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Bruce B · 01-19-2016, 12:28 PM

One of the most gifted mechanics who ever worked at my shop had a background in Honda and I called him the other day to get his thoughts on the Ridgeline..
He told me that at the original introduction of the vehicle (think new product school for technicians...) Honda had a video of the new Ridgeline being slalomed with 500 pounds in the bed. They then went on to show other trucks being treated to the same weight and slalom course...He said it was amazing to see the difference in the solid axel vehicles vs the Ridgeline...
He went on to say that the early Ridgeline's were bulletproof!
Just some more food for thought!
BB

andreasduess · 01-19-2016, 02:06 PM

I have towed with a Honda Odyssey (same engine) for the last three years. It did a fantastic job, running in eco mode (4 cylinders) for much of the time. Fuel economy was an easy 14mpg.

63air · 01-19-2016, 02:55 PM

I really like the tailgate on it, wish the big three would do that. It is a very handy feature. Our most recent auto purchase a 1970 Olds Cutlass wagon (with 31,000 miles on it) has a tailgate like that and it's great for loading.

Bruce B · 01-19-2016, 03:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andreasduess

I have towed with a Honda Odyssey (same engine) for the last three years. It did a fantastic job, running in eco mode (4 cylinders) for much of the time. Fuel economy was an easy 14mpg.

I actually can hit the low 14's in my F-150 when towing if I watch the throttle...
If I'm agitated and driving carelessly it drops to the high 12's.
I am more interested in the handling and ride.
I am sure it will be a reliable vehicle!
Speaking of reliability, the word is that Honda isn't offering it with the ZF 9 speed due to reliability issues they are having in the newest Pilot.

Bruce B · 01-19-2016, 03:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 63air

I really like the tailgate on it, wish the big three would do that. It is a very handy feature. Our most recent auto purchase a 1970 Olds Cutlass wagon (with 31,000 miles on it) has a tailgate like that and it's great for loading.

I believe I've seen someone doing that with one of the most recent pick ups...
GM or Ram? Can't remember where I saw it but it wasn't just Honda

m.hony · 01-19-2016, 03:11 PM

First generation Ridgelines had almost El Camino-ish body lines/contours...
That in itself has merit...

cameront120 · 01-19-2016, 03:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m.hony

First generation Ridgelines had almost El Camino-ish body lines/contours...
That in itself has merit...

I thought they were more like Subaru Brats on steroids.

m.hony · 01-19-2016, 03:16 PM

That, too...
Ugly, but cool in a way...
What an El Camino 4-door would look like if they ever made such a thing-
Especially in distant side profile-

No doubt an excellent, rock solid dependable car, though-
The new one is even pretty, handsome-
More traditional truck with that sleek Honda styling-

Ahab · 01-20-2016, 01:40 PM

My 2005 Ridgeline is 10 years and has been a very capable trouble free tower. i'm ready for a newone.

Bruce B · 01-24-2016, 06:58 PM

Although we are "vacationing" we (I) decided to swing by a Honda dealer here in Florida to sit in a Pilot yesterday. I'm considering a Ridgeline as a replacement to our 2010 Platinum F-150 and I wanted to see if I even fit in the seat...
The Ridgeline is derived from the Pilot and it appears that the front seats, dash,console etc are exactly the same.
Well I was pleasantly surprised! I actually have plenty of headroom and the seats are seemingly very comfortable. There are plenty of cars that I can't get my 6'3" body into and I was conserved that this might be one of them.
Now I'll simply have to wait until the actual Ridgeline is introduced...

m.hony · 01-24-2016, 08:15 PM

The Pilot is an extremely nice vehicle.
Hondas in general are really nice.
Not just cars- lawn mowers, generators, jets...
Great company.

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Bruce B · 01-29-2016, 06:14 PM

So in the interest of "covering the bases" we stopped at a Ram dealer today to look at a 1500 Longhorn 3.0 Diesel...
I'd consider one of these for the suspension alone! The diesel is just icing on the cake...
A beautiful interior, an incredible feature set, good fuel mileage, lots to like!
Problem is.....I don't fit! I am 6'3" tall and I can't sit upright in this truck without my head hitting the roof! I don't want a vehicle without a sunroof so if I don't fit, forget it!
As much as I might like it I simply can not rationalize buying a vehicle I can't sit upright in.

After this we stopped at another Honda dealer to sit in a Pilot again. Lots of headroom! As much as my F-150 in fact. There is far more headroom in the Pilot than in either the GM crew cab's I have test driven or in the Ram...

In that I do not want another F-150 I guess I will keep waiting to see what the Ridgeline brings to the table.

BB

Ron A · 01-29-2016, 06:35 PM

I pull a 16 ft Bambi with a 2013 Ridgeline and the Ridgeline performs well. I would expect the 2017 to perform at least as good if not better.

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Bruce B · 01-29-2016, 06:36 PM

The more I discover about the Ridgeline, the more I like!

m.hony · 01-29-2016, 07:55 PM

Too bad the dealerships won't even have literature till maybe October!

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dkottum · 01-29-2016, 09:34 PM

I like the payload, unibody/frame construction, full independent suspension, concerned about the engine torque for our Airstream. Always interested in a tow vehicle that actually is a nice daily driver.

andreasduess · 01-30-2016, 04:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dkottum

I like the payload, unibody/frame construction, full independent suspension, concerned about the engine torque for our Airstream. Always interested in a tow vehicle that actually is a nice daily driver.

Don't be. The engine is excellent and always got us where we needed to go.

m.hony · 01-30-2016, 04:55 AM

Just like 7-Up was advertised as the "Un-Cola", the Ridgeline can be advertised as the "Un-truck".

splyb · 01-30-2016, 02:19 PM

Car and Driver tagged it early on as "The Ugly Truckling". They sure loved it, though, as they do most Hondas.

m.hony · 01-30-2016, 02:56 PM

The first generation was sorta homely.
It kinda sorta looked like a big 4-door El Camino or Avalanche (also ugly) wannabe.
This one is very attractive.
The next generation Nissan Frontier will be very nice looking, too.

My cousin owns 2 no defunct weird vehicles- a Toyota FJ Cruiser and a Chevy Avalanche.
Toyota has stopped manufacturing the Venza.
Nissan has stopped manufacturing the XTerra- from Motor Trend truck of the year to extinction in 15 years-
All niche or odd or fad or in between vehicles seem to be falling by the wayside in favor of more mainstream, higher volume selling vehicles.
The new Ridgeline may well become mainstream, high volume sales...

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