Honda Ridgeline SUT

gearhead1

Over priced? I think it comes down to how much you dig the inbed trunk, 2 way opening tail gate, and ride quality. These features are exclusive to the Ridgeline.

Honda is also including side air bags and traction control in that price. Typically extras in other vehicles like Tacoma.

varmint

At MSRP, I think the Ridgeline is overpriced. There's too much low-priced competition in the market.

Hence, I do not think this vehicle will command MSRP like the Ody, MDX, or even CR-V. It will be more like the Element, which had a short-lived full-price run that quickly subsided once pent-up demand settled down.

If you compare MSRP of the Toyota, Nissan, Dodge, etc., you'll find the Ridgeline is fairly priced. And I think when the dealers start dealing, the Ridgeline will be a fair deal for what you get.

chuck999

"IMHO it is just plain stupid to have dealer techs monkeying around installing relays, fuses, etc. under the dash" ....

Funny thing is - the RIDGELINE procedure seems to be a lot more complex than the Honda Pilot ..
(No dash trashing needed ...)

http://www.handa-accessories.com/pilot/hitch04.pdf

Got to wonder what they were thinking for this vehicle that ".... takes towing seriously"

chuck999

Ridgeline is going to have to start selling a bit faster to get to 50,000 per year I think ..

There are about 1000 honda dealerships. To sell 50k / year they have to sell 50 each or one per week. My local dealer has sold just one (of 4) in the last 2 weeks ... (sold an RT-S)

I think prob is too many RTL RTL-SR etc.. Start building more RT and RT-S ... And drop selling price just a bit off MSRP ....

slammie

IMHO, the Honda is simply a much better engineered truck.

"I don't think we will truely know that for a couple years will we?"

Hence, "IMHO." And to clarify at this point anyway, the operative word is: executed. IMHO, the Honda is simply a much better executed truck.

driving1

I've been a Honda customer for 15 years even buying from the same salesperson. Upon seeing the first info on the Ridgeline, I was seriously interested in getting one. But, the MSRP (with NAV) was $36K. Too much money. Even though I was impressed with the test drive, there are comparable vehicles for thousands less. Also, my dealer was willing to come off the price $1K. I think the Ridgeline should list for around $32K. Consumer dept in this country is at an all time high and I don't plan on adding to it by paying 36K for a Ridgeline. And for the folks that pay list or more . . . Please!

Kirstie_H

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ronaldp

I am also a 15+ year Honda owner and came to the same conclusion that the Ridgeline is priced a few thousand too high. Personally, I think if they added a moonroof to the RTS and kept the price the same, I would probably spring for that. I've grown accustomed to the moonroof in my Accord EX, but don't need leather seats.

Therefore, if they added a moonroof to the RTS and kept the price the same, the MSRP would be almost equal to a Pilot EX which has a moonroof.

Honda seems to have gotten a bit greedy by changing up the trim lines and doing things a little un-honda like, and in doing so, I think they missed the boat by not giving the RTS enough standard equipment to make it cost effective, and loading up an RTL w/moonroof to the point that it too is not cost effective.

Also, I mentioned this before. The Honda Pilot has some great lease rates. If they offered similar lease rates on the Ridgeline, I would probably be willing to lock into a lease for 3 years on it. Say $2K down and $319/mo. for an RTL w/Moonroof? That would place it at a 61% residual value after 3 years, matching the residual value of the Pilot.

bawlmerc

I work at a Buick dealership. I was thinking of buying a top of the line Rendezvous Ultra. With my discounts the price would come close to the Ridgeline MSRP. IMHO the Ridgeline has more features and more practicality. I know that I'm comparing apples to oranges but with just two persons in the family I would rather have a small truck bed with a trunk than a usless third seat taking up cargo space.
Looks like I may have to break my 27 year Buick buying streak.

qbrozen

The Pilot EX does NOT have a moonroof. You have to buy the EX-L to get that. And that is priced very similarly to the RTL.

qbrozen

For the sake of keeping the topic lively, would you please detail the comparable vehicles you are speaking of?

thanks.

