Overlooked & Underrated - 1st Gen Honda Ridgeline after 7 Years of Ownership

[@Hoosier765]

I changed my alternator and KZbin thought I would like this video. I love my 2006 Ridgeline RTS. I get a lot of grief though because I work at the UAW.

[@milfordcivic6755]

I went from a 2016 Accord Sport to a 2024 Trailsport recently. I like it so far. I always liked the Ridgeline, but couldn't afford one back in 2006.

[@markjoppa-id5kk]

I’ve got a 2008 that I bought in 2016 with 242k miles and love it for many of the reasons you do. One thing that you didn’t mention was the better gas mileage compared to the Tacoma and F150. My Ridge is the same color as yours (my friend calls it the “white whale”) and has served me well now at 449k. Change the fluids regularly and it will serve you well.

[@David.Wolf.1]

Wow, that's awesome yours has reached such high mileage! Mine has certainly served me well so far. You're right, I should have included gas mileage! It didn't cross my mind since I don't put many miles on mine anymore, so I don't think about it much

[@sofarsogood3969]

Wow...And you it still has factory engine and transmission?

[@yourdream8]

449K miles?

[@owequitit]

@@yourdream8yes. They do it all the time. Honda owners just don’t brag about it as much as some other brands.

[@chazatkinson]

Bought a 2007 yesterday Love it so far and love the features !

[@NeptuneKnives]

Love how all your points are logical and practical

[@TheChuckfinn]

Thanks so much for making this video. I have a 2010 I purchased with 120k miles on it. I am at 206k now. I voluntarily replaced the radiator, other than that, in 8 years and 86k miles, I am just now hearing whine out of the alternator I need to replace. Outside of that, I haven't touched it other than maintenance. Trans every 15-25k, Rear diff, the middle differential (which the dealer didn't even know existed as a maintenance item), I suck out the power steering fluid every once in a while and put in new fluid.

[@David.Wolf.1]

Thanks for watching! I find it very satisfying to do my own maintenance and keep a vehicle running well

[@Cabezon76]

Good to see someone enjoying and using the truck for what it is.

[@forzafan92]

ive recently bought a 2022 honda ridgeline 4 RTL E, i wasnt sure if i wanted the vehicle but our need for a small truck prompted me to buy one and i am very happy with it.

[@brialex62]

I am a consumer reports reader. since the inception the Ridgeline was the best rated pickup, although now for some reason they rate the Ford Maverick above the ridgeline. In any case I buy for value and 2 years ago that meant buying a 2023 RTL. After 2 years and 50k miles what I would say is I have not been disappointed. I expect it will last me at least a couple decades, and with transportation headed in the direction it is headed, and it may well be the last pickup I ever buy. PS I still drive my 2008 Silverado as well. Honda stuff is good stuff and most people don't need that full size pickup.

[@DeanBKK]

Nice review. I was intially looking into a 2020+ Ridgeline but then I realized I didn't want to be in debt. Now I'm looking at 1st gen Ridgelines (2010-2014) that I will buy in cash.

[@niko2002]

There are people who won't call it a truck because it's a unibody, but back in the 1960s nearly all corvettes were body-on-frame, so would you call that a truck, I wouldn't. For a smaller pick-up truck, a unibody just makes sense, it's got nearly the same towing capacity as a Toyota Tacoma. Toyota's have been catching on fires recently, the Toyota tundra, and Toyota Corolla GR. Honda will take this as a win for now. However they really do need to make the Honda Odyssey more reliable, it's probably their least reliable vehicle they make, mostly transmission issues, but the engine of course is rock solid.

[@mahdiabbas1484]

I just got a 07 im very happy with it only problem is the rust on the c pillar

[@kingjesai5556]

Great video! Thank you for including lift kit info.

[@baopham8676]

I just inherited a 2014 Ridgeline with 19k miles. Thank you for the info and review. I plan on building a pop up camper and now I know how much weight i can add for the conversion.

[@David.Wolf.1]

That's awesome! I just bought a tent that fits in the bed, it's my poor man solution for now

[@chefgiovanni]

HONDA is a HUGE upgrade from the BMW. Our 2007 Ridgeline is still going strong. I would not trade it for a newer BMW Owned a few BMW's when I was younger and stupid. Never again.

[@natelogic7423]

I have a 2013 sport Ill agree with you on the stance. I went up on tire size too. From 245 to 255/60r18, went with Nokian outpost nAT, i really like them, snow flake/mountain peak rated, kevlar sidewalls for pothole protection, 60,000 mile, good price. Anyways, you said spare tire is in the bed trunk, you would have to empty bed to get to it. I found out on the 1st gens, if you look very carefully for a small plastic plug on the inside passenger side wall of the bed. (Almost the size of a pen cap end) Pop that out, you can screw the center spare tire hub into it. Spare tire just hangs out in the side of the bed...

[@David.Wolf.1]

I did not know that, thanks for the tip!

[@natelogic7423]

I came across it on the Ridgeline forum. I was a skeptical, I found that small cover, matched up tire mount. Mind blown.

[@motaz1975]

i have owned an 08 ridgeline rtl, a 16 frontier pro 4x, and a 17 tacoma trd off road. i am so not a "truck guy" i like cars. the ridgeline was the only one of those three i look back on and miss. it road better, had more utility, and to me looked better than the other two i had.

[@sofarsogood3969]

Thank you for video!Looking for 1st generation Ridgeline in California. So your video was very helpful.

[@David.Wolf.1]

Thanks for watching, good luck in your search!

[@michaelpolzin3263]

I agree. I have owned a 2012 for the last 7 years and love it. My only regret is that the tailgate doesnt lock and it did not have a backup camera. Black rims made it pop.

