I do realize that the MDX, Pilot, Ody all share a common platform...the Accord and the TL.... the TSX and Euro Accord, the CR-V, Element and new RDX, etc.... and Honda generally does a good job of keeping them updated, (with the exception of the NSX, old Integra, old RL)
Still, they are all on a 5 or 6 year "re-do" cycle now, it used to be 4 year.... There is a definite downside to having a lot of different models... You don't have an infinite amount of dollars to spend...when you spread it out over more models, you can't update them as often
It's purely a PR thing. Honda has the most fuel efficient car on the road. The fact that they produce it keeps them near and dear to the environmentalists.
Honda's next Civic Hybrid is expected to be both more powerful and more fuel efficient than the current HCH. With each hybrid they design, they add to their technological arsenal.
My suspicion is that they are keeping the Insight around with an eye on taking the best of each design and creating something really extreme. Imagine the PR if Honda's next Insight gets an EPA rating of more than 100 miles per gallon. Who cares if the car is completely impractical? The press it generates could be worth the car's weight in gold.
I think the Insight is kept around so as the milage on them goes up as the years go by, Honda can learn what goes wrong and how to prevent similar issues with more mainstream cars. BUT. I do know someone who put 130,000 trouble-free miles on an 01' only to have it bought back by Honda for evaluation... Neat little cars ,for what they are, I would consider one for my non-highway commute, if I could.
Oh THAT'S nice....so they're putting them out there as rolling testbeds that people are paying for the opportunity to test, and then honda buys it back? Sounds a bit like Microsoft: "Just let the public beta-test it!" hehehe
Seriously, it does make sense to continue the Insight, so long as it's breaking even or coming close. To do anything else with its production line would cost money, including re-tooling for a new, redesigned Insight. That's why the NSX kept going so long...that's why Chevy STILL keeps producing the ancient Blazer. If the means of production (tooling, etc) is already paid off, and just keeping it running makes you some money, and you don't have something to do with the space if you shut the line down....then why shut it down?
w\With the Insight also acting as a rolling testbed, in addition to that mileage rating for bragging rights, all in addition to what they bring in from selling the car, may as well, just keep the line rolling.
Actually, what I meant was that they might actually use the Insight for future Hybrid troubleshooting. Based on what I've heard and read, the Insight is quite reliable and good for a long haul. BUT, it was Honda's first Hybrid, and there are still a lot of lessons learned. Given that we didn't see or hear any exploding Insights (or Prius, or Civic HB) tells me that Honda (and Toyota) did their homework when it came to designing a durable vehicle.
Apparently the flying buttress thing is important for unibody pickups. But yeah, no excuse for the rest of the design. Maybe they thought anything else would come out too "cute" to be taken seriously.
Thank you for the valuable insight... Added SO much to the thread...
Regarding the Ridgeline, I test drove one a week after release and I must give Kudos to Honda for re-thinking the truck. This thing drove like a car, it was tight, and it didn't flex like a typical BOF pickup where there is no connection between the cab and the bed. It reminded me more of my MDX than a rickety old Chevy. Thus the reasons for the butresses, they add stiffness to the overall structure, and you could tell. :shades:
might actually use the Insight for future Hybrid troubleshooting
Sounds likely. And it being a low volume model means any negative impact would be small, controllable, and not too costly.
Element has a lot of nay-sayers, but it has been a resounding success. It cost little to design, given it used CR-V parts, sold above forecasts without incentives, and didn't cannibalize CR-V sales. A+ from a marketing stand point.
Instead of a "me too" copy of the domestic pickups, (body on frame, RWD, V8) like Toyota and Nissan do, it's an innovative solution.
"Real" truck buyers will always look down on it, but realistically, it suits the needs of most "light duty" truck owners - commuting to work, taking the kids to soccer practice, going to Home Depot, etc... It just doesn't look as macho in the Wal-Mart parking lot as a F-350 Super Duty!
Subaru Baja was also quite innovative and it bombed (to my diappointment - I like it, as I do most of Subaru lineup). It all depends on many factors unrelated to how good the product is, such as price, targeted buyer, etc. From what I see, Americans are not very open-minded about vehicle type: they like to have everything "well-defined", or categorized if you will: sedan, SUV, pickup, minivan, etc. There are not many succsessful high-volume vehicle that can be categorized as defying categories or having inspired styling. Americans actually DO NOT want "out of the box", or at least not too far from it.
