I just sent my rusted out 2006 (one of the first 500 built) to the wrecker with 546, 445km, no repairs done to the brake or fuel system, engine or transmission, other than the regularly scheduled pads, rotors and the timing belt/water pump. I replaced it with a babied one owner 2014. Make sure you get them rust proofed, especially the tailgate! It was my first Japanese vehicle, never buying American again.
I have a 2011 Ridgeline with 397,230 KM on it and I love it. I worked for a Honda Dealership in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada for 18 Years and I can personally say that Honda has a Very Good Product. I, like everybody have Driven every make of Trucks and also Worked on all these Different Models of Trucks as a Mechanic and as a Service Advisor. I Am 73 years old and will not give up My Ridgeline. Doing and Following the required maintenance is the Key to making this Vehicle last for a long time. I Love the First Generation of the Ridgeline with a unibody, the New Generation looks too much like the Normal Pick-Ups.
I bought my 2008 Ridgeline RT about a year ago with 127,000 miles and it’s been great. Only issue was the SMOD or “strawberry milkshake of death”. But it was fixed and taken care of quickly and it still runs like a dream. I wouldn’t trade it for anything. I’ve put about 20,000 miles on it and it’s ran perfectly
@@austinhs6925 I ended up googling it, you get a small portion of rubber line and bypass the factory radiator trans cooler than cap off the radiator. This prevents the factory cooler from cracking internally in mixing the transmission fluid
Bought mine 267,000km, now after 7 years it has 462,000km. Did one major repair (transmission at 340k), and small repairs about 3-4 times a year (usually with oil change). So in total the repairs cost me about 80cad$ a month. I want to mention that this truck I’m using for work, and I’m hauling a lot!!! Considering I purchased that for 9000cad$ and paying 80$ a month, it’s a great truck 💪🏽 Planning on buying 2012-14 model for personal use, I’m tired of my new F-150 constant recalls 👎🏽
I bought my 2nd Ridgeline 2 years ago. It is in rough shape, cheap ($4500 Canadian) and high KM (300k). I had timing belt, serpentine belt, water pump, tensioner, air con compressor and steering pump replaced pre-emptively along with all maintenance fluids and front right control arm and CV shaft. Parts are cheap. I know it is a light duty and extremely reliable truck and it has been dutifully serving us smoothly and without drama. It is much cheaper and better equipped compared to same era Toyota Tacoma. Running it daily in the city and occasionally needing it move stuff without care have solved a lot of problems and reduced a lot of headache moments for me. The best part is, I treat it like a car, power wash it weekly (rain or shine) for $2 (just high pressure wax), polish & wax it annually after winter. It does not look or drive rough at all despite the state when I bought it.
I bought a 2014 RT with 141k miles on it July 2021. So far one oil change and one tail light out. Zero rust and everything is from the factory. A dream to drive
Great video, thank you! The Ridgeline has a full box frame rail structure. The body is welded to that structure rather than bolted on. So it's sort-of a hybrid of body on frame and uni-body. Not enough people talk about this.
I bought my 2009 Ridgeline four years ago with only 58,000 miles on it. My cousin was the previous owner and had the timing belt and water pump replaced just before I bought it. I had three Tacoma’s since 2005 and I will never go back. The Ridgeline is noticeably larger inside and rides much much better than my Tacoma’s.
That’s the thing I couldn’t stand about the Tacoma, it felt way to cramped inside. I was planning to buy one until I drove one. Also it felt like it had no power, even with the V6.
I've driven the crap out of my 2008, easily 20K or more miles a year for a couple of years. Best vehicle I've ever owned this thing is bomb-proof with regular maintenance
2006 Ridgeline, 280,000 miles in California, no rust at all of course. Still going strong, had it for a decade now. preemptively changed out the radiator, changed timing belt with the works a couple of times already. Changed out the rear plastic seat gear with the metal one. All fluids changed regularly, even the rear "diff" oil. I've towed my mini trailer with it all around the country, has never left me hanging or stranded me. Going to do some body work and paint job to bring it back to showroom condition. Even if motor and tranny give up I'll just swap them out or repair. With the price of new trucks I'll be keeping my ridgeline for a long while lol.
