Honda Odyssey Future Models

cooldad24

In CA, the Oyssey demand is unbelieveable high. I have a friend with same theiry and waited for another year when I got mine in '99. He said it will cool off just like the Sienna a year ago. He end up bought the Odyssey in '01 at $500 over MSRP at dealer 150 miles away. Sound crazy but it's fact. It cools off since bottom half of last year. For those who live out of CA, you may wait. But for CA resident, it's going to be a while before the fever is gone. I don't know if the 2nd gen Odyssey will do the trick or not. But for those who can't wait any longer, pre-order at MSRP seems a better way to go. I am not dealer by the way.

mochisushi

I just talked with my employee...The car is definitely braking, not just coasting or downshifting. However, he doesn't know if the brake lights come on, but said he would try it some day with a friend following him (hopefully not tailgating him).

kgnw1

I have an '04 XLE Limited. The brake light comes on with the laser cruise control.

pluto168

> The brake light comes on with the laser cruise control

That's more comforting. Didn't think Toyota engineers are that dumb...

vertrkr

The assist cruise system will interprete the car distance threat level differently depending if the driver has the long or short preset distance set. By default the long distance is set when engaging the cruise so a car cutting in front of you at 10' might apply the brakes where as the same situation with the preset at short will not be as an immediate threat and may tell the system to coast to slow down instead of hitting the brakes. Just wanted to make this clear.

hansienna

Having many people on the waiting list for the 2005 Odyssey makes it very easy to charge AT LEAST MSRP.

cooldad24

What percentage you think the forum readers will be from all potential customers and owners of the the new Ody of 2005 models? 0.5%? 1%? It's the supply-demand issue. It's nothing wrong to pay MSRP as long as it worths that money. I won't pay $10,000 less for a Ford Freestar since I know it's not what I want. I may save a bunch but I will regret the whole ownership to feel the miss. If you shop for budget, steer off Ody and look for Sedona or Mazda MPV. Besides, Pre-order doesn't mean you have to buy it. You may walk off the dealer once you test drive the van but not satisfied or being overcharged. While some said it gave the dealer a look to decide the rip off, it also give the dealer a foresee the demand thus feel confident to order the max allocation. It's two sides factors and dealer with reputation play a critical role here. You may even place deposite in more than one dealer if you like (not recommend but it could be a backup). Simple call the other dealer after purchased yours (they have long waiting list so they don't care). If any dealer take the number of pre-order too seriously and jack up the price, he is dumb. Like the Los Gatos Honda I mention in previous posting, they soon drop the mark up and match everybody else in the SF bayarea to move the inventory. But for those who walked off the dealer, like me, won't return to them in the future due to their greed and bad reputation.

nard1977

My wife and I bought an '04 Ody EXL-RES in June and I'm enjoying it, but I really wanted a moonroof and the '04 doesn't offer that option. After we purchased our Ody, we test drove a Sienna XLE and I loved the open feel of the roof, as well as the power rear hatch, dual climate control, and that little mirror over the rear view mirror that lets you see everything going on in the back of the van without turning your head away from the road. Now, I think I hate myself for not getting exactly what I wanted. I've been seriously thinking about trading my Ody for a used Sienna XLE and eating about $5,000 in negative equity just to get what I really wanted, but I'm terrified that the '05 Ody will offer all those options (or at least most) at a sticker price at or below $30k. Currently, with demand so high even used Sienna XLE models with less than 20k miles are going for no less than $31k and up, but I assume the '05 Ody will lower the asking price of the Sienna, espcially if it's competively price. A Honda dealer told me the cost of new models tipically increases by 2% over the MSRP of the last model. MSRP for our EXL-RES was $30k (we bought it for $27k), so a 2% increase would mean an MSRP of $30.6k. Anybody have any advice? Does this sound realistic? Am I crazy for trading in a brand new '04 Ody and eating $5k in negative equity to get what I want? Help!!!!

lynnw

That is exactly why I am waiting until the '05 comes out. That way I can compare all the brands at equal trim levels. I can compare features and price. After the new '05 comes out I may get it or get another brand I just dont know and dont want to make any hasty decisions. I am not in a situation where I have to purchase a van right now, so I can afford to wait. Your decision is strictly up to you. You may want to live with your decision for a year or two and then get an '05 or you may decide you want the features and trade it in. Cars are terrible investments anyway so I would weigh all options before deciding. If there is one lesson I have learned in life it is never to settle. I get what I want how I want or I dont get it at all. It sounds selfish, but it works for me and I have no regrets.

