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Honda Odyssey vs Dodge/Chrysler minivans
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Comments
I make my decisions based on statistics, like the ones hayneldan just cited. I like reliable automobiles, and I have seen too many friends and family struggle with unreliable autos. I don't want to do it myself.
The problem with hayneldan's stats: it accounts for only one model year. The Ody was in its second year, while the Chrysler products were in at least their fifth years. They had ironed out the bugs in those models. I have personally known three DC owners (total of four minivans). They all loved their vans, but they all had MAJOR, non-warranty problems withe their vehicles. My dad bought a DC brand new, and put TWO transmissions in it in just 5 years.
Me, I managed to buy the only Honda-manufactured product that was rated "Do Not Buy" by Consumer Reports: '99 Ody. Honda made some un-Honda-like mistakes. I have had no problems with mine, but I am discouraged by the data.
That being said, Honda's reliablity has been much better than the Chrysler offerings historically, and I have every reason to believe that it will get that way on the Ody, probably with the 2001. I don't blame anyone for liking the T&C, I hear they are very nice. We love the Ody, with the "magic seat", big engine, great cargo room, great fit and finish, and, yes, road noise.
I doubt very few people will buy a Chrysler just because someone else said it was the best. Nor will anyone buy an Odyssey just because I love mine. Our van fits our lifestyle perfecly. We could not have afforded to give up any cargo room behind the third seat on some of our trips. So, I have really enjoyed the Ody.
Rockbiter, I hope you won't let someone else's attitude affect your opinion about what they drive. If hotspur ruins your vehicle-search experience then you have given him what he wants.
This IS an Odyssey vs. Chrysler forum. Hotspur has provided some valid points, and others have countered them. No one is forcing you to agree with or even read his posts, but I think a debate can be continued without the personal attacks, or the need to chase off anyone with an opposing viewpoint.
Incidentally, our Odyssey is relatively quiet on asphalt. It can be noisy on some types of concrete, and most all the noise is from the front tires, and rear tires to a lesser extent. Couldn't say if it would be quieter without the magic seat or not... If anyone I know buys a 2001 DC van, I'll break out my sound pressure level meter and post the results.
Cheers.
Our 91 Astro CL with UniRoyal Tiger Paw Plus AWP was quieter on concrete when we traded it off in March 1999 than was the new 99 GC SE...BUT the GC SE is much quieter on asphalt than was the Astro.
Would be interesting to read vehicle test comparisons where each vehicle was equipped with the identical type tire. For example, if Odyssey had Firestone Symmetry and the Chrysler had Michelin ??, compare each van with Firestone Symmetry and then with Michelin ??
I think the Magic Seat well is getting a bum rap as a source of road noise. The extra cargo space and convenience of folding into the floor for even more space would be a welcome change to my 99 GC SE Quad Seating. I would also appreciate the larger fuel tank of Chevy Venture or Astro.
By the way, thanks for giving me your opinion on the whole mess. I also appreciate your following it up with your honest opinion on the Ody's noise level. THAT is what I am looking for -- stuff like that helps me out in my quest for a new van.
As I scrolled back, I did find a number of pieces of useful information and comparisons he posted. Since I have an Odyssey, I guess I didn't notice the attitude.
Another comment- The magic seat is great for the few times we've needed it in the 4 months we've had it. Still, we don't use it nearly as much as I thought we would. Do the Chrysler split rear seats tumble forward like the ones in the Sienna? Removing seats and storing them is a big hassle to me, but the arrangement in the Sienna is a good compromise for when you need extra room. You can remove one, remove both, or tumble them forward without removing them. Unfortunately, the Sienna rear seat was too small for our parents, and too difficult for them to get into.
I used to own 1993 Dogde Grand Caravan LE with 4 transmissions repaired. 1st rebuilt at 65k, 2nd rebuilt at 80k. 3rd tranny was replaced by Dealer for $1,800 at 104k miles.9 mths later,the fourth tranny was replaced free of charge, because it was still under 12 mths warranty.at this moment, my DGC is still parking in my driveway with a grand new tranny on it.Has Anyone interested in it for $2500, email me at Johnny_D_Smith@hotmail.com
I used to be a loyalty DGC owner.I like the Styling of new DGC, so lovely and so efficent.Somehow, they(Chrysler) have to do something about their power train design in order to keep GC sells from plunging down from 300,000+ to below 180,000. I will check back with them in 10 yrs, see if they still look down on their customer.
On other hand,Oddyssey is going from 60,000 to 120,000 and still keep customer on 2 mths waiting list and still have to pay $1000 above MSRP. Well! Supply and Demand, Honda dealers love this drive so much!! Honda try to increase their Oddyssey production to 240,000 by late 2001 to cope with the demand.I just hope ,this will come true.
