Honda Odyssey 2005+

hifisoftware

Actually it might be somewhat easy to oversteer new Odyssey. When I test drove 05 Odyssey this weekend, steering felt strange. I could not completely realize why, except of one occasion. I remember that after I almost completed a turn I released steering wheel and accelerated. I expected steering wheel to return to a neutral position. It did not. I quickly corrected this oversteer, but it was unpleasant. I would not say that there is anything wrong with steering, it's just different. It's minivan after all. My main car is 03 Accord.

stever

Perhaps the tires were over-inflated or you weren't expecting the torque steer inherent in FWD cars?

Steve, Host

amykkbc

It happened to me many times, if I didn't pull the steering wheel back to neutural position, the car will continue to turn even it was on a flat hightway. But once it's running straight, it'll go straight. seems like the spring is not strong enought to pull the wheel back to neutural, there may be a steering problem. It was on a touring, any insider can answer this?

minyi

Just a follow-up my previous posts. Just picked up a 2005 RX330, which I thought a good alternative to 05 OD (of course it depends on each family needs). With the premium plus pkg, paid $37,500 - $6,000 (trade-in) + TTL + free tint ($300). Walk out was $33,4xx, which was roughly $1,200 over invoice. My wife loves it, and my kids love it.
 
$4,658.00 Premium Plus Package with Additional Options
  Premium Plus Package with Adaptive Front Lighting System (AFS) with High-Intensity Discharge (HID) headlamps, Roof rails/roof rack. Also includes: Leather-trimmed interior, Power tilt-and-telescopic steering column with memory, Illuminated entry system and Power tilt-and-slide moonroof with one-touch open/close and sliding sunshade.
Additional Options:
  - Two-level heated front seats (includes rain-sensing variable intermittent wipers and headlamp washers)
  - 18-in alloy wheels (235/55VR18 and full-size spare)
  - Towing package
  - Six-disc CD changer
  - Preferred Accessory Package (includes cargo mat and wheel locks)

The main reason for me to chose this alternative was, first, it was just simply too much of a hassle at the Honda dealership. Second, my kids love it more than my wife and I. Third, it maybe arguable but to me seem RX300 was more safer. Foruth, it was possible since I decided to keep my old van even though I will be driving it, and my wife drives the RX330. Finally, even though Honda has a excellent track record of good resale value, I thought the resale market for a used van was just not that big. I found our this when I dealt for trade-in value for my old van. I would think of very few reason for people to turn to buy an used van sicnce the newer models will be always better than before. Which is actually why most of folks are for the forum, right? And, most of all, Lexus has an excellent service. They give a loaner car even if you go there for an oil change, which costs about the same as others.

I know it is a bit off the topic, but just my 02 cents...

ezucker

I've owned a 2000 Odyssey for nearly 5 years, and I've never heard gas slosh.

-- EVAN

anonymousposts

I do hear gas sloshing in my 04 Odyssey. It's not terribly noticable unless you have all sound off and are listening specifically to hear it.

norne

wow you were able to discount 4k off msrp on that rx 330? I thought those things are still going for msrp or very little discounting.

ceric

I don't understand why people cross-shop Odyssey and RX330. The cost of ownership is very different. From $187 oil change to premium gas.

blackexv6

RX330,good choice. I saw the Touring Ody this past weekend. The sticker was $35k with no NAV or RES. Pretty salty for a minivan. Myself, I will not pay more than $30-32k for a van and it better have leather, NAV&RES for that price.

I starting to wonder if an $18,000 Grand Caravan is the way to go. At the end of the day it is just a box on wheels to haul kids & groceries. My 2 cents.

hansienna

Another alternative is the 2005 Odyssey LX @$24,995. It has many safety features not on the $18,000 Grand Caravan.
     However, will there be any "plain" Odyssey LX minivans with no extra options?

andrewtran71

I can never understand why buy an "SUV" if it can only seat 5?
Might as well buy a sedan like ES330 since it seats 5 too and has the same engine.

That's one thing I hate about Lexus, although I own a Lexus LS400. They keep on making these small vehicles.
Their "LARGE" SUV LX470 is smaller than a Ford Explorer or Lincoln Aviator. That's ridiculous!

