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Toyota Tacoma vs Honda Ridgeline

548 messages,  Last post on Oct 25, 2011 at 9:47 PM

You are in the Toyota Tacoma Forum.

What is this discussion about? Toyota Tacoma, Honda Ridgeline, Car Comparisons, Truck

Messages Page 55 of 55

#539 of 548 I've Owned Both by toytruck1

Jun 23, 2007 (9:27 am)

I traded my 2006 Tacoma 2wd DblCab Off Road for a 2007 Ridgeline. I was worried regarding some of the "leaking" posts along with other problems (struts), but after hanging around the Tacoma forum, I know that ALL vehicles have issues, including my Tacoma. I decided to go for it. I recouped within $500 of price paid new for the Taco, and RL's being soft, $5,000 off the Honda. I know I'll have to keep this or face losing more $$, but I LOVE this vehicle. A trunk, dual climate control, power seat, decent stereo, wheel controls and I'm a happy camper. A lot of vehicle for 26K.
 
Mileage is within 1mpg of the Tacoma. Handling is far better although I am less inclined to "toss" this vehicle (4500# vs 4000#) around like I did the Toyota. Tacoma is more of the "sports car" between the two, but the ride was way bouncier. Room inside the Ridgeline is comparable to my 02 Ram QuadCab, but maneuvering is far easier.
 
I shall have my hitch and wiring in in about 2 weeks, so the next thing to report will be the towing behavior. From what I've read from others, the RL is a great tow vehicle. Honda should be applauded for taking this direction--a Hondamino.

#540 of 548 Finally Test drove the Ridgeline by felixdacat13

Nov 02, 2007 (12:42 pm)

I'm looking to pick up a truck in December, so i've begun the process of test driving.
In the past week, I have driven a Tacoma, a Frontier, a Explorer Sport-Trac, and today, I drove a Ridgeline.
First of all, the Ridgeline is easily the best all around vehicle. The ride, the interior looks, the features, the noise level are all superior then the other trucks. Now the question is whether its worth the extra 3-5K.
Before I began all the test drives, I would have bet that I would end up in a Tacoma. Now I'm not so sure.
The Taco handled Ok, but I did not like the site lines, and felt the engine noise was loud. I'm actually thinking of trying another test drive in case I got a lemon.
The Frontier was much better then expected. The noise levels were almost as good as the Ridgeline. It actually felt better then the Taco. And I may still be able to get a deal on an 07, because they are not moving at the local dealerships.
The Sport-trac is now off my list. The engine noise was pretty loud for city speed, but was much quieter on the highway. The brakes were very squishy. The real problem is that the local dealerships are keeping a very low inventory of the trucks. I used an inventory search engine and found less then 20 Sport-Tracs for the entire metro area (which has over 8 million people). Not going to get any good deals with those kind of numbers.
So, after this round of test drives, I would bet I end up in a Frontier, with the hope that Honda may have a good deal pop up for December (not a great possibility, but no unheard of).

#541 of 548 Re: Finally Test drove the Ridgeline [felixdacat13] by linkfeeney

Nov 03, 2007 (12:57 pm)

Replying to: felixdacat13 (Nov 02, 2007 12:42 pm)
if you really want the sport-trac
you should able to get a low low price... no one buys them!!!
Just like the rangers!! no one is buying them!!
 
they want to get ride of the lot!! But Sport Trac and Ranger can't do other companies do...
with Blistein shocks..or rear lock differential
 
I was looking to buy a tacoma... but I need to buy a house instead before i get one i guess..
 
Man i just wish i make more money!

#542 of 548 Re: Finally Test drove the Ridgeline [felixdacat13] by beanctr

Nov 04, 2007 (8:51 pm)

Replying to: felixdacat13 (Nov 02, 2007 12:42 pm)
felixdacat13, I purchased a Ridgeline back in December 2005 after test driving the Tacoma and Frontier. The Tacoma and Frontier were both nice vehicles and I actually preferred the styling and horsepower of both to the Ridgeline; however, when it came down to functionality, the Ridgeline I felt won hands down. If you shop around, you should be able to get a good deal on any one of these trucks right now. When I purchased my Ridgeline (RTL) back in 2005, I got nearly $5,000 off MSRP. Also, like you, I felt the engine noise of the Tacoma was louder than I thought it should be (mostly when accelerating). I had owned a 2001 Tacoma and thought they could have improved more in this area when they did their redesign. Good luck with your shopping.

#543 of 548 HELLO? Hello? hello? by thegraduate

Apr 24, 2008 (10:49 am)

Wow, it's empty in here... I thnk I hear an echo!
 
Anybody still cross-shopping these?

