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PASSPORT as MY 1ST CAR, NEED suggestion!

2053 Views 18 Replies 12 Participants Last post by  Stratcotelecaster
Dear ALL
First of all , excuse for my poor English as a second languages.
I need to get any advise from you guys that i am not a Car guy and wish to give you a bit of situation i have currently.

I came from Hong Kong which is a city that probably no need for driving and almost half of the population does not have driving licenses (3M out of 7M people). the reason is the public transport is probably the best in the world, own a car is a luxury thing than necessary. i did not own or drive any car.

The questions has came, i am in Canada right now and i am just 40years old and just got my G1 (learning license) , waiting to get G2 (which i could drive alone ) by NEXT Year JAN, but i COULD NOT DRIVE on HIGHWAY until 1 year after G2 plate.

I am not tall like 5.7ft and 140 lbs less while my wife is even 5.4" and 110lbs and my son is 7only.
I am considering getting Passport over CRV or RAV4 thing because we have the below concerns.

- my first driving will be started on a COLD Winter situation by Jan /Feb.i guess passport could withstand a Collison better than CRV or Rav4 due to wider heavier and rugged. there are more space before hitting the human body.
The V6 could probably give more push during difficult situation.

- I am not tall but i really concern about head room and space that 's why i come to live in Canada, there are lots of space in this car compare to many.

- we wish to start camping in the summer time.

- i probably move around the Toronto cities and different areas for exploring the place, i think this car has more FUN.

What do you guys think if this is a 1st car for a 40 years old guy, i know the MPG is the concern that i could probably 100% CITY driving but i am not driving much everyday probably less than 50 KM or dont drive by some days.

My wife will not drive until 2-3 years later so we will only have 1 car in our family.

Do you think i should look for something else or may be CRV is good enough for my situation ?
is it fine to get a pre own certified 2019 version passport?

Thank you all and have a good one!
Jason
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The only CRV I would get is the CRV hybrid and the only reason I would get a CRV is because I wanted better fuel economy above all else. Aside from that the Passport is a better vehicle for what you need and want it sounds like. It is very easy to drive despite the fact that it is a larger vehicle and you will have plenty of space inside for your family and everything you do with them.
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Welcome! I have friends and family with CRVs, and they’re fantastic vehicles and very utility driven. However, for me personally they’re slow, and don’t have enough room.

We too go camping, and I find I fill every inch of the Passport and more, so you’ll appreciate the extra space, and I have kids, so again, space comes in handy. The Passport AWD is also much more capable than the CRV, so depending on where you’re camping, that may come in handy. If you’re in Canada, I would imagine you get snow, and again, the Passport will be superior in snow due to the better AWD system, and the higher ground clearance.

As for the power, when merging on the interstate, the extra oomph I really appreciate over the CRVs I’ve driven, especially with today’s crazy drivers. In the CRV I find myself painfully flooring and just waiting for the little 4cyl to get up to speed. I’m biased though, if you don’t mind an engine that’s slow and just want the best mpg you can get, it’s perfectly fine.

Hope that helps, and best of luck in your hunt!
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Welcome! I have friends and family with CRVs, and they’re fantastic vehicles and very utility driven. However, for me personally they’re slow, and don’t have enough room.

We too go camping, and I find I fill every inch of the Passport and more, so you’ll appreciate the extra space, and I have kids, so again, space comes in handy. The Passport AWD is also much more capable than the CRV, so depending on where you’re camping, that may come in handy. If you’re in Canada, I would imagine you get snow, and again, the Passport will be superior in snow due to the better AWD system, and the higher ground clearance.

As for the power, when merging on the interstate, the extra oomph I really appreciate over the CRVs I’ve driven, especially with today’s crazy drivers. In the CRV I find myself painfully flooring and just waiting for the little 4cyl to get up to speed. I’m biased though, if you don’t mind an engine that’s slow and just want the best mpg you can get, it’s perfectly fine.

