Buying a New Truck

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This is my first truck. 2017 Ram Rebel special edition package with Mojave Sand paint job. Only 1500 made in this color. Wish I was still living in Southern California, I'd love to take her out into the desert. This was a photo on the dealer's lot. Bought it for much less than new and it only had 8,500 miles on it.

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This is the truck that's on my radar. The 2021 RAM TRX with the hellcat engine. :smile:

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A buddy in my office just got a new Ford Ranger and it looks fantastic and he loves it. Another bud just bought the Jeep truck and he likes it. There are too many great chioces for trucks out there right now, so it's a difficult decision. I'd go with whatever has the best warranty, IMHO. I am driving a Jeep right now (that I bought new) because I'd always wanted one, but the kicker was that in 2009 they offered a free lifetime warranty. I intend to hold them to it, God willing.
 
rangerray said:
A buddy in my office just got a new Ford Ranger and it looks fantastic and he loves it. Another bud just bought the Jeep truck and he likes it. There are too many great chioces for trucks out there right now, so it's a difficult decision. I'd go with whatever has the best warranty, IMHO. I am driving a Jeep right now (that I bought new) because I'd always wanted one, but the kicker was that in 2009 they offered a free lifetime warranty. I intend to hold them to it, God willing.
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I did a lot of research before I pulled the trigger to buy my truck and found that the competition in this market segment is fierce and that it comes down to personal preferences and needs (towing and hauling capacity, handling, etc.). Trucks in general are one of the most popular vehicles on the road today. I'm not sure it's even possible to get a bad truck.
 
My first truck was a small two wheel drive Toyota. My second truck was a two wheel drive Isuzu space cab. My daughters thought it was pretty cool because the liked sitting on the drop down seat.
 
pamkk said:
259,000 miles on my 2007 Ridgeline and still going strong. New tires every 80,000 miles, and 2 timing belts installed by my son every 100,000 miles. A couple batteries and regular oil changes/air filters also, but all in all, very few maiintenance dollars.
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That's AWESOME, Pamkk...Thanks for the feedback ! :D

We had a surprise "close encounter" with Hurricane Sally, here in NW Florida, but our house sustained no damage ! Lost several privacy fence panels, but our power and internet came back on (relatively) quickly...about 12 hours without power. The portable generator and the little gas I had on hand kept us going !!! Still a lot of people without power, and gas is hard to find. All that put my truck hunting on the back burner for a while...:worried:

Sooo...I've read some disturbing reports about the Ridgeline's declining QA/QC over the years, but a lot of positive reviews, too. Sounds like they hold their value well...

I guess the mid-size truck segment is HUGELY popular right now...Ford Rangers, Toyota Tacomas, etc...so dealers aren't sweating about selling them...I've had to reach out to dealers 350 miles from me to find one that is the color and has the equipment we want ! I don't like pitting "dealer vs dealer", but that's kinda where I'm at...

Right now, I have an offer on the table, from a dealer in GA :

Ridgeline RTL AWD (NOT the FWD or -E model ; too many bells and whistles for me !!!)
MSRP $39,940
Dealer offer : $35,744

Throwing in some bogus inflated accessories and various other taxes and fees, the Out-The-Door price offer is $39,800...no trade-in of my 2004 Tundra...had another GA dealer "beat" that by $100...chump change !!! :rolleyes: Waiting on a 3rd GA dealer's "best and final" offer...

Based on KBB and other on-line sources, I think this is a "fair price", and about the best I can expect to get at this time...

An interesting aside : The Alabama dealers, who are closer to me, tell me AL does NOT have a "reciprocal sales tax" agreement with FL, unlike GA !!! That means I pay AL sales tax, AND FL sales tax, when I get FL tag and title !!! :eek: 'Bama dealers can't compete...

Still looking for other Ridgeline owner's input...before I shell out $40K for a new mid-size truck !!! :worried:


Stoplight...
 
Stoplight said:
That's AWESOME, Pamkk...Thanks for the feedback ! :D

We had a surprise "close encounter" with Hurricane Sally, here in NW Florida, but our house sustained no damage ! Lost several privacy fence panels, but our power and internet came back on (relatively) quickly...about 12 hours without power. The portable generator and the little gas I had on hand kept us going !!! Still a lot of people without power, and gas is hard to find. All that put my truck hunting on the back burner for a while...:worried:

Sooo...I've read some disturbing reports about the Ridgeline's declining QA/QC over the years, but a lot of positive reviews, too. Sounds like they hold their value well...

I guess the mid-size truck segment is HUGELY popular right now...Ford Rangers, Toyota Tacomas, etc...so dealers aren't sweating about selling them...I've had to reach out to dealers 350 miles from me to find one that is the color and has the equipment we want ! I don't like pitting "dealer vs dealer", but that's kinda where I'm at...
Stoplight...
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Stoplight,

Good to hear that you didn't suffer any significant damage.

A little off target, but in 2012 the wife and I were on a cruise and docked in Ft. Lauderdale a day and a half ahead of hurricane Sandy. We live in a suburb of Cleveland, Ohio and we lost power for three days because of hurricane Sandy. That was one heck of a storm.

You talk about pitting dealer against dealer. In 2003 we were looking for a new full size conversion van to replace the current van we bought in 1993. We just couldn't find anything reasonable up here on the north coast. Well the wife happened to be down visiting her sister in Tampa and saw a couple of ads in the local paper so her and her sister went to look. The wife found one she liked and sent me all the paperwork. It looked like a pretty good deal so I called the dealership and asked if the could hold it for me so I could come down and see it. So when the wife got back I flew down to Tampa, liked what I saw and bought it. Then drove it home. I beat your 350 miles. :banana:
 
You might want to look at the Ridgeline Owners Club website. I found out about a Manufacturer to Dealer refund that I made the dealer pass on to me. I also went to the on-line salesperson at 3 different dealers and played them against each other. Price went from $29500 down to 23,500!!! S Model 2007. Just when 2008 models were coming out in September 07.
 
Dang Coolhand, that sure is a purdy truck. Mojave Sand huh? In Toyota world that color is called "quicksand", which is what my Tacoma is. Of course Mama always said "don't you buy no ugly truck", and we always listen to Mama! :D:D:D
 
ravensfan said:
Dang Coolhand, that sure is a purdy truck. Mojave Sand huh? In Toyota world that color is called "quicksand", which is what my Tacoma is. Of course Mama always said "don't you buy no ugly truck", and we always listen to Mama! :D:D:D
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Interestingly enough, that truck was on a Toyota Dealership lot. I was looking at new and used Tacoma's online when that truck popped up. I thought about it for 2 days before I called to make sure it was still available and went down and bought it. I've noticed that the paint is very similar to the Tacoma's quicksand paint. I see many of those trucks where I live. Tacoma was at the top of my list for mid-size trucks, but RAM was at the top of my list for full size.
 
bmneveu said:
Didn't wanna hold out for a Nikola Badger? :laugh:
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You made me look that one up. Hadn't heard of it before, but I also see that there are other electric trucks in this space.

I dunno, there's something about a "hemi" that appeals to me. Maybe the symphonic sound of eight supercharged pistons roaring? :D

Yeah, I'm old school. I grew up with the muscle car generation.
 
coolhand said:
You made me look that one up. Hadn't heard of it before, but I also see that there are other electric trucks in this space.

I dunno, there's something about a "hemi" that appeals to me. Maybe the symphonic sound of eight supercharged pistons roaring? :D

Yeah, I'm old school. I grew up with the muscle car generation.
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I'm with you. That was a (bad) joke. Nikola CEO just resigned today. He's probably a fraud.
 
Stoplight said:
...

Right now, I have an offer on the table, from a dealer in GA :

Ridgeline RTL AWD (NOT the FWD or -E model ; too many bells and whistles for me !!!)
MSRP $39,940
Dealer offer : $35,744

Throwing in some bogus inflated accessories and various other taxes and fees, the Out-The-Door price offer is $39,800...no trade-in of my 2004 Tundra...had another GA dealer "beat" that by $100...chump change !!! :rolleyes:

Still looking for other Ridgeline owner's input...before I shell out $40K for a new mid-size truck !!! :worried:


Stoplight...
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Surprised to get a new offer from a FL dealer today ! Out-the-door price of $39,450 !!! Down another $250...

