I agree if it is 40k, that is just too much..The Pilot is 8 to 10k lower in price then the MDX..I would love to read more about the Pilot(write ups, comparisons etc..)
I just realized the price difference issue, The Pilot, Highlander, Tundra, Sequoia are all made here in the states,(or Canada/England) the 'Runner' is Made In Japan, I wonder as to the quality differences?
I think you just nailed in on the head.... Its probably that it is made in Japan.... Also in my opinion... its because there isnt as much commonality in the parts..... You look at the new Nissan 350Z... its almost 100% Japanese but its price is pretty good for what you get imo because it shares parts with at least 4-5 other Nissan/Infiniti models.... The Runner has fewer common parts to share with.... I guess Toyota is definitely getting its use out of the 4.7V8 though....
btw I wonder if that V8 in the Runner will be built here or in Japan...
One other little reason all SUV prices are so high is because the automakers know theres demand for it and people are willing to pay for it....
For the majority the Pilot will still be the better overall buy. It has vastly more room, better fuel economy, probably similar 0-60 times, and very capable 4x4 system. It is based on the Acura MDX... more so then Odyssey, Accord, TL, etc....
You can't say Pilot "capable 4x4" and "based on the Acura MDX" in the same paragraph. The Acura MDX is a Honda Odyssey with all Wheel drive. All the 4x4 runs I have done, I have never seen any Honda product 4 wheeling other than Quads and Motorcycles.
Pilot is great if you are a Mom taking your kids to a soccer game.
Personnaly the 4Runner is not an SUV. Its what I call, an ORUV "Off Road Utility Vehicle". Very few vehilces can qualify as an ORUV and the Pilot is not one of them. The Pilot has Unit Body Construction as the 4Runner does not. Heck, my Celica has Unit Body Construction, what does that tell you about the "capable 4x4" of the Pilot. Another reason why the 4Runner is more expensive. Its alot cheaper to make a car frame then a truck frame.
True ORUVs:
LandCruiser
4Runner
Sequoia
Land Rov. Discovery and Range Rover
Jeeps
Chevy - Tahoe, Subur. etc.
Ford - Expedition
Please do not compare any SUV's to the ORUV 4Runner. Its like comparing Oranges to Apples.
I personally think that the Pilot is ugly. Plus, is it really an SUV? It is based off of a minivan platform...I don't call that an SUV. Powerwise both are great. The 4 Runner probably has the better interior. I hope that the price will drop and that Toyota will still offer a realativly bare bones version of the SR5.
Originally posted by Sequoia2003 True ORUVs:
LandCruiser
4Runner
Sequoia
Land Rov. Discovery and Range Rover
Jeeps
Chevy - Tahoe, Subur. etc.
Ford - Expedition
Please do not compare any SUV's to the ORUV 4Runner. Its like comparing Oranges to Apples.
~A
The new Expe isn't really an ORUV. They are too big and low. I think the Explorer Sport should be added to the list. It is pretty capable compared to most SUVs today.
You can't say Pilot "capable 4x4" and "based on the Acura MDX" in the same paragraph. The Acura MDX is a Honda Odyssey with all Wheel drive. All the 4x4 runs I have done, I have never seen any Honda product 4 wheeling other than Quads and Motorcycles.
Pilot is great if you are a Mom taking your kids to a soccer game.
Personnaly the 4Runner is not an SUV. Its what I call, an ORUV "Off Road Utility Vehicle". Very few vehilces can qualify as an ORUV and the Pilot is not one of them. The Pilot has Unit Body Construction as the 4Runner does not. Heck, my Celica has Unit Body Construction, what does that tell you about the "capable 4x4" of the Pilot. Another reason why the 4Runner is more expensive. Its alot cheaper to make a car frame then a truck frame.
"capable 4 wheel drive" definition for you and me is obviously very different... you must go rock hopping or something... continue to enjoy it...
Obviously you have selective reading abilities and didnt follow my thread very well...
Why dont you submit "ORUV" to Toyota so they can designate their "true" off road vehicles from their fakes?? Maybe youll win a prize
The MDX is a well designed luxury vehicle, but i would not use it in an off-road situation. It is based off a minivan and minivans were never meant to go off-road. The 4 Runner is it's own vehcile, designed from the ground up as an ORUV, and a very capable and well designed one at that.