Hope that helps, and best of luck in your hunt!
Thanks a lot! i kind of get what you mean, i would like to have a bit fun sometimes while most of the time i would be like accelerate and stop gently to save some FUEL . some how the V6 helps to bring up and escape the dangerous situation those could be happened, since 3 of us are light in body weight, it might help to save some fuel as well:ROFLMAO:.However, we do have 3 trail MTB that need to be brought on car sometimes,i guess the Passport have more room even without the bike rack on the outside. as i could takes all the wheel off for those MTB.
1. If your wife is not joining you yet, get a CR-V, it has all the space you need, after your wife arrives you can sell the CR-V (it retains its value quite well) and get a bigger vehicle. The Passport has loads of room but you want to ask yourself if all that room will be of any immediate service to you.

2. The Passport is categorized as a mid sized SUV but it's quite large and heavy. You are better served in avoiding an accident by a smaller vehicle if you are a starter driver, your mistakes are not likely to get out of hand quickly in a smaller more maneuverable car but the CR-V will also give you as much protection in an accident as the Passport would. While you are looking out to be safe from other drivers you must look out to keep other drivers safe from you too. When your wife arrives you will be more proficient and confident enough to move to a larger vehicle.

3. Considering that you have spent a large part of your life in Hong Kong which has more sedate road traffic and a more confined space you will not miss having a V6 vehicle, as a matter of fact you will find the CR-V quite fast for your needs. A V6 engine might also be a waste in a city with lots of stop and go traffic like Toronto.
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First of all, let me welcome you & your family. No need to apologize for your English. You do just fine! As far a recommendation for which vehicle is right for you, only you can really make that decision. That said, the 3 vehicles you mentioned are all great vehicles & I believe would work well for you. Assuming you will be purchasing new, the Passport will be the largest & most comfortable of the 3, however it will cost you an additional 7-9 thousand dollars and will average approximately 5-8 mpg less than the CR-V or Rav 4. The power advantage of the Passport is a pretty big deal, but the CR-V & the Rav 4 do just fine also. Our second vehicle is a Subaru Forester and even though it has 110 less hp than our Passport, rarely do I need the extra power. Do I like the extra power? Absolutely, but like I stated I seldom need it.

The best thing you can do when you feel comfortable enough with your driving is to take some test drives in several vehicles & decide for yourself what you like best. Make sure the salesman you deal with knows your situation and tell him that you would like an extended test drive. Perhaps you can ask a co-worker or a friend for recommendations for a particular salesman or dealership. It would be great if that person would be willing to go with you if possible, especially if the language barrier may uncomfortable for you. Do some city driving, some freeway driving, and drive into a couple of outside parking lots where you can practice parking & backing out of parking spots. The freeway driving will give you a chance to stomp on it to check out the acceleration and to also see how good the brakes are and the city driving will give you the opportunity to see how well you can see out of the vehicle from all four sides, how easy it is to see stoplights while sitting at intersections, & how easy it is to judge your distance to the vehicle in front of you. Since you're a bit smaller stature, (I'm 6'4") you will probably find that all the different vehicles that you test out will differ quite a bit for how well you can see out of the back, and it will be a good time to test out the difference in backup cameras.

I think you may be surprised at just how different each vehicle is and how once you've tested several out you will know which one is best for you. Since you're planning on purchasing in the winter and if you live in a part of Canada that gets a lot of snow, don't forget to budget the extra money you'll need for some dedicated snow tires. Since you'll be fairly new to driving, snow tires may keep you out of some bad situations... Please keep us informed as to what you decide to go with!
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1. If your wife is not joining you yet, get a CR-V, it has all the space you need, after your wife arrives you can sell the CR-V (it retains its value quite well) and get a bigger vehicle. The Passport has loads of room but you want to ask yourself if all that room will be of any immediate service to you.

