Its time for us to upgrade the family truckster. The wife wants a pilot. We will be looking in the 2012 range with 30-50k miles. This will be the main family vehicle, not a buy it for fun vehicle, so I want a trouble free appliance. Can anyone on here testify to the ownership experience? Any expensive common problems? Thanks.
I do not own one, but we looked at them last year right after my sister-in-law bought exactly what you are looking for. We liked it, but ended up buying a brand new Accord EX-L V6, which was much more comfortable inside and less expensive than a used Pilot.
Also, Honda has some surprisingly good end of year deals right now.
My Sister in law has a Pilot, I think it's a 2010. The only expensive repair that it's needed is a bunch of suspension bushings replaced. I didn't do the work, and I suspect that the job was upsold a bit.
We go on road trips with her in it often, and it rides and drives nice. It wouldn't be my first choice of SUV, but its not a bad vehicle at all.
I'm not sure how much they go for, but I'd be shopping similar suv in your price range. My sister had a 2008? It was fine, but wouldn't be my first choice of SUV.
My mom has had an '07ish Pilot since new that now has something in the range of 110-120k miles. It ranks highly on my list of most boring cars ever driven, but has held up well and been utterly reliable. As far as I know, it's had nothing more than tires, brakes, and other routine maintenance from new. Interior still looks good, despite hauling teenage kids, dogs, and other junk all its life.
In summary, sounds like a good fit for your needs.
This might sound bad but its a shame the Ridgeline/Pilot never came with a stick shift. I'd drive one.
I know a few people that have them. They all needed expensive front end rebuilds pretty early in life.
Most of the people still bought another one though!
I drove a 06 for 170k troublefree miles, nothing but wear items (tires, brakes,wiperblades). Changed the oil once a yr and never even had to charge the AC in my ownership. I changed the trans and diff oils every 40k just to be safe. I had the timing belt and water pump done at 100k. But I have a close friend with a 05 and a 180 k on the clock and never bothered to even change the timing belt. As reliable as a hammer. I just recently got rid of it for no other reason but it was time and I really wanted something with bluetooth built in. I know I could have just upgraded the deck for a couple of hundred but it was my main vehicle and the mileage was starting to get up to the point I was getting nervous. I need a vehicle I can get in and not think about anything but add gas and go go go. I wouldnt think twice about getting another, I ended up replacing it with a hihglander for no other reason but used Pilots (2012-13 sub 40k miles)were hard to find and there seemed to be a bunch of 2013 sub 40k mile Toy highlanders available. Good luck, nothing but pilot love here.
Sounds pretty positive all around. Even boring is positive in this case, because my wife will be the primary driver of it, and boring dont bother her a bit.I was a mechanic for about ten years so suspension rebuilds and timing belts arent so bad, as long it doesnt like puking expensive parts on a regular basis.
Both the Pilot and Ridgeline are not easy on gas. A friend gets better mileage with his GMC Sierra then he did with his Ridgeline. Loaded or unloaded.
In reply to NGTD:
The internet says 18/25 for the pilot. I didnt check the ridgeline specs. Is that accurate, or is that a stretch?
I bought the SO a '04. It is big enough to haul 5 kids and a wheel chair. Tomorrow we are going to pick up 2- 50" mower decks.
We haven’t had it through a winter yet so I don't know if it is bad in snow as most SUVs. It did come with 4 studded snows.
The plan is to buy a trailer and get rid of the truck. Yes the gas mileage sucks <20 MPG.
160k on our 07. Less than 20mpg mixed. 12 towing a 2000lb boat. Only a few minor issues: ps whines (known oring prob, didn't help), separated damper pulley, noise canceling on the fritz, rear ac transistor just failed.
Piloteers forum is pretty good.
PS noise from o-ring and/or PS pump is common, check hoses for leaking.
Turn the wheel, drive in circles slowly to check for rear diff chatter(if AWD), usually a fluid change fixes it.
Also accel from a stop while turning, inner axle CV joints wearing causes vibrations sometimes.
There are bulletins for updated VVT solenoid replacement if the car runs like crap with a few codes in the P30xx range, I can't remember the name but Honda calls them something goofy. Stupid easy to replace in 10min, part is cheap under $40 IIRC?
Change trans fluid frequently to prevent torque converter shudder. Drain/refill every 15k with 4qt, or do it 2x every 30k.
They're solid cars. Change the timing belt and water pump at the same time, plus normal maintenance items are the typical things needed. Listed above are things I've seen multiple of, but they're not ALL plagued with EVERY issue. It's not a Chrysler product. 
gearheadmb wrote: In reply to NGTD: The internet says 18/25 for the pilot. I didnt check the ridgeline specs. Is that accurate, or is that a stretch?
It will be closer to the 18 than the 25.
These are pretty good vehicles, but like anything they do have some trouble spots. Here is what I know about the 2012(?) refresh
-There was a supplier problem that caused some prop-shaft vibration at certain speeds. Not sure if it was remedied. -They have the VCM2 engine, so they are likely on the re-ring plan if you don't keep an eye on oil level -The engines were built a bit more stout than the other 3.5l options. They got an improved PCV system, hardened valve seats, and higher flowing injectors. -The transmissions are a weak point. change fluid religiously, and tow carefully. This goes double for reverse.
All said, I would be happy to own one except that the odyssey fit the bill much better for me.
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