Honda Odyssey ...good & bad

[mjkacmom]

FWIW, I never thought leather would be good when we bought the '03, but we got it because we wanted the rear entertainment/DVD system, and you had to get the EX-L to get RES. The leather has been FABULOUS to own - to see it, you would never guess that car has seen seven-plus years with two kids from infant to school-age. And the seat heaters (or what we call tush toasters) are my absolute favorite thing about that car.
.

Oh, now I am sad! I didn't get the leather, and had a entertainment system put in by Honda, for almost the same cost as the leather package (the system broke years ago). I had 5 in carseats, and was worried about the leather. Should've gotten the leather...

 

[Marymom]

I have an 08 Honda Odyssey and am pleased with it. The only problem I had was with the power steering... if you are in a parking space or turning with slow speed the wheel tends to lose fluid. The dealership said the problem is on notice and they tweaked it (still under warranty) but the steering is still stiff, takes some muscle to turn. I plan to drive my van until I don't need a van anymore! 2 kids in High School now. I am looking forward to moving down in size!
Mary

 

[tadamom]

I have a 2009 Odyssey and absolutely love it! Every time I get in it, I am thankful that my hubby surprised me with it while I was out of town.

We drove the Honda and the Toyota Sienna (my MIL and SIL both have Sienna's & I always loved driving them). I pretty much had my pick but the Honda is so much more luxorious than the Toyota. The little things that mom's would pick up on that a vehicle needs Honda did it. The Toyota falls short on that in my opionion.

My van is loaded except for the navigation system and I LOVE the leather, the dvd, the heated seats (best money you will ever spend). Don't know that I could downsize after this.

My hubby is a huge researcher when it comes to anything (computers, vehicles, vacations, etc). The only problem he found that people had with the Honda van was some slight wind noise in the front. And that is my only drawback for it as well. I do hear a super slight wind noise when I am in the passenger seat -- not while driving -- I must be concentrating too much to hear it.

Good luck!

 

[kathyell]

We've had one since early 2006. (Bought new, so no previous owners.) It's been extremely reliable and we have no regrets about purchasing it. The only things we've done to it are oil changes and a replacement of the tires when the treads got too low. (We've put a fair number of miles in the car with road trips.) Knock on wood, no mechanical issues so far.

The one thing it doesn't have that I've sometimes wished for is a button to pop open the back door, but that's really quibbling.

 

[4HOLIDAYS]

I love mine. It is a 2000. Had the trans replaced 2x under warranty. No other problems than that. I hAVE driven on long trips with the family (my boys are now 14 and 11 ) and we fit great. there is room in the 3rd row for big kids or small aduls. Also tons of room for luggage, plywood,plants, dirtbike, lots of hockey gear,moving boxes...Prefer it over my DH's Explorer for the family

 

[JDUCKY]

The new 2011 model looks really good in early reviews. MUCH better gas mileage. Ability to hold car seats across all the seats. On-board cooler storage under the seats.

Certainly on the list of vehicles we're considering early next year (along with the GMC Acadia and the Mazda CX-9).

 

[kbheap]

I have an 08 Odyssey, EX-L. It is amazing. My only complaint about my minivan is it has really loud road noise/wind noise. And the two front seats are a little uncomfortable on long road trips. Other than that, nothing. And those two problems would not stop me from getting another. This was my best purchase ever. Good luck with your choice.

 

[jrmasm]

I have an 08 Odyssey, EX-L. It is amazing. My only complaint about my minivan is it has really loud road noise/wind noise. And the two front seats are a little uncomfortable on long road trips. Other than that, nothing. And those two problems would not stop me from getting another. This was my best purchase ever. Good luck with your choice.

I was just coming to post that. I've had 4 Hondas. They are all terrible for road noise. Wouldn't stop me from buying another one but if you're not already driving a Honda, this might be a bigger issue for you.

 

[Carina]

I wish I had an oddesy (but price is too much of a factor)

I would never get one with a power side door. I have heard terrible things about having to get that repaired

I noticed someone suggested lookig at kia's. IMO telling someone looking at Honda vans to look at a Kia would be like tellig a BMW shopper that Fords are cheaper.

There is nothing that rivals a Honda Oddessy

 

[Dictator]

I wish I had an oddesy (but price is too much of a factor)

I would never get one with a power side door. I have heard terrible things about having to get that repaired

I noticed someone suggested lookig at kia's. IMO telling someone looking at Honda vans to look at a Kia would be like tellig a BMW shopper that Fords are cheaper.

There is nothing that rivals a Honda Oddessy

That's flat out wrong. I'm sorry that people see the word "honda" or "toyota" and immediately think "best". The Kia Sodona is an excellent vehicle, with a better warranty, at a lower price point, with fantastic crash-test ratings.

Funny how people will tout "honda/Toyota rated #1 by consumer reports". But when consumer reports rates another brand #1, they remain silent.

 

[Carina]

That's flat out wrong. I'm sorry that people see the word "honda" or "toyota" and immediately think "best". The Kia Sodona is an excellent vehicle, with a better warranty, at a lower price point, with fantastic crash-test ratings.

Funny how people will tout "honda/Toyota rated #1 by consumer reports". But when consumer reports rates another brand #1, they remain silent.

It is not in the same luxury class though. It is more entry level (IMO) it felt cheaper and did not have the same power when driving it, especially when starting from a stop.

 

[Dictator]

It is not in the same luxury class though. It is more entry level (IMO) it felt cheaper and did not have the same power when driving it, especially when starting from a stop.

