Used Cars Under $5000: 2005 Honda Pilot EX-L! 

“It may be ugly?” These 1st Gen Honda Pilots are some of the most aesthetically beautiful SUVs ever made! I am currently on my second Pilot and it is a visually pleasing machine!

Hey brother, you have a talent for this. Love your reviews

we bought a 04 fully loaded, that just reached 100K miles, 6 years ago. $ 10,000 . it was in pristine condition. To this day its still a great suv. we have 138,000 miles on it.

Just bought one with 124k miles on it for a little over $5000. This review swayed me! Thank you.

Compared to other reviewers out there, you killed it. I enjoyed your knowledge mixed with jokes. Been doing some suv/ truck research for something cheap and this helped!

I have had a 2004 since 2003. It’s 17 years old and still running normal. The only problem is some scuffs, but the pilot handles those well.

One of the few narrators that didn't bore me to tears. GOOD JOB!

I was a 1st owner of a 2005 Pilot, used it for a commute car and towed a ski boat in the summer. These models back then were tanks- I had over 240K miles on it before some idiot hit me at a light and totaled it. If you just keep the fluids maintained- oil, transmission, etc. these older Pilots will last forever. Bit ticket items I had to replace due to wear and tear are the catalytic converter, AC unit. Car had good performance, transmission was super smooth. Great cargo capacity and versatility. Parts easy to come by and service. They didn't look like minivans back then like the newer models look today. I later upgraded to an MDX, that transmission was disappointing as well as engine power- the 3rd Gen MDX doesn't really have much more power than the 2005-6 Honda Pilots had and the transmission sucks. If you come across one of these older Pilots and the body is not rusted out and maintenance records show it was serviced well, would be a good purchase!

We've had our 2005 Honda Pilot EXL since 2004. Still going strong Great job reviewing!

I have two pilots , affordable and reliable.

2004 Pilot since 2005 with 206K miles. Did allot of upgrades like new rotors/calipers, new power steering pump/reservoir, changed out the brake fluid and ps fluid, and now in the process of getting blacked out head lamps and tail lights. On top of that I do my own oil change and replace the transmission/differential fluid every two years. Still runs like new

Family's owned a Pilot since 2003. Most recent problems were a loose ball joint (and lower control arm) and a dead alternator, but that's to say the rig's 17 years old and has been driven for almost 250K miles. Almost every part on the car is original (brake pads aren't, but that's by default). The fabled 5-speed failure hasn't happened, and it still drives like a dream (if your dream is a mid-size SUV with just about as much body roll as an old BMW on air suspension).

BMW is a money pit. You’re better off with that Honda

This is the toughest car I've ever owned. I've used it for business, pulling a 3000lb trailer back and forth across the country in all conditions. It just keeps going with regular maintenance.

This was a good video. Have a 2003 since 2009 that was serviced on schedule. Extremely reliable. The secret to 80's, 90's and 2000's Honda's is keep fluids clean & use the correct fluid. Do that & they will go half a million miles.

What a funny thing this car is. I've been driving my 2003 for a year so far as a hand me down from my mom. I really wanted a convertible so bad, but up here in Alaska it wouldn't have been a sane option. However, I've grown to love it as my first car. It's super helpful for JROTC and high school in general as the cargo area is MASSIVE, perfect for loading rifle cases and supplies and coolers and etcetera. One time, I fit 7 of my friends inside and we took up all the seats. It was quite the time! I'm the unofficial chauffeur and quite enjoy it to be honest because people don't mind if they pay me :) and they do enjoy the ride. I also have grown to appreciate the styling. I initially did not like it because I thought it looked "boring", but I now realize that it still looks super modern thanks to how elegantly simple everything is. It looks better than a lot of newer cars, too! I keep mine SUPER clean inside (I'm the weird guy who makes sure every tiny bit of lint is wiped off and the interior looks exactly the same from when it was at the dealership!) Many in fact are convinced that it's a fancy new car which I find funny yet interesting. People go inside and say "woooow, this is a nice new ride" or "you wouldn't want to crash this 50 grand" and I'm like what lol. All I did overall was put a tasteful chrome strip below the windows, tint the taillights ever so slightly to make them more on par with new cars, and make sure everything is clean and sparkling. I really like how smoothly it drives compared to most new cars with firm suspensions, it feels like a luxury car. I have super cushy tires so it wafts through the road like a Benz. You're definitely right about filling up the fuel tank though, it's terribly costly! But it's worth it though, because I wouldn't imagine myself driving anything else.