55535432

Aside from the Honda being priced to high, I just got word from my mortage broker (a family friend and economist)about the practicality of leasing trucks for now.The forecasted gas price of around $ 3.50 even up to $4.00 gallon by year 2006 is taking shape. No thanks to China and big time mergers. I just gassed up my Pilot and the lowest regular gas price in my neighborhood is $ 2.07.

Leasing may seem impractical, but when you own a truck with an EPA of 16-21 mpg, it would still burn a hole in your pocket. If that hole becomes unbearable and you decide to sell your truck, even if it is a Honda, their would be few buyers.Leasing frees you from the impossibility of selling your truck when the lease ends. To all potential truck owners don't take the plunge and get into truckownership mode, it is fun but expensive.Test the waters first thru leasing. At $2.07/gallon even my leased Nissan Frontier aint that fun anymore.I am hoping that I won't see a gas price of $3.50 gallon in my lifetime.

So folks, leasing is the way to go now for trucks only. It frees you from owning a high gas maintainanced vehicles if you decide to downgrade to a car. Similarly, the possibility of getting trucks at a bargain price returned from a lease/brand new is very high once the gas price hits the $3.50 per gallon mark by 2006.Most people will be turning to cars for their commuting needs, trucks will have to be at a give away price to be saleable.

ronaldp

My bad. You are correct that you can only get the sunroof with the EX-L which is within a hundred dollars of the Ridgeline.

So why does the Pilot seem to do well priced essentially the same as the Ridgeline? Now that I look at the Pilot prices, the Pilot seems a little too pricey also, yet I understand that it consistently sells at MSRP. Is it perceived a better value because it has a 3rd row of seats instead of a bed with a trunk?

eric091572

As for the leasing/purchasing decision based on future fuel prices (yes it will go up, but, by a dollar next year? maybe/maybe not), I would take that with a grain of salt.

If it is true that fuel prices jump to $3.50-$4.00/gallon next year (my last pump was at $2.43/gallon, in L.A.), trying to sell a truck you bought will be the least of your worries, as a jump of over a dollar in a year's time, there will be catastrophic effects on our way of life in every aspect, including food, electricity, other transportation forms, etc.

markjenn

Pilots are not selling at MSRP. Head over to the Pilot boards and you'll see tons of deals for well below *invoice* (that's right, invoice, not MSRP) with the lowest prices around $1K under *invoice".

- Mark

55535432

When ones life is affected by catastrophic proportions coz of soaring gas prices, I will bet my life that costcutting will be everybodies agenda, and that includes getting rid of a major worry, a vehicle that is expensive to operate.Selling even just a V6 truck and downgrading to a car will be a difficult task coz their will be few buyers. For well to do people who consider $2.43/gallon peanuts, truck ownership would still be fun even if the gas would even hit $5.00/gallon. As for me who belongs to the middle income majority who clips coupons, gas price increase is getiing scary everyday.

I and my wife with a combined modest income as healthcare workers of $ 170,000./ year without children yet (Maryland)are considering of letting go of my Mazda RX8 and tested truck ownership with a leased Nissan Frontier.If the $3.50 /gallon forecast becomes a reality, disposing the Frontier will be Nissans problem, not mine.So folks please do yourself a favor make it the delearships problem to dispose your truck in case you realize truck ownership is getting to expensive. Give truck leasing a try,doesn't matter what brand you prefer, just lease in these times of uncertainty.

P.S.

I had been to Shenzen China (a border not so known outskirt Chinese City)in year 2001, and year 2003 (its a shopping haven, just a train ride from Hongkong).My first hand experience of seeing industrialization at breakneck phenomenal speeds, makes me a believer on why China is competing with good ol USA for metal, cement and GASOLINE.Its like seeing bare land today, and seeing a metropolis full of roads, skycrapers, people and cars the following month on the same spot of land. To sustain this phenomenal growth China is buying gasoline like a fire from hell.And to think I haven't even seen the far more prodigous developement of Chinas capital Beijing.

mikefm58

I fail to see how leasing is the answer to high gas prices. That might be a way to get out from under a gas hog, but doesn't solve disadvantages of leasing, which is for a different forum. I've leased before, never again. Do you work for a leasing company?

