Honda Odyssey vs Dodge/Chrysler minivans

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Comments

  • pat84pat84 Member Posts: 817
    I have rented quite a few DC vans, A Ford Windstar and Chevy Venture. I preferred the ODY seats which were more like a sports car seat, somewhat firm. I did like the DC seats, too. The Chevy had the mushiest seats, with the Ford a close second.
      Maybe your sis in law needs some more padding. Ask catlady about padding.
  • gessgess Member Posts: 90
    While I agree that the Ody has firm, sports-like seats, I disagree with the Catlady comment.

    You better watch your back image
  • fezofezo Member Posts: 10,386
    As much as I admire those deep blue Odys and such I got mine in silver. If one can be like marjoe (whatever happened to him?) and drive it three feet a year dark colors are great, but if you put on serious miles and get all the grime, salt and such on it you can't beat silver. A silver van with a gray interior - you can haul cattle and still look OK. Try it some time.
    2015 Mazda 6 Grand Touring, 2014 Mazda 3 Sport Hatchback, 1999 Mazda Miata 2004 Toyota Camry LE, 1999.
  • bdaddybdaddy Member Posts: 171
    Silver good color for van good name for horse. Gold good color too.

    Dark color look good right after wax but then get dirty fast. Best thing is cover van in shrink wrap. Then when van get dirty take off shrink wrap and clean again.

    Honda seat very nice in leather. Over time seat get softer.
  • tomtomtomtomtomtom Member Posts: 491
    Good to live in CA when no rain in summer still miss NY though. Color of cars owned: medium/dark metallic blue, black, bright red, light metallic green, metallic purple, bright red & patriot blue
  • crkeehncrkeehn Member Posts: 513
    Vans in our area are not permitted to get dirty without an excuse from the manufacturer. It IS simply not done. Consequently all the Odys are Beige, whether they start out that way, I don't know. DC seems to provide more variety, the Patriot Blue is a gorgeous color in a van and the Inferno Red is wonderful. A friend of ours at church purchased a DC Inferno Red van which they frequently park next to my wifes Inferno Red PT. It brightens up that area of the parking lot. Of course If I bring my Steel blue and some other friends bring their steel blue and inferno red PTs, then we set up a DC sales unit in the corner of the parking lot. ;-D
  • tomtomtomtomtomtom Member Posts: 491
    When I first looked at DC's brochure I thought the Inferno Red is bright red but it turns out to be a bit darker so we picked the Patriot Blue. But the Inferno Red was our second choice. Anyway, I wish the car manufacturers would brave enough to use one of those Standox colors.
  • pat84pat84 Member Posts: 817
    It isn't so much the rain, as the salt used to melt snow that makes silver or gray a good color on the East Coast. I had a gray ODY that held the dirt so well, I am only buying those colors from now on.
  • tomtomtomtomtomtom Member Posts: 491
    I know exactly what you mean. I used to live in New York and my metallic blue car was like gray in Winter.
  • fezofezo Member Posts: 10,386
    Yeah - I found out the secret of the silver car by buying one used that just happened to be that color - an 87 Maxima wagon. Looked great year round. I suppose that I have come to choosing my car color by how easy it is to keep decent looking means I should now start wearing a hat while driving and go under the limit in the left lane...
    2015 Mazda 6 Grand Touring, 2014 Mazda 3 Sport Hatchback, 1999 Mazda Miata 2004 Toyota Camry LE, 1999.
  • pat84pat84 Member Posts: 817
    I wear a hat when it's cold, because I don't have as much hair on my head as once did. There is sufficient head room in both the DC and ODY to wear a hat in either. I rented a Ford Windstar in Gulfport, MS. It had 7 miles on it You could put the driver's seat further back than either the DC or ODY. The steering and brakes were mushy. This was brand new and not abused as a rental. I can't believe anyone would buy a Ford Windstar if they test drove it and either the DC or ODY.
  • fezofezo Member Posts: 10,386
    "I can't believe anyone would buy a Ford Windstar if they test drove it and either the DC or ODY."