2. The Passport is categorized as a mid sized SUV but it's quite large and heavy. You are better served in avoiding an accident by a smaller vehicle if you are a starter driver, your mistakes are not likely to get out of hand quickly in a smaller more maneuverable car but the CR-V will also give you as much protection in an accident as the Passport would. While you are looking out to be safe from other drivers you must look out to keep other drivers safe from you too. When your wife arrives you will be more proficient and confident enough to move to a larger vehicle.

3. Considering that you have spent a large part of your life in Hong Kong which has more sedate road traffic and a more confined space you will not miss having a V6 vehicle, as a matter of fact you will find the CR-V quite fast for your needs. A V6 engine might also be a waste in a city with lots of stop and go traffic like Toronto.
Thank you so so much!
i probably only drive my wife to work and my son to school most of the time while i work from Home. Thanks for consider the point about HK as i worry the muscular Passport V6 will give me too much surprise of course the passport look very attractive compare to CRV in my eye, especially the back of Passport look so Unique in it wide back . i will deeply think about it and do few more test drive before i get either CRV or Passport. i was thinking about Rav 4 or Highlander before but the crazy waiting list and unbelievable market price and hype stuff drive everyone crazy....
Hello Jason, I've had my Passport 3 weeks now after driving a Honda Element for 15 years. I am a huge fan of Honda so I'd choose the CRV or Passport. As an every day driver the CRV would work perfectly. If you truly need the extra room the Passport has it. There is some serious fun factor with the V6 for sure and if you like camping you can tow a trailer. I camp, fish and hunt and could fit a ton in the Element which is why I chose the Passport over the CRV. I guess it all comes down to how much room you actually need. Best of luck with what ever you decide, you will like either one.
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First of all, let me welcome you & your family. No need to apologize for your English. You do just fine! As far a recommendation for which vehicle is right for you, only you can really make that decision. That said, the 3 vehicles you mentioned are all great vehicles & I believe would work well for you. Assuming you will be purchasing new, the Passport will be the largest & most comfortable of the 3, however it will cost you an additional 7-9 thousand dollars and will average approximately 5-8 mpg less than the CR-V or Rav 4. The power advantage of the Passport is a pretty big deal, but the CR-V & the Rav 4 do just fine also. Our second vehicle is a Subaru Forester and even though it has 110 less hp than our Passport, rarely do I need the extra power. Do I like the extra power? Absolutely, but like I stated I seldom need it.

The best thing you can do when you feel comfortable enough with your driving is to take some test drives in several vehicles & decide for yourself what you like best. Make sure the salesman you deal with knows your situation and tell him that you would like an extended test drive. Perhaps you can ask a co-worker or a friend for recommendations for a particular salesman or dealership. It would be great if that person would be willing to go with you if possible, especially if the language barrier may uncomfortable for you. Do some city driving, some freeway driving, and drive into a couple of outside parking lots where you can practice parking & backing out of parking spots. The freeway driving will give you a chance to stomp on it to check out the acceleration and to also see how good the brakes are and the city driving will give you the opportunity to see how well you can see out of the vehicle from all four sides, how easy it is to see stoplights while sitting at intersections, & how easy it is to judge your distance to the vehicle in front of you. Since you're a bit smaller stature, (I'm 6'4") you will probably find that all the different vehicles that you test out will differ quite a bit for how well you can see out of the back, and it will be a good time to test out the difference in backup cameras.