sfuad

i bought sienna xle with moonroof, side curtain airbags, vehicle stability & traction control in april '04. The MSRP was $31600 but i got it for $28100. I live in memphis,tn but i bought it from atlanta, ga to get a good deal. Both honda's and toyota's are excellent vehicles, but sienna has a better interior, better ride (fuel consumption and pickup is exceptional) and better features the ody'04. Probably, 05 might be more improved. However, one thing is clear that when you compare both vehicles at the honda website, they dont even mention many features which are available in sienna and are not available on ody and just paint a rosy picture that ody is a better bet. If you are really interested in sienna, you can sell your vehicle from where you purchased and buy it from atlanta. The good thing about southeast toyota region is that whole inventory of the region is available on every dealership website, so you can easily find out the vehicle of your choice, color and features and dealers are willing to negotiate.

onlysurfer

Enjoy your Odyssey 'cas there always will be a tad better minivan for a small amount more (or a whole lot better for a large sum.) I went to local dealer for information about 05 odyssey, which, as per dealer, won't come out until the summer travel season is over, so, I leased 04 Odyssey and drove away next day.

There are those who drive and then there are those who wait. 05 Odyssey isn't out yet.

norne

enjoy your 04 ody. Is having a moonroof worth wasting $5k or more?

mochisushi

Don't know the cost, but you can always have an aftermarket moonroof installed. Had a friend that did that on his car...never had a problem and it had a really good warranty. So, keep the '04, put in the moonroof and enjoy it. Then, in a few years or so, trade it in at that point...you should have plenty of equity by then. My '99 was traded in at a Chevy dealer with 98K miles and I got about 43% of my "investment" back. Not bad for a car with a lot of miles.

fbear

Nard,
Enjoy what you have for a while. If you can live with it for a couple of years, the new models will be even better (Honda will roll out incremental features on the 2005) and you will be penalized much less on the trade up.

Meanhile, mochisu has a good idea if the moonroof is something you feel you must have. I had an after market moonroof installed in my 83 accord (my first ever "new" car) and it was just fine. For 5k you could add an after market moonroof plus an after market DVD system and have money left over.

gjay1170

Here are more spy shots. I got this sight from someone who posted it on Odyclub. Yeah, I know, I don't have much to do with my spare time but look at Honda Odyssey websites.

http://www.vtec.net/news/news-item?news_item_id=256094

fbear

Thanks for the link.
Question is:

    How much camaflauge is still present?

On front end- black grill may be disguised

On back end- Looks like the rectangular tail lights may be sawed off vertically on both sides by a careful tape job-

pluto168

Good looking front, I like those new lights, very bold looking. The back looks very similar to the current model.

nard1977

I was told that I couldn't get an aftermarket moonroof on the Odyssey because of its structural design. Do you know something different?

Also, don't you think the introduction of the '05s will dramatically reduce the trade-in values of '04s and below? I almost feel that if I don't do it within the next few months, I might as well not do it.

gjay1170

I just got the website from the Odyclub. More spy photos.

http://www.honda-acura.net/index.php?categoryid=1&p2_articlei- d=52

ac00lra

enjoy your 04 ody. Is having a moonroof worth wasting $5k or more? >/I>

It's more than just a sunroof. If you asked me, VCM is worth more than $5K by itself. Not to mention 10 more HP.

samnoe

The above link states one of the new features, between the rest: "3-zone climate control - an industry first"!

Is it a mistake? It supposed to say "an industry last"? This feature is already found in the Town & Country/Caravan, Freestar, Sienna and Silhouette.

-----------------------------

After all, the new Ody looks to me as an Odyssey and Freestar combination. The windows are smaller than Freestars, and the rear lamps are also mixed (half Ody / half Freestar), the front grille is similar to the Pilot, with no chrome, or chrome-looking anything on the spy photos. It has fog lights, though, which isn't available on the outgoing Odyssey, (only a dealer installed option for about $600).

