NorthernRR

Coming down to crunch time here, after seeing both of these vehicles in person and driving them I have decided that I will be buying one of these in the near future(hopefully before spring)

the rigs
Honda EX-L ridgeline
Toyota TRD tacoma

Both are 4x4 and both are 4 door.

I will being doing moderate towing duty of 2 bikes(both will fit in the back so I may not even need a trailer)
possibly a 3500 pound trailer.

I spend a LOT of time camping and will be spending a lot of time getting to tracks this coming year. Gear storage and gas mileage are bonuses. off road ability and "truckness" are not huge on the list.

I was considering the domestic full sized trucks as they are similarly priced but, considering that I had visited all of the so called "big 3" and got shooed out of there after the usual you can't afford our trucks why don't you buy a compact car routine I just simply got tired of it. NO MORE DOMESTICS FOR ME.

anyways, which would you choose? probably gonna have it for 4-6 years(with any luck)

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CBR929RE

Taco. if I could have justified the extra expense to myself I would have bought a TRD V6 but I'm happy with the 2wd 4 banger.

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bda116

Taco.

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RC51Mike

Ridgeline. If for no other reason the tailgate and trunk/cooler thing.

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NorthernRR

any reasons?

I am leaning heavily towards the ridgeline as of now, but there is something about the toyota the brings me back. the honda has more room inside, the in box trunk is an amazing idea and the interior is finished much nicer, leather, sunroof, power rear sliding window.

The only thing pulling me from the Honda is the drivetrain. That Taco has a killer engine/transmission that is a RWD platform, as compaired to the hondas FWD until you need it approach.

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luvtolean

If you want a car, the Ridgeline. A truck the Taco.

If you are going to tow much, Taco all the way. If you need ground clearance and 4WD capability for anything more than a snowy road, the Taco.

__________________
Someone needs to present the facts and the physics rather than just the rhetoric. Poor old Carmelo doesn't understand the physics of a motorcycle. - Jerry Burgess, on spec tires and changing engine rules

Hamburglar

I can't comment on Honda as I have never owned one, but Toyota after the sale customer service has been top notch for me.

phobe

I'm very happy with my Tacoma.

Things that I like:

-It's just the right size
-It's got bags of power
-The 5-speed auto transmission is perfect
-Balance and traction are incredible... it's one of the most stable vehicles I've ever driven
-The structure is incredibly stiff and solid-feeling. (mine is an access cab... the long wheelbase double cabs have been criticized for being "floppy")
-There are no vibrations or rattles anywhere
-It turns a remarkably tight circle
-It's quiet and comfortable on the highway
-It kicks ass on snow and ice in 4x4, and doesn't even do too bad in RWD
-Gas mileage is decent for what it is... I'm getting a consistent 18mpg (american gallons) in mostly city driving with a lot of 4x4 use on shitty days.
-Visibility is very good and the A-pillars aren't too thick
-It's got a great heater and gets up to temperature very quickly on even the coldest days. Pretty surprising for an aluminum motor

Things I don't like:
-The interior, while comfortable and well laid-out is a little "busy" looking. Too many different colours and textures.
-The audio system is not great
-Suicide doors are annoying in parking lots
-The door cut lines are too high and when I open the door with snow on the roof the snow falls onto the seat.

The rest of my complaints could be remedied by upgrading to the TRD Sport package. (mine is the SR5 power package)
-the seats, while comfortable are not very supportive and the velour texture is cheesy (the TRD Sport seats are 100X better)
-It doesn't have the kick-ass TRD limited slip / locking rear end
-It doesn't have the BFG tires of the TRD (though the Dunlops are damn good on snow and ice)
-It doesn't have foglights or 6 disc changer of the TRD

If you're gonna buy a Tacoma, get a TRD Access cab. It's not great for passengers but you can throw 2 people back there in a pinch for short trips. (I never wanted to be a taxi driver anyway) The size and wheelbase are "just right". It doesn't have the 17 inch wheels or crappy tires of the double cab and it doesn't have the cheesy hood scoop. (unless you like that sort of thing) The 6-speed is fun but the automatic actually gets bettter mileage and is very very good. If you get a double cab, you can only get the automatic with the long box which makes for a very long cumbersome truck. If you get the double cab with the 6-speed you can only get the 5 foot box. The TRD also comes with the in-bed AC outlet, but it's only good for 400 watts so I don't know what the hell you'd use it for. Also, the TRD comes with the towing package and some heavy-duty upgrades, including a larger engine fan, tranny cooler, engine oil cooler and a larger alternator. It will tow 6500 pounds with ease. These are Canadian specs only, the Americans have more choices of configurations.

Overall, thumbs up.

The Ridgeline has some impressive specs on paper, but a lot of the running-gear is fragile car-based stuff, including the adaptive 4x4 system (with no low-range). The Toyota is all truck. The Ridgeline handles better and probably gets better mileage... that is the trade-off.

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NorthernRR

Really that is all I would be doing with it, snowy snowy roads...

A little bit of semi off roading trying to get to camp sites and trying to get around racetracks, but other than that. Off road ability is not a huge thing.

I have heard good things about the after purchase assistance with the yota' but both dealerships(honda and toyota) here are not good to deal with. I'll be buying from about 65 miles away from here.

Funny you know that I have had issues trying to be taken seriously at any dealership other than a few... I am VERY serious about buying and at 26 should be able to afford this(at least that is the way I see it.) I don't know why dealerships won't treat mostly everyone as an equal when thye come in? honestly...