Good review I have a 2011 it's been great so far. Thinking about getting a older one as well for off road/baby hauler

strange how blind spot mirrors are such tough task for manufactures, they could do it much better then aftermarket specifically for each vehicle contributing to much safer operation

I just baught the same 2005 Honda Pilot. Silver as well. It has 180,000 miles on it. The car is in good shape and runs well. We live in Minnesota so the AWD will be nice. Thanks for sharing your video.

Just got my first car. 2005 Honda Pilot with 129k miles. Getting it stickered this week. Love it already

Great review! I have a 2005 pilot.. just bought it with 256,000 mile. It runs like a swiss watch.. One thing you missed which is important.. are the timing belt intervals. Interference motor when timing belt goes bad. Properly maintained is key for Honda and they will run forever

Honda has some of the strongest engines. also that rectangular thing is a cassette player.

I'm in the process of getting this year's model. Thank you for the thorough explanation. It helped so much.

Great job. It is what is/was called a "cassette player". I have just bought a 2005 and I have one. And I am glad.

I love my 2007 Pilot Exl with Navi. She now has 453000 miles. Like the late Charleton Heston said,”They will have to pry it from my cold dead hands!!”

Wow. 😢 that had a legendary way for my generation to able to play music through the phone. 😆 miss them old tech

Purchased a 2006 Honda Pilot EX-L for about $7,000 in August 2020. FOUR days later, I parked it under a maple tree to save its incredibly unmarred body from hail from a coming storm (no body rust in Iowa after 14 years is indeed incredible). I did not understand that this storm was mostly wind and torrential rain.... 140 MPH winds. The winds blew over the maple tree which laid down next to the Pilot. The Damage: the rear tailgate window and passenger-side rear area window were blown out, the roof rack was given a severe angle deformation, several dents on the rear roof pillar, the front A pillar, just below the rear passenger window, a compression dent below the rear mount point of that roof rack, multiple scratches from branches as I drove it out from under the tree (after hand sawing a few limbs free... no power at the house, and only an electric chainsaw aside from the bowsaws). Anyhow, after haggling with the insurance companies AND a call to my state insurance oversight division, the insurance lowered the price of the still very drivable 2006 Honda Pilot to $1400 plus the cost I spent to replace the two shattered windows ($500). Only 140K miles, and it still drives like a dream.. I did spend another $20 to replace the resistor that helps to deliver heat to the rear seats. I will need to spend money to replace the stock alloy rims which are very marred and seem to be leaking air (TPMS monitor keeps going off, but very little leak discovered). Delivery of washer fluid to spouts in cold weather seems impaired (or is the reservoir just very small?). The controls are quirky (needing to turning OFF the Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) in order to keep it from speeding me through a snow or ice slick intersection; needing to TURN ON the speed control from a switch near my left knee; needing to open the sun/moon roof from another switch near my left knee, ALL seem counterintuitive). The functions of the video/audio system seem not very good by 2020 standards. BUT overall, I am very happy with the drive; the ride; and the power of the vehicle in normal highway and city driving environments. Certainly the sturdiness of the body and frame are incredible. Haven't had any issues with the supposedly problematic AWD system. The spare tire lowering system is absolute CRAP however. And speaking of absolute crap, the steel of the rear bumper is experiencing the rust and corrosion (under the rubber and composite plastics) that would be expected from 14 years of mostly unprotected salt, grime and moisture. Overall, an incredible good vehicle if it has been kept properly.

I currently own this same color and year pilot, my pilot has 386K miles and runs like a champ! we did a road trip from Boston Ma to Delray beach Florida and came back no issues, my friend who owns a 2017 Range Rover her main seal was leaking once she arrived in Florida to do a oil change 2600 dollars later!

That's why I have a 2001 Acura mdx witch have league leading third row seat starting back in 2001 and still leading the way.

Nice! Honda Pilot you have. The upper is CD/Cassette player great choice.

I've got a 2007 4WD Pilot that I throw snow tires on in the winter (in Minnesota) and it's incredible, and that's coming from someone that's had a 4WD Ranger, and a stick shift 4WD 4Runner. This generation of Pilot is an excellent vehicle all around.

Good review. I just picked up a 05 Pilot EX-L with 206k for $1500, had a new remanufactured transmission installed by the dealer at 194k though.

You're well spoken and likable. The car looks good

I have a 2003. Below the CD is a tape player. Very obsolete. Watch out for transmission problems. Very common.

