Hello, Scotty! I love your videos and would like to ask your opinion. I'm in need of a vehicle- looking at a 2007 AWD (just found out it was this not 4WD!) Honda Pilot EXL with around 167,000mi for $5500 but I'd ask for $4000. Has been in Florida most of it's time, was originally delivered to an ILL dealer when new but was bought and taken to FL, repo'd years later in AZ during what seems like a visit and brought back to FL. Carfax looks decent except it says it is 4WD and AWD in different parts. I learned earlier that the AWD is not worthwhile but wanted to make sure I was correct. Please help. Thank you!
I'll put this here so it helps, right off of Wikipedia:
The 2003-2004 Pilots featured the J35A4 engine, an all-aluminum 3.5L V6 SOHC with VTEC, producing 240 hp (179 kW) and 242 lb⋅ft (328 N⋅m) of torque.
The 2005 Pilot received a new engine, the J35A6, which added drive-by-wire throttle and produced 255 hp (190 kW) and 250 lb⋅ft (339 N⋅m) of torque. Other changes included the transmission with revised 4th and 5th gear ratios providing a smoother transition between gears, along with a new fuel tank design, increasing the Pilot's driving range by over 40 mi (64 km).[6] All Pilots from 2003-2005 feature VTM-4, Honda's four-wheel drive system.
The Pilot received more updates starting with the 2006 model year, engines were either the J35Z1 (FWD) or the J35A9 (4WD). Both engines were rated at 244 hp (182 kW) and 240 lb⋅ft (325 N⋅m) of torque; the power reduction is because Honda used the updated SAE net power standard. This was the first time 4WD was not standard on the Pilot.
The new FWD models featured Honda's Variable Cylinder Management (VCM) system, which can deactivate up to three cylinders under light load to increase fuel economy, to help control noise from the system Honda added Active Control Engine Mount System (ACM) and Active Noise Cancellation (ANC). Further this version of the J35 featured updated iVTEC and the automatic transmission a shorter 1st gear ratio. With powertrain updates and the lack of VTM-4 the FWD version had improved fuel economy of 18-city/24-highway, an increase of +1/+2 mpg versus the 4WD.
Those are good SUVs, but that’s a little overpriced with that mileage.
Yeah, it seems high but actually normal/below normal mileage for the year. And Carfax states retail value of $6590. Of course, I'd prefer to pay less. Were you thinking the $4000 is too high as well? Any thoughts on the AWD?
$4K seems like a slightly better deal than the original price. The AWD Pilots were decent but AWD makes it heavier, drops mpg a little bit, and costs a little more to maintain. Do you live in an area which you need AWD? They can be good cars if taken care of.
They are well made cars but some of them had cylinder deactivation known to wear the engines out, @daywalker could give some information on that.
I'm pretty sure officially they are 4WD but I might be mistaken. Anyways, that was near the end of the generation and most of the kinks were worked out. Transmission issues were relatively resolved.
https://www.carcomplaints.com/Honda/Pilot/2007/
As for price, where I am its ok. Other places it might be overpriced.
If you do decide to buy it, make sure to have a mechanic check it out before buying. For more information on buying used cars, check out the said section in the FAQ.
The 2007 Honda Pilot has cylinder deactivation (what Honda calls VCM) only on the FWD vehicles, but NOT on the 4WD vehicles (Honda calls it 4WD not AWD btw).
Thanks, Day Walker.
@knb2021 There is actually a thread about this active today: https://carkiller.com/scottykilmer/qa/2007-2008-honda-pilot-reliability/#post-86479
@kerem @daywalker Yes I realize the VCM thing, that's my point in asking about it here. I've been confused as to what it is, blurry pic looks like the rear tag says 4wd so I asked the seller if its AWD or 4wd, he said AWD. I did a carfax on it and two places say AWD, one says 4wd. I've looked it up and it seems to be pretty blurry, nothing cut and dry. Ahh- just trying to figure out if it's something to run from. I also read through the linked thread, but it was from earlier in the year, not now and it wasn't answered to my content so I asked here...but I could've attached my q there. Oh well.
@kristian can you post a picture?
