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Comments
Anyone besides Bob have any info?
For most buyers of 4-door trucks, it's a much better combination of ride, comfort, handling, hauling, storage, traction, towing, and safety than anything else on the market.
Bob
Me too; but I am that confident in my statement/projection. Besides, my kids are 21 and 26, so if I loose this bet (which I won't!), they can overrule me.
Bob
I don't have kids yet, but I'm gonna bet them too, once I got them. Odds of loosing on a Honda =0. (I own an 03 Pilot and loving it).
I think this comment nails it. The Ridgeline has some possible appeal for guys like me and Bob, me because it's new, Bob because it's a Honda. But as for its ultimate legacy, I think it will prove why vehicles like the El Camino and Ranchero were at once, ahead of their times, and why they are no more.
The vehicle did not appeal to my 15 year old daughter at all.
I disagree. The Ridgeline is nothing like those vehicles. It offers much more utility and flexibility than those two ever did. "Newness" has nothing to do with it; there are "new" cars all over the place, and they don't get me excited. "Greatness" has everything to do with it; I've always been a supporter of carmakers and/or models that raises the bar of excellence—and that's exactly what this vehicle does, and that's why I support it.
Bob
With all due respect, I don't think your daughter is part of the intended target audience.
Bob
Thanks.
abfisch
My concern is that demand will make this vehicle "untouchable" with high dealer mark-ups. I won't buy a Ridgeline at MSRP or greater.
John
John
http://www.hondanews.com/CatID2135?mid=2005011039339&mime=asc
I would say it's almost as wide as a fullsize truck inside. As to legroom, I think it probably matches the new Tacoma, Frontier and Dakota, and may (?) be even larger. I'm 5'9" and it fit me fine, both front and rear. I would have no desire for any additional interior room.
Edit:
This link is even better:
http://autodeadline.com/detail?source=Honda&mid=HON2005020137- 148&mime=ASC
Bob
It's Honda's entry into the field of SUG, (sport utility gimmicks). We pay attention because it's a Honda.
The Ridgeline is breaking ground in at least one important way: it offers current Honda owners who want/need a light duty pickup a Honda option rather than moving over to a Sportrac, Tacoma, Colorado, or Frontier. IMHO, Honda isn't trying to win over those buyers - just keep it's own.
The bed trunk is a great idea IMHO and the independent suspension will help it achieve it's Hondaness.
Explorerx4 - The CR-V is doing fine. Just did a ski trip into Granite's territory last week. Hasn't been clean in months, though.
On the issue of bed "height", I would agree that it probably is higher. But I'm not clear on why that's a problem. Different? Sure. Better? Possibly. I don't see a case for "worse", though.
I get your analogy of the Cobalt vs Vette, but I don't think it applies to this situation.
If we were talking about a namby-pamby Honda that traded comfort for utility, I would agree. Trading utility for comfort/handling would be a poor trade. But it would appear we are not. We're talking about a Honda that matches utility standards and surpasses the competition in other areas. Again, how is that a problem?
Once_for_all - The 19 clutch plates have not been a problem with any other vehicle equipped with VTM-4. This is not added complexity. It's more like having extra backbone.
You don't think that IRS, that huge bed trunk and 2-way tailgate—all in one vehicle—breaks new ground for pickups? I do. Oh don't forget that it's a wide-body midsize too.
Combine all those features together in one midsize pickup is definitely groundbreaking, at least by my definition of that term.
Bob
1. It offers all the utility of typical compact or midsized pickups. If you need more than 1,500 lb total payload or 5,000 lbs towing, you need a full sized truck.
2. It is not just another body on frame. It is a combination unibody with a ladder frame. This rigidity promises superior handling and noise isolation.
3. After researching the details, I feel comfortable that the Ridgeline will offer ample real world off road capability, combined with the promise of superior ride and handling as compared to typical pickups. If you need to play on rocks, this is not your truck, but if your work or recreation takes you off the payment, the clever features of this truck should keep you going.
4. The Ridgeline offers more cabin room, and what will likely be a more comfortable interior than it's compact / midsized competition.
5. The Ridgeline offers all of the state of the art safety features standard, some of which are not even available on other trucks as options. No messing around with option packages and paying thousands of dollars for some combination of features (yes, I am talking to you Toyota) to get safety features that should be standard on all cars, much less trucks with high centers of gravity.
6. The clever features Honda seems to always incorporate. I do not see an easily accessible spare, two way tailgate, under bed lockable storage, over 4' width between the wheel wells, flip up rear seats creating a flat interior loading floor (I could go on and on..) as being unnecessary complications. I think they are smart features that make you question why all truck makers don't do these things.
Two more items on my soap box:
A. If you haul loads for a living, this is not the truck for you. But the vast majority of us primarily use trucks for personal use, while occasionally using the "truck" features. It is smart to design a truck for day to day living, as long as you keep the truck capability, as Honda has done.
