2019 Honda Ridgeline, thoughts?

[UncleDave]

Originally Posted by CKN
Originally Posted by UncleDave
Originally Posted by dwcopple
Originally Posted by UncleDave
and a body on frame solid axle truck will never ride like a fully independent unibody truck on a group towing trip after a few hours towing in the right lane your buddies will be begging to drive your faux truck...

I take it you didn't drive the '19 new style RAM then...


No. I have not, although I've ridden in nearly every half and 3/4 ton made - its one of the perks of owning a boat company.

Does it have fully independent suspension front and rear?

Any and every solid axle truck will transfer jolts from one wheel to the other and the truck - they cannot fully isolate hits because they are physically connected.

This is the downside to a solid axle, not so say they don't have upsides - but ride quality surpassing independents is not one of those.

Does the 2019 ram defy the laws of physics or does it have class leading ride?

UD
Were you the guy that was towing these things (boats) with mini vans (that were overloaded) about a year ago?


Nope not me.

UD

 

[SatinSilver]

Originally Posted by UncleDave
Nope not me.

UD


Are you sure that wasn't you?

 

[UncleDave]

Originally Posted by CKN


While the point of transferring bumps and road imperfections through a solid axle is correct, there isn't anything that causes fatigue in a new pickup truck made at least in the last five years-maybe longer. They are a great highway vehicle. I have leather seats, automatic temperature control, heated and cooled seats-not to mention a Bose stereo-the truck eats up miles - and will do so for several hundred miles-before needing fuel.I have already stated that the mid-20's mpg wise is obtainable. I will take the capabilities of my half-ton over a Ridgeline all day long.



If one needs the full capability of a half-ton then you (or I, or anyone for that matter) have no choice.

The question becomes what vehicle do you choose if you do not? What if you are on a solo trip unladen?

I have both vehicles - and in every case, I will choose the ridgeline all the way up to its limit before my half ton.

The blue boat and trailer are a hair under 5K, and the difference in ride quality is night and day even with Bilstein shocks and poly bushings I put in my half-ton - the half tons are punishing in the right lanes. On a smooth freeway not so much, but still not equivalent.

The ridgeline is so good I will choose it over my Lexus RX400H SUV on 2 passenger road trip - pretty amazing.

Let's say yourself and this forum decide my opinion isn't relevant and discount it completely, Journalists and reviewers outside of this forum have basically mirrored my opinion.

Amenities like a nice stereo, or heated cooled seats do not replace ride quality and long haul economy.

You can try to sell yourself or others into believing you are getting equivalent comfort or economy, but with any solid axle body on frame truck you arent.
This proven and refined design even using modern components - is a step backward 30 years in chassis refinement.


UD

 

[dareo]

One big advantage of a body on frame truck from the big 3 is you will always have cheap parts supporting it down the line. I mean way down the line. You want to keep a GM truck going forever? Totally possible because the high sales volumes make parts abundant and the body on frame lets you change out anything for replacement or upgrade. 300k 400k even 500k are milestones GM trucks hit often because they can easily be fixed.

I think Honda should have made the Ridgeline narrower like the other mid sizes and play to its lighter duty strengths even more, hit even higher MPGs, all that good stuff.

 

[DogLover]

The Honda is quite a bit cheaper than the Colorado at RockAuto. This is for a 2019 model

 

[dareo]

What if you bang up a fender or tail gate or worse, damage the whole bed? You can find a Silverado bed on craigslist but replacing a bed on a Ridgeline may not even be possible.

 

[DogLover]

if you're going to base your new truck purchase decision on the availability of parts trucks, then I guess Chevy is the smart choice.

 

[dareo]

They have Ford beds on craigslist too. Cause with a body on frame you can take it off and install a flat bed or other up fits.

 

[DogLover]

I have nothing against Chevy, Ford or Dodge. I would consider any of them if I wanted a full size truck.
But I'm very happy with my Ridgeline and glad I bought it. Some of the reasons given for not buying a Ridgeline are just ridiculous.

 

[dareo]

I like a lot of aspects of the Ridgeline and most owners seem to love them too. So why don't they sell? 2 or 3 thousands units a month for any Honda is super weak. 20k tacomas sell in a month. The big 3 will collectively sell about 175k trucks in a month.

 

[CKN]

Originally Posted by SatinSilver
Originally Posted by UncleDave
Nope not me.

UD


Are you sure that wasn't you?

I pretty sure it was. I made rather a bold observation last time and ended up being banned for a couple of weeks-that's how I remembered.

 

[A_A_G]

Originally Posted by dareo
I like a lot of aspects of the Ridgeline and most owners seem to love them too. So why don't they sell?


They don't sell because a base trim model with front wheel drive only (LOL) starts at $31k with destination.

I like the Ridgeline, but they are WAY overpriced for what you get.

