I recall a recent hint about the new Ody dropped by some Honda big cheese that said the new Ody would have something innovative not offered by anyone else. I guessed IMA hybrid but maybe VCM is it.
Somehow I think we ALL believe the VCM will make it to the new Ody since it is a "totally redesign" model for Honda and they have to out-do Toyota somehow. They'll need to beat the Sienna in terms of safety features; interior room and functionality (fold-flat 2nd and 3rd row like the Quest); interior/exterior looks; and price. The price part will tell us that the new Ody will probably not have all those fancy features of the $42K Limited AWD Sienna, like laser cruise control and parking assist. However, I know that the Ody will kick the Sienna's butt on the Navigation system, not that most people are interested:-) I just can't stand the fact that Toyota uses a cheap NAV system, which is not the one used on the Lexus line. Honda, on the other hand, uses the same NAV system in their cars as in the Acura line, which is the Alpine system, which I think is the best system out there. What message does that send me? Lexus=expensive, Toyota=cheap parts. Honda=good parts, Acura=better looks.
Didn't cadilac use this technology some time ago? Why did they abbandon it? It was a total bomb in sales! Was it the same type of technology or is this something very much different than that.
The concept of VCM and the Cadillac V8-6-4 is the same. Cadillac's system was pretty bad. But with advances in technology and electronics, I would presume it to be more reliable.
...have a variation of this idea used in the extraordinary case of an overheated engine: "Overheated Engine Protection Operating Mode." Alternate groups of cylinders are fired to run cool enough for up to 50 miles driving.
Of course, this emergency feature should be used only to get you directly to the nearest dealer and not for cruising as people around DFW are fond of doing on their donut spare tires! :-(
Don't experiment with new technology on the Odyssey. Try it on a vehicle or engine made for another lesser company like Isuzu or GM. It is much more difficult to regain consumer confidence with quality products after a dud like the Cadillac V8-6-4 or GM "X" cars flopped than to keep a good reputation building only reliable vehicles.
Dual zone climate control, power lift tailgate, AWD on some models. From the Sienna: split fold away 3rd row and dash mounted shifter. (or did Toyota copy that from the Honda Element?) I hope the next Odyssey looks more like the current model than that ugly ASM concept.
I hope you are right as the Odyssey is # 1 on my list to replace the 2001 Blazer if and when it is necessary. Lucky so far as Blazer reliability at 70,000 miles is exceeding the reliability predictions of Consumer Reports. Same with 1993 Ford F-150 although the 1994 Toyota Corolla Wagon is a normal, typical reliable Toyota. The Blazer is the primary vehicle for the long trips my wife and I take. The F-150 is my hunting and fishing vehicle and the Corolla is the wife's around town car.
I have to disagree. Most of Japan's automotive magazines have said the ASM strongly resembles the next LaGreat...aka Odyssey for US. Remember the old Odyssey concept that was in silver and introduced sliding doors to Honda? It closely resembled the Odyssey too. Well, only time will tell.
VCM looks as though it would be a great idea, but something in the back of my mind has problems getting over the "large mini-van" hump. How can such a large vehicle actually run on only three cylinders, and not strain? Can the transmission support such a technology? If it does work, logic says your not going to gain any fuel consumption advantages, it will eat twice as much fuel?
I really think if the new Odyssey looks like the ASM, it will be a great hit. I love the sleek styling of the ASM. Just looks very sharp compared to the current Ody.
Only thing about Honda is that they should have released this model last Fall. Now I see tons of Siennas on the road. Personally I like the Sienna, so bring out your best in the new Odyssey, Honda!
I, personally, wouldn't classify the ASM concept as retro. I wouldn't even say it's radical like the Quest. It's seems more of a current generation design because it looks more wind-cheating.
Chrysler or Dodge will jump to the top of my list for next probable new vehicle. Their reliability has improved dramatically the past few years (probably still not as good as Honda or Toyota).
Okay, there seems to be a consensus that the new FY05 model will be coming out this Fall. But what does that mean? I will have 2 kids starting school this fall and a third going to daycare. So if "Fall" means August I can wait. If it means October, I'll probably have to settle for the Sienna.
With the idea of the 2005 Odyssey perhaps being released in Fall '04... does anyone know if Toyota dealers are dealing at all on the Siennas yet? Last I heard they were still going for above MSRP.
BTW, we will know when the new odyssey is close to release when the commercials for cheap lease deals are all over TV on the current Odyssey. Or perhaps just an increase in Odyssey commercials (not with lease deals). That was the case with the Acura TL (lease deals on outgoing model). There was even an ramp-up of Acura MDX commercials in late 2003 when they were trying to get rid of the 2003 models before the slightly updated '04 came out. I used to never see Odyssey commercials on TV, but recently I have seen many more of them... so something could be brewing...
