2008 Honda Pilot Review: Great Year For The Comfortable & Reliable Midsize SUV

Alex Showalter
Jul 28, 2022

The 2008 Honda Pilot can last around 250,000 miles with only some minor oil consumption and light issues. At $7,472 to $9,223, it’s a good value for a dependable midsize SUV.

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likeFilled The Good
The engine runs very smoothly, the suspension feels like you’re driving a car and the cargo capacity is excellent for an SUV.
dislikeFilled The Bad
The size makes it difficult to park in tight parking spaces, the third row has less room than rivals, and the handling is not very agile.

Is the 2008 Honda Pilot a Good Used SUV?

  • Yes, 2008 is a good year for the Pilot. It’s one of the best midsize SUVs of 2008 and owner reviews praise the passenger room, affordable ownership costs, and technology.
  • Interior quality is average for an SUV in this price range with durable cloth and leather options available. The stereo system is a bit outdated and ready for a refresh.
  • Reliability ratings are above average. Models from 2006-2008 all are good choices, with a spike in mechanical problems for 2009.
  • Performance is okay from the standard V6 engine, but it’s not a great choice for towing.
  • The Pilot is a very safe SUV, earning a perfect 5-star overall rating in government crash tests, and only dipping to 4 stars in the rollover test.
  • Fuel economy is average for a midsize SUV, and averaging 18 MPG, an owner can expect to get about 360 miles of range out of the 20 gallon tank.

Positive Owner Reviews

accountCircle Jess B
My car is reliable and useful in many ways. It is a good family car.
I like the storage capacity. I like it's sitting room. It is generally reliable and inexpensive to maintain.
accountCircle Shannon g
Great for small family. Very dependable
Dependable. Perfect size for active family. Third row comes in handy for carpooling/field trips/etc. Roomy for long trips.
accountCircle Jennifer P
Honda pilot, reliable vehicle.
It is a very reliable vehicle that with regular maintenance and oil changes has never given me any major issues. The gas mileage is good and it is very spacious. I am able to fit 8 passengers and still have room in the back for bags. Even though it is 11 years old I have no rust or evidence of aging.
accountCircle Joy M
This Is a great and reliable family car. We feel very safe in it.
We have been very happy with our pilot for ten years. It has been great for our family of four for regular travel around nd town and vacations. It has been sturdy and reliable for maintenance, too.
accountCircle mackenzie s
We were once in a very serious car accident and the officer stated "the safety of this car saved your life."
This is our fourth honda pilot. We absolutely love them! We feel safe, have room for traveling, yet is not too big to drive around town and park in tight conditions.
accountCircle Jaimie H
It is safe and reliable and will last a long time.
I like the reliability of the vehicle, the 3 row seating to accommodate the family. I do wish there were more trunk/carrying space.
accountCircle patti p
It is made with quality products, I love the olive color.
Love the style and the 3 row seating. How dependable it is. No complaints
accountCircle Kate T
2008 Honda pilot value package 4WD.
Great, reliable, safe vehicle! Good on gas and great in the snow due to it is all wheel drive. Plenty of passenger room and a nice trunk space. A great SUV for a good price!

