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Not really. Now that we've all had a chance to look at the vehicle, I think it's natural to comment on what we like and don't like. A "wish list" is just part of that process. I just hope some Honda product planners read these posts...
Bob
Anyway, it's the wife we're buying for. An AWD sport ute would be perfect for her needs, yet the boot kicker in her says no to everything that is soccer mom. She wants a kick-[non-permissible content removed] small truck. She really liked those S10-ZR2s when they were around, but not the Colorado. I'm not paying for another GM/Ford/Dodge. She doesn't like the Nissan Frontier. About all that's left that I would pay for is the Tacoma, I guess. I think it's grown too big. Toyota no longer has a small truck. 245 hp is what the original Tundra had. Thrifty has been replaced by guzzly. The 2004 Tacoma was a better size for her. The Ridgeline we're going to pass on, it's gimmicky.
I ended up with a Ridgeline, but it was really close, and I probaly would have been happy (not to mention heavier in the wallet) with the Tacoma. I'm moving up from an extra-cab Ranger to get more interior room (3 kids) & that's what put the RL over the top. Don't need the 4wd, which is why the Taco would have been substantially cheaper. What I really needed was a $26k 2WD Ridgeline, but Honda didn't ask me.
Don't get me wrong, I completely support your decision not to buy a Ridgeline if it's not for you, but gimmicky. If ultimate everyday usability is a gimmick, sign me up.
Did you drive one? You owe it to yourself to experience it in person before you make this expensive decision.
I realize I'm in a Ridgeline topic here, feel free to have the last word. And no, I have not driven it or the Tacoma yet. But that brings me back to my original surprise that people are making these two the finalists when they seem so dissimilar. They are not the same price, not even the same capacity. It just seems the lines are getting so blurred. I would have thought the Ridgeline would be compared to the other half tons, not trucks from the compact segment. More of just a preference for Honda or Toyota I guess.
Go drive a Ridgeline. I would be really interested to hear your first hand experience with it in person.
What people are referring to here as "design" is really "styling." There is a difference. Styling is all about "eye candy," or what you see first—and this is what most people react to when they see something. Design, on the other hand involves everything. It includes styling, but also engineering, concept, and even marketing; it's the whole ball of wax, so to speak.
Do I find the Ridgeline ugly? No, but I don't find it especially actracattractive. just say I find the looks to be "interesting."
I think anyone who dismisses this vehicle because they find it ugly, is doing themselves a diservicdiserviceng else if you wish, but it's your loss, not mine. From most functional aspects, and daily usage, the Ridgeline is way ahead of its competition—and yes it is a midsize truck (like a Tacoma), and not a fullsize truck.
Bob
Bob
I don't find the Ridgeline ugly, but there's no doubt that it's odd. There are rules when it comes to making things look good. The Ridgeline doesn't really break many of them. However, working within the rules doesn't guarantee a good look.
The shape of a typical pickup is an ugly shape. But it's become a shape we readily accept. The Ridgeline (and Avalanche, as well) use a different shape. While that shape isn't ugly, it's foreign to our visual vocabulary. It's not normal. But that doesn't make it ugly. That's simply odd.
I will say this," looks" is a moving target. Does anyone think that if Henry Ford introduced a vehicle in 1930, that looked like the the 2005 F-150, it would sucsucceedhe new F-150 is regarded my most truckers today has being a handsome vehicle. If that vehicle had been introduced 65 years (forget about that even being possible), it would have been rideculed. Anybody remember the '30s era ChyChryslerrflow models? They were very advanced for the time, in fact too advanced—and they flopped.
The Ridgeline is right on the edge of being "too" advanced. No doubt Honda is pushing the envelope here. If you can get beyond the looks, you will see a truly supurbsuperble.
Bob
Also, regarding the mid-size/full-size argument and comparisons... there really is no perfectly suited competitors for comparisons and that is because the Ridgeline fills a new niche within the realm of pickups. It is like the Yamaha FJR1300 - there is not a direct comparison, but you still have to compare it to something in order to weigh the best fit... the "bang for the buck" as it impacts YOUR wallet. The midsize pickup category, blow for blow, is the best category against which to compare and in which to place the Ridgeline.