I (and we all) still need to see a got photo from the interior.

July is almost over, and nada - still no information from Honda.

Andrew71, I haven't heard from you a long time. Are you set on the Sienna and say good-bye to Honda?? A while back you was the 'HOST' of this discussion board... every second post was from you... are you on vacation? Come on, I want your opinion!

mochisushi

I am not sure, but maybe they meant to say 3-zone AUTOMATIC climate control. I think the others may have 3-zone, but is each zone automatic?

hansienna

If accurate, the 2005 Odyssey styling is not as appealing to me as the 2004 Odyssey. Appears to be another case of "change just for the sake of change".
     

hayneldan

DC has had three zone automatic climate control since intro of the 01 vans. Set a individual numeric temperature separately for driver, front passenger, and rear passengers and the system does the rest.

mochisushi

Thanks. I may be grabbing for straws here, but maybe they meant 3-zone automatic climate control that WORKS. Keep in mind that I had a '97 Grand Caravan (for 2 years, then bought the '99 Ody), so I know a bit about these vans (at least the lemon that I got stuck with).

hayneldan

Do you think the 05 Odyssey will have an automatic transmission that doesn't fail?

mochisushi

For me, it can't be any worse than the transmission and all the other electrical and mechanical problems with the '97 GC. My Ody was flawless (except clock light and cup holder flap) through 98K miles when it was traded in.

pluto168

The new styling is almost like a SUV. Very nice, my wife will love it...

popper

Recently passed 130K trouble-free miles on my '00 Odyssey. This vehicle has been typical Honda reliable. Nothing like a real-life example to back up your claims. BTW, how's your Caravan?

badgerfan

I think Andrew got so engrossed in his NAV system he ran into a semi, and hsn't been able to post since! (Just joking, Andrew if you are still around) I do think things like NAV systems, cell phones etc are contributing to accidents that shouldn't happen from distracted drivers. I had one on a cell phone just last week that pulled out of a gas station in front of me and then stopped in front of me when she had a green light at the intersection adjacent to the gas station. I don't think she even heard me lay on my horn.

gjay1170

I have an '01 Ody and never a problem with my transmission. Is it a problem with '02-'04?

lynnw

My sister has an '03 and her transmission has a slight problem. It hesitates at lower cruising speeds. Anywhere between 35 and 40 mph it sometimes just sort of pauses for a second and then picks back up and keeps right on going. It is very strange. However, it is not serious enough to be noticeable to other drivers. It is more annoying than anything. I seriously hope the new models dont have this problem.

I personally like the way the new van looks. I really dont think it looks all that different from the current one. I really dont care for the dramatic slope down of the current one anyway, and prefer the front end on the '05. To me the back end doesnt look like it has chaged at all.

listener

Yesterday I was at dealer and was looking to book a touring model .. and dealer told me that touring model will have 8 seats .. 2 row is bench and not bucket seats .. definitely I am not going for it .. but anyone has heard the same thing ? Is it TRUE ?

lynnw

I have not heard this, but rather the opposite I think. I think in the touring model you should be able to have the choice or that it will have the 2 captains chairs. This is what I remember anyway. I dont want the 8 passenger seating, I think I want to have the 2 middle seats. I thought I saw from the post of the guy who test drove the vans that second row will have a sliding seat. Anyone else remember?

fbear

Does anyone else notice the lighter colored half moon which butts up against the front of the rear tail light? Looks to me like they are still disguising the full shape of the tail light. The side closest to the license plate also has a sharp vertical edge which may actually be tape hiding the full light which I would expect to flow more smoothly into the angled crease which flows downward from the rear window.

With recent design trends toward curved and body contoured shapes for head and tail lights, I will be surprised if the rear tail light ends up a pure rectangle as shown in the recent spy shots.

Same link as above for convenience
http://www.vtec.net/news/news-item?news_item_id=256094

mochisushi

Lynn,

Correct...It was the guy that posted on autospies.com. Here is the quote.

