If your looking for a vehicle with AWD & are in the $35k bracket, I would get a Jeep Grand Cherokee. There is only one non-military vehicle sold in the US with a better AWD/4WD system than Jeep & that's Land Rover. Jeep has the most loyal fan/customer base in the vehicular world. You will always be able to get Jeep parts, even why cars are flying and running on lawn clippings.

There are at least 6 pilots who own Pilot's (I kill me ) in my squadron. They all drink the Honda Jonestown Kool-Aid and own Accords or Civics, etc but all say they like them alot. I personally think Honda cars are more over-rated than Toyota. They run forever & never break you always hear. Really? Then why do they have service departments at Honda & Toyota dealers? They main problem I have with both Honda & Toyota is they "dump" their vehicles & have done so since day one in the US market. "Dumping" is the practice of intentially selling something below its actually cost in an attempt to entice sales. After sales are steady, prices are SLOWLY brought up to actually market value. Think of what Wal-Mart does. Honda has done this for decades in the US. An Accord is a good deal larger than a BMW 3 Series or MB C Class yet costs over $10000 LESS for an equally optioned out example. If their cars are so good & so high quality, how can they simply sell them for under cost? Ask Ford & GM how this practice has worked for the last 25 years. You never, ever hear about BMW or MB worrying about the bottom line do you? They sell their cars for sticker all day long and they both have been rock solid companies for over 100 years. In a few years, consumers will probably notice how expensive Honda's & Toyota's have become and I think their sales will decline. Just my hunch, nothing more nothing else.

KC-10 FE out...

 

I always thought so too until I owned a 2000 Grand Cherokee Limited with the V8. It honestly has the weakest 4wd setup I have ever tried to use. I some how put 40,000 miles on it and got rid of it because every week it was in the shop for tranny/t-case/driveline/rearend failure. I will never own another one, but I do admit the SRT-8 GC is hot.

 

I kind of ruled out the Acura's due to cost but I'll check it out...thanks.

 

Jeeps are a no go...she doesn't like them...at all.

 

My sister had a 2001 Jeep Grand Cherokee, Limited. she hated it and got rid of it within a year. Damn thing was breaking all the time.

Although the WRANGLER may have a devoted following, other models don't do so well. Jeep has some serious QC problems.

As for the original topic... that's a toughie. I have always thought the Pilot was one heck of an ugly vehicle, and felt cheap inside. It almost comes off as if the cosmetics of the vehicle were an afterthought.

I have mixed feelings about the new EDGE. I personally don't love the looks, although I haven't seen any color aside from that rust crap color. I have seen some of the MAZDA CX-7's though, and in that Sonic blue lookin' color they look awesome!

Maybe cruise down to a Mazda dealer and check those out, it's effectively a re-badged EDGE.

 

Well that rules them out now doesn't it? My wife is the same way. She says it's HER car and she WILL get a car SHE likes.

Of the original two you listed, I would go with the Honda for no other reason than its a little cheaper.

I don't understand the facination people have with SUV's. There is no need to run out & get a mini van or SUV just because people had some kids. I know of a couple that bought an Expedition when they had their first child "For the room". My parents raised 3 kids out of the back of a Chevy sedan. So did millions of their generation. You could save several thousand $$$ if you went with a roomy sedan or a wagon. You'll get better handling, mileage and in most cases better value for your money.

KC-10 FE out...

 

You know I agree with ya or rather I did. We went out to lunch one day and I was pulling back in the parking lot next to my truck. I looked to my left and there was the FORD emblem (from the hood) at my ear. If an SUV/truck hit her car, even at a moderate speed she or my kids would be hurt or worse.

I never thought much about it until that day. Since then I've been working toward getting the money together to put them in something bigger. We are now ready to do so. I'm getting through Christmas and we are going shopping. She didn't demand the SUV/X-over....I did. Frankly it makes me feel better if nothing else.

 

I'll add my two cents here because I was in your position recently, though I was purchasing used vehicles. Have you considered maybe a slightly used vehicle instead?

My requirements were at least 7 seater with $20ish price tag, two years old, and less than 40,000 miles. I needed a family SUV to go with my FX4 Screw.

The Honda Pilot EX was my top choice. It was quick by SUV standards, handled well, great build quality, good mileage, and very high resale value.

In the end, I ended up with a 04' Expedition Eddie Bauer. For the money, the Expy EB was great value. I got it for $19,000, fully loaded with 5.4L, rear DVD system, 37,000 miles, etc. The closes Honda Pilot I could find to match it was a 03' with 50,000 miles, and they would not sell it for any less than $21,000.

That is the great (or bad if you bought new) thing about big domestic vehicles, they have terrible resale value. The problem with used Hondas is that they command a premium price, and very few end up in the used car market because they get passed around by family members.

But if you must buy new, I highly recommend the Honda Pilot. Everyone I know that has one loves it; the 03' I drove was a great drive. Remember though that the current Pilot will go thru a major redesign in the next year, so maybe you should wait another year before you buy?

 

We are considering used. In fact I'm looking at the used Lexus (Lexi?) I've added Acura to the list now. It is tough to find a new used Honda...I've found exactly what you have....low availability and higher prices

 

Well if you don't need a 3rd row seat, then the Lexus RX series is great. They drive really well.

I test drove a MDX as well, it's based on the Pilot chassis, with similar drivetrains, plus a 4-wheel electronic locking system on the dashboard.

To be honest, I kind of like the styling of the pilot more, both inside and out.

Good luck, sounds like you are going to have fun shopping for that next vehicle.

BTW - The Ford Edge is based on the same chassis as the Fusion, which in tern is based on the Mazda 6. Keeping that in mind, have you considered the Mazda CX-9? I hear that's like the sports car of the crossover SUV world.

 

Did your wife ever look into the new Explorers at all?

 

They're shooting for first quarter '07 now. A botched launch of the Edge is something Ford cannot withstand. They should be hitting dealer lots just after the '08 Superduties.

 

I really like the Pilot myself but the Highlander is nice too.

Just stay away from the Element... yuck.

 

Probably not, I can imagine she wants something that's reliable.

 

While you'll probably not even consider this, I think you should go drive one before you buy either of the other two.

Go check out a Ford Freestyle.

AWD, room for seven, fairly decent mileage, and FIVE STAR crash rating. It's very comfortable for long trips, sits up higher than a regular sedan, and the price on them is much less than the 35K you are budgeting. They are not hot sellers, and you can get a pretty nice one for between 26-29K.

Is it ugly? Yes, but no worse then the toy your considering.

The test drive is free. You may be surprised. When I consider the safety margin between the rice and the Freestyle, I wouldn't put my wife and kids in any rice right now.

My opinion. (Mustangs have a five star frontal rating too!)