http://www.detnews.com/2005/autosinsider/0501/10/autos-55665.htm

I dunno about you.. it's just plain FUGLY!! I'd never buy that based on its looks. It better be one HELL of a pickup!

I kind of agree, though I thought the same of the Element when I first saw it. Now I love the E's looks as much as its functionality.
Unfortunately, I'm not sure this will be one hell of a pickup, but we'll see.
The way the bed area swoops up seems really crappy to me. It just makes it a pain to reach into the bed at something up there.
It might do okay, but it'll need to be priced well too.

I don't care for the looks either, but some might and it may grow on some people. You sound like many people describing the E. And, it being a Honda, it probably will be 'one hell of a truck' or maybe not considering Honda is one of the best at 'cars'. That is exactly what I like about the E, it is basically a car with the utility of a truck. I am one that would not drive an SUV normally, but the E just fit.

The E was extremely unique looking when it first came out.. people that didn't like the uniqueness thought it was ugly(understandable)

This truck has no unique looking design feature. It is just plain ugly looking.

http://www.detnews.com/2005/autosinsider/0501/10/autos-55665.htm

I dunno about you.. it's just plain FUGLY!! I'd never buy that based on its looks. It better be one HELL of a pickup!




ehh, i dunno....i can't wait to see it in person........it's growing on me already-i have wanted a truck for sometime, but i hate the plain jane, ford, chevy's etc.....this might be ok for me-something different, just like my E! :grin:

I kinda like it, and if its priced well, I will definately be considering one. Anyone know what motor and specs it has?

255 HP V6 huh, with 5000 towing? The only thing wrong with it is the fact that its AWD and not a full 4WD. Other than that, seats 5, great legroom, and a functional trunk along with the bed? Everything sounds good except no real 4WD. If they ever come out with that in addition to what they have, I might trade the E in 2008.

What do you mean by full 4WD? The clunky old style part time system that normally drives only the rear wheels? The kind that requires 4H just to compensate for the deficiencies of a skittish rear end? Or do you have some other real 4WD in mind?

I imagine it is the same system that is in the Pilot and MDX. a quite decent AWD system.

paulj

How do you carry a load of lumber or anything long in that short bed? How about a yard of gravel? What good is it? A real truck can be loaded up with stuff.

What do you mean by full 4WD? The clunky old style part time system that normally drives only the rear wheels? The kind that requires 4H just to compensate for the deficiencies of a skittish rear end? Or do you have some other real 4WD in mind?

I imagine it is the same system that is in the Pilot and MDX. a quite decent AWD system.

paulj

Like Jeep style lock into 4wd high or low 4wd with locking differentials.

How do you carry a load of lumber or anything long in that short bed? How about a yard of gravel? What good is it? A real truck can be loaded up with stuff.

What you want a truck for, and what I would want a truck are different-i bet it will appeal to the people, like myself, who want to throw a kayak in the back, make a trip to the dump, a trip to the garden center, the furniture store, etc-not everyone wants a 10mpg ford, chevy or dodge to do such minor errands-for crying out loud, a lot of men i know do not even "use" their truck for what it's supposedly intended for-they just have them because they are manly vehichles, that "might" come in handy some day! everyone is different, and hardcore honda people, male or female, will be attracted to the ridgeline, maybe slowly at first due to it's unusual looks, but hell, look at the E.......I love my E, but I wouldn't say it would win any beauty pagents........ :shock: :-D :twisted:

and a 'real truck' has separate frame and body, a 2 part body in fact, cab and bed. And a bed that can be taken off and replaced with a contraption of your choice. With all the innovations and crossovers on the market, I think the word 'real' should be banned :) In most cases, 'traditional' or 'conventional' would be just as descriptive.

What's the bed length of the Ridgeline, 5 ft? While 8ft was, at one time, the standard bed length of pickups, 6ft became common when the cab was extended. Throw a big tool box in a 6ft bed and what is your free length? There are several other trucks with an extra short bed on the market, such as the Avalanche.

From Honda's perspective it isn't important whether the Ridgeline is a 'real' anything, as long as it sells well, and lays the ground work for future sales.

paulj

My concern for Honda is that the Ridgeline seems to fall in that no-man's land of the Dakota and T100. Too big to be a small truck, too small to be a "serious" truck. I agree that a truck this size is probably more truck than most people need, but how often are truck sales really about need?

I like the stash box under the bed and tailgate that opens both ways; that's exactly the type of features Honda needed to do to make the thing stand out. But at the same time, let's say I use my Ridgeline to haul home my newly-rebuilt H22 Prelude VTEC engine (two dreams in one sentence!) my Accord is waiting for? What's gonna happen if I want to drag it close to the edge of the tailgate. I wonder how many lbs that access door can support? That's a prime "plopping down" area.

' the Ridgeline can haul a full-size ATV or two of Honda's largest off-road motorcycles.'

If the Element is designed for the college kid with surfboards and mtn bikes, then the Ridgeline is designed for the kid 15 years later with motorized toys. Then it is back to the Element when the kids move out and are replaced by a couple of mastifs.

paulj

Just a reminder that we now have a "sister site" for the Ridgline:

http://www.ridgelineownersclub.com

Please join us over there and discuss these topics on those forums. Thanks! ;)