Honda Car Forum

Thinking about buying a Ridgeline. Any Ridgeline Owners in this group
care to share the pros & cons on this truck.

I wouldn't recommend the Ridgeline.

Compare the truck to all the other trucks. Price, Horsepower, weight,
towing capacity, interior room, etc. You will then see that one is
really not getting their moneys worth on the Ridgeline.

Ford still makes the best trucks on the North American Market.

If you want a car though, get the Honda.

Stan Dupp wrote:
> Thinking about buying a Ridgeline. Any Ridgeline Owners in this group
> care to share the pros & cons on this truck.

A co-worker owns one. He never uses it like truck but he likes the
look. Doesn't like the mpg.

To each, their own.

I have owned 3 trucks, a Chevy Silverado, a Ford F-150 Lariat, and now the
Ridgeline. The first two were fine trucks, no real complaints but the
Ridgeline is the best of the lot. The hidden trunk is fantastic, the ride
and handling are great.

Just my experience and opinion.

eastwardbound2003@yahoo.com wrote:
> I wouldn't recommend the Ridgeline.
>
> Compare the truck to all the other trucks. Price, Horsepower, weight,
> towing capacity, interior room, etc. You will then see that one is
> really not getting their moneys worth on the Ridgeline.

its all about the 4-door tacoma. not even necessarily the newer ones,
either. im not too fond of the plastic cladding.

Check out this forum:
http://www.ridgelineownersclub.com/


"Stan Dupp" <sdupp@netscape.net> wrote in message
news:e0oco6$p3m$1@emma.aioe.org...
> Thinking about buying a Ridgeline. Any Ridgeline Owners in this group
> care to share the pros & cons on this truck.

I bought one in mid-February, and I am still developing my opinion. Here is
what I would recommend at this point - if you are only going to own one
vehicle, I would recommend the Ridgeline over any truck. If you are going to
own a car and are looking for a workhorse, you may want to consider a
traditional truck. The Ridgeline in its current configuration probably won't
be a hot seller with farmers and construction workers - partly because of
the small bed and partly because of its towing capacity. However, as far as
how it is constructed and its design, it seems very tough and capable.

I like the trunk in the bed, the handling and ride, and the spacious
interior, including the well thought out rear seats. The interior is a nice
compromise between truck and car. I would like to see them lower the vehicle
a little, or possibly put in an air-adjustable ride-height option. The ride
is quiet and firm. The FWD priority AWD is very nice in bad weather. The
trim body makes parking lots a little more welcoming than with a full-size
truck.

Most of my complaints are about poor instrument and control layout.
Unfortunately, Honda continues with the Japanese tradition of every control
having an On/Off switch in addition to controls for the item. The HVAC
system is about as convoluted as can be and takes up nearly a square foot of
dash space. The cruise control On/Off is conveniently placed out-of-sight by
your left knee, while the remainder of the cruise system is on the steering
wheel. The light switch, is placed where my left knee bangs into it every
time I get into the vehicle. The tilt steering wheel, keeping in Japanese
tradition, doesn't have enough adjustment, and when it is adjusted as good
as I can get it (its lowest position is still too high), almost completely
blocks my view of the speedo, tach, and some of the idiot lights (I'm 5'7").
Other complaints include ambient type lighting of the instruments which
makes it tough to remember to turn on your headlights when you are in an
illuminated parking lot. The headlights are not automatic, but the
instrument lights are, leading you to believe your headlights are on when
they aren't. Other gripes are the lack of DRL's, small sunroof, lack of low
range in transfer case, and wimpy heated seats.

My biggest complaint, and the complaint of most owners so far is lack of
fuel efficiency. I drive almost entirely on the highway between 55-65 mph
and have yet to break the 16 mpg barrier. Since it is listed as 16 City/21
Hwy, I am not too impressed. It will likely increase slightly as it breaks
in, but I think claims of AVERAGE 21 mpg Hwy was a little optomistic, if not
downright fraudulent.

Dana
2006 Ridgeline RTL

"Stan Dupp" <sdupp@netscape.net> wrote in message
news:e0oco6$p3m$1@emma.aioe.org...
> Thinking about buying a Ridgeline. Any Ridgeline Owners in this group
> care to share the pros & cons on this truck.

