[TommyDeVito]

Why would you trade a 2016 anything for a 2017 anything. Buying a new vehicle every year doesn't make much financial sense at all.

Seen a lot of that here, people driving something for 6 months then trading it, ouch on that depreciation hit.

 

[TommyDeVito]

I kept my '16 CR-V for a whole two months - that's a record even for me.

I look at it this way: Even thought I trade frequently, I lose less on depreciation by shopping smarter than many (most?) buyers lose by overpaying due to add-ons, doc fees, financing, undervalued trades, third-party warranties, dealer markups, etc.

That's just your own justification you sell yourself. Depreciation is still there and it's the worst the first year. If you are using a loan each time, more loss. Fees are involved in the purchase no matter what you do, even if you pay cash.
You still lose and it costs you more than sticking with a vehicle. I buy at invoice or lower, with zero add ons, and sell for full private party value every time. I used to do it every three years and you could set a watch by it. I know car, truck, and motorcycle buying to a science. I always minimize my losses, in multiple ways, but there is no escaping it, I still lose more doing it than I would keeping something around. No matter what justification you dream up. You could probably save yourself some money leasing but many that gotta have it every year, new, don't like being locked in for 24 or 36 months, because even a lease won't keep up with their buying habits.

 

[TommyDeVito]

I am not a troll, or at least I was not trying to be. I was lurking around here while truck shopping to learn what I could about the Ridgeline (started before the 2017 Ridgeline was being sold). I created an account here after coming across some posts with people cross-shopping the F150. You can see my previous posts. I was just offering my information and opinion on the F150 since I just bought one. After I test drove the Ridgeline today, I thought I'd share my opinion of it (which is generally positive). I'm not trying to troll anyone, so I am sorry if I offended anyone.

I wouldn't worry about it. Constructive criticism isn't welcomed here by many. They cannot handle it. Best to give someone the benefit of the doubt before labeling them as a troll. Shameful comments already been made.

 

[TommyDeVito]

But it is an F 150. Everybody and their damn brother owns one! Reason enough for me to avoid one (but not the only reason).

Well there are going to be a lot of gen 2 RL owners so you might want to sell it and look for something more niche. :grin:

 

[TommyDeVito]

Interesting post. As someone who recently shopped pretty much all mid and full size trucks, I will share my 2 cents as well for anyone interested. Just this week, after months of research and test driving, I purchased a 2016 Ram 1500. My search led me to the Ridgeline and the Ram, and ultimately the Ram was too good to pass up.

I was considering an RTS or RTL Ridgeline with AWD. Those trucks are getting off the lot for right around MSRP of $34-36k. The truck I purchased is a Ram 1500 Express Quad Cab Black Edition with the popular tech package and several other additional features. MSRP of $45k and I got out the door for just $31k. Manufacturer rebates and discounts for full size trucks are absolutely amazing and make these vehicles tremendous value buys.

Here are my thoughts on the 2017 Ridgeline vs the 2016 Ram 1500 using the same format as OP, plus an extra category for fuel economy. And just for background info, I do not plan on towing much right now (at least nothing the RL couldn't handle) but I do frequently need to haul quite a bit in the bed. I also commute 30 miles each way to work and back 5 days a week, mostly highway with some traffic.

1. Handling: I will start with the Ridgeline... it feels like driving a crossover, plain and simple. Feels nimble and doesn't roll much. The acceleration is just fine except when using econ mode, then it is almost painful. The steering wheel feel is average. The Ram 1500 is easily the best handling full size truck available, and I would say it is on par or better than all midsize as well. It has the usual body-on-frame truck skipping/bumping on occasion, but that is to be expected. The steering wheel feels better and not as loose. Winner: Tie

2. Comfort: The Ridgeline has more adjusting options for front seating whereas my Ram is simply front/back and recline. I found my feet a bit more comfortable on the Ridgeline after adjusting everything to my liking, but not by much. Where the Ram 1500 really shines is size. there is so much more space and the center console/armrest is much more comfortable. I also prefer the cushion and support of the Ram's seats over the RL. The backseats are almost identical. I bought a quad cab Ram and according to ratings it has just 1" less leg space in the back compared to the RL, but the rear doors also open much wider making it easier to load in/out and the seats fold up just like the RL. Add in that you can see much more of the road and your surroundings and the Ram starts to win here by a wide margin. Winner: Ram 1500


3. Parking: Surprisingly the Ridgeline really doesn't shine here and I think the seating position and how you are sort of seated down inside the truck is the main reason. The Ram 1500 is a wider, longer and much taller truck, but it doesn't feel like it when parking. In the Ram I can see my surroundings better and the backup camera functions just as well as the Ridgeline's. Ultimately this comes down to vision, and the Ram has the advantage despite being a larger truck. Winner: Ram 1500

4. Truck bed: This is the easiest call... the Ram 1500 wins. It has a much larger bed and a locking tailgate. The in-bed trunk on the Ridgeline is neat, but I don't ever feel a true need for it. Same with the swinging tailgate. Winner: Ram 1500

5. Electronics: The Ram 1500 offers all of the same electronic features as the Ridgeline. There really isn't much difference at all other than how things look and the systems installed. Winner: Tie

