Conflicted Ridgeline owner

I have a 2017 Ridgeline black edition. Drives great, pretty quick. I have a few friends with 16 Tacomas and I just love the way they look. I test drove one at the dealer the other day (16 TRD Sport double cab) and it felt a little slower, but I liked the more "truck" feeling of it. I traded in a 2015 F150 crew cab on the Ridgeline because the Ford was just too damn big for what I use a truck for (daily driver, trips up to the snow) and my garage! Ridgeline is a little bigger inside and has rear a/c vent/controls so it has that going for it. I have a 1.75 inch leveling kit on the way to try to eliminate the "rake" it has that drives me nuts. I am considering trading for a Tacoma TRD Sport with all the upgraded tech i can get. I have also considered a 4runner (not the limited!) but they dont have auto a/c and still use a key, almost like the middle ages LOL. I have heard rumor that the 2017s will have push button start and maybe auto a/c, so might wait it out. Not really into off road, just like driving a truck. Is Tacoma a good daily driver? Just looking for some input. Thanks! Attached a pic of my Ridgeline....

 

Did you check out the shootout threads?

 

Daily driver? Not off-roading? Keep the ridge.

 

Yep, read reviews and shoot outs..... just love the look of the Tacoma. Drove the GM twins, not impressed at all.... and they still use a key!! LOL sorry that just drives me nuts. The ridgeline not having a radio volume knob drives me nuts too. Its almost like they made it too minimalist and futuristic. The Ram and F150 I have had had redundant climate and sound system controls, Honda just has the fingerprint collecting touch screen. Like I said, I am torn.

 

Your wallet must hurt, 2015 F150 to 2017 Ridgeline to wanting a 2016/17 Tacoma, dude sounds like you like the "look" of the tacoma, your ridgeline seems to serve all your needs and have more content, why lose money to move into something you think looks cooler? Your ridgeline actually looks pretty sweet.

 

How do you feel about driving around with a secret ice chest?

 

TRD off roads and sports have push button starts, and volume knobs on the stereo . On the 17 the rear sliding glass is also power in the TRD packages. It depends on what you are looking for in a truck. I don't think the Ridgeline is a truck from the setup of it. It is a nice vehicle for people who don't off road or they use it for groceries and a few Home Depot runs every now and then. But a Tacoma is a truck an a proper one at that. But nice looking Ridgeline.

 

Thanks! I know the Tacoma has push button start, I drove one last week. Its the 4-runner that surprised me be still using a key. The hidden ice chest is a bonus. The in bed audio is pretty much a gimmick, I have used it twice in the month I have had the truck and I think that was in the first week and not since. Thanks for the input!

 

Tacoma's still have a few bugs to address and yes they aren't leading on tech, comfort, mpg compared to the other mid size crew. But they do shine in comparison for off-roading capability, mods/parts available, and its a taco. But it sounds like your ridgeline meets your needs dude. I'd hold off a year. The 2018 4 runner will be all new. And I'd take a regular key vehicle made in Japan over the push button american made truck anyday.

 

I prefer a key. Push start won't let me keep it running and lock the door, while I make a quick 6pack run

 

I love my DCLB TRD Sport asphalt avenger. Great DD.

 

How is the ride of that Honda, is it rough and loud? I had 2008 pilot, I liked the room, climate and DVD for kids. Otherwise loud, rough piece of coach. I had 2007 Nissan Frontier at same time and it was a lot quieter and smoother ride!

 

We have attracted more guests than members. Everybody needs to start pairing up.

 

Night night.

 

Sorry, The key thing is just a personal deal I guess.... People probably felt the same about indoor plumbing once upon a time LOL. I agree about the looks of the Ridgeline, I think the front end is what bugs me the most. It is almost exactly like the Pilot. It slopes down too much. I drove the Tacoma and it felt more substantial even though it isn't any bigger. I think all the problems that show up on these forums are exceptions rather than the rules. There are quite a few issues on the Ridgeline forum as well. I asked one of my co-workers that has a 16 Tacoma TRD sport about the drive line vibration issue i read about here and he said he has no such problem and loves his Tacoma. He has a 3" lift and TRD exhaust and custom grille and LED fogs. Looks sweet. Once again, thanks for the input.

 

I will literally never understand asking on an enthusiast forum if a vehicle is right or wrong for your life when, I'd stake a beer on this, NONE of this forum have driven the vehicle you're stuck between.

And, in the case of the 3rd gen trucks, most of the forum hasn't even driven EITHER of the vehicles.

Dude. Go pick one. You won't get valuable advice here.

 

To answer the loud and rough question, it's pretty quiet for a Honda. My wife had a 2005 Odyssey and it was a great mini van but it had some pretty loud road noise. Her 2016 Pilot is louder than she likes as well. I think its a Honda thing, they all seem to have road noise to me. New ridgeline is quietest honda I have been in.

 

Yeah, I don't like the look of the Ridgeline either. Yours is probably the nicest I have seen . But all in all, the Ridgeline is a crossover "truck" more or less. If your never off the road or towing, I actually think it will serve it's purpose better for you. I love my taco. Wouldn't trade it for double the gas milage though. And I can always just put a cooler in the bed. I don't need one put there for me.... fun idea though