There are several good Ridgeline forums I can refer you to where owners
talk about every aspect of this truck:  Honda Ridgeline Owners Club is
perhaps the best.  Also, Honda Ridgeline SUT Forums and Edmunds.  You
will learn all you ever wanted to know about this vehicle just by
visiting these sites.

Besides these forums, there are many other sources at the car/truck
magazine sites where "expert" drivers and critics give a blow by blow.

If looks are holding you back, well, beauty is in the eye of the
beholder - you either like it or you don't.  Those that like the styling
of the Avalanche for example will probably like the Ridge; those that do
not won't since it looks something like the Avalanche.

I point to the ride, comfort and safety features most of all.  The Honda
tradition of excellence in engineering, reliability and innovation needs
no introduction by me.  This thing rides like an expensive car.  In
fact, one of the critics at a car magazine was so spoiled by it that he
felt the $60,000 German sedans were left in the dust.  It tracks the
road better than any truck I have ever owned and I have owned several.

It is geared to the mid-size truck market and will not do what the huge
pick 'em up cowboy type trucks will do (and I know, I live in the Texas
countryside).  The Ridgeline is pointed at another target.  But it will
haul a payload and tow 5,000 pounds so it is not too shabby in that
arena.  It won't haul a rancher's big cattle trailer to market but it
will handle any bass boat nicely - and therein lies the target.  It will
also handle some mild off roading if you are into that but do not expect
it to climb mountains.

It has plenty of room for five adults and those in the back seat are
about as comfortable as those in the front.  And no truck in history has
earned as many safety stars in the various government testing.  Oh, and
btw, the Ridgeline was introduced in March but it is a 2006 model so
there is a good jump there in model year/depreciation.

The Honda VTEC V6 is a time tested motor with only slight modifications
as to torque (for hauling purposes).  It moves out very nicely with as
much pep as any truck its weight.  I've owned a couple V6 Dodge Dakotas
in the past and there is no comparison although I'm sure their V8 models
are very quick.  Gas mileage has steadly increased for me from 16.5 mpg
to a current 19 mpg (I hope to settle at 20 when I get it really broken
in).  The best mileage I have ever had is 22.5 but that was all highway
driving with no air conditioning.  Since May, here in Texas, the air has
always been on!

All in all I have been very pleased although at first I thought I paid a
bit too much.  But when I compare the features with other mid-size
trucks, especially the ride and saftey built in, the more I believe I
got a bargin.  The usual good resale value for Hondas ought to be
inheirent with the Ridgeline as well so I'll get part of the money back
someday.

Please check the reference points I mentioned and spend some time at
those sites before you buy anything.  And by all means, take a test
ride.  Good luck with whatever you buy.

MARTY

Honda offers an optional front grille that greatly improves the standard
ugly front end. But, again, beauty is subjective and an individual thing.
Howard