manual transmission

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Is it just me or would anyone else like to see a manual 6 speed transmission in the Ridgeline?
I swear by a stick and its keeping me from buying a Ridgeline right now. I was sold on the Ridge at first look, but the lack of a stick has me looking at Tundra.....can one be imported?....can the makers be persuaded to put a stick in a "Limited" model if necessary?

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dreadinfla wrote (View Post): › docWrite("quote")Is it just me or would anyone else like to see a manual 6 speed transmission in the Ridgeline?
I swear by a stick and its keeping me from buying a Ridgeline right now. I was sold on the Ridge at first look, but the lack of a stick has me looking at Tundra.....can one be imported?....can the makers be persuaded to put a stick in a "Limited" model if necessary?

Welcome to the forum. There was a time I would agree with you (well, all but the 6 speed. 4 or 5 maybe - but not 6. But after towing, backing, etc - I am more than happy with the 5-speed automatic. I LOVE the 6-speed in my S2K - but it would be a real PITA in the RidgeLine (IMHO).

Good luck with whatever you decide on!!!

:)

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Have not seen anyone else who seemed to desire a stick shift in a ridge. If there is a demand I am sure they will respond. There may be some feedback on this thread that will give us a better idea. Not something I would go for myself.

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FYI, the auto transmission in the Ridge does some funky stuff. Of course if you are in 1st it stays in 1st. But, if you have it in 2nd, it stays in 2nd all the time (including when starting). The "D3" button on the shifter disables 4th and 5th so you only have 3rd gear (although I think it'll start out in 1st - just shift between 1, 2 & 3). Plus, at under 18MPH? you can lock up the tranny.

When I lived out in the country I loved manual trannies. But, living in the city and having to deal with rush hour traffic (and hour plus traffic jambs in bad weather) has me enjoying automatics all the time now (Except on the Motorcycle).

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My partner at work was seriously looking at the Ridgeline, but the only thing that kept him from getting one was the lack of a manual tranny. He ended up getting a Tacoma instead, just 2 weeks prior to my getting my Ridgeline! We've had a lot of fun with the friendly rivalry, comparing his new truck to mine.
I do miss the control of the standard shift, but on the other hand, the Ridge seems to have lots of power despite the automatic, so I think after a while I won't miss the stick at all.
If someone's on the fence deciding whether or not, I'd definitely recommend a test drive at the dealer. And do what I did -- really punch it! He he, made the salesman nervous though, lol.

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tinsoul wrote (View Post): › docWrite("quote")My partner at work was seriously looking at the Ridgeline, but the only thing that kept him from getting one was the lack of a manual tranny. He ended up getting a Tacoma instead, just 2 weeks prior to my getting my Ridgeline! We've had a lot of fun with the friendly rivalry, comparing his new truck to mine.
I do miss the control of the standard shift, but on the other hand, the Ridge seems to have lots of power despite the automatic, so I think after a while I won't miss the stick at all.
If someone's on the fence deciding whether or not, I'd definitely recommend a test drive at the dealer. And do what I did -- really punch it! He he, made the salesman nervous though, lol.

Let him do a lot of backing up with a trailer - or stop-and-go city traffic for a while. That's when I enjoy the automatic.

:)

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I wanted a stick, but with the RL's auto I don't miss it at all. I love the automatic in the RL. It seems to always be where I want it.

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At first, I was disappointed with the lack of a manual transmission in the Ridgeline. I couldn't believe that a manual wasn't availabe as an option. To be honest, it almost kept me from buying one, but I eventually gave in as I loved everything else about the Ridgeline.

With that said, I still miss not having a manual. Every car I've ever owned has been a manual so the transition to not using my left foot for anything took a while. The automatic in the Ridgeline is nice, but I've always felt much more in control with a manual transmission. Plus, in my opinion, its easier on the brakes.

[Ridgeline4wd_Archive]

There's a lot of controversy as to whether the savings on the brakes using the clutch and tranny to slow down saves anything in the long run due to the excess strain on the clutch and the tranny -- lots of folks think it's better to use the brakes rather than the tranny to slow down. I don't know where I sit on this issue except to say that I do lots of tranny 'braking' when I drive a manual.

