Congratulations on the silver RTL. This is my first post here although I have lurked for a week or two trying to decide what I wanted. I ended up with the same truck as yours but without NAV. I paid 30,500 which was about $700 over invoice but that is relative as I think I got hurt on my trade in. But I expected that and I will not be around enough this summer to sell my used truck. In any event, the bottom line came to where I wanted it to be no matter if I got there from one end of the deal or the other.
I live in the eastern part of Texas and the Honda dealerships are few and far between which limits competition. I also do not think there are any Honda SuperCenters for over 100 miles. Hence, my choices were rather limited as to where I could go. Not only that, but these small dealers only have a couple Ridgelines at any given time in their inventory. On the other hand, assuming you can find what you want, these home town dealers know a lot of local folks and try to provide the best service after the sale.
Today I picked up my RTL and put about 85 miles on it. Although that is nothing, I was impressed with each mile. Everywhere I went people have stopped to look and even have come out of stores to talk to me. Without exception they had big smiles on their faces. I suspect those that found the truck offensive did not come out but the positive response I received was surprising to me.
BTW, the silver is a great color (the dealer threw in pin stripes as a good will
gesture). I traveled quite a few miles during the past week visiting various dealers. I looked at Black, White, Red, Silver and saw a Blue one on the road. It is all a matter of taste of course, but the White was too white and the black was too black, if you know what I mean. These colors just ate up the truck. The blue, although I saw it briefly, seemed to bring out the lines better rather than smother it. The silver does this as well and does a good job of hiding marks and dirt. The red just did not appeal to me and I have not seen a green RTL.
I went to an outdoor shrimp boil tonight attended by about 25 friends. To celebrate my purchase I filled up the trunk with ice and beer for all. Each and every person there (even the non-drinkers!) marveled at the design and looks - not to mention the trunk. I've read at other sites that some people find the Ridgeline "ugly". I believe they are a vocal, but small, minority. My friends would not tell me if they did not like the truck just so as to not hurt my feelings but I know them well enough and can read them pretty well without their saying a word. The smiles were genuine.
So good luck - to us both!
