[tonya71]

Is the Passport actually MORE that the pilot?

Yes

 

[tonya71]

I test drove the Passport Elite AWD yesterday locally. I've purchased 4 vehicles in the past from this dealership and the guy made it sound like they'd be doing me a favor by selling me a Passport at MSRP "for the next several months." They know I'm actively car shopping, have no trade and could pay cash, but they let me walk out without wanting to negotiate at all. Funny thing is, I don't think they have sold any of their first batch of Passports yet this week and within 20 miles, there are 3 more dealerships that all have them in stock too. Something doesn't add up.

They are all trying to hold the MSRP line for now. From what I understand , Honda is only making 45 thousand of them this year.

I had the same experience. I have made a very reasonable offer given the competition and Pilot selling prices. It appears the three Honda lots in my area aren't moving them either.

I don't think Honda is serious about building sales of the passport.

The obviously didn't invest much in design as it is basically a six inch shorter pilot with big wheels, same engine and transmission.

I doubt they will spend much in advertising it. It had been launched but I don't see it on tv.

I think they figure let's make a few, price them high, throw them out there and see if people will bite. Keep them priced high. Use them as CRV and Pilot bait. And if we sell a few, cash in on a big profit margin vs CRV and Pilot.

I can see the execs sitting around the table laughing.... her hee look at those Americans. They are paying more for less car with worse gas mileage and they never take it off road.

This is just a test pilot to see if there is a market. If they sell without marketing and discounts .... maybe they will get serious and invest some time developing a truly unique Passport.

If they don't..... I doubt the Passport line will continue past three years.

 

[tonya71]

I have pretty much decided on another vehicle based on my inability to give a rats a$$ about hype. Perhaps next time. Other items that made it easy To move on included their transmission issues which may be a thing of the past but happened nonetheless And possible new model issues even though this is just a chopped pilot.

Don't blame you. The ONLY thing that keeps the Passport as a potential for me is 5000 lb towing capacity.

If I didn't need tow capacity there are many more attractive vehicles out there at more reasonable price.

For me the Highlander or Ascent are looking better every day.

 

[tonya71]

I wish Toyota would start offering Carplay, I would be all over a highlander

They will have it very soon. 2020 Highlander is getting a big redesign and is sure to have Apple car play. I expect it to be unveiled at the spring New York Auto show. Likely available on lots by fall.

 

[tonya71]

I wish Toyota would start offering Carplay, I would be all over a highlander

I would take a good look at the Subaru Ascent too. It has CarPlay. Drove a base model today. Very good ride. I am going to drive top of the line next week.

 

[tonya71]

I like the Ascent but it seems big. Based on the 2020 Lagecy that they announced today, I’m thinking the 2020 Outback is going to be a nice alternative with that turbo boxer on what I think will be a XT model. Who knows...

I drove an Ascent today. It is big but drives a bit sporty. The boxer engine sits lower and creates a lower center of gravity. The AWD is perhaps even better than the Honda.

They had a hot looking forester on the floor but can't tow enough for me.

Good luck. Keep me posted on what you find.

 

[tonya71]

I liked the Ascent, but the one thing that scared me away was the CVT transmission.

Educate me on CVT transmission. Some hondas have it too right? I hear others are weary of them too. Why?

 

[tonya71]

I am probably going to keep 18,000 dollars and just buy a 2018 RDX with about 20,000kms.
I just don't need the towing capacity and will have a good start for my next vehicle.

I love the RDX .. if I didn't need towing I honestly then passport would be last on my list.

 

[tonya71]

Same Dealer experiences here in So. Cal. - its like they have been ordered not to discount - so that all the masses of people flooding their dealerships to buy one of these groundbreaking vehicles will be happy paying full price.

This is like the story of the Emperors' New Clothes: Honda does NOT want you to see they took the same Engine, Transmission, Seats, Dash, Electronics, Platform, Wheels & Tires, put them on a kindanew body - with all the same Paint Colors and hope that you are so impressed with a 2-1/2 cu ft trunk - that you will shell out top dollar...!