From what I see, Ridgeline can go either way. It has some really smart ideas in it, but if the price tag is too high and/or if rural people even refuse to look at it (as they often do with Tundra or Titan) just because it is "too different" (no V8, "funny" styling, etc.), it will end up being one of those cute cult vehicles with specific but not so vast following. We shall see...
Toyota tried that with the Lexus IS300. They came pretty close to reproducing the BMW 3 series, but it sold terribly. Why buy the copy cat when you can get the original?
The Ridgeline represents the opposite thinking. Honda built something completely different than the standard truck.
It's true that Subaru also built a non-truck vehicle with a bed, but the Baja had absolutely none of the same virtues as a regular pick-up. It couldn't tow enough, it couldn't haul enough, it didn't have enough passenger space, and the styling lacked anything resembling machismo. I'm a fan of odd vehicles, but the Baja was a true flop.
Honda's approach allows for decent towing, good hauling, good passenger accommodations, and, while the styling is certainly odd, it conveys the right message. It just speaks that message in a funny accent. On top of that, Honda added several innovative features above and beyond what the market already offers.
I firmly believe that the Ridgeline will not be a huge sales success. Not on the same scale as Toyota and Nissan. However, it will influence the market, and it gives Honda a very strong foot in the door. Contractors and businesses will always need real trucks, but Honda has created the best personal use truck on the market. And nobody has anything ready to combat it.
I'm a Subaru guy, dyed-in-the-wool, and I will tell you - Baja was *not* innovative.
The ST-X concept promised us a supercharged engine with a full mid-gate, while the production car got neither. And those were the two most critical features.
They had no brochures ready for the launch. They had no hard bed cover available.
Then, and perhaps the biggest mistake, they made cosmetic frills like leather seats and a moonroof standard, pushing the price up to where mid-size Crew Cab rivals were. Buyers ran to Toyota dealers to buy Tacomas.
Rivals which could tow 2-4 times as much and could annihalate the Baja's miserly 800 lb payload along with a tiny bed and a cramped interior even for just 4. That's stuff pickup buyers care about.
No wonder it bombed. The turbo engine was too little, too late.
The only real innovation it offered was the 4 wheel indy suspension, and the Ridgeline matches that anyway.
Ridgeline is actually wider than current mid-size crew cab pickups, in fact it's the only one that can fit a 48" sheet of plywood between the wheel wells. That plus the built-in trunk, and excellent payload along with at least average towing.
The back seat is bigger than most rivals, also.
For Harry Homeowner, who probably never bought a pickup before and might be coming from a car or at most a car-based SUV, the Ridgeline is perfect.
Sure it's ugly but who cares? It has the goods - big V6, wide body, payload, cargo and passenger space galore, etc.
That summed it up perfectly Juice. And actually here in "Subaru haven" N.E. you will find 10 Outbacks to 1 Baja. I believe the Baja is done after 05 as well, so the Ridge stands alone with unibody IRS trucklets (until the next gen Sportrac comes along).
By the way juice, and I know you'll appreciate this, a neighbor of mine just got a new Tribeca. I've only seen it from a far but it looks like they replaced their first gen Outback for it. Very Nissan Murano-ish in style. Not bad.
It'll be interesting to see how well the next generation SportTrac does. Being based on the Explorer, it should be a better performer than the Ranger-based vehicle it is today. The IRS set up from the Explorer has potential, but it's still a body on frame vehicle. So, the IRS will have to deal with a more flexible chassis. I'm also expecting a slightly bigger vehicle this time around.
It's a little late for Ford to do much in terms of combating the unique features available in the Ridgeline. Honda has been showing the Ridgeline concept for a while, but nobody really knew what to make of it. I'm sure a great many were expecting a Pilot with a bed, much like the Baja is an Outback with a bed.
But who knows... Maybe Ford already had some tricks planned.
I must admit, even the dedicated Hondaphile I am, I was also expecting the Ridge to be nothing more than a Pilot with a bed. Seemed like the logical thing to do, and I was a bit disappointed to think Honda would take the minimal effort route to break into the highly competitive truck market. I was pleasantly surprised to find (and drive) that while retaining the characteristics of a Pilot, it had a few new tricks up its sleeve.
