Maybe trading Tacoma for Ridgeline

Lol Ridgeline.
Not really a truck, not really a 4x4, not even real AWD.
With towing capacity of 5000 lb. and clearance of VW beetle. At best it can be categorized as offroad version of Honda Odyssey.

 

You do realize a Ridgeline is not a real pickup right? No frame, unibody trash.

 

The sales of a car do not indicate that owners all agree.

 

True, but it's repeated placement as one of the years 10 best cars year in and year out, and it's ridiculously high resale value despite it's low cost of entry would say THESE specific owners agree.

 

I have a 2010 Honda Pilot 2x4 which is the same as the Ridgeline without a trunk.
I have a 2011 Toyota TRS Off Road 4X4 and I would never trade for a Ridgeline
The two vehicles are so different then the Toy, Ridgeline is somewhat like a truck but the Ridgeline rides like a car, I prefer the Toy for more usability. The bed in the Ridgeline is very short compared to the short bed of the Toy.

 

The corolla sells a boatload of units, but no one has ever said, "damn, I really love my corolla. It's so awesome to drive, has lots of room, and gets the best MPG in its class."

Corolla sales aren't indicative of a great car, just an average car with great reliability and good at doing its job. I get what he's saying, as it's sometimes true. It's just not true for the fit. It also sells so few, comparatively, that it's safe, imho, to say it's beloved by its owners, and that's before you even factor in the media love.

 

You're absolutely right, and here's where the debate always gets ugly. The Corolla is a great appliance. It's not a great car. Enthusiasts will mock it, and never point out not everyone wants or even cares if a car is fun to drive. Among other enthusiasts, it's OK to discuss the corolla for what it is. Among the normal population, it's probably better to grin and nod so you don't come across as a giant prick.

 

A friend of mine is a Corolla enthusiast... so...

 

Ummmmm. I agree except the AWD part. The MDX and Ridgeline have better AWD than most SUVs. But real truck. No. 4x4. No

 

Every car has its niche. The corolla isn't for someone who wants an exciting car they just want to go from point a to b in a cheap reliable and probably second hand car. I have no clue why the hell you would buy a new one though.

 

I would disagree on better AWD part, I would disagree on even calling it AWD.
True AWD has physical connection between front/rear and transmission. Power is distributed through differential ( similar to how power is distributed to left/right axle in rear differential).
Some companies used completely open differentials ( example early Land Cruisers) most companies use Limited Slipp Diiferentials. Most Toyptas are running Torsen in the middle. With clutch packs to remove zero torque.
Other cars use open differential with set of clutch packs.( sort of what Hino Lsd that TRD sport had )
Honda is neither. Only physical connection is to front wheels. Rear wheels are not attached to driveshaft. They attached to their set of clutch packs and rear driveshaft is attached to own set of clutch packs. Difference in speed allows them to sort of transfer power in between each set of clutch packs.
Not true AWD in my book.

 

Did you bang your head?

 

Obviously you didn't read my next posts after that but I'll break it down for you. I'm not trying to be argumentative and in my first post I'll concede that I painted a broad generalization.

I didn't say "every" car. I said "almost every car". I'll use the PT Cruiser as a example. When they first came out you couldn't get one because they were so popular. When you could get one you paid sticker if not more (I say this because my family used to own a Chrysler/Plymouth dealership). Now you can't give those pieces of shit away. Even rental car agencies won't carry them. So for every example you give me I can give you a vehicle that will counter that in the opposite direction. Every car is different obviously. "Some" cars hold their value better than others. The Ridgeline never was a good seller. Sure it's a Honda so the reliability is there but the demand never really was (which is why it is discontinued for 2-3 years). The Ranger you use in your example was also a very strong seller but it was a very dependable Truck. The Ridgeline is not a truck nor was it sought after.
You use the FJ as a example also. Had you read my other posts you would have known that I said I have no idea what the FJ resale value will bring. There is always a niche market so it will be sought after by off road enthusiasts. Time and demand will tell what that vehicle will bring.

But what I said about what the dealership will do with your trade in is exactly true. Either they will shop it around for a wholesaler and give you the best trade in value based on that or they will keep it and give you a slightly better trade in to work with. It will ALWAYS be better to sell your vehicle outright to a individual to get the most value out of it. You can post all the online figures you want but when we finance someone through the Credit Union on the F.D. (of which I'm a board member) we use the Black Book value of the vehicle as a starting point and go from there.

I'm just giving some real world information rather than random internet speculation. You can believe me if you like or chose not to. Makes no difference to me.

 

I've said that from the beginning

 

Funny.... The best looking Ridgeline still looks like shit lol

 

When purchasing my MDX 2 years ago every article I read referred to their AWD system as more advanced. My understanding based on what I read stated that most SUVs only distribute power between the front and rear, while the MDX operates each wheel independently. I can also adjust power to each wheel on my MDX through the on board computer. My parents have a Mazda CX9 which is brand new and doesn't have this feature. My MDX is a 2007.

 

Really...Not always