Maverick or Ridgeline? 🤔 I’m stuck…

[ThundahBeagle]

https://www.reuters.com/article/business/how-us-emissions-rules-encourage-larger-suvs-and-trucks-idUSKBN21D1KK/

The fatality rate for a mini car is ~7x higher than for a pickup. Typical cars are ~2x higher. SUVs are slightly better than pickups.

All of them have to meet the same standards for slamming into walls and things, but there can be a big difference when slamming into each other. Being low on the food chain is definitely risky.


"Not everyone"... so what? A lot of people do care about it, and buy larger vehicles for this reason.


When in dense traffic in a car and your head height is below that of the hoods and windows of all the SUVs and pickups around you, it's a lot like being in a tunnel or walled in.


They've been designed and built in the US for a long time, specifically for the US and Canada market, so not really an import.

REGULATION: Oh, THAT. Cars have always had more EPA fuel efficiency regulation. Since the early 1970's anyway. Trucks and vans were made for hauling, towing, and working. They really still are. Even in the mid 1980's, minivans only exist today because cars (station wagons, for example) were regulated and needed to become more fuel efficient. The minivan finally took off when Iacocca realized that they would be regulated as trucks/vans instead of cars, i.e. more grace given to them. So, nothing new there.

FATALITY RATE: You are talking about the fatality rate for a MINI car. You've said it all. It is TINY. Mass wins. When on the water, I personally yield to tonnage for a reason. On the road, very much the same. I've seen first hand the effects of big trucks vs cars in horrific crashes -at work and in my personal life. And while i understand the need for economy, I do not drive a "clown car" expressly for this reason.

TRAFFIC: yes. It should be obvious to all that a pregnant roller skate is going to be overwhelmed when slotted in the veritable canyon that forms between two trucks. All defensive driving teaches you to avoid that position as much as possible. I understand it isnt always feasible, but one should work to avoid it.

Yes, a small car's hoodline and sightline is well below that of a truck or SUV. Everyone knows that, right. So again, while I loved my 87 Honda CRX, I would avoid getting between a couple of 18-wheelers while behinda GMC Sierra and in front of a Dodge Ram 2500 at all costs. It's just asking for trouble.

CHICKEN TAX: Toyota is still a foreign company. Sure the Tundra is made here. But looking around Europe or South America, there really isnt anything made that is the same as our 1500 or 2500 series pickups. Europeans hate them, and tend to use Van's, and most folks in South America cant afford the gas . There are some, but not like here. Weirdly, I saw a number of Toyota Landcruisers and GMC Sierras in Iceland. That was surreal.

Most folks looking for an economy car like a Honda Fit, know its capabilities and its limitations, and are very happy with them, and drive carefully to avoid situations where they could be crushed like a beer can

 

[NevadaLover]

Man, I hope Ozarker comes back soon, so you can entertain yourself with him instead.

Now that is sad, you make ignorant posts that are not in the OP's paradigm and then whine when called out for that.

You invoke einstein to defend your fear and pretend everyone else needs to be afraid, then in another thread you rail about "ASI" as if it was the doom of the universe?

Seek help ozarker junior.

 

[rruff]

You invoke einstein to defend your fear and pretend everyone else needs to be afraid, then in another thread you rail about "ASI" as if it was the doom of the universe?

WTH?

 

[ThundahBeagle]

REGULATION: Oh, THAT. Cars have always had more EPA fuel efficiency regulation. Since the early 1970's anyway. Trucks and vans were made for hauling, towing, and working. They really still are. Even in the mid 1980's, minivans only exist today because cars (station wagons, for example) were regulated and needed to become more fuel efficient. The minivan finally took off when Iacocca realized that they would be regulated as trucks/vans instead of cars, i.e. more grace given to them. So, nothing new there.

Until the late 1990's/ early 2000's, ALL pickup trucks in Massachusetts had to be registered as commercial vehicles

 

[ThundahBeagle]

Um...

Sorry, Dealers: The Ford Maverick Isn’t a $50K Truck—Not Even the Lobo

The sporty Maverick Lobo may be the top trim, but at its core, it's still based on a truck that starts under $30,000.

www.thedrive.com

 

[AbleGuy]

From the above linked article:

“This Ford Maverick Lobo recently popped up on Facebook Marketplace with an asking price of $47,345. That’s a whole heck of a lot for a Maverick, and to make matters worse, it’s priced that way due to a “market adjustment on top of MSRP plus dealer adds.”…it’s not the only Lobo being sold with a dealer markup. A quick search on KBB shows that there are several listed nationwide with sticker prices higher than their MSRPs, pushing them dangerously close to the $50,000 mark and even beyond it in at least one case.”