Honestly, I started comparing vehicles from midsize p/u, small/midsize SUVs, and wagons. Even though the Ridgeline, visually, is my least favorite of all the vehicles I have considered, it is right on the top for the best in nearly every other consideration (other than price!!!). Ugh. Anyway, it is a compelling vehicle and if I did end up buying one at some point, it wouldn't surprise me.
Bob
Bob
kcram - Pickups Host
It happens whenever I run the Edmunds spellcheck. If I don't run the spell check, it works fine.
Bob
http://research.cars.com/go/crp/summary.jsp?logtype=6&aff=usatoday&call=crp&makeid=18&year- =2006&modelid=7791
poor visibility, I find no problem with visibility.
trunk is useless if box is loaded, You don't have a trunk at all on any other truck. So, when your box is empty, you don't even have a secure trunk. The trunk alone is worth buying this truck for. It's true, you might have to use your brain, and not load stuff in the trunk you think you might need when the bed is full. My bed is empty most of the time. Why? because the trunk is so huge, I can fit most things I carry in it.
wind noise, I don't have wind noise. Not sure what your talking about here
engine noise, This is the quietest vehicle I've been in.
too costly, ........only if you can't afford it. I thought it was a bargain for what I got.
really crappy rims for a $33,000 truck. I thought they were fine, but if your rapping with your homies on the weekends, you might want something different. This is a pretty lame complaint.
Sounds like room for improvement. Let's talk about the competition that doesn't even come up to the Ridgeline's standards on their 27,000 dollar RT.
Did anyone notice change when putting on roof rack (before / after)? I'm wondering if removal of rack will cure problems and deal with aftermarket racks later.
thanks, ihatenoise.
This made me wonder what it would be like if i were really hauling something heavy like dirt, gravel, rock, sand, lumber, etc.
I didn't notice any bad wind noise or have any visibility problems.
I think this truck is priced too high - should come with a V8 at this price.
I'm looking at the avalanche now - more power and with all the rebates they always have, you can get one for the same price as the ridgeline and have the V8.
Granted, you can choose to remove the spare when hauling but how many people are going to remember or want to do that everytime?
The more I think about who the ridgeline was built for ... I think it's more of a womens avalanche. What do women really like more than anything ... more storage space ... hence the trunk in the bed. More places to put stuff when shopping.
Actually, I feel the transmission on the RL is perfectly mated to the 255 bhp engine making it very responsive to the driver. Tap the accelerator, and the transmission down shifts smoothly giving the driver good torque for passing. It probably depends on what your driving now as to whether it feels under powered. I'm quite pleased with it.
I think this truck is priced too high - should come with a V8 at this price.
I'm looking at the avalanche now - more power and with all the rebates they always have, you can get one for the same price as the ridgeline and have the V8.
A similarly equipped Avalanche comes in at 2,000+ more than the Ridgeline RT-L with Navigation's MSRP, and that's with rebates and incentives. If you need the extra towing capacity of the Avalanche, get it. The RL is a more agile, sporty vehicle, while the Avalanche seems much more lumbering and cumbersome.
One of the bothersome things about the Avalanche is that they have to give really deep discounts to move these trucks reflecting the fact that people really aren't interested in this vehicle.
How many times have people heard this criticism. It's old and tired. Has anyone out there ever not bought a vehicle because of the spare tire placement. My god, just be a man and unload the bed and change your tire. What do you want? Angels descending from heaven to do it for you. Flat tires are rare and a [non-permissible content removed], always have been, always will be. This has always been the most desperate and rediculous RL criticism.
The more I think about who the ridgeline was built for ... I think it's more of a womens avalanche. What do women really like more than anything ... more storage space ... hence the trunk in the bed. More places to put stuff when shopping.
This comment is how we know we have real true RL basher. Implying any man that would want this truck is something less than a man LOL.Where does this even come from dude? Only women want a large secure discrete storage locker for their gear????? Real men don't shop???? What planet/time era are you from?
