Ridgeline anyone?

[rg200amp]

Originally Posted By: 01rangerxl
When you find a Ridgeline owner here, let me know. If there are any, they don't seem too interested in giving the OP advice.

He asked for advice and got it. Just about every thread in the "Vehicles" section has posts from people who don't own the vehicle being discussed. That doesn't mean their opinions/advice are not valid.


+1
Just because we personally do not own it does not mean we do not know anything about it.

 

[VNTS]

My BIL has an 07 I believe.

He generally likes it save the lousey gas mileage,he told me he averages about 18 mpg and does 90% highway commute 20 miles each way to and from work and jobsites. HE expected 23sh on highway but that has never happened. He also said the AWD system sucks compared to the 4wd's he has driven before. He had a 02 DAK as company truck and said the gas mileage on that with 4.7 V8 would get 19-20sh and the FT 4WD was much better. Unfortunalty his company took away that benefit and no more Company Vehichle so he went out and bought the Ridgeline.

He also said he wished he didnt get porked on the price when he bought it. He had to pay MSRP over 34K at the time. Now he sees the deals on Chevies, Rams, Fords etc with a lot more equipment and much better 4wd systems on them. In summary he told me back at Xmas that if he knew the gas mileage would be so horrendous he would of bought a "real" truck. He cringes at the deals some of his freinds at work are getting on truck recently.

 

[1sttruck]

"...He had to pay MSRP over 34K at the time..."

That seems common when something gets trendy, especially when people HAVE to have the absolute essentials like butt warmers, dingle berry connectors, low profile tires, leather....

I wanted something bigger, figured it had to be diesel for mileage, if I got a diesel I wanted a Cummins, so that really narrowed it down quickly. I looked for a loss leader, and finally found a new 3/4 ton 4x4 quad cab short bed diesel with a stick for less than $26k. It should be the last large vehicle I ever have to buy. It's stripped down but that is what I wanted, and was actually hard to find. After that a former coworker bought one, a relative of his bought one, a friend of mine bought one, and then a friend of his bought one, all diesels, and another relative of the coworker bought a gas engined Ram.

The other side of that coin ... awhile back a friend said that a coworker went on and on for months about getting a Ford crew cab pickup, and the guy finally bought one. A few weeks later he asked how the truck was doing and the guy said that he got rid of it. My friend was very surprised as the guy babbled about it for so long, so he asked why. The guy said that well, it drove like a truck :^)

 

[RacerE7773]

I'm surprised GM hasn't sued Honda for ripping off the design (?) of the Avalanche, and that Chrysler hasn't sued GM over the similarity of the HHR and the PT Snoozer oops, Cruiser.

 

[stockrex]

Not to negate any of the above posting by the experts in Ridgeline, but I luv the ridgeline.
it is MORE functional than my duramax diesel long bed Silverado.
The BEST part of it the trunk in the truck bed. then the next is the position of the A pillar, honda has the design right, an adult can get in and out of the back seat with ease. it handles and drives better than my accord exl v6,
my quams are the bed and snow, they make covers for it but very expensive, and the wipers, you can't lift them up to clean ice and snow.
the interior is simple and workable.
mileage, is ok after break in, I think I get 19 mpg or 20 mpg,
city driving is really bad, something like 10 or 13mpg.
I have carried 1600lb in the bed (rock and top soil) and it handles and drives fine.

check edmunds for what people are paying, you should be able to get one for 6 to 8 k below sticker.

good luck, pm moi if you have additional questions.

 

[kkreit01]

6-8K below sticker? Times are that bad even for Honda? I've been to our Honda dealer a few times in the past (not recently), they typically want "at or near sticker".

That is horrible mileage for a Honda auto... I'm assuming your City mileage is really "city" -- stop and go at 25 mph?

 

[stockrex]

well mine could be still breaking in, yes nearly true city, some of on the belt line at 50 mph,

small town dealers will most likely NEVER advertise the specials like large city ones.

