If you have the 9 speed and like how your Ridgeline operates, I don't see the point of making a move right now. You have the option of getting HondaCare before the warranty is up (but be aware of its exclusions). Timing belt is years away so other than tires or routine maintenance I don't see anything major to worry about. Maybe something else will come along in a year or two that may sway you. If you've got the "itch" because your bored that's a different story but that would be you making a move, not the truck itself making you plan ahead.

 

The sales tax alone on a new vehicle will pay for quite a bit in the realm of repair. Definitely not a sound financial decision to replace just because the warranty is ending.

 

There's an old saying: "The cheapest car to drive is the one you already own". It's true until the end of its useful life, which is probably 250,000 miles or more.

 

BTW, my 2020 has 65K miles now. Nothing needed mechanically outside of routine maintenance.

 

The sales tax alone on a new vehicle will pay for quite a bit in the real of repair. Definitely not a sound financial decision to replace just because the warranty is ending.

Very good point. I wont get hit with a sales tax as NH has no sales tax but the thought made me think of the registration (which is really just a tax) and that would go up on a new one vs this current one.

I was also just thinking that I pretty much know what I have in this one (after 28k miles) where as with something new you never know if you might get a “lemon”

 

I guess I also wonder about the arc of the depreciation. As of now it would be worth 32K on a trade yet 2 months ago I could have got 36K. I know right now its really odd times with vehicles but I also have heard that there is actually a “sweet spot” for trading in a vehicle.

 

There's an old saying: "The cheapest car to drive is the one you already own". It's true until the end of its useful life, which is probably 250,000 miles or more.

I have actually thought this myself at times as I get older. This could in theory be close to the last vehicle I own (although it would be pretty old). If useful like is 250k miles I theoretically could keep it for 20+ more years.

Of course who knows what people will be driving 20 years from now lol.

 

I have actually thought this myself at times as I get older. This could in theory be close to the last vehicle I own (although it would be pretty old). If useful like is 250k miles I theoretically could keep it for 20+ more years.

Of course who knows what people will be driving 20 years from now lol.

At 68 I’ve had the same thought.

 

Should be good for at least 20 years, 250-300k if you take care of it.

 

Our last new vehicle finally gave up the ghost after 20 years and around 400,000 miles, we are expecting our Ridgeline to at least do the same!
Bill

 

I’ve kept a few vehicles a looong time, 17 years, 20 years, (Toyotas) but most people get the itch for something new way before then and want to trade-in while their vehicle is still worth something.

 

I’ve kept a few vehicles a looong time, 17 years, 20 years, (Toyotas) but most people get the itch for something new way before then and want to trade-in while their vehicle is still worth something.

The flip side is once it depreciates a lot, it’s the cheapest possible transportation, even if you need to make a major repair or two.

Depreciation is one of your biggest expenses. Things get really inexpensive once it’s not worth much. The only two issues at that point are your itch for something new and reliability. Reliability should be fine out to 250,000 miles or more.

 

My Gen 1 is at 382K+ with no end in sight. No major issues. Dude, my engine is just warming up at 28,000 miles. : )

 

Vehicle depreciation has historically always made keeping a vehicle (rather than buying a new one) a better long term financial strategy. That was turned on it’s head a bit during covid with reduced depreciation (and some appreciation) making it possible to play the trade-in game to your benefit.

Since then it seems we are turning back to a more traditional market with the old rules coming back into play. That means the safe bet is almost always to keep, drive, maintain and repair your existing vehicle rather than buying new.

Regarding the RL specifically, the platform has been pretty tried and true. Follow the maintenance minder, especially changing the fluids as prescribed. Obviously you have the t belt at 105k, my guess you will also have some basic suspension bits (sway bar links) by then. Brakes will need attention, tires too. But that’s the same with any vehicle. Honestly the most likely expensive issue would probably be something electronic like the entertainment unit. Even so the risk is low and can be easily dealt with by pulling one out of a salvage car. Overall 200k or much more would be a reasonable expectation.

 

My 2017 ridgeline has 82000 miles. I've encountered no major problems.

 

Only 60K miles on my 2017 but so far so good.
Most people get rid of their vehicles not because they're having problems but because they get the itch to keep up with the Joneses. Even if you had a "Major" repair with your current vehicle, you'd still be better off than having a $800/month payment on a new vehicle for years to come.