13. Second row seats fold. Also right 2nd row seat can slide to the center. In Sienna you have to remove the seat. No Stow and go, however with the seats fold, you stil have more space than new Town and Country, because new OD is longer and bigger. 60/40 seats on 3rd row seat like in my Sienna. Same concept as Sienna."

hayneldan

On my third one, 94, 96 and now 03. All were Top of the line, loaded with options. No transmission or air cond problems. One recall on 96 for clockspring in steering wheel, and power steering pump leak, all covered.

lexi4life

I heard there was gonna be a touring model, but it's gonna have six seats. 3 rows of 2 captain chairs. (It'll be a kind of wagon, or sportier model for people who want a minivan but don't need 7-8 passenger seating). There will also be a 8 seating model too, 1 row of captain chairs and 2 rows of benches.

jim1462

Dealer personnel to begin driving(testing) 05 Ody beginning mid August at various locations.Los Angeles and Boston first.This will continue until end of Sept.Therefore public should be getting official data soon,either Honda or Magazines

ac00lra

Yesterday I was at dealer and was looking to book a touring model .. and dealer told me that touring model will have 8 seats .. 2 row is bench and not bucket seats .. definitely I am not going for it .. but anyone has heard the same thing ? Is it TRUE

Actually my dealer didn't tell me anything about the 8-pass and 2nd row thingy. I just went there to pick out the color today. I selected Desert Rock Touring Nav+RES, BTW. I tried to get more info out of them without any luck. All they can tell me is that the Touring model will have the power liftgate and bigger wheels. The salesguy said he will get to test drive it on Aug 23rd and can tell me more by then. I sure hope the lazy susan rumor is true. That would be awesome. My dealer also said so far 60% of their folks on the 05 Ody waiting list selected the top-of-line Touring model. So do you hear that Acura? People DO want luxury vans so you better get them here sooner. :-)

player4

This is new!!

here it is


http://www.honda-acura.net/images/2004/news/spyody_0403.jpg?

mochisushi

How come everyone can get a pic of the dash, but NOBODY can snap one of the second row...even with the front seat in the way????

samnoe

The drink is blocking the ... controls, and the shifter will also block some controls when in Drive... How come?

Someone mentioned somewhere (?) that the Ody will have a beautiful interior, much better than the Sienna... Looking at the above image I make Hmmm.... and a big HMM!!!!......... Is this the beautiful dashboard everybody's talkin' about?

This is a VERY VERY plain dash. Again everything gray and black. Brrr... Except if the real photos will show different.

pluto168

> Someone mentioned somewhere (?) that the Ody will have a beautiful
> interior, much better than the Sienna... Looking at the above image
> I make Hmmm.... and a big HMM!!!!......... Is this the beautiful
> dashboard everybody's talkin' about?

The judgement on styling is always going to be subjective. I'm with you - the dash does look very plain. Sienna's looks much better. I like the exterior styling of both Ody and Sienna. So if the real one is the same as what's shown in the photos, I'd go with the Sienna XLE.

ac00lra

I agree. I think the interior doesn't look "plush" or "stunning" from what I see so far compared to what I read. Doesn't look as efficient or plush as the Accord either. That shifter knob looks mighty big there. :-) The only thing I like about the new interior based on the shots so far is the Nav screen. That's more appropriate for a van. I hope the instrument cluster will be similar to the Accord.

lynnw

That is probably the most clear interior shot I have seen so far. I did notice that the dash that contains the a/c controls apprears to be painted very badly. Hopefully the panel that will be on the actual sold van will look better. I have to agree now that the Sienna XLE interior does look nicer, but this is only a test vehicle that is highly camoflagued so I will wait to see the final product on that. However, I do find it interesting and aggravating both, that no one has yet taken photos of the passenger cabin in this thing. Come on people, if you see one out there please make it priority number one to show us that.

hansienna

I like the clean, functional look of the spy shot better than the busy, cluttered look of the Sienna.

jmess

Looks like the folding center table has the same stupid shallow drink holders as my 04. Get on the brakes a little harder than normal and just about anything will fly out.

carguy1234

I don't agree with the clean and functional part of the new Ody spy shot. I never liked those in dash cup holders. Our old Outback had those, and not only do drinks block controls as others pointed out, but if they spill, you are pouring liquid on the electronics!

I hope this isn't the final version.

jmess- my friend also has a current model Ody, and has the same complaint about stuff flying out of the center table cup holders.

jchan2

for some reason I don't have that same problem.