Even if "Fall" means August, you would most likely will have to pay MSRP or higher and you still have no guarantee that you will be able to get one of the new Odysseys in the timeframe you require, if history is any indicator (both for the last redesign of the Odyssey and for the new Sienna). You might want to start earlier and get your best deal on the Sienna to make sure you can even have that in time! Good Luck!
sdatta - We are start getting some deal on Sienna in my area. I bought mine for $1.8K off MSRP. I think most people can do $1000+ off. I would say Honda is going to repeat the same when the '05 Odyssey comes out in fall. I had '00 Odyssey before the Sienna. It wasn't the first year model. But like many, I paid MSRP and waited four months. The price reduction didn't happen when I was in the market for a minivan for my relatives last year this time. By this fall, you may see a year end clearance deal for '04 Sienna or some discount on '05 model. If my memory is good, I think the '03 Accord was came out in August '02. And most Honda vehicles usually come out in Sept/Oct or even November.
From what I've heard about the new Ody, I would prefer to purchase it, even if the MSRP is a couple of thousand more than a Sienna. I figure I'll have it for 8 years, so the incremental cost is only about $250 per year.
As for Sienna's you can get them easily for at least $1,000 under MSPR through Costco or other discount warehouse chain's or credit union's auto buying programs. In the Sienna "prices paid" thread on Edmunds, a few people in the DC/Maryland area even claimed to have purchased Siennas for only a couple hundred over invoice during the last 2-3 days of 2003. I think once the new Ody, the new DC, and GM minivans come out this fall, the selling price for Siennas will drop dramatically. The Toyota dealers are getting as much $ out of the Siennas as they can before this happens.
I'll say the picture looks better than the bloated Quest, but it still isn't the best. I guess I'll take it, since minivans aren't supposed to race at stoplights and look great. (not to say that I CAN'T buy a good looking van, just that vans were not built for fashion.)
Just saw a commercial for a special on Odyssey leases ($299 per month). Perhaps they are trying to get rid of inventory (similar to '03 Acura TL lease specials last Summer - '04 TL came out Nov-Dec '03). Perhaps the new 2005 Odyssey is not as far off as we think...?
I just bough 2004 Odyssey today, and asked the dealer salesman how far he thought 2005 Odyssey was. He said it would take long, maybe they will not be available until early next year. I wonder how many people are willing to wait a year to get a redesigned Odyssey. Won't a redesign also have NEW look, AND NEW (ahem) shortcomings??? Just my opinion. I took advantage of lower prices NOW.
Not sure about the ext. style (due to its MPV doors) but the interior dash will look pretty much like this for 2005 model. http://www.honda.co.jp/ODYSSEY/fun/ It comes with the auto 3rd role seat which is a great plus to beat the Sienna.
The dashboard on the JDM Odyssey looks alike to the Accord's dash in the sense it has that one huge button in the middle and all the smaller buttons and knobs around it. If it debuts in New York, that's great!!
Doesn't the rear view look like the old Sienna? Doesn't look to bad, but not any better than the new Sienna. Oh well, as long as the front grill and interior look like the ASM or [non-permissible content removed] Ody, it will be great.
Not all sales persons are honest, just like not all people are honest. Of course they want you to believe that it will take FOREVER for the new Ody to come out. If they told you it will be here anyday, would you still want to buy an "old" 04 model?
If that is what the new Odyssey will be I won't be too happy. Some observations:
1. 2nd Row middle seat looks very uncomfortable like the Pilot middle seat and it has no extendable head rest. Not good for safety. 2. The small triangle of glass adjacent to the A-pillar looks like my 96 Odyssey. Not an efficient use of space. 3. Why make the 3rd row seating for only 2 people? Why not 3? Still a 1 piece design. The 60/40 Sienna design I think is better. The auto feature doesn't float my boat. 4. The front styling is more attractive than the 04 Sienna. 5. The bucket seat design appears vastly improved with nice side bolstering. This compares to as one person describing the current Odyssey seats as looking like an over stuffed mattress. 6. Question- Does the 2nd row seats remove or fold down into the floor? It looks like the design as implemented in the MDX and Pilot.
Overall some hits and misses. Need more information on exactly what the US version will be like.
I think the second row will seat two and the third row will seat three. The JDM Odyssey's third row is meant for occasional use only and that's why they put the three person bench in the second row and the small and tiny two seater bench in the third row.
all the little features add up big negative with ody is that you have to remove the headrests on the 3rd row to lay flat, if that stays i won't buy little hassles add up
Honda is not stupid. They won't go overboard on anything and the won't undercut on anything. It will be just right for most people, but it will not please everyone.
They will keep the price down, the luxury and technology up, and the exterior apperance very similar to the very popular good looking current US Odyssey.
iwonder does anyone know when the redesigned ody will be available? any sites where pics can be seen? the local dealer was only interested in selling me the current model (too outdated). thanks for any info
chrysler says they will price there vans to have a 15% price advantage with honda and toyota and have almost all LWB have the sto and go seats and nice feature.....that's 3k advantage for chrysler more and more pressure on mostly toyota. hmmmmm i should wait
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Comments
Do you believe it will make it to the 05 Ody.?