On the radio....its called a tape player.... or cassette player.. wish I had that ride... mine only came with cd player

Just picked up a 2006 Pilot for winter car has been a tank so far!

I own a 2003 Pilot that has 249,600 miles on it and still rolling. Also have a 2007 Pilot with 159k... both vehicles are super reliable. Purchased both vehicles brand new and I service them myself. Change the fluids religiously and timing belts at 100k intervals.

I've been driving a 2005 Pilot EXL for 5 years now. I'm about to hit 200k on it in a week or two. I got it for $2500, I've put about $4000 (aftermarket transmission cooler, exhaust work, shocks, struts, starter, alternator, AC compressor, tie rod links and wheel bearings) into over the last 5 years not counting tires/brakes/oil changes and it still drives great. DVD player and 6 disc changer still work, hell even the headphones still work. My kids like it best of our 3 vehicles.

I have a 2004 Pilot and it is great during winter months

Nice video 👊🏾 I just got a 2003 from someone so I hope it was really worth purchasing.

I own a 2003 and I love it, and yes I dropped money into but it's better than a car payment. Great video!

I’ve had my pilot for about 12 years. Bought it with 190,000 miles on it, and it now has 347,342 miles on it and it still rides like a dream.

My 2004 has 252k and is going strong. It has the original motor and transmission with just routine maintenance on both. It had a bad run of repairs starting around 240k. These repairs included windshield wiper motor, EGR valve, alternator, radiator and drive shaft. It also needed a steering rack around 80k miles ago. I would say its all worth it though because its showing no signs of quitting.

I have this exact car w over 280K miles on it. Bought it in 09. Keep on truckin!

I bought a 2006 Honda Pilot (essentially the same vehicle). Only 4 days prior to a 2020 world record Derecho. It was used at just over 140K miles. During the storm, TWO somewhat mature and beautiful Maple trees twisted out of the ground and fell next to the Pilot creating a number of dents in the bodywork along the right side and breaking the liftgate window as well as the right rear back quarter panel window. The insurance company wanted to total it. Yet from driving it around after the storm, and before the settlement, I knew it was still quite sound. NOW, about 2 years (starting the third) after that event, I have placed 20K miles on it. The only issues I have had are where the mechanics who I have allowed to work on it since 2020, have NEVER done it justice (busted parts after allowing a Honda dealership to do a 150K mile checkup with oil and trans and differential oil changes), as well as a $600 rear brake only pad change and re-balance of braking system (which it did need, but now it sounds like the pads along the right side chatter when going over bumps). Anyhow, though I could need new half shafts to drive the right side front wheels, and some other issues with respect to the right side rear suspension system (along where the trees landed), I think I can easily endure another 50K miles in this car whose original purchase price was under 8K with 140K miles, but where the insurance company with the storm lowered my buyback so that my total expense for the vehicle was $1400 with additional $500 in replacement windows (and $600 rear only brakes and a couple of oil changes and new air hose between the filter box and the throttle body). Yup. Living with the dents and suspension chatter. Gorilla tape over the places where the paint was cracked after denting. Ignore the suspension chatter, and it really is a nice ride. Potential issues coming up, needs new battery. Needs new front brakes, may need new front half shafts. Otherwise, sound for a daily driver.

If you're on the fence, go for it. I just bought a very clean 2004 for $3500. Just make sure the timing belt gets done, if you're able to do it yourself its only a few hundred bucks but at a shop it's $1000+

Nice work. I owned one for 10 years. Change that timing belt.

The best car review I have ever seen

Hi from quarantine days haha. Hope everyone is doing well. But this make me miss my first car as it was a hand me down from my dad same year (05) and we bought it at 2016 with 164k . Unfortunately it only lasted me for 2 weeks after getting my license haha in 2018 (had a bad motor. But it last to 205k miles) solid build car. Loved this car. I would buy it any chance I get if I become a family a man haha

Thanks- just picked up an ‘03. Looking forward to it.

About to buy a MDX, and one of my new favorite car reviews. I'll definitely use that turtle wax on the headlights!

Lord I am old. Sweet heart. That's is a cassette player. You can also put your DVD player in there if it's connected to a cassette tape.

Honda interior design was designed light-years ahead of GM's models of the same era. Every time I hopped into a Tahoe or Jimmy as a kid.. it smelled like cigarettes and I felt like I was led in with some candy to see my parents again.

