GRM's Ridgeline.

You guys had one as a shop mule for a while, I'm not exactly in the market but curious.

I searched all the usual places but didn't find anything.

Got a link to information, I need to hear the good, the bad and the ugly.

Thanks, Dan

Ohh god...

I'm ducking now, before all the "It's not a truck" people show up.

http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/grm/ridgeline-is-your-tow-rig-pick/3594/page1/ <-- thread from way back

They are a better truck than a Ford Ranger with the short box.

Thanks guys, but I was looking for something impartial, less emotional than the six page thread.

GRM did have one right? Are my clutches slipping and I made all this up in my head? Oy, they say after 50 it's the second thing to go....

Yes they had one and Tim liked it a lot IIRC.

They tow pretty well and have Honda "reliability" which is to say they fail at the same rate as other truck manufacturers.

Tim and Margie still own one. It's had a few issues here and there, but overall they're happy. They're waiting for the new bodystyle to see what it's like as a replacement.

914Driver wrote: Thanks guys, but I was looking for something impartial, less emotional than the six page thread.

Yes... I'd like to say I had nothing to do with that craziness, but............

Real trucks can be washed out with a garden hose.

Sorry, couldn't resist

Obviously you haven't seen my cars.

I really am hoping for a ridgeline diesel v6 in a few years. I think it would be a good vehicle to have as a daily driver, family hauler, camping machine, home depot rig, and light duty tower. However, The damn things aren't selling super well. I think they'll keep the ridgeline but I don't know if they'll invest tons in the future of the vehicle.

Look at fuelly and the average mpg's of the guys who own them... http://www.fuelly.com/car/honda/ridgeline

Just not what you would expect from a Honda. I hope that diesel comes, but from what I've heard from my friends on the inside, it is on hold. If it comes, it will be in the Odyessy first.

(just for a reference, the ridgeline looks at worst to be no better MPG wise than a 1500 silverado, at best it only incrementally better by a few mpg fuelly silverado 1500 )

I know that there were rumors of a K-Series diesel. Rumors that the K Series had been designed from the ground up to be strong enough to support diesel with nothing but a change to the head and induction system. Not sure what ever happened to that, but I liked the idea a lot.

Yep, we still have one. Overall, one of our favorite worky cars ever--drives like a car, hauls 5 in comfort, rear "trunk" holds $300 worth of groceries (and is a real peace-of-mind feature theft-wise, since few crooks would know it's there to break into), useful off-road, and hauls and tows like as much of a truck as we need (which is more than most people with "real" trucks need, ironically). Mileage is marginally better than other trucks in its class but nothing to write home about, nav system is fabulous, transmission's been a performer (we were nervous after problems with our Odyssey). Would definitely recommend it if you're looking for a daily-driver truck.

Margie

ignorant wrote: I really am hoping for a ridgeline diesel v6 in a few years. I think it would be a good vehicle to have as a daily driver, family hauler, camping machine, home depot rig, and light duty tower. However, The damn things aren't selling super well. I think they'll keep the ridgeline but I don't know if they'll invest tons in the future of the vehicle. Look at fuelly and the average mpg's of the guys who own them... http://www.fuelly.com/car/honda/ridgeline Just not what you would expect from a Honda. I hope that diesel comes, but from what I've heard from my friends on the inside, it is on hold. If it comes, it will be in the Odyessy first. (just for a reference, the ridgeline looks at worst to be no better MPG wise than a 1500 silverado, at best it only incrementally better by a few mpg fuelly silverado 1500 )

Being that I work in the upscale honda line, the mileage does not suprise me in the least bit. These things are averaging what the WORST tank of gas my Sierra has returned.

Sorry, I'd rather have my sierra with it's 24+mpg highway, 19-20 around town and tows 7500lbs like no one's business, carries 6 comfortably and actually sounds right.

Marjorie Suddard wrote: Yep, we still have one. Mileage is marginally better than other trucks in its class but nothing to write home about.... Margie

Well the MPG gauntlet has been thrown, what numbers were you guys getting Margie?

Looking for a replacement for a 4-Runner; prefer a four door 2WD.

Dan

Then look above you.

Now, I'm one of those "it's not a real truck" guys, but that's because I feel that if it has a bed, it better be 8', and have a diesel under the hood (Cummins no less). But, I'll say that most folks that own a 1500 or 150 can do everything they need to do with the Honda.
Now Margie, as far as that "trunk" in the bed, that's where the spare tire is as well right? I don't like the idea (though with me it's just an idea, I've not lived with it, you have). I think to myself, "if I get a flat tire with a load of wood chips or landscape bricks I'm screwed".
What's your experience?

Sure, but why would one want to spend MORE money to purchase it, then more at the pumps? plus with a "real" (for lack of a better term) truck you have more abilities to expand later on. More cargo, more towing, more power......

Do the ridgelines still wrinkle the bodies up with a load in the bed and the road gets uneven, like going across the yard?