Negative Owner Reviews

accountCircle Nicole P
It's versatile but it comes at a cost of repairs and not being able to see well from all angles. I feel like there are a lot of blind spots.
I love it has a third row of seats that can be put away to allow more storage. I love it has a DVD player to keep my children entertained. I don't like it constantly needs to be repaired.
accountCircle Andre W
Blue, grey leather interior, fits a lot of people.
The back of the seat always falls out and the breaks are constantly sticking but the engine is great it works okay, it constantly smells like burning oil and the power steering works half the time but it can take a lot of miles. It has a touch screen to zoom through music, it has Sirius XM., and a CD player with 9 slots. Air conditioning doesn't work some of the time. It holds about eight people. Seats fold down in the back so they can be more room for stuff.
accountCircle Kyt W
Honda Pilot EX: One of the best learner cars there is.
It's a nice big car, gets average gas mileage for an SUV. However, the back left door is missing the inside handle and the back of the passenger seat is off. It has navigation and an AUX button, but no AUX jack.
accountCircle Kelly A
Great value for a great car.
None, it still runs great. Interior is really worn but it is great on gas and has great pick up still. It has been very reliable over the years with minimal maintenance. Love the third row and all of the drink holders for the kids. Inexpensive to repair and easy to maintain.
accountCircle Kerry L
You can see out of every window because they are so much bigger.
It's hard to get into because it is high off the ground. I am only 5 foot and I haft to grab onto the bars to lift myself into the car. Older people can't slide into the car as well. Problems with converter going out after 100, 000 miles and had to be replaced.
accountCircle Jeremiah M
It has great gas mileage.
I do not like that is has a lot of road noise. I do like that it has good gas mileage. I do like that it has room for me to load things.
accountCircle Jennifer J
Very spacious and doesn't hit to hard when driving.
My vehicle is not new it was previously owned. If it was a new one I am sure I would love it more. Its very spacious and comfortable. But with it being used there were few problems with the tires and window, but are already fixed now.
accountCircle Alice S
Great for a big family. Great for road trips. The car seats 8 people.
The gas mileage isn't the best, you're always having to fill up the tank. It's hard to press on the brakes making it hard to stop. The steering wheel is hard to turn. Love how the front seats have heating. And the Honda Pilot is very spacious. Easy to clean out too

What Do Critics Say About the Honda Pilot?

  • Consumer Reports says the Pilot is a great, versatile midsize SUV, with very high owner satisfaction scores.
  • Edmunds gives the 2008 Pilot a 4.3/5 praising the passenger room, but Edmunds doesn’t like the outdated navigation system.
  • Kelley Blue Book users rate the Pilot 4.7/5 enjoying the 4-wheel drive system, but owners complain about the lack of modern technology.

What Common Problems Does the 2008 Honda Pilot Have?

The problems found on the 2008 Honda Pilot include excessive oil consumption, burnt out lights, and broken window regulators. Overall, the problems found on the Pilot are relatively minor compared to other SUVs from 2008.

Excessive oil consumption is the most common complaint from owners at around 100,000 miles. The problem is caused by the variable cylinder management system, and simply turning it off reduces oil consumption. Some owners also just add oil as needed.

Burnt out lights throughout the cabin is another issue reported by owners, happening around every 20,000 miles. The lights from Honda burn out quickly, and many people replace them with LED bulbs for about $3 per bulb, which last much longer.

Broken window regulators also show up on many Pilot models at around 110,000 miles. When the regulator fails, many people report the window falling into the door. Replacing the entire regulator assembly is about $400.

There are 9 recalls, which is worse than average, but many are minor. The most serious recall is for the accelerator pedal binding, which can cause unintended acceleration and increase the risk of a crash.

How Long Will the 2008 Honda Pilot Last?

A well-maintained 2008 Honda Pilot should last around 250,000 miles, similar to rivals like the Toyota Highlander. Regular annual maintenance costs are average for a midsize SUV, at $479 per year, according to ownership data provided by Repair Pal.

Since most 2008 Pilot models will have over 100,000 miles owners should be prepared to replace the HVAC door actuator for $700, wheel speed sensor costing $150, and the timing belt tensioner which costs $500.

accountCircle Steve R

I had some air conditioning issues with the vehicle on three separate occasions but was able to get the system fixed each time. I have had to replace the power windows on both back windows.

accountCircle Maite V

With the exception of the standard upkeep, I have had relatively few problems. The car is reliable and well made.

accountCircle Ashley A

The Honda is super reliable. We have never had aa breakdown. The only problem is the light that looks like an anvil comes on randomly and has to be reset.

How Much Is the 2008 Honda Pilot Worth?

Blue values range from $7,472 to $9,223, making the Pilot thousands more than other midsize SUVs like the Nissan Pathfinder and Ford Edge. When new, the price range was $27,595 to $35,645. Depreciation is better than average, losing about 8% of its current value per year.

What are the Different Models of the Honda Pilot?

There are four models of the Pilot offered for 2008. The first Generation of the Pilot was introduced in 2003, with the second generation arriving for the 2009 model year.