--------------
I'm just 33 years old, and driving motorcycles since age 10.Thats about 23 years of no flat tire years.Wonder if it would happen now that I've got my Ridge.Ahhh well, I'll let AAA take care of that.Wonder if theirs anyone here who knows an algorithm or math formula to arrive at the nil percentage of how many flats one can get in a lifetime.This tire availability bashing in the event of a flat is another lame attempt to find fault in a commonsense practical feature started by Honda.
I've got a Ridge, I love to shop, and I love the trunk space.Hmmmmm, I may not be a real man? Let me ask my hot hot wife if she agrees with this line of brilliant LOGIC :confuse: .Ridge as a girly trucks because of the trunkspace? What do you guys think of a person with this kind of thought pattern or presents this line of argument.BRILLIANT?. I think it's the exact opposite.
The V6 definitely has no passing power. I'm not sure what the previous poster was driving to think it has plenty but it sounds like it must have been a 4 cyl.
I don't feel I could pass anything on the highway without a long straight and level stretch of road.
I guess my dislike in the ridgeline reflects what my needs are which is to be able to haul a heavy load when needed and not be struggling.
It appears the ridgeline is more for the suburbanite who wants room for the occasional light haul from the local home depot or garden center. I'm not saying that the ridgeline can't carry 1/2 ton load but I wouldn't want to have to take the load very long in that truck with its wimpy V6.
As for the poster who warns to look out for all the recalls on the avalanche - what recalls?
Auto Recall Date: FEB 08, 2005
Vehicle Component: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Estimated Vehicles Affected: 155465
2005 Chevrolet Avalanche Defect Summary:
CERTAIN TRUCKS, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, AND VANS EQUIPPED WITH BOSCH HYDRO-BOOST BRAKE ASSEMBLIES, THE HYDRAULIC BRAKE BOOSTER PRESSURE ACCUMULATOR MAY CRACK AND SEPARATE FROM THE HYDRO-BOOST ASSEMBLY DURING NORMAL OPERATING CONDITIONS.
Defect Consequence:
IF A SEPARATION OCCURRED AND THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE WERE OPEN, FRAGMENTS FROM THE ACCUMULATOR COULD CAUSE INJURY TO PEOPLE IN THE IMMEDIATE AREA. THE PRESENCE OF THIS CRACK OR FRACTURED SURFACE COULD ALLOW THE HYDRAULIC FLUID TO LEAK FROM THE ACCUMULATOR CIRCUIT OF THE BOOSTER ASSEMBLY. THE LOSS OF FLUID WOULD CAUSE INCREASED STEERING AND BRAKING EFFORT AND A CRASH MAY OCCUR WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
That is what happened when I test drove the ridgeline.
Everybody here seems to take my impressions as some kind of personal attack. I guess this forum is filled with ridgeline owners and aren't open to critizism.
The spare tire in the trunk is, in my opinion, is a bad design - even if you have never had a flat, it's there if and when you need it. If it's sitting in a trunk under a load, you might as well have no spare tire at all - unless your load is a planter or something else that will easily unload. Would you drive your car/truck without carrying a spare? This is a legitimate concern.
When it comes to innovation, I believe the avalance has more of that with the midgate. Now that is something practicle. Back seats fold down, midgate and window fold in to give you a full length bed and I don't have to spend another $1300 for a tonneau cover that isn't water-proof. With the midgate down, you can fit a 4x8 sheet of plywood in the bed with the gate closed and fully protected!
American car mfg.'s have long used rebates/incentives to move their cars/trucks. It doesn't mean that they are not good autos. With the current rebates/incentives on the avalanche, I can get an avalanche (V8) with the Z71 off-road package for the same price as the RTL.
Has there been a history of recalls with the avalanche?
I do have one concern that I'm curious about. :confuse: I drive about 10 miles of fairly straight downhill road that most cars coast at 60mph. The Ridgeline downshifts to 3rd gear, and won't go over 45 unless I step on the gas -- which seems kind of stupid when going downhill. Anyone else experienced that?
John
That's Honda's grade logic system. If you hit your brakes going downhill, the vehicle will eventually downshift and hold it in gear to reduce wear on your brakes.
