Honda Odyssey 2005+

rand01

eman, if you are addressing this post to me (I posted a message a ways back with the title ""Lucky" Odyssey Touring owner"), it is not necessary. I am already fully aware of your issues with your Odyssey.

 

When are you going to get rid of that thing?

 

Randy

saoc

I have a 05 Touring and have been driving it for a month. I don't know what these people are talking about - I don't think there is excessive wind noise. I think some people are just too d#$% picky. It is a really great van. We switched to Honda after 4 Chrysler Town and Country's over the last 13 years. I don't regret it at all. My complaints are minor and don't regret the prurchase at all.

 

Todd

eman

I got 4 kids to haul around so that limits me in choices if I want good mileage and space.

 

I drove the Touring and did not notice any problems but again it was a short test drive. So I am fishing for coments from Touring owners on the noise issue. As far as I can see the only difference between the Touring and EXL as far as ride is concerned are the tires. Tires can have a big influence. so lets hear comments.

 

If I would have been conviced that the Touring has improved noise control I woud have bought one in retrospect. I didn't need the adjustable pedals and seat memory but the radio would have been welcomed if it is also better other than more power.

 

I was hoping that the EXl would be fun for two years

 

Although I liked the ride in the Sienna I have a hard time with its looks.

 

I woud have bought either a toyota Sequoia or suburban but they are do for a makeover next year.

 

Any suggestions for my next car that seats at least 6 and is fairly easy to get into the back?

kixo

Okay, I admit I have yet to plunk down the $30K+ for an 05. I am always hesitant to buy a first model year vehicle, and in the case of Honda, hope they add more content for the same MSRP a couple of years after introduction. So in the spirit of insatiable perfectionism, here is my list for improvements for the '06 Odyssey. Torrance, you have been warned!

 

1. Offer Taffeta White with Olive interior. I love White exteriors, hate Ivory interiors. Give us some choices! Or at least me.

 

2. Offer the power tailgate in the EX-L models. Don't keep this option just for the Touring models. We EX-L lovers are just as lazy!

 

3. Bring back the vented rear windows! Yes, it was a major feat of technology for Honda to figure out roll-down sliding door windows, but did you have to drop the vented rear windows as a result? How much does that cost per van? My bet is about three bucks, considering all of the costs were amortized in the last model. These vented windows were wonderfully efficient at expelling hot air when starting off and allowing the car to keep a bit cooler while parked. If Toyota can offer both, so can Honda.

 

4. Bring back the coin holder! You can use the space on the left side of dash where the sea of empty switches are.

 

5. It's not a "conversation" mirror if it cuts off the heads of the rear passengers. It's more like a torso mirror. Make it swivelable like in the Windstar.

 

6. Improve sound speaker quality. Please allocate more than $.75 per speaker. Yikes, at low volumes, it sounds like I'm in a submarine with Burl Ives. Some MB Quarts would be nice.

 

7. Make PAX an option on the Touring. This is a deal-breaker for many of considering a Touring model.

 

8. Offer multi-info display on all models. That way, we can all gripe about our crappy gas mileage!

 

9. Integrate the remote into the key fob, like for the Accords.

 

10. On Navi systems, allow DVD movie to play if car is in Park.

 

11. Oh yeah, and keep the MSRPs the same.

 

Anything else?

rand01

Suburban would be my choice, especially since this is my current and previous vehicle, and it is at the height of it's refinement. But you're talking a different class of vehicle than these mini-vans, even the Sequoia. The Suburban has much more cargo room and will take up a lot more space in your garage! It sits much taller too! Mine is dropped 2 inches and is still much higher than the Odyssey.

 

I had to pick up my grandmother from the nursing home over Thanksgiving. Thankfully, we had the lower-riding Odyssey to load her up in. She is basically helpless physically and a pretty good chunk of weight to boot. It really would have been a struggle to get her into the Sub.

isellhondas

Yep, do all of these things and add all of those features, but whatever you do, Honda, don't raise the price!

rorr

At least he wasn't asking for a price cut....gotta be rational, you know?

stickguy

I thought the LX had an integrated fob, but they had to go to a seperate fob for the higher line models because there were too many buttons?

 

I agree that the vent windows should come back, especially with a moonroof. They do a great job of equalizing the air pressure with the roof open, without adding any noise of turbulance.

 

Throw in a telescopic wheel why you are at it.

 

And yes, some of the features will add cost, but not all of them are going to make much difference. They have a steering column anyway, so who knows how much it will be to change the design?

heywood1

Actually, most new vehicles offer more features for a lower price than they did just a few years ago. So it IS possible to add vlaue without raising the price. Especially if the lack of these features are losing sales.