I don't know what to expect with the next gen Sportrac. From all I've read on it, it seems Ford put more emphasis on perfoming better than the last (no more horrible rollover scores, better safety, maybe the use of a much smoother V8 than the raunchy 4.0l V6 as seen in the concept). I agree that they probably are too far along to make changes to keep up with the Ridge.
To be honest, I don't think any of the truck makers were expecting too much from the Ridgeline. It's one of those things that snuck right under the radar only to land smack dab in the middle of the market with plenty of surprising accolades. Obviously the Ridge will not blow open the truck market, but it didn't land with an "Aztec thud" in the market and should put others like Ford on notice. :shades:
If truck buyers were truly honest about the way they really use their vehicles, the Ridgeline is perfect for what they want/need.....
Car-pooling to soccer practice, commuting to work, going to Home Depot, maybe taking an ATV to a campground.... That's what most people actually use a F-150 or Silverado for anyway....maybe only a small minority actually tow a big trailer or haul loads... (and those people probably buy a F-250 or 350)
It just doesn't look as cool or macho as that F-350 Super Duty turbo-diesel!
if people were REALLY honest, they would buy a $500 trailer to tow behind just about anything, or just rent a truck form home depot/lowes for a few hours.
2024 Ford F-150 STX, 2023 Ford Explorer ST, 91 Mustang GT vert
Because it would be pretty cumbersome hooking up a trailer every time I wanted to go to the depot to pick up a few bags of turfbuilder some yard tools, or even a lawnmower/ snowblower...
And not everyone has acres of driveway where they can store the thing either...
I would think it would be quite the pain in the neck trying to manuver a car/truck with a trailer through a HD...
The last person I knew who rented a truck from HD, got a Chevy Silverado that dropped a tranny 2 seconds after leaving the parking lot with a new lawnmower in the back. I don't know why HD switched from F150's to POJ Chevies...
HONESTLY, a Ridgeline is perfect for those men or women who may fall into the categories dave mentioned.
I guess Ford was pretty foolish for offering the sportrac "explorerx4"?
I've had both. Used to own an '86 F-150 4x4, but now have a 5x8 utility trailer with 30" sides and is rated at 3K GVW, which I tow behind an Explorer.
There are advantages and disadvantages to both. The pickup is easier to use and is certainly more convenient. The trailer can hold a lot more, but is a pain to maneuver and a pain to hook up and disconnect.
At least 50% of truck buyers either never or very rarely actually haul anything in the bed... they like driving a truck because you sit up high and look cool and macho... Ironically, these type of people won't like a Ridgeline because it isn't tough and macho looking enough!
and back in the day, my grandmom and granddad always had a car and a truck, so I'm of the belief of getting a car for what you need it for, and get a truck for what you need it for. Grandmom always drove the car to work, and they'd usually take the car on vacations. They'd always get a full-sized car, so towing a trailer was never a problem. Granddad spent most of his life working on a government farm, and he had his own garden and was always doing some kind of building, remodeling, mechanical work, or something, so he'd get the use out of his trucks.
In fact, back when they were first married, Granddad made what could probably be considered a prototype Baja, Silverado, or whatever! At the time he couldn't afford to buy a truck, so he bought an old 1939 or so Plymouth, cut the back half off of it, and built a bed!
Of course, having both a car and a truck isn't the best deal for everyone. For one thing, that's an extra vehicle to have to insure, maintain, make payments on, have a parking spot for, etc. And in my case, I had Granddad's old Silverado handed down to me (well, I did give Mom $1200 for it), so it's not like I spent a small fortune on it. I also get use out of it, as we've moved firewood countless times with it, picked up appliances, I used it to move, etc. And, in a snap it serves as a second vehicle if the primary one needs to go in the shop for maintenance or whatever. I also have the land to put it on, so it's not like it gets in the way.
The person who never actually uses their truck as a truck always wants the biggest, baddest, most macho thing they can get...they're driving around in some Ford F-350 because it's cool....
