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Comments
I would be hesitant to buy "any" manufactures "first" year vehicle or new technology thay hasn't been proven on the road with real driving conditions, with real owners.
Early Honda van had trouble with their sliding doors sticking and people were actually breaking the handles trying to open the doors. So much for testing under the most severe conditions.
All manufactures test "new" technology, not just Honda. You just have to ask yourself....do you feel lucky? Well, do you?
Man, you are convincing!"
Sounds like the official minivan of the Oakland Raiders....
I wanted to ask you about your experience with Navigators. I was in the market for a minivan this summer and saw in your posts that you're a Navi afficionado. I assume you own one. Now I'm in the market for an SUV and am considering the Navigator strongly. Any "pearls" of wisdom that you or anybody else would like to share? I know this isn't a Navigator forum, but nobody seems to read or post on those forums! If you want, you can answer on a Navigator forum. I'll check there, too.
By the way, I am going to get an ODY Touring w/ Nav & Res next year when they have 1 year of "real world" usage. Reason? Bigger DVD screen, numerous voice commands on navigation system, more sporty-looking minivan. Yes, even a minivan can look sporty if it has big old headlights, and the right color.
I think a minivan in black re-spins the soccer-mom image. By the same token, I think a Navigator in white offsets the gangster flavor for those who care.
True, some 99-2000 Odysseys had a problem with the doors. Honda quickly responded by coming out with a revised version. For those who had troubles, they were fixed at no charge. Most people didn't have a problem.
I guess if we were all afraid of new technology we would still be walking or taking a horse and buggy.
I haven't noticed any plastic finish problems and I (so far, anyway)haven't heard any unusual wind noise.
The only thing I wish they would drop is the Ivory interior. Just too light for my tastes but...that's me.
But, sure, Honda like all car companies will tweak things in future years.
So you get the warranty for the catastrophic repair, which if it happens will probably be fixed by Honda because catastrophic repairs are not suppose to happen on Hondas. The interest you save by not buying the warranty will pay for the one repair that is likely to occur.
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2015 Kia Soul, 2021 Subaru Forester (kirstie_h), 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 (mr. kirstie_h)
Review your vehicle
I also sell hondas. I love hondas. i also love my customers. your statement concerning the 99-2000 door problems DIDN'T end with the revisions. Many people still had problems, although I will agree that the majority of owners did not. I have a customer who has a 2003 Odyssey that seems possessed. I have witnessed it.
Honda is a great product, but lets not try to sweep under the rug what were honest issues that customers had. All the best to you isell.
NAV
Moonroof
VCM
All for under $30 grand.
I am not afraid of new technology, I just like the other guy to have all of the fun of getting the bugs out. Who needs the stress that goes with being the first to find out the hard way?
Car parts are expensive and doesn't take long to get up to the amount you paid for the extended warranty. It's all about your inner peace and the pleasure you get from knowing you are protected from repair costs that come up every now and again.
Naturally these are bound to cause more trouble than manual doors but who wants those anymore?
The EX has this most desirable feature + very attractive cast wheels. Otherwise, I would get the Odyssey LX and save $3000.
I honestly can't remember when I sold my last LX. Most shoppers demand the power doors and now, reading these forums it seems some feel the power rear door is a must have.
We had a customer buy a Touring strictly for that feature alone!
It must be tough working in marketing for Honda!
"Sounds like the official minivan of the Oakland Raiders.... "
Yes, the thought did cross my mind. Although I did not want to come out and say it since I am a Denver Broncos fan.
But Silver Pearl with Black Leather is very nice. Besides, I think I would pass on a Broncos edition van (navy blue with orange leather
TO: All Honda Sales, Service & Parts Managers
FROM: American Honda Service Division
RE: Campaign Announcement and Stop Sale Order
Today, Honda Motor Co., Ltd., announced to NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) its intention to recall selected 2005 Odysseys equipped with anti-lock brakes (ABS) in order to inspect/replace the rear wheel speed sensors.