[@David.Wolf.1]

Agreed, a backup camera would be really nice

[@donaldrivenburg3289]

Lol I learned the ratchet strap lesson the hard way too. Now I keep them under the rear seat

[@brandonaugustine2264]

Hello! Thank you so much for including the amazon link to the lift kit. Very Helpful! Quick question though, where did you purchase your roof rails/rack from. The 2006 Ridgeline I just bought from my grandpa doesn't have anything on top and want to get a roof fails so that I can get a ski mount for it instead of using the bed where I will use it for luggage. Great video!

[@David.Wolf.1]

Thank you, I'm glad you enjoyed the video! The roof rack on my Ridgeline is actually just the factory Honda rack, part number 08L02-SJC-100A (also available in an all black coloration 08L02-SJC-100B). Here's a link to the one I have on Amazon: amzn.to/3VRQIte

[@brandonaugustine2264]

@@David.Wolf.1 Thank you!!

[@chriswalker68]

Strawberry Milkshake Of Death! Nissan really bit the dust on those models.

[@GreenMountain565]

I’ve always loved the 1st gen Ridgeline, I’ve owned two of them. My current one is a 2012 Rtl with 110k on it. I did the 105k mile service last year but now it’s starting to nickle and dime me. I’ve taken it to 3 shops and for some reason no one can align it correctly. They want me to throw $$$ at it to figure it out but I’m hesitant on doing so. Also the blend door is out of whack and it’s stuck on the defrost vents and won’t blow from any of the other ones. So as much as I’ve liked this “truck” I’ve had a bunch of issues over the years and I’m always jealous when I see people who have 300k miles with no real issues. I think ultimately I’m going to sell it though.

[@David.Wolf.1]

That's too bad you're having issues, and especially frustrating that shops aren't figuring it out. Hope you can get it sorted or find something better

[@123fourfivesix-g4i]

Love my beat up 2006 RT Ridgeline.

[@cprhroaehssneteonr5488]

I bought my '08 from my dad which he got in '10 and it now has 252k miles going strong! Only issue is the aux port but I'm gonna fix that soon enough.

[@cprhroaehssneteonr5488]

With the aux port now DIY'ed and everything freshly serviced it's working great!

[@ericcouture96]

My 2006 almost has 65k on it. I bought it about 3 years ago after an old lady traded it in. I am 6'3 and fit comfortably. The rear trunk is like a godsend since my son plays hockey and it keeps his horribly stinky hockey bag dry and most importantly outside where we dont have to smell it during our sometimes 4 hour drives to away game rinks. My biggest gripe is the lack of wheel and tire options without having to grind down pinch welds for fitment. Looking at some different options and wheel sizes. Also want to do a couple inch lift. Another thing i dont like is the running boards like you also have. The trucks to short to need them so im always stepping past them and in the winter it leads to salt marks on the lower part of my pants...pretty minor...just an annoyance

[@David.Wolf.1]

Nothing better than getting a good low mileage babied vehicle! Good buy. Those particular running boards aren't the best looking, for sure, but I do like having them and use them personally. I thought about going up a tire size after mine was lifted and I was buying the BFGs, but in the end I stuck with the 245/70's, and I'm happy with the look and clearance I have. I didn't want to worry about grinding welds or rubbing, plus the additional change to the gearing.

[@SkyDomeVIZE]

Currently, have mine still, but i am going to have to part ways soon. Unfortunately, the Honda Ridgeline suffers from rust underneath. Usually driver side rear and subframe mounts. Best of luck

[@khalifmentor6616]

Check to see if it falls under the recall for a no cost replacement. The 1gen had a recall for the 23 NE states!

[@JimiJames528]

Ridgeline has the same issue with coolant getting inti the trans fluid. Lots of vehicles suffer with this problem.

[@blindsqurill]

I’ve owned a 2006 and currently own a 2017 black edition ridgeline , I honestly think the the first gen was built better

[@georgerenolds859]

ridgelines also suffer with trans fluid mixing with the radaitor smog delete if you already havnt and also they need the timing belts changed around every 5/6 years make sure there is no dry cracking there are acouple other problems rear subframe recalled i also have a 08 but had a silverado before and i love how great the ridgeline is on gas but looses some benifits its a glorified suv with a bed not really a truck in my eyes

[@joelsloper530]

These also have the coolant trans oil issues make shure to check your radiator for any damage

[@gilmacababbad-qi9ql]

Hi dude, how's the powertrain reliability? It is a timing belt motor. When was the last time you replaced it?

[@David.Wolf.1]

I've had no powertrain issues. The previous owner never replaced the timing belt, so I had it replaced right away after I bought it at 142k miles

[@junkheadINC]

My only complaint is the non telescoping steering wheel. They are great

[@wskripka1]

Do they have 2 wheel front wheel drive only too ?

[@David.Wolf.1]

The first generation Ridgeline was only offered with all wheel drive. The second generation was offered as front wheel drive for the 2017-2020 model years, then all wheel drive was made standard once again in the 2021 model year

[@williamhiman8017]

Anyone use the same lift kit? I’m not convinced it’s an easy install.

[@David.Wolf.1]

I've installed a basic coil spacer lift in the past, this one I elected to hire out though. The guy that installed it does brake and suspension work out of his garage, and when I picked it up he said it was a "dirty job" and seemed kind of wiped out. I suspect he didn't want to complain too much, but let's just say I was happy I paid someone else to do it. Especially if you're working on a 150k+ mile vehicle like mine was, I don't think it would be a fun job

[@Tommerd]

One kid I know called my Ridgeline an SUV with a birth defect...

[@David.Wolf.1]

😂 As a Ridgeline owner, you have to be able to roll with the punches. One friend told me he thought of them like an El Camino

[@d33psix88]

Stop telling people, ffs. All the youtube idiots are going to start buying them up to “modify” and make the prices go stupid.