For how many miles did your Honda Pilot last? We are at 230,000.

[Anonymous]

We have a 2007 Honda Pilot with 230,000 miles.

Because we take lots of long trips (5 hours each way) with a packed car (kids in college), I think we should go ahead and look at getting a new Pilot. We generally drive cars until they die, but with our long trips I fear being stranded somewhere.

My husband said that a Pilot can easily go 300,000 miles and that "it isn't showing any signs of dying - it is running great." While the last statement is true, is it customary for cars to "show signs" of dying??

Again, I worry about the surprise death hours from home. Are we ok waiting until it "shows signs of dying"?

Thanks!

[Anonymous]

My uncle is a Honda service manager. He's urged me to switch from a Chevy to Honda because they easily go 300k if not more.

As for "signs of dying" you'll know things are going south when you start visiting the shop regularly. I wouldn't get rid of it yet, but start saving some cash for repairs/down payment/new payment.

[Anonymous]

don't brag, the car will hear it and quit acting right

[Anonymous]

According to my mechanic husband, a car that has run 200K miles and has been well-serviced (especially belts) and isn't showing signs of problems may actually be more reliable than a brand new car. He said the first 30K miles of a car is when something is likely to "blow up" if there was an issue in the manufacturing process, but if a car is well made, there's no reason to be scared at 200K+ miles if it isn't showing issues.

And, that said, I sold my Lexus at 175K miles and bought a new Honda. At that point, I could still get $6K out of my car, and if I got much closer to 200,000 miles, the residual value started dropping like a rock. I felt like it was either sell it then or drive it until it dropped.

What's the very worst case scenario if it breaks down far from home? Worst case is probably sell it to a junk yard for $400, get a rental car home, and then be stuck with one car while you shop for a new one. That is a big hassle, but it also isn't the major emergency that you probably feel in your gut about "surprise death." Car breakdowns get really emotional for most of us (me included), but that reaction compounds the angst we feel over it.

I think it's really a financial question, in my mind. Can you afford to get the new Pilot? Do you want to? Then I'd do it (I did). But if you'd rather wait until the car dies, just are concerned about it happening on a trip, I'd probably hang onto it.

By the way, I don't know how new models compare with a 2007, but going from a 2004 Lexus RX330 to a 2016 Honda CRV (not really much smaller, although lighter) blew me away on the improvement in fuel mileage, safety features, and technology. I don't regret making the change at all.

[Anonymous]

You will marvel at all the camera.

[Anonymous]

I got over 300,000 on my Acura Integra and 250,000 on my Honda CR-V (and that one was totaled in an accident and was running fine). I think you have a lot of life left.

That said, I do agree that there have been SIGNIFICANT safety (and other) improvements in the last 10 years and it may be worth getting a new car just for that reason, if finances are ok.

[Anonymous]

If I can revive this thread, my 2008 Pilot has 190,000 miles on it. My mechanic is saying I should change timing belt and something else for $800. He said the timing belt is preventative but way overdue. The car is running great, and I just put 4 new tires on it - do I get the new timing belt?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If I can revive this thread, my 2008 Pilot has 190,000 miles on it. My mechanic is saying I should change timing belt and something else for $800. He said the timing belt is preventative but way overdue. The car is running great, and I just put 4 new tires on it - do I get the new timing belt?

Yes, change the timing belt it is way overdue. You don't want that to go. It would be an expensive fix. Unless you are planning on selling the car but the next person would probably want everything to be properly maintained.

[Anonymous]

Why did everybody get a good Honda but us? Ours has consistently needed expensive repairs since it hit 100k miles. Which isn't terrible, but still.

[Anonymous]

i have a 2004 honda pilot that i bought new and it has 39800 and still going strong.

[Anonymous]

Wow 380,000 crazy

[Anonymous]

i have honda pilot 2007 at 185000

[Anonymous]

Do Acuras have the same longevity?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why did everybody get a good Honda but us? Ours has consistently needed expensive repairs since it hit 100k miles. Which isn't terrible, but still.

Yeah we had a Honda CRV years ago and that thing sucked. Constant issues and the AC grenaded and was going to cost $6k to repair and they wouldn't consider it a known issue despite many CRVs doing that. I hate Hondas. We switched to Nissans and have been eally pleased.

[Anonymous]

I have a 2007 Pilot with 140,000. It's had a few minor issues but is still going strong. I am hoping it lasts until either 200,000 or DD and her friends are 8 and mostly out of car seats so I can downsize. OP if you're on here still what did you decide to do?