2017 Honda Ridgeline RTL-E in the driveway

[vintage_tube]

Well, my 1996 Toyota Tacoma 4x4 with 92K miles needed to bow out after 21 years of great service and fun to me. Facing some $3,500 in necessary maintenance issues, I thought it was, for me, fruitless to sink that kind of money into a 21 year old truck that I'd only keep maybe another couple of years. At some point, a decision to modernize with much more safety features & comfort the Toyota couldn't provide had to be made.

Features such as, an improvement to me, a 280 hp 3.5L V-6, 6 speed auto, AWD, 18/25 mpg, with adaptive cruise, forward collision warning & auto braking, lane departure warning & assist, blind spot monitoring, lane watch blind spot monitoring, a REAR camera (love those), dual position tailgate, flat bed to carry a true 4x8 flat, and the hidden rear trunk sold me. Besides, it's a Honda and a Generation 2, so it's called and vastly improved over the G1's. I'd keep it 20 years I imagine.

So, I searched all over NC/SC and found a 2017 Honda Ridgeline RTL-E in Modern Steel Metallic & black leather interior in Virginia. Called the dealer and said hold the truck, I'm enroute and would like a test drive.

By early evening, I'm home. Fast forward a few months, I love it. The ride is sooo smoothe and comparable to a nice car. I didn't realize the comfort in ride I was missing with the Toyota. Of course, large off road tires on the Toyota was partly responsible.

I hook up a trailer at the in-laws farm, but other than that, I don't have a need to tow.

I'm very happy and that's all that matters (for the next 20 years).

Finally, BTW, it was named the 2017 North American Truck of the Year (the North American Car of the Year is an automobile award announced at a news conference each January at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The jury consists of no more than 60 automotive journalists from the USA and Canada).

Bob

[jdandy]

Bob.......Fine looking truck. It is difficult to surpass the engineering and technology Honda packs into their vehicles. The color is very nice, too. Nothing wrong with the fuel economy, either. I think you made a wise choice. New vehicles are such a joy to drive and become accustomed to. Congratulations.

[vintage_tube]

Originally Posted by jdandy

Bob.......Fine looking truck. It is difficult to surpass the engineering and technology Honda packs into their vehicles. The color is very nice, too. Nothing wrong with the fuel economy, either. I think you made a wise choice. New vehicles are such a joy to drive and become accustomed to. Congratulations.

Thank you sir -- all so very true. I keep my vehicles at a minimum of 10 years, the Toyota because of fleet F150's and a Silverado kept the Toyota mileage low.

Funny thing, I went from a cassette player and skipped right over a CD player & went to Apple play. I'd like a CD player which is a service department order & there are install instruction bulletins on Honda web site. We'll see.

Bob

[The Lost Bears]

A very nice looking truck! We have also been looking at trucks but had not considered a Honda. I think we may just go and have a look.

[vintage_tube]

Originally Posted by The Lost Bears

A very nice looking truck! We have also been looking at trucks but had not considered a Honda. I think we may just go and have a look.

IMO, can't hurt any. Dealership pays for the fuel for the test drive. Honda doesn't build a lot of fluff in their stickers for discounts.

As I mentioned, NA 2017 Truck of the Year (receiving 364 points to beat the Ford F-series Super Duty, 193, and Nissan Titan, 72). Just saying.

Good luck.

Bob

[PHC1]

Can't go wrong with a Honda! Enjoy your new ride Bob

[JFB]

Another Honda fan here, great looking vehicle. Best of luck.

[GeAllan70]

http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/201.../#.WSW_I-vyuUk

“We hope the U.S. government will send a clear message that any future trade policy with Japan must ensure a level playing field and not come at the expense of American workers,”

[quinlanmw]

Congratulations, Bob.

I am curious, though--the bed appears too short to accommodate a 4x8 sheet of plywood. Is it just the angle from which the photo was taken?

[Antonmb]

Great truck, congratulations. I had 3 Accords over a period of 12 years and never had a problem with one.

It's also ironic that while Ford is pulling out of Japan, Honda continues to invest in the US. According to Cars.com "American Made" index, only 8 car models sold in the US made their list of having more than 75% US content: 3 of them were Honda, 2 were Toyota, and the last 3 were GM - no Fords made the list. So buying a Honda may be more of an investment in US jobs than buying a Ford - isn't that the ultimate irony?