Honda Odyssey Minivans | Wagons
Honda Odyssey Minivans | Wagons
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[Nov 14, 2000]
Betty
Model Reviewed:
Honda Odyssey EX
Strength:
Looks good, love the space with my 2 and 4 yr olds. Like the climate control system - really convenient. Like the dontrols on steering wheel for radio/CD. I've been pleased with sound system, although wish CD changer was standard.
Weakness:
City gas mailage is horrible for a Honda. I'm getting about 13 mpg city, 22 hwy. Took van to dealer 3 times so far, they haven't repaired yet. Is it a common problem? Also, had rattle in driver sliding door. loose window or door, not sure. Dealer attempted to repair on 3rd trip in for that and milage problem. They fixed that but created some other rattle. Don't know if this is a Honda problem or a dealer problem. It's a little rattle-y for the bucks spent, but overall I really do like driving the Odyssey. Love my van. I'm just so happy to have the space. If I could get my couple of problems repaired, I'd be happy as a clam. The Odyssey is the van to have if you are in the market, especially if you have kids. Dealer experience wasn't that bad. They had 3 on the lot. I really didn't have to wait. They knocked off $500 and got me out of my lease, but no extras. I've got major complaints about their service department. It's a huge inconvenience for me to be without my car for the day. Similar Products Used: Never driven anything else, but from what friends say, there isn't much comparrison. |
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[Nov 11, 2000]
Henry Mah
Strength:
Size is incredible. Magic seat is priceless. Typical Honda reliability and quality. Engine smooth and responsive with decent gas mileage. Handling above par for market segment. Traction control. Quiet and smooth ride. Side table between front seats.
Weakness:
Steering could use more feel, but come on, it's a minivan after all. Doors and constant beeping is extremely annoying especially when engaging tranny as doors are almost shut. Some tire noise but easily remedied with new tires. Weak stereo and the shift column blocks some controls while in drive. HVAC could be more powerful and efficient. You buy the Odyssey because it is simply the best, period. What little discount you may have received, or none at all for that matter, means nothing. If for nothing else buy it for the quality, and the versatility. Similar Products Used: Rental Caravan. No comparison whatsoever. All I can say is that it is a Chrysler. In regards to quality, reliability, and "want to own" quotient, the Caravan loses in all accounts. You see so many primarily because they practically give them away, and that's throughout the entire year. We are talking about dominance of market share here. From suspect trannies to dismal build quality, the Caravan has them in spades. Sorry Chrysler, you may have invented it, but Honda has perfected it. |
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[Oct 30, 2000]
PappaMac
Strength:
Good power to merge onto freeway. Great seating arrangement, its nice to be able to convert the rear seats from a bench to individual seats. Power sliding doors work great!! Fit and finish excellent.
Weakness:
Driver side seat not as comfortable as I would like, could use more adjustments, and more lumbar support. The traction control button is confusing. I read the manual, and this button actually turns TCU off!! The dash light TCU is lit when the button is pushed, it should say TCU OFF(bad idea Honda!!). I waited four months, but "only" paid MSRP. Got stellar treatment from Gardena Honda, I highly recommend them(talk to Kevin, he's great). I am very happy with the van, I recently took a long trip to Hearst Castle, and the van ran great, was confortable and I even got about 20mpg(Im not particularly a lightfoot). I have the EX, and having all the creature comforts was great. Dont pay 2k less for the LX, you will love the extras you get in the EX! I am also a first time van buyer and did not expect sports car performance, but the Honda van comes damn close. Its no Ferrari, but the thing can get up and go when you gun it! I see lots of complaints about the stereo, Im no audio-phyle, but I think it sounds pretty decent. Similar Products Used: Dodge Caravan. I rented one of these and drove it down to Mexico, and thought it was ok, but overall qaulity and fit and finish is way below the Honda. Also it idled funny, and the brakes were already warped(vibration while braking). I also wasnt conforted by the old joke: Why does a Caravan seat eight? So that seven can get out and push!! |
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[Oct 24, 2000]
Ted
Model Reviewed:
EX
Strength:
Powerful engine, effortless transmission, rides like a good sedan, climate control, size, power doors, magic 3-rd seat, Very distinctive, monolith body design (don't wont to be called soccermom!)and finally MICHELIN tires.
Weakness:
sound system, no cross-bars on the roof rack, drum rear brakes instead discs,guaranty 3/36 with Honda reputation?, waiting time, MSRP price(could be also a good side if you don't like to negotiate price with the dealer.)no test drive!!! Have to mention my dealer: SLOANE Honda in Philladelphia is the real***** dealer! Saleswoman Tae and finantial rep. Stuart G. are true pofessionals. Got some extras + aditional 7y/75000 miles guaranty for a discount price. It must be the "city of brotherly love" atmosphere. To the point, I got my first 500 miles in the 2 weeks of my ownership and really got only one problem that is sound quality, especially low frequency (sub)cardboardlike flat soud and lack of power( you cannot call that system a premium 6 spkr system). Milage is less than I expected 14 miles per gallon?(18 to 25 on the sticker) but I use it mainly in Poconos mountains with 5 family members in it driving 70 Miles/hr.on the average, but than I was told that it will get better after the "braking" period. Family loves the car, kids finnlly have enough room without fighting. Maneuvering is great, especially stability, 4 wheel independent suspention and powerfull egine. Cornering is surprisingly good. Chrysler copied the Honda's power door in it's 2001 model and also added lots of HP (240), still safety and quality is not there also the body style (why every Chrysler got to look the same?) My recomendation is, if you're looking for the best value your money can buy, quality and distinctive design than it is worth it to wait. I'm honestly giving it a 5*s. Just be patient. Similar Products Used: Windstar with trucklike transmission and christmass tree body style design, Dodge: weak and inefficient engine, reliability problems, very pricy with options, Chrysler: again price, vegetale like body design.Jeep Gr.Cherokee: to much money for a little of space and name. |
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[Oct 05, 2000]
Howard Swartz
Model Reviewed:
LX
Strength:
Best vehicle I've owned (out of 14). Have already put 26000 miles on in 7 months and have had no problems. Mix of rural, city and highway driving.