B. At the same time, those of you complaining about the Ridgeline marketing are missing the boat. There are probably a lot of guys out there who like and are interested in a Ridgeline, but wonder if they will feel like weenies when they are out driving around in one. That is why the marketing emphasizes the toughness of the Ridgeline. Not to attract the lumberjacks and the guys carrying around loads of gravel for a living. They just want there target audience (average guys who occasionally need a truck) to not feel like dweebs.
At first glance, I thought that some features were just gimmicks. Until I took a closer look and really thought about how they would be used. For example, the in-bed trunk relieves the need for one of those diamond plate job boxes I see taking up space in so many truck beds.
And I agree with some of what Explorerx4 was writing about cheap and simple work-arounds to allow a normal pick-up to match the capacities of the Ridgeline. It's not like the standard pick-up will become an instant dinosaur. But when given a choice between a work-around, and a vehicle that requires no such creativity, people will opt for the vehicle with the bonus features.
There were plenty of work-arounds for the Odyssey's magic seat. But somehow that seat made it into every minivan on the road and was quickly deemed a "must have" by the public.
I'm not as enthused about the Ridgeline as... say... Bob appears to be. But I think it will leave a mark on the competition (despite the odd styling). You can bet drawing boards are already being chalked to death. Incentives for existing products are being calculated. Calvin will soon find himself peeing on Honda emblems. Pick-up trucks are not going to transform overnight. But they will evolve.
This is different than clutch plates in auto trannys, which transition the power from one gear to another. It sounds like the Ridgeline rear diffy plates continually slip (except in the max 70% mode). My concern is longevity, esp. with towing.
Help me understand how this is a good idea. With Subarus, there is a center differential that accomplishes this task, not clutch plates on the rear end half shafts.
John
What makes you think that?
"My concern is longevity, esp. with towing."
That's why there are 19 of them. The added plates dissipate heat, and distribute the load over several components, rather than one device. And given that the system is designed to react immediately to slippage, the difference in speeds (front pack vs rear pack) are relatively minor. It's not like an automatic transmission that must deal with RPM shifts of thousands at a time.
But more to the point. I have never heard of any problems with VTM-4 clutch packs. And I am pretty well-versed in Honda SUVs.
ROTFL
That's true. Have you noticed the lift-over height of a Ford Super Duty? Just be thankful you're not dealing with that!
Bob
I think that's an excellent analogy. Prior the the "Magic Seat" found on the Odyssey, the Mopar minivans were the standard to shoot for in this class of vehicle. The moment Honda introduced that fold-away 3rd-row seat, that moved Honda to the head of the class, and it's been there ever since. I predict this 2-way tailgate, combined with the large bed truck will do the same in the midsize crew cab market segment.
Remember these midsize (and fullsize 1/2-ton) crew cabs are mainly used as family vehicles—and not one of the Ridgeline competitors has a secure, lockable trunk—that's standard! That folks (and its easy access), will go a long way to convincing the spouse, that yes indeed, this Ridgeline could indeed replace the family car.
Bob
Bob
Nighthawk Black / Beige
Steel Blue / Gray
White / Olive
White / Beige
Billet Silver / Gray
Amazon Green / Olive (RTS and RTL only)
From Hondanews.com
Yeah, I agree with that. I'm just not sure how big a deal it will be. If we're talking an extra 5 inches vs the competition, I'd be concerned. If it's a difference of 2", I think we're wasting our breath.
And you have to compare the height of the bed against you're own body...above your waist and it tends to add difficulty to loading heavy items.
If you are doing the loading yourself, swing open the tailgate and the issue is moot.
And besides, have you noticed how high the beds are on typical 4wd trucks (even compacts and midsize one's? The beds have to clear the frame rails which have to clear the solid rear axle.
So we do not even know for sure that the bed is higher than competing trucks.
To use the c word again, Honda has a very clever solution. The underbed storage makes use that is wasted on a typical truck design. It does not necessarily mean the bed is any higher. Also, the fact that the space between the wheel wells is greater is partially due to clever packaging and also partially due to the fact that the Ridgeline is wider than the other compact / midsized trucks.
John
What makes you think that?
"My concern is longevity, esp. with towing."
Stands to reason, this vehicle will have more widely applied towing applications than Pilot and MDX. Towing = more potential slip on front axle = more torque to rears.
John
The Element holds no great appeal for her either and it is aimed pretty close to directly at her.
Bob
Bob,
The Honda Element is not offered in white.
I'm holding off on my Tacoma purchase till I see the Ridgeline. Feature wise, I think it's got the taco beat with the leather interior, moon roof, navigation, inbed trunk, 2 way opening tail gate, locking rear diff standard on all ridgelines! and ability to lay 4x8 building material flat in the bed.
Yeah, I'm gonna wait to see it in person, to see if it speaks to me.
The Element holds no great appeal for her either and it is aimed pretty close to directly at her. It was aimed at twenty somethings with no money whose parents would indulge them.
Your Avalanche wasn't targeted at her either.
The other option is to install a job box. After which, you won't be able to fit your ATV, snow blower, or motorcycle.
How clever is that?
You're reachin', pal.
To quote Terry "buy and drive what you like".