For example, last summer, Plaxico Burress (ex Steelers WR, now with the NY Giants) showed up at training camp driving a Ford F-650..... yes, a 650!
have you noticed how many people run out and buy a big truck with a big bed...and the first thing they do is buy a bed cover for it? Not a camper-shell type thing, but one of those covers that just sits flush with the top of the bed, turning it essentially into an oversized car trunk! So much for the added hauling capability of a truck bed. Although, you could still haul stuff that would lay flat, such as 4x8 plywood, a ladder, studs, joists, etc. Just nothing bulky, like a refrigerator or large plants!
One of my buddies, who currently drives a '98 Tracker, is going through a bit of a crisis. He wants a new SUV, and, naturally wants something bigger and badder than what he has (but then, when you're going from a Tracker, doesn't that pretty much define the entire SUV market? :P ) At least he doesn't want to go too extravagant...he just wants something like a Nissan Xterra, or maybe a Saturn VUE. I doubt he'll be showing up in an Excursion anytime soon!
I never could spell "tauno" (see?), but they do normally roll back when you need an open bed. Sometimes you need weather tight or secure storage, which is often the achilles heel of a Pick-up.
We actually think there will be a short run of 06 Bajas, but the fact that it's still on the 04 Outback body tells you they're no longer investing in it.
Tribeca? Must have been a dealer demo, you sure? They won't be for sale for about another month.
The current Sport Trac is a great seller (don't ask me why I have no idea!) so the new one should do even better. It'll be bigger and surely will take the sales crown again. The Adrenaline concept they showed at NY was actually very cool.
explorerx4: bingo. See the picture below, that's my "pickup". Trailer is actually borrowed from RSHolland, as mentioned above.
Personally, I'd pick a Pilot with a trailer like that over a Ridgeline.
Allow me to correct myself - looks like Tribeca might arrive sooner than expected, so quite possibly the one you saw is indeed for sale. It had been scheduled for May 29.
down 14.7% in May - the company blames a slow start for the Ridgeline and the age of the Civic as the new model heads to market in a few months...
Of course, Honda is also becoming more and more singular as the only company out there not offering wads of cash to buyers to come take their cars. Toyota is up 17% over a year ago on the incentive front (averaging more than $1000 per vehicle for the first year I can remember), and GM is averaging over $4000 per vehicle now.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
The industry average for incenetive spending is aound $3000 per unit and last month Honda spent $800 per unit. They also said Honda needed more products but they are all out of factory capacity to build anything else.
That's sad when you consider Hyundai has plans to have a RWD vehicle in 2-3 years.
Honda will have to choose between profit margin per car vs. sales volume. Seems like almost everyone else has gone with the latter.
CR just published a solid review of the Ridgeline and that can't hurt. It was the higest rated in its class, with the rating in the high end of the "Very Good" scale. Nissan's crew cab was close but the rest lagged far behind in their eyes.
I've only seen 2 on the roads, so that's not a good sign so far. I've seen about three thousand new Odysseys. But it came out sooner, didn't it?
The marketing ad campaign for the Ridgeline comes off a bit arrogant and conceited, if you ask me. "Best of all, its a Honda". Great truck, poor tagline...
On a good note, there are quite a few popping up around here, Over the weekend, I saw 4 of them in a 15 mile stretch of RT9, Blue, Black, Red and Green (The sharpest color for the truck IMO). And like Juice mentioned, you can't blink without catching a new Odyssey in your sights...
I suspect the sales will start off slow, much like that of the Nissan Titan, but will build steadily once some get out on the roads (again like the Titan). I also suspect that the best Ridgeline "salesman" could well be the parking lot of Home Depot stores across the nation. Once people actually see the Ridgeline in "real life" situations (like Home Depot), that will go a long way to showing—that yes, this is a pretty neat and useful vehicle.
I see them occasionally now on the road. They really haven't been out long. The "ody hit the ground last September, and they have moved well over 100K of them, so you should be seeing them all over, especially in the DC/Balt. area!
Honda must be unique being constrained by capacity. maybe they can buy a spare factory from GM or Mitsu or someone that has one laying around?
I think a RWD platform would be nice, at least for Acura, but expect that Honda will continue to do their own thing. I guess they have always (or at least for a long time) been a bit "arrogant", meaning they are sure they know what people need, and will give them what they should want (even if it isn't what the do want).
I can't ever imagine Honda dropping a bombshell like the 300C on the marketplace. The faithful would have a cow.
But, they do need to get some of their edge back, and stop being so conservative. That 5 door Civic (Si please) needs to come over here now. At least an EX version.
