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Discussion starter · #21 ·
AzRidgeReamer said:
I liked the prev Ridge and like this one too. Could have gotten a Ram 4x4 with v8 for close same price but liked the gen1 ridge so much that got the gen2 ridge - think storage. Oh and the Ram might not have fit in garage. Just a few things I feel they compromised on the next gen Ridge for auto start (which I like) etc..
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Discussion starter · #22 ·
Pics show the aero roof indents (not sure what called). See under roof rack and in back of sun roof. Gen1 had them and Gen2 does not. There were some underneath the mirrors too and read somewhere where they reduced noise etc.. Anyone know more about them and why they deleted on the Gen2 ?
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#23 · (Edited)
AzRidgeReamer said:
Pics show the aero roof indents (not sure what called). See under roof rack and in back of sun roof. Gen1 had them and Gen2 does not. There were some underneath the mirrors too and read somewhere where they reduced noise etc.. Anyone know more about them and why they deleted on the Gen2 ?
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I am confused, here is a 2019?
I would almost be willing to bet the farm that they are there to stiffen up the roof structure, whatcha other folks think? :rolleyes: Duh?

I too now am having my doubts that this guy actually does own a Ridgeline, I believe that somebody mentioned troll? :cautious:

Bill
 
#24 ·
DogOnBoard said:
Puzzling to read this. Just seems so strange that Honda would put sales of Pilot, Passport and RL at great risk with the same 9-sp AT. My test drive of a 2019 Pilot with the 9AT was not at all unpleasant. There must be something more to all these unfavorable reviews...maybe something that gets worse over time?
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it feels a bit like the anti ZF9 thing feeds in itself. It’s become dogma that it is bad. I imagine a lot of the anti ZF9 sentiment is based more on regurgitating what’s been read in forums than any actual experience.
That said, push button transmissions do feel pretty awkward to me, but I haven’t experienced all the gear hunting issues people talk about. I think it’s just a muscle memory issue.
 
#25 ·
Seneca said:
it feels a bit like the anti ZF9 thing feeds in itself. It’s become dogma that it is bad. I imagine a lot of the anti ZF9 sentiment is based more on regurgitating what’s been read in forums than any actual experience.
That said, push button transmissions do feel pretty awkward to me, but I haven’t experienced all the gear hunting issues people talk about. I think it’s just a muscle memory issue.
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It's just like VCM, difficult to shake labels. I've burned zero oil aftrer the first oil change in my Accord and RL. Just look at the Passport forum isolated issues no pattern failures with the 9 speed. No guarantee that the 9 speed in the RL is the same with its calibrations etc. which could translate to something different.
 
#26 ·
Seneca said:
I imagine a lot of the anti ZF9 sentiment is based more on regurgitating what’s been read in forums than any actual experience.
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I have to agree with you. To me, it seems counterintuitive that Honda would use a transmission that would result in an inordinate amount of warranty claims and negatively impact their nurtured corporate image.
 
#27 ·
Seneca said:
it feels a bit like the anti ZF9 thing feeds in itself. It’s become dogma that it is bad.
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The class action lawsuits from the past 6 years speak for themselves.

I'm sitting 6 ft away from a coworker who had a 2015 Cherokee with the ZF9. He no longer owns the vehicle and got rid of it after taking it in for the 5th transmission issue in a row over a 1 yr period.
 
#28 ·
Even if the ZF9 were reliable (and it isn't https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a28323843/jeep-cherokee-2014-zf-nine-speed-transmission-recall/ ), it is almost universally panned for horrible shift quality and any 're-programming' fix via software is just the manufacturer trying to get around its inherent design problems. I can only imagine Honda has some sort of contract that keeps them using it, or the 1-2 mpg EPA difference helps them meet a fleet average.

There is no way I would buy any car or truck using it. ZF makes an excellent 8-speed though.

I still don't understand the OPs beef about roof and mirror indents. My G2 has them on both. Magazine reviews have compared the RL quietness to the S-Class and Honda needs to max out MPGs, why do you think they don't know what doing when designing a roof and mirrors?
 
#29 ·
AzRidgeReamer said:
Sad. My 2007 had a sticker around $28k. Don't get me wrong I have the 2019 and have it where I want it except for cup holders and do like many things:
Truxxx leveling kit front, 265/60/18 Geolander A/Ts, S-VCM disable, Magnaflow 14" resonator with stock muffler, Honda all weather mats.
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How do you like your leveling kit and tire combo? How does it affect the ride and drive? It looks very good BTW.
 
#31 ·
AzRidgeReamer said:
A bit disappointed with the new Ridgeline. Although some things are better, some things were compromised:
1. No sliding rear window on base model.
2. Center console not as good.
3. Headlights not programmable for door open when on auto.
4. Dash lighting and displays lacking.
5. VCM on a V6, give me a break.
6. No roof and mirror ridges for aerodynamics, reduced sound and strength.
7. The cup holders absolutely suck.
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Why did you buy it? Had 2008 and sold it after 300,000 miles. 2019 gets better gas mileage, rides better, steers better, and looks better. Deal with it. As we use to say in the Army, life is stuff and then you die. Or as Churchill said: "As you go through life, don't stop and throw rocks at every dog that barks at you!"
 