#544 of 548 Re: One reporter commented... [rsholland] by sparkland

May 10, 2008 (8:14 pm)

Replying to: rsholland (Feb 06, 2005 7:29 am)
Here is why the Ridgeline should be considered by all those thinking about purchasing a pickup. These two people in the Ridgeline survived this crash because of the safety features included in the Honda. Scroll down to the bottom of the page in the link.
 
http://www.ridgelineownersclub.com/forums/miscellaneous-general-honda-ridgeline-- discussions/21863-my-ridgeline-saved-my-life-2.html
 
Brad

#545 of 548 roadranger by roadranger

Dec 19, 2008 (9:37 pm)

I recently bought a 09 Jetta TDI for my wife.I drive a 95 Silverado Stepside.I need a new truck and I don't want an ethenol burner.I like the Ram with the Cummins,but it seems like an overkill for my purpose.I've looked at the Ridgeline and I like what I see.If it came with a good diesel setup,I'd probably buy it. PS:The 09 Jetta TDI is Awesome!

#546 of 548 Re: roadranger [roadranger] by thegraduate

Jan 20, 2009 (10:23 am)

Replying to: roadranger (Dec 19, 2008 9:37 pm)
What do you mean "Ethanol Burner?" A Flexible-Fuel vehicle?
 
May I ask why you don't want one?

#547 of 548 Re: roadranger [thegraduate] by roadranger

Jan 20, 2009 (2:43 pm)

Replying to: thegraduate (Jan 20, 2009 10:23 am)
No,not exactly.I mean anything that burns gasoline and whatever else our congress decides we should put into it,whether or not it makes economic sense.The diesel engine has always been a flex-fuel engine.Old Rudolf Diesel's first one ran on peanut oil.Diesel engines have long been more efficient,and longer lasting than gas engines,and now modern diesel technology has made them cleaner than gas engines.Our options are broader with diesels.We now run mostly on kerosene,but coal-to-liquid is another option.(check out Sasol in South Africa,and Rentech in the United States).Synthetic Diesel from natural gas is also feasable,as is Bio-Diesel from a variety of plants.Jatropha probably holds the most promise there,but soy,canola,and palm oil work too.All of these forms of fuel can be blended and substituted without any changes in the engines, and can be shipped through conventional pipelines.Ethanol can't,and makes no sense.

#548 of 548 Tacoma vs. Ridgeline etc. by autohobby

Oct 25, 2011 (9:47 pm)

Toyota and Honda both make the best vehicles out there, if you don't believe me look at any reliability chart in any year consumer reports auto edition for your answer, but for how much $ is it worth it? I own a ford love it, I know guys with dodge, chevy, swear buy em', it's funny some people just have the're brand. But it's a fact that these trucks are awesome. In my own research I particularly like the 2005+ double cab tacoma with 4x4 trd longbed. I like this truck because it is the best on gas, its toyota, its sharp looking etc. but the prices are high and stay there. I just test drove a 2004 tacoma doublecab with 16000 miles on it! They wanted 20! It's ridiculous! You can by a slightly used one for about 20k! The newer design in 05' really does set a benchmark for other automakers, Honda took a different direction with a unibody to give it car like handling and its also about 1000 lbs. lighter than a tacoma or frontier. Its not as off road capable, but the majority of us don't do too much off roadin', or not nearly enough as we want too! That truck idea in the Ridgeline is awesome, and leather and nav. and a locking rear dif. is a nice touch. (RTL) but to get 20+ hwy and 16+ city in a full size truck with 4 full size doors and a bed in any truck is amazing. The honda and toyota's are best at mpg's. Which matters more than ever. Look at the comparison charts on autotrader! I take some mpgs with a grain of salt but still the specs. don't lye. So if a tacoma gets 1 mpg more than honda, and it weighs 1000 lbs more thats something. The engines .5 liter bigger at 4.0 but that's dam good. The honda although puts out 255 hp at 5600rpm which is very impressive for a 3.5L V6. Here is where my thinking comes in...Tacoma 05+ can be long bed 141" wheel base = nicer ride. Ridgeline short bed 122" WB. 17" wheels on some ( same as trd sport tires=$$). Caps look weird and are pricey on that ridgeline. Toyota 05'+ V6 is a timing chain, ridgeline all...belt. If you drive 20000 miles a year that 1 mpg or more adds up. Gas is around $4 and it ain't goin' down. If you have this truck for 5 years that's 100000 miles, or a difference of about $1000 in gas alone. Or maybe your not keeping it forever and don't care, but In that honda now (105000) need to change the timing belt, which while your doin' that you might as well do the serpentine belt, plugs, idler, waterpump, etc. $$$, while that Tacoma won't need a timing belt. I've never heard of changing a timing chain cause the last too long. So the question is do you need a long bed, off road capability or do you like a trunk and maybe nav. and leather? But of course it all comes down to $. If the Ridgeline is the same year and mileage as a Tacoma and is 5k less I'd buy it. They do come with more standard options than Tacomas. Look.

Messages Page 55 of 55

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