I bought my Ridgeline with 180k at a low price because the engine was knocking. Dropped the oil pan and Found a bent rod from hydro locking…. I shaved the crank down a little where the piston was hitting…. Now over 20k miles still running strong😂.
For real. I started off looking at 2017 and later because I don’t like that diagonal gusset thing where the bed meets the cab. But prices are so crazy that I think I’m going to have to go for the older body style.
my 2007 had a timing belt and water pump done at 150k then i just did another one at 250k and about to redo and upgrade the suspension… still coming out WAY cheaper then buying a new truck and it still runs like a top.
Got mine at 87k had to let it go at 190k. Truck ran flawlessly Just the rust was getting to it. It was still repairable for someone who was willing to put the time into it I just wasn’t up for it.
I bought my 2007 RTL Memorial Day of 2021 with almost 127,000 miles. Off the lot, only problem I had was that the trunk wasn’t opening and the power steering pump needed to be replaced. I’m now at 131,000 miles, power steering pump fixed, driver side door actuator replaced, and the trunk is now accessible (I created an opening on the trunk lid where I could access the actuator for the trunk and sprayed brake cleaner in the parts, and now it works permanently). I’ve only owned it for a few months, but so far it has taken care of me and it has been a very comfortable daily driver. Off the lot I bought it with 20” rims! 265/60 R20 and yes they rub but ONLY at a certain turning point of the steering wheel.
Maneuverability? I borrowed a friends and had to do a 7 point turn to turn around in the middle of the desert! I love the truck, but its turning radius is measured in city blocks...
My first car is a 07 Honda ridgeline. It was given to me for free by my parents but I had to fix it up which was about 2k. Amazing first car and drives really well. I’m super happy with it.
Cool wanting to ask is there a lock for the back door of the Honda Ridgeline meaning to tailgate or do they make a lock for the back tailgate to thank you if anybody knows please reply back to me thank you
I don't see how a timing belt failure or radiator fitting failure would cause catastrophic engine failure. Timing belts are designed so that if they break it will not damage the engine. Leaking radiator fittings would cause low coolant / high temperature warnings. If you ignored these warnings, sure it could damage the engine, but a bad fitting isn't going to damage the engine instantly.
It’s an interference engine. If the timing belt breaks, the pistons hit the valves, destroying the engine. With the radiator, it has an internal transmission cooler as well. If the internals or fittings fail, the transmission fluid is mixed with radiator coolant. This mixed gets into the engine and transmission.
If transmission fluid and coolant mix, because of a leak or failure, coolant overflow reservoir will likely appear full of a liquid that resembles strawberry milkshake! (Do not taste it!)
Bought my 2008 6 years ago w 155k miles on it. It now has 270k and is still running like a top. Can’t beat Honda man.
Just bought a 2006 RTL with 186k miles, run great. Can't wait to see how far it goes
2012 RTL with only 56k miles! I had to jump on that one.
@@Subconscious_San I’m thinking about buying one this Monday at auction for cheap, only 2009 156k miles, hope my last long like Tito here lol
@@matthewadkins9810 did you replace the timing belt yet?
@@williamb454 It was replaced 10k miles before I bought it.
I just sent my rusted out 2006 (one of the first 500 built) to the wrecker with 546, 445km, no repairs done to the brake or fuel system, engine or transmission, other than the regularly scheduled pads, rotors and the timing belt/water pump. I replaced it with a babied one owner 2014. Make sure you get them rust proofed, especially the tailgate!
It was my first Japanese vehicle, never buying American again.
I have a 2011 Ridgeline with 397,230 KM on it and I love it. I worked for a Honda Dealership in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada for 18 Years and I can personally say that Honda has a Very Good Product. I, like everybody have Driven every make of Trucks and also Worked on all these Different Models of Trucks as a Mechanic and as a Service Advisor. I Am 73 years old and will not give up My Ridgeline. Doing and Following the required maintenance is the Key to making this Vehicle last for a long time. I Love the First Generation of the Ridgeline with a unibody, the New Generation looks too much like the Normal Pick-Ups.