Value Package is the entry-level model with:

  • 16-Inch Alloy Wheels
  • Cloth Seating
  • Air Conditioning
  • Cruise Control
  • Keyless Entry
  • 7-Speaker AM/FM/CD Stereo System

EX is a step up, adding features such as:

  • 8-Way Power Driver’s Seat
  • Automatic Climate Control
  • HomeLink Garage Opener

SE offers some small upgrades including:

  • Sunroof
  • Satellite Radio
  • Rear DVD Entertainment System

EX-L is the flagship model and adds:

  • Leather Seating
  • Wood Interior Trim
  • Navigation System With Rearview Camera
  • Heated Front Seats
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What Engines Come In the Honda Pilot?

The engine found in the pilot is an average 3.5L V6 which makes 244 horsepower and gets up to 18 MPG combined. Performance is okay for its size, taking about 8.7 seconds to go from 0-60 MPH, but the towing capacity is low at only 3,500 pounds.

What Colors Does the Honda Pilot Come In?

How Big Is the Honda Pilot?

The 2008 Honda Pilot is a midsize SUV, and a little larger than the Jeep Grand Cherokee and Chevy Trailblazer. Passenger room is great in the first two rows, but the third row is best suited for younger children since it has limited legroom.

Cargo space is excellent for a midsize SUV with 15.9 cubic feet of room behind the third row, 47.6 cubic feet behind the second, and up to 87.6 with the seats folded flat. That’s enough for 3-4 suitcases behind the third row, and 6-8 with the third row folded flat.

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How Does the Honda Pilot Compare to the Competition?

The Honda Pilot is among the best midsize SUVs on the market from 2008, ranking highly compared to rivals, and offering a reliable powertrain and nice interior.

The Toyota Highlander is a popular competitor, which costs about $1,500 more. Interior materials are a bit nicer in the Highlander, but the Pilot has more room for passengers. We recommend the Pilot for 2008, but you can’t go wrong with either midsize SUV.

The Honda Odyssey is another rival from Honda, costing about $1,200 less. Passenger space is higher in the Odyssey, especially with the second row captain’s chairs, but the Pilot’s 4WD system is better in the snow. We recommend the Pilot, but if you need to haul a lot of people, the Odyssey wins.

Ranks #5 Midsize SUV by Owners

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4.64
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4.61
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4.42

Do Owners Recommend the Honda Pilot?

accountCircle Steve R

Yes, other than some expected wear and tear this has been a good vehicle. It has good size for a family and gets good gas mileage for an SUV.

accountCircle Maite V

Yes it is a good vehicle. It is sturdy and it drives well. The workmanship is top notch. These cars are made to last a long time.

accountCircle Angela C

Our Honda has been great. We are good about oil changes and tune-ups and we have never had a breakdown of any kind. It is well-designed for our needs. The seats flop down easily for hauling oversized things and pop back easily to ferry people. Love this car.

