What would Honda have to do to Snag Tacoma Buyers

Sorry for my part

 

manual transmission, off-road chops.

 

Well...I'd still like a tonneau to keep the snow off of the door to the locking trunk.

 

I would agree. I don't need a tonneau cover for security, I need it to keep gear out of the weather. Plus, not having to shovel the bed out any time it snows is a HUGE advantage.
As to security, will the RL have a locking tailgate? If not, it will be virtually the only pickup on the market without a locking tailgate, which is a big negative. My dad found out the hard way that a locking tailgate is nice to have. On my dads Titan, he never used to lock the tailgate. Came out to the truck one day and one of the tail lights was gone. It's only 2 screws if you can open the tailgate.

 

Fair point. I did think about that, but I think I'd be OK without it.

 

I was wondering about if the tailgate locks as well. Definitely need that.

 

I keep my shit in the back seat iffen it needs to be covered

 

From the looks of it, there is a small bed rail. The only thing that intrudes upon it are the funky little side trim pieces that come off the back of the cab. I think the only problem would come from having to shed water that rolls down the rear window. Typically it would simply fall between the cab and bed, but there is no split on the Ridgeline.
I did look at some pictures, and I do not see any keyhole on the tailgate.

 

No tonneau would be a problem for me. Mainly, like I said, for keeping snow out in the winter. In the summer it is less important and I go most of the summer with mine flipped up. Still useful for keeping things dry though.

But a 5 ft bed is also a problem. I can throw my mountain bike in the back of the 6 footer with room to spare. I'd have to take off a front wheel or have the thing hanging out with a 5 ft bed. Had many occasions where the 6 ft was just enough.

 

Old rigdeline look so much better. New ridgline could have FRONT drive as base. I think it 30k to start, tacoma, tundra, F150, is so much better. The rigeline will be on honda vehicle axed list soon, like the del sol, element, s2000, prelude, crx, and probably the crz too.

 

What's wrong with front drive? If any vehicle is front drive based, you will find a lot less need for 4x4 on snow and ice, for one thing. I might even consider not going with 4x4, if the vehicle was only used on road where there is snow snow and ice in winter. I personally wouldn't want to go without 4x4 in winter with a rear wheel drive based pickup.

 

You have a point. but if I would choose the awd pilot over the front drive rigeline, but if I get the pilot I would get the dcb 4x4 or rwd tacoma. in my opinion rear drive is better handling and performance and with a truck it safer. My uncle rear end a colorado. His car total and colorado sratches. Some car rear end squioa, car look totaled... etc.I live in texas so I worry about ice on bridge, but my experience from owning maxima, celica, civic dx, ex, si, and s2000 in ice on bridge and heavy rain condition, they all slide. The safe bet is blink the hazard and go slow. I would chain the tire and carry a shovel if it snow in feets, but it dallas, texas so it usually inches.