Pilot and Fit

[Pescadote]

Didn't want to hijack the other thread about the Honda Fit. It's interesting because I had planned on writing with almost the same questions.

Unfortunately, I don't see gas prices going down, only up; so I was talking to the wife about us having to do some serious changes. Currently she drives a Odyssey van and I have an 04 Tacoma Quad Cab. We both love our cars, and had planned on driving them until the wheels fell off. Both get around 20 miles per gallon.

Here's the rub, I will still need something to pull my boat and we still will need something to haul our three kids and sometimes some of their friends.

So this is my idea; we get a Pilot or Highlander for one "carry all" vehicle. We can still haul around lots of passengers and I can still haul my boat, I think? It's a 17' sled that my Tacoma pulls quite nicely; I figure the Pilot would be about the same? Also figure the Pilot would get about the same mileage as my Tacoma? Anybody pull a boat with a Pilot or Highlander?

For the other vehicle, we get something high mileage. I liked the Fit and the Matrix. So, I figure that whomever of us would drive the most that particular day would take the small car. My trips to the coast for an open seat would be with the small car. My trips to the Nestucca or Siletz would be with the small car.

Like I said, I love my Tacoma. It's the only vehicle I have ever bought brand new, so it would be a real sacrifice for me to sell it. Still, I just have this feeling that this gas price situation is only going to get worse, not better.

Comments? Suggestions? Anybody ever pull a boat with a Pilot or Highlander?

[Go_Getter]

Originally Posted by Pescadote

Didn't want to hijack the other thread about the Honda Fit. It's interesting because I had planned on writing with almost the same questions.

Unfortunately, I don't see gas prices going down, only up; so I was talking to the wife about us having to do some serious changes. Currently she drives a Odyssey van and I have an 04 Tacoma Quad Cab. We both love our cars, and had planned on driving them until the wheels fell off. Both get around 20 miles per gallon.

Here's the rub, I will still need something to pull my boat and we still will need something to haul our three kids and sometimes some of their friends.

So this is my idea; we get a Pilot or Highlander for one "carry all" vehicle. We can still haul around lots of passengers and I can still haul my boat, I think? It's a 17' sled that my Tacoma pulls quite nicely; I figure the Pilot would be about the same? Also figure the Pilot would get about the same mileage as my Tacoma? Anybody pull a boat with a Pilot or Highlander?

For the other vehicle, we get something high mileage. I liked the Fit and the Matrix. So, I figure that whomever of us would drive the most that particular day would take the small car. My trips to the coast for an open seat would be with the small car. My trips to the Nestucca or Siletz would be with the small car.

Like I said, I love my Tacoma. It's the only vehicle I have ever bought brand new, so it would be a real sacrifice for me to sell it. Still, I just have this feeling that this gas price situation is only going to get worse, not better.

Comments? Suggestions? Anybody ever pull a boat with a Pilot or Highlander?

Well the question I would ask is how much do I owe on my current vehicles. 20 mpg isn't that bad compared to 23 for the pilot. (around 30k) and yes a fit getting 35 mpg sounds nice but again you are buying fuel economy for 15k. so all things being equal 15k buys you 3570 gallons of gas @ 4.20 per that would take you 71,000 miles. you would need another 2000 gallons of gas on top of the 15k to buy the fit to get you to 71,000 miles. 2000 X 4.20 = $8,400.00 so all total the fit is going to cost you $23,400 to drive 71,000 miles or 5600 gallons of gas in your Tacoma or Odyssey. So how long would it take you to burn 5600 gallons of gas? Thats no even figuring the Pilot that is very close in mileage to what you drive now. It really takes a looong Time to pay for a vehicle on gas mileage alone.

[Pescadote]

Originally Posted by Go_Getter

Well the question I would ask is how much do I owe on my current vehicles. 20 mpg isn't that bad compared to 23 for the pilot. (around 30k) and yes a fit getting 35 mpg sounds nice but again you are buying fuel economy for 15k. so all things being equal 15k buys you 3570 gallons of gas @ 4.20 per that would take you 71,000 miles. you would need another 2000 gallons of gas on top of the 15k to buy the fit to get you to 71,000 miles. 2000 X 4.20 = $8,400.00 so all total the fit is going to cost you $23,400 to drive 71,000 miles or 5600 gallons of gas in your Tacoma or Odyssey. So how long would it take you to burn 5600 gallons of gas? Thats no even figuring the Pilot that is very close in mileage to what you drive now. It really takes a looong Time to pay for a vehicle on gas mileage alone.

