Been a while, thinking ridgeline but miss parts of the tacoma.

Sounds like you need a truck to do that ever thought about a long bed Tacoma?

 

When my dad had the ridgeline when it got older around 150000 miles it was problem after problem wouldent recommend Honda. I love Toyota all ways have always will

 

I had a 08' Honda Ridgeline RTL. It was fully loaded with leather, nav, sunroof, great audio and that awesome in bed storage spot. The teuck was so much more refined than my current Taco which is 5 yrs newer. It was quiter, better seats, roomier and smoother ride. While I had the top trim package, I did look at the lower levels when shopping. I would say the lowest level trim is nicer than my TRD Sport is...
Why did I get rid of it for a Taco you may be asking after my comments? My Ridgleine was getting up there with 150k miles and was in need of some repairs to keep it going. I decided to use the $ as a down payment instead.
My father has a 11' DCLB Sport Tacoma, and I really liked it. It rides more trucky for better or worse. I really neded a 6' bed and wanted to keep a crew cab so another Ridgeline was definatly out.
Also I was not a huge fan of the engine characteristics. It had TONS of power, but it was a Vtec which makes its power higher in the rpm range. So it was alwayd downshifting at the slightest hill, or when towing. I trailer a lot between boats, and small rnclosed trailer so this was my biggest complaint. The new transmission may have fixed this.



As long as you can take the looks (I hated my Ridgelines looks when I bought it, but it grew on me), and it fits your offroad needs I would buy one no problem.

 

My dads under the bed spot started to leak, starter went out, steering wheel shaked at 70 mph, as you said the transmission always downshifted, the fan makes a wierd noise when ac was on, and the looks were a joke I absolutely hated it and it couldn't go anywhere in the woods

 

Except for the fact that it only comes in FWD or AWD. I'm a big Honda guy, and I like how the new Ridgeline looks, but man... I hate Honda for having to do that. I just think the new Ridgeline should be offered in RWD and 4WD like a true truck.

 

Oh yea and for the 4x4 u have to be in first gear and when u reach 18 mph it kicks out of 4 and no low range. It's like you throw the mildest trail obstacle in front of it and it dosent handle it well, I have a Tacoma with a 3in lift and 33s and it hasn't came close to getting stuck. Truck goes anywhere. Highly recommend the Tacoma

 

I test drove one 3 years ago and i have more room up front in my Tacoma than the Ridgeline.

 

At least with the ridgeline when your friends ask if you have a truck to help them move you can honestly say "nope."

 

Hahahahaha this is great but with my short bed Tacoma I really coundent get to much in it mainly just need to put corn and stuff in it

 

Couldn't*

 

Well my "suv" Ridgeline squatted a whole lot less than my "truck" Tacoma when putting equal loads in the bed of it.

I realize defending a vehicle that is not a Tacoma on a Tacoma site is a loosing battle. I like my Taco more than my Ridgeline for what I want it to do, but it was still a great TRUCK. All the people who bash them have never owned one, and most likely never even ridden in one.

Take this "test drive" for instance....

I 100% disagree, and so do the #'s...
http://www.kelly-honda.com/2014-honda-ridgeline-vs-2014-toyota-tacoma.htm
There is not a single dimension that that the Tacoma is bigger than the Ridgeline in.

 

Except for ground clearance...but not looking to argue here either. My earlier "truck" comment was mostly a joke. The ridgeline is just a different concept, and people don't like change.

 

Ridgeline is a luxo SUV / CUV with the back end cut off. Like a '59 Impala wagon made into the El Camino.

Nothing wrong with that if it meets your needs.

 

.9" extra for the highest Tacoma with a offroad package. The Ridgeline has more clearance then some Tacomas.

The Ridgeline is "mostly" a street truck, and realistically most Tacomas never leave the pavement either.

If you want to make a offroad Ridgeline it is possible.....3 time winners of the Baja 1000.

Or the original

 

Problem with those racing trucks is they are factory sponsored in name, with a shape of a product. Just like NASCAR stuff (cars and trucks, including Toyota), nothing at all like what the consumer gets a shot at these days.........

 

Reminds me of the Chevy Avalanche.

 

Typically I would agree with you. The original Baja Ridgeline raced in the SCORE's Stock Mini class, which allows only limited modifications to production trucks. The new current one is much more of a purpose built race truck.

The original Race truck was sold on EBAY for around $30K within the past 3 or 4 years. Overall there was not that much done other than gutting any extra weight, building a cage, new shocks, and some safety features.

I am not a huge Ridgeline groupy, I just hate watching people bash something they know nothing about.

 

Tacomas have so much more ground clearence than ridgelines they don't make lift kits for ridgelines

 

Wrong again......

http://www.rockymountainsusp.com/lift-kits/suspension/honda-ridgeline-pilot/202021-tx.html?c=76&i=0

 

Spacer lift kits are to lifts what Ridgeline's are to trucks.