800 worth of goodies :D

Ok so when i bought my new machine (wich i love) there was serious complications etc....anyway long story short they ended up giving me 800$ worth of goodies from the dealership so i have 800 dollars to blow on my new baby and i need some ideas the one's i'm for sure on as of now are towing package (a must) and the ipod link. If you guys have any suggestions please share :)

:eek: FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, DO NOT GET THE MUSIC LINK !!!! :eek:

You will regret it for the rest of your Ridgeline's life.. Trust me.

running boards and fog lights. Forget about the I-pod link...get the USA-Spec version instead, even if it means waiting

wait whats the problem with the I-link did i miss something?

RTX grille, mudguards, window tint, Ridgeline Hats, (if so inclined) chrome bumper trim, door moldings if you like what Honda offers

:eek: FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, DO NOT GET THE MUSIC LINK !!!! :eek:

You will regret it for the rest of your Ridgeline's life.. Trust me.
I really like the music link and how easy it makes it to find music on my ipod, all the time keeping my eyes on the road. It's not perfect but I think it's worth the $180 I paid for it. But it seems I'm about the only one who thinks so.:eek:

I really like the music link and how easy it makes it to find music on my ipod, all the time keeping my eyes on the road. It's not perfect but I think it's worth the $180 I paid for it. But it seems I'm about the only one who thinks so.:eek:
My original Music Link failed and his since been replaced by an updated version.

It works just fine and is worth the money. Sure as heck better than fussing with the IPOD selecting tunes while driving 80 mph on the freeway.

I do this in the Boxster and don't like the chances I have to take with the IPOD settings.

So no one can actually give me a reason as to why its not a good idea? Cause I don't see how it could be a bad thing :S

does anyone know if Honda offers a Remote start system? If not whats a good one i should look into cause the blistering cold winters up here in Utah have convinced me i need one :D

I vote for the back up camera. It will cost you a bit more than your $800, but that's one heck of a discount on it.

I just realized I assumed you have Navi. If you don't the sensors would be second best.

I don't understand why you'd want the iPod link when you have the RTL. I thought that was primarily and upgrade for people who didn't have the port to plug their iPods into in their trucks. Maybe my concept of the product is all wrong. I suppose part of the reason I see no use for music link is that I've loaded the music on my own iPod (haven't we all?) and it only holds music I like. I'm not that fussy about playlists. I'm more than happy with just having non stop music in whatever order it gets played (set to shuffle).

Do a search and you will find some long discussions about the disappointment with Music Link when it came out.

I would use their dime on something I'd want a dealer install on. You can be sure they aren't going to cut you any discounts on the credit they've awarded you.

The tow package is a simple install, if you're the least bit inclined or know someone who is (we love our nephew!). I'd buy the tow package at internet rates (our dealer matched them, but that was with a direct purchase not a credit exchange) and then install the package yourself. You'll come out ahead on that one. Our dealer wanted something obscene for the installed tow package, around a thousand!

that back up camera does it have its own monitor or does it use the navi monitor? I have the RTL but not the NAVI I didn't see the point of the NAVI when i can spend half as much and get a mobile one that if i do have to get a rental car (heaven forbid) then i can transfer it intot that, the back up camera would be a good idea but i'd rather have one on my trailer :D, as for the music link, I was under the impression i had to have it to run my ipod through my car stero, and as to the letting it just play whatever, well it gets anoying with 30+ gigs of music on my 60 gig ipod when songs from les miserables are played next to songs from distrubed, and then on to a Lectures on faith discusion......if ya know what i mean :D

If I read this right, the dealership is giving you $800 worth of accessories to compensate for an unspecified problem with your new truck. That limits you to OEM stuff & I'm sure it will be charged at the dealer's retail rate. Some things you might want to consider:

Rear splash guards (mud flaps) -- must-have, although the dealer will probably tag this for about 3x the actual price of the part to install it. (See if the dealer will give you the parts & install 'em yourself in 10 min)

Tow package -- installed, this may come close to your $800 limit.

Roof rack -- if you're so inclined. (I don't have one & am not so inclined.)

Running boards/side steps -- I prefer aftermarket styles, but OEM is nice.

