I used to make fun of the Ridgeline, thought it wasn't a REAL truck. Then I saw a guy haul 2 dirt bikes over 1,000 miles with one and it changed my mind. It's a truck for folks who need to carry bikes in the back, a load of dirt from Home Depot occasionally type of truck. And the feature I really like is the integrated notches on the front rail, so when you load a motorcycle there is a notch for the front wheels.
It's not for hauling 5th wheels. But yeah, it's a Tacoma vs. Ridgeline comparison, can't really compare it to the Tundra. /Mike
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2001 2WD Silver Tundra: 4x4 TRD springs, Daystar 1", Carson AAL, red/blue Bilsteins, 265/75 Revo's, IS kit(minus bumper) and rims(hand polished), RF851X amp, Alpine HU, JL 6.5"XR comps, Qlogic with JL 8W3V2 subs. 185k miles and counting......
2005 Silver Sienna LE with 12" Overhead DVD
LOL at the TRANSFORMER comment! Wow, you hit the Ridgeline's description on the head. It can transform from the comfortable people hauler, to the Home Depot hauler, to the tailgate party machine, and back again. I guess it is what we call in the Transformers fanbase a multi-changer. The only thing it is missing is robot mode. Oh, I'm also a Transformers fan.
The problem with the Ridgeline is many people first and foremost make fun of it for being a fullsized truck. It is not, it is a mid sized truck at best. It is one, despite some of the BY DESIGN traits Honda gave it to be unique and more competitive amongst its "peers," the mid-sized trucks. If there ever was an El Camino of new vehicles it would have to be that UGLY vehicle at SEMA this year under the name of LUV. Or the now discontinued Subaru Baja. They stopped production because of low sales.
Suprisingly, although it is a small niche, the Ridgeline hits a truck market that some competitors such as Chevy and Mercedes want to capitalize on. The people who haul people more then cargo more often, yet want a pickup bed for convenience. The trunk is one of the Ridgeline's unique traits, and is patented, but that doesn't mean someone won't improve upon it. Who knows? Maybe we'll see a two tiered bed with the second featuring a sliding tray, and loading ramp for the upper tier?
I think what really stinks is your gross misinformation. Your opinion is your own, and I'm not going to flame you or say anything against it. I just have a problem with your lack of a factual argument. Come on over to the Ridgeline forums that you quoted and you'll get a better perspective. Here is an example:
Even though it is a small margin, I think you can see through those two threads that MORE people (per se) are disatisfied and why with their Tundra. Sure, both are recommended, and I would recommend them too. But, think of it like this. There have been few and far between transmission failures with the Ridgeline then with the new Tundra, AND the Ridgeline's tailgate doesn't BUCKLE under weight unlike the new Tundra's.
And ALL trucks nowadays can STINK with their their catalytic converters burning off waste products. It is a mater of bad gas. I've had it in my Tundra, Ridgeline, my Mom's Toyota Camry and other vehicles. To use that as an argument point is ridiculous. Please, let's stick with other more original valid points like:
Transverse mounted engine
AWD to 4WD mode (has an even power mode, but NO low mode)
Four-wheel independent suspension (BUT how could they not have had the trunk without it?)
247HP V6 engine. ONLY engine option
Weird button placement. Cruise control ON switch UNDER dash? WTF?
1400 pound capacity IN BED TOTAL! "ON" bed it is 1100 pounds, in the trunk 300.
Try some of those as argument points for a change instead of the old throw-your-hands-up tactic of "OH, IT'S NOT A TRUKK! IT'S A BITCH HAULIN' MOBILE." THAT argument is so far from original it isn't even funny.
Sorry, but I stopped reading after the first 2 sentences! By chance, are you involved with, or ever been associated with the U.S. government?
Originally Posted by Charley_S;814539 The Ridgeline does not offer a low range [B
or a locking differential.[/B]
If I am not mistaken, the 2wd version of the Ridgeline is FWD.......
Ridgeline does have a locking rear differential that works in 1st, 2nd and reverse. It completely locks below 5 miles an hour and then tapers off up to 18 MPH where it unlocks.