But I do agree with you in regards to the eventual high gas prices and the phenomenal growth in China.

And since we're off topic.....enough said.

55535432

I had been always against leasing. All my vehicles are bought except for the Frontier, coz I wanted to test the waters of truck ownership per an economist advice.Rising gas prices is everyones nightmare specially truckmakers.A lot of trucks will be white elephants, costing dealers and manufacturers money sitting on the lot rotting.If you wanna join the money loosers club go ahead, be my guest and buy your trucks outright, and hope worst case scenarios of outrageous gas price increase are only imaginary.

From a laymans perspective leasing is usually not economically sound. However, imagine yourself downgrading from a Ridgeline/Frontier/Tacoma/F-150/Colorado etc to a car. You will have almost no buyers for a truck that cost you initially $30,000 even if you sell it at half the price a good 1-2 years from now. How much money will you be loosing?, $10,000-15,000? On the other hand how much money will a person who leased loose? How much money will a person who leased loose if he decides to buy the leased vehicle? I believe it is less than $10,000-$ 15,000. I wish I have an accurate dollar figure to qoute. However, believe this even if it is a Toyota or Honda truck, buyers will still be few if the gas price breached the $3.50 gallon mark.

When ones lease ends, their would be the option of purchasing the vehicle. And if gas prices indeed makes it to $3.50 gallon, my Nissan delear would practically beg me to take this gas guzzler at a price way below the forecasted residual.It will be a truckfest for truck enthusiast, coz trucks may become a buy one get one free pastime.Those who bought their trucks outright specially those pricy Tacomas and Ridgeline / gas guzzling domestics would be banging their heads on the wall remorseful at best.

Hopefully, hybrids will become the norm even among trucks and I don't want to get stuck figuring out how to get rid of a gas hog that no one wants even at bargain prices.While others are figuring out how to dispose their trucks, I would probably be driving a not leased hybrid Ridgeline.Something I get to keep for a good 10-15 years.

Finally. I still believe leasing is not a good practice when buying gas frugal cars, for trucks it is one of the best calculated gamble one can make at this particular point in time when their is no end in site to gas price increase.

P.S.

I and my wife work in the operating room in Univ. of Maryland Med. System. I don't work for a leasing company.

jay_24

Middle income of $170K a year? no children? Why are you complaining about price? Why a Crew/Quad Cab?

Anyway, if I can save 4k on a different truck and with maybe not all the options the Ridgline has that $4K buys a lot of gas.

Here are some prices of fairly base 4 door models except engine was upgraded (except Dakota). The Colorado was heavily upgraded to make it close. Looking at the standard features there isn't much more I'd add.
Note the Chevys and Dodge sell well bellow invoice once the rebates are added in.
All the trucks other than the Ridgeline can be made cheaper by getting less engine, going extended cab, manual tranny, or even 2wd.

Tacoma Double cab v6 4wd MSRP $24,750 Invoice $22,400
Silverado Crew Cab 5.3v8 4wd MSRP $33,800 Invoice $29,600 ($3500 cash back = ~$26.5K)
Colorado Z71 Crew Cab 5cyl 4wd MSRP 27,000 Invoice 24,600 ($2000 cash back = ~$22K)
Frontier Crew Cab SE v6 4wd MSRP $22,700 Invoice $23,800
Dakota Quad Cab SL V6 4wd MSRP $25,000 Invoice $22,900

Ridgeline RT MSRP $27,000 Invoice
Ridgeline RTS MSRP $30,600
Ridgeline RTL MSRP $32,000

Most dealers have only the RTS and RTL models

The Colorado is close to Ridlgeline in MSRP and a little less truck but chevy's don't get MSRP either.
The Silverado is about the same price (more MSRP) but has a lot more truck and standard options.

chuck999

Tacoma Double cab v6 4wd MSRP $24,750 Invoice $22,400
Silverado Crew Cab 5.3v8 4wd MSRP $33,800 Invoice $29,600
Colorado Z71 Crew Cab 5cyl 4wd MSRP 27,000 Invoice 24,600
Frontier Crew Cab SE v6 4wd MSRP $22,700 Invoice $23,800
Dakota Quad Cab SL V6 4wd MSRP $25,000 Invoice $22,900

Ridgeline RT MSRP $28,215 Invoice $25,437
Ridgeline RTS MSRP $30,590 Invoice $27,571
Ridgeline RTL MSRP $32,005 Invoice $28,842

In my area - easy to get Frontier for Invoice, Taco's still $500 to $800 above...

