Honda Ridgeline SUT

varmint

I agree. You have to be very careful reading press materials. It's easy to make bad assumptions about how a vehicle performs since they always take the best case scenario. That said... here's a few more considerations.

"Sure the Ford used the 5.4 with optional rear end gear. But would the standard gear have provided better acceleration times? I'm guessing the optional (and higher ratio) gear allowed for much higher tow ratings, but might also hurt accelration speed."

True. But that's kinda the point isn't it? I mean, if turning your rig into a tow monster means poor acceleration, that's a compromise you must be willing to accept. I've made this point recently in another thread, but here's another example. The Nissan Frontier comes very close to matching the Ridgeline's top dog payload capacity of 1,550 lbs. But only if you buy the 2WD. The 4WD model rated considerably lower. And while the Nissan with the Nismo package will stomp the Ridgeline on any off-road course, that package costs you something like a full 3rd (!) of its payload capacity.

What makes the Ridgeline so compelling is the fact that it is capable over a wide range of tasks without those compromises. It is a balanced vehicle.

"towing...add 4 people and gear to the Honda, F150 and Silverado. What is the tow rating now?"

I have not checked Ford's data recently. The last time I checked on the domestics, most fo their tow ratings were based on a vehicle with only the driver (and probably an empty gas tank). Honda's published tow capacity includes two people and some gear.

As for scratches, I agree. That's a bad description. I think what they should be talking about is "gouges". But we're getting into fairly petty territory now.

mikster

The 16 mpg for the city is pretty accurate. I only get between 18-19 on the highway but I love this truck so much that I really don't care.

gd113

16-17 around town. 21-22 on two 600 mile trips. 6k miles on the truck so far.

kantook

I leave my headlights on all the time for safety, since they turn-off automatically there is not an issue

toyfest

Just bought a new black RTL Ridgeline last week. Wow, what a nice truck. Looked at all the others and knew this was perfect for my needs. Not to big, not to small, lots of room in rear seating area, just the right truck. Anyway, we live in the "rust belt" and try to keep our vehicles for eight to ten years, or until they rust out, which ever comes first! I'm trying to decide if I should get the Ridgeline "rust proofed". I have friends who have had vehicles rust proofed in the past, only to have them rust out just like any other vehicle. One friend even theorizes that the rust proofing material will actually crack and split over time, thus trapping moisture and facilitating the rusting process (he has a rusty car to prove it)! Do vehicles today (in particular my Ridgeline) need or benefit from rust proofing, or is this just an outdated procedure with no benefit? Honda Dealer wants $299.00 and claims "their guy" has been doing it for 15 years.

gearhead1

I can't imagine there would be any additional protection. Honda has already done this at the factory I think. I've always been told automakers rust proof at the factory, and buying extra protection is just a way for dealers to make alot of money on something that cost them very little.....................I know its hard to believe a dealer would do something like that.

whaleya

So they spray a few cans of rubberized paint on the underside... maybe even drill some access holes into what WAS a sealed area and spray it in there.

Quick $300 dollars for them.

False piece of mind for you.

boiko

It seems logical (less drag) that if you have a bed cover (ie. Retrax or some other product) on your RL - MPG should improve. Has anyone seen this happen, and if so...how much better has your fuel mileage been since installing your bed cover?

From the Retrax site:

Will It Improve My Gas Mileage?
The rigid design of the RETRAX ™ improves the aerodynamics of your pickup. Input from our customers and our own experience indicates that your gas mileage should improve by approximately 10% on the highway with the cover closed.

gearhead1

Will It Improve My Gas Mileage?
The rigid design of the RETRAX ™ improves the aerodynamics of your pickup. Input from our customers and our own experience indicates that your gas mileage should improve by approximately 10% on the highway with the cover closed.

Retrax makes a good cover, but I don't believe this statement. Honda engineers say it won't make a difference. I think they've done more wind tunnel testing than Retrax.

cr v

I have the Retrax Rolltop Cover installed on my Ridge, a good quality product and very happy with it. However I don't see no gain in gas mileage (closed on highway travel) for sure not 10% and if any it would be very slight.

55535432

Hi, got a couple of questions re Retrax?

1.How much and where did you buy it?
2.Did you install it yourself?
3.What colors are available?

whaleya

The myth of the tailgate stopping air continues.....

I doubt that a bed cover will change your mpg.