All Ridgelines are 4wd...no 2wd versions have been built.
Last edited by ilikeasbestos; 11-05-2007 at 02:11 PM.
If you didn't want a truck you shouldn't have bought one. Have fun in your new car!
Really, you can throw any label you want on it. That car can load 1/2 ton+ of 4x8 plywood in its bed and have have it lay completely flat between its 4 ft wide wells. Something that typically can only be accomplished in a full size truck. It also comes standard with a inbed tool chest that's the size of a shopping cart with the most versatile and toughest gate on the market (and supported by only one cable!!). And a traction system that competes in the Baja in completely stock form. Only Honda could design a car that has more capability than most (midsize) trucks. Great job, Honda! I'll take a Honda "car" over any other truck maker's "mid size truck" anyday.
I don't troll the Ridge Board, or any other feminine sites for that matter! If I did, maybe that would be sign that I need to evaluate my inner feelings....... I mean my vehicle purchase.
I think Motley Crew said it best!............. Girl, don't go away mad! Girl, just go away!
Sorry, but I stopped reading after the first 2 sentences! By chance, are you involved with, or ever been associated with the U.S. government?
Not directly, but would working for UPS for 2 years and now in consumer finances for 2 years count?
I mean, seriously guys, don't be unnerved by the Ridgeline. It is a very capable and competent truck and so are the FULL SIZE TRUCKS. If you want to be "fair" compare it amidst the mid-sized trucks in the category.
As for the Ridgeline, let me clarify something. There is absolutely, positively, NO FWD VERSION! It comes with one cab, engine, and transmission available. The only options you get are color, trim level (RT, RTX, RTS, RTL and RTL w/ NAV) and factory additions. It drives predominantly like a FWD vehicle, which does take some getting used too. It also can provide the power to the rear under load or when needed. The VTM-4 Lock button on the dash allows the computer to disperse power to wheels in an off-road manner and to provide optimal traction. It is NOT a low mode.
Because of the IFS, AWD to 4WD mode, and other factors the Ridgeline isn't the fastest turning vehicle. It turns like my old Access Cab Tundra did, and in about 39 to 42 feet. That is one initial concern, but once you've driven it for awhile you learn to adjust your driving. It isn't Tacoma agile off or on-road, but it is a lot more comfortable for long legged folk all around and handles like a car on the road. By design. The Ridgeline has phenomenal on-road traction and I've only have heard the tires chirp when turning too quickly on the road. Sadly, you can't do burnouts with the VSA on. I've also seen photos of the Ridgeline PULLING larger vehicles out (like a FJ Cruiser) who got stuck.
Sorry, been watching a lot of Top Gear recently online and a bit of the long winded Jeremy Clarkson got into me.
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Last edited by My03Tundra; 11-05-2007 at 04:23 PM.
I don't troll the Ridge Board, or any other feminine sites for that matter! If I did, maybe that would be sign that I need to evaluate my inner feelings....... I mean my vehicle purchase.
I think Motley Crew said it best!............. Girl, don't go away mad! Girl, just go away!
Ummm... then why is there a CR-V in your signature? Is there something you aren't telling us there?
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Is something supposed to be here?
I don't troll the Ridge Board, or any other feminine sites for that matter! If I did, maybe that would be sign that I need to evaluate my inner feelings....... I mean my vehicle purchase.
I think Motley Crew said it best!............. Girl, don't go away mad! Girl, just go away!
Yikes...misoygnistic much?
Don't let me tell you how to interpret the gender of vehicles (since it seems you've already got it all figured out), but it seems to me it's actually more manly to buy what you want, regardless of what others think.
Last edited by ThirdHorseman; 11-05-2007 at 03:57 PM.
Just a quick note, we have an Acura MDX which has I believe a similar FWD / 4WD system to the ridgeline....the MDX one is not very good....on snow pulling a snowmobile trailer, i have gotten stuck a bunch of times....last time I even had cables on the front wheels and still couldn't get up a small incline...Had to be pulled out by a chevy (i think).....so now I need a truck!
Re: Sold my Tundra
Linear Mode
