Towing - Honda Pilot

Quinner, theres been some bashing on both sides.

Feelgood M.D. wrote: I look at foriegn cars like capri pants, they're fine if you're a girl, but if you're a guy...

I dont think that the people here who buy foriegn vehicles are trying to justify their inferior purchases like youre implying. I think there are many who have owned both and are simply voicing their opinions. Personally Ive only owned Nissans. I bought my current Maxima because I wanted a V6 5 speed car that I could afford the insurance on (ie not a sports car). The fact that it is good in the snow, gets nearly 30 MPG and has required nothing other than routine maintenance (now with 245,000 miles) is a bonus.



Maybe my expectations are set pretty high, but based on what Ive seen and read, Ill stick with Japanese vehicles for now. Not that I wouldnt love to have a Vette or Super Duty as a second or 3rd vehicle!

I will give you that foreign parts are more expensive. The nice thing is that they last a lot longer. I havent put a dime into my car over the last 2 years other than regular oil changes and brake pads.

MY70/81 wrote: Now think ahead to what life will be like with No Ford, GM, or Chrysler vehicles on the market, I bet our Japanese friends will be much less likely to sell us what we need to tow our Cla$$ic Boats.

Since the mark up on light trucks is the highest of any pa$$enger vehicle, Im sure the Japanese (or whoever else) would be glad to sell us as many as we want to buy- especially if the Big 3 were out of the picture.

M3Fan wrote: I'm pretty sure Coors and Miller are owned by foreign companies now.

Yet another reason to drink Busch Light.

TRBenj, I have a Dodge that I put 25,000 mi per year on, it now has 120,000 mi on it and I have done a tune up, oil ghanges, trans service and tires, that is all. Like I said in my last post, most people don't keep vehicles long enough that any good warranty won't take care of their problems, so for those like myself that do, the US vehicles are much cheaper to keep. And just what does any manufacturer other than US offer for anything more than a 1/2 ton pick up? If you have anything more to tow than a boat, and you need to haul more than a few bags of groceries around, what is your Nissan Titan, or Toyota Tundra going to do when it is hooked up to a 12,000 lb 5th wheel and located in Colorado? I think that most of it's light duty drivetrain components will be scattered along the highway.

MY70/81 wrote: What is your Nissan Titan, or Toyota Tundra going to do when it is hooked up to a 12,000 lb 5th wheel and located in Colorado? I think that most of it's light duty drivetrain components will be scattered along the highway.

Excellent point. I agree that there is nothing currently offered to compete with the heavy duty American trucks. Id love to own one, but it just doesnt fit my needs. Supposedly the new Tundra will offer a heavy duty lineup- we shall see.

Feelgood, I appreciate the offer. Towing duty is currently handled by an '01 Pathfinder. It may not have the power of a 1 ton diesel, but it handles some pretty nasty ramps and driveways just fine. It also got nearly 15 mpg coming back 950 miles from Chicago, which isnt too shabby.

There's the S10/Hombre? (I know it's Isuzu)

New United Motors in Fremont, CA. Toyota and GM I believe. Make a car which is badged by both. Also make small Toyota pickups a the plant. This was a rennovated Ford plant which shut down in the 70s. BKH

M3Fan,
The Honda Odyssey and Isuzu Oasis were the same… The two companies had an agreement to build the cars for each other. At the time, Honda built the Oasis for Isuzu because Isuzu didn’t have a mini-van and Isuzu built the Pa$$port for Honda because Honda didn’t have an SUV…

Feelgood,
I don’t think Tim ever suggested he tows his boat with the Maxima. He simply stated he enjoys owning a car he doesn’t have to continuously sink money into.

MY70/81
And I’m sure if Tim had a 5th wheel in Colorado he’d purchase something that could handle the load. And I think Tim would agree that there isn’t currently anything the imports offer that could measure up to an American HD pick-up or full-size SUV.

I couldn’t agree more with you guys… If I had the money and bought a new 236 or 210 I’d NEVER try to pull it with anything but a HD pick up or big SUV. Like I said, the imports just don’t have anything to measure up to what the domestic manufacturers offer in that cla$$ of vehicle.