Owner Reviews

accountCircle Deborah L on March 31, 2021
Has plenty of storage space and seating. The headliner falls down and needs to be replaced
Headliner is falling. Like the space available in the back
accountCircle Jess B on March 7, 2021
My car is reliable and useful in many ways. It is a good family car.
I like the storage capacity. I like it's sitting room. It is generally reliable and inexpensive to maintain.
accountCircle mackenzie s on March 2, 2021
We were once in a very serious car accident and the officer stated "the safety of this car saved your life."
This is our fourth honda pilot. We absolutely love them! We feel safe, have room for traveling, yet is not too big to drive around town and park in tight conditions.
accountCircle Kyt W on February 28, 2021
Honda Pilot EX: One of the best learner cars there is.
It's a nice big car, gets average gas mileage for an SUV. However, the back left door is missing the inside handle and the back of the passenger seat is off. It has navigation and an AUX button, but no AUX jack.
accountCircle Harrison V on February 18, 2021
An interesting detail is that the car has a 19.5 gallon tank.
Very Reliable, great gas mileage.Have used it for many trips up the coast and cross country. Would highly recommend if traveling with large quantities of people. Great seating and vision throughout the car. Great for moving or camping as the back seats fold down and make for ample room for items and boxes. Can even be used to sleep in back of car if the weather is too cold to be outside on a camping trip.
accountCircle Natalie M on January 23, 2021
It has held up very well for almost over 10 years now.
I like that it drives well in the snow in the winters, however I would like a vehicle with more music and entertainment choices.
accountCircle B B on January 23, 2021
It is a great, sturdy, reliable car that works for our family of four.
We have been very pleased with the Pilot. It has worked for our family of four for local trips as well as long distance trips. It's fuel efficiency is decent, and we haven't had any major maintenance issues. Our biggest concern is the very limited trunk space when we lift the third row of seating.
accountCircle Alejandro K on January 22, 2021
That there is a lot room and it's nice and rides smooth
I like that there is a lot of room. I don't like that it has bad gas mileage and don't like that it's maintenance cost
accountCircle Andre W on January 21, 2021
Blue, grey leather interior, fits a lot of people.
The back of the seat always falls out and the breaks are constantly sticking but the engine is great it works okay, it constantly smells like burning oil and the power steering works half the time but it can take a lot of miles. It has a touch screen to zoom through music, it has Sirius XM., and a CD player with 9 slots. Air conditioning doesn't work some of the time. It holds about eight people. Seats fold down in the back so they can be more room for stuff.
accountCircle Emily W on January 20, 2021
I can decorate it with pretty much anything and it looks good.
I absolutely love my vehicle. It has taken me everywhere I've needed to be. Sand and snow are no problem. And it has never given me any problems.
accountCircle Shannon g on January 19, 2021
Great for small family. Very dependable
Dependable. Perfect size for active family. Third row comes in handy for carpooling/field trips/etc. Roomy for long trips.
accountCircle Gladys K on December 23, 2020
Long lasting family vehicle
Love it, it has many features including dvd player, steering wheel radio control, rear ac. Its very spacious.
accountCircle Jay A on December 20, 2020
It seats 8 passengers, it is comfortable and interior is leather/vinyl.
I love the leather seats and that it seats 8 passengers without the look of a large SUV. Dislike that I do not have video or Bluetooth capabilities.
accountCircle Diane L on December 14, 2020
It rides just like a sedan. It has a lot of legroom.
I love my Honda Pilot. It allows for a lot of cargo storage and a roomy backseat for the kids.
accountCircle Karen H on December 13, 2020
Honda pilot, the trouble free vehicle you need.
I have had my Honda pilot for eight years. It has been a wonderful, reliable vehicle. I have only ever had to do general maintenance on it, meaning, brakes, oil changes, etc. It has enough space to fit my family and a few friends on fun adventures! It is great in the mountains, or driving around the city. My only complaint is, I wish it got better fuel economy. I average fifteen miles per gallon around town.
accountCircle Doris D on December 7, 2020
3rd row seat; can seat up to 8 people
My car is reliable, it keeps me up and looking over traffic to keep me safer. It has all leather seats, a third row that can be put up or left down to have more cargo space. I have moved backer board in the I side of my car along with dressers and so much more. I love my car and look forward to buying another one when the time comes.
accountCircle Annie M on November 30, 2020
It has amazing resale value.
The buttons on the radio will randomly not work. The gas mileage is good for an SUV. I love all the seat combinations. I have not had to have any work other than routine maintenance completed on my car and it runs like it did when it was new.
accountCircle Crystal C on November 11, 2020
If you have a big family and are not ready for the mom van.. This is the SUV for you. Still have plenty of space with 6-7 people sitting comfortably.
