Grand Caravan or Odyssey?

[teacher100]

I was convinced that my new van would be a caravan with stow and go seating. I also love the large screen for the back up camera. I decided I needed to try the Odyssey as well. It is has a tiny picture on the rear view mirror for the back up camera, doesn't have the stow and go and it is $2000.00 more. The Odyssey is more comfortable and the visibility is better. I know it has higher ratings as well. The back up camera is important to me because I always worry when I am picking my kids up from activities that a child is behind me.

Those who have the Odyssey, are the middle seats easy to remove when needed?

Those who have a Caravan, is the reliability as bad as the reviews say?

One other question: Has anyone ever had the DVD installed by anyone other than the factory? Is it cheaper and/or worth it.

Thanks for reading and responding!

 

[golfgal]

Everyone I know that has had a Caravan/Town & Country has had nothing but problems with them. They are in the shop constantly for stupid stuff. The stow and go would be nice but not worth the extra cost and lost time in repairs. Honestly, we have had a minivan for 15 years and have only removed the middle seats a few times-mainly if we are hauling stuff from the home improvement store. It doesn't take all that much to get the seats out if needed.

 

[BigEeyore]

We love our Odyssey. Removing the middle seat is a little bit of a pain, not something you would want to pop in and out on a daily basis, but not a big deal.
I cannot justify the cost of a factory-installed DVD player. We have a portable Sony (less than $200) that we set up in the car and use that, works great and we can take it with us into restaurants, dr offices, etc.
Good luck with your decision!

 

[rotlex]

I am by no means anti buy an American car here, but go for the Honda. The build quality, reliability and comfort will more than pay for the additional 2K or so in the long run.

Our last Chrysler product, and yes, it will be our last, spent more time in the shop than on the road. In the past 20 years, my wife and I have also owned 4 Honda's. They have all been fantastic vehicles, and other than routine maintenance and oil changes, haven't seen the shop for anything.

In regards to the features and functions, seating, DVD etc., I'd tend to agree with the previous posters as well.

 

[teacher100]

Those with the Honda, does the size of the picture from the back up camera in the rear view mirror seem sufficient?

 

[richmo]

The Honda may cost you a little more up front, but tends to be much more reliable and, if you don't keep it forever, will have a higher resale value.

If you're talking about a permanently mounted DVD system, I'd be inclined to stick with factory installed. If you don't use it a lot, you could always go with something portable that would attach to the back of headrests.

 

[DeniseinNS]

I'v had both a 2006 Caravan (lease) and a 2008 Caravan which I just got rid of. Honestly I would never buy another, they have too many problems. I'd go with the Honda, they are really nice and hold their value better then most of the other vans out there. Good luck!

 

[Kies99]

The back seat on Odyssey will fold down into the floor similar to the stow and go on the Caravan. This is standard on all Odyssey's.

The middle seats are heavy, but really simple to remove.

I love my 2002 Odyssey and have had no real issues with it.

 

[Kies99]

Oh, and about your DVD question.

I went to a car show a couple months ago just to look around. One of the sales reps (It wasn't Honda but another foreign maker) said NOT to go with the factory installed DVD systems. He said they were a rip-off and the makers charge way more than they are worth. He said it's much cheaper and just as good to go with a 3rd party installation or to buy portable DVD players and hook them up.

We don't have a system in our car but have two portable DVD players for the 2 kids.

 

[jlewisinsyr]

IMO, neither. Friends have an Oddyssey and they complain about the horrible fuel economy, as in 12 - 14 MPG on the Highway. Now I would normally just say it's their driving habits and or a bad vehicle, but I guess poor fuel economy (from my own research) is not that uncommon with the Oddysey. As for the Chrysler/Dodge, of the American manufacturers, they are so far below average in terms of quality that you'll be severely disappointed (my in-laws have a Caravan and at 50,000 miles and 3 years old, the A/C already went out - which again, is not that uncommon for these).