    Well, can I blame my wife? Here's the story...

    Back in 94 we were going to buy our first minivan. No Odys back then. Gms were the dustbusters which were an automatic no (showing teh consistency that is GM they are STILL a definite no) - the choices came down to Chrysler or Windstall. Now, being a good, thinking sort, I'm going "last year in the Chrysler, first year in the Ford - thei sspells Chrysler." I also liked a few of the touches inside the Chrysler. So what comes out of mouth (after actually stating my preference)? "Well, you're the one that's going to drive it so pick what you want."

    Oy!
    2015 Mazda 6 Grand Touring, 2014 Mazda 3 Sport Hatchback, 1999 Mazda Miata 2004 Toyota Camry LE, 1999.
  • crkeehncrkeehn Member Posts: 513
    That IN FACT There was only one color for the Honda Odyssey, Beige. It is revealed that the rumored silver and gray Odys are in fact only found in the snow belt and are actually encrusted with deicing chemicals.
  • fezofezo Member Posts: 10,386
    I've seen some PT Cruisers in that nice deiced shade as well....
    2015 Mazda 6 Grand Touring, 2014 Mazda 3 Sport Hatchback, 1999 Mazda Miata 2004 Toyota Camry LE, 1999.
  • robr2robr2 Member Posts: 8,805
    ...there are more colors than just Beige. I have the elusive Tafetta White Ody which lived up to its legend as I lost it in today's snowstorm.
  • maltbmaltb Member Posts: 3,572
    of course next week it will be beige with road grime...
  • crkeehncrkeehn Member Posts: 513
    Now, lets talk about which van has the better windshield washer tank
  • maltbmaltb Member Posts: 3,572
    better windshield washer tank

    The Neon does. Of course, you already knew that.
  • pat84pat84 Member Posts: 817
    I have seen the retro looking Neon Minivan. Much too small.
  • tomtomtomtomtomtom Member Posts: 491
    So, Honda is targeting those who don't like to wash their vans
    and live in snowy area
  • crkeehncrkeehn Member Posts: 513
    Honda is showing great wisdom in targeting their product to the ultimate consumer. Colors, options and standard equipment are very carefully calculated to meet the needs of a highly specific clientele. Even their transmissions are designed with such care to ensure that a relationship is fostered between the ultimate consumer and aftermarket representatives of the dealership.
  • pat84pat84 Member Posts: 817
    Honda is also very discrete in calling all transmissions, which replace the original, "rebuilt" even though Honda gets the transmission and installs it.
       That way, when (not if) the second transmission fails, it wasn't a Honda transmission, it was a "rebuilt" transmission which failed. No "rebuilt" transmission can be expected to last as long as a genuine "Honda" transmission.
    My "rebuilt" Honda transmission came with a 50K mile warranty.
    Honda only markets consumer's who believe in Honda reliability.
    You know how "quality " is usually associated with automobile advertising. Honda has a unique approach to quality. They expect their consumers to learn this Honda quality description.
    "Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me."
  • dtownfbdtownfb Member Posts: 2,918
    Actually they use the term rebuilt because it is in fact a rebuilt tranny and not a new transmission. Your "rebuilt" tranny has a 50k mile warranty while the new one only has a 36k warranty. Just about all manufactures when they replace a transmission use rebuilts.
  • pat84pat84 Member Posts: 817
    Actually, Honda upped the transmission warranty to 100 K miles on the original 4 speed transmissions. Seems the 2-5 % of bad transmissions, persuaded them to do this to keep their customers satisfied. Honda reliability ?
  • crkeehncrkeehn Member Posts: 513
    Your beginning to convince me that my Chrysler is reliable.
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    Any DC owners here with dual zone AC for the front who can't live without it? The Sienna is offering it for '04 - is it worth it?

