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Comments
As for the dash mounted cup holder...I never used it. Just the one on the table.
That's funny :-)
Well, yes, I've been on vacation the last 2 weeks, and an interesting thing happened on my car rental in L.A.
I had reserved a minivan w/Hertz NeverLost GPS, but they ran out at the time of pick-up. So they let me drive a Lincoln Navigator for the same rental price. After one week, I was pretty impressed. Given the fact that Lincoln has historically given huge discounts at the end of the year---like $12K off for Navigator (one person quoted $14K off MSRP)----I might just get myself one of these instead.
For 2005, the Navigator comes with a 6-speed Automatic. The NAV is not as good as the Acura or Honda Accord, but it is also Voice-Activated and touchscreen plus 6-Disc CD changer THX sound system.
What got me:
1) IMO, the most symmetrically balanced layout interior of any vehicle I have ever seen including any Lexus, Acura, Mercedes, or BMW.
2) Nice front grille and license plate garnish.
3) Very quiet interior even at 75mph. I could speak to my wife who was on the 3rd row very easily without yelling, unlike in my '03 Odyssey.
4) Smooth ride, smoother than my Ody.
I know Ford makes the Lincoln Navigator and I would have NEVER EVER thought I would actually like anything other than Lexus/Toyota or Acura/Honda, but this vehicle is really nice.
207.5" long, 80.2" wide, 6-Speed tranny, drinks gas like water (13mph city), but I like it.
Okay, back to the Honda Odyssey.
At this point, I think the '05 Ody looks pretty good, but I don't think it looks any better or worse on the exterior/interior overall than the Sienna Limited.
I'm still interested in seeing the finished product of the '05 Ody.
That's why I'm still here checking out the forum.
However, if I can get $13K off on the Navigator Ultimate 2WD w/ Navigation + DVD RES (I don't need 4WD), the price would be $45K, which is not that much more than a Sienna Limited w/HO package.
Peace,
Andrew
I think NAV can give you a lot of confidence in your driving, giving you more patience and coolness in traffic.
Knowing that I will never be lost allows me to take my time and not rush traffic.
I love NAV.
But you already knew that:-)
When asked if they will be available with all wheel drive, he says: Yes (!).
Can anyone with insight confirm/deny this ?
Yes, i know the Ody may not 'need' awd, etc, but still curious to know if it will be an option upon release.
Thanks
His guess is that Honda will add AWD in a future year to create a buzz for an otherwise unchanged model.
Power Liftgate NO YES
Memory Seats NO YES
LEather EX-L YES
i dont kno any other features.
It is Michelin's first high-volume use in U.S.
Honda Motor Co.'s redesigned Odyssey minivan will be offered this fall with Michelin's Pax run-flat tire system, according to Honda sources. The minivan, produced in Lincoln, Ala., will be the first Honda in the world fitted with run-flat tires."
I wonder what they will do with the space left behind for the spare? Stow n Go like foldable seats? Hybrid batteries for 06?
Storage under the floor is probably just where junk will go to die.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
"Honda will introduce an all-new touring model to its already strong line-up. The new model will meet the needs of buyers loking for upscale features that are typically found in luxury vehicles. Some features in the Touring models include, Premium Audio, Power Tailgate, Driver Seat Memory, Auto Dimming Mirrors, Tri-Zone Automatic Climate Control, Auto On/Off Headlights, and much, much more. Another feature requested by customers is the Sunroof, which is now standard on all EX with Leather and Touring Models."
I don't think anything more official has been published yet.
Dealers are ordering somewhat blindly based on the pocketbooks and appetite-for-luxury of their clientele. GM at my dealer said the bulk of his order will be EX-L and up. Expect LX and EX to be hard to find.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
Things are changing buddy. Don't know about the Navigator, but give you an example, the 2001 Malibu actually has better reliability that the 2001 Accord per J.D. Power. The domestics are sure catching up in terms of reliability. Now if only they can work out an elegant interior and keep the rebates coming...
Sure, they still have a way to go, but they are much closer than people think. Lincoln Navigator/Aviator got some rewards as one of the best looking interiors on the world! And quality is also high, (but still not Lexus quality), and they are very quiet cruisers even at 80 mph. They also have good steering and excellent road manners.
