Passport questions, am looking at a '97

Haven't been on this thread in a few years since selling a '91 Accord
leaving driveway strictly 'Yota. However the '86 Runner is getting long
in the tooth. While married I was content to drive the beater, keeping
her in the nice car but now its my turn.

Stopped by a few dealers Sunday (Closed in Wisconsin on the sabbath so
no vultures) and spied a very clean '97 Passport; V-6, auto, 4WD with
93kmi. Test drove it today. Comfortable, ran well except for a slight
clunk on sudden braking / acceleration. Proved to be a little play in
the tailgate tire carrier (can that be adjusted?). Carfax had nothing
to say about it and found no recalls.

According to NADA, Edmund's, and Kelly, the dealer has reduced his price
from roughly 80% over to 25-35% above the cost of an excellent condition
model (40% above my credit union's estimate.) Assuming I can get him
down from the $8K "sale" price, is there any compelling reason I
shouldn't buy this?

Consumer Reports buying guide recommends against the Passport from
'97-00, and '02, but they provide no history so what is their basis?

Did Honda not bloat up the Passport like competing makes? When was it
discontinued? In favor of what new line? Passports do not lie thick
upon the ground, so were they just not popular or total crap?

Thanks for any and all info.

 

@newssvr14.news.prodigy.net:

The Passport is just a rebadged Isuzu Rodeo. It was made by Isuzu and was
based on the Isuzu pickup truck. Honda used it as a toe-dip into the SUV
waters before coming out with their own vehicles.

Check "Isuzu Rodeo" in your Consumer Reports.

I think the CR-V was Honda's first in-house SUV design.

Last year was '02.

The Pilot.

I don't think they were particularly good sellers.

 

There is a reason why Isuzu is pretty much out of business in the US.
Buy this truck and find out why.