The RX330 is a great vehicle since it is a Lexus, and I do love the Lexus ride and quality, but the RX330 has about half the space as a Sienna.

Of course, the RX330 looks A LOT better inside and out than any Sienna or Ody! It is a Lexus.
If only Lexus took over the Sienna!

andrewtran71

wow you were able to discount 4k off msrp on that rx 330?

I can get $4K off RX330 or $5K off GX470 in OKC.
But both are way too small for me.

crv16

Concerning oversteering Ody's:

I've experienced this on several Hondas that I've test driven. It comes down to the fact that new vehicles are shipped from the factory with a very high tire pressure (presumably to prevent damage in transit?). When the vehicles arrive at the dealer, they are supposed to deflate the tires to the proper pressure, but I've noticed that doesn't always occur.

If the tires have the over-inflated pressure, the steering wheel will exhibit a reluctance to "return to center" when you let go of the wheel.

I'd suggest a retest of the Odyssey, this time bring your tire pressure gauge, or ask the salesperson to check it.

3bebe

I saw on collegehills you can order the little strip of chrome to go above the license plate like on touring.

Does anyone have experience with applying aftermarket chrome pieces like that? Is it just stick on and will it stay on like the factory chrome? My husband really likes the chrome piece too, but we needed the eighth seat option.
I still can't believe Honda didn't put it in the touring!

3bebe

Has anyone recieved theirs or seen any at a dealer? We are waiting on ours, but our dealer said there is a hold up or something at the Honda plant.

People keep talking about prices dropping soon, but as far as I know the Navi models have not arrived and that could be what many people are waiting for. The models you see at some dealers still are the ones without Nav I believe. It will be awesome, but am getting anxious waiting for it. My dealer has not received any new odysseys since his initial allotment.

lok888

I think these vehicles were designed and primary for Japanese markets and many parts of the world. And we get the same vehicles with a Lexus badge.

onboost91

"People keep talking about prices dropping soon.."

The salesman I spoke to the other day said that the new Odyssey's would be selling at full MSRP for several years. LOL, I sure hope not!

isellhondas

Back in 1999 I read on these forums about this terrible gas sloshing problem and I had no idea what people were talking about until a couple of years later, on a quiet night.

I was backing an Odyssey up a hill with a speed bump when I actually heard it.

It's amazing (to me)what can be a big deal to some people.

fbear

What color is the Ody pictured inside the front cover of the new brochure? It is either the silver showing a bit of a champagne tinge or the Desert Rock showing only a hint of gold to it. Has anyone seen the Desert Rock in person? Is it lighter than the current "Sandstone Metallic"?

Slate green delay?
Has anyone actually seen the Slate Green? I am told that the factory has not begun to produce that color yet and may not for another month or more.

Test drove a touring (no NAV/RESI) today. Acceleration and handling both a clear step up from my current 2000 Ody.

ezucker

I saw the Slate Green Metallic at Pacific Honda in San Diego on September 18. I was underwhelmed, mainly because it sure didn't look green to me, while the salesman tried to get me excited about the metallic specks.

-- EVAN

hifisoftware

"The salesman I spoke to the other day said that the new Odyssey's would be selling at full MSRP for several years." :-)

Maybe he was telling you about his dream :-) Of course he wants you to believe this. He also would want it to be true, but yet anyone knows that it will not be selling at MSRP that long. It's all about supply and demand. There will be a big supply, since Honda will make a lot of money on it only with high volume. Demand will be reasonable. Many potential customers are people already with minivan. There are some people who want to buy their first minivan (like me), but they are not more numerous then any other year. Many people who already have a minivan have already upgraded recently to previous Odyssey model or to the new Sienna. Many who waned to upgrade their minivan have done so when new Sienna came out. Sienna is still being sold very well.

Another way to look at this Sienna was selling well under MSRP even during a summer, when it's strongest competition was from 04 Odyssey which was due to be replaced with 05 model.

It's arguable how fast the price will be coming down. My guess is that we will be 500-1000k below MSRP by the end of this year. When sales slow down in December dealers will start cutting deals. Yet there is no way the price will stick to MSRP for several years.

clasonde

Does anyone have information about or a good link to the production schedule at the Lincoln plant for the '05.