 

And if Honda offers a power lift gate on the 2006 EX-L, sales of the Touring model will dry up. I think Honda realizes (however privately) they're going to have to make some adjustments within the Odyssey lineup, due to PAX and other issues. And it's going to be difficult for them to try do so without admitting there is a problem, and without one trim level stealing sales from the other.

robr2

Any suggestions for my next car that seats at least 6 and is fairly easy to get into the back?

 

Ford Crown Victoria!!

rorr

I'd love to see a Crown Vic duke it out with an Ody at an auto-x event. The only rule being that each vehicle must run with every cup holder fully occupied....

robr2

Will we be adding time for spills?

beach15

No it won't....the Touring will still be known as the top model, it just might take a few more upscale touches. Chrysler offers the power liftgate on virtually every model except the base, and almost every one is ordered and sold that way. It's just an added convenience, and it was stupid to leave it off the EX and up. Should be on every model except the LX.

rorr

YES! Obviously, cupholders which hold cups tightly, coupled with minimal body lean, are preferable.

heywood1

Based on posts here, the extra $4K for a power lift gate and the headache of PAX doesn't seem to be swaying many people to the Touring. The biggest discounts posted here ($2K-$3K) seem to be for the 'top model.' Therefore the market has decided the added value of a Touring is worth only a mild premium over an EX-L.

lbb

We are picking up our '05 EX-L at the end of the week. What is the feeling on upgrading past the standard 3yr 36,000 it comes with? I imagine this will be at least a 5 year car for us.

rorr

"Plus it needs telescoping steering wheel, power lift gate on EX, a speedo that doesn't go to 240km(nuts),better stereo, leather wrapped wheel in the EX-"L", wood trim, additonal power rear door swithes for rear passengers."

 

Wow.

 

Sounds like you're describing a Sienna XLE to me...

sparks

We experience this on our 05 also. How did the dealer rectify this?

ispy

Like I said in my post, its like driving with seashells attached to your ears (you know the ocean noise). Try driving in the city at 30-40 with the radio at a bit louder than comfortable...then try driving on the highway at 65-80 with the radio at the same level. The noise itself is difficult to define. The cabin just becomes loud. I didn't have that problem in toyota 4runner. I have not tried another van to compare. Its a nice van otherwise.

aabb

Torrance,

this idea need not wait unti 2006. How about improving the exterior color gallery(color pallet) on hondacars.com so I can really see what the colors look like on the 2005 from my desktop.

sportymonk

1. Agree, more color choices. And while they are at it, fix the ones they have. I like the beige interior but NOT with the black dash and silver trim. Why can't it have a dark brown dash like the Pilot.

 

BTW I think there is entirely too much black on the interior dash area.

 

2. After the problems Car and Driver had with the Sienna, not sure I want it. As an option it would be nice but Honda is not in the option business.

 

3. yeah, my old Voyager had windows in the far back you could open by remote control (knob) and it made it nice cooling the vehicle down in the summer.

 

4. Easy fix, they ought to be able to pull that off without a lot of expense. (We pay for it anyway don't we?)

 

Oh yeah, back to the colors, how about a nice dark green (which sage brush isn't despite the brochure photos.) And name things the proper color Fern si really light grey, not green.

heywood1

What problems did 'Car and Driver' have with the Sienna? They griped about slow power doors, but they also griped about slow power doors on the previous generation Odyssey. The reviewers also faulted the power rear lift gate for not closing--and then re-opening--when THEY over filled the luggage compartment. There were no 'problems.'

lumbar

They also didn't like the stereo much and claimed it lost a little speed in acceleration over time, but their praise far outweighed any issues they had, In fact, they noted that their trial hit the 40,000 mile limit much faster than usual because the staff liked to drive it. This was an '04 BTW.

maku

Nissan22- Thank you for the advice. I first went to my dealer who said that he had not heard of this complaint. He also cautioned me against modifying the seats as this would void my warranty. I still took the van to an upholster for the intended modifications. Unfortunately, he told me that the seat warmers were glued to the seat back foam and could not be separated without damage to allow for additional foam to be inserted.

 

Needless to say, I am again left with a great deal of frustration. I will try again with another dealer and maybe another upholstery shop. Clearly, I need to find a resolution to this problem because I am VERY uncomfortable driving for even short distances that I shudder to image a long road trip.

 

I live in metro Atlanta- any suggestions???

miller4

I just bought the same van. I was told it had an xm radio. After trying to get it activated I find out there is no xm radio. My dealer wanted $1100.

I am going to file suit in small claims court for deceptive advertising. I believe that any resonable person looking at the car, reading the manual, and and watching the DVD would come to the same conclusion.