Why dont you submit "ORUV" to Toyota so they can designate their "true" off road vehicles from their fakes?? Maybe youll win a prize
You all heard it here at TS. Only Toyota has my full permissions to use the term ORUV (Off Road Utility Vehicle) as long as they give my a 25% discount on the new ORUV Land Cuiser. I can see the commercials now. The all new 2003 Toyota Landcruiser. Not your typical SUV, but a very capable Off Road Utility Vehicle or ORUV. Be different, buy an ORUV not your neighbors SUV! Well something like that!
Thanks Acura_Bossman!
Oh, by the way Acura_Bossman, I wasn't trying to slam your Pilot, its just that I live in Issaquah WA, the SUV capital of the Universe! I get so sick and tired of hearing friends, co-workers, family, neighbors bragging about their awesome new SUV like the Lexus 300RX, Toyota Highlander, Pathfinder, Acura MDX, and Ford Explorers. They talk about how they went to the hiking trails and saw a dirt road and put their SUV in 4Wheel drive. Wow! I am not impressed. 4 wheeling to me is taking your truck on a closed logging road in the dead of winter in 2 feet of snow to get a Xmas tree. Passing the "SUV" owners who are parked at the bottom of the logging road because they don't have 4x4 capablility that I do. I love it even more when they do attempt to go up the trail and get so stuck that I have to get my chains on so I can pull them out.
True SUV's like the Acura MDX, and Lexus RX300 are great vehicles that serve their own purpose. Awesome gas mileage, great for those weekend trips up the snowy pass for some skiing, awesome crash tests, luxury rides, lots of high reving power, and an all around people move. I just get a little defensive when I hear 4x4 capable and SUV's in the same sentence. Sorry
~A
No apologies needed... Its good to see someone so devoted to the 4Runner and its legacy...
I apologize too for sounding kind of irritated =)
I know Issaquah and Bellevue and Redmond pavement are being over ran by "SUV" and even "ORUV" and why not "SAV" as BMW calls it for Sport Activity Vehicle....
I worked at Lexus of Bellevue for awhile so I know... Yeah... I guess 4x4 for you and me meant totally different things.. I seriously could not imagine me taking a new 40 grand rig whether its a soccer mom SUV or ORUV into true offroad conditions but thats because Ive never tried it...
BTW you mentioned that Landcruiser did not have a unit body.. Are you sure about that? I thought I remember reading that the LX470 had a unit body... I could be wrong...
Alright I think Im tired of talking about this.... The new 4 Runner will be nice...
What did I tell you... $40K for a fully loaded 4x4 Limited... the BASE MSRP will be 36,480... add a few options and youre darn near $40K...
From Car and Driver:
Toyota has released manufacturer's suggested retail prices (MSRP) today for the all-new 2003 4Runner mid-size sport utility vehicle.
The 4Runner is offered in three trim levels in two- and four-wheel-drive: the SR5, an all-new Sport Edition that features a sporty appearance and enhanced handling capabilities, and the Limited grade for added luxury and a more upscale appearance.
The base MSRP for the 4Runner SR5 V-8 4x2 is of $28,005 and $30,280 for the 4Runner SR5 V-8 4x4.
The 4Runner Sport Edition V-8 is priced at $29,800 for the 4x2 and $32,075 with the 4x4.
The base MSRP for the 4Runner V-8 Limited is $34,205 with the 4x2 and $36,480 for the 4x4 model.
An all-new V-6 engine will be available on 4Runner in January 2003. Pricing for the 4Runner with the new V-6 will be announced at that time.What did I tell you... $40K for a fully loaded 4x4 Limited... the BASE MSRP will be 36,480... add a few options and youre darn near $40K...
Oh my! I come back to TS and see people making up their own vehicle types like GM. Example: The Avalanche is a Sport utility truck (SUT), "It changes from an SUV to a pickup!" What a Joke
Yes I and everyone else know that the Pilot is not going to be a Hummer with a Honda Badge. It has been tested offroad against TB's, Explorers, Highlander, and even the old style 4Run's. BELIEVE IT OR NOT but the Pilot did pretty well if not better than most.
An 03 4Runner SR5 is about $30K, I compared it to a Pilot EX that is $29K on edmunds. Here are my findings: Pilot has way more room. Beat 4Run by 2 inches on just about every passenger dimension. More cargo room, same HP, better MPG.
Pilot Etc..
and didnt follow my thread very well... 
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