While not defending MSRP for Ridgeline remember that even RT version comes with SAB and VSA, Which cost about $600-800 each on the Taco .. And none of above have full-time AWD ....

Bottom line - if Ridgeline prices ever get closer to invoice (As Pilot, Element and CRV are...) then I think might be pretty competitive .....

At MSRP and with only RT-S and RT-L on market - I think audience is going to be limited ...

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jay_24

Thanks for the invoice prices. Edmunds didn't list them when I did a compare.

FullTime AWD? whats the advantage?
Before jumping on that statement, realize I drive a Subaru and own a Chevy Tahoe 4x4 and live Minneasota. I used 4x4 twice this winter on the Tahoe and that was for 20 minutes total. On my Subie its nice but how much do I really need it? Not.

--jay

auto9999

Probably in your area 4WD is unnecessary. In the snow country, on the other hand, 4WD is precious and surely contributes to the safe driving.

I wanted to tell you how efficient I found 4WD engine brake was to slow down the speed of the vehicle on a snow covered road surface. It really grips the road without skidding the tires.

Of course, we should avoid sharp maneuvering of the vehicle and speeding on snow.

robr2

Probably in your area 4WD is unnecessary. In the snow country, on the other hand, 4WD is precious and surely contributes to the safe driving.

jay24 said he lives in Minnesota - last time I checked, it wasn't in the Sun Belt.

ksl

Ok, I found out the Trip Computer sensors are in place but they have disabled it from displaying on the Nav screen. It can be re-enabled with a simple software update but Honda will not do this unless enough people complain and put pressure on them to do so. The Ridgeline is the first model (w/ Navi) that Honda decided to disable the Trip Computer.

I strongly encourage everyone to call American Honda and complain we were jipped out of a Trip Computer. They even show a screenshot of it on the last page in the QuickStart guide.

If you're not familiar with it it will display your MPG average and instant, Miles to go until empty and so forth. It's a great feature and we should demand to have it back.

Please call Honda customer support at: (800) 999-1009

Also mention this to your service manager, more the better, but the number above is the most important.

55535432

"Bottom line - if Ridgeline prices ever get closer to invoice (As Pilot, Element and CRV are...) then I think might be pretty competitive .....

At MSRP and with only RT-S and RT-L on market - I think audience is going to be limited"

MSRP pricing was the reason I passed on the Ridgeline and got my Frontier a tad below invoice. I researched for a Ridgeline base model but can't find one right away. The time span in my search allowed me to re-evaluate my needs for a truck and get sound advice from an economist on the state of our nations economy,thus ended up leasing the Frontier.

I don't want to be a fatalist, rather a realist, leasing made economic sense for the first time to me. I do hope these forcasted never ending gas price increase are over blown, coz Americans are quite adaptive and may just junk the gas engine and invent something that doesn't need gas.If that ficton becomes fact in the next 3-5 years, I hate to be stock still paying for a useless expensive gas guzzler truck, when I could have put my hard earned money on new technology trucks that runs on little or no gas at all.Yes probably a Hybrid Ridgeline, or just a gas frugal Civic or Accord.

