[dpatterson]

I'm not going to pay extra for different wheels. Anyone find the perfect vehicle yet?

I would imagine a dealer might be able to swap for smaller wheels off of another Pilot or Ridgeline on the lot. You get smaller wheels, they get a Pilot/Ridgline with the "fancy" 20" wheels that they can charge somebody extra for later.

 

[dpatterson]

As far as I know the only way Honda ever lets you choose a different wheel/tire than standard is as a dealer-installed accessory. That's the best case here, an official option in the build tool that lets you choose an 18" wheel as an accessory, but you'll be paying extra for those and then it's up to you to sell your 20" wheels or try to get the dealer to give you credit for them.

I think since most non-offroad people think of 20" wheels as an upgrade it won't be too hard to get a dealer to swap wheels as an even trade. I don't really see how this is any worse than being able to order it from Honda this way since basically every option on a modern Honda (other than trim and color) is dealer-installed anyway.

 

[dpatterson]

Still no reply from Honda to my email about this issue. I think they've exceeded their "3-5 business days". My guess is that a bunch of Honda executives are trying to translate RR's "screwed the pooch" into Japanese.

I think they've looked at the statistics of how many people buy "rugged off-road" style vehicles and never drive over anything taller than a speedbump and see the future dollar signs rolling in for the Passport.