But I agree that minivans are for a different purpose than SUV's, especially those jumbo ones as Navigator, which is also a big fuel drinker.
Back to Odyssey.
At Ralph Schomp Honda in the Denver area, they aren't even taking deposits at this time...just names on a list, but they did order my preference (Desert Rock Pearl in Touring edition). However, when I first talked with the salesman that I have dealt with in the past, I stated that I may not be ready when they first come out, but wanted to be high on the list in case I was or to ensure that in six or nine months, if there was still a list, I would not have to wait longer. He stated that he would simply move me down the list so that "my car" would arrive whenever I was ready to buy. I am also not locked into this particular car...If I choose to go with the EX-L in a different color, I will still have that option, although it may not be available in the initial allocation. So, basically, all I am is the third name on a list...I get third choice of the cars as they come in, I can wait a few months until I am ready to purchase, or not do anything at all and just keep my Pilot. They are definitely easy to work with...and contrary to many people's beliefs, they ARE interested in repeat customers and their reputation. That's why they are the largest volume dealer in the area.
As to JD Power, they collect their info from dealers and customer feedback cards. The latter has been manupulated somehow by offering free stuff from dealers to achieve good result. It's not clear how they count the problems or the contents of evaluation stnadard. I tend not to trust their results. For instant, I am puzzle of their "1st 3 months quality", what is that mean? Less problem? Not exactly. Preparation? Included but no defination what preparation included. More likely based on customer feedback card. I was told by dealer that I can receive one free oil change if I bring in the card show good to excellent on all categories. For most, why not and so they did. how can you trust this kind of data? If anyone disagree, please show me the methodology they use to conduct the surveys.
I also thought their "star" rating system is too vague, simple and qualitative to be truly useful. But again I'm not crazy about CR's red or black dots either.
I WAS talking about improvement in reliability, although domestics' quality has also improved dramatically (actually probably more so than their reliability). GM's midsize sedans have been winning JD's best initial quality awards for the last few years.
The last import I owned was a 1983 Honda Civic, so you could say I don't have a very good personal point of reference. I'm sure the average consumer's preconceived notion has a lot to do with the "perceived reliability". In reality, a domestic owner and an import owner may have the same # of problems, but the import owner goes "talk about legendary Honda reliability!" and the Chevy guy may kick the car in frustration and go "it's indeed a piece of crap as they say!"
Does Andrew have stock in BIG OIL or work for Halliburton?
Thanks for replying. So, all you did was ask to put your name on a list, but no money changed hands? Did he say when he'd have any available? Not that I can test drive a car in Denver. I just remember in 2000 when the new Odyssey's were out back then. I wanted to test drive one and it was "no way" unless you've ordered it and it's basically your car until you either buy it or release it and get your deposit back. I hope it isn't going to be that way again, because if it is, I'm afraid I'll run the opposite direction--which might not serve me in the long run.
So far, they have not requested any deposit. If it is anything like my '03 Pilot, they will ask about a month or so before arrival (I was first on the list for the Pilot). Their deposit is FULLY refundable. My sister-in-law got on the Pilot waiting list about ten names behind me. However, by the time her car choice arrived, she had decided on a Sequoia. The other thing good about Ralph Schomp is that if you give them your credit card, they will ONLY verify that the card is good and there is $500 available credit. They never actually charge the card. They show you the credit verification slip to show you there was no charge and then attach it to the order sheet. Then, when we bought the car, they tore up the credit card verification slip. They did the same thing and mailed it to my sister-in-law when she decided not to buy. No hard feelings because they always hope they will come back in the future. They also know that I won't be back if they mistreat someone that I recommend to them.
As for test drives, you do not have to place a deposit to test drive. You generally have to set an appointment, though, as there is a line of people waiting to drive it. Once again, this information is based on experience. This happened in '99 before we bought our Odyssey. We test drove it the first day, then didn't order for another six months. That's when we gave our deposit.
You might want to check out odyclub.com, too. There may be some people in your area that can recommend a good dealer. Or you can drive up to Denver and go to mine. Good Luck. Hope this helps.
I've always stuck with Lexus/Toyota/Honda.