I love Hondas. We have extremely high miles and it's still kicking and running strong. There's a lot of room. The 3rd row seating has been a lifesaver with having 4 kids 3 of them 6 and under.
accountCircle Sophie G on October 24, 2020
Honda Pilot. Rides well and is mileage efficient
Makes quick turns, comfortable seats, great gas mileage 16-19 mpg on average, Bluetooth enhanced, leather seats
accountCircle Kelli C on October 19, 2020
Amazing vehicle, gets you from point A to B with no problem.
The Honda pilot is absolutely reliable! I have had this car since 2008 and it is still going strong. Never had any major fixes which is good and it has been around a long time. It is just the right size and has everything you could want in a SUV. Honda has always been very reliable.
accountCircle Joni S on October 15, 2020
It's a great care for families considering the size and seating available.
I love the size of the Pilot. It has third row seating without being as large as some of the bigger SUVs (with third row seating). It is a very smooth ride. I have very few things that have had to be repaired (all of them were driver induced).
accountCircle Kevin L on October 10, 2020
The Honda Odyssey that I use has an interesting feel with the transmission.
The Honda odyssey is reliable. It transports me to places I need to and the performance is standard. It is comfortable even without the newer model features.
accountCircle Janet M on October 8, 2020
It is very comfortable on long drives. I have only owned Honda's.
It is easy to get in and out of. It holds seven people. It is great to transport furniture. It is great for road trips
accountCircle Danielle W on September 29, 2020
It's a great vehicle. Reliable as can be.
I love my pilot it has a seat capacity of 8. Gets decent gas mileage. Has all the features I need like cruise control, ac, heated seats etc. I have leather interior in mine which is nice because I can wipe it clean. It has 4 wheel drive for off-road or bad weather.
accountCircle Jane A on September 28, 2020
Honda pilot the 8 seater you always wanted.
I love my vehicle the biggest reason being that it seats 8 but does not look huge like a large SUV. The seats are leather and it is reliable. Very little maintenance. It is a Honda so I know it is a good vehicle. I can carry my children the laundry and the groceries all in one trip.
accountCircle Mary W on September 27, 2020
My car seats 8. Thats a huge deal because most cant fit 6 let alone 8.
I love my pilot. My favorite things are the 3rd row, sunroof, leather seats, seat heaters, and seats 8. I don't like how the seats fold and that It's hard to get carseats in and out.
accountCircle Jessica H on September 27, 2020
My incredible Honda pilot.
My car has been so reliable even though it is getting high miles. The interior space is wonderful. My pilot still drives just as good today as the day that I bought it almost new. I really can not say enough positive things about this vehicle. My pilot also came with custom rubber mats and that has truly saved my cars interior. We rescue dogs and own horses so our car hauls all the smelly stuff and gets muddy but it has never let me down. I can clean it up and haul my family and extended family in it comfortably.
accountCircle Anna L on September 23, 2020
My Honda Pilot is perfect
I love my Honda Pilot. It is perfect for traveling to and from work and school. It is good on gas and reliable. It has 3 rows of seats and is very spacious.
accountCircle Paula C on September 22, 2020
Is a great car. . Again my only issue was with the engine light.
Great vehicle - engine light used to be on an off but was ok after the software update was done. Everything else work fine.
accountCircle Andrea B on September 13, 2020
I like the style of the car, but I'm not sure I would buy it again, maybe the newer models are better.
I'm not a fan of the heating/cooling system. The third row seating feels no air. Even the second row air is not very good. Fogs up a lot.
accountCircle Kelly E on August 31, 2020
It best designed for large families
It is great in the snow and realisable it fits all my children and our dogs for our day trips !! Great gas mileage
accountCircle Melinda B on August 29, 2020
Very roomy vehicle. Can seat up to eight people or haul large items.
It has lots of space. The back seats can collapse so there is room to move things like furniture. It can seat up to 8 people. The only complaint is the repairs it needs as it gets older.
accountCircle Stacey C on August 23, 2020
Comfortable long term family car
Great car. Super reliable! I have had for over 10 years and haven't had to really do any major work it just routine maintenance. Really comfortable ride as well! It made all the travel for sports actually somewhat enjoyable with how comfortable it is
accountCircle Heather K on August 18, 2020
It is a dependable car - good for a daily driver and long trips.
I like the height of the vehicle, the interior space and how it rides. The only thing I dislike is fuel economy.
accountCircle Jennifer J on August 14, 2020
Very spacious and doesn't hit to hard when driving.
My vehicle is not new it was previously owned. If it was a new one I am sure I would love it more. Its very spacious and comfortable. But with it being used there were few problems with the tires and window, but are already fixed now.
accountCircle April S on August 13, 2020
Holds up well over time, after many rides and such it is still going strong.
