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Comments
Frankly, you can pretty much do that with an merican make (especially a truck). Configure it just like you want (within reason), and they build it for you. Doesn't really happen on any Japanese car though.
But, it would be nice to get the EX-L equipment, minus the power hatch (and power doors), but with the roof.
Actually, that sounds like a new model: the LX-LR. Just take an LX, add alloys, moonroof, leather and power drivers seat, and there you go. Would sell like hotcakes, and have less problems down the road without the motorized doors and hatch.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
Advantages: Get and pay exactly for what you want; No more confusing option packages; Get approved online w/o a sales manager; etc.
Disadvantages: No more haggling price (maybe it's an advantage?); No test drives on dealers lot; and some more...
Somebody pointed out that reliability will be very bad if cars will be built that way, different for any individual.
Cars are much more complicated to build than PC's, which most people can do by themselves.
But... We can never know what else the internet will change in our life...
-people like to haggle
-Trade ins
-financing issues
-people want test drives (how are you going to know if you want it)
- what to do with all the bizarre configurations that people order, but decide they don't want.
Still, it would be nice to have some more flexibility. Toyota in theory does better with their myriad options packages (what, 14 for LE alone)? I say in theory since they actually only build a few of them, so you get what they decide to make, just like Honda.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
You can also order it at the dealer, and each dealer has a certain number of Spec vans, kind of like how a home builder has a few Spec Homes for sale that are in popular combinations. The Spec Vans could be the most popular options on the most popular trim line. The Spec Vans are also there to test drive. Every dealer follows a no haggle policy like Saturn. There's no year end clearance (except for the Spec Models) because every car is special ordered. This may take time, but it'll arrive at your favorite dealer just the way you want it. It's less like the Dell Computer ordering system and more like the ordering system for a new house.
- Bidding contracts between dealers and makers. Dealers have exclusive right to sell the automobiles as the sole channel (new ones) Automobile sales is heavily regulated to prevent Anti-Trust. This alone is much more complicated than selling PCs
- Order and Build is certainly possible. I bought my BMW 540iA exactly as I wanted it by ordering (color, options). I waited for three months to get it. For another $1800 you get to match any color you want. Just provide an example (your favorite T-shirt color?). However, this works for high-end vehicle because of production slow-down. For high volume vehicles, the cost would increase significantly. Say, for $1000 more, how many would choose this "customization" option? Even that, you can't by-pass dealers. They get a small chunk of money.
personally, i like to drive the car i buy.
honda should keep the trim levels to a small number. i think fewer options actually makes the product more valuable.
once upon a time, i think Dell *did* provide different color plastic accents on their computers (although it might have been another manufacturer), but I don't think they ever offered anywhere near the number of different combinations for the Sienna.
http://www.edmunds.com/future/2005/honda/odyssey/100396379/photos- - .html
Again apologize if this has already been talked about.
CB
You guys can see the similarities with this pic.
like it's funky styling but, I must say, the
Japanese version of the Odyssey is a nice
looking set of wheels. I had read, and the spy picture appears to confirm, that the US version
would be much more conservative. Why do you suppose that is? I mean Honda owners are very loyal andI bet they'd buy whichever one
came to the US market. If anything I think they'd get more Odyssey buyers with the Japanese
version. They will always get the Honda loyalists, but they might pick-up the buyers who are looking for a more daring/unique design, buyers like myself.
Anyway, just a thought. I hope all of you enjoy your new 05 Odyssey. I'm sure it'll be
a great van.
Pretty much just drop the Accord dash and seats in there, add the moonroof, and I'll write the cehck.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
It looks like a bigger MPV with current Odyssey line from A-pillar backward. Too bad, we can't see the rear end. Sienna has a nice looking rear end (better than the front end, IMHO).
Good job, Honda! Now, reduce the road noise, please!
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
I hope the Touring model has chrome, leather, woodtrim, moon-roof, and fog lights.
If so, it is almost too good to be true.
That front looks extremely like an Acura, better than the Sienna and anything else out there.
It looks a little bigger and longer than the current Ody IMO, which is fantastic to me.
Man, it is too good to be true. That front end (with chrome, of course) reminds me of the new '05 flagship Acura RL!
It makes perfect sense to me because Honda/Acura is going for the more rounder looks in all there cars.
Great job for finding this cbwantsan05 !!!!!!
The current Ody's rear veiw also looks great. If the front-end looks that great (with Chrome grille) like an Acura RL, I'm sure the rear end will look great too since the rear end is very easy to make look good in a minivan.
Looks extremely promising to me.
It's going to look more like a luxury vehicle, especially the touring model, than a sports car, which is the way it should be IMO.
My Friends Photoshop i asked him to remove the tape from the headlamps adn grille. He also enlarged it
Some dude at ODYCLUB photoshop
If your friend can add fog lights, cross-bars and roof-rack, and 17" alloy wheels, it will look even better.
But I am extremely impressed with the Acura RL-like front end! Most impressive.
Anybody think the Ody will have row-down windows for all three rows based on thise pic?
And why not stow-away seats for both 2nd and 3rd row?
Such an impressive animal as this deserves impressive interior features.
It looks good to me. The mirrors look like those on Sienna. But come on... the sliding door track is still there. The finished product with foglights, alloy wheels, roof racks should be great.
I think it looks nice and clean, and will age well.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
But how do we know he's even accurate.
I don't even recall him saying anything about a Touring w/NAV+DVD model. What do you think will be the difference between a Touring model w/NAV+RES and a EX-L model w/NAV+RES?
My guess is that the Touring model is a luxury model with woodtrim.
But I think all the models will have chrome on the grille, just like the current Odyssey.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
Maybe it's just me or it's the dull color in the spy shot. The new Ody looks VERY yucky to me, and overall it gives a bald feeling. Maybe it'll look better in person and with a roof rack?
Is this really a completely redesigned Ody (assuming same power train)? If it is, it might be wise to wait a months for them to iron out the early production problems.
1. It rides lower (better handling).
2. It is much more aerodynamic (better fuel mileage.)
To me, the new look works just like any Honda designs. It is timeless, not fancy or impressive. With some chrome pieces at the front end, it would look expensive. I especially like the new Acura RL's head lights. I plan to buy an RL this year. I also plan to replace my current '01 Odyssey with another one in '06 or '07. The new look does not disappoint me. Sienna's front end and side profile are disappointing. Quest is stylish, but out there.
I don't think it's fair to say it looks bad based on a spy pic with tape everywhere.
Have you driven in the new Ody?