2019 Honda Ridgeline test drive.

[Leo99]

Originally Posted by Farnsworth
Originally Posted by gathermewool
Originally Posted by Farnsworth
Salesman training. You got an honest one. An older man selling cars may need the money and he spent time with you and wasn't a jerk it sounds like. Personally I would go back and give him the sale if it goes that way.


How did you come to this conclusion? The guy didn't even know if VCM was a thing in the car he was selling! He either didn't care to learn or was lying....likely the former.

Young or old, it doesn't matter. Some care and many don't. I literally had to walk away from a dealer once after the salesman kept knocking on parts of the car and asking if I'd ever seen something so solid, and whether I was in love with the car yet or what? Wholy Moly!


How? The salesman asked someone else. That means he is honest. Most make things up when they don't know. He cared enough to ask and cared enough to let the copy DL slide to make the customer happy. Salesmanship 101, never admit you're wrong. Old is very important when there isn't enough money and no one hires you because you're old. No salesman knows everything about every car. Any other questions about how I came up with my opinion?



They probably both knew it had VCM and were just playing games. They are salespeople every day they go to work.

 

[AZjeff]

Originally Posted by Rumble
Originally Posted by AZjeff
Originally Posted by Rumble

LOL at the dinosaur line. Actually, with midsize trucks out of the way, a new 4Runner is in the running. Trying to find the right color combo (red w/sand beige int).


Not a new one. Push to start.


The SR5 Premium I cranked today had a key. Or am I misinterpreting your post?


I took a quick look on Toyota's website and the interior shot showed the button. Apparently only on the Limited. 5 spd, no DI, RWD, minimal infotainment, looks like a new dinosaur. Good choice.

 

[RTexasF]

Originally Posted by NormanBuntz
I prefer the old body style, like my 2007, which does not have VCM. I think from the front the new ones look more like a smaller minivan than a mid-sized pickup. I have nothing but good things to say about mine. Almost 13 years old with less than 90K on the clock, it has needed very little. One blower fan recall, one suspension bolt recall, front pads and rotors, rear pads and one front driveshaft. I'm on my second replacement battery and second replacement set of tires, both based on age, not wear. I've done 5-6K oil changes using full synthetic or synthetic blend oil, and it consumes nothing. I'm shooting for at least 16 years of ownership, but the new Kia Telluride is tempting.


You had better add timing belt to your maintenance list soon.

 

[gathermewool]

Originally Posted by Farnsworth
Originally Posted by gathermewool
Originally Posted by Farnsworth
Salesman training. You got an honest one. An older man selling cars may need the money and he spent time with you and wasn't a jerk it sounds like. Personally I would go back and give him the sale if it goes that way.


How did you come to this conclusion? The guy didn't even know if VCM was a thing in the car he was selling! He either didn't care to learn or was lying....likely the former.

Young or old, it doesn't matter. Some care and many don't. I literally had to walk away from a dealer once after the salesman kept knocking on parts of the car and asking if I'd ever seen something so solid, and whether I was in love with the car yet or what? Wholy Moly!


How? The salesman asked someone else. That means he is honest. Most make things up when they don't know. He cared enough to ask and cared enough to let the copy DL slide to make the customer happy. Salesmanship 101, never admit you're wrong. Old is very important when there isn't enough money and no one hires you because you're old. No salesman knows everything about every car. Any other questions about how I came up with my opinion?



Sheesh, simmer down, dude.

The OP made it seem as if he was mostly certain of the answer to his question. The elder salesman told him something that seemed questionable, which prompted the OP to ask him to ask someone else.

No salesman can be expected to know everything, but a decent salesman should know the major features for the car he or she is trying to sell. It doesn't take an engineering degree to memorize things listed in the sales brochure or via online resources, even if you don't fully understand what that feature does. An excellent sales person will gain at least a basic level of understanding for some of the more complex features.

Originally Posted by Rumble
Look, if I knew the Honda engine would not be a future headache, I might go for the Ridgeline. Come to think of it, I've been demonstrated 3 different 2019 Ridgelines in the past month, not once was Variable Cylinder Management mentioned. I was told everything under the sun about the Ridglines features (many I like), but it seems the sales guys don't want to bring that feature up (VCM).


It could be that they're being shady, but it's also just as likely they never cared to learn what it is. Kind of like asking a really smart salesmen, who just so happens to also be a luddite, how well the Apple Carplay works.

