00:00 - INTRO - First Generation Honda Pilot - The Affordable Family Adventure Vehicle

01:15 - GENERAL OVERVIEW – What Makes the First Gen Honda Pilot So Great?  

03:55 - YOU MIGHT WANT ONE IF….

• You routinely need to carry more than 4-people safely and comfortably
• You have active kids and need to haul a lot of their stuff (or yours)
• You need all-wheel drive for snowy conditions  
• You need to tow a boat or trailer up to 4500 pounds (with tow package)
• You need a versatile, reliable used SUV that can do all that for a reasonable price

05:30 - FIRST GEN HONDA PILOT DETAILS

DRIVETRAIN

• VTM-4 automatically sends torque to rear wheels in low traction conditions
• VTM-4 Lock button on dash for added traction in snow/mud
• Locks rear differential, sending 25% of the power equally to each rear wheel
• Works only in 1st or 2nd gear (or reverse) and only up to 18-mph
• 2003-2005 Models were all VTM-4 equipped
• 2006-2008 models offered either 2WD or 4WD as an option

ENGINE

• 3.5-Liter SOHC 24-valve V6 with VTEC
• 2003 models had 240-hp and 242-lb.ft of torque
• 2005 models got a bump to 255-hp and 250-lb.ft of torque
• 2006 and later were rated with less horsepower, but that was due to SAE rating changes
• 2006 and later offered an engine with cylinder deactivation on a 2WD models for better fuel economy

TRANSMISSION

• A decent shifting 5-speed automatic transmission
• Old-school column shift lever, takes some getting used to
• Works fine though.

SUSPENSION

• 4-wheel independent suspension
• Coil springs with struts in front
• Multilink set-up in the rear with coil springs and shocks
• Comfortable on the highway
• Corners relatively flat for an SUV of that era. 
• Decent handling – better than most from that era
• Not as sporty as the First Gen Acura MDX (2001-2006) 

BRAKES

• 4-wheel disc brakes
• ABS standard
• Decent control and stopping distances
• Discs warped with heavy use
• Cryo-treated rotors and upgrade pads solved this issue

Tirerack.com Cryo-Treated Rotor Details 

https://bit.ly/3CWRDxA

WHEELS

• Stock wheels are 16-inch diameter with 235/70-16 tires
• Best upgrade - find a set of 17” wheels from a first gen MDX
• Similar offset and you can use a lower profile 235/65-17 tires
• This provides a little better handling
• Use the stock 16-inch wheels for winter tires

PERFORMANCE/HANDLING

• Decent Handling – especially for a large SUV
• Comfortable on the freeway with good steering accuracy
• Minimal to moderate body roll
• Zero to 60-mph times of 7.5 to 8.0 seconds
• Quick for a 4400-lb. SUV from that era. 

13:15 - BASIC PACKAGES

• Base LX Model includes power windows and locks, cruise control, keyless entry, and a CD stereo
• EX Model adds a power driver's seat, six-disc CD changer with steering-wheel-mounted controls, and front and rear automatic climate control.
• Premium EX-L Model adds leather, a power moon roof, and heated seats.
• Options for EX-L Model’s include DVD entertainment system for rear-seat passengers or a satellite navigation system (they can't be had together) 

INTERIOR

• Comfortable front bucket seats
• Seat heating in front on more upscale models
• Leather available only on the EX-L Models
• Lots of storage places and cup holders
• 2003-2005 Pilots have front and side airbags for front row
• Later 2006-2008 Pilots also have side curtain airbags for all seats

EXTERIOR

• Styling of the first generation Pilot a little boring, but we liked it.
• Not a minivan, so extra points for that
• Headlight output on the 2003-2005 models is only adequate
• 2006-2008 models had improved projector beam Halogen headlamps & fog lights
• Not all Pilots have crossbars
• Towing package was available on the Pilot (up to 4500 lbs) 

17:40 - WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN A FIRST GEN PILOT

• You will want to look for typical used car things
• Minimal Owners?  Preferably 1 or 2
• Has it ever been in an accident?
• Does it have a Salvage or Rebuilt title? 
• Did the Pilot perform regular service?
• Does the owner have service records?
• Any Check Engine Lights? (Bring an OBD II scanner)
• Any Deferred Maintenance required? (T-belt, brakes, tires, transmission fluid, coolant, etc.)
• Do electric & mechanical items work? (wipers, AC, heater fan, etc.)
• Is it rusty? 
• Does it need paint or bodywork?
• Ultimately it comes down to condition, which is more important than anything else
• Recommend an EX or EX-L for more features
• Recommend models with VTM-4 (all 2003-05 + 2006-08 marked 4WD)

21:00 - COMMON ISSUES

These are pretty reliable vehicles that don’t have a lot of issues other than what is typical for high-mile used SUV’s. That said, here is a short list of common issues to look for:

• Takata airbag recall
• Brakes are weak (cryo-treated rotors & good pads can fix that)
• Power steering pumps eventually fail
• Transmissions in early Pilots are prone to issues
• Radiator replacement after 100K miles is common
• 105K Timing Belt Change (confirm it has been completed)
• Lower Control Arms will wear out
• Check shocks and other suspension components if over 100K miles
• HVAC Air Blend Actuator can fail (won't properly mix hot/cold air)

23:45 - PRICING of First Gen Pilots for sale by owners:

• $4,000 to $6,000 – Okay condition, a few minor issues, but high mileage. 
• $6,000 to $8,000 – Good condition with low to mid mileage of 100K to 150K
• $8,000 to $10,000 – The best examples (1-owner, low miles, recent maintenance – all the good stuff) 

27:40 - WRAP-UP EPISODE