Sometimes what we logically think happens with airflow isn't what really occurs.
For example for least resistance the front of a car should be round like a giant tennis ball and the back should taper to a point. But most people think a sharp front will "slice" though the air.

boomchek

The Ridgeline's bed walls are on a slope for a reason, and one of them is to improve pick up bed aerodynamics. Honda engineers say that driving with the tailgate down will not improve gas mileage, nor will a bed cover. On a conventional pickup with level walls it might.

copeysnack1

I just bought a brand new RL that came from the dealership with Toyo 255/45R20s on 20" TSW chrome wheels. Looks great and functions just fine. No rubbing at all. It's a roughly $3000 look though.

bill55

Maybe vehicles should be shaped like a golfball.

teter

thanks,did they recalabrate speedo? what was the name of the dealer? and what state? thanks

cr v

I bought it direct from the factory, at the time they had a $100. discount on for forum memers. Yes I did install it myself with the help of a friend, it's best with two as the final lift into the bed is much simpler--it's not the weight but awkward. Am quite sure it comes in only one color BLACK. Here is thier phone # and web site.PS: if you phone ask for Randy in sales, I found them great poeple do deal with.Also if you decide to order they will ask you if you you want a tail gate seal kit, the ones they had at the time of my order were for the conventional pickup truck and also the install instructions did not suit the Ridge.
1-800-206-4070
www.rolltopcover.com

copeysnack1

They must have recalibrated the speedo because my speed is dead on. The dealership was Klein Honda in Everett, Washington. After looking closer at the tires, I think there is even room to go bigger if wanted.

teter

thanks so much!

musky

I purchased a Ridgeline about a month ago and I am quite happy with the truck . I have read in a magazine ( Automotive News) that sales are slow and there is talk of a rebate or dealer cash or possibly lowering the price of the truck . One of the people quoted in the article is Honda's pres. who speaks about the price of the R-line as compared to the competition. He does little to defend his product's pricing , he just talks of how much more the honda costs as compared to the others .Do any other Ridgeline owners feel as do I that we should somehow be compensated if in fact Honda does something drastic regarding pricing . I realize that I am the person who made the choice of purchasing the truck but I am feeling as though I might be a residual loss victim . Anyone else out there have any comment ?

:mad:

once_for_all

I would be adamately opposed to any kind of residual loss program.

This is the USA. Should I be compensated next month because I just bought a tank of gas at $2.89 per gallon? Not being judgemental, but where do you think this would lead us?

John

markjenn

I agree. Notwithstanding something in the signed contract which provides for it, the idea of a "residual loss program" is patently ridiculous. Buyers have to take responsibility for a purchase being a reasonable value for them when they make the purchase and mfgs have to be free to lower prices or offer rebates in the future to move product.

Looking at it another way, do you think the mfg should be able to come to a buyer and demand additional money later when they raise the price?

Finally, if one is worried about residual value, every mfg provides a leasing program that specifically guarantees a fixed residual value at the end of the lease. It completely removes the risk of a car depreciating faster than one anticipates. So if this is a worry, then lease.

In any event, I sincerely doubt the Ridgeline is selling so poorly that Honda is going to do anything drastic with pricing. In fact, I suspect list prices will hold firm, although discounts are likely to rise like they have witih the Pilots. This is not a Honda thing - with gas prices high, all the mfgs are having trouble moving trucks right now.

- Mark

jerrywimer

This is exactly what has happened to many people buying early builds of new vehicles in the first model year of GM products (to use my own vehicles as an example). The vehicle is practically never discounted hard up front, but if you want it badly enough (or feel it's worth it, and plan to keep it long enough), you pay the price. Later on others are getting $2k+ off of what you paid so the resale on yours drops accordingly. Still can't expect GM to send me that $2k+ as a check in the mail because their rebates and incentives that came out after my purchase lowered my value..

musky

You all need to do a little research with regards to how sales are going regarding the R-line . The magazine I refer to is an industry publication not Car&Driver or any other publication that generates revenue by selling add space to the manufacturers .
Where I live the R-line is selling at just a few hundred dollars over dealer cost . That price was given to me not negotiated by me . You glanced over my comments regarding the PRESIDENT of Honda , go to google and read them . He states that he thinks the truck we purchased from Honda is over-priced , a price he thinks they must lower . I am an adult and I do accept responsibility for my actions but I also do not want to have paid hard earned money for something thats value is in question . If Honda does lower the price I would like to hear the conversation between you and your salesperson when they give you your trade value . I am sure you will say thank you that seems fair and reasonable when the explanation for the trade-in value is that Honda had lowered the MSRP!!

once_for_all

I have never used my home or auto insurance, and have sunk $30k over the last 15 years.

