u/ModCre8tor

So I test drove the new Passport Elite Transport (in Orange!) AND LOVED I!

It was fabulous. I owned a Honda Ridgeline (2024) and loved that too, so I figured it would drive the same but the Passport is Much nicer.

My concern is only with the new J35Y8 engine, this new engine as cylinder deactivation (VCM) and there's a lot of scary details about this online, specifically the concern of carbon buildup due to VCM?

I watched the CarNut reviews guy on Youtube, link below, and he highlights all the good and bad, and its mostly a superb product but the engine seems to also still have a timing belt rather than chain. Also, Direct only injection rather than port and direct.

CarNut Reviews Honda Passport 2026

Im on the fence of buying the Transport Elite and would love to hear from actual owners as to whether or not I should be concerned about the timing belt and VCM ?

Im also considering the Genesis GV70 3.5 Sport Prestige, but thats a different vehicle class and about 20k more (which seems like a deal when you drive it). The Genesis has a premium interior and the engine has no vcm, it does have a timing chain and both direct and port injection.

Help, Im so torn! It's not a money issue as it is a brand issue, I love Honda but this new Honda is a mixed bag in the engine department. The Genesis is a much newer brand with very little issues from what I can tell (I've been trolling both forums) -- Honda has been around much longer and I've had fine luck with my last Honda, it was just boring. The GV70 is much more entertaining but I LOVE the look of the new Passport.

All feedback appreciated!

Backstory;

I lived in California all my life and loved it so much but needed a chance. A bit over a year ago, I decided to get back into commercial real estate; I had sold apartments that I owned about a decade ago and it was the dumbest decision I ever made.

So I found a beautiful mixed use building in Springfield Illinois, I will post a link below. I had thought that it would be a new adventure and the lower cost of living in Springfield IL would allow me to really begin to enjoy life again since California was pricing me out.

The building I purchased really fit the bill because I could live in it (Which I do) and it would bring in good tenant rents (which it does!), It's making about 10k a month after all the expenses, which are high, but nonetheless it brings in 10k a month.

I need to move back to California because it's just not home, Im from Southern California where my entire family lives.

I don't know what to do with my building though, I have it on the market for an outrageously good price (this would be millions in California) it's on the market in Springfield IL for $549,000 --

Im thinking to keep it as the income is solid but I worry that when I relocate back to California, even under good management, the building might become a headache with me away, but I would sure miss the income if I actually sold it.

This is the building;
Fisher-Latham Building for Sale

She's a mixed use, 3 story building built in 1856 -- in 2002 it was completely renovated from top to bottom, it got a new elevator and a state of the art fire suppression system on top of the entire entire getting new pluming, electrical, interior walls, everything -- it was totally gutted inside and restored on the outside to the tune of 3 million. The building is amazing to live in and provides me a good income, the bottom floor has 3 stores - all rented, the middle level has 10 office suites, which are all rented except for my office --- which would bring an additonal 2k. The top floor has 3 huge apartments, each bring in around 2k a month. It is on the national historic register and the state historic register.

The costs to run isn't horrible, around 1k a month for insurance which is the worst bill, all said, it's still bringing home about 10k.

My question is, do I keep it and endure the inevitable headaches that could come? Or should I sell it and let the next custodian of this absolutely cool building take care of her?

I am sort of worried that when the "cats away" things will turn to shit. I live in one of the apartments above, it's a stunning building and I would seriously miss it, but I need to be home in California and I feel like a fish out of water here in the midwest.

It still makes sense to keep it in terms of paying a building management person to manage it, I know three of them, especially after renting the apartment I live in and the office I currently use once I move back. The building has ongoing costs for maintenance like any building wood, but its manageable.

I only moved here for the building -- it was everything I ever wanted, the gorgeous mix of mid-victorian architecture with 19th century commercial elements, storefronts down below and live and work above. It has been everything I ever dreamed of.

The Historic downtown of Springfield is actually doing quite well, they're getting a new train station for the high speed train that takes you to Chicago effortlessly, we have new restaurants that are great and some new coffee shops, lots of art shows and everything Lincoln and Route 66, some pretty cool stuff.

Now Im moving back and fear that this investment may not make as much sense when I live 1800 miles from it.

What to do?