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All the test reports I have seen show the Odyssey as the top van. CR says the vans are more practical and more useful then an SUV. The wagons are smaller then mini-vans and not as safe in an accident. I think the Passt is an expensive station wagon, as I remember, and costs about as much as the Odyssey. I had a station wagon and found the mini-van to be more practical.
I considered a station wagon, SUV and mini-vans and after my research bought the Odyssey. It seems to be the best all around vehicle, is very safe, holds a lot, and drives much like a car.
There are some posts on this board were it is thought that the 2002 models will have leather. You should know for sure in about 6 weeks
Steve
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Has anyone else noticed this? It very disappointing since it does seem to be the best mini-van out there now.
From Consumers Reports April 2001 issue, I see the "Front Seat Leg Room" seems to be about as much as many cars. This number is suppose to accurately measure the actual front seat leg room.
Here are the figures of some cars from CR for that number in inches: Odyssey 41.0; Chrysler Town & Country 41.5; Ford Windstar 40.5; Toyota Sienna 40.5.
If the dashboard and other front stuff make for less front room in the Odyssey then other vehicles, then Consumer Reports did not take this accurately into account. I do remember some posts on this board complaining about the front seat room and the obstructions in the front for tall drivers.
If there is nothing you can do about it then that would be a very good reason not to buy an Odyssey. I would not buy a vehicle I would be uncomfortable driving
Now, if you really want to give that right pasenger some leg room, reomve the head rest from the front seat and lay the back rest down flat so that it buts up to the seating surface on the second row seat. When you sit in the second row seat with this configuration, you have one heckuva comfortable chaise lounge with lots of leg room.
Now the Toyota's passenger seat is fine, I have at least 4-5 inches between my knee and the dash, in the Ody it's less than an inch!
I'm sure if they moved the seat back it would interfear with access to the spare tire.
Oh well... I also asked about a redesign for 2002 and they could not comment.
we've lived with this problem for all cars
PS: our other car is a Volvo loads of leg room.
Back in April of 2000, when I was looking to buy either a SUV or wagon I checked out the 2000 4Runner Ltd, 2001 Pathfinder LE (240hp version) and the 2000 Passat V6 4motion GLS (leather and all the goodies). I didn't include an Odyssey because at the time we didn't know we where going to get pregnant 2 weeks later (he's now 6 mths old, btw). Here's my take on your dilema. For your infomation I am also tall (6'5) so your issues hit home...
Passat -
Pros- great build quality, tiptronic "autostick", nicely done interior.
Cons- 2yr-24k mile warranty (are they kidding!, Expensive!(32k loaded), not as much space as I needed, lousy cup holders.
Highlander-
Not out when I was looking. Looks decent but for me not worth $34k (msrp) in the Limited version.
What I ended up getting was the Pathfinder LE loaded to the gills for the price of the loaded Passat. I bought it because of the great engine, the solid build quality, it had everything I wanted in it and I could tow my cousins 23' boat with it.
I loved the truck buuuuttttt, when our baby came, what I thought was a lot of space turned out to be not enough. Hauling his stuff around all the time we needed something bigger as well as something that could carry more than 4 adults comfortably. (There where other reasons too...). This meant trading a vehicle that was only a year old. So we started looking at the Odyssey and Sienna. Sienna was nice, but to small for me. I also didn't care for the front end styling and the high price. I know the Odyssey was hard to find so I was going to settle for the Toyota, but we got lucky. I called a local dealer and they said they had one that with Navi that was supposed to go to a fleet sale, but fell through. I went over 2 days later and they had it for me. We test drove it and bought it on the spot. We couldn't be happier with this vehicle. We have driven it on 4k miles in 2 months (one 1300 mile trip 12 hours each way) and love it.
I have also sat in the passenger seat on occassion and haven't found it to small. The driver seat is not bad on a long trip, but I do wish it had a lumbar setting. I have plenty of head room in all 3 seating rows too. I can't say that for many cars or vans!
Good luck with your search! Mark
In my opinion, everyone who has Firestone Affinities and has the other problems like repetitive alignment symptoms, should replace them. People have been complaining about them since 1999. Obviously that's just my opinion - but I'm amazed at the difference between the ride. While the Symmetry is a good tire, the X-one had a better wet traction and road noise rating. I got mine at Sam's Club (branded as the Michelin X-"Plus") for $102 each which includes roadhazard.
Steve
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Vans, SUVs and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards
The only thing I would like to have on my Odyssey extra, is a warning indicator for objects when backing up. I know they sell these after market but I don't think the dealer has them or does he?
On to my question: I am taking a trip in August with my '00 Ody and would like to take 2 bikes. I remember a discussion last year about the Hidden Hitch, and I was wondering if this is still the preferred way of mounting a bike rack.
Also, what bike racks are recommended to go on the Hidden Hitch, and does it matter if I get the round tube or the square tube hitch? The posts from last year mentioned the round one because it looks better on the Ody.
Thanks for any info.
I think it has more to do with the shape of the dash and the position of the front seats. And, although the front seats seem to be closer to the dash, we have noticed that there is more room behind the front seats, between the first and second row of seats. That works great for us, because that is usually where all the kid paraphenalia gets placed when we go out.
From AP:
(July 17) - Auto safety advocates want DaimlerChrysler Corp. to recall roughly 400,000 minivans after a 2001 Dodge Grand Caravan leaked fuel during a crash test.
Brian O'Neill, president of the Insurance Institute, said any fuel leak can be a serious problem because of the threat of fire.
``The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety gave the Grand Caravan its lowest safety rating because of the leak.