Basic Problem: Some rear wheel speed sensors may not be installed correctly, which causes the sensor to report an incorrect wheel speed to the anti-lock brake system (ABS) control unit. The on-board diagnostic system quickly identifies this error under most normal driving conditions and activates numerous warning lamps and disables the ABS. Brake application below the ABS threshold, or after ABS is disabled, is not affected. However, if brake application exceeding the ABS threshold occurs before the malfunction is detected, the ABS control unit may reduce brake force to all wheels. An unexpected loss of brake force can cause a crash.
Stop-Sale Order: Applies to all 2005 Odysseys equipped with ABS between VIN 5FNRL38***B000192 and VIN 5FNRL38***B019361 in your vehicle inventory. Vehicles with VINs below or above those listed are not affected and may be sold.
NOTE: Only a small number of vehicles in the above range are affected. Your District Sales Manager will give you a list of vehicles in your inventory that need inspection/repair.
Vehicles within the VIN range CANNOT be sold or leased with a known defect.
NOTE: It is illegal to sell or lease a vehicle with a known defect. If any affected vehicle is sold/leased to a retail customer with a known defect, the dealership will be entirely responsible for all legal consequences, should an injury occur as a result of a failure of the defective part.
Support Materials: American Honda will post its recall repair service bulletin on ISIS the evening of November 5, 2004 (visible 11/6/04).
Campaign Parts: Less than one percent (1%) of the affected vehicles will need repair parts. Please refer to AH Parts Divisions iN Message for ordering procedure.
Repair Strategy: The vast majority of vehicles will only need to have the two rear wheel ABS sensor to knuckle clearances checked with a feeler gauge. A small percentage (1%) of inspected vehicles will have excess clearance which will require replacement of the ABS sensor.
Customer Notification: Approximately 2,465 vehicles are affected by this Recall Campaign. Notifications will be mailed to all known owners (approximately November 11, 2004). You will be notified of the exact customer mailing date by iN Message.
I am disappointed since I went with touring to get the more powerful stereo. I don't know yet if it's the speaker that is blown or if there is just a rattle or looseness in the plastic parts of the door.
Thank heavens for warrantys!!!
We did get to see Ocean mist in person yesterday. The dealer had an OM EX-L on the showroom floor (might have bought it if the wife decided it was the color to go with). It looked nice from one side (where it was darker), but looked too light (almost robins egg) from the other side. The wife thought is was sorta OK, but thought she would rather have something else.
Hopefully we get to see a slate next week. Seems to be a rare color. SGP looks to be real common, but it is very close to the color of my car, so we might like to have some variety.
Also did not like the Ivory interior. Too light (looked sort of cheap), and it didn't look quite right up front, with a black dash, silver trim, than tan. Olive looks nice (although we haven't seen it in person), but the gray would be fine also.
So, its down to Slate if she likes it, otherwise SBP, Olive first interior choice, but Gray if that's whats available.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
However, in the Rocky Mountains where it gets VERY HOT in summer and VERY COLD in the winter, our needs are much different.
In cold or moderate weather when the sun shines brightly most of the time, the person on the sunny side of the vehicle gets much warmer than the one in the shade. Separately controlled temperature for driver and front passenger is an almost MUST HAVE feature.
After Chrysler had the feature available on most of the DC minivans since 1999 (or earlier), Toyota finally added it to Sienna XLE in 2004 and Honda wisely added it in 2005 for all but the cheapest Odyssey LX.
When Chrysler added a power liftgate in 2001, most Toyota and Honda owners mocked it derisively as an un-necessary sale gimmick. The power liftgate is now desired by many buyers.
Isn't competition great? Toyota and Honda copied many of Chrysler innovations; Toyota copied and improved on Honda's Magic Seat making it a 60/40 split and also copied Mazda MPV roll down 2nd row windows for the 2004 Sienna; Honda has now copied both Sienna and MPV for 2005; and Chrysler has copied the Sienna 60/40 split fold-into-the-floor 3rd row seating for 2005.
