Wall-E does it again! 2009 Honda Ridgeline
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http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do...ticleId=129130
I can't believe people dare to be seen in these things.
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On paper, the Ridgeline fits the demographic perfectly. Very few owners really need a pickup for rugged hauling service but they like the image. Most are suburban commuters who are seeking a cheaper alternative to a minivan without the mommyvan image. They like the amenities and ride of their car, and the Ridgeline is a perfect compromise.
The problem is that Honda lost sight of why that suburban demographic buys trucks in the first place: macho image. They want to pretend they are rugged "knights of the road", even while they drive to the garden center in designer jeans and flip-flops. Building a crossover pickup might have answered the demo's need, but it ignored their wants. Typical Honda corporate-think.
Right now the Ridgeline looks like a Pilot with a back porch.
The problem is that Honda lost sight of why that suburban demographic buys trucks in the first place: macho image. They want to pretend they are rugged "knights of the road", even while they drive to the garden center in designer jeans and flip-flops. Building a crossover pickup might have answered the demo's need, but it ignored their wants. Typical Honda corporate-think.
Right now the Ridgeline looks like a Pilot with a back porch.
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 31,944
Likes: 2,737
From: North Carolina
If I was forced to make a decision between these two, it would be a split decision. Honda if I had to drive daily, Ford when I had something to tow or move.
You don't even need to go to the domestic brands anymore for heavy-duty stuff. The Nissan Titan and newest versions of the Toyota Tundra can tow over 10,000 lbs. Unfortunately, like some of the domestic trucks (especially Chevy and Dodge), both the Titan and current-gen Tundra have had reliability problems.
The Ridgeline, of course, will work for light-to-medium duty stuff. It also has something the domestic trucks don't, besides the clever sealed compartments.....a unibody and separate frame COMBINED.
People who drive a huge 'dually' (dual rear wheel per side) truck are not doing it for image because a truck like that is quite expensive to own and run and awkard to park, turn around, etc. They get a truck like that because they have to tow something big like a huge boat, or a big trailer, maybe with horses.
You can pull a 2 horse trailer (which my wife has) with an F-150, but a 4 horse would need something like you posted (F-350 I think).
I'll take the Honda reliability over this A N Y D A Y !!!
Last edited by bitkahuna; Jul 17, 2008 at 07:00 PM.
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 31,944
Likes: 2,737
From: North Carolina
You don't even need to go to the domestic brands anymore for heavy-duty stuff. The Nissan Titan and newest versions of the Toyota Tundra can tow over 10,000 lbs. Unfortunately, like some of the domestic trucks (especially Chevy and Dodge), both the Titan and current-gen Tundra have had reliability problems.

The mod potential on these rigs are insane! Bullydog & other companies have some crazy turbo kits for these trucks. It would put many cars to shame off the line.. I would love a Harley Davidson Edition Ford F250 for hauling when I get tired of utes..
enough said...
didn't mean to offend an F series driver....just razzin.
my Dad has a ridgeline and tows his boat once month with ZERO issues....and IT IS SIGNIFICANT! 5000 lbs towing capacity.
Last edited by bagwell; Jul 17, 2008 at 03:26 PM.



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