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They also went on to say that only one other vehicle, the Isuzu Trooper had ever leaked fuel, in their tests, and the auto manufacturer recalled and fixed the vehicle which was for the 2000 and some 2001 models
The Poron USA system seems to be one fo the better ones out there, and you can have it with 2, 3, or 4 sensors.
Drew
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Vans, SUVs, and Aftermarket & Accessories message boards
wab
Mesa Beige
Starlight Silver
Granite Green
Taffeta White
Redrock Pearl
Havasu Blue
Evergreen Pearl
Why is Honda waiting until the spring of 2002 to release the Havasu Blue color? It would make sense to have all new colors available as early as possible to promote the new model year. Anyway my wife is thrilled with the Redrock color we are waiting for so no Havasu is ok.
You mentioned your allotment for '01's ends in August. Is this still true?
When are you anticipating your dealership taking delivery of the first '02's? I'veread that mid- Sept. is the consensus opinion.
Thanks,
Chip
Why Honda does what they do with colors is a mystery to me. At this point it doesn't really matter, as we do not have enough Odys period.
Does anyone know what the proper breakin procedure is for the engine?
Bottom line: The owners manual is very good and complete and it will tell you what to do.
If you mean child safety locks, you will find a switch on the eddge of the sliding doors that prevents them from being opened on the inside if you move them to the proper position.
The owner's manual has details on both.
http://www.collegehillshonda.com/new/matrix.htm
Also, i was at my dealer last week and they had a 2002 honda brochure with pictures of all the 2002 colors...
I was wondering if someone knew the wait time for getting a Odyssey in the Dallas area. Also, are the prices negotiable. I was told that you normally pay what the dealer tells you because the vans are in demand. Can someone share their insights on this. Also, any good dealers / price in the Dallas area.
Thanks - Banu
Their production schedule will be staggered for the next 8-12 months. They need to do this to make sure that the employees are up to standards. As they increase their skills, then Honda will add another line. August production will be 150 units. Every month they will increase, while Ontario will decrease. So, even though we will see an overall increase in Odyssey production, it will be in smaller than hoped for increments.
No news at all on pricing or on the new features.
Jerry
Last week, as a 1st time passenger in a 2001 model, I noticed there were cup inserts for the otherwise poorly designed 3 rear cupholders. I remember seeing that someone posted that Honda should be sending complimentary rear cup inserts to all early Odyssey model owners. Has anyone contacted Honda to get those inserts gratis? If so, what was Honda's response?
Alternatively, does anyone know where I can purchase them? I haven't seen anyone on the Internet offering them as accessory items.
We will be taking a long trip (from NY to Cleveland) in our Ody & are considering purchasing a 9" TV/VCR and putting it between the front seats to keep the kids busy (the 5 & 3 year olds). Problem: my wife is concerned that in the event of an accident, God forbid, the unit could be a dangerous flying missile if it isn't bolted down. Any solutions? We do not want to go through the expense of installing an entertainment system.
Thank you.
The first time we put the kids in the back row, folded one of the middle seats forward, and used some bungee cords to hold the TV to the seat base.
The second trip we put the unit on the floor directly behind the center console and propped it at a good viewing angle using some bath towels. We didn't bungee it because we didn't consider the "flight risk," but perhaps we should have.
You might work out something by attaching some bungee cords between the TV and the front seat bases and/or the folding center console. Another possibility, though less desirable, you could wind the AC power cord around the base of the front passenger seat. Maybe I'll experiment with some ideas and see if I can figure out a better solution.
Good luck on your trip to Cleveland. Be sure to visit the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame!
http://www.handa-accessories.com/odyint.html
They arrived in just a few days, and fit like a glove. Now we can actually put drinks in the cupholders, and they stay put. In January, they cost just over $10 with shipping and handling.
Now I am concerned about going to a 60 series tire, probably a Michelins. I know going to a shorter tire will affect my speedometer reading. Has anyone experienced going to a 225/60 or 235/60 and what do you recommend? I know Honda has not and does not suggest changing the tire size. I appreciate your input.
Has anyone done this? What other areas should I be looking out for? I know about the paper work for transferring cash greater than $10,000 but is there anything else. It is a private sale so the other party is new to this also.
From what I have heard the Canada Odysseys meet all our auto standards laws but they do have the instrument panel in metric. That is not a big problem however as the speedometer is in both metric and mph.
Manufacturers of electronics and cameras do the same thing. They are called "grey market" products. US manufacturers of legal drugs sell the same drug at a much higher price to US citizens then they do to Canadians and Mexicans. In that case since their is no warranty involved US citizens, who can not afford the US prices, charter buses to go to Canada to buy their drugs.
http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html
I mounted the TV on a small piece of plywood cut to size and sanded (just with screws and big washers). Then I used some heavy duty velcro straps to strap it onto the front seat armrests. So it sits on the armrests, high enough for my child to see it from the carseat (if it was any lower, he wouldn't be able to see it), and is secured to the armrests.
I tried a few ways to hold it down before that, but this way seems the best to me. Not only that, but it doesn't look too bad, either, gives a larger screen than any of the flat panels available, and after going on a trip that ended up being about 1500 miles total, we had no problems and the kid was happy.
I can take the unit in and out very easily, and I feel it is very secure. Security (as in being fixed and not a projectile) was, of course, the most important thing, and I feel pretty confident in my approach.
The biggest problem is that, by securing it to the armrests, you can't adjust the seats. You have to loosen the straps, adjust the seats, then tighten the straps again. Kind of annoying, but I simply can't justify $1500.00 for the iVES, or even $600 for some of the cheaper alternatives, especially since I feel safe with this.