I'd like a manual in the Ridgeline if I was using it for a lot of hauling, trailer pulling, etc. and if that was being done locally as opposed to long distance. However, I use my Ridgeline for weekend hauling and weekday commuting so I prefer the automatic. I do miss the 'sport shifter' that was in my TL-S, though! That gave me the control I like to have when I needed/wanted to be in a certain gear and the auto tranny didn't agree with me!

8)

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2006Ridgeline wrote (View Post): › docWrite("quote")There's a lot of controversy as to whether the savings on the brakes using the clutch and tranny to slow down saves anything in the long run due to the excess strain on the clutch and the tranny -- lots of folks think it's better to use the brakes rather than the tranny to slow down. I don't know where I sit on this issue except to say that I do lots of tranny 'braking' when I drive a manual.

I'd like a manual in the Ridgeline if I was using it for a lot of hauling, trailer pulling, etc. and if that was being done locally as opposed to long distance. However, I use my Ridgeline for weekend hauling and weekday commuting so I prefer the automatic. I do miss the 'sport shifter' that was in my TL-S, though! That gave me the control I like to have when I needed/wanted to be in a certain gear and the auto tranny didn't agree with me!

8)

Once you have downshifted - there should be minimal strain on the clutch and tranny. The problem with an automatic is not the tranny but most people are too lazy (or ignorant) to use it properly to slow you down. I see this ALL the time in the Colorado mountains.

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Ah, mountain driving! Now there's something I know nothing about! The closest to driving in the mountain I ever got was in Tennessee, and I suppose you real mountain people would call those hills. 8)

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2006Ridgeline wrote (View Post): › docWrite("quote")Ah, mountain driving! Now there's something I know nothing about! The closest to driving in the mountain I ever got was in Tennessee, and I suppose you real mountain people would call those hills. 8)

Yes - we can spot the Flatlanders a mile away!! Brake lights on all the way down the pass - and they are wondering "What's that smell"?

:)

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oh oh that smell, can't you smell that smell, oh oh that smell, the smell that's all around you....the flatlanders chant! 8)

BTW I've never been called a 'flatlander' before...when I lived in Wisconsin, that's what we called the ones from Illinois! Guess it's all relative, eh?! 8)

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It seems most of our tourists are from Kansas, Texas and Nebraska. Mostly flatland states (I think there may be one hill in Kansas). :D

Florida - well, not much for hills either from where I have been there. But it is pretty! My daughter lived in Largo for a few years before moving to Texas.

I just got back from a neat MC trip with my son this last weekend. We came up over the Big Horns on 14A in Wyoming. Something like a 10% grade for 10 miles and LOTS of nice twisties!! Awesome ride!!!

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Florida is about as straight and flat as you can find anywhere! Freeway overpasses are the closest thing to hills in the entire state! :lol:

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2006Ridgeline wrote (View Post): › docWrite("quote")Florida is about as straight and flat as you can find anywhere! Freeway overpasses are the closest thing to hills in the entire state! :lol:

You have obviously never been in western Kansas....... :shock:

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You got that right.

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Actually, I have been in Western Kansas, but I don't live there! 8)

Remember, flat is good. Without flat we'd have no corn, without corn we'd have no feed, without feed we'd have no pigs, without pigs we'd have no pork chops, without pork chops we'd have no....well you get the idea! 8)

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2006Ridgeline wrote (View Post): › docWrite("quote")Actually, I have been in Western Kansas, but I don't live there! 8)

Remember, flat is good. Without flat we'd have no corn, without corn we'd have no feed, without feed we'd have no pigs, without pigs we'd have no pork chops, without pork chops we'd have no....well you get the idea! 8)

Well, if you have been to western Kansas - you know what is the best thing that ever came out of Kansas!! I-70 :lol:

I really have nothing against Kansas - don't get me wrong. My ancestors settled around Hays and my parents were married and lived in western Kansas for many years (I didn't). It's fun to poke fun but don't mean to offend anyone that may have strong roots to Kansas (or anywhere else that I joke about at times).

:)

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I don't think yhou are making fun of Kansas. It is just flat. Not bad. Just the way it is.