So folks think twice, maybe even 10x before plunging into total truck ownership. It is fun albeit in an expensive kind of way.Test truck ownership in a manner that won't jeopardize your finances big time: LEASE. If their is anyone here who can suggest other means to get a first hand taste of inexpensive truck ownership that doesn't involve leasing, please share.

hersheytx1

A Lease can be good for some. I find its great for my business since I can write off the payment. For some it can be ugly if you drive a lot of miles. To many miles and you risk the dreaded over mileage charge.
But the main reason I would not want to lease this truck vs buying if I was unsure of gas prices is that you are stuck in a lease. You can not go out and try to sell it. Its to deep a hole. I know I have tried to get out of a Jeep lease because it was such a lemon.
That being said, I live in Texas. As long as the sun is shining there will be a Texan who wants a truck. I have never ever lost money when I have owned a pickup. Everyone wants them New, Used and in between. Gas be damn.
So if you ever get stuck on with a truck, come to Texas. Will buy it. We love them even if they guzzle gas and cost 80 bucks to fill up.

55535432

Gas be damn???

Last time I checked, the highest gas prise was $ 2.82 in Needles Calif. National average $2.06, and it's not even spring yet, when everyone goes on a road trip.Sounds like the $3.50 forecast is modest at best, maybe $4.00/gallon is more accurate.

Leasing has its evils specially if it's a lemon and you drive a lot of miles. However the vileness stops when lease time is over, not so if you own one.Just hope Carmax would buy that lemon or truck from you if their are no other takers, and everyone else is shifting to cars.

REMEMBER FOLKS GAS IS $2.82 IN NEEDLES CALIF., 68 CENTS AWAY FROM $3.50.TRUCK OWNERSHIP DON'T COME CHEAP ANYMORE.

P.S.
[hersheytx1], how many miles is Texas from MD. I'm getting 17-18 mpg on my Frontier.In case someone wants to buy this Frontier if I decide to own it at lease end, I would like to know how much to spend gassing up at $3.50 and driving all the way to Texas to sell it.

roger1969

Car companies, and especially their finance arms that actually make money, have an army of accountants and lawyers, and they are not going to be "stuck" in a lease deal either. Unless it catches them off guard (and probably not since if we're chatting about it here, it's on their radar), they will price the residual value of the vehicle in the lease and the payments will be take that into account so that it'll be no different in the end. The finance companies are not stupid and the consumer (us) will foot the bill in the end; they will simply pass the cost along.

If fuel prices go to $4 a gallon in a year, it will affect the price on EVERYTHING we do, and we'll all have a lot to worry about with potential social unrest, riots, etc., and driving (anything, not just trucks; cars need fuel too, and there are cars that get worse MPG than trucks) will be the least of our concerns. Let's hope it doesn't come down to that.

55535432

Car companies, and especially their finance arms that actually make money, have an army of accountants and lawyers, and they are not going to be "stuck" in a lease deal either. Unless it catches them off guard (and probably not since if we're chatting about it here, it's on their radar), they will price the residual value of the vehicle in the lease and the payments will be take that into account so that it'll be no different in the end. The finance companies are not stupid and the consumer (us) will foot the bill in the end; they will simply pass the cost along.

COPY THAT. However, I and maybe many others would prefer that the residual value / reselling becomes the car delearships problem, not mine. I would rather have the cost of owning a truck split somewhere along the middle, than footing the whole bill alone by owning a truck outright.

For folks who don't believe in leasing, and damn what the future holds. Wait till the middle or end of spring where the gas hike spikes up the most, maybe the Ridgeline will be have for less than MSRP, the Tacoma close to invoice and everything else at party time prices.If ever the gas engine is phased out, at least you can reminisce those trucking days knowing you save some dough coz you postphoned your purchase a month or two.

once_for_all

any of you new owners gas up yet? Let us know the results, please.

John

gd113

Just picked my black RTS tonight. It is a great ride. Drove the Tacoma before decided on the Ridge and what difference. The interior room is great. It handles like a car. I'm not a hard core trucker and want this for carrying my boat gear and whatever else plus its something different. Let alone every safety option there is. I will report in on the gas mileage. Remember last fall oil was up and dropped off. This is the usual hype before the summer driving season. $4 seems a bit much. The whole economy will tank.

mikefm58

Could you kindly remind 55535432 to get off his leasing horse and stay on topic? His ideas should be posted in a leasing forum.

gearhead1

There's always someone saying the sky is falling. If you live in a busy city with a gridlocked commute, it's silly to even consider any vehicle that gets 20-25 mpg. I bought a Ridgeline because it's my vehicle of preference. there's no such thing as Gridlock where I live so I consider it viable even at 4.00 a gallon which will never happen.

