Author Topic: Looking at a Honda Ridgeline (Read 1011 times)

Fobroader · « **on:** January 04, 2012, 02:51:28 pm »

Hey guys, Im sick and tired that my 3/4 ton truck guzzles fuel, cant get rid of it because it hauls our trailer, and am looking at a smaller truck to have day to day. I need a bit of hauling capacity, ground clearance, 4 doors and four wheel drive. Ive been looking at a couple of Ridgelines, and against all my preconceived notions of a Honda "truck", I like the things. I just wanted to see if there are any owners of either these, even Pilots owners can chime in as its almost the same vehicle, to get some heads up on any problems or complaints about them. I know theyre a Honda product so they should be pretty reliable......but you never know. Thank you in advance.

airbalancer · « **Reply #1 on:** January 04, 2012, 03:01:27 pm »

how much does truck burn

our ridgeline expert writes he get around 13 l/100

so with cost of the ridgeline and insurance will you be saving anything over your truck

Fobroader · « **Reply #2 on:** January 04, 2012, 03:06:07 pm »

Quote from: airbalancer on January 04, 2012, 03:01:27 pm

how much does truck burn

our ridgeline expert writes he get around 13 l/100

so with cost of the ridgeline and insurance will you be saving anything over your truck

Well 20L/100Km+, plus, trying to park a 3/4 ton truck in any newer strip mall is a pain the....you know. The insurance doesnt worry me, a few hundred bucks/year is worth the fuel savings. At 7L/100km less, Im going to be better off and I can keep the 3/4 ton strictly as a trailer hauler for the summer and for when I need a real truck, save on repairs.

ktm525 · « **Reply #3 on:** January 04, 2012, 03:11:42 pm »

With a ridgeline expect 14-15L pure city and perhaps 12ish on the highway. The advantages of the Ridgeline are the lockable trunk and overall size (length) over a comparable 4 door full size. If towing is regular then I would look elsewhere. I can't see the torque challenged V6 being fun to tow with. I have a self imposed tow limit of 200o lbs becasue I don't like the idea of
transaxle doing lots of towing duty.

+'s.

Ride is smooth and controlled
Handling a typical 4*4 can only dream of
lots of storage
good back seat room
extremely good AWD for on road winter conditions. If regular heavy off roading is your game then look elsewhere.

-'s
fuel economy should be better
engine lacks torque
typical Honda road noise

ps. I should add that the Ridgeline is one of the most stable vehicles I have ever driven. Hit some standing water on the highway etc and the truck just tracks through it. No muss, no fuss.

Fobroader · « **Reply #4 on:** January 04, 2012, 03:21:47 pm »

No, Im not going to be towing anything regularly, our trailer is alsmot 7000Lbs, thats why Im keeping the big truck. Thanks for the advice though, I didnt think a 3.5V6 would have a problem hauling around the Ridgeline.

bridgecity · « **Reply #5 on:** January 04, 2012, 03:24:00 pm »

I have owned a Pilot for nearly 6 years, and KTM is spot on with his comments. The ride is like a Caddy compared to any pickup and parking lots are a breeze. Additionally, there aren't any major issues with the latest models drivetrains, and maintenance is straightforward. (besides the timing belt).

I actually towed a 4000lb RV with my Pilot for a couple of seasons. It was very stable when setup properly with a WDH, but ya, power was lacking. Its fine if your just towing a boat/quad trailer here and there.

ktm525 · « **Reply #6 on:** January 04, 2012, 03:39:20 pm »

The Ridgeline hauls itself around just fine. Even loaded with a couple of dirtbikes a couple people and a bunch of camping gear it is fine.

The engine is uber smooth, just not a lot of torque delivery down low. My previous rides had oodles of torque down low so that is what makes the torque thing stick out.

airbalancer · « **Reply #7 on:** January 04, 2012, 03:41:18 pm »

were you looking new or used?

AP · « **Reply #8 on:** January 04, 2012, 03:45:38 pm »

Get an Ecoboost F150. Based on my experience you should do about as well as the numbers discussed in this thread for the Ridgeline.

For that matter, get an F150 with the new 3.7 V6 and you may well beat the Ridgeline's fuel economy but benefit from additional utility.

airbalancer · « **Reply #9 on:** January 04, 2012, 03:53:26 pm »

Quote from: AP on January 04, 2012, 03:45:38 pm

Get an Ecoboost F150. Based on my experience you should do about as well as the numbers discussed in this thread for the Ridgeline.

For that matter, get an F150 with the new 3.7 V6 and you may well beat the Ridgeline's fuel economy but benefit from additional utility.

I was thinking of that also, how much can you tow with the ecoboost?

bridgecity · « **Reply #10 on:** January 04, 2012, 03:56:10 pm »

It sounds like he wants to downsize, not only for fuel economy reasons. The new F-150s are big, may be as big as his current GM, depending on the year.

AP · « **Reply #11 on:** January 04, 2012, 04:03:27 pm »

Quote from: airbalancer on January 04, 2012, 03:53:26 pm

Quote from: AP on January 04, 2012, 03:45:38 pm
Get an Ecoboost F150. Based on my experience you should do about as well as the numbers discussed in this thread for the Ridgeline.