Geez, what a rip-off! I want my money back.

John

varmint

The comments about the price being too high are couched in the context of the market. It's too high "for the market". The reason for that is because other trucks are built using technology from the 1930's and can be heavily discounted. Built it cheap, sell it cheap.

When he made that remark, Honda's exec was not saying the Ridgeline priced too high for what you get. A gold-plated, diamond encrusted, top of the line toilet brush holder might well be worth $1 million. But who the heck wants to pay that much for a toilet brush holder? In this case, the Ridgeline is worth every penny, but not many people are willing to spend so many pennies.

jerrywimer

Any purchase, especially of a vehicle, is taking a risk that someone else will get a better deal at a later time on new product than you did. When someone can go buy new for roughly the same as you think you should be able to get for your product resale which do you think they'll choose? So you end up lowering your resale price (residual goes down). The manufacturer of whatever product is in no way responsible to you for the difference. After all, you agreed that it was worth whatever you paid when you bought it (or else maybe you shouldn't have bought it?).

musky- whether he owns this vehicle or not doesn't preclude him from commenting on it. As enthusiasts some of us follow various forums on vehicles of particular interest to us (that can be taken as a compliment to Honda and the Ridgeline). I myself don't own one, and probably won't. But I'm still interested in what others have to say. (If I were in Jay Leno's shoes I would own one, but then I'd also own probably a hundred other vehicles too. :P ). He still makes a good point, even if he's adding an extra touch of sarcasm because the person in question seems to have a bit of a hard time accepting the fact that the value of a vehicle will be judged based on the market it's selling in and it's competition (and as the market judges its true value, early buyers may find their value degrading). Speaking as someone who owns two GM vehicles that have both recently been hit fairly hard by the same situations (and someone who would likewise say that the new ones are going for much less than what I felt / feel they are worth).

varmint- see my comments above about the market (I partly agree with you). The "value" is based on the market and the competition in the same general category of this vehicle. If it doesn't offer gold plated fender flares and such, the things it does offer still have to make it worth $x,xxx more than its competition. If the competition is offering much better bang for the buck, expect that it will be judged as overpriced. Oh, and the technology goes back much further than the 1930's- when exactly was the wheel invented? (Being a smart [non-permissible content removed] on that last part. But my point is that newer doesn't mean better all the time, usually just "different". ).

once_for_all

yikes! I specifically said I wasn't being judgmental of you... but now you are calling me an [non-permissible content removed]? What is up with that, friend?

We can have peaceful dialogs here, can't we?

BTW, I do lots of homework before buying a car. The Ridgeline is right up there on my "next" list. Please don't be critical of what I own now nor my intentions.

John

linkert

hey, 17.6 mpg...that isn't close to their claimed 28mpg. What's up with that? I was told they have software in them to run rich till 6000km for breakin.. then it's suppose to get better. I'm a licensed tech and not sure I go for that line. what's everyone else getting?

4wdave

Grow up!

4wdave

I've now got 8000+ miles on my Ridge and the average MPG has crept slowly up to 20 (from 18.5) -- hope it keeps increasing!

trashington

28 mpg? That's not what the ridgeline's rating is, it's rated at 16/21 which is about what your 17.6 shows. I have been getting about 16 and only have 1300 miles on my truck, but I very rarely hit highway speeds on my normal commute.

once_for_all

the Honda Ody with a similar engine, FWD, and VCM gets 28 mpg highway.

But I think the mpg and $3 per gallon issues will hurt sales, at least in the short term.

John

njdevil5

Wish the Ridge had VCM, but I understand the arguments on why it doesn't. I agree that $3 may hurt sales, but IMO it's a very temporary thing. We all puckered at $2, but most continued about their merry ways. We'll eventually get accustomed to the current prices too.

once_for_all

but not without modifying our patterns, one of which includes vehicle choice. I would be able to pencil out a Ridgeline at 24 mpg highway. As it is I keep going back to the Baja which I know will give me 28.

I need something in between as the Baja is too limiting and the Ridgeline is too excessive. AWD is a requirement, as well as IRS and a car like ride.

Hauling and towing capacity is not important. 4 seat is important.

I guess I still am waffling. The Ridgeline would get 24 mpg with a turbo-diesel, but I don't see that coming either.

John

wooddorker

Why do you start a new thread every time you post?

I'm just wondering. When you do that it makes theads very hard to follow for those of us who don't read Edmunds every day.

