I'm sure most of the people buying ridgelines are mentaly inompetent when it comes to any type of vehicle purchase. Just look around and you'll see the type of morons that don't know jack about cars or trucks. They are impressionable and buy based on what they hear is good.

"It's a honda, I'll take it but I don't know why!"

 

That's about as ignorant a statement as I've seen in this forum.

Every Honda owner I know used to drive domestic vehicles. There was something in the product and/or ownership experience that caused them to look elsewhere. Since then, the product and ownership experience has been good enough for them NOT to look elsewhere.

As an example, for my in-laws it was as simple as not being able to get bucket seats in a Pontiac 6000. They bought an Accord instead, and have been buying Accords ever since.

It's much easier to loose a customer then to win one back!!

 

Honda has discovered the joys of expensive retail truck sales! And since it really isn't a work truck, they don't have to offer cheapo versions for those that, well, use their trucks for work! Modifed off a current chassis and using same engine/trans to boot. Talk about $$$$ for Honda!

-B

 

The one positive in my mind is the the Ridgeline's in-bed storage. Why on earth didn't a US truck manufacturer think of it first? Other than that, the Ridgeline is fugly IMO. However, it is a Honda, and Honda's reputation is going to make it sell.

Back to the topic. I noticed a TV ad for my local Chevy/Cadillac dealer last week (first TV I've seen from them). $11,500 off MSPR on all Tahoes and Suburbans. Than means I can buy a new 2005 Tahoe for less than I paid for my 2002.

 

While I can see where it could have some usefulness, I can't help but think of the episode of the Apprentice where the teams had to come up with an "office innovation"... the losing team came up with bins under the top of their desk.

It was universally bashed because if you have ANYTHING on you desktop it becomes virtually useless, or at best a real PITA to use.

SO, if you have something in the "trunk" of the ridgeline, then you load the bed up with something, but need what's in the "trunk"... you're screwed without unloading a bunch of stuff.

Ya, it can be nice to have, don't get me wrong, but I can see times where it is rather useless, and actually could be a nuisance.

 

That truck would become a pain in the a$$ in the winter with ice, snow, and water getting in it. What about when you haul dirt too. Avalanche storage is much nicer and useable.

 

Under bed storage would interfere with things like HD rear axles and suspension and spare tire stowage, not to mention the doors could be destroyed by dropping in large heavy loads of sand/gravel/etc.

 

I wouldn't mind seeing a bed-trunk. It would need to be lockable and waterproof, but also include drain holes.

What would I use it for? Tailgating. Fill it with ice and beer for the football games. Then I don't have to worry about the cooler sliding around in the back of the bed while I'm driving.

 

Actually it might interfer with spare tire storage, but what I'm picturing would be aft of the rear axel assembly.

 

I like the Avalanche's approach to this much better!

2 locking storage compartments, with drains, in both sides of the truck bed... they do everything you want, and they are not "in the way".

 

As do I... however I'd like to see it in a 2WD 1500 regular cab.

 

Maybe they integrated them into the GMT-900 Silverados and Sierras!

I'd bet they kept it to Avalanches and EXT's though....

 

Now what is funny is that I bet that Duramax Chevy will get similar gas mileage to that Honda. I bet I know the catch to that K2500 though. It is a demo vechile with crank windows and vinyl seats and floors painted Sport Gold Metallic

 

You know, I saw one ridgeline the other day. It was completely debadged except for the big Honda logo on the front grille.

Kinda hard to tell what it was like that. I imagine this might be popular for people who are looking to avoid flack for buying a Honda truck.

 

People who are worried about getting flack from buying the Honda will not buy one, or even consider it IMO.