SUVs are not as practical as minivans for a family hauler since SUVs are bulky with less interior space and are not fuel efficient.
I was just impressed after one week with the Navigator.
And no, I would not get spinning wheels on it:-)
One thing that is sticking in my mind is why did Toyota give the Sienna a SINGLE CD player in their TOP-OF-THE-LINE XLE Limited with NAV+RES ??????????
Seems like everyone else, domestic and foreign, has 6-CD changers with their NAV!!!
I apologize if I mislead in my comments.
The Navigator is nothing equal to a Lexus in terms of quality, ride, or quietness.
I was just saying that I think the interior layout is more symmetric than a Lexus LX, GX, or RX.
I also think it was very quiet and smooth compared to my '03 Odyssey.
I don't know. The world may be coming to an end:-)
3 weeks ago I would have never ever even looked at any "domestic" vehicles. I hate Ford, Chevy, Chrysler, etc., in general. But the Navigator and Aviator's looks, especially interior, really impress me.
So I don't think the Navigator or ANYTHING might be as good as a Lexus period.
But I just hate the fact that a Lexus LX is only 193" long and costs over $70K, and I have never heard of them giving more than $5K off MSRP on the Lexus compared to $12-14K off on the Navigator.
Okay, back to Odyssey Future Model. Could we like actually see a finished product this century please? Is that asking way too much of Honda?
Like I always say, now if they can put some Acura Navigation system in those Hyundai/Kia/Daewoo (they are the same company, right?), we might have something there.
I heard the 2006 Kia Sedona is going to have a short and long wheelbase versions to compete with Sienna, Odyssey, and D/C.
Okay, put the Navigator/Aviator's interior inside the Sedona; put the Acura's NAV in it; add DVD RES; and the Sedona will be hot. Right?
That will never happen.
Oh wait, it's not 7/04 anymore, is it.......
So, what's the latest GUESS about when hard info will be released?
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
August 23rd
Only 20 more days of congecture, spy photos, wild assumptions, shady leaked info from 'insiders', and assertions that the new Ody will blow away the competition based on price and features......without knowing what the price and features will be!!!
woot!
8^)
http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/2004-08-03-odyssey_x.htm
I wonder if it is possible for Honda to get the car in the showrooms BEFORE the official release of info?
8^)
My wife thinks the '04 Ody looks better than the '05 Ody.
She thinks the Sienna is "ugly", but the spy photo '05 Ody looks ugly too.
I think the Navigator w/NAV (hey, that sounds really good!) looks better than all of them.
Who knows, perhaps the bigger and more improved 2006 Kia Sedona may even look better than the Ody and Sienna. Hyundai "luxury" division may also have a minivan. And I might be sitting in one. And proud of it. The world is really coming to an end:-) This has been a long week.
It might not look better to your eyes, but it does serve several functions.
-juice
YMMV.
-juice
You can bet Honda won't be using the LX for official photos & promotions.
Better yet, switch to a synthetic wax that doesn't stain trim in the first place. Klasse for instance.
-juice
Yeah, but then you've got all that messy dog slobber to deal with until the vey last molecule of peanut butter is gone.
sorry, off topic...8^)
-juice
1. I think it will set a new standard on features, even though the Sienna already has many new and innovative features, the Ody will add even more.
2. Demand for the Sienna might slip. People will now have something comparable to the Sienna and will have a choice. Toyota will have competition thus causing their prices to hopefully drop as a result.
3. Sienna will still be a super strong competitor to Honda and Honda will/may not be able to ridiculously increase their prices over MSRP in fear that they will lose the respect and sales to Toyota. Same goes for Toyota.
4. The average minivan buyer will benefit from the competition and get a much better vehicle for a much better price.
I for one am looking forward to what the introduction of the new Ody will do to the market. I feel the pricing will be fair, but still somewhat high for the very high end models. I will then have a choice of what make to purchase. From the looks of the spy photos the front end looks alot like the Sienna to me. I personally think the Sienna's are ugly. I hate the looks of them and thought their lower end models interiors looked cheap with all their cheap plastic parts and trim. However, having said that, if Honda is going to be all full of iteself and ask for top dollar or above MSRP and I can buy a comparable 2nd year model of the Sienna, I just might.