Again, I think one’s decision on a tow vehicle has to be weighed against their needs.


Rob,

It was actually Boating Life… I found it yesterday, but forgot to bring it with me today so I can’t tell you what issue. It isn’t that old though and may still be on the stands. I’ll remember it next time I’m online…

Honda’s website lists the weight of the 4WD Pilot EX at 4497. With the transmission and power steering coolers it is rated to tow 4500 lbs.

You said your boat and trailer figured around 4Klbs… While you are within the towing capacity, you might not want to strain the engine and transmission if you’re going to be doing a lot of towing.

Towing 4000lbs with a Pilot, to me, is cutting things too close. And if you’re going to have your family in the car you might want the added security and stability of a bigger vehicle. Maybe the Pilot isn’t the right vehicle for you.

If you have an ‘in’ at the dealer and want to go Honda try the Ridgeline. I originally looked at that, but the dealer got me in the Pilot for less money than a Ridgeline.

In my case…
I’ll be towing 1 mile to the ramp and 1 mile back…

Given the weight of the 66 and trailer, I knew I wouldn’t be towing too much weight too often so I didn’t need a heavy-duty truck or full-size SUV.

Knowing I’d be looking for a 176 in the future, I checked the weight of the 176 and added a reasonable amount for the trailer and fuel and I’m around the 3,000 lb mark. Well within the 4,500 lb towing capacity of the Pilot.

If I were towing more weight or towing hundreds of miles every weekend I’d have absolutely looked for something beefier, but for my needs the Pilot will work for me.

I have to see if I can get my hands on a copy of the picture and post it... My boss used to tow his 21 foot Sunbird with an Isuzu Samurai. Now THAT was crazy!!!

66Skylark wrote: In my case… I’ll be towing 1 mile to the ramp and 1 mile back…

If that is the situation,
Why not buy an old beater p/u with a solid engine for a few grand.....and get whatever you want for a daily driver?

That's what I did,ended up buying an '86 silverado,it costs nothing to insure, and it really comes in handy for all kinds of projects.....then I got an Infiniti G35 Coupe to haul a$$ around town in.   

M3Fan wrote: bkhallpa$$ wrote: New United Motors in Fremont, CA. Toyota and GM I believe. Make a car which is badged by both. Also make small Toyota pickups a the plant. This was a rennovated Ford plant which shut down in the 70s. BKH That would be the Vibe/Matrix. Completely lame car designed 100% by a marketing team, but interesting brand collaboration. Nice high-revving 4 banger from the Celica though.

It was once the Toyota Corolla and it's American branded equivalent (whatever that was). A very popular selling car. I knew the line had been retooled, but didn't know what the line was. I a$$ume you are correct about the vibe/matrix. BKH

interesting article on unreliable luxury cars

artical

Ken

the reason foreign cars have a higher resale is because to many people are willing to over pay for a used car.

A car is a mechanical machine it's hole purpose in life is to destroy itself. A car with 70,000 miles on it needs brakes, tires, shocks, and fron end work. No matter what brand. A foreign car also will cost you more to replace these parts then a domestic car. So tell me who the smart one is a guy buying a used taurus with 70k for $8,000. or a guy buying a camry with 70k for $12,000. they both need the same parts replaced at the same intervals. Especially in michigan. Not mention everyone says foreign cars last longer, if this is true why buy new every 2-4 years. When you can buy a big ford or chevy and keep it for 10 years or more.

perfect example 1979 F-250 4X4 rust free, bet you can't find one for under $10,000. resale on that truck is more then it was new. Find me an import with that kind of resale value. More importantly find me a 27 year old jap car you would want to own.

I agree on the Ridgeline- I think it looks hideous.

87BFN owner wrote: M3fan I believe you ar ewrong about miller being foreign owned I believe as miller lite is the only union made beer. If it were not union made it would not be served at our UAW sponsored events.

Miller Sold

thanks for the info M3fan have to get a hold of the union rep and find a new beer to be served. Most likely have to switch to bud, not union made but better then foreign owned. Don't tell me they sold out to