Government Crash Test Rating
2005-05-09 12:02 (New York)
TORRANCE, Calif., May 9 /PRNewswire/ -- The 2006 Honda Ridgeline has
earned a 5-Star safety rating for both frontal and side impact crash test
performance from the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration
(NHTSA), American Honda Motor Co., announced today. The Ridgeline, Honda's
first truck, is the first ever 4-door pickup to earn the government's highest
crash test safety rating.
Completely new for the 2006 model year, the Ridgeline's integrated full-
frame body structure is designed to help protect its occupants while reducing
the effect of crash energy on opposing vehicles for improved compatibility
with smaller vehicles. The Ridgeline, like most Honda vehicles sold today, is
also equipped with an array of pedestrian safety features such as breakaway
windshield wiper pivots; and energy-absorbing hood structure and hinges.
In keeping with Honda's industry-leading "Safety for Everyone" initiative,
all Ridgeline model come equipped with a comprehensive list of advanced safety
features including dual-stage, dual-threshold front airbags; Vehicle Stability
Assist (VSA) with Traction Control; side curtain airbags with rollover sensor;
driver's and front passenger's side airbags (passenger side airbag with
Occupant Position Detection System (OPDS) to prevent airbag deployment when a child or small stature adult is in the deployment path); anti-lock brakes; and
electronic brake assist.
You do?! That's great. I thought you had just leased an '05 Frontier recently, so I was surprised to learn that you bought a Ridgeline so soon. Can you give us a rundown of how the transaction went and the fate of the Nissan? How do the vehicles compare in your experience?
-Wes-
5. Colorado
4. Dakota
3. Tacoma
2. Frontier
1. Ridgeline
I mean, the only way to access the trunk in any other truck is to take a torch to the easily dented, thin sheetmetal floor and carve a hole in it. Then weld together a box frame and sink it into the floor. By the way, you'll need to remove your rear differential and find a new place for that. Grab a handful of bolts and install your trunk under the truck. Cover that frame with the bits and pieces of sheetmetal you cut from the bed. You won't have enough, so go to the store and buy more materials.
To convert it back into a pick-up bed...
Yeah, much easier than working with the Ridgeline. :confuse:
Yes, this does seem inconvenient.
Mabey other owners could post about the power in the RL for passing, and acceleration. I find it to be more than adequate. The RL is approx a second slower than the 05 Taco V6. The 05 Taco is considered to be one fast truck, and the RL is a tad slower than the 05 Taco. Tap on the accelerator and the RL will down shift, scooping out that torque required for good passing power. Anyone have a different experience than what I'm describing? Here's a recent review from Motorway excerpt that might address your towing and hauling concerns.
http://www.presstelegram.com/Stories/0,1413,204~32658~2859161,00.html
"SAN DIEGO, Calif. --- We steered the pickup through the cones in the Qualcomm Stadium parking lot. The truck was loaded with 1,100 pounds of material representing rocks and bricks that a weekend do-it-yourselfer might pick up at Home Depot.
There was no drama at speeds that would be foolish and perhaps illegal on public roads.
As we accomplished simulated emergency lane shifts, the rear end followed the front in a predictable manner. We performed a panic stop in a squall of tires cementing valuable rubber to the parking lot asphalt.
Once again there was no drama to the exercise; even with the near-maximum payload on board.
Then we hauled a 5,000-pound trailer with little effort through another cone-marked course, designed to emulate highway speeds and lane change maneuvers. In fact, it was hard to detect we were pulling anything without an occasional look in the rearview mirror.
These chores were not performed in a Ford F-150 or a Chevy Silverado. These feats were accomplished in a Honda. That would be a Honda truck to be more specific.
The drivetrain too adds to the allure of the Ridgeline.
Honda has used the 3.5-liter V-6 from the Pilot/MDX, but tuned it to 255 horsepower and 257 pound-feet of torque directed through a 5-speed automatic transmission.
This gives the Ridgeline good, if not sterling, performance. Considering the truck’s 4,500-pound curb weight, it moves out quite adequately. Our seat-of-the-pants estimate is about 8.5 seconds from 0 to 60. "
A donut on what Honda is marketing as a full-size truck is just being cheap.
kcram - Pickups Host