Following up on k757's post, you should have the dealer give you a Honda cap or three :D

As Djeaux said, almost everythign you can get on your own for cheaper, but since you have to use $800....I also just thought of these:

+ Honda mp3 player
which one mp3 CD holds more music than the 6 CD changer can ever dream to... (Honda dropped the ball here as even in my lowly Civic, I have an mp3 player). ....hmmmm mp3 CD holds ~11.5 hrs of music where the 6 CDs hold ~7 hrs of music... GOOD JOB! :mad:

+ trunk dividers, granted you could make your own

+ demand the Honda chrome wheels for the $800 price (that would be sweet)

+ Line-X/Rhino/etc. Spray in bedliner

that back up camera does it have its own monitor or does it use the navi monitor?

Yes, the OEM back up camera uses the Navi screen.

as for the music link, I was under the impression i had to have it to run my ipod through my car stero,

RTLs have a port in your dash cubby on the passenger's side that lets you play your iPod through the stereo system. It does not display what's playing or give you any access to functions, unless you have a passenger at your command. You could set up your playlist in advance and start it, then you could avoid the lectures or music you're not in the mood for at the time. I've been pretty consistent about keeping my music as good travelling tunes.

I have installed 50 modifications on my Ridgeline. The backup sensors along with the backup camera to a lesser degree are the only ones that have paid for themselves. They have saved me from backing over several objects in my blind spots, one being a plastic grocery cart that rolled across a parking lot.

Yes, the OEM back up camera uses the Navi screen.



RTLs have a port in your dash cubby on the passenger's side that lets you play your iPod through the stereo system. It does not display what's playing or give you any access to functions, unless you have a passenger at your command. You could set up your playlist in advance and start it, then you could avoid the lectures or music you're not in the mood for at the time. I've been pretty consistent about keeping my music as good travelling tunes.
The RTL's without navi do not have the port in the dash...Only those with navi do.

does anyone know if Honda offers a Remote start system? If not whats a good one i should look into cause the blistering cold winters up here in Utah have convinced me i need one :D
I got a clifford remote start. Its very nice. Clifford makes the best security systems and remote starts. I can start it by going online to the clifford website and also start it up to a mile away using the remote. Its very nice and highly recomended.
Whatever you do get, buy it from and get it installed by a professional authorized dealer so if you ever have any trouble with it, you can go right back to them.

You can start it from a mile away? Thats pretty dang impressive. The MP3 cd is a thought, but then i'm still dealing with cd's granted not as many but thats what i was hopeing to eliminate, i'm reconsidering however due to feed back here (which i appreciate greatly) it think i'll go with my towing package (without the ball can get it cheaper elsewhere and a 2 inch ball is a 2 inch ball doesn't have to be honda's 2 inch ball...lol no inuendo intended) mud flaps seem popular, and I gotta get my running boards :D, i'll hold off on electronic modifications for now i suppose, i'll deal with my meger cd's :) the six disc changer is still pretty dang nice. And ASAP I'll be getting that front grill that popular around these parts that looks so slick.

personally i would go with runningboards. shipped to ak 99507. just let me know what day to have my truck at the dealer. and thanks in advance!

lol ya i'll be sure to let ya know

Since the dealer is probably going to be at MSRP, I might print out what I wanted from H & A's website (showing prices and such) that came up to $800 and take it in and show them. Might give you some barganing room.

thats a good idea. thanks for the tip.

Since the dealer is probably going to be at MSRP, I might print out what I wanted from H & A's website (showing prices and such) that came up to $800 and take it in and show them. Might give you some barganing room.and if they don't deal with you, then definitely pick the items that would be tough to install.

ya thats why i want the towing thing through them cause no way i wanna screw something up on that install that would suck

Go with USA spec
Rims, side steps, foglights, tow hitch, cargo net, under seat storage, your choice. What do you use the truck for and what is most useful to you?

The RTL's without navi do not have the port in the dash...Only those with navi do.

I stand corrected. I'm sure I knew that two years ago when we decided we had to get a Ridgeline and I HAD to have the RTL w/Navi.

It pisses me off just the same, that the iPod port wasn't included in EVERY Ridgeline.

BabeSlayer, there really isn't anything to mess up on the hitch install. It's predrilled and pre-wired, albeit the wires are taped in a tricky to reach way. Pretty bad when a piece of tape breaking loose it the most difficult part of the job. We did have our brake controller installed at the dealer when we had the truck in for some other work.

BabeSlayer,
Well, it's been a few days, so what are you going to start with? :)

I got a clifford remote start. Its very nice. Clifford makes the best security systems and remote starts. I can start it by going online to the clifford website and also start it up to a mile away using the remote. Its very nice and highly recomended.
Whatever you do get, buy it from and get it installed by a professional authorized dealer so if you ever have any trouble with it, you can go right back to them.


CERIALY????? :eek: