When was the last time you need the spare?  Over the past 20 years I've
needed one twice, once in a driving rain and the other on the side of a busy
road.  Both times they were in the trunk, secured under a covering board
that was covered with stuff that people normally put in trunks.  What,
exactly, makes the Ridgeline any different?

There are options.  If in mortal fear of a flat, keep the spare inside the
extended cab.  There's also the possiblity of an accessory to keep the spare
on the tailgate.  It's done all the time on SUVs and vans.

I generally do.  It takes more than a know-it-all snob to get me down.

"Where would you rather have a spare, in a locked compartment shielded
from damage and theft, or hanging under the bumper subject to both?"

I'd like the spare where I could get to it when I needed it.

Have a nice day, Kent.

Let's see now, the above is in your never humble opinon, as opposed the the
Automotive Writers who gave it Truck of the Year in Detroit this year.  I'll
not even mention the Motor Trend Truck of the Year since it is slightly
tainted with Motor Trend's tendency to go with the advertisers.  No, it
isn't cheap, but when its competition is trimmed out to the Ridgeline's
level, it becomes a real value.  If a Civic driver wants a truck, I'd
suggest the Element ... cheaper, lighter, and very versitile.  Where would
you rather have a spare, in a locked compartment shielded from damage and
theft, or hanging under the bumper subject to both?

For what it's worth, I neither own nor desire a pickup or any other truck.

What's the price difference between Hondas and BMWs?  Heads up displays?
Seen the new Civic dash?  Close enough without the expense and visability
problems that some people have with HUDs.

Of course you have perfect knowledge of the auto industry and I should be
chanting, "I[m not worthy, I'm not worthy ..."

"Regardless of the nay sayers and nit pickers, the Ridgeline is a truck
and a
very good one in its class."

Come on Kent; the Ridgeline is the perfect truck for people who need a
Civic. A load in the bed obstructs access to the spare, its V6 gets
similar fuel economy to GM's new V8s and it isn't cheap. No wonder
sales are barely meeting goal. Had Honda brought this thing to market 3
or 4 years ago it would have been a winner. Today, it's another
Element.

But regarding the next generation Accord - I expect some major platform
changes including an AWD option (probably starting with the Accord's
platform mate the Acura TL). Like the Camry, I expect the Accord to
grow in size a little. I'd sure like to see Honda offer a head's up
display. One of my cars has that and it works great. Honda's cloth
seats could stand some major improvement, too. A fully reclining
passenger seat with flip-up leg support (like the optional BMW seats)
would be nice.

Yup, and was doing very well until about half way when the poorly chosen
tires gave out.  Two Ridgelines were very near stock, had minimal
preparation, mostly to the safety regs of the race.

Regardless of the nay sayers and nit pickers, the Ridgeline is a truck and a
very good one in its class.

the civic looks much improved, the minivan is equalled only byt he
sienna, and the "truck"...? well, 2 out of 3 aint bad!

has a ridgeline run at baja yet?

From what I've read the Accord in '07 won't be much different than the
current model.  Seems like Honda's best engineers were working the Civic,
minivan, and pickup truck.

Well the most recent Accord isn't as responsive as past Accords and
with a decent set of tires the Camry's performance envelope isn't all
that much different. Besides, sport sedan buyers have sportier options
than Accord these days. The Camry and Accord are both mainstream family
sedans.

But lets wait to see how Toyota packages (especially safety related
options) and prices the new Camry.

Actually, I am pretty sure the current Avalon uses regular gas too.

But how well does it handle compared to Accord?  That's the big difference
there; you get either a soft ride (Camry) or tight handling (Accord).

I wanted to see how Toyota dropped the Avalon 3.5 liter V6 into the
all-new 2007 Camry.  The horsepower is down a notch, but the Cary
probably is making do with regular gas, unlike the Avalon.

The bigger news is how elegant the Camry looks -- it's a cross between
the G35 and the TL.  Could just as easily have been called a Lexus.

A few photos are on the toyota.com website.  The official roll-out is
in March.

Honda engineers must be frantic.  I hate to say it, but the new Camry
somehow makes my '04 Accord look dowdy.