Honda Pilot or Toyota Highlander

[chelios_24]

Nice to meet all of you. In the past month I`ve become totally addicted to this website.

Anyhow, here`s the deal. What I really need is the space a mini-van but I'm still not ready to join the MINI-VAN wave. Instead, I`d like to go for a cooler looking SUV which, when needed I can fit more than just two child seats in the second row. Hence, I`m looking for a reliable 3-row equiped SUV.

My price range is low $40,000. The Honda Pilot EX-L with DVD is perfect and is my primary choice. However, this is quite an expensive purchase so before I go for it - is there anything else that comes close that I should consider?

I was thinking the TOYOTA Highlander mostly because Toyota has traditionally had as good as a reputation as Honda.

[chelios_24]

Oh, I forgot, I was also looking at the BMW X3. It`s much smaller but very nice...and perhaps a little more expensive.

I`d be going over my budget a little but would I be better off with the quality of BMW?

[The General]

The Pilot is certianly a great choice. Look into the Granite Edition (if you can still find one at about 38 000$) or wait a little and get a Pilot LX for the 2005 model year.

The Highlander is also very nice; it's basically like driving a big Camry wagon.

These trucks are both very reliable and long term ownership costs should be very reasonable.

Another choice could be the 2005 Pathfinder but reliabilty is obviously unknown. Recent Nissan products have not lived up to Nissan's old spotless reliability record.

[chelios_24]

Thanks "The General" ! It`s reassuring to see that I`m on the right track.

I was looking at the GRANITE edition, however my wife and I think we could use the DVD entertainment system so that my kids make much less of a fuss during long trips.

When I visited a HONDA dealer they informed me that the DVD system is only available witht the top of the line PILOT EX-L as an extra option which brings the price up to $46,400.

The saleman eventually got it down to $45,000.

I`m still going to think about things...I`ll probably purchase the vehicle sometime in late October - early Novemember.

They are offering me 4,000 for my CIVIC LX 1998 4-door manual.

[The General]

Sell that Civic privately! I don't know what the mileage is but you can probably still get between 6 000 and 7 000 $ if you sell it yourself.

You can post it on our site for a few bucks here:

http://www.auto123.com/en/used/advertise/

Or post it in the Forums here:

http://www.auto123.com/en/community/...d1e3e74519b694

[chelios_24]

My civic has about 130,000KM.

Thanks a wole bunch. I will sell it privately.

[The General]

Good luck...

And just in case, forget about the BMW... way too expensive to maintain.

[chelios_24]

Oh My God! THat`s too funny! You`re good!

Today at lunch I went to check out the BMW X5. I thought to myself, what the heck...what do I have to loose by going in and check it out. I originally started to look at the X3 but it`s too small.

Then I looked at the X5. The salesman gave me a price of $55,600 for a 2004 BMW X5. 3.0L and told me this price is due to a current promotion that have for remaining 2004 X5 and that in 3-4 weeks they`ll all be gone. I know... I know...that`s a pretty traditional sales tactic...

So basically, in the X5 I get a vehicle thats $9,000 more than the Honda PILOT but I don`t get a 3rd row seat and no DVD...but there is free maintenance for the first 3years/60,000km. Plus, I get to drive a BMW! Is BMW that much better than HONDA? Is it worth the price difference when you consider quality, depreciation, performance, etc...

I didn`t test drive it though...

Also, it`s a 36month lease versus a 48month lease. I kinda prefer 36 months.

I know my wife would love a BMW as do most women?

I think the PILOT makes more sense but I have to admit...the BMW X5 is very tempting.

[The General]

I had not realized that you were leasing. (not that it makes a difference)

A BMW is not better than a Honda. It may be more involving to drive than the Honda and better looking but the advantages end here. Since 2000, there have been a large number of problems with the X5. Even if maintenance is included, repairs will still be costly not to mention insurance costs.

Stick with the Pilot, you shant regret it...

[chelios_24]

Wow, that`s a strong statement. HOnda is not better than BMW. However, I very much appreciate your reply. Sometimes, it`s better to go with your initial feeling..which for me was always the Honda Pilot.

I`ll let you know what happens!

Thanks a bunch!

I wish this forum had a little more action cause all this car talk is very interesting.