 

[Muffy]

if a light duty pickup is what you want then a el camino with a real frame and a real motor, a V8. at least you could put air shocks or heavier coils in the el camino without much trouble to haul heavier loads and drag on the weekends. if one of these honda's is on your list than save you $$ for the minivan that the boss wants rather than a useless version of a pickup that i have seen in years. a chevy avalanche would be a better choice than a risgeline IMHO and i don;t care for the avalanches to begin with.

 

[JTK]

Originally Posted By: kkreit01
6-8K below sticker?



Easily. I could have purchased my $27K (MSRP) 2008 Odyssey LX for $21K in Feb '08. It's the same or better now. You could get a base Ridgeline for $22-23K. Sit in one, hop in/out of the rear seat. It is a well thought out vehicle. If it got 25mpg you'd be paying at/over MSRP.

Joel

 

[JTK]

Originally Posted By: Muffy
if a light duty pickup is what you want then a el camino with a real frame and a real motor, a V8...


Not to take anything away from the classic El Camino, but a stock Ridgeline would drag a stock El Camino around all day long by it's short'n curlies. Plus a Ridgeline will carry 5 people comfortably.

Joel

 

[andrewg]

I owned a Ridgeline for a while and totally LOVED the vehicle. Best pickup (yes, pickup...as in truck) I've ever owned. Great power for a V-6, very smooth ride, extremely comfortable for a truck....or any vehicle for that matter, towed more than enough weight for me (dual watercraft trailer), the very BEST on-the road 4 wheel drive traction I've ever driven, handles and corners very well, nice interior with a durable fabric, modern layout with very little of that 'cheap plastic' look, fantastic trunk located out of the way under the bed of the truck, great sound system, great MPG, and Honda reliabilty/fit/finish.
Drawbacks....other than 'real' truck guys smirking at you once in a while I found that the Ridgeline had very few negatives. Pulling very heavy loads (at or slightly over the trucks limit) I found the transmission shifting constantly to find the right gear. But to be fair, it's not designed to haul like a V-8 F150/250. The rear visibility can take a drive or two to get used to....but I found that it was no real issue. I've heard that for serious off-roaders this vehicle is not up to the task. But as I said earlier....on the road the 4 wheel drive system functioned perfectly and had the best grip on snow/ice of ANY vehicle I've ever driven. I can't speak for serious off-roading.
I would highly recommend this truck if you don't plan on pulling a fifth wheel or over 5k lb. loads all day long, don't have a desire to look like a 'real' truck owner, and don't need a giant truck to do what tasks you expect to encounter. For me, it was the perfect vehicle for my pickup truck needs. If I worked in heavy construction....I would have gotten something else.

 

[SnakeOil]

You guys do realize that the Ford Explorer Sport Trac was redesigned in 2006 as a 2007 when the Ridgeline debuted. It has 4 doors and a bed in the back just like the Ridgeline. It has the storage in the floor of the bed as well. It is available with a 292 horsepower V8 with a modern 6 speed automatic. It's rated at 21 mpg highway like the Ridgeline and has REAL 4WD available in addition to AWD. With the tow package, it can pull over 7,000 lbs. It out accelerates the Ridgeline both with and without load.

All of this and it also has a TRUE ladder frame like a truck should. The Sport Trac can also be had cheaper than the Ridgeline due to cash rebates that Honda seldom offers.

My buddy bought one as a "work truck" and had it taken back as a lemon because the supension kept breaking. Someone did a long term test online that had the same problem, but his kept coming back because he was actually doing "truck stuff".

The only advantage the Ridgeline has is a more comfortable ride for the yuppie driving his frameless unibody truck.

Another advantage to the Sport Trac is that you don't have to be seen driving a Ridgeline. I never even liked the Avalanche and Honda took it to a whole new level of ugly.

P.S. The Sport Trac has some of the highest American part content of ANY vehicle sold in the United States.

