i personally would get a honda pilot over the ford if i was limited to choosing these. the ford is american, no doubt, but then again i was searching some problems they have had in the past and they were bad, such as wheels falling off while driving, hubs getting messed up, my aunts rear window shattered when she closed the glass lift gate. this was because of a faulty hinge. this happened with her 6 and 3 year old in the back seat.
on the way to school on monday, i seen with my own eyes an explorer with the front left wheel sticking out at a 45 degree angle and the guy continued to drive on the road.

but all these problems are with the 2002-2005 models.

the honda is a really good looking truck and has definitely changed from the last generation.

if i was getting an suv, it would have to be a used range rover(2-3 years old), or it would be a new gmc acadia.


but its all up to u because it is infact u making the purchase.
their are so many factors to consider though: insurance, fuel economy, budget, maintainence, warranty, perks, who and when they will be driving, long term value, thats all i can think of.

best of luck on the new ride once u make the purchase.

 

We drove the Acadia. Definitely a good looking SUV.

I thought that plastic ring around the roof racks was Odd, also the rear bumper is not a step bumper and it the models don't come with a hitch standard.

Overall, definitely in our top 3 , very roomy.. About 29k OTD the way we want it.

One concern with it was reports of people saying the engine had stopped on them while at high speeds and other engine issue.

 

This happened to my aunt in the Acadia she's had for just shy of a year. Hers has experienced engine shut down at both higher and lower speeds, engine racing in neutral, and stalling at stops. She's had the vehicle towed to the dealer twice and they can find nothing wrong and no codes show when they hook into the computer. Factor in the horrible mpg and you may want to reconsider this vehicles position at number 3. My aunt is the proverbial little old lady driver with an incredibly soft foot on the pedal and the best she's been able to realize city is 11 mpg and highway 14 mpg. Between the Pilot and Explorer I'd pick the Explorer mainly for the reasons Jepstr listed. My boss has a 1998 Ford Explorer and even though he can afford to drive anything luxury he prefers the SUV which stills runs great and hasn't given him any major problems.

 

here is a site, it shows any recalls and defects vehicles have had, u can search any vehicle u want, and it should be there.


http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/recalls/recallsearch.cfm

this is a good site to keep in mind, lets u know what of problems the vehicle is already seeing. the pilot only had one recall

 

Flat out I'd say the Ford. It is American made and that is very important these days.

If you want a non-patriotic reason...........You have to ask how long you plan to keep the car. Long term maintenance will be cheaper on the Ford. Hondas are chuck full of parts that are only available from the dealer. I deal with frustrated Honda owners every day who come in with bearings that Honda makes special one millimeter off of a standard size just so you have to pay $35 for a $3 bearing. So based on that, don't buy a Honda. ANY Honda product, ATV, Motorcycle, Outboard motor, Lawnmower, or Automobile.

 

How are you estimating the fuel economy? Seems odd to me based on fueleconomy.gov listings.

 

Buy a grand cherokee or a comander. Keep it jeep. Heck if you can get a diesel cherokee that gets 18mpg.

 

+1, especially the ommander, look into an 09 Hemi with the MDS it should give that Honda a run for it's money as bother the Pilot and Ridgeline seem to be in the league fuel mile wise, with te domestice V8s, no good........

 

i would say the honda over the ford just because the honda pilot doesn't have the hump on the floor in the backseat which i found pretty cool. But price does matter in this economy and a 8k differance is huge!! Have you looked into the new Ford Flex though? If you though GM into the selection, the Outlook and its 3 or so siblings are nice.

 

Personally not impressed with 2009 Honda Pilot EX-L, interior are made from cheap materials... I'd rather go with the 2009 Ford Explorer XLT much better vehicle with a lower price...

 

Last month we got a new 2008 Town and Country Limited with MSRP of $39.6k for $25k out the door. Are minivans out of the question? We've had one (this is our third) since our first child was born not quite 4 years ago. Wife was anti-van when we got the first one that I drove for the 2-yr lease. I converted her. The sliding doors, step in/load height, space, fuel economy, and conviniences for families are all unmatchable.

 

Honda Pilot looks oldfashined to me and more Escape size not Explorer, that in my Euopean-understanding is huge car...let' say Commander size, but Pilot is more Gr.Cherokee...anyway my sympathies goes to economy and torque=CRD

 

No brainer for me
Buy American!!!!

 

I think most of us have been in the hunt

I must say that recently the wife and I have been looking for a new vehicle for her. She currently drives a trailblazer SS, but the gas doesn't get her far. After looking at everything out there, thanks to the car show here in Boston this year, we have narrowed it down to the Nissan Rogue. A vehicle she likes and something I wouldn't mind borrowing once in awhile. Something to take a look at if you haven't already. Good luck in your desission.

 

If you are paying 8k more up front, over a 10 year period the gas savings will not put you ahead over buying the ford. I would imagine all the regular maintenance would be higher on the Honda as well over this period.

 

Hmmm.... Are you sure Ford is made in America and not in Canada or Mexico. The irony is the Honda is probably made in the America and the Ford is not.

Go figure.

I know Honda is coming out with a 4 banger for the Pilot.

 

last time i was at ford dealer



Escape/Focus (looked at both)
were both made in US plants with about 75% us/canadian parts
didnt look at explorer as was out of my price range

was never in a honda dealership,
was at toyota and subaru dealerships
sube i recall none were made in US.
Toyota had 1-2 models with C/O US
and assembly plants listed were Ports of entry, such as Newark, NJ and Tacoma, WA. FTZ(free trade zones), not actual manufacturing plants

 

I found that the dealer makes a difference. I got nothing but attitude from Honda. They really believe their vehicles are the best thing since sliced bread. I had a Ford escort that I just finally had to get rid of. It just refused to quit. Honda prices their spares to basically force you to buy another Honda rather than repair it. It is part of their Kaizen mentality - force change. The earlier problems with the Explorer are long gone.

If you have truly no need for the capabilities of an SUV and you drive your vehicles until they are taken off the road by the police, get the Ford. If you continually upgrade, get the Pilot. Hondas have great trade-in value where Fords do not.

If you are thinking Pilot, I would suggest considering the Escape. If you like Nipponese technology, the Ford Escape and the Mazda Tribute have been the identical vehicle. Not sure if that is still true for 2009 mind you.

 

Personally I would be buying the Ford. And actually I'd be saving a ton of money by getting a 2008 base and throwing leather and rear assist after market on it. Over the years I have saved tens of thousands of dollars by making the dealer find me the car they advertised in the paper and then using that price as the starting point.

Problem is, wife is coming off a $43,000 Volvo in a work environment where everything is BMW, Lexus and Mercades. Honda is actually her compromise. I drove both trucks and the fords drives like a dream. I actually like the interior and feel of the Ford better, though clearly more room in Honda. Honda also does look a lot more like quality.


But I know that in two years into when both cars settle in the Honda will be closer to original condition.

There's still a stigma with Ford.. Fix or Repair Daily.. has not gone away.

Down in here in South Florida Ford dealerships are like a ghost town. It's a total buyers market right now.