Trying to figure out the next step and looking for some help/advise. I'm currently at 87k miles on my '16 Pilot. It's well maintained: 3-5k oil changes, 10k transmission fluid changes, new ATF filter, S-VCM for the last 30k miles, new brakes all around, fresh brake fluid, 22k miles on Michelins, new battery, just looked over the suspension and it seems to be in a good shape (probably the links need to be replaced - a bit "sweating"), not tears in the bushings, car was always garaged. It's 8 yrs old so I'm close to needing the new timing belt/tensioner/water pump etc, which I think I can do myself with Aisin kit for relatively cheap. Anyhow, the car is aging, and potential for unexpected breakdowns is increasing, I'm travelling overseas for 30+ days for work at a time and can't really afford to leave my wife with no transportation is something goes south (she's refusing to drive my civic since it's a manual despite knowing how to drive manuals). So, with all that said, is it a time to let the Pilot go and get into something new (most likely another new Pilot)? Anyone was in a similar situation and if so, what did you do? Btw, trade in value for my pilot is 12-13k, I can probably get a bit more if I was to sell it private...
Time for a new car?
- Thread starter parshisa
- Start date
These are the decisions we all need to make at some time. Take this for what it's worth: you have taken care of that Pilot and it has only 87000 miles on it and you know what needs to keep it going. Even new vehicles can have breakdowns that put them out of service. If it were I (and I know you are not I), I would keep the Pilot and get rid of Civic and buy the wife a car with an automatic transmission.
Really?
An 8 year old car with 87,000 miles on it is unreliable?
In a similar situation, what would I do?
Drive this.
Then take the money that you were going to spend on a $50,000 new car and invest it.
An 8 year old car with 87,000 miles on it is unreliable?
In a similar situation, what would I do?
Drive this.
Then take the money that you were going to spend on a $50,000 new car and invest it.
4WD
$50 site donor 2025
Do you have towing on your insurance ? It’s a small monthly add for what can be an expensive service …
I think the vehicle will do fine while you are gone. I would, however, make sure my wife knew which mechanic to take the vehicle to, and possibly enroll into a AAA membership. 30 days is nothing compared to some of the deployments I went on in the military, and my wife did fine, even if there was a mechanical issue while I was gone (one I can remember in 1977).
While I don't currently travel, I understand the situation you are in as I used to travel heavily. Add in where there are babies at home and reliable transportation is a must. If there are no indications of failure, USUALLY, cars don't spontaneously, catastrophically fail.
We had a situation with our Pacifica where it was doing dumb, untraceable stuff and to be honest, I didn't want to chase them and risk spending a significant amount of money on a car we weren't "in love" with. So it got tossed for a Wrangler that my wife has been wanting for several years.
We had a situation with our Pacifica where it was doing dumb, untraceable stuff and to be honest, I didn't want to chase them and risk spending a significant amount of money on a car we weren't "in love" with. So it got tossed for a Wrangler that my wife has been wanting for several years.
I like this idea, if there's a backup car, the concerns are mitigated greatly and you don't have to take on a new payment (assuming you aren't paying cash).
I’m 100% with you on logically there’s 0 need for a new one. And, unfortunately, that peace of mind comes in at quite a price…
The problem with getting rid of my civic is that I’m heavily in love with that car. I’ve had it for 7yrs and 82k miles with 0 issues, extremely well taken care of (similar to Pilot), and it’s a manual which I LOVE to drive…but logically it is indeed a viable option
4WD
$50 site donor 2025
Well, I’d certainly wait 6 months if you have a connection with fracking. Get an appointment with a good detailer …
I 100% agree with you. The thing is that SO FAR Pilot was good and reliable, although knowing that it’s a ‘16 and falls into the range with known rod bearing issue, it add a bit of anxiety keeping it (however Honda states that my vin is not a part of the recall).
How hard is it to rent a car, if something goes south on the Pilot? Worst case, wife has to call the garage, have it towed, and manage to find a rental. If that's too hard for her to do... eh.
I'm guessing you could have this happen a few times before you come close to the loss of trading this vehicle in.
I'm guessing you could have this happen a few times before you come close to the loss of trading this vehicle in.
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- Jan 12, 2022
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If you want to maximize your trade in value everything I read says you need to do it before you hit 100,000 miles on the car. Me, I run my cars to 200,000 before I move on to the next one. You obviously need to do what makes you comfortable. If that means getting a new car, happy shopping.
Looking from the outside it is just now broken in well and ready for a long service life, especially when taken care of that well. Looking from the inside the wife and her safety and peace of mind trump all. Even a BIG repair would cost far less than a new car. Compare insurance rates between Pilot and CR-V? Maybe go for CR-V for better fuel mpg if insurance is also less. Good luck sorting and deciding.
Timing belts suck, but the car seems to otherwise be in good shape. If you need more space or something, then get a minivan. But if you're just going to get another Pilot, don't bother. The repairs it seems to need are still far less than a new car, especially a Pilot.
If you were going to downsize to an HR-V or something, then trading it in makes more sense. The HR-V has a timing chain and a much better transmission.
Selling your car privately, or even trading it in, without having the TB job done could hurt the value because they know it's coming up.
If you were going to downsize to an HR-V or something, then trading it in makes more sense. The HR-V has a timing chain and a much better transmission.
Selling your car privately, or even trading it in, without having the TB job done could hurt the value because they know it's coming up.
I was planning to do the TB myself. Never have before, but plenty of free time on hand, and for the sake of cost saving (assuming all goes right), willing to try myself
Around 1,600$ at my local dealer
AZjeff
$50 Site Donor 2023
Only you know what's best for you and wife. You didn't mention kids. I had a car that I thought was reliable let wife down on the highway with the kids, it wasn't long we had a different car that she picked out. This was before cell phones not that it would have mattered. If this is you worrying not her maybe let it ride a bit. Respect for wanting to take care of the wife while you're gone.