    Steve, Host
  • scott31scott31 Member Posts: 294
    I can't speak to DC products, but I had dual zone in my '99 STS, and I sure miss it. My wife likes to be toasty, whereas I like to be a little on the cool side.

    I hope my next car has it.
  • xpatxpat Member Posts: 2
    I am in the processing of deciding which new Minivan to purchase and have been following the discussions regarding transmission problems and comparisons to the Odyssey and Sienna. I had a new 95 Grand Voyager that I shipped over here when I moved here but recently sold due to the beginning of the nagging repairs and potential tranny problem. Basically, I enjoyed the van when I was single and also now with 2 kids. I took the risk of shipping it here since the guarantee was invalidated outside of North America. One option that I see as a way to avoid the tranny problem is to buy a 2.5 CRD (Diesel)Manual 5 speed transmission model. These are not offered in the states and are quite popular over here since diesel is cheaper than normal gas. Unfortunately, there are no real alternatives to the Voyager as both Honda and Toyota do not offer their large minivans in Europe. A Honda dealer will import one but the price gets up over $45K! It is funny how different cultures consider which things are important. VW sells a lot of minivans without sliding doors which to me is one of the main reasons for a minivan. The Germans also consider the magic seat to be a safety risk as opposed to the fixed seat. Go figure. I would like to get the Sienna but it looks like I am "doomed" to the Chrysler as the headache of importing a Toyota or Honda and getting it inspected is not worth the aggravation. If anyone has had any experience with the Diesel Grand Voyager or shipping a Honda or Toyota to Germany, please contact me. Thanks
  • crkeehncrkeehn Member Posts: 513
    Steve, I don't have it but I have a wife that would make it essential in a vehicle as large as a van. She is always cold and I am always warm. We spend our time fiddling with the temperature control, she turns the heat up full, I let it go as long as I can stand it and then ask politely if I can turn it down. That lasts a few minutes till she gets cold again.

    I've heard nice things about the Chrysler System and I have no doubt that Toyota will get it right also. If you can afford it, it's a nice feature.
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    That's the way we are, but I'm the cold natured one. My current ride has bun warmers so that helps a lot when we take that car. Thanks Scott31 & Crkeehn.

    Steve, Host
  • lsinclsinc Member Posts: 270
    LOL folks, this is all too funny! Of course I love hearing all the "Ody issues" since I can't stand them. But the color thing has me laughing my $%$# off. Even I would buy a Chrysler over an Ody. Yikes, who typed that??? ;)

    Lsinc
  • maltbmaltb Member Posts: 3,572
    In case you haven't noticed, there are only a few serious people who post in this forum: Me, crkeehn, pat84, robr2, fezo and gess. The rest are just plain silly.

