Need Advice: GMC Arcadia vs. Honda Pilot

[psycledelic]

As much as I would like this question to be 1198 vs. Streetfighter, soon to be baby#3 has us growing out of the Volvo and into the world of 3 car seats.  My wife and I have narrowed the choices down to the GMC Arcadia/Saturn Outlook (same vehicle) or the Honda Pilot.  Anyone own either and want to chime in pros and cons.  My wife is leaning toward the GMC/Saturn (she likes the Saturn's looks more than the GMC), but I would have to bet on the Honda being a better car overall.  Any info/advice would be appreciated! 

[IZ]

Being from a family of GM workers, I would get a GMC over a Saturn but I would never buy any GM over a Honda. 

[Kopfjäger]

Rented an Arcadia. It handled a week of bootleg and j-turns very well. 

I vote Honda Pilot. Take it for a test ride.

[Popeye the Sailor]

Have you checked consumer reports?

I've never heard of an Arcadia-new model? I steer clear of new models. Except for Adriana Lima. Mmmm.

[Kopfjäger]

Have you checked consumer reports?

I've never heard of an Arcadia-new model? I steer clear of new models. Except for Adriana Lima. Mmmm.

07

[IZ]

The Arcadia has been out for 2-3 years now.  It as some nice styling but in the end..is just a slightly bigger version of a Trailblazer..which is a POS!  My Mother-in-law has one and it's turned out tp be a mess since day one.

Pilot.  Not sure about the new model or it's styling..but I'd buy 10 before the Arcadia!!

[Rufus120]

Well I would look at it this way.  One of those companies more or less went out of business, one didn't. I would like to say buy american, but Honda makes a great vehicle.  Family members have owned a few and while I haven't spent much time in any GMCs. I have enjoyed the Hondas I have driven.



Are you sure you can't put three car seats one the back of a Streetfigher?  Would be a great way to get the kids into bikes at an early age.

Just sayin'

[psycledelic]

We spent most of Saturday test driving both of them (and the Toyota Highlander, which is too small).  GMC/Saturn had a noticable amount of more power.  Honda was a hell of a lot smoother.  You could barely tell the transmission was changing gears.  Both were very quiet inside.  The GMC/Saturn (more so, the GMC) had a lot of gimicky crap inside that was fun to play with, but would probably break soon after warranty elapsed.  They had a nice layout and wasn't to over the top with styling.  The Honda was kind of like a teenager's spaceship.  Everything was where it should be, but had funny shaped buttons and a shifter that just looked out of place.  Both cars, uh, SUVs, uh, whatever they are, rode really well.  The GMC/Saturn is a little bigger inside and out, but Honda did a really good job of utilizing the interior space to its max.
As far as companies go, the salesmen at the two Saturn dealerships we visited are heads and shoulders about all of the folks at GMC and Honda.  I know it shouldn't factor in, but I would just about pay more for a car to buy it from a legitimate sales rep instead of a wannabe con-artist.

[NAKID]

Sorry, but this is bugging me. It's Acadia, not Arcadia.

And I agree with you about knowledgable salesmen. I do a fair bit of research before I go shopping, but I shouldn't be telling the salesman stuff about his vehicle that he doesn't know...

[OT_Ducati]

have you thought about the Mazda CX9?
drove one back to back with the Acadia.
liked the Mazda more. better ride. more
road feel. less isolation from the road.

[il d00d]

I would take the Pilot over the Acadia just based on my experiences with Honda alone, but the Acadia is not a bad choice.  I have driven my sisters - it seems solid, if a bit overstuffed.

I am kind of in the same boat (just two car seats, and by the grace of sweet baby Jesus that will be it for now) and here are the baby transport appliances I am looking at - they might be worth a look for you.
Volvo XC90 - not sure how a third car seat would work out on the third row.  It is more compact than some of the other third-rowers. AWD, and airbags everywhere, is what I like.
Ford Flex  - I like the 2+2+3 layout, but it looks like a Mini Cooper limo.
Mercedes Benz R350 - I like the layout of this one too.  I would probably have to buy this used, but there are a lot of nice examples to be found under warranty for about half of what they originally sold.

Good luck on the search, and let us know what you decide on.

[cyrus buelton]

You can never go wrong with a Honda.

[IZ]

Sorry, but this is bugging me. It's Acadia, not Arcadia.

No, you're wrong!

GMC is WRONG!!

It's ARcadia dammit!! 

Arcadia (Duran Duran) - Election Day

[herm]

not if they are continuing with their trend of naming vehicles after trendy and or outdoorsy things (colorado, yukon, acadia (national park))

[herm]

what i ment to say was that the Acadia seems like a nice rig........much nicer than the envoy. its probably bigger than the pilot. but as others have said, its not a honda. so unless you are looking for a 1 ton truck or bigger......