If I spent 2hrs in traffic every day, the Ridgeline wouldn't even have made it on the radar screen. I would only consider a Prius.

Sylvia

Let's keep this discussion about the Ridgeline FEATURES, SPECS, DRIVING, etc. If you want to talk leasing and pricing, please do so in the Honda Ridgeline Prices Paid & Buying Experiences discussion.

Sylvia

I know this truck is new on the market and there are plenty of people test driving. However, would it be possible to hear the experiences of owners with the Ridgeline? How long have you had it? How do you like it? How does it drive / handle? Favorite features? Any dislikes? What would you improve? Has there been anything that surprised you about it?

Your input here is much appreciated. Thanks!

gearhead1

I've had my steel/blue RT-L/moonroof for 2days and have put over 200 miles on it. I love it. It seems much more refined than the 05 Taco I was considering. I think the leather is first class. The dual zone climate control is one of our favorite features as well as the XM radio. The wife loves the heated seats. The ride is the best of any truck I've driven. The inbed trunk/2 way opening tail gate is one of the most brilliant ideas to come along in truck design since trucks were designed. The flexible back seat storage is also one of my favorite features. Oh, and the center console is cleverly designed and quite large. there's good storage throughout the cabin. I'm surpised that the exterior styling has really grown on me. I was an early critic of the styling, but now I really like it.

I really don't have any dislikes at the moment, but give me time. I'm even coming to accept those big door handles on the passenger and drivers side. They really are a better grab for closing the door. The build and fit & finish are high quality through out.

centralcal

did you test the 05 Frontier? I wasn't impressed with the Taco, but was scared about the new Honda "Truck", wondering how they compare.

55535432

This is the usual hype before the summer driving season. $4 seems a bit much.

Honestly, I hope it is all hype.However have you noticed how gas prices are hiked up, lowered a bit then hiked again. Three steps forward, one step back.Three steps forward again. That is the nature of the gas beast.It crepts up on you in a not so sutle way, thus it is no hype at all, it is reality and indeed the sky is falling.

This is an excerp from fox news dated 3/17/05
ttp://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,150718,00.html

"Crude oil futures prices soared above $57 a barrel, a new all-time record, Thursday as OPEC's pledge to increase output failed to assure traders who were worried about tight supply"

This scenario aint good at all and have dented the truck sales big time. Its just amazing that Honda and Toyota still commands MSRP on their trucks. Seriously folks wait a month or two before buying your Ridgeline and Tacoma, youll be amaze by the savings you will incur.

Four steps forward, one step back, four steps forward one step back.Nah gas prices breaching $3.50-4.00 gallon is not gonna happen, not in this lifetime.Three steps forward, one step back.

mikefm58

" indeed the sky is falling "

ROTFLMAO

PF_Flyer

Let's stick to the Ridgline in this topic. If you have the uncontrollable urge to discuss gas prices, head on over to the News & Views board and the Report Your Local Gas Prices Here topic. Thanks!

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hersheytx1

Not to make light of the matter if gas prices go to 3 plus dollars a gallon. But you are stuck with that truck for the entire 3 or 4 years you got that lease for...
Hate to see that truck just sit there why you complain what a [non-permissible content removed] it is to fill it up.
On the other hand after 2 years or so I could still sell my truck and probably get back what I owe on it. Giving me a way out and not loosing much if any money.
A lease is not a bad thing. But if you want out before it is over you are screwed. You are not going to put up 8K plus your residual if you are only 1 or 2 years into a lease.
You make such a big deal that the gas prices are going to shoot through the roof. But then you have no out for 3 or 4 years because of the lease. Owning gives you the option to get out quick. Lease keeps you in without the option to get rid of it.
Jeff
Dallas, Tx

cbr600rr

Quote from 55535432:

"This scenario aint good at all and have dented the truck sales big time. Its just amazing that Honda and Toyota still commands MSRP on their trucks. Seriously folks wait a month or two before buying your Ridgeline and Tacoma, youll be amaze by the savings you will incur."

