Honda Odyssey 2005+

15556586061100

Comments

  • rorrrorr Member Posts: 3,630
    "Glad to hear it; I understand that it's been tweaked for Firefox users too."

     

    Uh, don't know about that. I'm using Firefox and all the posts appear to be about 6pt to my tired eyes. I was hoping it would be fixed over the weekend. Me thinks, more tweaking is in order.....
  • dilbertzzzdilbertzzz Member Posts: 190
    "At that point, the only car that will reside in my garage will have a stick and rwd."

     

    I am sorry to report that, almost undoubtedly, by "that point" you will begin to notice creaks and aches in various joints and muscles that will help you begin to understand and (dare I say?) even appreciate the Buick market niche.... ;-)
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    When I load Firefox and come here, I can ctrl/+ the text much larger than I can with IE. I bet it's 100 point at the max. Only the eBay ads are out of sync (a font size larger than everything else) and that's in the fix queue.

     

    Ouch, Dilbertzzz :-)

     

    Steve, Host
  • rorrrorr Member Posts: 3,630
    AWESOME! I had no idea I could do that.

     

    Just goes to show, you can learn something new everyday...
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    lol, I bet you never read the owner's manual when you buy a new car either!

     

    View > Text Size is one way to change the font size if you're using Internet Explorer.

     

    Next week, we'll talk about the scroll wheel <g>.

     

    Steve, Host
  • rorrrorr Member Posts: 3,630
    "Next week, we'll talk about the scroll wheel <g>."

     

    You've probably been wanting to tell me about the scroll wheel for some time now.....

     

    8^)
  • macakavamacakava Member Posts: 775
    There are hidden, obvious reasons why heywood said,

     

    1.) "a Chrylser salesperson will be falling all over you"

     

    2.) "I'd get the extended warranty on any D-C van"

     

    3.) "Get one for $3000 under invoice"

     

    What are priceless with the Ody are 1.) Superior handling and driving feel (Ody is the BMW of minivans; Sienna is the Lexus of minivans; T & C has no such description) 2.) refined, melodic sounding, powerful engine 3.) peace of mind with a highly regarded reliable vehicle 4) and much more.

     

    If your primary criteria is cost, then ofcourse T & C wins. The same can be stated for the Yugo as well when it exists. But in general, you get what you pay for. Many of us have learnt from our past experiences.
  • faxpawfaxpaw Member Posts: 17
    Just took the 30 day temp tag off my new EXL including the front plastic (Honda Store) dealer name plate. I noticed a rectangular indentation at the top of the front license plate bracket/holder with a small hole in the middle. Appears that it was designed for a rubber pad which would cushion/protect the front bumper of the van from the license plate bracket. Does anyone (on their 05 Odyssey) have a rubber pad at the top of their front license plate bracket as I do not.
  • berkmomberkmom Member Posts: 12
    I am on the verge of buying a EXL with DVD/NAV and saw previous postings about the desirability of getting latest version 4.13. Where do I find this information on my car? If the car was produced 12/04, which version should it be?
  • tracy3tracy3 Member Posts: 10
    You said: I noticed a rectangular indentation at the top of the front license plate bracket/holder with a small hole in the middle.

     

    If that's all you found...count yourself fortunate. I purchase my van in Texas, drove it to Louisiana and promptly removed the front plate bracket....only to find a hole drilled slap through the front bumper! (where that rectangular indention & hole is located on the bracket). So my shiny new $30,000+ van has a carved out hole in the front bumper...only for the dealer to say...."Sorry, no recourse for that. It's designed for a screw, so we put in a screw!"

     

    To answer your question...it requires a big, fat sheet metal screw....no soft cushiony pad.
  • masterpaul1masterpaul1 Member Posts: 421
    "There are hidden, obvious reasons why heywood said,

      

    1.) "a Chrysler salesperson will be falling all over you"

      

    2.) "I'd get the extended warranty on any D-C van"

      

    3.) "Get one for $3000 under invoice"

     

    1 & 3) Well, seeing that Daimlerchrysler minivans out sale both Toyota and Honda put together, I can see why they give big discounts on there minivans. They have enough minivans to go around and to meet the demand. (Unlike Toyota and Honda).

     

    2) Really. I think you should get that extended warranty on the Sienna and Ody. as well. Their not doing so hot in the reliability dept. from what I've read in Townhall. Oh, I forgot. Since you get such high resale in the first five years on the Ody. and Sienna you need to trade it in on a current model minivan and get your moneys worth since you don't tend to keep it for ten years or more anyway.

     

    "What are priceless with the Ody are 1.) Superior handling and driving feel (Ody is the BMW of minivans; Sienna is the Lexus of minivans; T & C has no such description) 2.) refined, melodic sounding, powerful engine 3.) peace of mind with a highly regarded reliable vehicle 4) and much more."

     

    1) These are priceless: Those darn automatic doors that just don't seem to close. Or how about that cheap radio and speakers in a $25,000 to $30,000 minivan. Or those PAX tires that I hear will cost you a few hundred dollars to replace if you have the touring. Wind and road noise for your listening pleasure as background noise while listening to the radio. And, how about that reliable transmission that they have a band-aid fix for.