By that time, perhaps,Chrysler will learn something about what Quality Control is.
Let us be a smart consumer, not a faithful consumer to any manufacture. It's your money after all .
And so far in 24,800 miles and over 24 months we have had zero problems. Hope your new Ody EX gives you the excellent service we received from our GC SE.
It seems that there are horror stories about all brands while others have zero problems with the same brand.
all I know is that my 99 GCS is a real pleasure to drive and I enjoy it immensely..
I also dont understand the slams regarding the fact that chrylser churns these things out and we get them for a better price. I guess we should get chrysler to cut back production and raise the price????
#2. We bought NEW GC SE 3/20/99.
#3. 1999 GC has had ZERO problems. Compare these zero problems with the many problems reported in Odyssey XXX forum by an owner of a 1999 Odyssey.
#4. I happen to like the "Magic Seat" and would prefer it to my GC SE 3rd seat.
#5. I also like Odyssey 2nd row seating flexibility.
#6. I also like Dual Zone Temp and Trip Computer in 99 GC SE that is not available in an Ody.
#7. I prefer panel doors, larger 27 gal fuel tank, 4.3L V6, GM 4 speed Automatic of Astro to comparable item on either GC or Odyssey.
#8. In my opinion, each minivan has distinct advantages...makes it difficult to make final selection.
the dealer replacing the battery in 1998 has been the only problem, it rides quiet and is comfortable. If there is an option I missed on this vehicle I will get it on the next one I buy. It is only a piece of machinery, fill it with gas,insert the key and go.
:-)
Drew
Host
Vans, SUVs, and Aftermarket & Accessories message boards
instead of comparing just the ody to the T&C for noise, wouldn't it be helpful to also throw the mazda MPV into the mix since that also has the "noisy" disappearing 3rd-row seat?
Is Chrysler generous or is it a case of other makers being greedy?
As far as comparison to the Odyssey, I noticed several things. Everyone knows T&C wins the luxury battle (although you do get nickel and dimed for every option - no standard CD? come on!). However, I think the real surprise was seating. I am 6'2" and actually had room to spare on the driver's seat. I was able to sit comfortably with plenty of leg room in the 2nd row and third row seats, something I did not expect, given how Honda brags about space. The glove box in the Honda majorly imposed on my leg room in the passenger's front seat, even when I was in the fully extended position. Tons of passenger leg room in the LXi front passenger's seat though. The tilt wheel in the LXi is much more user friendly and has more flexibility than the Honda's stiff lever arm. Let's not forget about that hideous, and I mean 'fun house' terrifying fabric in the Honda is no comparison to the rich leather upholstery in the LXi. That's an option I am willing to pay for and will be much easier to keep clean. The Infinity speaker system in the LXi is amazing and the stereo beats the weak Honda hands down. Finally the ease of mobility and flexibility of the 2nd and 3rd row seats in the LXi really sold us. We thought of 3 different configurations we would use regularly, depending on where we were going and with who. I suppose I could come back here crying in 8 months that I have contracted one of those dreaded Chrysler tranny problems but I have confidence. CR expected reliability to be considerably improved in the redesigned T&C and from all the reviews I read, it seems to be a great car. I certainly hope so, since it is way more than I've ever spent on a car before. However, since the financing was so great, I was able to get everything I wanted in a much nicer van for a difference of about $60 a month over the Honda. A premium I will gladly pay. Time may prove me the wrong but I think the LXi is a winner.
A different dealership told my sister there would be a wait of slightly over 1 month for their Taffeta White 2001 Odyssey EX which is due in later this month.
I am tempted to drive to the Ody dealership to find out what the "small print" is since they have 11 Odyssey in stock. I have never seen any Odyssey that was not one that had been ordered by a customer at any of the 4 dealerships in this area except for one demonstrator at Ken Garff Honda.
DZ6T: the oft-quoted popular mechanics minivan comparo has the MPV quieter than both the chrysler and honda minivans. JFYI
Steve
Host
Vans, SUVs and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards
But if you want to take more than 38 cubic feet of cargo behind the 5 people, the Grand Caravan and Town and Country make it possible by removing the middle seat and sliding the 3 passenger seat to that location.
The Odyssey, GC, and T&C can each haul cargo between front seats and rear seat by easily removing the middle seats of any of them.
If great cargo hauling is prime concern, do NOT buy a minivan. Get a large Chevy, Ford, or Dodge that have cavernous interiors.
Ford, or any American made vehicle. It's called resale value.