Do the math, if you average 12k miles per year (national average) and your truck gets 21 mpg, you pay $1142 a year in gas (based on $2.00 per gallon). If gas was $1.50 a gallon you would pay $857, a difference of a mere $285. So in reality the cost is not a factor.

Ideally no one should own a truck for commuting, it's tough if you can only afford one vehicle. The biggest issue with fuel economy is not in dollars, but in the cost to the environment. I sincerely hope Honda is working on making a
Hybrid Ridgeline.

BTW - I work a Toyota dealer and Tacoma's, are selling very well despite gas being about $2.06 in my area. We are selling them at all price ranges, like I've told others it's really the customer that sets the price, not the dealer.

cbr600rr

Here's some other thoughts to consider when using gas prices to decide your purchase.

1) You could buy a Hybrid, but right now the premium you will pay would equal many years of gas even at today's prices (you would be helping the environment though).

2) Read the post above, even with a truck at 21 mpg, gas is just over $1100 per year at $2.00 per gallon. If you can't afford that, then you probably can't afford a $28-32k truck/SUV.

Comparing the Ridgeline with other vehicles.

The problem here, with some saying they can find other vehicles at much lower prices is depreciation, especially domestics. Your Honda will be worth much more at the end of your lease or loan.

So when making these decisions, one really needs to look at the big picture.

gearhead1

I didn't drive the new frontier. Nissan just didn't interest me. Yes, Ridgeline is a first model year, so it's something to be apprehensive about. I know some people were having problems with the Taco immediatly after purchase ie noisy suspension, leak, etc. So far the Ridgeline has been trouble free for me. Having said that, the transmission will probably fall off today. I'm going to do a little off roading tomorrow (very little) bad enough a regular car can't travel this road anyway.

People discussing gas prices: really, nobody cares.

whaleya

Does Honda have a website where you can access service manuals and TSB, ect?

Totota/Lexus has all manuals and TSBs online, which is very nice when working on my Totota. (of course, fee access)
techinfo.toyota.com

-W

rsholland

http://www.autoweek.com/news.cms?newsId=101991

ndjaz

I have had mine for 2 weeks now, RTL with moonroof. Love it. So far it is everything i need in a truck/SUV. The ride is very nice and quiet. Used to own a Dodge Ram and this blows it away except of course on power but didn't need that much anyway. This vehicle has some pop to its engine and wont drag behind. First tank of gas ran around 17 mpg with mostly in town driving. I think for those of us that do not need a full size truck but like to have a box for those times we do need to haul stuff this is perfect. Yes the price is a bit higher than i wanted to pay, but hopefully i'm getting what i paid for (so far yes). Most of my friends are jealous and I can't count the number of looks i'm getting from other drivers. I believe Honda has a winner here if it holds up to the Honda reputation.

gearhead1

Well, I took my RT-L off road on a deep sandy trail that's a nightmare for many. The Ridgeline handled it with ease. In deep sandy parts, traction control kicked on briefly and shut off when not needed. VTM-4 lock was not needed at all, but it was nice knowing it was there. It's always nice to have a plan B. I've been on this trail in a full size Chevy truck 4x4 which also performs well on it, but the ride on the Ridgeline was so much better. The Chevy throws the passenger around requiring the passenger to use the hand holds to keep your head from bashing the glass. The Ridgeline was very much smoother (handholds not even close to being required, and passengers carried on conversation without interruption, screams or grunts) I was tempted to floor it like the commercial, and see if I could catch some air, but my senses got the better of me. This truck is fun, fun, fun. I really feel this truck could handle most anything. I'm just not sure how far I want to push my new baby. All the people there loved it, and the steel/blue color. 400 miles on the RT-L so far and no problems to report. Getting around 16-17 mpg.

once_for_all

is a no go. I won't be buying the Ridgeline. I am sure it is a nice truck, but I wouldn't feel right even if the company was picking up the gas tab.

John