Because it IS cheaper. anywhere from $4-8k cheaper.
However, to say "nothing" rivals a honda odssey is wrong.


http://autos.msn.com/research/compa...=0&tb=0&ph1=t0&ph2=t0&dt=0&v=t109621&v=m13853

 

[Carina]

Because it IS cheaper. anywhere from $4-8k cheaper.
However, to say "nothing" rivals a honda odssey is wrong.

When someone states something IN THEIR OPINION, they cannot be wrong. As it is how they feel not what they stats say.

Both my posts were 'IMO'

 

[Dictator]

When someone states something IN THEIR OPINION, they cannot be wrong. As it is how they feel not what they stats say.

Both my posts were 'IMO'

Of course opinions can he wrong. Especially when an opinion is given without knowing all the information.

 

[Dictator]

When someone states something IN THEIR OPINION, they cannot be wrong. As it is how they feel not what they stats say.

Both my posts were 'IMO'

Of course opinions can he wrong. Especially when an opinion is given without knowing all the information.

 

[Lex33]

We bought our 2000 Odyssey from Craigslist (not my idea.) The only complaint I have is that every so often the automatic sliding doors stop working. The Honda dealers won't even look at it without charging you, so we went on-line and found the quick fix. You have to remove one of the fuses for a minute and then the doors reset themselves. We have an extremely TINY garage and it is difficult to pull in especially on snowy days, but that has nothing to do with the van.

 

[dimimi]

For all my loving the Odyssey, I do find this to be very true and my husband complains about it. I try to be really careful with the blind spot but in fact just a few days ago, I didn't see a pedestrian in the parking lot who was approaching the driver side of the car, she was right in that blind spot made by the support - lucky we both saw each other before anything bad happened.

The same thing happened to me. This makes me feel better, but how horrible if I ever hit anyone. I really do try to look several times, but parking lots are scarey!

 

[soccerchick]

That's flat out wrong. I'm sorry that people see the word "honda" or "toyota" and immediately think "best". The Kia Sodona is an excellent vehicle, with a better warranty, at a lower price point, with fantastic crash-test ratings.

Funny how people will tout "honda/Toyota rated #1 by consumer reports". But when consumer reports rates another brand #1, they remain silent.

Perhaps not now, but when KIA first came out on the scene, it had a horrible consumer and safety reputation. In fact it was known as Killed In Action. Hyundai also had a terrible quality reputation. Timing belts regularly broke at 50K. I do believe that both of those companies have made strides to improve their products. That said, they ARE a "cheaper" car line, period. And they do have good warranties because they have to. No amount of your bullying others' about their opinions will change that. Your repeated posts have been noted. Now chill. Look back at over a decade of data. Either Toyota or Honda was at the top of the ratings and both were always in the top 3. That type of reputation is important to this consumer.

 

[Dictator]

Perhaps not now, but when KIA first came out on the scene, it had a horrible consumer and safety reputation. In fact it was known as Killed In Action. Hyundai also had a terrible quality reputation. Timing belts regularly broke at 50K. I do believe that both of those companies have made strides to improve their products. That said, they ARE a "cheaper" car line, period. And they do have good warranties because they have to. No amount of your bullying others' about their opinions will change that. Your repeated posts have been noted. Now chill. Look back at over a decade of data. Either Toyota or Honda was at the top of the ratings and both were always in the top 3. That type of reputation is important to this consumer.

And at one point, GM and Chrysler were at the top of the mountain. What exactly is your point? Car companies evolve. GM had a car of the year with the new Malibu. Subaru is considered a better buy compared to honda and toyota according to Car and Driver. Toyota has had a history of engine sludge that they refused to acknowledge for years.
Forgive me for pointing out a cheaper, equally performing, higher warranty option. A option many automotive journals would also point out.

And I'm not "bullying" others about their opinions. I'm pointing out how their over reaching statements are not based upon actual data. And yes, opinions can and will be wrong.

 

[soccerchick]

And at one point, GM and Chrysler were at the top of the mountain. What exactly is your point? Car companies evolve. GM had a car of the year with the new Malibu. Subaru is considered a better buy compared to honda and toyota according to Car and Driver. Toyota has had a history of engine sludge that they refused to acknowledge for years.
Forgive me for pointing out a cheaper, equally performing, higher warranty option. A option many automotive journals would also point out.

And I'm not "bullying" others about their opinions. I'm pointing out how their over reaching statements are not based upon actual data. And yes, opinions can and will be wrong.

Well, I disagree about your bullying. Lots of one and two sentence posts disagreeing with others gets old. Your tone comes across as arrogant and obnoxious. You are tiresome when you repeat the same stuff over and over and do not actually have a conversation. We got your point.Too bad you refuse to acknowledge others' points.

I will probably never buy a GM or a Chrysler made car either. I think they suck and they have for a long time. A Subaru, sure, they've been a consistent quality car in several of their lines. But like the KIA, a Subaru is also a different class of car. With some companies, while the type of car might be similar, they are still apples and oranges. There is no way an Audi A4 convertible is comparable to a Pontiac whatever convertible. That is the point a few folks have tried to make and you do not get. You are missing the point that Toyota Sienna and Honday Odyssey have very long track records of being safe and reliable minivans. KIA does not yet have that kind of reputation. For those of us who remember the fires, tip overs and other problems KIA had when it came out, KIA is and always will be, an inexpensive car that has a lot of problems in its history. It's going to take a lot more good ratings to lessen those first impressions.