Midsize truck shopping

[jeepman3071]

Most people buy trucks to be cool yet a 3/4 ton is suggested here despite it not fitting my needs? I’m confused.

Would you daily a 3/4 ton 500 miles a week?

Yeah I don't get this mentality at all.

I recently bought a V8 Grand Cherokee, perfectly comfortable for commuting my 16 mile a day commute, and can tow my Kubota easily. A bunch of my friends kept suggesting I buy at least a half ton or a 3/4 ton. I don't tow cross-country, max would be like an hour long trip, and a pickup would be a nightmare to park on the college campus where I work.

 

[Delta]

I would not buy a 3rd gen Tacoma again. Totally goofy transmission, even after regear and tune. Buy a 4th gen and don’t look back.

Biggest issue is price honestly. Now, there's plenty of left over '24's with discounts, but still makes them expensive compared to the used SR the OP posted.

 

[MParr]

I wouldn't consider the Honda Ridgeline a true pickup truck. It's more like an upsized Ford Maverick.

 

[jeepman3071]

I wouldn't consider the Honda Ridgeline a true pickup truck. It's more like an upsized Ford Maverick.

They aren't body on frame but they do fill a spot in the market. They can tow 5000 lbs, you can haul stuff in the bed, and they drive more like a Honda Pilot than a truck. One of my friends is on his 3rd Ridgeline after owning Chevy trucks before and loves them. He doesn't do any heavy towing though, just homeowner truck stuff and it works great for that.

 

[UncleDave]

I want a body on frame truck.

fair enough.

What do you tow?

 

[goingplacesanddoingstuff]

They aren't body on frame but they do fill a spot in the market. They can tow 5000 lbs, you can haul stuff in the bed, and they drive more like a Honda Pilot than a truck. One of my friends is on his 3rd Ridgeline after owning Chevy trucks before and loves them. He doesn't do any heavy towing though, just homeowner truck stuff and it works great for that.

The Ridgeline is a fantastic vehicle, full stop. It is comfortable, relatively powerful, handles well, and has great utility. It even has a sophisticated AWD system and a reinforced unibody. It doesn’t deserve any hate.

There are few use cases where body on frame trucks do better, mostly relating to moderate+ off-roading or towing heavy. If neither of those are on the agenda, the Ridgeline is a great choice.

 

[Hermann]

I wouldn't consider the Honda Ridgeline a true pickup truck. It's more like an upsized Ford Maverick.

So what are the minimum level of specs that would make something a true pickup truck in your world ?

 

[UncleDave]

I wouldn't consider the Honda Ridgeline a true pickup truck. It's more like an upsized Ford Maverick.

Is a body on frame truck with less capability still a truck?

I'd say since the Ridgeline in current form was way before the Maverick in its form - the Maverick is a smaller Ridgeline.

The AWD Ridgeline is also 179 compliant.

 

[UncleDave]

The Ridgeline is a fantastic vehicle, full stop. It is comfortable, relatively powerful, handles well, and has great utility. It even has a sophisticated AWD system and a reinforced unibody. It doesn’t deserve any hate.

There are few use cases where body on frame trucks do better, mostly relating to moderate+ off-roading or towing heavy. If neither of those are on the agenda, the Ridgeline is a great choice.

Best all rounder Ive ever owned.

 

[MParr]

They aren't body on frame but they do fill a spot in the market. They can tow 5000 lbs, you can haul stuff in the bed, and they drive more like a Honda Pilot than a truck. One of my friends is on his 3rd Ridgeline after owning Chevy trucks before and loves them. He doesn't do any heavy towing though, just homeowner truck stuff and it works great for that.

Sure, they fill a niche. The Ford Maverick equipped with a 2.0 Ecoboost and tow package can tow 4,000 lbs. The Ridgeline and Maverick are suburban grocery getters and for hauling small loads from the hardware store. The Toyota Tacoma offers a manual transmission. The Nissan Frontier, GMC Canyon, Chevy Colorado, and Ford Ranger do not.
Older generations of the Ford Ranger with manual transmissions were a favorite of mine.

 

[dlundblad]

fair enough.

What do you tow?

Stuff that a Ridgeline could tow I’m sure.

I really don’t like the truck so it’s not worth considering to me. Literally looks like a minivan with a truck bed. No thanks. My neighbor down the road is a retired farmer and could afford just about anything he wants. He has a Ridgeline and loves it. Says it’s been very reliable.

 

[UncleDave]

Stuff that a Ridgeline could tow I’m sure.

I really don’t like the truck so it’s not worth considering to me. Literally looks like a minivan with a truck bed. No thanks. My neighbor down the road is a retired farmer and could afford just about anything he wants. He has a Ridgeline and loves it. Says it’s been very reliable.

I couldnt buy a truck I didnt like the looks of either.

Are you getting a new truck or a used truck?

 

[dlundblad]

I couldnt buy a truck I didnt like the looks of either.

Are you getting a new truck or a used truck?

Either or.

We are going to look at that blue Nissan I posted a link to earlier. Likely won’t pull the trigger.

 

[gfh77665]

The Ridgeline is a fantastic vehicle, full stop. It is comfortable, relatively powerful, handles well, and has great utility. It even has a sophisticated AWD system and a reinforced unibody. It doesn’t deserve any hate.

There are few use cases where body on frame trucks do better, mostly relating to moderate+ off-roading or towing heavy. If neither of those are on the agenda, the Ridgeline is a great choice.

I agree, the Ridgeline gets no respect. They miss it is better than the other choices in many ways, and the trade off if likely not any issue. Most who want heavy towing or offroading should get at least a 1/2 ton anyway.

 

[gfh77665]

Is a body on frame truck with less capability still a truck?

I think so. Show a Ridgeline to anyone on the street and ask them what it is. Most everyone would say "a truck" or a "small or midsize truck". I doubt anyone would call it a car.

 

[goingplacesanddoingstuff]

I think so. Show a Ridgeline to anyone on the street and ask them what it is. Most everyone would say "a truck" or a "small or midsize truck". I doubt anyone would call it a car.

Who really even cares what arbitrary category it is? Vehicles are tools. Get the right tool for the job.

 

[LDB]

I brought home a new 2024 Honda Ridgeline Friday. Great truck and excellent ride. Not great on mpg but then it's a truck. Showing 23.4 on the optimismeter on the dash. Will learn the truth when I fill it on the 30th. Only drawback I know of is timing belt instead of chain.

 

[UncleDave]

I think so. Show a Ridgeline to anyone on the street and ask them what it is. Most everyone would say "a truck" or a "small or midsize truck". I doubt anyone would call it a car.

Lots of guys drive trucks with FAR less capability than a Ridgeline, but then say " thats not a real truck".

OP isn't open to it because of looks, so I dont want to keep bringing it up, but for mainly freeway travel no truck is better.

 

[gfh77665]

And give it a little time. MPG will improve as it breaks in.

 

[UncleDave]

Only drawback I know of is timing belt instead of chain.

I used to think this as well, - then have watched DI absolutely massacre chain life and cam phasers on many vehicles the past 5-7 years.

If Im going to have to change it anyway Id prefer the belt. Especially in a NA towing rig thats going to be revving the whole trip.