Vehicles are both paid for. Figure I could get a used Pilot for about the same as I could sell my Toyota? Also think I could sell the Odyssey and not be too much out of pocket to buy the Fit. So, for me the savings are going to come from driving the Fit as our major mileage accumulator. Right now we are pretty evenly split on which car we drive. I have to drive some for my work (by myself in the car). Wife has to drive to Albany quite a bit by herself or with just one kid to help take care of elderly family members. The person who needs to drive farther that day would take the better mileage car.

We drive around 25,000 - 30,000 miles between the two cars, split pretty evenly. I think we could probably do 3/4 or more of the driving in the Fit.

Does that change the equation? Math is not my strong suit!

[Go_Getter]

Well you figure the the used pilot and the Tacoma are a wash. But I bet no matter what you will need to add some money, it just always seems to be that way.

The Fit to the Odyssey again depends on what you get for the van in cash value. You will gain warranty with the fit but you have already taken depreciation on the van and will take the first hit on the fit (hey that rimes lol).

I guess if I could do it without to much coin out of pocket then its a good trade but if its going to cost much then add the depreciation of a new car it going to take a while to pay back. Check insurance rates as well because sometimes you pay more for smaller cars. Also keep in mind that neither one of you are used to driving a small car and there is a difference. I drive to Portland quite a bit for my job and I tell you to be in a small car in the pouring rain on I5 is very un-nerving, all the road spray is at winshiel level and you can see nothing. I sold a civic for that very reason. A small car is just that, a small car and they have a way of making other cars look BIG! You will also have a substantial increase in road noise. I'm not at all trying to talk you out of it, I just think it needs a lot of thought. Maybe rent one for a week and see what you think? Remember this isn't winter either.

Good luck with your venture.

[Pinecone]

To answer your origional question, I've got a 2007 Pilot 4WD, I've towed a 17' Super Vee with it, no problems. you definitely know it's there, but it does a pretty good job. DEFINATELY get the tow package with the transmission and power steering coolers. It's well worth the extra money. Besides the fact that if your tranny burns up while towing and you didn't have the coolers installed, the warranty won't cover it. But wit the 4500 pound tow rating, and the Super Vee around 2800 or so, it does a great job with it. You won't win any speed records while going over the mountain to the coast, but it'll get you there. The only main difference I could see between the pilot and your tacoma would be that I'm sure the tacoma has beefier suspension then thet pilot....so watch your tounge weight.

As for milage, i get around 18-20 hwy. I got over 20 on a trip to Bremerton and back (no trailer) I haven't calculated it while towing, so i can't help you there.

I was kind of in a similar situation as you, I traded in my Ford Ranger for the Pilot, (we had a baby on the way, and the Ranger wasn't very kid-friendly). I wanted something that would tow a boat, and the utility trailer for the odd load of mulch or yard-debris, as well as haul the family, and get decent milage. So we chose the pilot after taking extended test drives and renting both the pilot and the highlander. The Pilot just fit our needs better. Also, the Pilot has eight passenger seating with the 3rd row seat...which doesn't have a ton of room (was bigger then the one in the highlander though), but it's great for extra kids. I can't speak for the new Highlander (2008)...it came out after we bought the Pilot....

We did quite a bit of research before buying the Pilot, so if you've got any questions, let me know, I'll try and answer 'em for you.

good luck!

- Joseph

[veilside180sx]

You could always just sell the Toyota and tow with the Odyssey. I think they are rated like 3500 or so.

Obviously not as manly, but you already own it.

[Chrome Bumper]

Originally Posted by veilside180sx

You could always just sell the Toyota and tow with the Odyssey. I think they are rated like 3500 or so.

Obviously not as manly, but you already own it.

And plenty of room to haul buddies to help buy gas.