EDIT: Don't get me wrong, the ridgeline is probably fine for the typical suburbanite that doesn't know what a truck is, or what you use it for. I've driven one. 2 actually. To say it drives a ton different than my 2wd GMC, I just don't see it. I thought the ride was actually worse in the ridgeline than the sierra (2wd, not comparing the torsion bar 4wd) and with the newer tires the Sierra will handle any curve the ridgeline will.

Like I've stated before, on another lengthy thread I started, I don't see the fascination. It's a compromise on everything and the poor mileage shows.

I haven't had a flat tire on a vehicle in many, many years. Given the frequency of the occurrence, I'd probably stop trying to go outside at all if I was so unlucky that I managed to hit the "flat tire" and "bed full" buttons at once. And if I did, I'd pull out my AAA card. (Probablly would anyway.) But the spare tire accessibility issue sounds awesome in an argument. Of course, I wonder about the sudden concern this vehicle has spurred among the spare-tire-carrying public, since most of the used cars I've bought did not have a usable spare (dry-rotted, no air, mounted on wheels so damaged they wouldn't HOLD air, etc.).

I dunno about Ridgelines "still" wrinkling up the bodies with loads over uneven ground, Bob; ours certainly hasn't. (Do you still beat your wife?) Nor do I consider myself a "typical Suburbanite," and it absolutely drives better. Then again, I probably drive a lot more stuff than little ole you, so you can be forgiven your condescending ignorance.

As for mileage, Dan, if it's at all a concern and you'd rather have a 2WD, don't even look at the AWD Ridgeline--we're talking 17 in-town and low 20s highway. Get yourself a basic 2WD truck, save some money, lose quite a few utility points, and head down the road.

My car-dealer father-in-law has always been fond of the saying, "There's an ass for every seat." The Ridgeline fits mine. (And heats it--yum.) Anyone who doesn't like it is free to take their ass elsewhere. Don't make no difference to me; mine's bought and (mostly) paid for.

Margie

Ouch.

Yes, I know, you have a magazine and get to drive lots of cool cars. I've workeddealerships for the last 7 years, also driving lots of cool cars. Most of the time we agree, sometimes we don't. To say that the RL is a far superior road vehicle to a 2WD 1500 is silly. There's a reason we take ours to Tucson. It's comfortable for the 30 hour one way stints.

I also don't appreciate being called a wife beater. I've never laid a hand on a woman. I never will. You want to get your granny panties in a bunch because you might fit the stereotype of a subrbanite, not my problem.

The anti-Ridgeline crowd kills me. The Ridgeline is a great vehicle for what it is. If it get's your panties in a knot, call it an SUV with the top cut off of the back. In case you haven't noticed, most 1/2 ton trucks aren't in the traditional configuration anymore, and aren't used as pure blue-collar vehicles. Honda just had the good sense to build a vehicle that's aimed squarely at those light/occasional users as opposed to being a "traditional" unit modified to the task.

As a MPG data point, my co-workers own the following

2008 Toyota Tundra 4WD with he small motor. 18 HWY ~16.0 Average 2008 GMC Sierra Ext cab 4WD with the small motor. 19 HWY ~17 Average 2004 Chevrolet Z71 Ext Cab 20 HWY ~18 Average

None have ever gotten a tank over 20, all have gotten close to it.

Thanks Margie. I've had real trucks, split rims and all. I know the difference, but I also know what suits my needs.

Per suggested you're looking at a new one, there must be something to it if you're doing it again. I may or may not be in the market at the time, but if you sell please toss it up here for us Soccer Mom Suburbanites. I miss the heated seats I had in the SAAB, it's much colder here than Ormond Beach.

Dan

Uh, speaking of panties... sorry, didn't realize you'd take it seriously, but I forgot how rabid people get about the Ridgeline.

FYI, the "wife beater" comment is a classic, used as an example in teaching writing skills and how the use of the word "still" assumes facts that aren't necessarily there. Sorry; it was said as an example, and I assumed you'd heard it used that way. Another no-no is putting words into people's mouths, like telling me I called the Ridgeline "a far superior road vehicle," then going on to talk about highway manners like that's what we were discussing. (And like that's the be-all and end-all of handling.)

Look, I'm seriously glad your truck fits your needs. And trust me, I don't really care which of your stereotypes I fit. I just foolishly thought I would be able to convince you that my viewpoint might be valid. In a thread where someone asked me for my opinion. Uh, keep on truckin'.

Margie

I really like the Ridgeline, but they are expensive and won't hold a motorcycle, so I'll never own one.

The J-series v6 is great, but underpowered, the Odyssey has the same engine but accelerates better.

The chassis is superb, if you're looking for a car-like pickup. IMO the handling made the whole thing feel smaller. I've pushed one into corners hard enough to get the stability management & traction control lights to flash, while off the throttle. It still felt planted.

I bought my Civic non-running and payed the guy $50 to deliver it, he towed it with his Ridgeline. When I asked him about it, he said it towed so well he had sold his 'real truck' a year before. It really seems like the kind of tow rig that would beg to be entered.