No one copies the Kia Sedona gas guzzling feature or the Mazda "too small" size. GM and Ford have also had very few features worth copying.
All minivan makers want to copy the Odyssey and have the MOST power with the BEST fuel economy in the best all around minivan.
The black on black feels like you're driving some sort of cool space pod.
Is anybody aware of a knowledge base anywhere out there to "fix" some of the annoying things on the NAV? How about these ideas:
1. Is there anyway to program around the "OK" screen when you start up?
2. Is there anyway to make a movie DVD play on the ront screen?
3. Is there anway to get the NAV to do anything cool that is not commonly known?
4. Is there anway to play a dvd in the rear and listen to XM radio in the front? (Book says no)
5. Does anyone know anything cool about the NAV that is not in the book? Aftermarket mods?
Have to disagree. Both Toyota Sienna & Honda Ody copied the conversation mirror on the overhead console, which comes from the Windstar. The Odyssey introduced side curtain airbags with roll-over sensors which was also copied from the Windstar. And there is one more useful feature I have yet to see copied from the Windstar: a message center with bulb-outage alert, that tells you if any exterior bulb is burned out (check rear backup lamps; rear / or front signal lamps; headlamp, etc. etc.), and also lets you know which door is open - not just 'door ajar' (front passenger door ajar; driver side sliding door ajar).
And what about the 8-passenger seating which is copied from the GM minivans? Look how excited people are now for the 8-passenger seating in both, Sienna or Ody.
I want to repeat again: Honda has almost NOTHING NEW in the Odyssey. They have some things copied from other cars (not minivans), but nothing is new on the market. We have powerful engines (Corvette?), station wagons always offered rear seat which fold into floor; Toyota was first to offer it 60/40; we had power sliding doors and liftgate before, 3-zone temperature; and VCM on engines, smooth ride and good handling, and what not?
The ONLY credit for Honda is: they copy everything and make it good - or better. Reliable with good quality, while other cars (except for Toyota) have made many problems with these gadgets.
But All minivans have some good features worth copying - IMO.
No, it's there for legal liability
2. Is there anyway to make a movie DVD play on the ront screen?
No, again, legal liability
3. Is there anway to get the NAV to do anything cool that is not commonly known?
4. Is there anway to play a dvd in the rear and listen to XM radio in the front? (Book says no)
Yes, I have done this myself. Also, you can plat CDs in the DVD player
5. Does anyone know anything cool about the NAV that is not in the book? Aftermarket mods?
My dealer checked with honda and there was no bullitin on the problem and did not know what to do.I refered them to this website (look at post#1501) and they solved it.
Do NOT let the dealer tell u its part of the design.The cowl is the plastic unit below the wipers at the bottom of the front windshield.The driver side piece need to be replaced,not the entire section
good luck!!!!
As posted above, liability reasons
2. Is there anyway to make a movie DVD play on the ront screen?
People have done it with the Acura TL Navigation but will need some modifications....bad idea anyway, since screen is visible to the driver.
3. Is there anway to get the NAV to do anything cool that is not commonly known?
There is a "secret" screen, that will show the satellites etc that are being accessed....you need to press a certain combination of buttons to get to it. Once you get there, you can even change the color of the screen etc., and a variety of other settings
http://img108.exs.cx/img108/9680/ody2_copy1.jpg
Original Picture:
http://img108.exs.cx/img108/4254/Honda_Odyssey_Touring_2005_.jpg
Mods:
Paint
Wheels
Front Bumper Lip
Side Skirt/Lip
Removed Side Moldings
Lower
Having a 30mpg city/40 mpg hwy version of the Odyssey would not be too shabby ! I would guess that it would be available by the next model year.
Good ideas from Ford and GM?
