How much ground clearance do you really need?

OK, maybe slightly OT, but just wanted to say that whatever you do, please for the love of God, and all the magnificent things he's created like snow, don't ever buy a Honda Ridgeline. I think it might be the only "truck" with IRS and no axle which pretty much negates that statement. It's basically just a slightly larger comeback of the Baja.

Ethan Snow wrote

OK, maybe slightly OT, but just wanted to say that whatever you do, please for the love of God, and all the magnificent things he's created like snow, don't ever buy a Honda Ridgeline. I think it might be the only "truck" with IRS and no axle which pretty much negates that statement. It's basically just a slightly larger comeback of the Baja.

Well, it seems like you're assuming that everyone who buys a truck needs a real truck, which is a bad assumption.

Honda Ridgeline will carry your shit & tow your boat, which seems to be what people in the suburbs use them for. I would say that less than 10% of people who buy trucks actually need off road capability, ground clearance, or hauling capability of a "real truck".

Yeah I have to agree with this. I use to hate the Ridgeline or atleast the idea of it, but in a world of booming Pickup sales the vast majority would be served equally well by a Ridgeline.

The first generation never did anything for me, but I gave the new generation a real hard look when i saw one in a parking lot. Color me impressed.

The Dodge RAM uses rear coils, the Ford Expedition has had rear IRS for 2 generations, the Grand Cherokee has been riding on a modified Unibody platform since the WJ generations of 1998. Things change

Just to add to this discussion, did everybody see that news item (under all the Trump noise) about Ford basically announcing that they will soon cease building, well, cars? Except the Mustang. GM isn't too far behind. They can't sell them profitably. It's all trucks and SUVs.

Harvey wrote

Consider the CRV? I'd say drive the 1.5 liter. If MPG matters, I am stunned by the mileage I'm getting. Lifetime (12,000 miles) it's over 31. If you are alone in it it moves too. I am getting that mileage average 78 mph on the highway, and driving around town. Probably 75% highway.

I've read and seen some videos where the CRV's AWD is underwhelming.  I don't really trust the current RAV4's AWD that much either, but the 2019 RAV4 is supposed to offer Dynamic Torque Vectoring: Explanation .  I don't really know about the Volvo

Plus I don't really love the look of the CRV.  I know all of these modern SUVS are basically just glorified mini vans, but the CRV just feels like more of a soccer mom car to take to the mall then the 2019 RAV4, Forrester, and XC40 .  No offense if you own one.  
My father who is in his mid 60s thinks the new RAV4 is ugly - All the more reason I want it

I saw that.  It's hard to believe that there isn't enough demand for each company to sell one econobox.

MC2 5678F589 wrote

Well, it seems like you're assuming that everyone who buys a truck needs a real truck, which is a bad assumption.

The way I see it is it's insulting to the people who manufacture "real" trucks. It's like selling 2" condoms.

Just don't market as a truck, that's all I'm asking. Market it as an Crossover with an open box because that's what it is.

I mean if you make something and people want it that's all you're really after right?

I remember a couple weeks back when I was a kid where I thought the rabbit diesel pickup in quotes was the ideal car hahaha

Harvey wrote

I mean if you make something and people want it that's all you're really after right?

I remember a couple weeks back when I was a kid where I thought the rabbit diesel pickup in quotes was the ideal car hahaha

It does look pretty funky...and what other "truck" will get you 50 mpg on the highway?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1981-Volkswagen-Rabbit-standard-/142767671695

I don't know about 50, but you can get 35, with a Chev Colorado Dmax, That's pretty friggin good mileage if you ask me, and that's a truck you can put to work when you need to.

I really shouldn't hate on the Ridgeline I guess. I just think it's funny how they compare it to their minivan on their website.

Saw one of these conversions on the street in Burlington last week. Not sure if it’s worth the hassle, but it did look sharp.  Reminded me of a flashy new version of my uncle’s Brat.



Clearance is useful for the pothole/frost heave/washerboard melange of winter/early spring.

Ethan Snow wrote

I don't know about 50, but you can get 35, with a Chev Colorado Dmax, That's pretty friggin good mileage if you ask me, and that's a truck you can put to work when you need to.

The 50 in 1980 compares to what in your average Chevy pickup of the same vintage?  

We were just college kids with little money, lots of stuff to carry, and facing GASP $1.50 per gallon prices when we'd been used to 35 cents. We could remember shortages too.  Nobody was thinking it was a "real truck."

The CRV AWD is built more for MPG as much as traction. Equivalent to the current RAV, not as capable as the Subie. I don't know about the new RAV. Subies drive 4 wheel independently, the CRV's treat the rear axle like a single wheel.

I was not a big fan of the styling, it seemed needlessly complicated it has grown on me a bit.  You're right about the soccer mom thing a large portion of buyers are married women.

Harvey wrote

The 50 in 1980 compares to what in your average Chevy pickup of the same vintage?  

Point made.

I still like my 7.4L  but I bet I wouldn't if it was my only vehicle.

greif wrote

Someone (earlier) said he drove a Subie and has rented full size pickups and really liked the way the pickups drove in the snow (seemingly like the truck was better in the snow than the Subie).
My question: why is the truck better in the snow?

Physics. Blowing and drifting snow a full-size V8 PU will give you the weight and power needed to blast thru drifts. I'm a subie fan but there are times when they won't cut it. Plus chicks dig guys that drive trucks

MC2 5678F589 wrote

Ethan Snow wrote

OK, maybe slightly OT, but just wanted to say that whatever you do, please for the love of God, and all the magnificent things he's created like snow, don't ever buy a Honda Ridgeline. I think it might be the only "truck" with IRS and no axle which pretty much negates that statement. It's basically just a slightly larger comeback of the Baja.

Well, it seems like you're assuming that everyone who buys a truck needs a real truck, which is a bad assumption.

Honda Ridgeline will carry your shit & tow your boat, which seems to be what people in the suburbs use them for. I would say that less than 10% of people who buy trucks actually need off road capability, ground clearance, or hauling capability of a "real truck".

for the suburbs, yes

For where Ethan and I live we see people everyday who use real trucks as a way of life

Ethan Snow wrote

I don't know about 50, but you can get 35, with a Chev Colorado Dmax, That's pretty friggin good mileage if you ask me, and that's a truck you can put to work when you need to.

I really shouldn't hate on the Ridgeline I guess. I just think it's funny how they compare it to their minivan on their website.

You can get 35mpg in Kansas going 50mph with a Colorado Dmax, otherwise it is mid 20s mpg.

I've heard you probably could pull 40 in Kansas on those things. People around here get 30, or better of you have a light foot.

I'm not going to sit here and nit pick about gas mileage. I think the Rabbit diesel is awesome when their in nice shape. However, around here the only ones I see are clapped out POS with scary looking people driving them. Just doesn't set the stage well.

Dang.....

Sweet whip

Love the tool box in the side of the bed