message
news:4EIQa.15048$AD3.7863@lakeread04...
> I went to go see a Honda Pilot and was surprised at how unhelpful the
sales
> person was. They did not have a Pilot in stock, and the ordered vehicles
> took about 2.5 months to arrive. I'll definitely need to see one before
I'd
> buy one. How is the Honda service in general?
>
> "Tom Waugh" <twaugh5@cox.net> wrote in message
> news:IKHQa.5614$zd4.2886@lakeread02...
> > The oil gelling problem is well known with Toyota V6s. Apparently a
> design
> > problem. Ours was suposedly OK at 33 k miles, probably because we had
it
> > serviced on the severe schedule every 5k. The 2k charge on the belt is
> > apparently because the belt is difficult to get to. But, Lexus service
is
> > way overpriced anyway -- $150 for a minor service, which is little more
> than
> > an oil change. But, to ensure the extended warranty Toyota offers (to
80k
> > miles) because of the oil sludge problem, you are pretty stuck with
taking
> > their service -- or getting a lawyer.
> > Our local Honda dealer is better.
> >
> > "GRL" <GLitwinski@CHARTERMI.COM> wrote in message
> > news:vh37gsove03lf6@corp.supernews.com...
> > > I'm curious about the oil gelling problem. Did you use din-oil or
> > synthetic?
> > > How frequently did you change the oil? Type of driving?
> > >
> > > Also, who wanted $2,000 to do a belt change and what caliber hand gun
> were
> > > they holding when they gave you the quote?
> > >
> > > --
> > >
> > > - GRL
> > >
> > > "It's good to want things."
> > >
> > > Steve Barr (philosopher, poet, humorist,
chemist,
> > > Visual Basic programmer)
> > > "twaugh5" <twaugh5@cox.net> wrote in message
> > > news:zXcQa.3732$zd4.704@lakeread02...
> > > > We have owned a RX300 and now have a Pilot. The Pilot is bigger,
runs
> > on
> > > > regular gas, handles better and costs less to maintain than the
RX300.
> > > Our
> > > > Lexus cost close to $2,000 US in maintenance costs for the first 30k
> > > miles.
> > > > That with the oil gelling problem, and a recommended belt change at
> 75k
> > > for
> > > > $2,000 made it even less attractive to keep any length of time. The
> > Pilot
> > > > is around 10-15k less expensive than the new 330.
> > > >
> > > > "Niles Standish" <rwardak@homail.com> wrote in message
> > > > news:Sg%Pa.4773$b_4.392@lakeread07...
> > > > > I'm shopping for a mid-size/car-based SUV and so far I like the RX
> 330
> > > > > (checked out the Acura MDX, Infiniti FX and Nissan Murano as
well).
> I
> > > > have
> > > > > yet to see a Honda Pilot (they are not in stock at the local
> dealer).
> > > The
> > > > > Honda seems like it's pretty functional and rugged based on what I
> see
> > > in
> > > > > reviews and on the Internet. I'm not too crazy about the
appearance
> > of
> > > > the
> > > > > front end on the Pilot though but I imagine I can get some
> appearance
> > > > parts
> > > > > to improve that. I haven't seen much in a direct comparison of
> them.
> > > > > Anyone compare these? Thoughts?
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
>
>

In article <yxlRa.474140$Vi5.12267652@news1.calgary.shaw.ca >,
"Karan Mohal" <karan.mohal@shaw.ca> wrote:

> I cant say about your particular town or city
> Where i live though (winnipeg, cananda) all the honda dealerships are owned
> by the same guy, and they all have absolutely horrible service. ABSOLUTELY.

So much comes down to the dealership. I have a superb relationship with
my Honda dealer, and that's what keeps me coming back. I know that
Toyota is a good brand, but we don't have any good Toyota dealers around
here. So, no dice for me.

On Mon, 14 Jul 2003 21:18:59 -0400, "Niles Standish"
<rwardak@homail.com> wrote:

>I went to go see a Honda Pilot and was surprised at how unhelpful the sales
>person was. They did not have a Pilot in stock, and the ordered vehicles
>took about 2.5 months to arrive. I'll definitely need to see one before I'd
>buy one. How is the Honda service in general?

Where exactly are you located? As popular and high selling the Pilot
is, I can't believe it'd take that long to get one. Go check out
www.honda-pilot.org and ask there for dealers close to your place.