I'd look into a Toyota Sienna, IMO.

 

[Mickey Fliers]

IMO, neither. Friends have an Oddyssey and they complain about the horrible fuel economy, as in 12 - 14 MPG on the Highway. Now I would normally just say it's their driving habits and or a bad vehicle, but I guess poor fuel economy (from my own research) is not that uncommon with the Oddysey. As for the Chrysler/Dodge, of the American manufacturers, they are so far below average in terms of quality that you'll be severely disappointed (my in-laws have a Caravan and at 50,000 miles and 3 years old, the A/C already went out - which again, is not that uncommon for these).

I'd look into a Toyota Sienna, IMO.

I am driving my second Odyssey and I consistently get 24 mpg!! I got about 17 mpg when we lived in DC, but it is much better here in FL with where I have to drive.

I love my Odyssey. I will be a very sad girl when I have to give it up.

You couldn't pay me to buy a Toyota right now.

 

[savannahcat]

We have a 2002 Odyssey with nearly 100,000 miles on the odometer and have never had a single problem with it. We'll be driving it to WDW in January!

 

[stevenpensacola]

As a previous owner of a both a Dodge and a Honda Mini-van...go with the Honda...especially if you enjoy driving.

A few quotes come to mind...

"you only pay for quality once"

"in most cases, you really do get what you pay for"...

 

[designermv]

I have a 2008 Honda Odyssey EX-L and LOVE it. I've never had a single issue with it. I had a 2004 Odyssey before this one, and had no problems with that one either.

I get very good mileage (24MPG highway).

Rearview mirror backup camera works great.

My mom had a Dodge Grand Caravan and had nothing but problems with it. She traded it in on a Kia Sedona.

I heart my Odyssey very much.

 

[MosMom]

I must be in the minority because we've had our Grand Caravan for nearly 12 years and it has been a fantastic vehicle. The only issues we have had is getting the back brakes replaced last year. I have been van shopping but we're keeping our current van and trading in our Buick. We have 129K miles on it and we've driven it to Canada twice (30 hour drive each way), Florida multiple times, New Orleans. I will be getting another Grand Caravan as we've owned two now and loved them both.

 

[shortbun]

We were warned off the Caravan by friends with one. We are on our 2nd Odyssey. We bought a 'touring' this time with all the bells and whistles. I love the backup screen. The middle seat becomes a table or comes out and it's not hard to do. I love, love, love our color-Cherry Pearl. Also, we get good mileage on the highway-24 and intown it varies depending on who has been driving. My husband tends to use more fuel but he's a jackrabbit driver and my driving is smooth.

 

[bigbabyblues]

Odyssey

 

[teacher100]

I think we are going with the Odyssey. I left my house sure I was going to go for the Caravan, but comfort, handling and visibility was so much better in the Odyssey. I just wish I didn't have to get so much in order to get the back up camera on a large screen. I have to pay for leather seats, GPS and Rear Entertainment system for that one thing that at want.

 

[Mickey Fliers]

I think we are going with the Odyssey. I left my house sure I was going to go for the Caravan, but comfort, handling and visibility was so much better in the Odyssey. I just wish I didn't have to get so much in order to get the back up camera on a large screen. I have to pay for leather seats, GPS and Rear Entertainment system for that one thing that at want.

I wouldn't buy a car without leather seats. lol

See if you can negotiate in the "all weather" floor mats and cargo liner. I LOVE those things. Seriously, the mats are awesome for clean up with little ones...sand, dirt, crumbs, etc.

 

[Kies99]

IMO, neither. Friends have an Oddyssey and they complain about the horrible fuel economy, as in 12 - 14 MPG on the Highway. Now I would normally just say it's their driving habits and or a bad vehicle, but I guess poor fuel economy (from my own research) is not that uncommon with the Oddysey. QUOTE]

I agree with other posters. I consistently get 23mpg or so.