I bought my 2008 Ridgeline RT about a year ago with 127,000 miles and it’s been great. Only issue was the SMOD or “strawberry milkshake of death”. But it was fixed and taken care of quickly and it still runs like a dream. I wouldn’t trade it for anything. I’ve put about 20,000 miles on it and it’s ran perfectly
What is that problem
Is that with the transmission??
@@austinhs6925 I ended up googling it, you get a small portion of rubber line and bypass the factory radiator trans cooler than cap off the radiator.
This prevents the factory cooler from cracking internally in mixing the transmission fluid
@@joelstevensz06 i think it is the issue where the trans fluid and radiator fluid mix together internally
@@austinhs6925 correct internally in the radiator, so if you bypass a radiator portion and just run the external you eliminate the issue.
This is one of the best "what to look for" videos I have ever watched.
Bought mine 267,000km, now after 7 years it has 462,000km.
Did one major repair (transmission at 340k), and small repairs about 3-4 times a year (usually with oil change).
So in total the repairs cost me about 80cad$ a month.
I want to mention that this truck I’m using for work, and I’m hauling a lot!!!
Considering I purchased that for 9000cad$ and paying 80$ a month, it’s a great truck 💪🏽
Planning on buying 2012-14 model for personal use, I’m tired of my new F-150 constant recalls 👎🏽
I bought my 2nd Ridgeline 2 years ago. It is in rough shape, cheap ($4500 Canadian) and high KM (300k). I had timing belt, serpentine belt, water pump, tensioner, air con compressor and steering pump replaced pre-emptively along with all maintenance fluids and front right control arm and CV shaft. Parts are cheap. I know it is a light duty and extremely reliable truck and it has been dutifully serving us smoothly and without drama. It is much cheaper and better equipped compared to same era Toyota Tacoma. Running it daily in the city and occasionally needing it move stuff without care have solved a lot of problems and reduced a lot of headache moments for me. The best part is, I treat it like a car, power wash it weekly (rain or shine) for $2 (just high pressure wax), polish & wax it annually after winter. It does not look or drive rough at all despite the state when I bought it.
Bought our 2007 Ridgeline new , still going strong 💪🏾 301,000 miles. Just needs front seat covers.
If all you need at 300k is seat covers, you know you chose an excellent vehicle 👍
When did you change the timing belt the first time?
How many times have you changed the timing belt and radiator?
@@williamb454I know a few people who have over 200k and have never changed it lol
Yeah me too, dumb luck, I m not one of those people!!
I bought a 2014 RT with 141k miles on it July 2021. So far one oil change and one tail light out. Zero rust and everything is from the factory. A dream to drive
2006 RTS with 20,000 15 years ago with 232,000 now. Still have original power steering pump,
and alternator.
My is 2011 I love it awesome truck it got little rust & 157,134 miles I m second owner now !! Hopefully last 10 years more 💪🏽💪🏽
Great video, thank you! The Ridgeline has a full box frame rail structure. The body is welded to that structure rather than bolted on. So it's sort-of a hybrid of body on frame and uni-body. Not enough people talk about this.
I bought my 2009 Ridgeline four years ago with only 58,000 miles on it. My cousin was the previous owner and had the timing belt and water pump replaced just before I bought it.
I had three Tacoma’s since 2005 and I will never go back.
The Ridgeline is noticeably larger inside and rides much much better than my Tacoma’s.
That’s the thing I couldn’t stand about the Tacoma, it felt way to cramped inside. I was planning to buy one until I drove one. Also it felt like it had no power, even with the V6.