I love the overall look of the car. The only complaint I have is the seats can get a bit uncomfortable. Holds up over time.
accountCircle Elizabeth H on July 24, 2020
It may be an older model but it runs amazing.
I love my car because it drives good and it's good on gas it doesn't burn oil also it has plenty of room.
accountCircle Cassandra H on July 24, 2020
The space and how comfortable of a ride it is
I love my Honda Pilot, a lot of room for when we have extra people. We can put the 3rd row seating up and even with just the kids they still have room and we feel comfortable in the front. It drives nice, and handles any kind of weather good. I don't like that it's a gas hog and I've already had problems with the breaks
accountCircle Shay B on July 21, 2020
It is a very safe riding vehicle that I feel comfortable transporting my children and grandchildren in
I love the amount of room my vehicle has. I have moved several times and have always managed to fit almost everything into it. I wish it had better mileage.
accountCircle Olivia H on July 3, 2020
Honda PILOT- Best and Worst Parts
The Honda Pilot is a great car for a large family who lives in the suburbs. It is very spacious and comfortable. I do not recommend driving it in a city with small streets but it is perfect for road trips cross country. This car has seat warmers, cup holders, a radio, and a CD reader. This car does not have an aux option.
accountCircle Christine S on June 29, 2020
It's a great dependable car. Unfortunately my Pilot is included in the faulty airbag recall. I am having that fixed as soon as the dealership gets the parts in
I love the size of it since it seats up to seven but it's not overwhelmingly big. It's fast and it's safe. My favorite car I've ever owned.
accountCircle Jeanne U on June 26, 2020
Long lasting car and a great drive
Love this vehicle very much. No blind spots and travels very well. Have had very few issues with the car. We have maintained the car through the dealer and feel that Honda has been very supportive of maintaining and providing good support and care. The car handles great on the highway and rides very smoothly. On the main car we have a little rust around the trim by the door, but the rest of the paint is still good.
accountCircle Melissa R on June 24, 2020
The Honda Pilot can swat up to eight people, fun to drive, but also dependable.
I love my Honda Pilot! This is the second one I have owned! It seats 6 people. It is nice looking on the outside, seats eight people if you need it, and isn't bulky or hard to drive! The seats fold down to seat five, but the third row can pull up to seat 8. It is also great for traveling long distances! It is dependable and I feel safe in it!
accountCircle Ruby N on June 24, 2020
My thoughts on the Honda Pilot.
I really enjoy this car. It can fit the entire family which is a big bonus but on the flip side sometimes it feels big and bulky to drive around. It has a third row that can fold down so there is lots of storage space if necessary. It is 4 wheel drive and able to handle driving in the snow quite well.
accountCircle Cliff Z on June 11, 2020
Comfortable and flexible in terms of seating.
Great riding highway vehicle, yet easily driven in the city. Gas mileage could be better.
accountCircle Lindsay S on June 9, 2020
It has the capability of xm radio
My car is spacious and roomy especially with two children and a spouse. It's a smooth ride that very rarely ever has any problems.
accountCircle Kelly A on May 22, 2020
Great value for a great car.
None, it still runs great. Interior is really worn but it is great on gas and has great pick up still. It has been very reliable over the years with minimal maintenance. Love the third row and all of the drink holders for the kids. Inexpensive to repair and easy to maintain.
accountCircle Rosemary on May 20, 2020
Very Dependable
I loved my Honda! My kids made me down size to a Hr V Honda.?
accountCircle Amy E on May 14, 2020
Pretty decent SUV! Has a lot of seating and is safe.
It is pretty good on fuel and is easy to handle, but there's a lot of wind noise on the highway and if something falls between the seat and console you can kiss it goodbye! I really like the number of people it can seat and that it still has a bit of trunk space with all the seats up.
accountCircle Sean B on May 9, 2020
It's a Honda the most reliable car on the planet always ready to go
The big gas tank and the maintainer required to keep up oil changes
avatar Alex Showalter
Alex is an automotive enthusiast with over 15 years of experience in the used car market. He brings a wealth of knowledge to Vehicle History as our Staff Writer and has written hundreds of used car reviews helping buyers make informed purchasing decisions. He is a member of the Automotive Press Association, and keeps up-to-date on the latest changes in the industry. Over the years, he has driven hundreds of cars, working on many of them. His mechanical experience evolved from modifying off-road trucks as a teen to focusing on automotive electrical systems as he got older. He now specializes in reviewing used cars as an automotive journalist. Some of his favorite brands are Toyota and BMW. The Toyota Land Cruiser is one of his favorite vehicles of all time since they’re built to last forever and can go anywhere. One of his current cars is a Lexus LX570, built on the same platform as the 200-series Land Cruiser, but it’s a better value in the used market.