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phobe

Nothing but lazy salesmen. If the managers saw this happening they'd take the guy apart.

If you go with Toyota I would be happy to provide you with dealer invoice pricing... That'll give you some leverage.

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NorthernRR

Nicereview phobe.

I'll be getting a trd if I do go that route.

I have to say I have had the same gripes about the interior on the toyota after just 3 test drives. The sound system is not the greatest(on either of them really)
and the seats are on par ridgeline vs trd

I have been finding that the ridgeline has a butt load more room in the interior, plus it has the trunk, which is an awesome thing in itself. The bed in the honda is nice and no slip too which is great, as well as being composite.

I found the toyota a little snug with me and the guy I ride with in it, and the rear seats are a lot smaller on the toyota(feels like about 3-4 inches of knee room) Mind you I'll be driving so it won't really matter.

I like the idea of having the bigger cab for the longer trips and it sure makes life easier with the dog... He'll have his own bench...

The thing that you had mentioned about the TRD limited slip is SOOO true though... there is something aobut being able to swing the back end around when ever you want that is SOOO apealing to me. Maybe I am not ready to grow up.

You gonna be selling yours or is it getting traded?

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luvtolean

I've been to a few Honda dealerships, in California at least, they have a serious "holier than thou" attitude and tend to mark everything, even lowly Civics, up above MSRP. The idea being you bargain down to MSRP.

We went out to buy a Civic for the GF twice and the dealers were such pricks we just left. Third time, after a lame-o at the Acura dealer, we walked across the street to another Honda dealer who ended up being the right guys; this Honda dealer actually works to get sales and we ended up with an S2K rather than a Civic. For a dealership, this should be the ultimate coop as that is a big upsell. Later, a friend who sells cars in NorCal told me that the dealer we got the S2K at was the most aggressive in the state, and that's why we got the treatment you'd expect from someone who wants to sell a car.

I have been in to Toyota dealerships three times. The first was really good, took me dead serious though I was only 19, and ended up selling me a used Nissan truck. One guy more recently obviously had some decent training, but was a really bad salesguy. The other blew me off.

Domestics always have taken me seriously, often to the point of annoyance. But they tend to be morons with their knowledge of cars.

__________________
Someone needs to present the facts and the physics rather than just the rhetoric. Poor old Carmelo doesn't understand the physics of a motorcycle. - Jerry Burgess, on spec tires and changing engine rules

NorthernRR

Hey that would be great.

I will be looking at trading the 94 continetal with a bad set of rod bearings in it too, so Maybe that would help influence my trade value...

Pretty sure that the honda dealer won't offer as much for the trade.

car still works great but, it just knocks a little. if I didn't have to get the bikes to the track, I'd be keeping it.

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bda116

What's really fun is to go to the same dealership wearing different clothes and driving a different car.
It was quite humorous to drive the Stabbin' Cabin wearing sloppy jeans and t-shirt to a dealership, then come back an hour or so later in a much different car wearing much different clothing.
The difference in treatment was vast.

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"Islam isn't in America to be equal to any other faith, but to become dominant. The Koran should be the highest authority in America, and Islam the only accepted religion on Earth." - Omar M. Ahmad, founding chairman of CAIR.

NorthernRR

I have done this a lot too, I have never been able to figure it out. One would think that the guy wheeling in in the BMW(or what ever nice car comes to mind) looking for a second car would have a lot less room to move than someone driving a beater and looking for a primary car?

I guess they just think that those with "disposable income" have more of it just sitting somewhere?

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luvtolean

My Dad is always talking about walking in to a dealer with a backpack full of cash in t-shirt, shorts and flip flops. If/when he gets the snotty treatment, open the bag, show the salesguy, and walk out.

__________________
Someone needs to present the facts and the physics rather than just the rhetoric. Poor old Carmelo doesn't understand the physics of a motorcycle. - Jerry Burgess, on spec tires and changing engine rules

phobe

One criticism is the headroom... The Tacoma has a real "legs out" carlike driving position that takes a while to get used to. The roofline is low so taller guys need to recline their seat back for adequate headroom. Of course the steering wheel telescopes so this shouldn't be a problem, just takes some getting used to. I sold one to my 6'2" friend and he loves it.

One thing people need to learn in the car business is not to judge people by appearance. Quite often rich people will dress way down... almost just to "test" salespeople. Unless they're "new money" then they dress and act like an asshole. I've seen guys that looked like total bums come in and pay cash for a new Sequoia.

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luvtolean

Well, Mr. Manager type, you should get friends to come in and test your staff.

__________________
Someone needs to present the facts and the physics rather than just the rhetoric. Poor old Carmelo doesn't understand the physics of a motorcycle. - Jerry Burgess, on spec tires and changing engine rules

phobe

It isn't a problem in this store. That's why we're the number 1 Toyota truck dealer in the nation.

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NorthernRR

Gotta link?

Maybe we can work something out? Alberta is not that far...

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luvtolean

What was that I said about holier than thou dealers?

__________________
Someone needs to present the facts and the physics rather than just the rhetoric. Poor old Carmelo doesn't understand the physics of a motorcycle. - Jerry Burgess, on spec tires and changing engine rules

phobe

DWP

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CBR929RE

and why didn't you get me that info?
one dealer actually showed me the info though. worked out quite well in getting it at the price I wanted.


the telescoping is one of the very few gripes I have. it moves maybe an inch. its not really a problem for me anyway but its kind of like whats the point of making it telescope if it hardly moves. to me the truck is quite roomy overall.

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