Pay $28K for an Odyssey now, in 5 years it's worth $13K. Pay $27K for any of the above
vehicles they are worth $6K. I am a loan officer for a large credit union. Not a salesman for
Honda. Buy a Honda or Toyota if you want the best value, not to mention reliability.
Honda/Toyota owners are more savvy and they tend to complain on message boards about small problems.
If you are worried about the little things you can buy an extended warranty on an Odyseey for around $700-$800. Try to get one on a Town & Country or Venture for less than
$1200. Tell you something?
Chrysler, on the other hand, offers incentives, discounts, etc. and if you are not careful, you may pay more than someone else for the same van. Smart shoppers do NOT pay MSRP for Chrysler but do get many more comfort and convenience items. Does one want comfort or utility?
For a real idea of actual cost, one needs to compare price at which resold with price actually paid. When people pay MSRP or MSRP + for the Odyssey, the price advantage between purchase and later at trade evaporates.
On the other hand, people driving DC are happy because their minivans had not catch on fire yet.
As far as the Honda vs. Chrysler comparison goes, I agree that T&C offers infinitely more luxury and comfort and is much more enjoyable to drive. To me, it is worth the relatively small price premium. When you factor in the 1.9% financing available on the T&C and the significant discount off of MSRP that I negotiated, my total financed amount for a loaded LXi is only $2,500 more than what I would have paid for a stripped down Honda EX.
Only the ODDY and Winstar have a 5 star rating for crashtest.
In my opinion all other car manufacturers should be ashamed of engineering a minivan that does not have a 5 star crash test rating. Who and why do you think people buy minivans? It's bad enough most of them look like a loaf of bread. Moms and Dads buy them to comfortably and SAFELY transport the most precious things in their lives, children.
I think the DC is the best looking with a lot of neat features, but as they say "looks are not everything" As much as I dislike the ODDY plain cloth seats,lame stereo, and a little noisy(they say), I can only see myself choosing the ODDY(or Windstar). Shame, shame, shame.
Would you really drive a Honda Tin Can just so you can save $1800 on decpreciation versus a Town and Country.
Over 5 years that's $1 a day!! If its $3600 then its $2 a day.
I don't know about you, but the last time I looked at my gasoline per day or my insurance per day, the extra depreciation was not a big deal.
If I'm going to drive around with my 4 kids, its going to be in my Limited with my heated seats, Sterring wheel radio controls and 3 zone heat AC. It's worth a lot more than that cup of coffee you Honda people can buy with your tin can savings.
People buy minivans for a lot of reasons, but if you buy a minivans for safety reason only you haven't done your homework. Honda's and Ford's minivans might've done better in the test than the other minivans but they are still a long way from most cars/station wagons. Have you considered buying a station wagon for the most precious things in your lives?
Let's start by opening up the annual vehicle issue of Consumer Reports. Turn the pages back to the section with the title "R-E-L-I-A-B-I-L-I-T-Y R-A-T-I-N-G-S." Now, look at the ratings for the Honda vehicles. See all those red circles? Translated, this means "Honda vehicles are reliable."
OK, now lets look at the ratings for Dodge vehicles. Why are so many of their circles black? I'll tell you why. It's because all of the circles are in mourning because of all the dead Dodges laying around, that's why.
Next, let's take a look inside a Honda Odyssey. Lookey here, here's a third row seat that folds flat into the floor!!! Wanna know what the engineers at Honda call that seat? Code name "Caravan Killer."
By the way, do you know how to tell if a house has a Caravan owner living inside it? The van is sitting in the driveway because the third row seat is taking up too much space in the garage, and he hasn't got enough strength to lift it back into the van.
Y'all can spend all your extra dough on a Caravan and get all those extra frilly little features if you want to. Your're all a bunch of WUSSIES!!! The Odyssey has the important stuff that most folks really need. It's a MAN's minivan, by God!!!
And y'all can keep harping about how you think the Dodge is better than the Honda. But the fact is, the consumer rating companies agree with ME!!!
You can't stand it, can you? Your precious little Caravans have been the top dogs for so long, you just can't stand the thought that it's all over. You're sweating because you know what's about to happen. You know that Chrysler is about to lose a HUGE portion of the minivan market, because you've seen it happen in the auto industry before. (Can you say " H-O-N-D-A A-C-C-O-R-D" ?)
A NEW KING HAS BEEN BORN!!! THE HONDA ODYSSEY IS THE NEW KING OF MINIVANS!!! LONG LIVE THE KING!!!!!!!!!!!!
Great Stereo Systems
Electronics Stuffs for everything
A great looking car
Don't want to drive/ buy a minivan unless absolutely have to
Only Honda/Acura a man (not boy) would buy is a Formula 1 race car.
After reading your post, I think you should keep quiet and back to a laid back kind of guy.