Neighbor bought a Pilot

[vermacelli]

My next door neighbor is a new happy owner of a '05 Pilot EX w/navigation. This was the vehicle I had my mind set on buying before I made a sudden decision to a buy a Sequoia instead. Here's some of the reasons for the change: No sunroof option, tight 3rd row, uni-body frame, primarily front wheel drive, didn't like the dash (thought it would grow on me), more like a minivan than truck, and V6 power. For some reason I was willing to look past all that and had convinced myself that I wanted one. I have nothing against them or anything but just felt that a Sequoia would best fulfill my needs and was a better bang for the buck. But ever since they bought it, when they pull up into their driveway they would glance over at me with a smirk, kind of like "look what we got and you don't." It's actually kind of amusing since they have about 20 years on me and their other car is a Saturn wagon which is about half the price of my fully loaded Jetta VR6. With their Pilot in their driveway and my Sequoia in mine, 15ft apart, I actually had a chance to compare the looks side by side. Even though the Pilot has a newer modern look, I just can't help thinking that its just an enlarged CRV. I really can't see anything unique about it besides the front end, which I think is going to get old fast. Sequoias on the other hand, are in their 5th model year without any significant body change yet they still look good and modern compared to the newer designs. I knew whatever I bought, I would plan on having it for the next 9-10 years so looks were very important to me. So now everytime I see my neighbors Pilot in the driveway, I just feel relieved that I didn't buy one....bored of the style already. Since day one, whoever's ridden in my Sequoia have had nothing but positive things to say....some have even claimed their own seat. My older brother was the only one to complain, "dam this thing rides like a truck" (I have my tire pressure set pretty high). I just laughed since this is coming from someone who drives a 6-speed G35 Coupe w/factory 18" wheels...talk about harsh. I did consider the Armada but just couldn't get over that roofline design...the new Pathfinders look pretty nice though. No regrets, love my Sequoia!

[peanutlen]

We try to stay away from Honda/Acura as the known transmission problem on certain year and models. It is expensive (4-5K to fix). So far, we are happy with Sequoia. http://www.petitiononline.com/acura/petition.html

[Tundrav8yamaha]

Originally Posted by peanutlen

We try to stay away from Honda/Acura as the known transmission problem on certain year and models. It is expensive (4-5K to fix). So far, we are happy with Sequoia. http://www.petitiononline.com/acura/petition.html

same can be stated on Toyota for that madder...Honda and Toyota are within close tolorances on tran's problem's..My mom's 99 avalon had her trans replaced 2 times the factory replacment was found to be having problem's too..Honda is very very close to Toyota on quality...

[Catman]

I too bought a Sequoia for the same reasons. The Pilot is OK but it's really more of a van. I'm now on my second Sequioa.

[toyotafreak]

We test drove the Pilot and Highlander before dropping the Sequoia duckets as a replacement for an Explorer.

Comparing the two, the Highlander was a smoother, more refined and car-like ride, sound, styling and interior - should, it's a Camry, right?

By comparison, the Pilot drivetrain felt very responsive and that the 5-speed auto was always in the correct gear. Lots of horses under that hood. Likewise, the suspension/chassis felt super sure-footed for something it's size, as if the four wheels were out on the farthest corners. Its 4WD seemed much easier to get ahold of, had a nice 3rd-row seat and some cool features like the courtesy lights in each passenger's 'oh-**** handle'. The outside styling was and is horribly vanilla, the interior spartan yet clean.

I liked the Pilot a lot, my wife like the Highlander better, I'd prefer to have matching Highlander and Sequoia in the driveway (yeah right). Well, maybe a raced-out Camry ;-)


Absolutely, positively, you can't even compare the Sequoia to either mini-ute. Comparably equipped, you're talking WAY less than 30% more $$$ for 200% more truck. Better ride (worse mileage) more towing capacity (less nimble) looks cooler, MUCH more room, more stable, more pickup, see better, more airbags, cupholders, power outlets, seatbelts, cylinders, valves and oh yeah, it's got the roomiest, most comfortable thrid-row seat we've ever seen.

[04sequioa4x4]

I think my sequioa could drag about three of those soccer mom pilots through a mud bog. My brother in law keeps trying to rile me up by saying it was voted 'Best Full size SUV' and that it is the same size as my sequioa. I keep trying to tell him it's more equivalent to a highlander.

[peid]

Hopefully this link works:

http://autos.msn.com/research/compar...0292&v=t100143

If not go to carpoint.com and compare side-by-side the Sequoia, Pilot & Highlander.

It appears as though the pilot fits almost right in between those two Toyotas depending what category you are looking at. Some areas it is identical to the Highlander, others it is identical to the Sequoia.

[JrzyTom]

It kinda scares me that people would even put the Pilot on the same planet as the Sequoia. Talk about polar opposites! One's based on a minivan, the other on a truck. The Pilot is as plain-Jane CRV-on-steroids as they come. Plus try using low gear...oh, never mind. I'm a huge Honda fan. I've had 2 Preludes & 4 Accords. I'm not a fan of their 'trucks' at all.

As for people complaining about harsh ride, I have 3 comments:

1. Drive an expedition or a tahoe.
2. Drive my old '97 Mountaineer.
3. After doing #'s 1 & 2 above, rethink your comment.

The Sequoia, IMO, is the sharpest full-sized SUV on the road, hands-down. Nissan totally missed the mark w/ the Armada & the new Pathfinder isn't any better. You pay a premium relative to the competition, but you get the difference back both immediately (in terms of refinement & quality) and long-term (in terms of resale value). It would be nice to have the power increase in the '05, but I'm very happy w/ my '04.