Thanks.

once_for_all

sorry it bugs you.

John

cr v

Just got to say that I exceeded thier claimed MPG and also have been far below . It's very dependent upon the amount of lead in our accelerator foot or cruise control settings. My best mileage has been with RPM's under 2000. So many factors to consider. Check it out at. http://www.fueleconomy.gov/

neededatruck

The bottom line is the vehicle is worth as much as your willing to pay for it. As far as trade in value goes, If the value isn't high enough, don't trade.

I bought my Ridgeline ins March negotiated a deal I was happy with and I love my truck. I don't haul bales of hay or tow big boats just an occasional bag of mulch, tree or more likely one of my dogs. Gas mileage could be higher and probably would be if I left my radar detector at home.

Values are a personal issue, value to one person is different than the value to another. I personally would like to have the gold plated diamond encrusted toilet brush. Where can I find one?

Seriously now. Has anyone found a good source for after market parts? I'm looking for a bed mat to keep the dogs from sliding around the bed and a clear bug guard.

bishop0802

I've heard the trip computer in the Ridgeline doesn't have a fuel economy readout. Does anyone know why or if this is true?
Jay

nick28

Test drove a ridgeline the other day. Was not impressed at all. Have to say the domestics actually made a bigger impression on me than the ridgeline, tundra and titan. Leaning toward an Avalance or F-150. To each his own I guess.

gearhead1

To each his own I guess.

I driven 05 Ford 150, 250s, and Chevy Silvys. I was not impressed in the slightest. The ridgeline was vastly superior in ride performance and fit and finish. If you put a gun to my head and made me choose a domestic, it would be the Chevy Silverado. It would also have to be a pretty big gun.

To each his own I guess. Enjoy the plummeting resale value.

nick28

Like I said, to each his own. I'll stick with the domestics, any problems I have (which I know will be very few despite what everyone thinks) will be because it was my choice. Never had any problems with any of the other domestics I have owned. enjoy your car.

gd113

Test drove a ridgeline the other day. Was not impressed at all.

Wow. Better keep this one. After many, many professional reviews and consumer postings I have seen this comment is a first. If the you like the F150 go get. They may be gone soon since Ford has been giving them away at cost.

hazcat

The dealer where I got my Ridgie is still cryin' the blues days later because they say they lost money on my deal, so they absolutely would not budge on the accessory prices. And then the labor!!! Some of this stuff is peel'n'stick! :mad: So, I only got the running boards.

So far, I got Vent Shades door visors that look nice for $49, saving $150. I also got a Lund pretty bug deflector for $45, saving $80 if it works. The hardware that came with it apparently is incorrect, so I await more from the distributor. No labor cost on these, either.

I had a Curt trailer hitch put on this week for $280, including labor, saving $480. This was the first Ridgeline they did, so it was a good thing that I took a Honda trailer wiring diagram with me to share.

Wet-Okole is making seat covers for Ridgie already, so I have swatches coming.

I am contemplating a bra to use during certain trips. LeBra makes one I can get for about $80 around here, $85 cheaper than the dealer, and the Lebra knit backing looks kinder than the dealer bra's flannel.

I want some mild black fender flares, but I haven't found anyone making them yet. Somebody must be. I've checked Wolf, Lund, Bushwacker, Warn, and Putco. Any suggestions?

I also want some moulding along the sides to protect the doors from dings. I may give in on the dealer's $549+labor ones because they look very nice and are color matched.

I want a back-up assistance of some sort. I have found other audible units for around $200. Depending on labor, I may go with Honda's. Still contemplating. I would have gotten the visual one from Honda, but it would have cost over $10,000 more because I got an irresistably sweet deal on my RTS :shades: and didn't want Navi.

Has anyone else been adding on goodies that aren't from the dealer? How do they look / function / fit / cost?

bazookaridge

Hi all!!
I am looking for an aftermarket bed cover that can either easily be taken off or that rolls out of the way. I was looking at the ReTraxx however i need to fit like 4-5 snowboards in the back and I don't know if the housing for the cover would get in the way. Any ideas?

hazcat

I think there were some covers mentioned in the Problems and Solutions area because some folks were complaining about the Honda tonneau cover.

bazookaridge

I will take a look in there! Thanks for the info. Any word though on anything new comming out?

bazookaridge

Didn't see anything in there other than an unanswered question

rsholland

more and more Ridgelines on the road recently. I'd say that I've seen one or two a week if not more, for the last month or so. I actually saw three yesterday!

Bob