Also, has anyone seen a Touring w/ NAVI or an EX-L w/ NAVI yet?

px260

Hi, I have never owned a minivan before, I wonder how useful it is to be able to roll down the 2nd row window on the new Ody? Is this a potential safety hazard since kids usually sit there?

FYI. My neighborhood dealers have been offering EX-L with RES at $32,4k. I think it is at or close to MSRP. Does anyone know? One dealer has $7,500 mock-up over MSRP.

andrewtran71

There are specialty auto places that can install aftermarket chrome for a small fee.

My '03 Ody EX-L w/NAV has more chrome than the Touring because of aftermarket chromes:-)

They have custom chrome grilles, fender trims, and rocker panels. Now add in that license plate garnish chrome.

Yeah, I cannot believe they did not even offer the option for the PlusOne seating on the "Ultra-Luxury" Touring.

I think it's kind of luxury, but "ULTRA-LUXURY"?
Please!
I think that's a joke on Honda's part.
Heck, I don't even think the $48K '05 Acura RL is Ultra Luxury!

If it were not for the LUXURY Navigation system and RES, I wouldn't even think the Touring is any luxury at all.
Now the '05 RL does have the ULTRA-LUXURY NAVIGATION SYSTEM!

gtahobe

I don't see how it can be a safety hazard at all. I mean, won't that be the same "potential safety hazard since kids ususally sit there" as in every sedan ever built?

clasonde

Also there is a 2nd row window lock on the driver's door similar to the power door on/off switch so that a mom or dad can disable not only the power sliding doors but also the new 2nd row power windows.

stickguy

there is also a safety feature that prevents the sliding doors from opening all the way when the window is down (to prevent a head from getting caught).

There must be some really dumb kids and inattentive parents out there.

Besides, the seats are so far from the windows, most kids won't be able to hang out anyway (assuming they are belted in).

It is nice to be able to get ventilation through though, and is less claustraphobic for the 2nd and 3rd row passengers.

Open all the windows and the roof and you will also clean out the trash in the van pretty quick.

onboost91

I believe that $32.4 is indeed the MSRP for an EX-L with RES (check www.hondacars.com for pricing).

Personally I don't think the ability to roll down the window compromises safety. I would guess that there is also a driver locking mechanism so that they can't be lowered by anyone in the 2nd and 3rd rows. (Oops, yep someone above beat me and confirmed it!)

david11

just purchased black ex-l and don't see any special place for coins but the brochure said coin box. am I missing an insert to one of the storage boxes? Does anyone know what they are calling the coin box?

PS. paid MSRP with included all season mats, mud flaps, and touch-up paint.

paulggg

No Aux input : - (

I want to hook up my iPod to our new EX (but I don't want to go the FM transmitter route). I expect there is a way to hook up to the head unit, since you can add XM satellite receiver or tape player.

Has anyone here done that?

Paul

xyz2004slc1

Thats ridiculous your dealer is saying that! I live in the Charlotte, NC area and there are already dealers advertising prices $3000 below MSRP for EX-L below and $4000 below MSRP for touring!

matmech

I'll fly down there if it is true! What is the catch? Finance at 9.9% ???

farmer3

Please tell us the name of the dealership/s.

Thanks!

lumbar

The operative word may be "advertising." It probably also says, in print the size of a gnat's ear, "document preparation fee: $4,299."

masterpaul1

I think all of the safety features on the power roll down 2nd row windows are great. But for me, I think it is a safety risk even with all of the safety features to prevent injury. Yes, other vechicles do have rear roll down rear windows, but these vechicles are not made like a minivan. Take for example the second row seats. Even though they are a good distance from the door, the seats are higher then that of other vechicles. Another thing is that kids can stand up in the van without having to hold onto the front seat unlike cars. Our six year old son when standing up in our van, waist is at the base part of the window. Since there is space on the side of the seat between the door, he could easily stand there and hand out the window when it's down. (It only takes a second for a child to unbuckle a seat belt). As far as ventilation is concerned, we get enough air in the 2nd and 3rd row with the front windows down and rear vent windows open. On the highway, we have the AC on or the outside air vent open to get the fresh air without needing to use the AC.

sharifsm

I live in charlotte too, I did not read any such ad. u lying.

alisa4home

I live in North Carolina too and would like to know the name of any dealer willing to go below MSRP. Thanks!

alexmish

Hmm, "oil change costs about the same as others" ??? On what planet ?