For that matter, get an F150 with the new 3.7 V6 and you may well beat the Ridgeline's fuel economy but benefit from additional utility.

I was thinking of that also, how much can you tow with the ecoboost?

Mine is rated for 8200 lbs because I went with the 3.31 gears. Same truck with the 3:55s is rated for 9700.

The 3.7 V6 ranges from 5500 to 6100 depending upon configuration.

ktm525 · « **Reply #12 on:** January 04, 2012, 04:20:42 pm »

Post is in the used car/trucks so I assumed used,. I probably would have went the F150 ecoboost route but my garage dimensions and parking space downtown dictated a Ridgeline.

Fobroader · « **Reply #13 on:** January 04, 2012, 04:24:05 pm »

Ive looked at the gm 1/2 tons.....but really, the size and everything Im almost as well off as driving my truck....plus Ive never liked the look and interiors on Fords. The reason I like the Ridgeline is because its not riding on a frame, its 4x4ish ,independent suspension, can still haul something from Home Depot in the bed, can haul a quad or 2 if need be and its extremely comfortable. I was looking used, something 2006-2008, lower Km......and just my thing, must have a sunroof (welfare convertible

). I know having 2 trucks for some people is hard to understand, but I cannot imagine driving a vehicle without a box, so handy to have. Plus, this thing should fit in my garage without problems......unlike the GM.

ktm525 · « **Reply #14 on:** January 04, 2012, 04:42:24 pm »

Ridgeline had a mid life redesign for the 2009 model year. This included mild styling tweaks, additonal equipment etc. Some items added were a 115V plug, a AUX IPOD connection port and tow package standard. 2006-2009 Ridglines appear to be screwed together better than the 2010+. Consumer Reoports essentially has all red circles for the first 3 years. The assembly location was was moved from Ontario to Alabama. If buying 2006-2008 make sure it has the trailer hitch and associated transmission cooler etc. Hitches were not stock for those years.

Fobroader · « **Reply #15 on:** January 04, 2012, 04:46:52 pm »

Quote from: ktm525 on January 04, 2012, 04:42:24 pm

Ridgeline had a mid life redesign for the 2009 model year. This included mild styling tweaks, additonal equipment etc. Some items added were a 115V plug, a AUX IPOD connection port and tow package standard. 2006-2009 Ridglines appear to be screwed together better than the 2010+. Consumer Reoports essentially has all red circles for the first 3 years. The assembly location was was moved from Ontario to Alabama. If buying 2006-2008 make sure it has the trailer hitch and associated transmission cooler etc. Hitches were not stock for those years.

Thanks for the info!!! Ill defiently look for the tranny cooler as I imagine grenading the tranny or transfer case would involve remortgaging the house.

Fobroader · « **Reply #16 on:** January 05, 2012, 10:41:07 am »

SO I went to test drive an 07 last night, well equipped, stack of dealer service reciepts and a bunch of work done to it.....sounded great, till I pulled up to his house and saw I would say a 30'ish foot travel trailer in his driveway. He had a hitch and brake controller on the truck, so that was his pulling vehicle obviously. 140K km and the transmission was slipping and he still wanted $17,000 for it because it was "well maintained at the dealer"......yeah chief, but youre tranny is shot, thats gotta account for some sort of bargaining me thinks. So anyways, search goes on.

ktm525 · « **Reply #17 on:** January 05, 2012, 11:31:23 am »

Quote from: Fobroader on January 05, 2012, 10:41:07 am

SO I went to test drive an 07 last night, well equipped, stack of dealer service reciepts and a bunch of work done to it.....sounded great, till I pulled up to his house and saw I would say a 30'ish foot travel trailer in his driveway. He had a hitch and brake controller on the truck, so that was his pulling vehicle obviously. 140K km and the transmission was slipping and he still wanted $17,000 for it because it was "well maintained at the dealer"......yeah chief, but youre tranny is shot, thats gotta account for some sort of bargaining me thinks. So anyways, search goes on.

LOL Perhaps look for a Ridgeline with NO hitch. I think all the other equipment was standard, just not the hitch. Trick to buying used is to find the creampuff. What area of Alberta are you scoping? I have never seen a Ridgeline in Calgary towing anything more than a utility trailer and there are TONS of Ridglines here.

Fobroader · « **Reply #18 on:** January 05, 2012, 11:40:03 am »

Im between Edmonton and Leduc. Im looking all over Alberta but Im really in no hurry, this one was actually in town so I thought what the hell. I dont mind if the thing comes with a hitch, most people I know wouldnt even know what that chunk of metal under the rear bumper does. Edmonton has its fair share of Ridgelines, especially now that its "winter" they came out of the woodwork.

The Mighty Duck · « **Reply #19 on:** January 06, 2012, 07:29:06 pm »

My dad is on his second Ridgeline. He's totally sold on them. I think they're a great truck. A little expensive, and the fuel economy isn't as good as it ought to be, but overall it's imo the best vehicle available if you need an open bed but don't need heavy towing/hauling capabilities.