6. Towing and payload: The Ram 1500 offers close to double the towing and more hauling capability. This is of course no surprise as the Ridgeline brings up the rear in the midsize segment. The RL offers enough for me right now, but probably not for the years to come when I plan on purchasing some larger toys and a new boat. Winner: Ram 1500

7. Off road: My thinking here is similar to the original comparison with the F150... the Ridgeline would be better for light snow around the city, but the Ram will dominate all other conditions and heavier snow with a true 4x4 system with 4WD lock and low settings. Significantly better ground clearance (which was one of my biggest complaints with the RL) make this an easy choice. Winner: Ram 1500

8. Cost to buy and maintain: A lot is still unknown with the Ridgeline's maintenance, but it can be reasonably assumed that it will be cheaper to maintain than a full size 4x4 truck. As for purchase price and value, the Ram 1500 wins. Honda clearly has a different strategy with the Ridgeline, and that is fine, but you really cannot beat the value of a full size truck when you add in all of the manufacturer discounts and rebates. I got a bigger, more powerful, more comfortable truck with equal features for less money out the door. That should not be the case when comparing to a midsize. Winner: Tie

9. Fuel Economy: The Ridgeline is rated better, but all reviews and reports suggest that you pretty much need to be in econ mode at all times to achieve the high ratings, which is a bummer because the econ mode is just not fun. Regardless, I cannot argue that the RL wins here. Both trucks run on regular gas, and in mixed driving the Ram averages around 18 mpg while the Ridgeline gets about 21. Winner: Ridgeline

In the end the Ram 1500 just made more sense. It is a more comfortable, larger, equally or better equipped truck that drives just as well as the SUV based Ridgeline. I got a better price for a superior vehicle in my opinion, and I get the benefits of a true 4x4 system with more ground clearance, higher towing and payload ratings. All of this while only sacrificing a couple mpg's, which was the Ridgeline's only advantage after weighing everything out... I spent a long time making this decision, doing research, test driving every truck out there. I really liked the Ridgeline for what it is and wouldn't rule out owning one some day. But going with the Ram 1500 was an easy decision in the end.

As for other trucks on the market, the Ridgeline is by far my favorite in the midsize class. I love the look of the Tacoma but just didn't feel entirely comfortable driving it. Plus it is just so expensive. The GMC twins and the Nissan Frontier were both eliminated quickly for me for various reasons. The Ram 1500, in my opinion, is the best truck money can buy right now, full size or midsize.

Can you give me the full model details of your Ram, packages, etc. That price it too hard to ignore. That is if I could find one around here for a similar price. With your comments, I will go out and drive it this weekend but I want to match your truck and packages. AWD or 4X4 is a requirement for me.

 

[TommyDeVito]

Bought my 2016 Silverado for $37.1k (includes taxes)...drove it for 5 months (6k miles)...just for the hell of it I posted it for sale and ended up getting 37.5k for it...:grin:

Why the hell not try out the new Ridgeline!

Yeah, that's good for you, but in general that is not common, at all.
You still paid fees and origination that negated the profit :wink:

 

[TommyDeVito]

Well, I think I've told this story before, but in the hopes of saving another poor, emasculated soccer Dad, might be worth a redo.

After my third G1, and the void from Honda of no more for a couple years, what was I to do? I took the bait, and said yes! I need a minivan! I have two kids, and they BOTH play soccer! I need the room & versatility they offer, I really do. So, off to my friendly Honda dealer, and a couple hours later, I'm driving home in a shiny new Odyssey Elite. She was a beaut, had every gizmo anyone could want, and room-o-plenty. Seats would fold, flip, and even come out! I really thought this was family car nirvana.

But slowly, insidiously, I began to notice changes. I was finding interest in scrap booking. I gained another feeling. My super manly 6'5" 260# body began to shrink, muscles atrophied, and my beard went away. I cried at a movie. What in the world is going on???

Then it hit me. That VAN! It's the minivan, it has to be! I can save myself!

I immediately drove to an even friendlier Ford dealer, and crawled into the show room, and begged for help. Help me be a man again, I cried! The wise old salesman laughed, and said, been driving a minivan, have ya? Yes, Yes, I said, please help! I showed him before & after pix of myself, and he turned pale. He paused for a moment, regained his color, and said, come with me.

This is brand new this year, he said. You can haul the kids, have your back massaged while you drive, and pull a 12000# trailer. She's got not one, but TWO turbos, and she'll give a Mustang a good run. And he opened the door, and there sat the holy grail of manlyness! Birds sang, harps played, and the warm sun shown down like a beacon, on to this massive, gorgeous, 4-wheeled testosterone machine!

YES! This is what I've been waiting for! Surely THIS will make me a man once again!

I was not 5 minutes into the test drive, and my beard was completely regrown, and bushier than ever! I could see my muscles swelling, as I stared down on the little cars beneath me. I felt the need to fall trees and shoot animals! YES, this is it!

And the rest, as they say, is history.

Don't ever say a big honkin' pickup truck is unnecessary. It might just save YOUR life someday, too.

I've got fast motorcycles for that.

As far as beards, being a man. That's a different vehicle entirely. V8, RWD, manual, the way God intended. Wooderson explains it better than anyone....

Let me tell you what Melba Toast is packin' right here, all right. We got 4:11 Positrac outback, 750 double pumper, Edelbrock intake, bored over 30, 11 to 1 pop-up pistons, turbo-jet 390 horsepower. We're talkin' some f'in' muscle.