I agree here. El Camino is the way to go. Best of both worlds. Look awesome. Totally not out of style.
Midsize (or compact?) Trucks
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my dad has been driving nissan frontiers for a while now, really nice trucks, not great gas mileage, but thats par for the course
I'm picking up a new Colorado crew cab, regular bed, Z71 later today. Did a lot of research and this was the only pickup that fit our needs. We just don't need a full size truck and the back seats of the other mid-sized aren't big enough and gas mileage sucks. Although i don't spend tons of time towing, i opted for the 4 cylinder diesel which gets 29+ on the highway. I've been driving my current pickup (Nissan Frontier) for 13 years so plan to keep this one for at least 10. Although it takes a while to pencil out on gas savings, the fact is that there are many times when we'd rather take a family trip in the pickup (camping, biking, etc.), but end up packing everything into (and on top of) the car just because the gas mileage is that much better. I hate noisy diesels, but this one is really quiet.
I'll report back in a few days if i learn anything.
I'll report back in a few days if i learn anything.
I agree that fuel economy and diesels get blurred quite a bit. You get a few miles per gallon on several, but with diesel quite often being 10-15% more that eats up some. The other kicker is the oil changes. It's about 3X the price of a gas engine, with the extra oil and generally you always want at least a synthetic blend with a diesel.
I had bought diesels for the longevity, but that's not really an advantage now either.
In 2004, I bought a Dodge Dakota Quad Cab with the smaller size V8. Towed our pull-behind camper for 5 years with it, took it on several hunting trips to western NE, and was my daily driver in commuting from Nevada to Johnston. Regular maintenance and a few after-market add-ons, and today it's got 280,000 miles and still going strong. Dodge Dakota would get my vote!
I think this is what killed the Ranger. I remember seeing the EPA estimated mileage was identical on the Rangers and the F150's. So unless you had a tiny garage or weren't comfortable driving the full size truck it didn't make any sense to buy the Ranger.
Yes, the new Ranger is coming out. I forget if it's 2018 or 2019 it's due.
I would love a new El Camino and/or Ranchero offering.
I'll add to the love for the Ridgeline. Bought my 2008 brand new and have had exactly zero problems with it. The only thing I might consider going to is the Colorado diesel used in a couple years. Ridgeline won't do ya wrong no matter how much it is shaped like a pizza hut logo.
Sorry, that's how it's referred to in the manual. You are right, of course.
I think a lot of hate on the Ridgelines comes from 'pure truck guys' that can't be caught dead in anything that doesn't have a gigantic engine or isn't lifted 50 feet off the ground. Personally, I don't need that much truck, so I'll stick with the smoother, more compact Ridgeline. Only thing I don't like is the older ones aren't great on gas, but I think the new one gets respectable mileage. I don't like the exterior style much though.
That 4 stroke diesel looks really, really awesome.
Don't forget the GMC Canyon. Styling is a little more refined than the Colorado. Otherwise, basically the same truck.
I don't like midsize trucks but I'm really psyched about that diesel engine. Let us know what you think of it!
Would like to know more about the Colorado diesel, as I am in the market and may look into those.
I haven't found the midsize trucks to be much different on gas mileage or cost from the full size models. I wouldn't consider the Ridgeline to be a midsize truck.
Why not?
It's not as long as the Tacoma or Chevy Colorado. It's a little wider than both.
Ridgeline
210″ L x 79″ W x 70-71″ H
Tacoma
212-226″ L x 74-75″ W x 71″ H
Canyon
212-225″ L x 74″ W x 70-71″ H
Dodge Ram Crew Cab
229 in x 79.4 in x 77.7
Chevy Silverado Crew
230″ L x 80″ W x 74″ H
I agree about the mpg. I was getting around 18mpg with a Dodge Ram V8 and it looks like I'd get around 22mpg with the Ridgeline
On the Colorado, I know the diesel is only available on the top trim level. It bugs me to no end that unless you're buying a 3/4 or 1 ton truck, diesels are restricted to the highest trim levels across almost all brands. I want to buy a diesel to get better mileage and torque, not to get a sunroof and premium wheels.
Well, for me I don't like them because of the reduced bed size. (think the same about the Avalanche)
It might be the same or similar to a short box truck, but I really enjoy my 6 foot bed, and have used every inch of it on many occasions.
The new Ridgeline pickup is 90% Honda Pilot with a bed on the back.
http://www.duramaxhub.com/28-duramax.html
I won't buy a new one but I hope to get a used one in a few years.
I grew up on a farm and if I was farming I probably wouldn't have a Ridgeline, but I have no issues letting anybody know that's what I drive. I've had 23 sheets of 5/8" sheetrock in the back of truck and it wasn't sagging in the back at all. Also without the wheel wells inside the bed makes it a lot easier to load up 4 x 8 sheets of whatever you like. The trunk has a drain plug which can come in pretty useful tailgating by filling it with ice and the beverage of your choice. Has the same seals in the lid as you have on your doors so it is weather sealed. Seats 5 tall adults in comfort.
If you are planning on pulling trailers through the mountains a lot it wouldn't be the truck for you as the truck is Front wheel drive first and AWD as needed when you start to lose traction, so the transmission, transfer case and the funny little clutchpacks would not last doing that type of stuff but 16 mpg in the city and up to 22 (if you aren't going 70+) works great for me.
I won't buy a new one but I hope to get a used one in a few years.
I grew up on a farm and if I was farming I probably wouldn't have a Ridgeline, but I have no issues letting anybody know that's what I drive. I've had 23 sheets of 5/8" sheetrock in the back of truck and it wasn't sagging in the back at all. Also without the wheel wells inside the bed makes it a lot easier to load up 4 x 8 sheets of whatever you like. The trunk has a drain plug which can come in pretty useful tailgating by filling it with ice and the beverage of your choice. Has the same seals in the lid as you have on your doors so it is weather sealed. Seats 5 tall adults in comfort.
If you are planning on pulling trailers through the mountains a lot it wouldn't be the truck for you as the truck is Front wheel drive first and AWD as needed when you start to lose traction, so the transmission, transfer case and the funny little clutchpacks would not last doing that type of stuff but 16 mpg in the city and up to 22 (if you aren't going 70+) works great for me.