It sort of fits their whole strategy for the Ridgeline of aiming it mainly at current Honda owners. They aren't targeting the guy currently driving a Ford or Chevy pickup.
I think they've been using a similar line to sell the CPO cars for at least a year or two. Besides, when the other guys are claiming "Built Ford Tough" I can't really blame Honda for trying to use their brand influence.
"maybe they can buy a spare factory from GM or Mitsu or someone that has one laying around?"
Such a factory would have to make use of the local work force... which would likely be very pro UAW. Sadly, that is something Honda would want to avoid.
"I can't ever imagine Honda dropping a bombshell like the 300C on the marketplace. The faithful would have a cow."
The faithful are already the proud parents of a herd. The CR-V didn't cause much backlash, but the following Pilot and Element raised some eyebrows. I think the Ridgeline put many of them over the edge.
Well, incentives are a short term fix that honda has been, for the most part smart enough to stay clear of. They are a trap that once entered can be impossible to exit. In my opinion, they need to stay focused on quality and value.
Comments
I guess they want those bragging rights pretty badly. Prius probably would take over if Insight was discontinued.
Interesting link I found today:
http://www.greenhybrid.com/compare/mileage/
It's a chart of real-world mileage, the median for each hybrid model. The Insight creams the Prius, 62 to 48.
-juice
Still, they are all on a 5 or 6 year "re-do" cycle now, it used to be 4 year.... There is a definite downside to having a lot of different models... You don't have an infinite amount of dollars to spend...when you spread it out over more models, you can't update them as often
Honda's next Civic Hybrid is expected to be both more powerful and more fuel efficient than the current HCH. With each hybrid they design, they add to their technological arsenal.
My suspicion is that they are keeping the Insight around with an eye on taking the best of each design and creating something really extreme. Imagine the PR if Honda's next Insight gets an EPA rating of more than 100 miles per gallon. Who cares if the car is completely impractical? The press it generates could be worth the car's weight in gold.
Buy a Mazda!
zoom-zoom...
Seriously, it does make sense to continue the Insight, so long as it's breaking even or coming close. To do anything else with its production line would cost money, including re-tooling for a new, redesigned Insight. That's why the NSX kept going so long...that's why Chevy STILL keeps producing the ancient Blazer. If the means of production (tooling, etc) is already paid off, and just keeping it running makes you some money, and you don't have something to do with the space if you shut the line down....then why shut it down?
w\With the Insight also acting as a rolling testbed, in addition to that mileage rating for bragging rights, all in addition to what they bring in from selling the car, may as well, just keep the line rolling.
The NSX, ya it is overdue, big time.
Regarding the Ridgeline, I test drove one a week after release and I must give Kudos to Honda for re-thinking the truck. This thing drove like a car, it was tight, and it didn't flex like a typical BOF pickup where there is no connection between the cab and the bed. It reminded me more of my MDX than a rickety old Chevy. Thus the reasons for the butresses, they add stiffness to the overall structure, and you could tell. :shades:
Sounds likely. And it being a low volume model means any negative impact would be small, controllable, and not too costly.
Element has a lot of nay-sayers, but it has been a resounding success. It cost little to design, given it used CR-V parts, sold above forecasts without incentives, and didn't cannibalize CR-V sales. A+ from a marketing stand point.
Would you bet against the Ridgeline? I wouldn't.
-juice
Instead of a "me too" copy of the domestic pickups, (body on frame, RWD, V8) like Toyota and Nissan do, it's an innovative solution.
"Real" truck buyers will always look down on it, but realistically, it suits the needs of most "light duty" truck owners - commuting to work, taking the kids to soccer practice, going to Home Depot, etc... It just doesn't look as macho in the Wal-Mart parking lot as a F-350 Super Duty!
From what I see, Ridgeline can go either way. It has some really smart ideas in it, but if the price tag is too high and/or if rural people even refuse to look at it (as they often do with Tundra or Titan) just because it is "too different" (no V8, "funny" styling, etc.), it will end up being one of those cute cult vehicles with specific but not so vast following. We shall see...
2018 430i Gran Coupe
The Ridgeline represents the opposite thinking. Honda built something completely different than the standard truck.