#32 ·
AzRidgeReamer said:
A bit disappointed with the new Ridgeline. Although some things are better, some things were compromised:
1. No sliding rear window on base model.
2. Center console not as good.
3. Headlights not programmable for door open when on auto.
4. Dash lighting and displays lacking.
5. VCM on a V6, give me a break.
6. No roof and mirror ridges for aerodynamics, reduced sound and strength.
7. The cup holders absolutely suck.
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I’m going to assume you haven’t or are not going to drop 40k+ on a RTL-E or BE so you’re obviously going to have compromises but hey, money makes the world go ‘round.

The only thing that I will agree with is the bad cup holders. My Honda Civic had little spring loaded tits that squeezed the cup. Ridgeline just has a literal hole for holding cups. Otherwise go buy a Colorado or Tacoma AKA LOG WAGONS!
 
#33 ·
It's OK to point out disappointments with the new design. It doesn't mean the new Ridgeline is bad, it's just different and some of those differences are less desirable to the OP. I love my 2006 and am getting ready to move to a G2. I actually prefer the look of the G1 to the G2. My biggest disappointment with the G2 is that the shifter moves to the center console so you lose the pass-through on the floor between driver and passenger. I use that space heavily and will miss it when I make the move. It's nice to have that space for my camera bag or other small items without using passenger seat space. That said, I look forward to the new features and improvements I will gain when I make the purchase.
 
#34 ·
AzRidgeReamer said:
A bit disappointed with the new Ridgeline. Although some things are better, some things were compromised:
1. No sliding rear window on base model.
2. Center console not as good.
3. Headlights not programmable for door open when on auto.
4. Dash lighting and displays lacking.
5. VCM on a V6, give me a break.
6. No roof and mirror ridges for aerodynamics, reduced sound and strength.
7. The cup holders absolutely suck.
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LOL, I did those comparisons myself and decided to stick with my 2014 SE
 
#35 ·
longboat said:
My gue


My guess is that most of those complaints are from pre-2019 transaxles. The transaxle got bad reviews across the board for a number of manufacturers, especially Acura, where buyers expect something better. Here's to hoping Honda has the ZF9 properly sorted from 2019 onward. I wonder if FCA is doing anything to make their version better? Or Jaguar/Land Rover?
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Hmm...I'm wondering why anyone would be concerned with the Transaxle especially with a Gen 1 Ridgeline which all are equipped with the VTM-4 essentially making it a AWD unless you manually select it in either D1 or D2.
 
#36 ·
wjfyfe said:
I am confused, here is a 2019?

View attachment 398035
I would almost be willing to bet the farm that they are there to stiffen up the roof structure, whatcha other folks think? :rolleyes: Duh?

I too now am having my doubts that this guy actually does own a Ridgeline, I believe that somebody mentioned troll? :cautious:

Bill
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yes, corrugation is used for strength.
 
#38 ·
AzRidgeReamer said:
A bit disappointed with the new Ridgeline. Although some things are better, some things were compromised:
1. No sliding rear window on base model.
2. Center console not as good.
3. Headlights not programmable for door open when on auto.
4. Dash lighting and displays lacking.
5. VCM on a V6, give me a break.
6. No roof and mirror ridges for aerodynamics, reduced sound and strength.
7. The cup holders absolutely suck.
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if those are issues to you then you should have gotten the Black Edition Bro...!
 
#39 ·
ramtastic said:
It's OK to point out disappointments with the new design. It doesn't mean the new Ridgeline is bad, it's just different and some of those differences are less desirable to the OP. I love my 2006 and am getting ready to move to a G2. I actually prefer the look of the G1 to the G2. My biggest disappointment with the G2 is that the shifter moves to the center console so you lose the pass-through on the floor between driver and passenger. I use that space heavily and will miss it when I make the move. It's nice to have that space for my camera bag or other small items without using passenger seat space. That said, I look forward to the new features and improvements I will gain when I make the purchase.
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I had a 2007 (selling it to daughter & SIL, cheap) and loved it, but it was time to refresh that vehicle (per my wife, woohoo!) due to age, some rust, general grunginess, and mostly personal timing.

Have never understood the advantage of a floor shifter (except w/manual trans) and was worried about missing that space, as my wife's purse, my camera, hat, etc., often sat there. However, after about a month with the G2 I've gotten over that...in part because there's room on top of the storage bin on this one. Not the same, but also useful.

Always liked the way my G1 handled/felt, and while the G2 is different, it handles extremely well. Also, my wife never liked driving the G1 - said she couldn't see well, I think because of the big squared-off hood - but when we test-drove a G2 she immediately commented "I could drive this one, no problem"....and she does, which I'm happy about, especially because we were racking up miles on our SUV too fast, as it had become her exclusive ride and "our" exclusive too. You can see forward better due to the hood sloping down pretty sharply. Plus it's relatively plush inside, and we just have the middle trim - RTL AWD.

I don't commute, and am not overly concerned about gas mileage, but the G2 is definitely better there too. Drove 200+ miles Sunday 70-80mph over hilly terrain and recorded 26.4mpg.

Summary - definite differences, but both great so far.
 
#40 ·
I don’t get the cup holder problem ? I have ‘19 RL and ‘17 CRV, other than one is side by side orientation and one has the cups in line front to back. They both do what cup holders do, plus hold the phone, key FOB or what ever.
 
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