    Cheers,
    maltb (member of the closet MPV lovers society. AKA: old friends)
  • pat84pat84 Member Posts: 817
    We are serious for sure. My Odyssey had a quartz interior. It was sharp.
  • fezofezo Member Posts: 10,386
    My Ody has one of those! When I tried carsdirect.com their rep kept saying it was a Cortez interior which certainly gave me pause about buying from them. Enough pause that I didn't. Besides, local dealer was selling for less!
    2015 Mazda 6 Grand Touring, 2014 Mazda 3 Sport Hatchback, 1999 Mazda Miata 2004 Toyota Camry LE, 1999.
  • fezofezo Member Posts: 10,386
    That's why I made sure to avoid it!
    2015 Mazda 6 Grand Touring, 2014 Mazda 3 Sport Hatchback, 1999 Mazda Miata 2004 Toyota Camry LE, 1999.
  • maltbmaltb Member Posts: 3,572
    I have heard that the seats are rather firm, but I never realized they were made of stone. Is this a cost saving issue on Honda's part? In the Canadian made DC you at least get seats stuffed with Mountie manure.
  • fezofezo Member Posts: 10,386
    They're a bit firm but VERY durable.
    2015 Mazda 6 Grand Touring, 2014 Mazda 3 Sport Hatchback, 1999 Mazda Miata 2004 Toyota Camry LE, 1999.
  • robr2robr2 Member Posts: 8,805
    That's why those of use requiring something softer than quartz for seating surfaces are offered fern - but that interior is available only on the retired granite green or the elusive tafetta white. Fern is much better suited for seating areas than quartz could ever be.
  • fezofezo Member Posts: 10,386
    Certainly nicer than Quartz!
    2015 Mazda 6 Grand Touring, 2014 Mazda 3 Sport Hatchback, 1999 Mazda Miata 2004 Toyota Camry LE, 1999.
  • crkeehncrkeehn Member Posts: 513
    The quartz interior will ensure that your clock keeps very accurate time. I said before that Honda very cleverly covered all the angles. Here is yet again, more proof of their wisdom.
  • fezofezo Member Posts: 10,386
    Good observation. Obviously there is order in the quartz.
    2015 Mazda 6 Grand Touring, 2014 Mazda 3 Sport Hatchback, 1999 Mazda Miata 2004 Toyota Camry LE, 1999.
  • odd1odd1 Member Posts: 227
    It was bound to happen sometime.

    Adam- You'll be happy to know I saw a black Ody at the dealer last week while I was getting my oil changed. Are you graduating this year? I know you told me last year your status I just can't remember.
  • fezofezo Member Posts: 10,386
    I found that one rather interesting myself....
    2015 Mazda 6 Grand Touring, 2014 Mazda 3 Sport Hatchback, 1999 Mazda Miata 2004 Toyota Camry LE, 1999.
  • maltbmaltb Member Posts: 3,572
    and none of the other names stood out?
  • fezofezo Member Posts: 10,386
    No. Not at all....
    2015 Mazda 6 Grand Touring, 2014 Mazda 3 Sport Hatchback, 1999 Mazda Miata 2004 Toyota Camry LE, 1999.
  • crkeehncrkeehn Member Posts: 513
    and any lurking ladies....

    We are all sober and serious folks here, dedicated to the discussion of which is the best minivan.

    Gee, I said that with a straight face.....

    Limited interior color choices seem to be a sign of the times. I can remember when even the lowly Volkswagen came with a choice of fabric materials and colors.

    The bottom line is the bottom line, limit the manufacturing variables and you limit the cost of manufacturing as well as reducing the possibility of making an error. I remember when you used to be able to theoretically build thousands of a GM model without no two being identical.
  • odd1odd1 Member Posts: 227
    I haven't poked around here in nearly a year so fezo was the only name I readily recognized from the many boards that he participates on in this community.

    It is kind of heart warming that almost a year later the same posters have the same positions. Mainly, your van sucks and mine doesn't.

    Got to go soak my left elbow.

    maltb- are you a home brewer?
  • maltbmaltb Member Posts: 3,572
    I made a batch with a friend recently, but my real interest is in the sampling. :-D

    and yes, your van still sucks. Is it a Hoover or Eureka?
  • fezofezo Member Posts: 10,386
    Now I don't know....

    A couple of years ago I was posting "my van sucks - does yours suck less?"

    Now I'm more in the "I like my van but if I knew Chrysler was going to put a 100,000 mile warranty pn their vans and charge a truckload less I;d have liely bought one."

    But that's just me.....
    2015 Mazda 6 Grand Touring, 2014 Mazda 3 Sport Hatchback, 1999 Mazda Miata 2004 Toyota Camry LE, 1999.
  • crkeehncrkeehn Member Posts: 513
    Don't do it, Don't do it.

    Now breathe deeply

    exhale

    inhale

    exhale

    inhale

    exhale

    Feel Better?

    now repeat after me:

    "My van is the best possible van for the best possible world. There is no van, better than my van. I am very happy with my perfectly wonderful van."

    Boy, I'm glad we caught that in time.
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