It's true that Subaru also built a non-truck vehicle with a bed, but the Baja had absolutely none of the same virtues as a regular pick-up. It couldn't tow enough, it couldn't haul enough, it didn't have enough passenger space, and the styling lacked anything resembling machismo. I'm a fan of odd vehicles, but the Baja was a true flop.
Honda's approach allows for decent towing, good hauling, good passenger accommodations, and, while the styling is certainly odd, it conveys the right message. It just speaks that message in a funny accent. On top of that, Honda added several innovative features above and beyond what the market already offers.
I firmly believe that the Ridgeline will not be a huge sales success. Not on the same scale as Toyota and Nissan. However, it will influence the market, and it gives Honda a very strong foot in the door. Contractors and businesses will always need real trucks, but Honda has created the best personal use truck on the market. And nobody has anything ready to combat it.
The ST-X concept promised us a supercharged engine with a full mid-gate, while the production car got neither. And those were the two most critical features.
They had no brochures ready for the launch. They had no hard bed cover available.
Then, and perhaps the biggest mistake, they made cosmetic frills like leather seats and a moonroof standard, pushing the price up to where mid-size Crew Cab rivals were. Buyers ran to Toyota dealers to buy Tacomas.
Rivals which could tow 2-4 times as much and could annihalate the Baja's miserly 800 lb payload along with a tiny bed and a cramped interior even for just 4. That's stuff pickup buyers care about.
No wonder it bombed. The turbo engine was too little, too late.
The only real innovation it offered was the 4 wheel indy suspension, and the Ridgeline matches that anyway.
Ridgeline is actually wider than current mid-size crew cab pickups, in fact it's the only one that can fit a 48" sheet of plywood between the wheel wells. That plus the built-in trunk, and excellent payload along with at least average towing.
The back seat is bigger than most rivals, also.
For Harry Homeowner, who probably never bought a pickup before and might be coming from a car or at most a car-based SUV, the Ridgeline is perfect.
Sure it's ugly but who cares? It has the goods - big V6, wide body, payload, cargo and passenger space galore, etc.
-juice
By the way juice, and I know you'll appreciate this, a neighbor of mine just got a new Tribeca. I've only seen it from a far but it looks like they replaced their first gen Outback for it. Very Nissan Murano-ish in style. Not bad.
It's a little late for Ford to do much in terms of combating the unique features available in the Ridgeline. Honda has been showing the Ridgeline concept for a while, but nobody really knew what to make of it. I'm sure a great many were expecting a Pilot with a bed, much like the Baja is an Outback with a bed.
But who knows... Maybe Ford already had some tricks planned.
I don't know what to expect with the next gen Sportrac. From all I've read on it, it seems Ford put more emphasis on perfoming better than the last (no more horrible rollover scores, better safety, maybe the use of a much smoother V8 than the raunchy 4.0l V6 as seen in the concept). I agree that they probably are too far along to make changes to keep up with the Ridge.
To be honest, I don't think any of the truck makers were expecting too much from the Ridgeline. It's one of those things that snuck right under the radar only to land smack dab in the middle of the market with plenty of surprising accolades. Obviously the Ridge will not blow open the truck market, but it didn't land with an "Aztec thud" in the market and should put others like Ford on notice. :shades:
Car-pooling to soccer practice, commuting to work, going to Home Depot, maybe taking an ATV to a campground.... That's what most people actually use a F-150 or Silverado for anyway....maybe only a small minority actually tow a big trailer or haul loads... (and those people probably buy a F-250 or 350)
It just doesn't look as cool or macho as that F-350 Super Duty turbo-diesel!
And not everyone has acres of driveway where they can store the thing either...
I would think it would be quite the pain in the neck trying to manuver a car/truck with a trailer through a HD...
The last person I knew who rented a truck from HD, got a Chevy Silverado that dropped a tranny 2 seconds after leaving the parking lot with a new lawnmower in the back. I don't know why HD switched from F150's to POJ Chevies...
HONESTLY, a Ridgeline is perfect for those men or women who may fall into the categories dave mentioned.
I guess Ford was pretty foolish for offering the sportrac "explorerx4"?
There are advantages and disadvantages to both. The pickup is easier to use and is certainly more convenient. The trailer can hold a lot more, but is a pain to maneuver and a pain to hook up and disconnect.