@kristian it should say 4WD in lower right of the tailgate. If you Google it you will see for yourself. Makes sense as the system (from all my reading on it) works as a traditional 4WD (as opposed to AWD) - so you can’t just go off what people tell you because they get those two mixed up (doesn’t necessarily mean they are being shady or anything). But anyone can add a 4WD badge to the outside. The proof is: ask them for a picture of the interior of the vehicle especially the center console area and then look for a button that says “VTM-4 Lock” on it. See page 204 (“VTM-4 System” section for a picture of where to find it and what it looks like:
https://techinfo.honda.com/rjanisis/pubs/OM/9V0707/9V0707OM.pdf
When I bought my truck years ago with the 4x4 off-road package I did a similar thing as what I am telling you. I looked for pictures of those “4x4” buttons inside.
@daywalker Sorry, I don't get notices of responses so I forgot to check back. I have actually moved on from the specific vehicle I mentioned above, had issues, but there is another 07 Pilot I'm planning to go check out. I also have to apologize for the way I wrote out my previous inquiry, it didn't come out clearly. The reason I asked out the VCM and AWD/4WD is because I've read (on here) about the VCM issues and I was looking for clarification as to which model/ years to steer clear of/how to check it out. When I mentioned the blurry pic, it was because I couldn't tell which version it was, by looking at the back door. Thanks for the 4 lock image and idea and help!
@toyotagrl Thanks for the info! That's one reason I couldn't tell which it was in a blurry pic!
As said above, if its 4wd/awd it shouldn't have VCM.
@daywalker If you notice, there is a nickname below the username which has @ in the beginning of the name. So whenever you direct messaging someone, use the nickname if they have one.
@alvin In this case, Kristian is the OP so they get a notification anyways as this is their thread.
@Kerem Yeah I noticed that. They probably need it during someone's thread if the person in the thread didn't answer at all.
I wouldn't get too hung up on AWD, 4WD, 4x4. Unfortunately, some places use the terms interchangeably. Even Toyota does it. The vehicles are clearly AWD (no way to switch modes), but they go so far as to make the A look like a 4. It's more peace of mind for some people. Because of more stuff they get slightly worse gas mileage and a 2 wheel drive. Our 08 Highlander AWD gets about 21 mpgs.
Not to split hairs, but it has a rear locker you can turn on and off with a button inside, and you can not drive on dry, paved roads.
which vehicle are you referring to, @daywalker ?
@mountainmanjoe the 2007 Honda Pilot’s VTM-4 system.
it is a ridiculously complex system.
They are good cars when the transmission and radiators are not broken. Make sure those are checked and if its good, then it can be ok, but personally I would look into the later model Pilots since those fixed the issues with failing transmissions and radiators.
Thanks! I thought it was the engine (VCM) that was more susceptible to issues, no? Later models as in?
@knb2021 There is no VCM if the Honda Pilots have 4wds. Just like @daywalker mentioned above. Thank you Daywalker for responding about the new Honda Ridgelines a long time ago about the VCMs.
@infinitifxfan What did you mean by 'later models'? Older ones or newer ones, years? Thanks!
I would find some info for you off carcomplaints but it seems its down. Transmission problems weren't really an issue for the 2007, that was mostly in the earlier years.
I would look at 2006 and above since those ones were excellent
These are AWD vehicles and as Scotty always says, they get worse gas mileage and become more expensive in repairs. One thing you should keep in mind is that this car gas interference engine with timing belt. I would find out the maintenance/repair history of the car before making any decision to check the car.
very good cars that last indefinitely. the only people who complain about the auto trans are ppl who were sold trans flushing when hondas can only be drain and filled..,
and yes i read above they have cylinder deactivation, a tuner can have that disabled for you to prevent future wear
price is a bit high for 167k miles but great cars
toyotas are equally good like the highlander, but will probably cost you more.
Even if you tune it out, the hardware is still intact and still a liability: what if the solenoids leak or there is a glitch in the I/O signal going to the system and turns on at the wrong time? Also, haven’t heard of an easy way to tune it out via software only:
https://carkiller.com/scottykilmer/qa/ridgeline-vcm-disabling/#post-81376