Dana Rohleder wrote:
> I bought one in mid-February, and I am still developing my opinion. Here is
> what I would recommend at this point - if you are only going to own one
> vehicle, I would recommend the Ridgeline over any truck. If you are going to
> own a car and are looking for a workhorse, you may want to consider a
> traditional truck. The Ridgeline in its current configuration probably won't
> be a hot seller with farmers and construction workers - partly because of
> the small bed and partly because of its towing capacity. However, as far as
> how it is constructed and its design, it seems very tough and capable.
>
> I like the trunk in the bed, the handling and ride, and the spacious
> interior, including the well thought out rear seats. The interior is a nice
> compromise between truck and car. I would like to see them lower the vehicle
> a little, or possibly put in an air-adjustable ride-height option. The ride
> is quiet and firm. The FWD priority AWD is very nice in bad weather. The
> trim body makes parking lots a little more welcoming than with a full-size
> truck.
>
> Most of my complaints are about poor instrument and control layout.
> Unfortunately, Honda continues with the Japanese tradition of every control
> having an On/Off switch in addition to controls for the item. The HVAC
> system is about as convoluted as can be and takes up nearly a square foot of
> dash space. The cruise control On/Off is conveniently placed out-of-sight by
> your left knee, while the remainder of the cruise system is on the steering

most people i know leave it "on". you still need the steering wheel
controls to activate it.

> wheel. The light switch, is placed where my left knee bangs into it every
> time I get into the vehicle. The tilt steering wheel, keeping in Japanese
> tradition, doesn't have enough adjustment, and when it is adjusted as good
> as I can get it (its lowest position is still too high), almost completely
> blocks my view of the speedo, tach, and some of the idiot lights (I'm 5'7").

are there ANY cars out there that offer the full range of tilt, like the
1973 fleetwood brougham my grandparents used to have?

i was under the impression that due to the mandatory airbag, theres only
a small range of adjustment. airbags dont work well when they fire off
into your knees or the headliner.

> Other complaints include ambient type lighting of the instruments which
> makes it tough to remember to turn on your headlights when you are in an
> illuminated parking lot. The headlights are not automatic, but the
> instrument lights are, leading you to believe your headlights are on when
> they aren't. Other gripes are the lack of DRL's, small sunroof, lack of low
> range in transfer case, and wimpy heated seats.
>
> My biggest complaint, and the complaint of most owners so far is lack of
> fuel efficiency. I drive almost entirely on the highway between 55-65 mph
> and have yet to break the 16 mpg barrier. Since it is listed as 16 City/21
> Hwy, I am not too impressed. It will likely increase slightly as it breaks
> in, but I think claims of AVERAGE 21 mpg Hwy was a little optomistic, if not
> downright fraudulent.

you live in an area that uses reformulated gas? if so, blame the EPA.
>
> Dana
> 2006 Ridgeline RTL
>
> "Stan Dupp" <sdupp@netscape.net> wrote in message
> news:e0oco6$p3m$1@emma.aioe.org...
>> Thinking about buying a Ridgeline. Any Ridgeline Owners in this group
>> care to share the pros & cons on this truck.
>
>

>
> are there ANY cars out there that offer the full range of tilt, like the
> 1973 fleetwood brougham my grandparents used to have?
>
> i was under the impression that due to the mandatory airbag, theres only a
> small range of adjustment. airbags dont work well when they fire off into
> your knees or the headliner.

My 2002 Saturn LW300 has a full range, easy to use tilt wheel. Spring
oaded - touch the lever and it jumps to full up position to allow easy
entry/exit. Plus, when adjusted properly (airbag aimed at chest, not face)
it doesn't block the gauges.

On Fri, 07 Apr 2006 09:12:49 -0700, SoCalMike
<Mikein562athotmail@hotmail.com> wrote:

>> My biggest complaint, and the complaint of most owners so far is lack of
>> fuel efficiency. I drive almost entirely on the highway between 55-65 mph
>> and have yet to break the 16 mpg barrier. Since it is listed as 16 City/21
>> Hwy, I am not too impressed. It will likely increase slightly as it breaks
>> in, but I think claims of AVERAGE 21 mpg Hwy was a little optomistic, if not
>> downright fraudulent.
>
>you live in an area that uses reformulated gas? if so, blame the EPA.

Also, driving 55-65 means you are driving faster than the EPA mandated
speed for the test. That makes a big difference in a vehicle like
this. Add in the fact that the EPA numbers are optimistic anyway and
you can count on some breathtaking numbers at the pump.

Out of curiosity, for what and how often do you use the bed? (In your
truck, I mean ;-)