Need Help!

[James Clifton]

Hi ya'll
New to the forum...need some help...advice..etc. I'm buying a new truck(present one is a 97 Frontier with 167,000),choices are Ridge...or Tacoma 2wd.Yeah,I know 2 ends of the spectrim,comfort vs.gas milage(I imagine a number of the members have gone thru this).Gas in Miami is $3.59 & in some places $3.96!! I hear it will prob go up even more. I will be prob.buy in Aug. or Sept.& pay cash so financing is not an issue.So, would most buy the Ridge again with gas prices in question ...?? I would appreciate any and all advice given.Here is a little more info..will be retiring in Nov.will be moving to Fl.west coast & starting my own bus.
Thanks,
Jim

[djeaux]

With gas prices going the way they're going, I think it's reasonable to ask if you really need a truck. What type business are you planning to open? In about a year, you're going to need a heavy justification (and possible tax incentive) to drive anything that gets less than 40 mpg.

Bear in mind that you may have a hard time unloading a Ridgeline next year, and if you do, you're going to be taking a big money hit, because Honda is certainly going to be throwing big incentives to get them off the lots. (This is already happening.) If Honda actually continues building the Ridgeline once production "moves" to Alabama...

I have really, really enjoyed my Ridgeline for the past 2 years. It is by all means the best light truck I have ever owned. But were I buying today, I would not buy a truck of any make. I'd buy a small trailer & pull it with an Accord.

Sorry to sound pessimistic. Fuel prices are never going to drop, because Big Oil now knows that we are idiots & so hopelessly addicted to burning petrified dinosaur doodies that we will pay whatever they demand. (This just in ... OPEC is going to increase production ... in 2012 )

[Tcape]

Jim, please know that you're asking your question to folks who love their Ridgelines (for the most part!), so answers here are just a little biased. That being said, I'd sure buy the Ridgeline again...without hesitation. I think it's the best truck sold in the country, and independent tests rate it about the same. There are some incredible deals out there right now on RLs, and you should be able to get a great price. Good luck with your shopping....and good luck with your retirement!

[BIGGUY]

Originally Posted by Tcape

Jim, please know that you're asking your question to folks who love their Ridgelines (for the most part!), so answers here are just a little biased. That being said, I'd sure buy the Ridgeline again...without hesitation. I think it's the best truck sold in the country, and independent tests rate it about the same. There are some incredible deals out there right now on RLs, and you should be able to get a great price. Good luck with your shopping....and good luck with your retirement!

Ditto here! This is the best truck we've ever owned, and I would buy it again in a heart beat

[James Clifton]

Thanks,
Knew I was in the right place...you understand!Ridge...is the most OVERBUILT Truck made! Yep...to me it is & I like that.However,trying NOT to buy a veh.cause I love what it is....! Come end of yr & the deals will be UNREAL....but....once the newness wears....it's yours for richer or POORER,I've read just about everything this forum has written & the knowledge gained is unbelievable.Gas....is basically my worry!!$$$ retired ,I will be ok.I work for FPL & planned pertty well...but spending $88 to $110 on gas a fillup this IS a concern!.... What is my new bus.Knife Co....also one of Bram Frank's Knife Instructors. Guys....be advised....I'm sort of trying to find all the logical & rational reasons for NOT buying .....THEN fighting the part of me that say's to heck with it...GET IT!!
Thanks again for all the help,
Jim

[twincam]

I drove Chevy trucks for 30 years before I bought the Ridgeline last year. I didn't need a full size truck anymore but still wanted 4 wheel drive and the need to haul stuff. The drawback to any truck is gas milage, but the Ridgeline is by far the best truck I have ever owned. Could the milage be better? Sure, but I am not going to drive a car so I will pay the price. The Ridgeline is so comfortable to ride in and so versatile and I would buy another one in a heartbeat and with the deals that are going on right now, it makes them even a better deal. Good luck with your decision and best of luck to you in retirement, although it sounds like you will just be moving into another career.

[chuck401]

Originally Posted by James Clifton

Thanks,
.....THEN fighting the part of me that say's to heck with it...GET IT!!
Thanks again for all the help,
Jim

Your words not mine. Go for it, you won't be sorry.

[VoicesInMyHead]

I've taken a poll, and all of me also says GET IT!

I guess it depends on how much driving you plan on doing - then double that because the Ridge is so freakin' great to drive, you'll take it everywhere. If gas is the only downside... think of all the upside pluses you'll be missing out on!

[djeaux]

Originally Posted by James Clifton

Thanks,
Knew I was in the right place...you understand!Ridge...is the most OVERBUILT Truck made! Yep...to me it is & I like that.However,trying NOT to buy a veh.cause I love what it is....! Come end of yr & the deals will be UNREAL....but....once the newness wears....it's yours for richer or POORER,I've read just about everything this forum has written & the knowledge gained is unbelievable.Gas....is basically my worry!!$$$ retired ,I will be ok.I work for FPL & planned pertty well...but spending $88 to $110 on gas a fillup this IS a concern!.... What is my new bus.Knife Co....also one of Bram Frank's Knife Instructors. Guys....be advised....I'm sort of trying to find all the logical & rational reasons for NOT buying .....THEN fighting the part of me that say's to heck with it...GET IT!!
Thanks again for all the help,
Jim

Jim,

You may find the Ridgeline ideal for a knife business with the "safe" trunk & cab storage, especially if you anticipate carrying a decent load of materials & stuff. (I'm tempted to say, "Buy one, so you can start the KNIVES, YES, KNIVES & THE RIDGELINE thread I've been threatening for so long.")

I may sound pessimistic, but if you can get a business write-off, the Ridgeline is terrific. I'm still under $60 for a tank & I'm going a bit farther -- just under 400 miles -- on the tank than my brethren with F150s and Z71s. Trade in value is a problem when compared to what I expect for Honda but it beats the mucus out of what I expect for Ford or GM...

And in case I forgot -- GOOD LUCK WITH RETIREMENT! I'm retiring "technically" at the end of June, but through the miracle of accrued unpaid leave, I go out the door at the end of May. Already looking at going back into the "professoring" business next fall!

Best,
Joe (djeaux)

[shovelhd]

Do you need the AWD? If not you'll save on gas with a 4cyl 2WD truck.