I've driven the crap out of my 2008, easily 20K or more miles a year for a couple of years. Best vehicle I've ever owned this thing is bomb-proof with regular maintenance
2006 Ridgeline, 280,000 miles in California, no rust at all of course. Still going strong, had it for a decade now. preemptively changed out the radiator, changed timing belt with the works a couple of times already. Changed out the rear plastic seat gear with the metal one. All fluids changed regularly, even the rear "diff" oil. I've towed my mini trailer with it all around the country, has never left me hanging or stranded me. Going to do some body work and paint job to bring it back to showroom condition. Even if motor and tranny give up I'll just swap them out or repair. With the price of new trucks I'll be keeping my ridgeline for a long while lol.
ive has a 2008 ridgeline rtl, a 2016 frontier pro4x, and a 2017 tacoma trd offroad. the ridgeline is the only one i miss driving.
I bought my Ridgeline with 180k at a low price because the engine was knocking. Dropped the oil pan and Found a bent rod from hydro locking…. I shaved the crank down a little where the piston was hitting…. Now over 20k miles still running strong😂.
I have a 2006 with 304,000. Watch out for "Strawberry Milkshake" and replace radiator and hoses regularly. I love this truck.
These have really grown on me. Not easy to find a good one for a decent price in this market though.
For real. I started off looking at 2017 and later because I don’t like that diagonal gusset thing where the bed meets the cab. But prices are so crazy that I think I’m going to have to go for the older body style.
my 2007 had a timing belt and water pump done at 150k then i just did another one at 250k and about to redo and upgrade the suspension… still coming out WAY cheaper then buying a new truck and it still runs like a top.
One of the best vehicles that I ever owned was forced to sell because I couldn't use it for work, super reliable mine was 2012
What kind of work?
Got mine at 87k had to let it go at 190k. Truck ran flawlessly Just the rust was getting to it. It was still repairable for someone who was willing to put the time into it I just wasn’t up for it.
yes, yes you should.
2007 159k, my daily use car.
I bought my 2007 RTL Memorial Day of 2021 with almost 127,000 miles. Off the lot, only problem I had was that the trunk wasn’t opening and the power steering pump needed to be replaced.
I’m now at 131,000 miles, power steering pump fixed, driver side door actuator replaced, and the trunk is now accessible (I created an opening on the trunk lid where I could access the actuator for the trunk and sprayed brake cleaner in the parts, and now it works permanently).
I’ve only owned it for a few months, but so far it has taken care of me and it has been a very comfortable daily driver.
Off the lot I bought it with 20” rims! 265/60 R20 and yes they rub but ONLY at a certain turning point of the steering wheel.
Thanks for the tips.
External transmission cooler resolves the Rad fitting issue
The ones before the facelift suffer from rust the most.
Maneuverability? I borrowed a friends and had to do a 7 point turn to turn around in the middle of the desert! I love the truck, but its turning radius is measured in city blocks...
My first car is a 07 Honda ridgeline. It was given to me for free by my parents but I had to fix it up which was about 2k. Amazing first car and drives really well. I’m super happy with it.
Cool wanting to ask is there a lock for the back door of the Honda Ridgeline meaning to tailgate or do they make a lock for the back tailgate to thank you if anybody knows please reply back to me thank you
I love my '07. Only has 52k on it.
I don't see how a timing belt failure or radiator fitting failure would cause catastrophic engine failure. Timing belts are designed so that if they break it will not damage the engine. Leaking radiator fittings would cause low coolant / high temperature warnings. If you ignored these warnings, sure it could damage the engine, but a bad fitting isn't going to damage the engine instantly.
It’s an interference engine. If the timing belt breaks, the pistons hit the valves, destroying the engine. With the radiator, it has an internal transmission cooler as well. If the internals or fittings fail, the transmission fluid is mixed with radiator coolant. This mixed gets into the engine and transmission.
HONDA RIDGELINE IS 2006@2007 motor trend Truck of the year
Strawberry milkshake? Say huh? What is that?
If transmission fluid and coolant mix, because of a leak or failure, coolant overflow reservoir will likely appear full of a liquid that resembles strawberry milkshake! (Do not taste it!)
Some owners )
Rad…….ok