My test drive today

[Ridge]

Well I finally got to drive this truck. My dealer had 3 RT-L white, black and silver /w moonroof

The Famous trunk: The Trunk is huge. One 5"3 110 lb blonde fits comfortably in the inbed trunk with room for luggage. My wife tried it out. The tail gate does not lock. To get an idea of the trunk space: pics of wife at www.karynwhittemore.com on booking page.

Interior: There is nothing cheap about this interior. The leather was very nice and said nothing but class to me. The powered driver's seat was also very nice. The center console was also spacious and well designed with neat little compartments for your this and thats. I was impressed by the interior. least favorite thing was the interior door pulls (handles).

Test drive: This is a nice riding truck. Tacoma is also a nice ride, but this is probably better. It's very quiet with one exception: Someone mentioned their truck has some wind noise around the wind sheild. I too noticed this (almost like an intermittent whistling sound). I don't think this would be a deal breaker for me though. I dont want to make this a bigger problem than it is. I view it as relatively minor; however, my 91 Toy truck does not do this. I would expect the same performance from my $35,000 Ridgeline. There is more road noise in my 91 truck though. There is ample power that will satisfy. Ridgeline remained quiet at 80mph +. Easy to go 80 and it doesn't seem that fast. Shifting in the automatic felt smooth and geared appropriately.

Dealer is asking MSRP. NO MARKUP

Side note: I also drove the AWD Element with manual transmission. This is one great riding, fun as hell vehicle to drive with the manual Trans. Plenty of power, very perky. If my needs were different The Element would beat the Ridgeline out. I'm almost re-evaluating what I really need because of this drive. The Ridgeline is kind of a stodgy old mans car by comparison.

[vertrkr]

Originally Posted by Ridge

It's very quiet with one exception: Someone mentioned their truck has some wind noise around the wind sheild. I too noticed this (almost like an intermittent whistling sound).

Yes, that's it. I'm glad I'm not the only one who hears this.

[Dktahg]

I too, got to test drive one finally yesterday, while still waiting for mine to come in. It was as I expected for size wise and I think it may be just a little smaller than the new Tacoma. I didn't notice the wind noise, but I was checking out the stereo and such. Plus, think about it, when you are riding around a lot, won't you have like the back window open or moonroof. You won't really notice any wind noise on the front windshield. Just my thoughts.

Yes, I agree, nothing was cheap on the interior of this vehicle. I like the rubber floor mats and the center storage consule. It took me a minute just to figure out all the little storage areas and doors. It also took me about 5 minutes to take in all the buttons and controls on the dashboard. LOTS of FEATURES! It's going to be sweet.

[Shortbus]

Are there actual carpets under the rubber mats? Or is the floor all rubber like the Element? Hard to tell from the pics. Looks like carpet.

[vertrkr]

Originally Posted by Shortbus

Are there actual carpets under the rubber mats? Or is the floor all rubber like the Element? Hard to tell from the pics. Looks like carpet.

It's carpet.

[Ridge]

Originally Posted by vertrkr

Yes, that's it. I'm glad I'm not the only one who hears this.

I just heard this on my test drive, but your living with it. Is it really that annoying or do you just tune it out? Is it even noticable with the radio on? I'm assuming they all do this. I read your post before my drive, so I was looking for it, but I think I would have noticed it anyway.

What's with the dang windshield problems.

05 Tacoma - windshield leaks soaking carpets
Element - had a cracking problem.
Ridgeline - a kind of whistling sound

Is this some kind rocket science science or something?

[vertrkr]

Originally Posted by Ridge

I just heard this on my test drive, but your living with it. Is it really that annoying or do you just tune it out? Is it even noticable with the radio on? I'm assuming they all do this. I read your post before my drive, so I was looking for it, but I think I would have noticed it anyway.

For now I just try to tune it out. I know it's hopeless to have the dealer do anything about it at this point. I know the '05 Ody had the same problem and most dealers had no clue what to do until Honda issued a TSB a few months later about the window cowling not being clipped down correctly. Of course that's the first thing I checked and it's seated to window good with no gaps. I did mention it to my dealer but they just said "hmmm not sure". I'll take it in again in a month or two or my next visit and have them check it out again.

[delphi7x10]

Did the RL's that whistle by any chance have roof racks? On my blazer, if the wind is going in a certain direction, it whistles, drove me nuts the first couple of times, but thankfully it does not happen very often.

[vertrkr]

Originally Posted by delphi7x10

Did the RL's that whistle by any chance have roof racks? On my blazer, if the wind is going in a certain direction, it whistles, drove me nuts the first couple of times, but thankfully it does not happen very often.

Good thought but no, I have nothing on the roof.

[ghilber]

I don't believe the whistle noise is common and should be fixed. For what its worth, I had the same problem with my 03 element after a windshield was replaced by the dealer. They could not figure out what was causing it. One day I put some duct tape along the bottom of the windshield and the plastic molding. Noise went away. When I explained this to the dealer, the concluded that when the windshield was replaced, the plastic pins that hold the molding on were messed up. The molding would lift just a tad, enough to cause the noise. They replace all the plastic pins and the noise is gone. Its been gone for 55000 miles. If it were me, and I hope it will be soon, I would test drive the truck prior to taking delivery. I would not sign anything till I know everything is good. Hope this helps.