Meanwhile Honda sold 80,000 LESS Accords and Civics last year and sales declined in the billions, yet they can't give a guy a $3-grand discount on a supposedly "new" car..

sad...

You nailed.

 

[tonya71]

I wonder if Ford is using the same strategy with the new Ranger? There's been even more hype regarding that release than we've seen for the Passport.

They were when I was considering trucks. Some were bold enough to try to tack on two thousand over MSRP. The ranger has a history of being a great truck. And it want like they chopped six inches off of a F150 and were then trying to sell it for more than an f150.

I tested the Ranger. Turbo 4 with 10 speed transmission. They have different trim packages, st the time I think I was in the top trim. It is a nice small truck. It drives more like a car than the Tacoma. It was the beginning of the year.

What I found was there were a ton of 2018 F150 left overs. I was offered a loaded V6 super crew four door F150 2018 but New for less than the Ranger.

But the Ranger is nice. Has a long history with a big following.

I think they are probably negotiating more reasonably now.

 

[tonya71]

If initial production of the Passport is anything like the Pilot when it was released you all are going to be waiting a long time for your $3,000 off MSRP discount. Sure, its basically a shortened Pilot and some people may get lucky and get a deal here and there but this is a high demand low production market right now for the Passport.

Low production .... Yes. High demand ... doubt it. Continue to lose customers to other brands... will lose this one.

If initial production of the Passport is anything like the Pilot when it was released you all are going to be waiting a long time for your $3,000 off MSRP discount. Sure, its basically a shortened Pilot and some people may get lucky and get a deal here and there but this is a high demand low production market right now for the Passport.

Low production ... yes. High demand .... doubt it. Lose my business ..... highly likely.

In no way can I be happy paying 3-4 k more for less vehicle. And I'm not buying a pilot.

Honda screwed up on this one. They should have made the Passport significantly different than the Pilot. More sporty. Then they could justify the cost difference.

Honestly I am insulted that they think I would pay 3k more for a six inch shorter Pilot because of some advertisements if it running through dirt trails.

Honda execs laughing on the way to the bank.
Hee hee.... look at those Americans . Paying more for less car with worse gas mileage.

Not me

 

[tonya71]

Looking better each day. Expect price to drop a couple thousand more when the 2020 is announced

 

[tonya71]

If Honda Execs are laughing all the way to the bank they certainly didn't "screw up" the Passport. Have fun with that sporty Highlander... Honda gonna sell tons of these Passports.

If Honda Execs are laughing all the way to the bank they certainly didn't "screw up" the Passport. Have fun with that sporty Highlander... Honda gonna sell tons of these Passports.

. gotta make a ton to sell a ton. 45 k is just a side show

 

[tonya71]

I agree with many here. Was so excited about this Passport. But with the 20" wheels which I can't stand and don't want, the weird transmission, worse than expected gas mileage, probably same borderline IIHS safety rating for front passenger small overlap as the Pilot, and the final nail: the current pricing... I have to move on.

I 'needed' at least the towing capacity of the 2019 Rav4 Adventure, but was concerned it would be a bit too small for us and really, it's too expensive for a compact SUV; thought the Subaru Ascent was too big for our needs, and then saw the Passport and really wanted it. Both my wife & I have had Hondas in the past and they were top notch... really wanted the Passport to work. Now will go with the Ascent - great value and utility and top safety marks across the board with excellent tow rating with just a $500 hitch package instead of the rigamarole you have to get for the Passport to tow...

Yup.

Many people blame ADM on the dealers. But if no customer was willing to pay it, the practice would stop instantly. Unfortunately, there are always those who need to be the first. (It's not unlike camping out for days in front of an Apple store for the new iSomething that will be readily available everywhere in a couple of weeks.)

I was ready to buy a Miata when they were introduced back in July 1989. Had the money saved. The dealers were adding up to $4000 ADM - ON A $14,000 CAR! And they were getting it. I passed and got something else - which I never regretted.