The car salesman believed their was an xm radio in the van.

cccompson

What is it you hope to gain in so filing?

 

Do you want them to take back the vehicle? If so, such a remedy is beyond the power of a small claims court.

 

Do you want them to give you the equipment for free? Good luck - Honda's sales brochure indicates that additional equipment is required (granted the print is small).

 

What it's worth, my advice is to (calmly) talk the dealer to see if there is something they can do to placate you (there is no use burning a bridge unless you have to).

sportymonk

I didn not mean to offend the Sienna folks but the "problem" I referred to was the power back door not closing. True, they had a lot of stuff in there but the reality of the situation is how many of us have taken a trip or returned from the grandparents with lot of stuff and the door needed a little nudge? Apparently according to C&D, if there is anything like a sleeping bag back there that puts any pressure on the door, it won't close. I also believe that their concern was they would be almost in the restaurant when they would look back and see it open.

 

I am just saying that the power lift door may be a great convenience for some but I don't think I would want it.

heywood1

I have owned this vehicle for nearly a year and have never had this problem. However, I am careful never to overfill any luggage compartment in ANY vehicle-- whether the trunk or liftgate is power operated or not. I understand, however, that some owners treat their vehicles like rented mules....

fballard

How about # 1. Day - running lights

            2. Rear side windows that you can open

            3. Two inter-grated child seats in the 2nd row seats

            4. Improve the 3rd row child seat hook up

            5. Automatic doors that lock when the vehicle is put into gear

            6. Improve the radio system lighting so it looks as good as the dash lighting

            7. Increase the warrenty time/mileage

heywood1

Amen to the integrated child seats. Both Toyota and Honda have dropped the ball on this. My sister's Volvo wagon has them, and they're remarkably convenient--especially when hauling adults on short notice. No need to remove a stow a conventional booster seat.

ytjk

I can tell you I drove the 2004 Sienna side by side with new 2005 Odyssey (with the same load weight) for 500 miles, filled them both from the same pump at start and finish, and the Sienna used over 4 gallons less.

 

The Honda is a nice car, but it doesn't use less gas than a Sienna.

pazbien

You're jokeing right? My 2005 ody averaged 24 mpg HWY/ 19 MPG city, while my friends 2005 brand new sienna which I borrowed before recieving my new ody averaged 18 city 20 Hwy. I was shocked that the engine had not settled in yet but was saving more than anyone else....

pazbien

I really don't see how you can say that the current odyssey dosen't have roll down 2nd row windows when it does. GET THE PASSIVE ALARM OFFERED by Honda dealers that will get rid of that extra space (left of the steering wheel next to the VSA on Touring). I got it installed for 300$ and as soon as you get in and turn on the car 30 seconds later the doors lock! It get's annoying after a while, so I reccomend you not asking honda to make it standard. It has many other uses as well like glass breaking sensor etc. Daytime Running Lights? I thought they were the same as the parking lights offered on odyssey?-----

hansienna

My nephew sent me an e-mail telling me the only concern with the 2005 Odyssey is a "whistling" noise heard when driving faster than 35 MPH. Otherwise, the new Odyssey is wonderful.

ytjk

No joke side by side-- interstate (where, I had assumed the Odyssey would really shine with the V-TEC engine) for 500 miles, it wasn't even close.

rorr

When fballard talks about "Rear side windows that you can open", he is talking about REAR side windows (3rd row). I'm fairly certain that the OWNER of an Ody would know that his 2nd row windows roll down.

 

And why are you attacking ytjk regarding his real world experiences on mileage? In your example, you compared your mileage in your Ody to your friends mileage in a Sienna. How do you know you took the same route; stopped at the same lights; drove the same way? From other posts from ytjk, they had an Ody AND a Sienna ON THE SAME ROAD running in a caravan at the same time. Same traffic. Same stops. Same speed. Same same same. But under IDENTICAL driving conditions, with the same loads, the Sienna got better mileage.

 

And you claim Sienna owners are 'baise'? (Is that even a word? I think you mean 'biased').

doglady

Per my previous post, all my seats have this problem, I consider them defective if they cause severe/persistant back pain and make my legs numb. I rode in my friend's 01 odyssey yesterday and the seats were adequate, she then rode in my 05 oddyssey (lx) and totally agreed with my complaint, so has 5 other people that have tried to ride in it (including my husband who really thought I was exaggerating). I have requested that these seats be replaced and have an appointment with my dealer tomorrow. Another thing you might want to consider is the safety issue - Due to the shape of the seat the only part of my back that is supported by the seat is my spine - if there happens to be collision it will be my spine and neck that will receive the force of the impact. Please post any resolution or suggestions.

stever

How many miles were on the Odyssey? On the Sienna?