 

[UncleDave]

Originally Posted by CKN
Originally Posted by SatinSilver
Originally Posted by UncleDave
Nope not me.

UD


Are you sure that wasn't you?

I pretty sure it was. I made rather a bold observation last time and ended up being banned for a couple of weeks-that's how I remembered.



Never owned a mini van. (I have customers that have them though so I have driven them and been in them )

My sister had a honda odyssey that lost a trans.

Owning a boat shop I see people tow with all kinds of stuff so perhaps I was caught up in a discussion over something I saw?

Never had one in my sig line.

Owned plenty of full sized vans, E250's Sprinters

Own a sprinter 3500 dually now, had 2 sprinter 3500's until a few months ago so I should change my sig line.

Ive owned a crew cab big tow 4x4 titan since 04 thats been my main tow vehicle since well before I joined here. (when Im not towing with a motorhome )



Go pull the thread you speak of and lets see?


UD

 

[Brons2]

Originally Posted by dareo
I like a lot of aspects of the Ridgeline and most owners seem to love them too. So why don't they sell? 2 or 3 thousands units a month for any Honda is super weak. 20k tacomas sell in a month. The big 3 will collectively sell about 175k trucks in a month.


Honda doesn't deal that much on price.

Ford/Chevy/Dodge will take 11-15K off sticker. So the price ends up being pretty much the same for say a F150 XL with STX appearance and 2.7EB as the Ridgeline RT. And with gas being relatively inexpensive in much of the US, people don't factor in the worse mileage, and are happy to have 325hp/400tq.

One thing I don't think I've seen mentioned that would be relevant to me and other big bubbas is that the half tons have more interior room. I'm 6'7" 300. I've sat in a Pilot and it's pretty tight, as in, my knee is only a couple of inches from the dashboard. I assume the cabin on the Ridgeline is configured much the same I can sit in the back seat of a crew cab half ton.

source on F150 price: https://www.machaikfordlincoln.com/...STX+Appearance+Package-1FTEW1CP2KKD11567
source on Ridgeline: https://www.firsttexashonda.com/inv...ine-rt-fwd-4d-crew-cab-5fpyk2f21kb006404

That said there are a number of things I really like about the Ridgeline, it's going to have better ride, handling and mileage than any half ton. And it's much more garageable for your average suburban dweller.

I think they would sell a lot more Ridgelines for $5K less.

 

[02SE]

Originally Posted by CKN
Originally Posted by SatinSilver
Originally Posted by UncleDave
Nope not me.

UD


Are you sure that wasn't you?

I pretty sure it was. I made rather a bold observation last time and ended up being banned for a couple of weeks-that's how I remembered.


I'm guessing you're referring to this thread: Bitog thread

 

[dareo]

I guess Honda can't really discount the Ridgeline because it is so similar to their high volume Pilot. Taking a pilot sale for a Ridgeline sale doesn't help Honda. Honda dangles a fairly mid level feature, Blind Spot Monitoring into a $42k top trim Ridgeline. 42k Honda = 50k big 3 brand at same final price.

 

[UncleDave]

Originally Posted by 02SE
Originally Posted by CKN
Originally Posted by SatinSilver
Originally Posted by UncleDave
Nope not me.

UD


Are you sure that wasn't you?

I pretty sure it was. I made rather a bold observation last time and ended up being banned for a couple of weeks-that's how I remembered.


I'm guessing you're referring to this thread: Bitog thread



Like I said - not me.

Looks like CKN was going round with FSSKIER ,and killer 223.

You won't find me towing 5K with a front WD lumina van, or arguing its a good idea....

Often the vehicles I tow are worth FAR more than the Tow vehicle and on par with homes at times - so I pay attention to weights hitches and tires.


UD

 

[CKN]

Sorry Uncle Dave....not you.

 

[UncleDave]

Originally Posted by A_A_G
I like the Ridgeline, but they are WAY overpriced for what you get.


That statement isnt really cut and dried. It really depends on how you look at it and what's important to you.

What other trucks offer these and what price do you pay to get these options if are even available?

Full time AWD
IF&RS (W full time AWD)
A 2 way tailgate
A locking bed trunk that doubles as an ice chest
In bed audio system
In bed inverter
4 wheel disc brakes
A bed coating thats super durable
Apple Android car play W an 8" screen
Lane keeping assist
Auto distance following
Auto braking
Cross traffic warning when backing
Blind spot warning
The ability to get 27.5 MPG at 75 MPG

 

[Rmay635703]

Originally Posted by UncleDave
Originally Posted by CKN

.I have already stated that the mid-20's mpg wise is obtainable. I will take the capabilities of my half-ton over a Ridgeline all day long.



If one needs the full capability have no choice.

The question becomes what vehicle do you choose if you do not? What if you are on a solo trip unladen?


https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ES6XCCmYuY0