 

[NormanBuntz]

Rumble, if you don't like the other mid-sized trucks, how about buying the Ridgeline and spending $100-125 for the VCM muzzler? Maybe find a clean 2016 or 2017 model?

 

[Rumble]

I'm guessing, and its just a guess, upper management might be telling the sales peeps to dodge the issue as much as possible. The salesman seemed like a pretty nice guy, and before we looked at the truck my wife and I went in and addressed the VCM issue right off the bat. If I'd done my homework better, I could have showed him the dealership's website mentions VCM for the Ridgeline. I understand some of you may think I'm being a little picky, but my wife and I are going to be forking out around 35 grand, and we don't want to make some costly mistake.

 

[CKN]

Originally Posted by Rumble
Originally Posted by AZjeff
Originally Posted by Rumble

LOL at the dinosaur line. Actually, with midsize trucks out of the way, a new 4Runner is in the running. Trying to find the right color combo (red w/sand beige int).


Not a new one. Push to start.


The SR5 Premium I cranked today had a key. Or am I misinterpreting your post?


Enjoy the "rock hard" front seats on the 4Runner. That only get worse after a few hours (during a road trip) sitting on them.

 

[AZjeff]

I went through a similar drill-down through the past month. The '16 4.3 2wd Silverado was the right truck for our needs and location when we bought it but our situation changed over the past year and rather than just get by with that truck after much consideration an '18 leftover Nissan Titan S 4wd took its place. Seems to be lowest tech in the full size trucks and even has rubber mat floor. Planned long term ownership.

If the OP buys his cars new he keeps them a long long time and being cautious is prudent.

 

[Rumble]

Over and above VCM, I think the biggest factor in why I've been dragging my feet on the Ridgeline is the transverse engine and front wheel drive system (optional AWD). After 15 years of a PT, I'm just tired of that kind of lay out, plus the leaky axle seals. The Ridgeline certainly has more room in the engine bay than the PT though. If I get a 4Runner, it will only have RWD (2Runner). According to CKN above, I may need some seat cushions!

 

[dishdude]

Originally Posted by Rumble
Over and above VCM, I think the biggest factor in why I've been dragging my feet on the Ridgeline is the transverse engine and front wheel drive system (optional AWD). After 15 years of a PT, I'm just tired of that kind of lay out, plus the leaky axle seals. The Ridgeline certainly has more room in the engine bay than the PT though. If I get a 4Runner, it will only have RWD (2Runner). According to CKN above, I may need some seat cushions!


I got in my Dad's Sonata to move it and sat on something weird. It was an egg sitter! ...‚ There's no way that thing is more comfortable than the seat underneath, it was like sitting on a bunch of rubbish.

https://www.eggsitter.com/

 

[LoneRanger]

Originally Posted by PandaBear
Most car salesman don't know much about cars they are selling. They are not engineers.

These days I've seen dealership separate out the test drive companions and the ones doing negotiations, so clearly the driving companions are the one that makes minimum wage and has no commission pressure. They know you will not decide whether to buy a car or not based on that guy's talk, anyways.


Brother you can say that again. When we were shopping last month for wife's next vehicle, the guy at one dealership didn't know what diesel emission fluid was or what DPF meant in relation to the diesel GMC Terrain he was showing us. He quickly played it off and emphasized "great gas mileage !!"

 

[greenjp]

If you're afraid of VCM just get one of the
jeff

 

[RichR]

Originally Posted by Rumble
Over and above VCM, I think the biggest factor in why I've been dragging my feet on the Ridgeline is the transverse engine and front wheel drive system (optional AWD). After 15 years of a PT, I'm just tired of that kind of lay out, plus the leaky axle seals. The Ridgeline certainly has more room in the engine bay than the PT though. If I get a 4Runner, it will only have RWD (2Runner). According to CKN above, I may need some seat cushions!


The two Ridgelines (one currently) I have had have
had no driveline problems. The other normal(longitudinal) layouts have had break downs.
One Ram,two Tundras. I would take a new Ridgeline
over any other truck.

 

[Hounds]

Originally Posted by Rumble
Test drove a new Ridgeline today. Was told the truck didn't have Variable Cylinder Management (VCM), although I was sure it did. . . .

It does.
Quote
I liked the truck a lot, and my wife loved it.

For good reason.
Quote
So, is this VCM system to be avoided

No.
Quote
. . . or has Honda worked out the bugs?