Follow your instruction maintenance schedule and it will keep going...and going...and going. Mine is 20 years old and still driving great!

10:38 that's a casette player, BTW it looks so weird without the wood trim (I topped mine off, got all the options and the wood trim, and i got used to the wood trim, and BTW over time the wood trim starts to peel off)

I'm a forklift operator for a company that builds parts for Pilots, and was an operator at the Honda plant in Alabama. I've been looking at one with 119,000 miles.

The smaller slot on the radio is the cassette tape slot, many 2005 vehicles still had cassette players.

About to buy one great review loved every bit of it ! 1995

Paid $4500 for my 2003 Pilot EXL same color starlight silver metallic in 2014 and wouldn’t take anything for it. It’s one of the best cars Honda has made. Mine still has the original engine and transmission and the mileage is over 250,000

2006-2008 is the best years because it’s more updated and different trans and projector headlights than this one

I just bought a 2008 Pilot----I LOVE IT!!

Great review, thanks. Wondering if one could upgrade the stereo system.

That’s square thing is a sandwich holder. They were common in the 90s..lol

11:34 On my Pilot, my lights shut off/on automatically with key/remote. So yours does too.

Got a 2005 Ford Escape hybrid for less than 3000. Love it.

I cant wait to save up enough to get my first pilot and turn it into my off-road/overlanding rig

I really enjoyed this review 😊

Very good choice. You can't go wrong with a Honda. It's the only brand I trust.

My 2003 Honda Pilot ex-l has 313,000 miles and still moving strong.

The empty space on the radio is where the " flux capacitor" gets inserted. When you put it in you teleport through the space-time continuum. ROLOL

The math got me 😂😂 “help me” 😂

I have the same 05 I love it.

14:30 my man, have a 1 series myself. Good work !

10:29 Pretty sure that's the mini toaster. Standard feature on a lot of old cars 👌

i bought a 2005 honda pilot about a month ago and like it,

Dude you make me feel old. That little square box was where the cassette goes. I'm sure you've heard that from all these other comments. Got it for a little over 3K but it does have over 250,000 miles. But after watching this video I feel a little better about the purchase I made.

I just bought a 2012 Pilot in January. 111,000 miles, $9,000 with leather seats, towing, 4WD, sunroof.

The 3rd row seat do have good space. You just need to adjust the second row seats

The center slot is a pop tart warmer.. you are welcome 😂

Nice review my brother bought this one. I wanted to see how it is as im living far from him. Thanks!

Great SUVs but some develop problems with interior water leaks by the front tires. Huge pain that sometimes requires pulling the fenders to fix. The rear spoiler also warps and catches the roof when opening the hatch and requires replacement. Bulletproof powertrain but Honda kind of screwed up on body work it seems like at least in some of them. Can't complain for a 17-year-old vehicle with 200k miles.

Man I wish these things were still that cheap... Amazing how the used car market has changed.

It looks like a cassette player. Love my Honda you can't beat them. Dr. Advised me to get another vehicle that has more ground clearance. Because of it setting to low it is causing more injuries to my neck, back and hip,

The small square thing on the stereo is for cassettes...old school lol

Bought my 2006 with 150K mi. Just needed a vehicle to add mileage to as Im in Real Estate. Ended up replacing the transmission around 165K mi. Long story short I HATE TO CAR SHOP. This car lasted me until my husband had a medical episode and rolled it at 264K. Now I have a 2013 with 145K my goal to make it to 300K lives on!

My parents bought one last week with 98k miles 1 owner 2007 with service record and almost new inside for 8,900 cash .

Lol I'm pretty sure that is a cassette player lol

Wow time really flies this young man does not know what a cassette player is

I love your review With love from Nigeria

YOU ARE TOOO FUNNY. ENJOYED WATCHING

I really enjoyed this review btw

Great video!!

That thing under the CD player is a single slice toaster. Only the luxury models came with that option.

Nice that its been garaged. My 2006 has most of its clear coat wearing out, not so pretty.

That 4 corner thing is a cassette audio player

I have one of the first backup cameras with my factory nav system. However, it’s totally useless during the day as it’s too dark.

Forward 2023 with the inflation we're dealing with, especially in California. Good luck finding a decent, good older car with a 100k under 5k . Yes, toyotas and Hondas can be reliable vehicles, with regular & schedule maintenance. But if you don't keep up, it will break down.

My 2008 EX-L has 281k and still going today. ❤

Great video thank u so much

Also the hole in the radio is a cassette player.