Weakness:
Have broken both the left and right exterior door handles once each due to sticking. Both replaced by dealer under warranty. I bought my Odyssey off the lot at Rainbow Honda in Richeyville, PA after searching every dealer within 100 miles of Pittsburgh. I paid list, and they threw in extras. I got the 100,000 mile warranty. Also added Ziebart rustproofing and clearcoat. Similar Products Used: Rented Chrysler minivans and their quality didn't compare to the Odyssey, as well as being more expensive. |
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[Oct 15, 2000]
Michael
Model Reviewed:
Granite Green EX
Strength:
Climate Control...Power Doors...Magic Seat...Rides like a car. Good HP.
Weakness:
Would like cupholders closer to second row Captains Chairs. This is a very nice van. I bought the Odyssey in a tossup with the Sienna. My friend owned a Sienna and my family has spent some time in it. When compared with the Ody, we found moving around in the Ody was easier and was a much more comfortable ride for 6 or 7 people. I think we would have chosen the Sienna if we didn't need the room, tough to tell though because room was one of our main factors. Similar Products Used: Dodge Caravan...The Odyssey runs and shifts! |
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[Sep 26, 2000]
JOHN
Model Reviewed:
/ODYSSEY EX Navigator
Strength:
Very stylish for a minivan(dont look like a fish or a vegetable),a lot of room for its size,specially design safety futures all around fromthe power windows to baby car seats brackets,fuel economy.
Weakness:
NO DISK BRAKES in the rear?gross vehicle weight with seven adults and the odessey will never stop.The worst paint job I have ever seen on any vehicle before,even GM goes better.The paint has dust and fish eyes all over the place,I guess boosting the factory at maximum capacity combine with Canadian/American workmanship=BAD QUALITY. If I had it my way,I would buy the VW Eurovan since the Mercedes Vito it will never get imported in the US but the wife said "if you buy it,you will drive it"She thinks it looks like a scholl bus...,so Honda Odessey it was my only choice.I paid sticker plus 1K for useless garbage options that the dealer had already install,and it was take it or live it.That was the first car ever that I had to pay MSRP or more. Similar Products Used: Never had to buy a minivan before or any other Honda Vehicle. |
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[Sep 21, 2000]
John
Model Reviewed:
Odyssey LX
Strength:
Reliablity, room, magic seat
Weakness:
Sliding doors stick (Honda cannot fix them), the noise from the gas sloshing around in the gas tank, Trans will not shift until 3500 rpm from 1st to 2nd Paid $23,500 plus I got $1500 for my trade in. Did not pay dealer prep junk. Ordered the floor mats off the internet and saved $75. After six months I am "very concerned" with the problems associated with the Odyssey. The 2000 LX and EX have problems with the sliding doors sticking. Folks with the EX just do not notice it because they have the power doors. But the motors for the power doors are burning out on the EX as a result of overcoming the stuck door. It seems that the Odyssey lacks the quality you expect with a Honda. If you are going to buy one then ask the salesman about the sliding doors sticking, sloshing gas, van pulling to the right and the high rpms on the shift. He may come down on the price! Similar Products Used: Plymouth Voyager, owned for 11 years. trans went out at 92000, Rebuilt trans starting acting up at 16000 miles. Several other problems so got rid of it. |
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[Sep 08, 2000]
Shankar
Model Reviewed:
Honda Odyssey
Strength:
Magic fold-away seat that even my wife can handle! Roomy, quiet, large, powerful (for a minivan), not bad looking, EX model has (alomst) everything you need and nothing you don't, Honda quality, love the overall interior design!
Weakness:
no leather or moonroof option (can do this aftermarket, but I would prefer to have Honda do this for me); driver set is slightly uncomfortable for long rides; though a necessary safety feature, it is irritating when you attempt to open the side power doors when not in park or when the doors are locked My wife was hesitant about driving a minivan but loves this completely now; we like the spaciousness and the overall feeling of quality; the feeling that there is no moonroof or leather dissipated pretty quickly and now we are very satisfied honda customers. The dealership experience was not that bad though you always had the feeling they were taking you for a ride. We paid 27500 and were forced to take rust proofing, undercoating etc. (dealer said everyone does this and we had no option even though it was an 'option'!!!) we waited about 6 weeks to get the van in atlanta. Last year, one dealer in philly initially told us we had to put a deposit of 1000 but with no guarantee of refund!!! such is life, but hey the van makes up for all the dealer sins! Similar Products Used: First minivan; however test drove sienna and grand caravan before buying the odyssey. sienna is good but small; caravan is very good but the third row seat needs an army to remove and stowe! also suspect chrysler quality |
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[Aug 29, 2000]
Nestor Angeles
Model Reviewed:
Honda Odyssey
Strength:
- Very roomy
Weakness:
- Gear shift lever blocks radio controls, Originally I used a Toyota Previa for hauling around heavy equipment. It was the only van at the time that had enough room to fit it all in. But after I had heard about how the Previa scored VERY low in crash tests I immediately began looking for another mini-van. I wanted something as large as the Previa but with the power and safety of something like the Toyota Sienna. Unfortunately the current Sienna is not known for its size. So I had to look elsewhere. Similar Products Used: Toyota Sienna and Previa |


