more brain trust opinions wanted....

[Kev m]

Sorry I fixed the Typo........ ZF 8 speed............. https://www.zf.com/products/en/cars/products_64238.html

From BMW to Jeep and many others, versions of this transmission are used.

BMW   - 7 Series, Z4m M4 COMP & others
Aston Martin -DB11, Vantage
Jaguar - XF, F-PACE
Rolls-Royce - Ghost, Phantom
Mercedes-Benz   E-Class, S-Class

Trucks, SUVs and Crossovers
BMW   - X5, X6, X7
Jeep   - Grand Cherokee
Dodge - Durango
Ram - 1500
Land Rover -Range Rover, Discovery
Ram - 1500, 2500
Chevrolet Silverado - 1500
GMC   Sierra - 1500

Many Others
Volkswagen - Touareg, Atlas
Alfa Romeo - Giulia, Stelvio
Chrysler - 300
Fiat - 500X
Toyota - Supra

Different applications, and versions obviously, but it is a fantastic transmission, relatively bulletproof, and IMO almost as good as the PDK and other Dual Clutch automatics.

+
Land Rover Defender
Ineos Grenadier

And yeah I'm sure we're missing some others.

[toomanybikes]

Out of that list the Ridgeline stands out. I have never met an owner who didn't love it. My neighbor has one and after driving it I'm even tempted to buy one.

I'm only 5 weeks into a Ridgeline, and am very happy with the purchase. The diehard truck guys will call it "Not a Real Truck" (NART) since it has unibody construction rather than body on frame, but it rides great and is still more truck than most truck owners need.

5000 lbs towing capacity, which is more than some options on the original list. Honda 3.5L V6 gets about 21 mpg and will last forever with normal maintenance. Biggest knock on engine design is the timing belt is difficult to access when it's time for a change.

2nd row seating is better than all other mid-sized trucks.

I bought used, but it was a low mileage '25, so basically "new". Price for a low mileage recent vintage used Ridgeline will be $30-$35k for one with a clean title, or $25k-$28k for one with rebuilt salvage title. If your budget is lower, I'm sure there are lots of options in the Gen 1 or early Gen2.

I've also owned an early CR-V, circa 2002 or so. Good vehicle, but road noise was bad. They fixed it in later gens, so go for those. Minimal towing capacity if that's of concern. I would buy a newer model again, and might do that soon for my wife.

[SIR REAL ED]

Fascinating information guys.  Thanks for posting.

I know very little about transmissions, other than a couple mechanics claim the 4 speed automatic in the 2000 Cherokee should be trouble free for life with just fluid and filter (IIRC) changes.

The 5 speed Allison in my GMC seems great.  Very expensive transmission fluid!  A couple times it caught me by surprise.  On a steep down hill, if you are in tow/haul mode and you let up on the gas, it can sound like an 18 wheeler coming up behind you with the Jake brake on.  I've found myself looking in the mirror for an invisible big rig the first couple times!

I would suspect that sales data would indicate very few people keep a vehicle more than 200,000 miles.

I'm sure with normal maintenance, the GMC & the CR-V will outlast me.  Some day a "nice vehicle" may be in the plans as my wife's retirement gift.

I am rapidly getting to the point where vehicle complexity, and OEM warranty requirements just might make me into a "Screw it!  I'm taking it to a dealer/professional for all repairs and maintenance."

[SIR REAL ED]

Some interesting data:

https://www.iseecars.com/how-long-people-keep-cars-study

https://www.gobankingrates.com/saving-money/car/these-cars-will-last-you-twice-as-long/?hyperlink_type=manual&utm_term=related_link_2&utm_campaign=1257642&utm_source=yahoo.com&utm_content=4&utm_medium=rss

It seems in terms of how long a vehicle is owned, I may have finally found a category in which I am "above average!"  I had a feeling that some day, that might happen......