First Impressions....
This is the most expensive car we have ever owned. I think it was the V6, ride height, overall size and the big
H on the front that caught our attention.
We test drove Toyota Highlander. It was snappy and drove nice,, but I hated the 3rd row of seats. Not only were they impossible to sit in, folded down they take up valuable space and force the spare tire to be stowed under the car.
I drove our new Passport home to Colorado from Utah where we bought it. I was immediately impressed with it's power. If I didn't use the cruise control, I would catch myself speeding..by a lot.
The steering and brakes were perfect. In fact, I may go as far as to say that the steering is almost too good. A little steering wheel movement goes a long way. Very quick, very precise.
The 9 speed transmission is light years ahead of the Toyota Forerunners that I have driven.
The shifts were virtually seamless, and there was a perfect gear for every task. And it shifts when I would like it to shift. It's almost like the car knows when there is a hill up ahead.
The sign at the dealership said that they would make me smile, they weren't joking.
I messed with the paddle shifters on the freeway but couldn't figure them out.
From the solid closing doors and quiet cabin, to the rear window shades and glass that rolls ALL THE WAY DOWN, I felt great about this expensive car and had zero buyers remorse.
Sometimes I just walk out to the garage just to admire it. The fricken thing is just plain cool looking. The body creases in the hood and on the sides not only provide lots of strength, they are tastefully done. I love how the upper creases on the doors die off in the rear quarter panels.
So ya, I really like the car and my Wife LOVES it.
It's by far, the nicest car she has ever driven.
(2 CRV's previously) She never drove my 66 Chevelle Malibu!
As I stated earlier, I hated EVERYTHING about the wheels and tires. I already knew that I wanted the smallest wheels I could get. Thanks to you guys, I learned that 17" wheels were in fact clearing the brake calipers.
I ended up buying some 17"×7.5" 2009 Pilot wheels from Autorimshop in New York. I did read some bad reviews about this place, but they received 5 stars from us. Great experience.
Wheels looked like this at first.
We paid extra to have them sand blasted and powder coated matte black.
These have the 64.1mm hubs that I really wanted.
The offset is 45mm but because the wheels are 1/2" narrower, the tires only stick out about 1/4" further than the stockers.