First interstate trip and article about Ridgeline

GO_VOLS! · 02-01-2005, 07:20 AM

http://www.thecarconnection.com/index.asp?article=8070

The exterior is growing on me, but the interior is still fugly. The thing I think that really appeals to me is the estimated 21 MPG interstate.

I drove up to TN this weekend, it was my first interstate trip with the Titan (~1,000 miles now) and also my first time to fill up the tank - $42.

I'm not going to b!tch about it b/c I REALLY love this truck. I was amazed at how well it rode and handled the rough AL interstates. My wife figured the first tank got us 13.5 MPG, which I'm hoping will get better as the engine gets broke-in. One thing that I do LOVE, is the exhaust note that flows from the titan's hiney! It just sings to me when I drive.

falchulk · 02-01-2005, 07:40 AM

Its a v6 and not full size. I love this: " Honda’s now legendary VTEC variable valve timing". Yeah, vtec is famous but only to kids that dont know any better. If I wanted a real truck that looked like that I would buy an Avalanche. Its not bad to tell the truth but I dont see a market for it.

BadMo · 02-01-2005, 07:58 AM

I think the Ridgeline will do well...it'll be that compromise vehicle when the wife wants an SUV and the husband wants the truck...good mileage, well designed Honda interior and reliability...enough power to tow the jetskis...and that cooler in the back...

One of the reasons I don't have a new truck yet is because my 94' Acura Legend Coupe won't die and is still a pleasure to drive. It has 185K miles on it...no brake judder yet either

I'm looking at the possibility of taking the seats out of my Acura and installing them on my new Titan when I purchase it...

Personally I wouldn't purchase a Ridgeline. I may be able to live with the V6 since I wouldn't tow much but that 5' bed is just too small(The 5.5' bed on the Titan is already a compromise). They should've gone without the Avalanch angle things too and made it capable of adding some type of overhead rack by including stake holes on the rails.

falchulk · 02-01-2005, 08:05 AM

See, If I am going to have a big vehicle like a truck, I cant live with anything other then a v8. The sound and torque are part of the truck experiance. While the v6 may get the job done, its just not right.

adjmcloon · 02-01-2005, 08:12 AM

I checked a Ridgeline out at the Houston auto show recently, and it is pretty fugly. Looks a whole lot like a mini-Avalanche.

I guess for people who just need a smaller truck it might be nice, but I prefer a V8.

**HudsonValleyTitan** · 02-01-2005, 08:20 AM

Simply put...if Honda can sell thousands of those hideous looking Elements, the Ridgeline will be a huge hit. All Hondas are excellent vehicles. It's this quality and word or mouth that sells them, regardless of their looks. Remember the old "the car that sells itself" tagline? It still holds true today.
I personally wouldn't call the Ridgeline a "truck", but a very good compromise between car and utilitarian for those car people who need a little extra but aren't ready for a truck.

GO_VOLS! · 02-01-2005, 08:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HudsonValleyTitan

Simply put...if Honda can sell thousands of those hideous looking Elements, the Ridgeline will be a huge hit. All Hondas are excellent vehicles. It's this quality and word or mouth that sells them, regardless of their looks. Remember the old "the car that sells itself" tagline? It still holds true today.
I personally wouldn't call the Ridgeline a "truck", but a very good compromise between car and utilitarian for those car people who need a little extra but aren't ready for a truck.

It's not a truck! It's........*gasp*.....an....S....U.....T!!!! Ooooooo! AHHH!

**HudsonValleyTitan** · 02-01-2005, 08:41 AM

S-port U-tility T-??? I've heard of it but...WTF is it? lol Maybe it shoudl be Y-Yuppy?

falchulk · 02-01-2005, 08:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HudsonValleyTitan

Simply put...if Honda can sell thousands of those hideous looking Elements, the Ridgeline will be a huge hit. All Hondas are excellent vehicles. It's this quality and word or mouth that sells them, regardless of their looks. Remember the old "the car that sells itself" tagline? It still holds true today.
I personally wouldn't call the Ridgeline a "truck", but a very good compromise between car and utilitarian for those car people who need a little extra but aren't ready for a truck.

The element was a hit with the 30+ set. It was meant to be a hit with kids. They priced it too high and it found another market. A year ago you would be hard pressed to find an Element on a lot. Today you will find an abundance. Their sales have dropped incredibly fast.

abmobil · 02-01-2005, 08:49 AM

Honda is a great manufacture but quite a few of there late model odessys and acura tls and a few accords have experienced tranny issues very early in there life. One guy i met was on his third tranny in 33k on a 03 oddessy. Another was a 01 tl which by the 70 k point had 4 replaced but the fourth has actually held up to 105k.

TriKKy · 02-01-2005, 09:51 AM

03 Accord tranny go bye bye for me. Their v6 auto's are glass....

**HudsonValleyTitan** · 02-01-2005, 10:01 AM

Sister in law had the same trouble recently with her MDX. New tranny fix the problem and all was taken care of under warranty. Can't ask for much more than that. hey, I tried to talk them into an AWD Murano, and ironically, they were afraid of the "new" CVT tranny.

MO Titan · 02-01-2005, 10:10 AM

Have you driven the Murano? I loved that thing. A little bit to get used to, but that tranny helps at the pump, not to mention it drives like butter. My wife's new car will probably be the Murano if I have anything to say about it.(which I don't

)

**HudsonValleyTitan** · 02-01-2005, 10:15 AM

"Which I don't"....LMAO, spoken like a true married guy!