Flash forward a few years, and I bought a new Miata and got $7000 off MSRP.

lol.... at least in a Miata somebody might turn their head and say nice car. Sorry to say 99.9 percent of the people won't notice the Passport at all. Just looks like another Honda Pilot.

There is no line to buy them in my state. Still just sitting on the lot

 

[tonya71]

Can get a limited Highlander close to 38k. And they are trying to get MSRP for an elite passport 44725.000.

Only $6725.00 more for the Passport ???

That is a lot to pay for Apple car play, remote start and led headlights?

And the 2020 highlande is likey to have led headlights and Apple car play

 

[tonya71]

But Toyota Dealers will not be discounting the 2020 Highlander when it is initially released either.

They will likely be heavily discounting the 2019 models to blow them out. And I expect they will quickly negotiate to match the competition... Pilot, Ascent, Ford.

Probably selling them at invoice... probably Toyota manufacturer incentives at first.

I am waiting for the 2020 to get announced so I can see if it's worth more than the 2019....

So either amazing deal on 2019

Or good deal on amazing new car that will likely work to best the competition

It's a little different than the Passport situation because it is not billed as s new model ... just redesign with a goal to compete.

 

[tonya71]

They will likely be heavily discounting the 2019 models to blow them out. And I expect they will quickly negotiate to match the competition... Pilot, Ascent, Ford.

Probably selling them at invoice... probably Toyota manufacturer incentives at first.

I am waiting for the 2020 to get announced so I can see if it's worth more than the 2019....

So either amazing deal on 2019

Or good deal on amazing new car that will likely work to best the competition

It's a little different than the Passport situation because it is not billed as s new model ... just redesign with a goal to compete.

Edit probably no toyota manufacturer incentives 2020 at first

 

[tonya71]

Edit probably no toyota manufacturer incentives 2020 at first

Yes there are good deals on the last year of the old outdated 2019 Highlander.
Most people don't know this, but all the most expensive Limited models have plastic
wheel covers that are glued on the alloys. You would expect this from the cheapest trim,
not the most expensive trim. They have been doing this since 2014-2019.
Maybe 2020 they will stop this Chromtec crap rip off on the new Highlander.

That's not the case on the xle or limited 2019 I have been looking at. Solid alloy wheeels

 

[tonya71]

That's not the case on the xle or limited 2019 I have been looking at. Solid alloy wheeels

I stand to be corrected. You are right! Apparently the limited and platinum limited have Chromtec wheels which has a permanently attatched faux chrome cover! They claim they are more durable, more scratch resistant and easier to clean.... but that is not what the reviews say! Reviews from owners are not too happy with them,

So apparently the xle model has solid real allow wheels.

Thanks for pointing that out. I may opt for the xle instead which will save me a few more grand .

 

[tonya71]

I test drove a Passport Touring yesterday in Southern California. I liked it a lot but when I spoke to the sales manager about pricing, at first he showed me the MSRP ($40,325), but then said after all the things the dealer added on it was $47,000. I nearly laughed in his face; it’s a nice car, but it’s not that nice. I think he understood, and said he would work with me on a price. After a little negotiation, we agreed on a number that was just below MSRP, but he said he had to talk to the owner first before committing to it. He then got back and said the owner is not letting them sell any Passports for anything less then a couple thousand over MSRP. I was not surprised when he let slip that they had not sold a single passport yet. I guess I’m going to start searching for some alternatives, because that price is just way too high for what you get.

Lol, I think perhaps they saw all the people saying they want to them to come off MSRP and match the Pilot discounts so they think..,, well price it over MSRP and get them to fight back down to MSRP. It is a decent car but no where near worth paying for. In the traffic they will blend in like any other honda. I have been trying too hard to like this Passport. IMO you should have a good feeling when you buy a new car.... not feel like your being ripped off.

If they were more realistic... they would be selling them. I think they are more interested on keeping them on the lot as bait and then trying to sell you a crv or pilot.

But people are just leaving for other brands. Toyota, Mazda, Subaru, Ford, Jeep.... many others out there.