[Max57]

Well, I received a call from the dealership an hour ago, that the RTL-E in 'Forest Mist' (which has been held for us) was just being unloaded off the transport trailer.

Now for the final approval as we've never seen a RL with the 'Forest Mist' color in person. We'll be going to see the truck on Friday morning. Stay tuned for our, YAY or NAY, lol. :wink:

 

[Max57]

Dude.... you're gonna wait 2 days to go see it?!?! (confused)

PS...screw the holiday and go check it out ASAP! This is the "mystery" color you've been agonizing over for so long now!! LOL

This dealership isn't around the corner and we were getting ready for the Thanksgiving preparations at the time of the call. They're closed tomorrow, so Friday morning will be fine. We're trading in two vehicles for this purchase and one is my dream car (2015 Challenger SRT). So,,, this really is a bitter/sweet decision which kinda explains why I'm not bouncing at the seams to see the new truck. This decision will reduce our insurance and property taxes which helps, now that we're both retired and on a fixed income. And the RL is clearly the most versatile/comfortable vehicle presently offered. It really makes sense for us.

 

[Max57]

I see you saw my Forest Mist photo posts on that thread. Hopefully they're of some help for you. Good luck on your decision (and also Happy Thanksgiving).

I love my Ridgeline, and would buy it all over again in a heartbeat. My wife and I have owned a variety of vehicles present (2006 Mercury Grand Marquis and 1985 Alfa Romeo Spider), plus many vehicles past: 2011 Accord Coupe and 2009 Accord Sedan, 1998 Olds Intrigue, 1995 Mazda Miata, 2000 & 1996 Ford Windstars, and various Mustangs, & other cars and pickups from the 80's & 90's. I've also rented 2014-6 Ford Explorers (for business trips) and 2014-6 Ford F150's & Chev Silverados (for towing our boat to the marina & back seasonally).

Of all of the above, our RTL-E Ridgeline is the quietest, most comfortable (second only to the Grand Marquis), and has handling (in a "truck equivalent sense") right up there with our Miata, Accords, and Alfa. All that, and it's a pickup too! We love it, and have no buyer's remorse on either the vehicle or the color.

That's one of the most positive recommendations' I've ever read for any vehicle! I really appreciate the photos you posted and your interest in my situation! I'll post here again after we go to see the truck this coming Friday.

And to you (Dogs 2C) and everyone else on the forum;

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

 

[Max57]

Just curious how the cars you own affect your property taxes?

Here in Virginia, you get taxed twice a year on the value of your cars. The older they are, the less you pay. We currently have 3 vehicles. After trading in 2 of them for the RL, we'll be down to 2 cars and also less insurance premiums as well.

 

[Max57]

Huh. Never heard of that. Is the tax on the cars just added into your property tax bill?
Here in NH, we pay the tax when we register the vehicle every year. Initial registration was only for a partial year since the temp plates ran out in July. I have to register my RL in Jan for full year 2017. I took early retirement back in Oct so I am not looking forward to writing that check.

No. We get a separate "PERSONAL Property Tax" bill twice a year besides our regular property tax bill. Welcome to Virginia!!!! lol

 

[Max57]

Geez. Isn't VA the state that wanted to tax the rainwater runoff from your property?

Never heard of that one. But it wouldn't surprise me,,,.

 

[Max57]

:surprise:
I don't understand....trading in an SRT, how is that even possible?

Please,,,,,,. You have no idea how difficult this will be,,,. :frown:

 

[Max57]

The Mustang and Camaro have left the Challenger in the dust as far as drivability. The Challenger gets by strictly on HP and the retro design.

And I'll agree with you, to a point. The Mustang and Camaro have truly evolved into Sports Cars. They will both out-preform the Challenger when it comes to carving through the twisting turns on a track or mountain roads. The Challenger is a Muscle car! Straight line performance and the most retro design available today. It's a big, comfortable cruiser. All those features I listed is why I love the car as much as I do.

The Challenger was a retirement send-off when we bought her. For me, I look upon the Challenger from the heart and a tie to my past. My dear wife looks at things in a more logical and financially sound point of view. I know she's right regarding this change. (Hell, she's ALWAYS right! lol). But I will tell ya, that if we move forward with this purchase (which we most probably will), I told her that she's going to drive the Challenger to the dealership and I'll follow 30 to 45 minutes after her so I won't have to see the Challenger being traded in. Silly, I know but that's how difficult it is for me to give her up,,,.

