Traded 2 vehicles to get the wife a 2026 PP TSE BO

[mbergthold]

I'm a 73yo DIYer who has modified every vehicle I've owned. This is my 9th Honda, traded my 2025 Ridgeline BE and the wife's 2022 Outback Limited for the 2026 PP - took a bath on the RL. I had traded my 2021 F350 for the RL, and altho I added alot to it, I never liked it. Altho there are a # of things on the PP I don't like, ie the trans buttons, e-brake, timing belt, lack of built-in wifi & satellite radio, IMO it's the best of what's out there for us. Today we're changing the rear antisway bar to the stiffer base RTL bar, hoping to reduce the TSE's wallow around simple corners. I want a stable and stiff rear end, especially when towing our 2025 Coleman Light 17RX, a 4k# trailer (which I've modified almost every item on). My daily driver is a 2006 Mustang GT, which I bought from our oldest grandson when he went to Navy boot. It's my 3rd Mustang (1965 GT 2+2 A code 4spd & 1974 Mach 1 4spd). Honda pedigree - 1985 CRX 1.5, 1986 CRX Si, 1986 Prelude Si, 1994 Civic, 2011 Civic, 2013 Accord EX-L V6, 2016 Odyssey Touring (hated), 2025 Ridgeline BE, and now the 2026 Passport TSE BO. My favorite was the Accord, with the Prelude a close 2nd, both were fun to drive. Unfortunately I wrecked the Prelude Si - went off Hwy 138 after a hard brake from 100+ to avoid a head-on while passing, missed both cars I cut in between, but tumbled 3x - that car saved my life. My driving improved alot after that, now I'm super-safety conscious and a chaplain.

 

[El Chorizo93]

Quite the collection @mbergthold --- very impressive. Welcome to the forum and glad to have you aboard. Thank you for making the welcome post!

 

[upscdayz]

I had a Prelude and loved it. I married my husband and he is 6'7" and he fit in the passenger seat practically lying down or sitting up with the roof open - LOL I sold it and got the Pilot. He got an Element and loves the head room. I just got a Passport TSE and love it - except for the headrest. It is not a good headrest for us women and our hairdos. It leans way too far forward. I am so looking for options.

 

[El Chorizo93]

I had a Prelude and loved it. I married my husband and he is 6'7" and he fit in the passenger seat practically lying down or sitting up with the roof open - LOL I sold it and got the Pilot. He got an Element and loves the head room. I just got a Passport TSE and love it - except for the headrest. It is not a good headrest for us women and our hairdos. It leans way too far forward. I am so looking for options.

A bit off-topic for this thread but side note, we have a forum dedicated to the new Prelude here: https://www.prelude6g.com/

 

[Antman10]

I'm a 73yo DIYer who has modified every vehicle I've owned. This is my 9th Honda, traded my 2025 Ridgeline BE and the wife's 2022 Outback Limited for the 2026 PP - took a bath on the RL. I had traded my 2021 F350 for the RL, and altho I added alot to it, I never liked it. Altho there are a # of things on the PP I don't like, ie the trans buttons, e-brake, timing belt, lack of built-in wifi & satellite radio, IMO it's the best of what's out there for us. Today we're changing the rear antisway bar to the stiffer base RTL bar, hoping to reduce the TSE's wallow around simple corners. I want a stable and stiff rear end, especially when towing our 2025 Coleman Light 17RX, a 4k# trailer (which I've modified almost every item on). My daily driver is a 2006 Mustang GT, which I bought from our oldest grandson when he went to Navy boot. It's my 3rd Mustang (1965 GT 2+2 A code 4spd & 1974 Mach 1 4spd). Honda pedigree - 1985 CRX 1.5, 1986 CRX Si, 1986 Prelude Si, 1994 Civic, 2011 Civic, 2013 Accord EX-L V6, 2016 Odyssey Touring (hated), 2025 Ridgeline BE, and now the 2026 Passport TSE BO. My favorite was the Accord, with the Prelude a close 2nd, both were fun to drive. Unfortunately I wrecked the Prelude Si - went off Hwy 138 after a hard brake from 100+ to avoid a head-on while passing, missed both cars I cut in between, but tumbled 3x - that car saved my life. My driving improved alot after that, now I'm super-safety conscious and a chaplain.

I look forward to the build! We have the same vehicle...
I have also modified every vehicle I've owned in some way. My first was a '69 Mustang Fastback which my Dad and I restored. Can't wait to get started on this Forum!

 

[mbergthold]

I had a Prelude and loved it. I married my husband and he is 6'7" and he fit in the passenger seat practically lying down or sitting up with the roof open - LOL I sold it and got the Pilot. He got an Element and loves the head room. I just got a Passport TSE and love it - except for the headrest. It is not a good headrest for us women and our hairdos. It leans way too far forward. I am so looking for options.

Congrats on the PP TSE! Re headrests, our 2010 Expedition had front headrests that were uncomfortable & the angle wasn’t adjustable. I even tried removing it for a 3hr trip but put it back on for safety when I got home. I looked for adjustable headrests in other vehicles that would fit but no luck. Best I could do was put it high enough so it didn’t touch my head.

 

[Sagerider]

Congrats on the PP TSE! Re headrests, our 2010 Expedition had front headrests that were uncomfortable & the angle wasn’t a

djustable. I even tried removing it for a 3hr trip but put it back on for safety when I got home. I looked for adjustable headrests in other vehicles that would fit but no luck. Best I could do was put it high enough so it didn’t touch my head.

My wife hates the headrest and would turn it around. So I bought her a cushion to remedy the issue. I bought it on fixheadrest.com. It worked for her.

 

[Why Not]

I'm a 73yo DIYer who has modified every vehicle I've owned. This is my 9th Honda, traded my 2025 Ridgeline BE and the wife's 2022 Outback Limited for the 2026 PP - took a bath on the RL. I had traded my 2021 F350 for the RL, and altho I added alot to it, I never liked it. Altho there are a # of things on the PP I don't like, ie the trans buttons, e-brake, timing belt, lack of built-in wifi & satellite radio, IMO it's the best of what's out there for us. Today we're changing the rear antisway bar to the stiffer base RTL bar, hoping to reduce the TSE's wallow around simple corners. I want a stable and stiff rear end, especially when towing our 2025 Coleman Light 17RX, a 4k# trailer (which I've modified almost every item on). My daily driver is a 2006 Mustang GT, which I bought from our oldest grandson when he went to Navy boot. It's my 3rd Mustang (1965 GT 2+2 A code 4spd & 1974 Mach 1 4spd). Honda pedigree - 1985 CRX 1.5, 1986 CRX Si, 1986 Prelude Si, 1994 Civic, 2011 Civic, 2013 Accord EX-L V6, 2016 Odyssey Touring (hated), 2025 Ridgeline BE, and now the 2026 Passport TSE BO. My favorite was the Accord, with the Prelude a close 2nd, both were fun to drive. Unfortunately I wrecked the Prelude Si - went off Hwy 138 after a hard brake from 100+ to avoid a head-on while passing, missed both cars I cut in between, but tumbled 3x - that car saved my life. My driving improved alot after that, now I'm super-safety conscious and a chaplain.

I’m with you on the dislikes. I’m curious do you have a lot of clattering with that engine on cold starts? I’ve taken mine back a couple times and since there is no code, they just say it’s normal but to me it still doesn’t sound right. Almost like a diesel starting up.- I am also not impressed with the Air Conditioning as you have to be running the vehicle higher than 1000 RPMs for it to cool. Again they call it normal.