 

"Nothing keeps the middle class IN the middle class like a new car payment"

Why would you jump out of a low-mileage, paid for car that's not giving you any trouble into years of payments on something that may have its own problems....? Gads, 28,000 miles is barely broken in.

 

Exactly.

 

It's a Honda. They know how to build vehicles. If you take care of it, it will easily go into the 200K miles range.

 

Even if you had a "Major" repair with your current vehicle, you'd still be better off than having a $800/month payment on a new vehicle for years to come.

Very true. I'm at 153k now and making a major repair was still in our financial favor at 142k. Aiming for 250k on our 2017.

28k miles is almost brand new if one has been taking care of it.

 

"Nothing keeps the middle class IN the middle class like a new car payment"

Why would you jump out of a low-mileage, paid for car that's not giving you any trouble into years of payments on something that may have its own problems....? Gads, 28,000 miles is barely broken in.

Not leaning toward trading out. Just wanted to get opinions on if I should be thinking more seriously about doing that.

 

I wouldn't dwell on it, revisit the question maybe at 60,000+ miles if you start having problems... I keep my vehicles on average until about 180,000 miles and when I sell them they are still running perfectly...

 

Keep it till it fits your need and expectations and doesn't require any major repairs. Personally I wouldn't keep any modern vehicle past 150K and base on experience with my RL I'd say 100-120K is the max, cuz so far it was less than "Honda reliable"...

 

20-25 years ago, an automotive writer in R&T or C&D stated that the time will come that people will be getting new vehicles , not because of being unreliable or cost of upkeep; but rather, because of the new advances essentially making the existing vehicle obsolete -safety and feature wise.

I don’t think he could have known that appliances such as washers, driers, dishwashers, refrigerators, freezers will have much shorter lifespans than they historically had. Often the decreased life spans seem to be associated with energy and water usage reductions.

Are we seeing the same situation in the automotive world?

 

With fuel mileage being forced upwards you can bet they are designing new ones with fuel mileage in mind.

 

And emissions.

 

Just traded my 2007 RTL for a 2017 RTL-E only because of minor nuisances like the headliner falling down, no radio input like Android Auto, and paint fading. Mechanically, it was sound at 208K miles with many more to go. The only major repairs were a starter, alternator, and 4 shock assemblies. I loved it, but I love my 2017 Ridgeline even more! Better gas mileage, infotainment, and all the safety monitoring. I am looking at many years of happiness.

 

Perhaps buying a new vehicle each time the current vehicle needs an oil change is the way to go

 

I have a 2006 Ridgeline with 272,000 miles on it. The catalytic converter needed replacing so I faced a pretty expensive repair but I need a truck so I got it fixed and bought a Honda CRV for my commute which gets 33 MPG and saves me money on gas. I can still get a load of dirt when I need to because I have the Ridgeline. After 10 years in Montana the license doesn't cost anything.

 

I have an “07 that I bought in September of “06 with about 193,000 trouble free, mostly highway miles. I can’t remember if I had a 3 or 4 year contract, but say it was 4 years. So I have had 13 years of no $400 dollar payments. That is $62,400 I have banked. I do ALL the maintenance. (well, my mechanic does haha) Seat covers from day one and the interior is almost perfect still. No rust. OK, a few scratches. I fully expect to go 300,000 at least. So 10 more years of few expenses. Plus I bank another $48,000 of no car payments.

If you trade in now, what will it cost? I don’t know, but say it’s $10,000 difference. If you keep doing that (and the numbers will only get worse), all else being equal, just for the same 17 years of ownership I have, you will have had 5 more new trucks, presumably with the same no issues I have had and will have spent $50,000 for trade-ins and banked $0.

I am $110,000 ahead at this point. That is a lot of repairs. if I do make it another 10 years, the same scenario puts me ahead an additional $78,000 dollars. ( 3 more trucks for you @ $10,000 per and I’ve banked another $48k more of no payments.)

Plug in your own numbers, but trading-in seems costly to me.

 

I had a 2006 Ridgeline RL that I purchased in May of 2005 and kept it until 2021 with 185K miles on it. Everything on it worked perfectly but I sold it to buy a 2021 Black edition (in white); it was time to change colors!

 

Amazing vehicle. Wish I had waxed mine from year one like you must have