Should I Buy a 2019 Ranger or 2019 Ridgeline?

[VAMike]

Well, if you want to buy based on image it seems silly to complain about the back seat.

Sponsored

 

[YouknowwhatImean]

Well, if you want to buy based on image it seems silly to complain about the back seat.

Mike,
Perhaps.
If it were only just the backseats. It's a catalog of inefficiencies as mentioned in my post. And it's the fact that other manufacturers don't share the same flaws. Maybe it's just the price point. Right now the XLT trim we want is ~32k with all the stacked rebates and incentives. Maybe when that number becomes lower over the next few months ...

 

[VAMike]

Mike,
Perhaps.
If it were only just the backseats. It's a catalog of inefficiencies as mentioned in my post. And it's the fact that other manufacturers don't share the same flaws. Maybe it's just the price point. Right now the XLT trim we want is ~32k with all the stacked rebates and incentives. Maybe when that number becomes lower over the next few months ...

Well, I thought the entire "catalog" to be equally non substantive. The only really substantive point is that you don't need a truck but you like the image of a truck. That's fine, but makes it a waste of time to talk about why it's ridiculous to complain that the bed liner is an option or whatever. Other trucks might not share terrible flaws like making a noise if you drop the tailgate, but they substitute other flaws like crappy driver's seat or no available adaptive cruise or bad powertrain or whatever. I'll just hold on to the tailgate--even my 9yo seems to manage that--and carry on.

 

[YouknowwhatImean]

Well, I thought the entire "catalog" to be equally non substantive. The only really substantive point is that you don't need a truck but you like the image of a truck. That's fine, but makes it a waste of time to talk about why it's ridiculous to complain that the bed liner is an option or whatever. Other trucks might not share terrible flaws like making a noise if you drop the tailgate, but they substitute other flaws like crappy driver's seat or no available adaptive cruise or bad powertrain or whatever. I'll just hold on to the tailgate--even my 9yo seems to manage that--and carry on.

This is the second time you harp on about 'buying for image' as if you're impervious to it. You shouldn't make it a habit to read a few posts and then go about telling strangers what they need or don't need.

So why don't you tell me about the virtues of the Ranger and the flaws of the Ridgeline. That would be more helpful and/or insightful.

 

[DHMag]

What he is saying is you can't have your cake and eat it too. No matter your decision, you will make compromises/sacrifices.

Why did I buy a Ranger ? Cause I've owned them over the last 25 years and I love them, flaws and all.

 

[YouknowwhatImean]

What he is saying is you can't have your cake and eat it too. No matter your decision, you will make compromises/sacrifices.

Why did I buy a Ranger ? Cause I've owned them over the last 25 years and I love them, flaws and all.

A sensible response..."because i like em." At least your not defensive about their flaws.

 

[RedlandRanger]

I will just say this - my Ranger has exceeded my expectations and I couldn't be happier with it.

 

[DHMag]

A sensible response..."because i like em." At least your not defensive about their flaws.

I could nitpick, but to each their own, yanno ? Ultimately, it's up to you what you choose. I think Mike's comments have some validity though. If you're only looking for flaws, that's all you'll see. But be practical about the flaws you see. As I mentioned the rear seat storage/fold flat, how often would you require access to those ? I don't know of any manufacturer who offers an included spray in bedliner. I believe the Ridgeline is a composite bed with storage compartments. To me, the in bed storage is awesome, as long as it doesn't leak (I've never researched a Ridgeline). Oh, and payload, yes, the Ranger is considered midsized, but can the Ridgeline haul 1500 lbs of fill dirt/rock/gravel/other stuff in it's bed ? Towing specs, Ridgeline rated for 5k ? Yeah, Ranger rated at 7.5k. That's great when you accidently pierce a water line and need to rent a bobcat or small backhoe.

If you're still in the fence, have you and your wife write out pros/cons of each. Swap lists, and debate. You may find that things you thought were important, really aren't.

 

[RangerCat]

I will just say this - my Ranger has exceeded my expectations and I couldn't be happier with it.

I want to echo what Redland said. I ordered my Ranger without ever driving one....heck, without even SEEING one in person. I could not be happier with my decision. Yes, there are a few things I would change if I could but overall, the Ranger is an amazing truck that I would choose again and again.

 

[mike]

So having a "real" truck trumps all the other "definicies". Defincies the Honda doesnt have. Ok.

So it's settled then? Wait for XLT to come down in price and get a real man's truck? Happy wife, happy life. Usually it is the guy that's the impractical one.

 

[Snorebaby]

A wise man said "Never let perfection spoil a good thing". There are things I love about My Ranger, and some things not so much. In Total, it is the finest piece of machinery I have ever owned. I care not about soft closing tailgates or bumper steps. The backseat is perfect for kids. If you are going to be schlepping 4 adults around buy a F-150 SuperCrew

There....fixed it for ya!

 

[rdm3671]

I had a Honda once. Second best mower I ever owned. Sorry, couldn’t help myself

 

[VAMike]

This is the second time you harp on about 'buying for image' as if you're impervious to it. You shouldn't make it a habit to read a few posts and then go about telling strangers what they need or don't need.

So why don't you tell me about the virtues of the Ranger and the flaws of the Ridgeline. That would be more helpful and/or insightful.

Until ford starts paying me a commission I don't have a lot of incentive to talk someone into buying a ranger. Since I think tailgate dampers are absurd, I have a really hard time seeing someone who says they're on the fence about buying a $30k truck over a $30 aftermarket part and wants people to convince them otherwise as anything other than a troll. (Sorry.) I've used the bed of my truck at least every couple of days since I got it, quite often for things that won't fit in the back of a ridgeline. In order to do that I got a supercab, so I clearly could not care less about back seats that fold down. I'm trying to remember what else was in your "catalog of flaws" apart from a damper and seats. Oh, right, a bedliner. So you can either get a bedliner or not. Some people like plastic because it's easier to slide stuff, some people like spray in because stuff doesn't slide, and some people like a bedrug because it's softer. There isn't one right answer for everybody. You'll have to make your own decisions about what you think is important and get a vehicle that does what you want, just like I got a truck that does what I want. FWIW, I also have a minivan for when I need to haul people or put a bunch of stuff inside, because I really don't care as much about "image" as about getting the tool that makes the most sense for the job.

 

[VAMike]

There....fixed it for ya!

I still find the minivan more comfortable if the entire requirement is "hauling 4 adults". The lower floor makes it one heck of a lot easier to get into which becomes a major factor as your passengers get closer to 100 than to 0, and captains chairs win over a bench.

 

[beetlespin]

If you don't need to tow go with the Ridgeline.

Sponsored