the 200!!!!! not the 2g's

buy a haynes manual, all new filters and wires and plugs and whatever else u need and get to work. and afterwards u will feel like u did something and know more about ur car.... though u might not want to sell it afterwards cuz ull be more attached to it if u do ur own work on it.

 

shay ... do the service. No matter what you decide (fix and keep or trade in and replace) it's a gamble.
The Ridgeline is still too new in my opinion. I think there are still unkowns about it. The RL's are already well 'sorted out' by now so there are no mysteries.

If i were you I'ld keep it as the daily beater until your repair/service costs (average per month over a year) are greater than 50% of the cost of a new vehicle (monthly payment over 60 months with no money down on equally equipped car).

hope that helps.

 

$2000 is cheaper than 60 months @ $4xx.xx. i know the dealers here in orlando were doing $5,000.00 off MSRP on the ridgelines.

Ridgeline negatives- gas mileage, especially considering your comments about how much you drive. plus you have 60 months of payments.

RL negatives - sounds like your tired of her. nothing wrong with that, we all get tired of stuff. $2000.00 could end up costing more depending on what they find when it's up on the lift.

Suggestions - if money is a problem, consider calling your credit card company and see if they have any of those offers like 3.9 fixed until the balace is paid off. then write one of those credit card "checks" to the shop and you have cheap payments on the service. or consider pooling your resources and having a "tech session" at your house and ask some of the shadetree mechanics to come over for free burgers and beer. then put everybody to work fixing the RL. buy the parts and a shop manual, it should be easy enough. make sure you do it on a day when the dealers are open in case there is a part you need and it can't wait.

like WG suggested, check out websites and know what problem areas should be checked and be prepared to fix those at the same time.

another suggestion- check out the 2007 Accord's, they are dumping prices on those also. i have seen $2,000.00 under invoice here in orlando. mine is a 2007 4 cyl EXL-with Navi and i just got 27 mpg city driving with a heavy foot. i have gotten 32 mpg hwy, running 80 + mph.

good luck.

 

Hey Shay,
I do have a 07 Ridgeline RTL with Navi. I do like it a lot and it definetly comes in handy. ( move, new stuff for the house, and the likes).
I have not had any problems with it at all. I have even got the rear to kick out and drift on a boot leg. WOOT.

Just decide what you feel comfortable with. You got to do what you got to do.
Either way you will enjoy both.
(since I did own a 03 CL type S)

 

 

Think about the trade value of the RL later with higher miles. You're getting $10-12 now. Maybe it'll be $8-10 later, plus you put in the $2G for repairs. Now, you out $4Gs (guessing) and still have a car payment later.

How long are you planning on keeping the RL? If you want to keep it for a year or two, do the service. If you're just going to trade in a couple months, $2G will make 6 months of payments (guessing).

Also, as others have said, the Ridgeline's not the way to go either. See what else is out there. Just because it's a good deal doesn't always make it the RIGHT deal. Be smart, shop around, drive a bunch of stuff and think outside the Honda box. There's a lot of great financing deals right now.

I say buy new but only because I have two car payments, why shouldn't you have one?!?!?!

 

Shay

Just a few cents worth from me.

1) Have you thought about getting a used Ridgline and letting someone else take the depreciation hit. My wife and I have never had a new vehicle since we have been married and you know we drive acceptable rides.

2)$2000 seems way high for a major service. My 300zx had to have a major service done every 60k miles. I would spend about $700 for timing belt, water pump and all the peripheral stuff.....and the Z was nightmare to work on. have you done some shopping around on the service.

If the vehicle is critical to your job then by all means do what you have to to protect your income. I just HATE car payments (any payments as far as that goes) so that is why I am trying to steer you away from them.

Just a few ideas for you to ponder. I hope I havent added to your confusion.

 

What's acceptable? Don't you have something called a HEEP????

 

If Shay could fix a car with a spreadsheet and ROI calculations I would suggest this, but since he needs to work with timing belts and not investment portfolios, it's probably not his greatest strength.

Shay, find a mechanic you trust or make the drive to Orlando to see Oster, or Tampa and see Todd or Rick. Give the RL a thorough once over and go from there. From poking around on the internet a little I couldn't find any major problems forthcoming with the RL... The TL on the other hand...

 

That is an affectionate name that more reflects how my loving wife takes care of it rather than the vehicle itself