honda ridgeline ?

[Bigbartguy]

Folks

I'm in the market for a new truck and am considering the Honda Ridgeline. Anyone have an experience w/ these? likes/dislikes?

I need the 4 doors and want to keep it SUV-like as possible. My biggest concern is that my Fishtrap Yukon wont fit completely in the back of it with the tailgate up - bed box 60", Fishtrap 63".

thanks!

[Ralph Wiggum]

I've been dreamin' of one for a while now. They look awesome. I'd be interested in hearing from some owners, too!

[bama]

I purchased a Ridgeline RTL last December and have been very pleased with it so far.

The extra "trunk" is a lot bigger then I anticipated and offers enough room to store all my luggage for a weekend getaway while being able to store whatever on top (bikes, dog kennel, etc.). I have a fish trap guide (60") that barely fits in the back with the tailgate up so your house unfortunately won't make it.

I have roughly 7K miles on it now and have averaged anywhere from 19mpg around town to 21mpg on the highway. At $3 gas prices, that extra 4 miles (compared to average full size) makes a big difference at the pump.

Also the size of it makes a difference as I have a garage that is 21' deep so this truck still allows me room to maneuver in there without pulling it out.

I know that all my comments about it have been good but I will say that the heated seats (RTL only) do not seem to get as hot as those of a GM product. That's the only down side that I have at this time.

Those are the highline items but if you have any more specific questions I'll try to answer to the best of my ability.

Brandon

[Juan Grande]

Bigbartguy,

I've had a Ridgeline since last November and I love it! I agree with everything Bama said. We get anywhere from 17 to 21 mpg, depending on how much city/highway driving. I have a Lund 1700ss and 115 Merc and it pulls it just fine.

I took it up to Red Lake last winter and we had two guys in the truck, all our gear in the bed and were pulling a trailer with two fish houses, two augers and a four wheeler. We took it off the plowed road into two feet of fresh snow and it handled it great. My friends (who are devout Chevy owners) were very impressed.

The short bed may be a little small for your fish house, but there is a bed extender tailgate available. The in bed trunk is really big and great for groceries, gear or whatever. It locks too so it's secure. The tailgate opens down like a truck or sideways like a station wagon for easy access.

Another cool feature is that the back bench seats can fold up and give you tons of floor space to put stuff if you only have two people in the truck.

It comes standard with a great sound system too.

I know I sound like a Honda salesman, but it really is a great truck.

[jbtwins24]

i have the rtl/nav ridgeline and it does wonders. i use to sell them in cali and as soon as a saw one come in i was the first person to buy one. i took the truck on a little road trip from cali to minnesota and it got great fuel milage, i was getting close to 26 m/g. then you have the whole storage spaces and just the room inside for everybody to sit. now i put my dirt bikes in the back and tow my 16ft boat. trust me, its so worth the money. they are talking about in 4-5 yrs making the hybred ridgeline. how awsome will that be?!

[Fishin4Life]

26 mpg with a V8, you have to be kidding! That is awesome

[bama]

It's a V6. 3.5L with about 247hp and 255lbs of torque I believe. So it wouldn't shock me if he got that on the highway.

[Fishin4Life]

Quote:

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It's a V6. 3.5L with about 247hp and 255lbs of torque I believe. So it wouldn't shock me if he got that on the highway.

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Oh I thought the ridgeline came with a V8

[Juan Grande]

Nope, just the 3.5L V6 for now. Engine may seem like it's on the small side for towing, but I it's pulled my boat just fine so far.

I was also a little nervous about the AWD vs. regular 4WD, but I've pulled out of some pretty steep launches and never slipped.

[Bigbartguy]

Juan and Bama - can I ask what dealers you used and your experience?

I got a price quote from 1 dealer via email, and now he's not responding to me. Another dealer refused to give me a quote unless I came in. Forget him! I'm a believer in using the internet to my advantage. I'd rather negotiate ahead of time.

you can email me if you want at bigbartguy at operamail.com

thanks!

[bama]

Email sent. Hopefully it's helpful.

Brandon

[Bigbartguy]

thanks Bama - it was and I did hear back from them. I'm looking at it tonight