 

My minivan mileage didn't peak until I had 10,000 miles on it, so it you are testing a brand new van, the early mpg results may not indicate what the van will do when it's broken in.

 

Steve, Host

denver5357

Actually, that's a good point. One of the reviews I read of either Sienna or T&C in one of the car magazines said the automatic rear tailgate was so sensitive that almost anything would cause it to reverse direction and open. The review said something to the effect that "more than once we would be ready to enter a restaurant and turn around and see the rear hatch had gone back up."

heywood1

Yeah, and the 'C&D' guys over-filled or improperly loaded their luggage compartment, and then complained about the door not closing and reversing direction. Just because it's a convenience feature doesn't mean it's fool-proof.

stickguy

Well, sometimes when travelling (to the beach, at Christmas) I end with with a full cargo area, and lots of light/loose stuff (coats/pillows/whatever) that sometimes need a "squeeze" to get in, which slamming the door provides. It doesn't mean that I have overloaded the van.

 

I'm still not a fan of the auto tailgate. In many cases, a hanging strap can work just as well.

 

Also, anybody ever hit the button in a parking lot, only to find out they didn't have enough clearance from the car behind them? Crunch...

hlmrspd

4.8 K on my 2005 Odyssey with VCM and still can't get over 22 on the highway. pazbien is your Odyssey equipped with VCM, or are you getting your mileage with the standard V-6?

mot

hlmrspd-

 

We have an '05 EX(no VCM) with 2K miles and recently drove from Detroit to Chicago. Averaged around 70mph on the 300 mile trip. MPG came in at 25.5. Maybe I'm being greedy but I would have liked the MPG to be even better as traffic was light and the weather was nice and calm. Based on other's posts, I guess I should be happy with what I got.

heywood1

You'd have to back backed up to a wall or box truck for that to happen.

 

And the Sienna has a hanging strap.

 

I doubt coats and pillows will make the door reverse course. The 'C&D' article mentioned a suitcase as the cause, I believe.

 

If there's a chance that the door won't close, then stick around and watch. People who just press the button and walk away are setting themselves up for trouble.

rochurch

pazbien,

Could you (or anybody else) please give me a part number on that Passive Alarm.

 

My salesman told me the EXL-RES had the auto door lock feature and then it didn't (after the sale was completed). My wife was the victim of an attempted car jacking a year ago.

 

The dealer offered to send it to an aftermarket shop to have an aftermarket alarm installed at their expense, however then our Honda remotes can no longer be used.

pazbien

You said: 4.8 K on my 2005 Odyssey with VCM and still can't get over 22 on the highway. pazbien is your Odyssey equipped with VCM, or are you getting your mileage with the standard V-6?

 

My odyssey is VCM equipped. At first I was getting very low MPG, but I went and complained to my dealer and he told me that the MID Resets itself everytime you turn the van off. I left my van at the dealer and after that a few weeks later I got great MPG. If honda screwed up the VCM we should get a REFUND!!!!!A BIG ONE for paying so much for the touring!

pazbien

you said:

pazbien,

Could you (or anybody else) please give me a part number on that Passive Alarm.

  

My salesman told me the EXL-RES had the auto door lock feature and then it didn't (after the sale was completed). My wife was the victim of an attempted car jacking a year ago.

  

The dealer offered to send it to an aftermarket shop to have an aftermarket alarm installed at their expense, however then our Honda remotes can no longer be used.

 

----I will investigate the part number, I too thought that it I would need a new remote, but no, I am using the same one, with passive alarm which has the features you want. I will get back to you ASAP.

denver5357

I suppose that is possible, but I find it highly unlikely that people charged with writing test drive reviews about a car would improperly pack or overpack the rear section and then complain when the auto tailgate was too sensitive. I think I recall them saying (or perhaps I read it on a board) that there was a bag of golf clubs back there and that was enough to cause the tailgate to go back up. The comment was basically that the safety feature was so sensitive it anoyed people in normal use.

heywood1

Again, it's a convenience feature-- not a safety feature. I am always conscious of how I pack a truck or luggage compartment. In fact, I treat my vehicles rather carefully. I understand that many do not. My in-law's 2003 Cadillac was over $45K, and it's already trashed due to abuse. Some people just don't care. I guess the reviewers at 'C&D' represent the lowest common denominator as far as owner treatment is concerned. And remember: They just review 'em; they didn't pay for 'em.

hlmrspd

pazbien:

 

What is a MID?

 

What kind of mileage did you have on your van before the MPG was better?

 

I don't think my VCM is working at all, I am getting worse MPG than my neighbors with the older style Odysseys.