[tonya71]

I have never heard of Chromtec wheels before and totally shocked of what I found online about them. Mazda along with other manufacturers use them too. Its like they are Lee Press on Rims... C'mon Toyota!

Yes, apparently they are only on Highlander limited and platinum.... xle and se have good rims. Hopefully they change that on the new 2020.

 

[gjones]

Which dealer was this at?

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.

I agree completely. I keep trying to justify the inflated price in my head, but I can’t convince myself to like the car enough to pay that much over MSRP. I suppose you’re right, and they probably don’t expect to sell many of them all, just have a few on the lot for people driving by to see

 

[thale]

Yes, apparently they are only on Highlander limited and platinum.... xle and se have good rims. Hopefully they change that on the new 2020.

Toyota seems to become creative lately. First it was a "leather" called SofTex. Now Chromtec...

 

[simmonsrobert]

Any pricing (MSRP+ ?) on Passports in Denver, CO area yet? I'm not in a rush for new vehicle and dread the sales emails/calls. Sorta lost some of the interest in Passport at this point ...only a week into release .

Looks like the 4Runner is getting a few enhancements (e.g. CarPlay, safety) ... and maybe Army Green color for TRD Pro? Unfortunately when looking at 4Runner in the past, Calvary Blue TRD Pro was $5-10,000 OVER MSRP. I really dislike this process.

If $$/MPG was no issue: https://www.toyota.com/upcoming-vehicles/landcruiser/

 

[thale]

Looks like the 4Runner is getting a few enhancements (e.g. CarPlay, safety) ... and maybe Army Green color for TRD Pro? Unfortunately when looking at 4Runner in the past, Calvary Blue TRD Pro was $5-10,000 OVER MSRP. I really dislike this process.

If $$/MPG was no issue: https://www.toyota.com/upcoming-vehicles/landcruiser/

Looking at it myself. Test drove TRD Off Road last Friday (not a Premium one, I won't fit with moon roof). The week before I test drove the Passport Touring...

I would love the Land Cruiser, but not at that price level.

 

[tonya71]

Any pricing (MSRP+ ?) on Passports in Denver, CO area yet? I'm not in a rush for new vehicle and dread the sales emails/calls. Sorta lost some of the interest in Passport at this point ...only a week into release .

Looks like the 4Runner is getting a few enhancements (e.g. CarPlay, safety) ... and maybe Army Green color for TRD Pro? Unfortunately when looking at 4Runner in the past, Calvary Blue TRD Pro was $5-10,000 OVER MSRP. I really dislike this process.

If $$/MPG was no issue: https://www.toyota.com/upcoming-vehicles/landcruiser/

Any pricing (MSRP+ ?) on Passports in Denver, CO area yet? I'm not in a rush for new vehicle and dread the sales emails/calls. Sorta lost some of the interest in Passport at this point ...only a week into release .

Looks like the 4Runner is getting a few enhancements (e.g. CarPlay, safety) ... and maybe Army Green color for TRD Pro? Unfortunately when looking at 4Runner in the past, Calvary Blue TRD Pro was $5-10,000 OVER MSRP. I really dislike this process.

If $$/MPG was no issue: https://www.toyota.com/upcoming-vehicles/landcruiser/

 

[simmonsrobert]

TRD Off Road quotes

Definitely discounts on TRD Off Road ... just not TRD Pro (in Calvary Blue) and probably not Army Green. Passport and 4Runner different vehicles for sure ... but I do like the V6's (no turbo 4's for me).

 

[thale]

Passport and 4Runner different vehicles for sure ...

Certainly. If I were in CO, 4Runner would be my choice hands down. In MA, I still thinking.

 

[amanda60]

Any pricing (MSRP+ ?) on Passports in Denver, CO area yet? I'm not in a rush for new vehicle and dread the sales emails/calls. Sorta lost some of the interest in Passport at this point ...only a week into release .

Looks like the 4Runner is getting a few enhancements (e.g. CarPlay, safety) ... and maybe Army Green color for TRD Pro? Unfortunately when looking at 4Runner in the past, Calvary Blue TRD Pro was $5-10,000 OVER MSRP. I really dislike this process.

If $$/MPG was no issue: https://www.toyota.com/upcoming-vehicles/landcruiser/

I would avoid buying anything in Denver...... Give things about a month to cool down and see if you are still interested in the Passport. If you are a Costco member, go though their Costco Car Buying service. In Denver, Kuni Honda and Honda 104th are the two dealers that participate (as of Jan 2018 at least). If the dealer won’t send you the “document” via email and force you to come to the dealership (this is Kuni’s play), go to the dealership and when they put the document in front of you showing the price, snap a quick picture of it. Once you have that, use it to negotiate with dealers across town and down into the Springs (don’t bother with Schomp as they could care less about earning your business)..... If you find a dealer that has what you want and is willing to beat the Costco pricing, great. If not, start looking outside the state. I have purchased vehicles at Regannis Honda in Scotsbluff, NE and have been very happy. They do not charge B.S. documentation fees. The last vehicle I bought through them saved me $1K bucks over the Costco pricing, which was invoice pricing. It’s a 6 hour round trip. Get a cheap one way rental car and drive on up. If you want Honda OEM accessories, you also get 15% off those as well....but, Regannis beat that on their own if I remember correctly. I seem to recall that the accessory cost and installation was pretty much what Honda was listing as the product price. I’ve also bought a Honda out of Ft Worth and save thousands....cheap one way flight, but a long drive home. Just food for thought......