I think you may be surprised at just how different each vehicle is and how once you've tested several out you will know which one is best for you. Since you're planning on purchasing in the winter and if you live in a part of Canada that gets a lot of snow, don't forget to budget the extra money you'll need for some dedicated snow tires. Since you'll be fairly new to driving, snow tires may keep you out of some bad situations... Please keep us informed as to what you decide to go with!
MAN, you really a life saver, truly thanks for your great opinions, also considering my language issues as well. Luckily, my Oral English is better than my writing in terms of grammar and structure, i understood the power is really one thing , my whole family members's weight add up to 290lbs for 3 people which mean not much power needs for the car to handle our weight , i thought the same that as your suggest that i should try to do the drive test as much as i could in order to get the most comfortable feeling , for the same price that i could go for the better trim/upscale version for CRV(still try to get the used one) I will keep you guys inform and back by Jan if not earlier and see whats could be happened.Thanks again!
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Hello Jason, I've had my Passport 3 weeks now after driving a Honda Element for 15 years. I am a huge fan of Honda so I'd choose the CRV or Passport. As an every day driver the CRV would work perfectly. If you truly need the extra room the Passport has it. There is some serious fun factor with the V6 for sure and if you like camping you can tow a trailer. I camp, fish and hunt and could fit a ton in the Element which is why I chose the Passport over the CRV. I guess it all comes down to how much room you actually need. Best of luck with what ever you decide, you will like either one.
This is true, i really have to try both of them out rather than imagine how they are ....CRV is really good on mileage , if i change my mind since i want to drive as much as i could every single day to improve my driving skills and sense, i may use a lot of fuel and especially i wish to visit many different regions in Canada but i sure the passport is very very powerful compare to CRV, .THank you!
Yes, you should buy a Passport with AWD.
It can and does snow a lot in Canada, so make sure that you buy a very good AWD system.
The Passport's AWD (called i-vtm4) system is very, very good.
The Honda Pilot AWD (called i-vtm4) system is very, very good.
The Honda Ridgeline truck AWD (called i-vtm4) system is very, very good.
ALL of the other other Honda "cars'" awd (called real-time) systems are weak and do not provide good traction, like the Passport, Pilot, and Ridgeline.

Better than the Honda AWD (called i-vtm4) system are:
Pickup truck Toyota Tundra AWD
Pickup Toyota Tacoma AWD
Pickup truck Ram 4wd
Pickup truck Ford 4wd
Pickup truck Chevrolet/GM 4wd
Toyota 4Runner AWD
Toyota Land Cruiser AWD

Subaru's AWD system is good.
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Yes, you should buy a Passport with AWD.
It can and does snow a lot in Canada, so make sure that you buy a very good AWD system.
The Passport's AWD (called i-vtm4) system is very, very good.
The Honda Pilot AWD (called i-vtm4) system is very, very good.
The Honda Ridgeline truck AWD (called i-vtm4) system is very, very good.
ALL of the other other Honda "cars'" awd (called real-time) systems are weak and do not provide good traction, like the Passport, Pilot, and Ridgeline.

Better than the Honda AWD (called i-vtm4) system are:
Pickup truck Toyota Tundra AWD
Pickup Toyota Tacoma AWD
Pickup truck Ram 4wd
Pickup truck Ford 4wd
Pickup truck Chevrolet/GM 4wd
Toyota 4Runner AWD
Toyota Land Cruiser AWD

Subaru's AWD system is good.
THIS IS VERY good to know, I never thought for the AWD system are not equal in each range , I am not an aggressive driver and prefer Safe issues as priority all the time ,seems this help for some situations, thanks for your introduction into these. I feel like lucky to find this forum . ALL the best!
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I might suggest a new 2023 HR-V instead. Good fuel, AWD (model dependent), smaller, lighter, still spacious. Barring that I'd agree with above and the Hybrid CR-V as the best choice. Very large inside for the size of vehicle.

I'd spend my extra $$ on a set of snow tires and rims. The worst snow tire is better than the best all-season tire, in the snow. Remember AWD mostly helps with acceleration, when you start to brake, you're just like every other car on the road, there is no "extra" grip in an AWD system in braking. There is extra grip in snow tires on wet, snowy, and icy roads.

Where will you be living? How much snow is expected?