 

[andrewg]

In terms of owner satisfaction, relaibility, and build quality....the Honda Ridgeline makes the Sport Trac seem out of touch. In my opinion the Ridgeline is perfect for what 95% of so-called truck owners use their trucks for. Most 'real' trucks...whatever that means...never see more heavy duty work than a trip to the grocery store or a small load of topsoil in the back. If your friend purchased a Ridgeline for the same sort of heavy-duty use an F250 is expected to endure, than I suggest he do his research a little better.
If anybody shy's away from a Ridgeline from peer pressure or has a frail ego....I suggest you find yourself some counseling. This silly notion that only 'yuppies' (we still have them? Kind of dated and 80's sounding) drive Ridgelines is without merit. Didn't a Ridgeline compete in a Baja race a couple of years ago and do extremely well? Yep, some yuppie vehicle.
As far as the Ridgeline and it's modern look...well, it's all a matter of opinion. I love most Fords....but the Sport Trac is one ugly little truck. It rides like a tank and looks like it was put together without any notion of good lines. As for the plastic covered, un-reliable Avalanche...the Ridgeline is a far better looking vehicle.
But, one must decide these things for themselves. If you need a truck that has all the best qualities of ride, power, fit, functionality, looks, and relability...pick a Ridgeline. If you need to haul a seriously heavy load, plan on towing a heavy trailer all day, or haul sand and gravel...yes, get a heavy duty truck designed for that purpose. But don't expect comfort or sporty performance.

 

[kkreit01]

I agree with SnakeOil -- except I run 5w20 in my Sport Trac! (ha ha) I love my ST. I consistently get 17+ MPG mixed city driving. Power & ride is great, and I've actually used it as a "truck" 3 times since I bought it last Fall. I've never driven (nor been in) a Ridgeline, so I can't make a "fair" comparison of the two.

 

[01rangerxl]

Quote:
If you need a truck that has all the best qualities of ride, power, fit, functionality, looks, and relability...pick a Ridgeline.


The Ridgeline has only been out since 2005. After only four years they had better be reliable.

Functionality depends on the user. I have no use for an in bed trunk, a crew cab, or a shorter bed than what I have.

As for looks, to each their own. I personally group the Ridgeline with the Aztek in that department. I don't think any of the other car/truck/SUV mutants are any better looking though.

 

[andrewg]

Well, like i said, the Ridgeline's looks are a matter of opinion and choice. As far as reliability and owner satisfaction....from the data I've seen the Honda is way ahead. Certainly being a newer vehicle it should not have any major reliability problems showing up yet....but when compared to other vehicles with the same amount of use and mileage, the Honda indicates a greater reliability in the long term.
Look, each person has his/her own opinion here....but being that I've owned a Ridgeline, an F150, and a Ranger (no, not a sport trac), I can attest that the Ridgeline is a VERY well thought out AND executed vehicle. It's a pity that the macho, 'my truck has a rigid frame, so it's a real truck' crowd has such disdain for a vehicle that the vast majority of owners totally love.
Just go check out the Ridgeline Owners Club website. Many former 'real truck' owners now comment on why they prefer the Ridge.

 

[ViragoBry]

I think the most enjoyable part of owning a Ridgeline is when Murphy's law kicks in and you get a flat tire with a full load of bricks, sod, dirt, lumber, etc. One of the greatest exercise plans ever invented is loading and unloading your truck twice in one day so you can access the spare tire under the bed floor.

Despite the minor shortcomings between the Sport Trac and Ridgeline, the Sport Trac is more user friendly and mine has been a bullet proof performer. It's no beauty contest winner, but it makes a Ridgeline look like a mud fence.

 

[meep]

JUST MY OPINION:

The ford ST looks like it was rushed-- the lines where the bed and cab meet... look like it wasn't planned.

OTOH the ridgeline has a smooth profile, though the front end is a bit over-the-top.

The avalanche isn't my favorite either.

And the subaru Baja came first, didn't it? Funny looking car.