[chipster]

For over two years, we have had a Sequoia and a Pilot. I am happy with both, but I love the Sequoia and I only like the Pilot.

[PagalDesi4Life]

Originally Posted by JrzyTom

1. Drive an expedition or a tahoe.

I've driven in my friends expedition, and explorer....much better ride then my sequoia. i've even driven in a stretch escalade, and that felt like a magic carpet compared to my sequoia.

[Johnnny Rock]

WOW!!! I don't know how you could compare the ride in any ford to a Sequoia. The ride in a Sequoia is much much better in many ways. I have 3 friends with ford expeditions one has about 15000 miles on it and is a 2003 and it rides like crap already not to mention the front seats head rests don't even come close to the back of my head...lol...My other 2 friends have a little over 40 thousand miles on theirs (one is a navigator, but you can't even tell with your eyes closed) and the noise that is herd inside these trucks are almost unbearable not to mention the number of things that have gone wrong with these trucks. The navigator is on a 3 year lease and he is in his 3rd year. The speedometer stopped working last year some time and he's to lazy to get it fixed because he just lost respect for the truck over a year ago after bringing it to the dealer for many other reasons but I just can't get over the rattles on these trucks and all of them are no older then 3 years old! Oh, and I forgot to mention other major repairs, one transmission and 2 rears (not all in the same truck). I just don't see how someone can compare a ford to a Toyota. I'm a Union man and I would be the first one to want to be able to buy American but if you need a nice reliably comfortable SUV ford is not the way to go. I'm just going to have to find a little comfort in knowing that Sequoia's are made in the USA so I won't feel to guilty. Now, if I needed a workhorse truck then I would go with a ford F 250 with a diesel motor because for work some people need a beast and rattles and a nice ride don't matter at that point but Toyota has not made a good work truck with lots of towing power. (yet) By the way all 3 of my friend's can't wait till their leases are over so they can get Sequoia's after driving mine they are all very jealous. I just hope when they are ready to get their Sequoia's it's not any nicer then my 2005. John

[vermacelli]

Originally Posted by dssprophet

WOW!!! I don't know how you could compare the ride in any ford to a Sequoia. John

I can't compare the Sequoia to an Expedition since I've never been in one before. But I have driven almost 300K miles, yes 300K, in Ford products. Back when I was in college, I worked for a transportation company as a commercial driver putting almost 75K miles a year on Ford E-350 V10 commercial vans. I have to tell you, those things are blast to drive as long as they have under 100K miles on them, they get sluggish after that. I can't tell you how many stoplight runs I've had with unsuspecting drivers, especially sport compacts. The ride is as rough as any full-size truck, plastic panels always rattle, but the torque of those V10s even makes weaving in and out of San Fransisco rush hour traffic fun.....maybe because they were company vehicles and not my own. You'll be surprised with 10+ inches of ground clearance, I feel more comfortable taking them through corners or corves than in my Sequoia. Right before I left the company, the oldest one was a '99 model with 930,000+ miles on the odometer...they are work horses. I tried as hard as I could to be the one that drives it pass the million-mile mark to film and photograph it for Ford. Typical problems or replacement parts included fuel delivery, transmission, instrument lighting, exhaust/cat, suspension, and complete engine overhaul. Not bad considering they were all purchased slightly used, @25k miles, for under $30K. If anyone ever considers doing a full size van conversion, I think the E350 would be something to consider since a lot of limo companies also use them. They also had a Dodge van that was just horrible to drive. The driver and front passenger are pretty much sitting over the front axels so you get a constant bouncy feeling that can litteraly make you lose your lunch. One of the headlights was held in place with ducktape which was also used to prevent the windows from rattling. They also rented some Chevy vans during peak periods which felt a little more powerful, handled about the same but the interiors were just plain ugly and cheap looking. Sorry if this is a little off topic.

[bruin]

Oh boy what a thread, Here am I considering the Pilot(AWD minivan)/Freestyle (squashed expedition) at the cheap end and Sequoia at expensive end.

[JrzyTom]

I guess that's why opinions are so common. Everyone's got one. I drove all of the full-sized trucks, including the Infinity, Navigator (which drove like a town car) and the Escalade (which drove like a smooth Tahoe).

IMO, you can't even come close to the ride in the Sequoia, nor can you come close to the refinement or road manners - especially for the money when comparing to the Caddy or the Lincoln.

Quality...Unlike my Jersey friend on here, I've had excellent quality experiences w/ my American trucks. My last was a '97 Mountaineer V8. I had it until August '04. During that time, the truck never, never, never had anything go on it, other than normal wear items (tires & brakes). It was an awesome truck. So much so, that I didn't even hesitate to sell it to someone I knew...which I would NEVER do w/ an American car that was 7 years old. Yes, it rattled, squeaked & banged like crazy. It rode like you were off road, even on the smoothest roads. However the repair costs did not exist for 7 years. (Even the dealer was blown away at this!) I have nothing but good to say. My brother's Ram 1500...a whole different story!

To each his own, right? IMO, nothing comes close.

[cmb]

We have an o4 Pilot and after 10 months and 24000 miles it's never been back to the dealer. We've had a dozen or so Toyotas over the years so we looked there first.Highlander was too small Sequoia too big for "Mommy" now "Grammy", lurked on the web for close to a year before we bought.She could never back her Civic up without undue concern but at the test drive she had to back up the Pilot and that helped her decide. Backed the Pilot up and around a corner because delivery guy blocked her in, I was impressed.We test drove a Tundra the other day,THAT is my next truck! For her the Pilot is just right, at 4'11'' she can even reach the hatch to close it! Mike