Yes, years ago. You drove one. Were you able to feel/determine when the VCM system varied the firing sequence? I ask because if you spend any time on the Honda boards (www.ridgelineownersclub.com, for example; or piloteers.org), no one even mentions VCM any longer, much less problems with it. Go look. Yes, you can still buy a plug-and-play device to defeat it, but there doesn't appear to be any need for it. Good engine. One of the best.

 

[4WD]

I have variable AFM:
V4 mode comes on often in the Tahoe and hardly ever in the Z71 …

 

[Rumble]

Originally Posted by Hounds
Originally Posted by Rumble
Test drove a new Ridgeline today. Was told the truck didn't have Variable Cylinder Management (VCM), although I was sure it did. . . .

It does.
Quote
I liked the truck a lot, and my wife loved it.

For good reason.
Quote
So, is this VCM system to be avoided

No.
Quote
. . . or has Honda worked out the bugs?

Yes, years ago. You drove one. Were you able to feel/determine when the VCM system varied the firing sequence? I ask because if you spend any time on the Honda boards (www.ridgelineownersclub.com, for example; or piloteers.org), no one even mentions VCM any longer, much less problems with it. Go look. Yes, you can still buy a plug-and-play device to defeat it, but there doesn't appear to be any need for it. Good engine. One of the best.


I was at the Honda dealership with money in hand, and the salesman had the perfect opportunity to explain the VCM system to me, yet he said the truck did not have it. The 30 min. test drive (with the salesman driving the first half), was primarily in a 45-50 mph area. Not sure if cylinder deactivation kicks in at those speeds. When (or if) my 92 Chevy ever gives up the ghost, I might give the RL another chance.

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted by Rumble
I was at the Honda dealership with money in hand, and the salesman had the perfect opportunity to explain the VCM system to me, yet he said the truck did not have it.
So you're going to let one less than perfectly knowledgeable salesman prevent you from purchasing a vehicle? I would have never bought a single car if I adhered to this MO. In this day and age, there is no excuse not to research a vehicle online before stepping foot in a dealership. And when you do, you'll usually know more about it than an average sales person.

 

[UncleDave]

Originally Posted by Rumble
Originally Posted by Hounds
Originally Posted by Rumble
Test drove a new Ridgeline today. Was told the truck didn't have Variable Cylinder Management (VCM), although I was sure it did. . . .

It does.
Quote
I liked the truck a lot, and my wife loved it.

For good reason.
Quote
So, is this VCM system to be avoided

No.
Quote
. . . or has Honda worked out the bugs?

Yes, years ago. You drove one. Were you able to feel/determine when the VCM system varied the firing sequence? I ask because if you spend any time on the Honda boards (www.ridgelineownersclub.com, for example; or piloteers.org), no one even mentions VCM any longer, much less problems with it. Go look. Yes, you can still buy a plug-and-play device to defeat it, but there doesn't appear to be any need for it. Good engine. One of the best.


I was at the Honda dealership with money in hand, and the salesman had the perfect opportunity to explain the VCM system to me, yet he said the truck did not have it. The 30 min. test drive (with the salesman driving the first half), was primarily in a 45-50 mph area. Not sure if cylinder deactivation kicks in at those speeds. When (or if) my 92 Chevy ever gives up the ghost, I might give the RL another chance.


If you are depending on a car salesman to supply the knowledge you need to make a buying decision you have a lifetime of disappointment ahead of you.

Its load dependant as well as speed so it may or may not activate at any given speed.

like QP says I do my own research and have fun w the sales guys at purchase time asking questions I already know the answer to while they try to find what I already know I want and am willing to pay.

Driven conservatively I've gotten (an indicated) over 30 MPG out of it without much difficulty. Impressive for an AWD vehicle its size.

UD

 

[JeffKeryk]

Before I spend new-car-kinda-money I do my homework.
Except maybe for the Tesla... Lotsa learning to do.

I am pretty darn sure of what I want before stepping foot in any dealership.
By then, it's all about the deal. After all, cars are a commodity item.

 

[Rumble]

Some of you seem a little confused. It was my understanding the truck had VCM, I asked the salesguy about the feature, and he said it didn't have it. He asked another co-worker who also said there was no VCM. I didn't buy the truck because I doubted them. Sounds like I did my homework. It's fine if it has it, and it's fine if the bugs have been worked out, it's just not for me. As to uninformed salespeople, a Toyota salesman told me new Toyotas did not have a break-in period. I'm carrying him a page from the 4Runner manual that spells out the break-in period, lol.