I'll second the 4 door frontier, until you go under the hood. No fun in the one I was familiar with.

But, looks are not the top priority. My jeep has an ugly front end and it still gets me to work.

Friend of mine has an 07 ridgeline. MPG isn't great, but he's happy with it. It is smooth, quiet, drives well and can carry stuff when needed.

M

 

[OVERKILL]

Originally Posted By: andrewg
If you need to haul a seriously heavy load, plan on towing a heavy trailer all day, or haul sand and gravel...yes, get a heavy duty truck designed for that purpose. But don't expect comfort or sporty performance.


I've found every Lariat-trim F-series truck I've ever been in to be VERY comfortable and well-appointed. And the 300HP 5.4L is just as "sporty" as the 247HP Honda V6.

 

[SnakeOil]

Originally Posted By: andrewg
In my opinion the Ridgeline is perfect for what 95% of so-called truck owners use their trucks for. Most 'real' trucks...whatever that means...never see more heavy duty work than a trip to the grocery store or a small load of topsoil in the back.

Really? About 95% of truck owners? Where did you get that number? Your backside? A suburban neighborhood? Nobody ever complains about having a truck that is TOO capable. But it only takes one warped frame or unibody to wish you had bought something else.

Originally Posted By: andrewg
If your friend purchased a Ridgeline for the same sort of heavy-duty use an F250 is expected to endure, than I suggest he do his research a little better.

Honda decided to market the Ridgeline against full sized trucks. Just look at the Ridgeline section of the Honda website and attempt to convince me that they aren't trying to tell you how tough it is.

Originally Posted By: andrewg
This silly notion that only 'yuppies' (we still have them? Kind of dated and 80's sounding) drive Ridgelines is without merit.Yep, some yuppie vehicle.

You do realize that Honda only sells about 3,000 a month and that the starting price is $29,000. I can get a Super Crew F-150 SFE that gets the SAME gas mileage for that money, let alone a Sport Trac. The F150 turn radius isn't that far away even though it's over 2 feet longer.

Originally Posted By: andrewg
As far as the Ridgeline and it's modern look...well, it's all a matter of opinion. I love most Fords....but the Sport Trac is one ugly little truck.

I'm sure a majority of the non-seeing impaired public would disagree with you. Again, look at the sales numbers.

Originally Posted By: andrewg
If you need a truck that has all the best qualities of ride, power, fit, functionality, looks, and relability...pick a Ridgeline. If you need to haul a seriously heavy load, plan on towing a heavy trailer all day, or haul sand and gravel...yes, get a heavy duty truck designed for that purpose. But don't expect comfort or sporty performance.

Translation:

If you have too much money and and are comfortable buying a Minivan with a truck bed in the back that doesn't get any better fuel economy than some full sized trucks, buy the overpriced and under-performing Ridgeline that has the same cruddy transmission that has been exploding for years in the MDX, Pilot, and Odyssey (Per Consumer Reports, a Yuppie Rag). Otherwise, it's better to buy something else that is more capable and costs less.

Seriously, you don't have a leg to stand on. You can talk about build quality and owner satisfaction all you want but sales figures are all that matters. If it is over priced, ugly, less capable, or all the above like the Ridgeline, and sits on dealer lots, then who cares.

The gap is closing, Honda and Toyota aren't the value orriented forerunners like they used to be. Hyundai and Kia have taken that role and are laughing all the way to the bank. They almost broke even when you compare March 09 sales with a year prior while Honda sales were 36.7 percent DOWN.

P.S. You probably don't hear any stories from unsatisfied Ridgeline customers because they all probably realized they what they just did and left the car running in a closed garage while sitting inside.

Originally Posted By: kkreit01
I agree with SnakeOil -- except I run 5w20 in my Sport Trac! (ha ha)$

I don't hate 5w20, I used it all the time in my Taurus until the heads blew up. I just don't like blanket manufacturer recommendation for ALL climates and driving conditions.