> Motor Trends best for 2006..
>
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
>
> SUV Nissan. 2006
> car of the year award must be all new models.. To even call the Ridgeline
> a truck is a joke. I is basically a version of their minivan which itself
> is
To be fair though Mike, the definition of TRUCK according to Oxford is "a
large road vehicle used for carrying goods, materials or troops." So
technically it is as much of a truck as any Dodge, Ford or GM. It's really a
new way of building a 'truck,' but only time will tell if it's better or
worse than current truck designs.
That being said, they are ugly as sin and shouldn't be put in the same
category as the trucks we know and love today. The Ridgeline, along with the
new F150s, should be put into a new category called "trucks that people buy
to say they own a truck but actually don't use it as typical trucks are used
but as minivans that have an open bed and use more fuel."
;)
Steve
Mike Hunter - 24 Dec 2005 19:43 GMT
The Ridgeline is only good to hauling things like potato chips, cornflakes
and post holes. That is why Ford sells more F Series trucks in a week than
Honda will sell Ridgelines in a year. LOL
mike hunt
>> car of the year award must be all new models.. To even call the Ridgeline
>> a truck is a joke. I is basically a version of their minivan which
[quoted text clipped - 15 lines]
>
> Steve
Mike Marlow - 26 Dec 2005 02:42 GMT
> > car of the year award must be all new models.. To even call the Ridgeline
> > a truck is a joke. I is basically a version of their minivan which itself
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
> new way of building a 'truck,' but only time will tell if it's better or
> worse than current truck designs.
The problem with that definition though is that Oxford does not define what
a truck is in the motor vehicle world. A better definition would come from
either the auto manufacturers themselves (based on design intent), or from
the department of motor vehicles which creates the legal categories for
registering vehicles.

Signature
-Mike-
mmarlowREMOVE@alltel.net
Steve Mackie - 27 Dec 2005 21:24 GMT
> The problem with that definition though is that Oxford does not define
> what
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
> the department of motor vehicles which creates the legal categories for
> registering vehicles.
I think that particular definition would be "anything with a bed." The El
Camino was classified as a truck by insurance and DMV wasn't it?
Steve
Hairy - 28 Dec 2005 01:47 GMT
> > The problem with that definition though is that Oxford does not define
> > what
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
>
> Steve
It must vary by state. Here in Iowa, my wife's Sport Trac is considered a
SUV which makes about a $300/year difference in the registration fee. In the
state's favor, of course.
Dave
Mike Hunter - 28 Dec 2005 16:15 GMT
The EPA classifies a vehicle as a truck, for CAFE purposes, if it caries
passengers and cargo. That is why SUVs are trucks, even if built as many
are today on a car chassis, not necessary on a truck chasses. Truck buyers
know if it looks like a truck, is built like a truck and works like a truck
its a truck. The Ridgeline is a nothing more than a minivan with a
uncovered bed, not a truck. The vehicle market in the US has gone for
around 9,000,000 to 19,000,000 over the past 15 years and the majority of
the growth has been in trucks. That is why Toyota and the other import
brands with the notable exception of Honda has added trucks to their line of
vehicles. Foreign trucks are not very well received by US buyers. Ford and
GM sell more trucks in a month than imports sell in a year, the import
brands still need to offer trucks. Honda was losing out because it does not
have a truck chassis so they used a car chassis. Honda builds all of it
vehicles off three basic car chassis. Honda had the sense to not even try to
sell it as a FWD truck. LOL
>> > The problem with that definition though is that Oxford does not define
>> > what
[quoted text clipped - 16 lines]
>
> Dave
Spam Hater - 28 Dec 2005 19:23 GMT
> The EPA classifies a vehicle as a truck, for CAFE purposes, if it caries
> passengers and cargo. That is why SUVs are trucks, even if built as many
[quoted text clipped - 11 lines]
> vehicles off three basic car chassis. Honda had the sense to not even try to
> sell it as a FWD truck. LOL
I believe the manufacturers liked to have their vehicle classified as a
truck because trucks had lower rules for safety design and fuel mileage.
Mike Hunter - 28 Dec 2005 20:52 GMT
The crash safety rules are the same as cars, for trucks under the 2500
rating, but the CAFE is 3 MPG lower because trucks are designed to carry
cargo as well as passengers.
mike hunt
>> The EPA classifies a vehicle as a truck, for CAFE purposes, if it caries
>> passengers and cargo. That is why SUVs are trucks, even if built as many
[quoted text clipped - 20 lines]
> I believe the manufacturers liked to have their vehicle classified as a
> truck because trucks had lower rules for safety design and fuel mileage.
Hi Mike,
Have you got thoughts on what you would pick for
car of the year 2006, truck 0f the year 2006. suv of the year 2006.
>That is not entirely correct, The cars and trucks they consider for their
>car of the year award must be all new models.. To even call the Ridgeline a
[quoted text clipped - 10 lines]
>>
>> SUV Nissan. 2006
Mike Hunter - 24 Dec 2005 19:38 GMT
I have not use for a truck or SUV. As long as you are asking my opinion of
the best CAR, the one I 'picked' was the 2006 Lincoln Zephyr. We have almost
4,000 miles on it five weeks. The truck the most buyers 'pick,' and have
for many years, is the Ford F150 and the small SUV the most buyers 'pick' is
the Escape and the mid size SUV most buyer 'pick' is the Explorer. ;)
mike hunt
> Hi Mike,
> Have you got thoughts on what you would pick for
[quoted text clipped - 16 lines]
>>>
>>> SUV Nissan. 2006