Bob
In fact, back when they were first married, Granddad made what could probably be considered a prototype Baja, Silverado, or whatever! At the time he couldn't afford to buy a truck, so he bought an old 1939 or so Plymouth, cut the back half off of it, and built a bed!
Of course, having both a car and a truck isn't the best deal for everyone. For one thing, that's an extra vehicle to have to insure, maintain, make payments on, have a parking spot for, etc. And in my case, I had Granddad's old Silverado handed down to me (well, I did give Mom $1200 for it), so it's not like I spent a small fortune on it. I also get use out of it, as we've moved firewood countless times with it, picked up appliances, I used it to move, etc. And, in a snap it serves as a second vehicle if the primary one needs to go in the shop for maintenance or whatever. I also have the land to put it on, so it's not like it gets in the way.
For example, last summer, Plaxico Burress (ex Steelers WR, now with the NY Giants) showed up at training camp driving a Ford F-650..... yes, a 650!
One of my buddies, who currently drives a '98 Tracker, is going through a bit of a crisis. He wants a new SUV, and, naturally wants something bigger and badder than what he has (but then, when you're going from a Tracker, doesn't that pretty much define the entire SUV market? :P ) At least he doesn't want to go too extravagant...he just wants something like a Nissan Xterra, or maybe a Saturn VUE. I doubt he'll be showing up in an Excursion anytime soon!
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
Tribeca? Must have been a dealer demo, you sure? They won't be for sale for about another month.
The current Sport Trac is a great seller (don't ask me why I have no idea!) so the new one should do even better. It'll be bigger and surely will take the sales crown again. The Adrenaline concept they showed at NY was actually very cool.
explorerx4: bingo. See the picture below, that's my "pickup". Trailer is actually borrowed from RSHolland, as mentioned above.
Personally, I'd pick a Pilot with a trailer like that over a Ridgeline.
-juice
Bob
Allow me to correct myself - looks like Tribeca might arrive sooner than expected, so quite possibly the one you saw is indeed for sale. It had been scheduled for May 29.
-juice
Bob
For instance, I'd like to suggest a telescoping wheel be added to their trucks but I am not sure who to tell at Honda or how.
Of course, Honda is also becoming more and more singular as the only company out there not offering wads of cash to buyers to come take their cars. Toyota is up 17% over a year ago on the incentive front (averaging more than $1000 per vehicle for the first year I can remember), and GM is averaging over $4000 per vehicle now.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
That's sad when you consider Hyundai has plans to have a RWD vehicle in 2-3 years.
CR just published a solid review of the Ridgeline and that can't hurt. It was the higest rated in its class, with the rating in the high end of the "Very Good" scale. Nissan's crew cab was close but the rest lagged far behind in their eyes.
I've only seen 2 on the roads, so that's not a good sign so far. I've seen about three thousand new Odysseys. But it came out sooner, didn't it?
-juice
On a good note, there are quite a few popping up around here, Over the weekend, I saw 4 of them in a 15 mile stretch of RT9, Blue, Black, Red and Green (The sharpest color for the truck IMO). And like Juice mentioned, you can't blink without catching a new Odyssey in your sights...
Bob
Honda must be unique being constrained by capacity. maybe they can buy a spare factory from GM or Mitsu or someone that has one laying around?
I think a RWD platform would be nice, at least for Acura, but expect that Honda will continue to do their own thing. I guess they have always (or at least for a long time) been a bit "arrogant", meaning they are sure they know what people need, and will give them what they should want (even if it isn't what the do want).
I can't ever imagine Honda dropping a bombshell like the 300C on the marketplace. The faithful would have a cow.
But, they do need to get some of their edge back, and stop being so conservative. That 5 door Civic (Si please) needs to come over here now. At least an EX version.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
It sort of fits their whole strategy for the Ridgeline of aiming it mainly at current Honda owners. They aren't targeting the guy currently driving a Ford or Chevy pickup.
-juice
Bob
Such a factory would have to make use of the local work force... which would likely be very pro UAW. Sadly, that is something Honda would want to avoid.
"I can't ever imagine Honda dropping a bombshell like the 300C on the marketplace. The faithful would have a cow."
The faithful are already the proud parents of a herd. The CR-V didn't cause much backlash, but the following Pilot and Element raised some eyebrows. I think the Ridgeline put many of them over the edge.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)