Conversation mirror? Actually a safety hazard. Drivers should keep eyes on the road.
8 passenger seating? Back row has NEVER been comfortable for 3 in a GM FWD minivan.
GM VCM on engines was a disaster that almost destroyed Cadillac.
Overhead consoles are also a safety problem: Why not include the data in the dash so driver's eyes are not taken off the road?
As a matter of fact, Toyota & Honda did copied the conversation mirror and 8-passenger seating, whether it's safe/comfy or not. And people go for it.
Actually, the Windstar used to have the message center and trip computer in dash, next to the gauges, but they changed it in the Freestar to the overhead console, probably b/c Chrysler & Dodge vans, all 3 GM vans, and the new Sienna all have it in the overhead console.
Did I mention that only Ford Freestar have the keypad entry feature, signal mirrors, and was the first to introduce stability control on a minivan (since 2002 Windstar)?
Jchan2,
Both, Toyota & Honda copied the dash-mounted shifter from the Kia, and so was the 5-speed tranny. Kia introduced the 5-speed just before Honda released the 2002 Ody with more power and 5-speed tranny.
I stand corrected: Every manufacturer innovate some new features, then Honda copies everything and make it the same or better (or worse: PAX tires?) and with the added reliability from Honda, it's an excellent vehicle.
So innovation credits goes for domestic minivans, and reliability to the Japanese.
- I hate the idea of rare, expensive tires. I know you can't just change the tires, because the wheel is also special. Does anybody have more data on whether you could/could not change out the tires AND wheels after the first set wears out and just use normal tires? I had seen an earlier posting that even the suspension is special and that normal wheels/tires may not work.
- We would get the EXL if not for the adjustable pedals. Does anybody know of options to add pedal "extenders" to pedals for a shorter driver?
My prediction is that in 3 years you'll see a whole thread on how Touring owners have managed to find a way to change out those PAX tires for something more normal.
Another rumor that's widespread.
Can you please post a reference indicating the source of your claim that PAX wheels will take conventional tires?
INKY
Both wife and I liked Sienna's interior design, dashboard. Wife specially liked the availability of colors (interior and exterior).
Sienna runs quieter than Odyssey even with EX-L and touring.
We wanted to have Nav and DVD.. thus it came down to price..
Received offers for :
Odyssey EX-L RES/NAV @ $34,000 (including the delivery fee).. Initial offer was $34650
Sienna XLE HQ (#8) package 36,000 (initial offer was $38000.. I think they will/can come down to $34K-35K range).
we put $500 refundable deposit on Honda Odyssey.. wife had to choose her second choice colors since the colors she wanted would have us wait for more than 6 months..She is still thinking if Sienna comes down to $33-34K we should go for Sienna..
I prefer Odyssey because it has all kinds of new features that are already blended into the the card design.. i.e. voice recognition and more controls on the steering wheel.. also noticed the baby seat hookup in Sienna XLE is very rudimentary/after thought: they cut the leather seats and left the interior sponge exposed with no finish on the sides of the leather. Odyssey is different.. the hinge for the child seat hook up is a hook that comes out without cutting the leather seats..
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
Steve, Host
Granted, you probably CAN replace both wheels AND tires, just like victims of Michelin's 1980's-era TRX tires had to do--but it's an expensive way to make the van accommodate conventional tires. In addition, I believe the speedometer & odometer will become (slightly) inaccurate by doing so.
Detroit Free Press
The article doesn't say if or when the licensees will make PAX compatible tires.
Steve, Host
I didn't say that conventional tires could be mounted on the PAX wheels. I said that it's not necessary to change the wheels along with the tires. As far as I'm aware you would have to replace them (for now anyway)with the Michelin tires designed for them.
Because an Odyssey hybrid would weigh at least 1000 pounds more than the Accord, the gas mileage would probably be lower. It doesn't seem as though there would be much of an improvement in gas mileage over the current Odyssey.