They'll need to beat the Sienna in terms of safety features; interior room and functionality (fold-flat 2nd and 3rd row like the Quest); interior/exterior looks; and price.
The price part will tell us that the new Ody will probably not have all those fancy features of the $42K Limited AWD Sienna, like laser cruise control and parking assist.
However, I know that the Ody will kick the Sienna's butt on the Navigation system, not that most people are interested:-)
I just can't stand the fact that Toyota uses a cheap NAV system, which is not the one used on the Lexus line. Honda, on the other hand, uses the same NAV system in their cars as in the Acura line, which is the Alpine system, which I think is the best system out there.
What message does that send me?
Lexus=expensive, Toyota=cheap parts.
Honda=good parts, Acura=better looks.
Of course, this emergency feature should be used only to get you directly to the nearest dealer and not for cruising as people around DFW are fond of doing on their donut spare tires! :-(
Try it on a vehicle or engine made for another lesser company like Isuzu or GM. It is much more difficult to regain consumer confidence with quality products after a dud like the Cadillac V8-6-4 or GM "X" cars flopped than to keep a good reputation building only reliable vehicles.
Here it is:
http://www.hondapreview.com/odyssey/
From the Sienna: split fold away 3rd row and dash mounted shifter. (or did Toyota copy that from the Honda Element?)
I hope the next Odyssey looks more like the current model than that ugly ASM concept.
Lucky so far as Blazer reliability at 70,000 miles is exceeding the reliability predictions of Consumer Reports. Same with 1993 Ford F-150 although the 1994 Toyota Corolla Wagon is a normal, typical reliable Toyota. The Blazer is the primary vehicle for the long trips my wife and I take. The F-150 is my hunting and fishing vehicle and the Corolla is the wife's around town car.
Only thing about Honda is that they should have released this model last Fall. Now I see tons of Siennas on the road. Personally I like the Sienna, so bring out your best in the new Odyssey, Honda!
BTW, we will know when the new odyssey is close to release when the commercials for cheap lease deals are all over TV on the current Odyssey. Or perhaps just an increase in Odyssey commercials (not with lease deals). That was the case with the Acura TL (lease deals on outgoing model). There was even an ramp-up of Acura MDX commercials in late 2003 when they were trying to get rid of the 2003 models before the slightly updated '04 came out. I used to never see Odyssey commercials on TV, but recently I have seen many more of them... so something could be brewing...
As for Sienna's you can get them easily for at least $1,000 under MSPR through Costco or other discount warehouse chain's or credit union's auto buying programs. In the Sienna "prices paid" thread on Edmunds, a few people in the DC/Maryland area even claimed to have purchased Siennas for only a couple hundred over invoice during the last 2-3 days of 2003. I think once the new Ody, the new DC, and GM minivans come out this fall, the selling price for Siennas will drop dramatically. The Toyota dealers are getting as much $ out of the Siennas as they can before this happens.
http://thehollywoodextra.com/honda/honda.html
https://gateway.nifty.com/service/g-way/MAGX2/nifty/free/images/g- randwagon.jpg
Sorry I couldn't find a bigger one.
http://www.honda.co.jp/ODYSSEY/fun/
It comes with the auto 3rd role seat which is a great plus to beat the Sienna.
Doesn't look to bad, but not any better than the new Sienna.
Oh well, as long as the front grill and interior look like the ASM or [non-permissible content removed] Ody, it will be great.
Of course they want you to believe that it will take FOREVER for the new Ody to come out. If they told you it will be here anyday, would you still want to buy an "old" 04 model?
1. 2nd Row middle seat looks very uncomfortable like the Pilot middle seat and it has no extendable head rest. Not good for safety.
2. The small triangle of glass adjacent to the A-pillar looks like my 96 Odyssey. Not an efficient use of space.
3. Why make the 3rd row seating for only 2 people? Why not 3? Still a 1 piece design. The 60/40 Sienna design I think is better. The auto feature doesn't float my boat.
4. The front styling is more attractive than the 04 Sienna.
5. The bucket seat design appears vastly improved with nice side bolstering. This compares to as one person describing the current Odyssey seats as looking like an over stuffed mattress.
6. Question- Does the 2nd row seats remove or fold down into the floor? It looks like the design as implemented in the MDX and Pilot.
Overall some hits and misses. Need more information on exactly what the US version will be like.
Cheers!
Honda is not stupid. They won't go overboard on anything and the won't undercut on anything. It will be just right for most people, but it will not please everyone.
They will keep the price down, the luxury and technology up, and the exterior apperance very similar to the very popular good looking current US Odyssey.
Don't sweat it. It will be great.
http://www.honda.co.jp/motorshow/2003/auto/tokuhain/asm/index.htm- - - l
It will be out "Fall" of 2004.
http://www.tribune.net.ph/20040113/motoring/20040113.mot05.html