 

[Max57]

Well,,, we just came back from the Honda dealer,,,.... Yes, we did see the truck,,,.... I can tell you that all photos of the 'Forest Mist' do not do it justice. You really have to see this color in person to get the true effect!

And,, I think we both knew as soon as we saw the truck being pulled up to the parking area, we were HOOKED! So, all the paperwork has been completed and we should be bringing our RTL-E 'Forest Mist' home tomorrow morning.

I even tried the 'Black Friday' ploy to see if I could get an even better deal. The sales manager looked at me and said; "I already have two couples here who are waiting to see if you're going to take the truck. If not, it'll be sold to one of them in the next 30 minutes. And yes, we did see two other couples looking at the truck and then back at us, lol. Before we left, the sales lady had to lock the truck and put a "SOLD" sign on it as more people were eyeing it. She then moved it to the back area for the remainder of the dealer prep.

And by the way, I took the pre-delivery list that was posted on the forum with me. I saw none of the issues listed. Lets hope that continues. :wink:

 

[Max57]

Congratulations!! Post some pix after you pick it up

(though it must have been sad to give up your Challenger as 1 of your 2 trade-ins)

You have nooooo, idea how difficult this will be! My Challenger still has it's new car smell!

When we got home, I purposely didn't go in through the garage. I just didn't want to see the Challenger. Tomorrow morning, my wife will drive the Challenger. I'll leave 30 minutes after her in the Canyon so when I get to the dealership, they would've already transferred the plates and moved the Challenger out of sight. Silly huh,,,.... :crying:

:wink:

 

[Max57]

Thanks to all of you who've shown interest in this thread and have identified with my mixed emotions regarding this change. I only wish I could have the enthusiasm that normally follows when buying a new vehicle. The new RL is a stunning truck! The Forest Mist paint coupled with the light grey interior is truly a sight to behold and there's no doubt that the new RL is the most comfortable and most versatile offering in the mid-sized market! However, giving up the Challenger has turned what should have been a joyous experience into one of melancholy. I know it's the logical and practical thing to do, especially from a financial standpoint. Hopefully, as time passes and the Challenger fades, I'll recoup some of the interest and excitement that should have been present at this point in time for the new RL.

Again, thanks everyone for your participation and interest!! :smile:

 

[Max57]

I remember the feeling when I sold my 1987 Trans Am GTA and then the 2010 Mustang GT ragtop knowing that it was more than likely the end of my toy days. I think of the GTA on occasion because it was like a museum piece, 14k on it when I let it go. But you move on to new things. New chapters.

Ya know,,, we traded in the Challenger and Canyon yesterday and brought the RL home. I actually went to the dealership with the Canyon 30 minutes after my wife went with the Challenger just so I wouldn't have to see it go. And today,,,,, as much as I love the RL, I wish I could've some how,, worked some kinda wacky deal to keep them both! Because I know, at this point in life, that I'll "NEVER" have a car like that Challenger again! I keep hearing a voice in the back of my head that I made a mistake. I hope that the voice fades away. Soon! Like today!

And yes. Just like you stated,, it's the end of my 'toy' days as well,,,.

Thanks for the interest.

 

[Max57]

I'd like to add that I did the almost identical trade with my '15 Scat Pack to get the Ridgeline. In fact I also included my old and extremely reliable Tundra. I wasn't quite as attached as you state you are, but I will say that I have no regrets.

I find all of my solace in the practicality and sensibility of the outcome. I hated getting a finger pint on the Scat Pack (it was black), I hated filling it with premium, it really wasn't all that comfortable, I was always on pins and needles in parking lots, I wasn't happy about putting it to bed for 6 months in winter, the insurance bill was ridiculous, I could never put humans in the back seat, I worried constantly about traveling without a spare tire and, being a Toyota/Honda guy for most of my 40+ years of driving, I always had the idea that since it was a Chrysler product, a breakdown/malfunction was around every corner.

Just my opinion...sorry to hijack...back to your regular programming.

Signed,

I feel smarter now

You didn't hijack the thread! It's amazing regarding the similarities between the both of us. The only difference was that my Challenger was the SRT. So I had the adaptive suspension settings. When set to street, it was very comfortable and I did carry a full sized spare in the trunk. I never cared about putting people in the back seat. As a matter of fact, no one ever sat back there, lol. But I do have to agree with all of your other statements. (Insurance, parking lots, constantly cleaning it, never taking it out in bad weather, ect..)

As my wife said, at least with the RL, I'll be using it "ALL" the time. Good & bad weather. And, as we all know, it's the most comfortable and versatile truck in the mid-sized market.

Thanks for your interest and views.