My wife and I currently have a CR-V and a Passport, she's getting a new HR-V next month and I'm looking at the hybrid CR-V. I have a set of snow tires for both.
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Hi. If you do not mind the gas mileage; I would get the Passport. I ise mine for camping on beach and just enjoying the day on the beach. I liked the CR-V butbthe roominess of the Passport won me over and my rear seat passengers really like the leg room.
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Dear ALL
First of all , excuse for my poor English as a second languages.
I need to get any advise from you guys that i am not a Car guy and wish to give you a bit of situation i have currently.

I came from Hong Kong which is a city that probably no need for driving and almost half of the population does not have driving licenses (3M out of 7M people). the reason is the public transport is probably the best in the world, own a car is a luxury thing than necessary. i did not own or drive any car.

The questions has came, i am in Canada right now and i am just 40years old and just got my G1 (learning license) , waiting to get G2 (which i could drive alone ) by NEXT Year JAN, but i COULD NOT DRIVE on HIGHWAY until 1 year after G2 plate.

I am not tall like 5.7ft and 140 lbs less while my wife is even 5.4" and 110lbs and my son is 7only.
I am considering getting Passport over CRV or RAV4 thing because we have the below concerns.

- my first driving will be started on a COLD Winter situation by Jan /Feb.i guess passport could withstand a Collison better than CRV or Rav4 due to wider heavier and rugged. there are more space before hitting the human body.
The V6 could probably give more push during difficult situation.

- I am not tall but i really concern about head room and space that 's why i come to live in Canada, there are lots of space in this car compare to many.

- we wish to start camping in the summer time.

- i probably move around the Toronto cities and different areas for exploring the place, i think this car has more FUN.

What do you guys think if this is a 1st car for a 40 years old guy, i know the MPG is the concern that i could probably 100% CITY driving but i am not driving much everyday probably less than 50 KM or dont drive by some days.

My wife will not drive until 2-3 years later so we will only have 1 car in our family.

Do you think i should look for something else or may be CRV is good enough for my situation ?
is it fine to get a pre own certified 2019 version passport?

Thank you all and have a good one!
Jason
I have a 22 PP Elite, love the SUV. My mpg highway is 24 and city/highway 17
The PP had great acceleration and has a great ride. I know there were harness issues on the 19 and 20 model year. . I have also had a CRV & like the other person said the CRV has less space and slower acceleration, The turbo on the CRV . If it’s anything like the Turbo on the RDX It has turbo lag
Btw the 21 PP has a lot of room inside compared to the CRV. Definitely wider
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Decent list of candidates. Test drive them all and see what you like best.

Remember, the all new CRV goes on sale shortly and it is apparently larger. This CRV will have the latest and greatest while the Passport is somewhat dated now.
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I own a 2014 CRV automatic trans and a 2016 Pilot AWD. IMO I would choose a PP. CRV's now have CVT's trans and 1.5 L turbo = more future problems ahead.
Watch youtube for Passport reviews and applications.

And
JonDZ adventuring
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DEAR ALL
THANKS FOR YOUR ADVISE! I truly wish i could own this car, i thanks for all of your support,
Wish you all have a good one!
HI! ALL
just want to give an update to you guys that it is time to buy a CAR , i got my first driving license in my life @ my 40 years old. by the way, i am worry to have accident and hard to get a new car. I am more toward a Honda used certified preown car/
I am curious that regarding to the selling pricing between a USED CRV and Passport in a similar years a milage .

in Canada Honda.Used certified car.
For a CRV LX 2021 , 30K miles ,CAD36600
For a Passport Sport 2021 , 45K miles CAD39800

there should have CAD12000 to CAD 15000 differences if they are brand new. some of the CRV like 2021 CRV touring sell for CAD42000......

Is it because of some other reason that makes the passport has a lower resell price. I personally believe the Passport has a better frame structure or engine compare to CRV(oil engine dilution), maybe higher oil consumption?

it makes me feel the passport has a good value to save CAD10000 for further use..
If you have any ideas, please feel free to comments.

Thank you!
Jason
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