Are the dealers starting to look at quotas, and end-of-month/end-of-quarter numbers ??? Hmmmm...time to move slow-moving product ? Let's see !!!

OTOH, how long can I string them along ??? :D


Stoplight...
 
Stoplight said:
.......

I guess the mid-size truck segment is HUGELY popular right now...Ford Rangers, Toyota Tacomas, etc...so dealers aren't sweating about selling them...I've had to reach out to dealers 350 miles from me to find one that is the color and has the equipment we want ! I don't like pitting "dealer vs dealer", but that's kinda where I'm at...

Right now, I have an offer on the table, from a dealer in GA :

Ridgeline RTL AWD (NOT the FWD or -E model ; too many bells and whistles for me !!!)
MSRP $39,940
Dealer offer : $35,744

Throwing in some bogus inflated accessories and various other taxes and fees, the Out-The-Door price offer is $39,800...no trade-in of my 2004 Tundra...

Based on KBB and other on-line sources, I think this is a "fair price", and about the best I can expect to get at this time...

....

Stoplight...
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Well, we pulled the trigger on the 1st dealer's offer...wouldn't budge any more on the price, but they were 2 hours closer to me !

Got up early on 2 Oct ; made the 270 mile drive up to Newnan, GA ; sat around in the dealership for 2.5 hours :banghead: (woman I had been dealing with was not available...sick baby at home !) ; but drove the new Honda Ridgeline 270 miles home, with the Wife following in her RAV4.

A LONG day, but I'm loving my new 2020 Ridgeline !!!


New 2020 Honda Ridgeline.jpg


Stoplight...
 
Hey nice looking truck stoplight. I looked at one of those last year prior to purchasing my Tacoma. I loved the functionality of the tailgate, but just couldn't get past the 3500 pound towing capacity. My wife owns a Honda Odyssey and it has a towing capacity of 3500 lbs, so it seemed like I wasn't gaining anything. The Tacoma's towing capacity was 5600 lbs and better fit my needs as we are both avid campers. (prior to Covid)

Anyway, congratulations and enjoy the new truck. :banana:
 
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ravensfan said:
Hey nice looking truck stoplight. I looked at one of those last year prior to purchasing my Tacoma. I loved the functionality of the tailgate, but just couldn't get past the 3500 pound towing capacity. My wife owns a Honda Odyssey and it has a towing capacity of 3500 lbs, so it seemed like I wasn't gaining anything. The Tacoma's towing capacity was 5600 lbs and better fit my needs as we are both avid campers. (prior to Covid)

Anyway, congratulations and enjoy the new truck. :banana:
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Thanks, Ravens Fan !

The tailgate drop-down or side-swing option is really cool !!! It has a short bed, but using the side-opening swing, I can get to stuff in the bed without having to reach over the dropped tailgate...:smile:


Ridgeline bed.jpg

...and it has a lockable "trunk" in the bed !!! I was quite surprised at how big it is...expected something smaller...:worried: The "kiddie spare" is located in there, too, but on a slide-out "tray", so it doesn't take away much room...


Ridgeline Tailgate and Trunk.jpg


The FWD versions are rated at 3500 lbs towing capacity, but if you step up to the AWD version (which I did), that increases to 5000 lbs. I might sometimes haul a trailer with a couple of kayaks, or maybe a U-haul with some plywood, or a sofa or such, but I'll never need the 5000 lbs...everybody's needs are different !!!

I thought about a Tacoma, 'cause I DO love my old Tundra...but this 2020 Honda unibody-construction truck rides better, and quieter, than the Wife's 2011 Toyota RAV4...it's a "keeper" !!!

BTW...AT&T gave me the DirecTV NFL Sunday Ticket service for "free", since I've already sent them so much money...:rolleyes: We're enjoying tuning into the Ravens games every weekend, and watching how Lamar is doing !!! :D


Stoplight...
 
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