Sometimes you really have to shake your head in bewilderment at the brilliant car dealers who are desperately trying to bring consumers back to their auto lots to buy their over priced vehicles, when inventories of unsold cars are sitting at record levels in many areas.

There still seem to be some brainiac marketing managers out there who believe that advertising vehicles at prices well over their MSRP‘s is a grand way to get folks to come in and over spend their money.

BTW, These deals are called “bend over, lube xtra, sales“ by those of us with with intelligence and superior money management skills.🤣

 

[ITTOG]

Okay this is easy. Sorry if this has been addressed, I didn't read all the comments.

Maverick if you are okay with spending a lot of time at the dealer with repairs and a ton of recalls.

Honda if you want reliability that lets your vehicle always be available for use.

 

[rruff]

I do plan on putting a lightweight wedge type of pop up shell on whatever we get…so I have to stay with a small truck to fit in my garage

I’m trying to keep the length of my new truck reasonable (for driveability and garageability, etc)
Tacos with a 6’ bed and xcab still are out there tho but again the total height with a wedge pop up shell on them is problematic

Am I right in assuming that height to fit in the garage is the main issue? Garaging is mandatory where you live?

How offroad capable does it need to be?

 

[RealRigsRattle]

Just inserting my own opinion here.

You've never stated what height you are trying to stay under or at least I didn't see it.

The Maverick Tremor is 69.5".The Honda Ridgeline is 70.8". A 2023 Ford Ranger with a 6 foot bed is 71.5"(Last year the 6 foot bed was made).
I may be biased as a Ranger owner, but if those were my choices I'd pick the Ranger super cab with the 6' bed and purchase a OVRLND Bivy camper. They don't go over the cab like most pop up campers, and only raise the overall height of the vehicle by about 2-4 inches. They can also be had at a weight of about 230lbs for a 6' bed.


You state that you want AWD over 4x4 but don't state why. If it's because AWD vehicles are generally (not always) unibody and full independent suspension and those are generally more comfort oriented, I could understand. As a former Outback owner of 6 years, I will say AWD is far more capable than most people suspect, but there is just no substitute for low range and a selectable locker in off-road situations that require control.

 

[Todd780]

Am I right in assuming that height to fit in the garage is the main issue? Garaging is mandatory where you live?

Might be a length issue too. I could pull my F150 in my garage to work on it. But, it would hang out a couple feet.

 

[rruff]

Might be a length issue too. I could pull my F150 in my garage to work on it. But, it would hang out a couple feet.

You can buy a reg cab F150 though, with a 6.5' or 8' box.

 

[AbleGuy]

Am I right in assuming that height to fit in the garage is the main issue? Garaging is mandatory where you live?

Yes…can’t park any sort of ‘camper’ if visible to annoyingly complaining neighbors (and HOA rules)

(I previously had my Tiger parked and stored at a relative’s house but they’ve sold it and moved…)

How offroad capable does it need to be?

No es importante en absoluto…

Worst case, we’ll will still use it to explore USFS and BLM dirt roads.AWD is preferred for wet roads in the PNW.

 

[Todd780]

You can buy a reg cab F150 though, with a 6.5' or 8' box.

I don't even think a reg cab shorty would fit in my garage. Our Bronco Sport only has a couple feet of clearance...

Granted, we do also have shelving in the garage.

@AbleGuy Looks like you might be in luck with the Ridgeline. Looks like there's a few options:

 

[rruff]

I don't even think a reg cab shorty would fit in my garage.

It's slightly shorter than a Ridgeline anyway...

Yes…can’t park any sort of ‘camper’ if visible to annoyingly complaining neighbors (and HOA rules)

So how tall is your door?

Worst case, we’ll will still use it to explore USFS and BLM dirt roads.AWD is preferred for wet roads in the PNW.

Ground clearance is pretty atrocious on the Ridgeline, supposedly a little better on the Maverick.

 

[AbleGuy]

So how tall is your door?

@ 83-85” is the opening


This is kinda what I’m thinking of….if it’ll fit.

Best case scenario would allow me to put some solar (maybe a flex panel) and/or roof rack on top.