Quick Ridgeline vs Tacoma comparison

[StoneRidge07]

That article was a good read. Thanks for posting it.

[Dragonslayer]

I bought my 06 rtl for $34,900 with the tow package, bed extender and roof rack included. That last read was a better representation of differences between the taco and the rl. It reafirms why I bought my rtl, it had everything that I wanted plus some that I did not know that I would want. Once you have been bitten by the RL bug, it is darn near impossible to go back.

[k757]

Originally Posted by Dragonslayer

I bought my 06 rtl for $34,900 with the tow package, bed extender and roof rack included. That last read was a better representation of differences between the taco and the rl. It reafirms why I bought my rtl, it had everything that I wanted plus some that I did not know that I would want. Once you have been bitten by the RL bug, it is darn near impossible to go back.

What I may do is go and test drive a similarly equipped Tacoma for giggles. I would like a Toyota guy to explain why everything is an option.

[meanmachine19]

As far as options go, you've got to shop around. Period. I've had different dealers give me different quote, some as much as $300-$400 more on the same install (tow package). When I bought my RL in April, 2005, I was quoted $1,000 ( ) to install the tow package. Keep in mind it was new then. I opted not to, but did so 4 months later at another dealership for $400 less. The original dealership still wanted $1,000.

So anyone can jack up $5k on accessories but if you shop around, the real price may be much less. Price out the options elsewhere, including www.handaaccessories.com

I liked the online comparison because it was truck to truck, nothing added.

Do Tacomas come with navi? Sunroof? Leather?

I am not knocking Toyota at all. They are good vehicles. But if one is going to compare, look at the basics and look what you get for your $32k and see what you don't get for the $30k.

If there were no such thing as a RL, I'd be driving a Tacoma. (But then I wouldn't have met all you great folks now, would I? )

[CUinaRidge]

Where are the safety stats between the two??

What do you have to add to the Tacoma to bring it even close in what Safety features are offered as standard on all lines of the Ridgline??

Does the Tacoma have 6 airbags ??

[X-Brawn]

Originally Posted by k757

What I may do is go and test drive a similarly equipped Tacoma for giggles. I would like a Toyota guy to explain why everything is an option.

Because, like with Honda and Subaru (the only other Japanese car I'd own) that is how they make their money. Want a fully loaded Camry? Sure, pay the fully loaded price. Many people buy a Big 3 product because they are more affordable. Depending on what model you buy even with the visits to the garage you can still come out at the same overall costs to operate and maintain compared to a Toyota.

Even with that said, I won't buy a "domestic" vehicle. I prefer to support the U.S. and buy "foreign" cars assembled here or in Canada.

[Larr]

The Taoma is a nice truck,but there are 3 reasons I bought my Ridge.Very nice carlike ride,the trunk was big one,and there no wheel wells in the bed,Very easy to haul my ATV,or my dirt bikes.

[cdepuydt]

Yes...seems like EVERYTHING is an option on the Tacoma. When I was looking for a truck, before I bought my RL, I went and took a serious look at the Tacoma. Actually, before I saw the ads for the Ridgeline, I was trying to make my mind up between the Tacoma or Frontier.

Anyway, for the 2006, extended cab, 4 wheel drive, Tacoma, the head curtain air bags for all passengers in the vehicle was part of a $1,200 option. I had this amount figured into my purchase price. After I saw the ads for the RL and saw that the head curtain air bags were standard...I thought, "...yeah....they SHOULD be standard".

I took a RL, Tacoma, and Frontier over the same segment of road, which included washboard road going into a corner, and the RL handled it the best. For my needs, the RL was the biggest bang for my buck.

I know the Taco and Frontier are engineered more towards the off-roading type, with the higher ground clearance and stiffer ride, but for me the RL was the best overall vehicle for my uses.

[do_i_drive_you_crazy]

You want a rough ride go drive a Dakota. lol.

[k757]

Originally Posted by do_i_drive_you_crazy

You want a rough ride go drive a Dakota. lol.

now that's the definition of a "real truck"... how much does it jiggle your kidneys