All Lexus dealerships around me charge $95 for the oil change. Yeah, the also wash the car for "free"... And since oil change takes 45 mins, no loaner !

ceric

I don't want to hijack this board to discuss Lexus in details. The $187 oil service is actually for 7.5K miles. It includes "tire rotation" and some 30 points inspection on top of the $95 oil change. Yes, they wash and vacuum your vehicles nicely (machine washed, remind you). No loaner unless for major service like 15K.

My BMW dealer charges me $49 for oil change and 27 points inspection. $79 if you go with synthetic.

ceric

I wonder if this is safe enough from side impact perspective.


Toyota ISIS

More Pictures
go to the red links at the bottom. Maybe this new B-pillar-less design would catch on given a few years of refinement.

gonammer

I have heard from 4 local dealers (Northern California) that there is a delay and Honda is pretty tight on specifics. They did tell me that there are no shipments scheduled between now and early November that include EX-L RES/NAVs. While that could change (not likely), the best estimate is sometime in mid to late November for these models to arrive. My guess is that there is a supply shortage of somesort due to the recent hurricanes. I just wish Honda would put out a press release to set the story straight on the delay.

rrs

gonammer,

Where in Northern California have you looked? I am in contact with several ranging from MSRP to $2,999 over.

hpan

The dealers in San Francisco area I called today told me EX-L Nav/DVD would arrive by mid to late Oct.

gonammer

I live in Sacramento. I've been looking up and down the central valley. A couple dealers mentioned an October date but they said they couldn't confirm it. It was one of those "I heard we are supposed to get a shipment..." statements. When I pressed them for specifics (i.e. what colors, models, on what dates), they couldn't give me any. If you have been in contact with dealers that have these models on the lot, please let me know.

gonammer

Any idea if they are charging MSRP or over?

klma

We are getting ready to purchase our very first minivan. This is a huge step for us (currently I drive an '88 Chevy Caprice!) and we've decided to buy the EX L with DVD. Can anyone give me advice on what color to choose? Our dealer only has Silver Pearl in stock and after looking at our best friend's Silver Odyssey for the past 5 years, it seems a bit boring. We keep our cars FOREVER and I want something that won't look dirty all the time and that will hold up over time (and with children). With only looking at color samples we are thinking about the Desert Rock or the Slate Green. Has anyone bought an 05 with these colors? Also, what color interior will look better for longer - Ivory, Gray or Olive? Thanks for your help!

stever

Michelin(R) PAX System(TM) Innovations Extend to Customer Service (PR Newswire)

Steve, Host

hansienna

Odyssey web site states:..." PAX tires are good for up to 125 miles at 50 MPH after a puncture"...
     Out here in the Western United States, there are many places where even small towns are over 100 miles apart. I would hate to have a flat on the wind swept, snow covered plains of Wyoming where the ferocious, howling winds give a wind chill of 50 or 60 BELOW Zero F. and have ONLY 125 miles available on a tire.
     Sadly, most minivans no longer offer a full time spare. I will probably buy a full time spare for my 2002 Chrysler T&C LX.

hpan

Tracy, San Leandro, Concord & Anderson (Palo Alto) all would get at least one (EX-L and/or Touring with Nav & DVD) by late Oct, although several other dealers in the area said they would not have any with Nav for a month or two.

ac00lra

Odyssey web site states:..." PAX tires are good for up to 125 miles at 50 MPH after a puncture"...
     Out here in the Western United States, there are many places where even small towns are over 100 miles apart. I would hate to have a flat on the wind swept, snow covered plains of Wyoming where the ferocious, howling winds give a wind chill of 50 or 60 BELOW Zero F. and have ONLY 125 miles available on a tire.
     Sadly, most minivans no longer offer a full time spare. I will probably buy a full time spare for my 2002 Chrysler T&C LX.

And you think it's better if you get out of your car in the wind chill of 50 to 60 below 0 to change the tire? At least with the Navi I can find the next nearest service center and try to slowly get there without having to get out of the car.