 

[tonya71]

Definitely discounts on TRD Off Road ... just not TRD Pro (in Calvary Blue) and probably not Army Green. Passport and 4Runner different vehicles for sure ... but I do like the V6's (no turbo 4's for me).

Yes, They always charge $$$ for the Pro Series of models. The Tacoma was $$$ for pro too. A 4Runner of any trim would put a passport to shame off road

 

[simmonsrobert]

I'll need to drive both. Passport seems pretty boring, but a bit more refined. Is the transmission going to drive me crazy or blow up?

I worry the 4Runner is slightly underpowered ... and much bigger refresh rumored to be coming in another year (or 2). I likely wouldn't use the full capabilities of the 4Runner much, if at all ... just nice to know it's there. Styling could be improved, but still better than Passport. TRD Offroad would be much better deal than PRO (but partial to those sexy colors ).

Concessions all around at my price points. Those badges on the upcoming Landcruiser Heritage Edition though ... drool

 

[blankenshiplaura]

A 4Runner of any trim would put a passport to shame off road

Sure, but I just can't see anyone who seriously needs the capabilities of a 4Runner to even consider the Passport. You either need a 4Runner (or "Trail-Rated" Jeep), or you need something much less than that. Most people don't need a 4Runner even though they think they're cool (they are!). When I buy the exact car I need, I find that I'm more satisfied and I keep the car longer. If my needs change, I swap out right away.

 

[simmonsrobert]

Sure, but I just can't see anyone who seriously needs the capabilities of a 4Runner to even consider the Passport.

Honestly, the pricing of Passport is making me consider a 4Runner again.

 

[kristenwilliams]

Any pricing (MSRP+ ?) on Passports in Denver, CO area yet? I'm not in a rush for new vehicle and dread the sales emails/calls. Sorta lost some of the interest in Passport at this point ...only a week into release .

Looks like the 4Runner is getting a few enhancements (e.g. CarPlay, safety) ... and maybe Army Green color for TRD Pro? Unfortunately when looking at 4Runner in the past, Calvary Blue TRD Pro was $5-10,000 OVER MSRP. I really dislike this process.

If $$/MPG was no issue: https://www.toyota.com/upcoming-vehicles/landcruiser/

I was real interested in the 4Runner. Went and drove one and it reminds me of a gutless ford pinto I owned back in 77. 4 runner has a gutless engine that shouldn’t matter to an off roader.

 

[aarondixon]

I had a 1998 4Runner for 17 years and 217,000 miles and it was still going strong when I sold it to a neighbor for her 16 yo kid.

Anyway, I would LOVE to get a new 4Runner and would do so it a second, except for several MAJOR issues: (1) MPG is at 17/20, (2) the 4.0 6cyl is at least 10 years old design, (3) the 5spd transmission is the same age, (4) It has very few, if any safety features beyond airbags, (5) the last major redesign was about 10 years ago, (it has had body-refreshes - just NOT redesign), Toyota refuses to redesign it, because the costs involved outweigh new potential sales, so as long as people keeping buying the current (old) models, - they have no incentive to dump design money into them.

I think they have redesigned the RAV4 twice since the last 4Runner redesign. And all Toyota has to do is fit a SUV body on the existing Tacoma platform...

So yeah, it will off-road better than a Passport and it may cost less, but those are the only two advantages, against 25+ advantages for the Passport...!

 

[aarondixon]

Here is a dual dealership: http://www.perrymotors.com/

crazy huh?

 

[mhall]

I agree, they do not seem to be moving many Passports off the lot

 

[gjones]

I agree, they do not seem to be moving many Passports off the lot

I’ve spoken to two dealers who have told me the same thing. They have gotten very few Passports from Honda (both got 5) and neither had sold one yet. That being said, both quoted me prices so inflated that just ended the negotiations in their tracks. It doesn’t seem like they are very motivated to sell these first ones...

 

[hensonstephanie]

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 .

Yes, as an Aerospace CNC Machinist I know my Materials. Two years ago at the Toyota dealership
I noticed how nice looking those Limited Alloys were, so I touched one and it felt a little
warm on a cold night. I tapped it and knew they where plastic, I also reached around the
edge to feel the gap from the wheel its self. And worst of all, since its glued on, it sticks out about
3/16" from the tire to grab the curb. I wanted a limited with the vented seats, so i filed a case #
against Toyota about this fraud, and asked them if they would change wheels from a lower model
if I buy it. No luck. I checked the internet and noticed people were complaining about curb damage
since 2015. No popping it off if damaged. The whole wheel has to be replaced. very expensive
to replace it with another crappy Chromtec wheel.
So I want to let the Passport Forum people to know!!! If you end up buying a Highlander,
don't get the Limited or Limited Platinum. The LE, LE-Plus, XLE, and the SE, all have real
solid, and to the surface Alloy wheels. With all of these complaints, Toyota continues to serve
out this crap, even this year in 2019. Other than this issue, This outdated Highlander is still
a great SUV. The LE-Plus is still on list my with the Pilot, if I decide not to get the Passport.

 

[blankenshiplaura]

I agree, they do not seem to be moving many Passports off the lot

This is somewhat anecdotal and unscientific, but at the beginning of the month I was scouring Autotrader.com listings for pics of the Passport in it's various colors (for the official color threads I made). The number of active Passport listings is a fourth of what it originally was.

Anyway, it will be interesting to see the February sales reports to see exactly how many Passports (and Pilots) have really sold. I can't wait for those sales prices to fall!