We had a 1999 Ford Explorer Eddie Baure with 112K. We had just started looking for our odyssey van and decided to start looking at replacing the explorer as well. We drove a new explorer first, but after owning 5 of them and a jeep grand cherokee, we decided it was time for a change. I fell in love with the Highlander, but the only toyota dealer who was wiling to make a deal on one, had really expensive ones in stock. Plus the new 4-runners wheren't out yet. WE also drove a Tribute (no 2wd models in stock), Pathfinder (No 2wds in stock), Forrester (dealer was nasty), Trail Blazer (no, too boring) and a Mitsu Montero Sport (No, No and No), we drove a Pilot LX (not an ex as we bought). The dealer was only making this one available for test drives, and saving the others (it had 17500 miles on and they inteded to keep it until it had 25 or 30K and sell it used). I liked the power it had and the way it felt. We leased a new pilot for 24 months/48K miles through a local bank with our explorer as trade, so we wouldn't have to make lease payments at all. It seemed like a really good deal. So we rolled off the lot. It was the only leather equipped unit the had (EX with Navi. system). By the time we got home, we wished we had gone for a cloth seat ex. Our pilot drove out well (and still did when we turned it in last week). It handles well, with mimal body lean and the awd helps alot. It needs more zip though and i prefer the shift leaver on the column or like the highlanders, mounted horizontaly off the dash. It seens odd being up on the coulmn. But ours ate the oem tires in 24K miles. A new alingment, two new wheels and 4 michilen tires solved that. Our pilot only left us twice, and at the worst possible times. Once was when the cam sensor failedm the other was right after hurrican ivan. It developed a stalling issue a red lights. Another sensor fixed that. We did pay $300 for a 12K/24 month extended warranty. The interior is ok, but has too many chinzy bits, and i found the navi system confusing, and I knew where I was more than the car did at times. Also the stero system sucks. It doesn't have enough bass/trebile and the cd player has trouble with even minor cd scratches. The a/c works well, but takes its time to cool off the cabing in anything more than 85 degree weather. We used the thrid row seat a few times, and that was enough to note that fords explorer has more rear seat room. So does our 2000 Voyager van. I leased it from the same dealer who i delt with over an hour and a half drive from my home. So that wsn't as painless as what i went through with my odssey van. Overall if a square H fits the bill, this is ok, but the MDX and Explorer add the sport that this sport ute is missing.
Amount Paid (US$): 14995
Condition: New
Model Year: 2003
Model and Options: Ex, Navigation System, Leather