     

    2) Same can be said for the Daimlerchrysler minivans, but I would like to add: More option packages to chose from for the right price. Great sounding radio/speakers with sub woofer (on higher end models). Power sliding doors that can be operated without having to turn off the power to the sliders to open/close with very little resistance when using doors manually. Rear power vent windows. Family friendly dashboard lay out that can be used without having to take your eyes off the road. Two rows of seats that fold into the floor. Most cargo space in any minivan on the market. No transmission recalls or TBS on current model minivans. Very quit, smooth and stable ride on all surfaces. Complete over head info. center.

     

    3) You could have fooled me.

     

    And if you primary criteria is to trade every three to five years, then of course the Ody. and Sienna are for you. Many are just learning that the past doesn't always repeat it's self.
  • heywood1heywood1 Member Posts: 851
    Huh?
  • macakavamacakava Member Posts: 775
    One of my neighbors bought a second DGC despite having lots of problems with his first one, which he still has as second vehicle. Because he says that it was cheap at $16K and that was all he was prepared to pay. He was prepared to live with whatever problems come his way for the savings he made vs buying an Ody or a Sienna.

     

    I do not have the problems with my Ody that the folks or you reported in this town hall. These are probably the minority compared to the majority (97+%) who are enjoying their vehicle ownership. I have been there before with two other domestic brands and I could not be happier now. The various agency reports support my present minivan experience/ownership.

     

    And besides, I can afford a more expensive Ody or Sienna. So I don't have to rationalize a cheaper(market value), lower performance domestic brand.
  • masterpaul1masterpaul1 Member Posts: 421
    What year was the DGC that your neighbor already owned and the one they just bought? Just curious. Seeing that you just purchased a 2005 Ody., thats not even 6 months old yet, how can you say that it will be reliable after three to five years from now. Also, try telling that to the Ody. owners that have had to have their transmission replaced before 50K miles or the problems with wind and road noise that can't be fixed. I find these problems to be unacceptable. Especially for an Ody. that is suppose to be the best minivan out there by opinion. I have read how people are so happy that honda covered their trans. and call that a good thing and the vechicle reliable. If that happened to our van, I wouldn't call that reliable, even if it was covered under warranty or buy Daimlerchrysler. The things that I mentioned in my earlier statement about the Ody. is from the model years 1999 thru 2005. If you call these problems reliable, then maybe I missed something. We purchased a 2001 DGC used that had 37K on it back in 2003. We did buy the extended warranty. Not because we thought our van wasn't going to be reliable, but because we were not the original owners and the original warranty expired. As of date, the only non maintenance problems we've had was to replace both front window motor regulators at 38K; Gas cap at about 45K; Front link, sway bar; Link-sway eliminator; Bushing-sway eliminator; Cushion, front sway bar at 52K (not sure about the life span of the suspension equipment. But I do believe that rough roads will wear them out faster. We live in Chicago where we have our share of rough streets.) At 55K no other problems. Can you say the same at 55K and a 3 1/2 year old van that is, according to your standards, "cheaper(market value)", lower performance domestic brand. I laugh at the pride that Ody. and Sienna owners have as they seem to think there vechicles are so superior to everyone else even with their current problems.
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    Check out What's the most reliable minivan on the market?.
     

    And we do have a comparison topic already:

     

    Honda Odyssey vs Dodge/Chrysler minivans

     

    Steve, Host
  • macakavamacakava Member Posts: 775
    Geez, seems like you have done a lot of unscheduled maintenance!

     

    Again the percentage of Honda or Toyota owners is very small with the problems you are stating. Just ask isellhondas for confirmation.

     

    I have many relatives and friends who have gone over 100K in their Ody with very little maintenance - not even a trany problem!

     

    It takes a small number of folks to blow things up out of proportion - that is why Honda and Toyota are quick to help the few in those situations and implement recalls for future subsequent ones like any quality corporation would do.

     

    I have high confidence that my 2004 Ody would be troublefree for a long time compared to the cheaper domestics. I have NO plans to buy extended warranty on this car. If it were a domestic, I would like I did for my two previous domestic ones. Besides that great handling, brisk acceleration performance, and sweet melodic, addictive engine sound is priceless. I have driven over 30 DGC and T & C rentals in the past 18 months and I am always happy to get back behind the wheel of my Ody.
  • ypresiaypresia Member Posts: 27
    Alternatively, it only takes a few instances to weaken great reputation. A bad experience with an average reputation isn't as noteworthy.
  • hansiennahansienna Member Posts: 2,312
    And glad I did after my nephew told me about the "whistling noise" his new 2005 Ody EX has at speeds 35 MPH and above. (There have been others reporting this problem with the 2005 Odysseys). I look forward to driving his Odyssey on the freeway to compare it to my son's 2001 Ody EX and my 2002 T&C LX.

         I would have purchased a 2005 Ody EX if this nice, used T&C LX had not been available before Honda dealers began giving nice discounts on the 2005 Odysseys.

         IF my T&C does not continue to be reliable, I will probably buy a NEW Odyssey to replace it.
  • macakavamacakava Member Posts: 775
    Hansienna,

     

    You are beginning to see the light...

     

    You will be a converted (or born-again) Ody owner soon! If you are so inclined like I am, it is a joy to drive in a spirited fashion compared to the rest.

     

    I could have bought a much cheaper domestic like many did and I did in the past, and live with the higher expected aggravation of repairs. I have had no problems with my Ody in the almost past year I had it. I never had to take it back to the dealer. This absence of aggravation and the Ody's driving enjoyment is priceless. Met/Exceeded my expectations. I just did my second oil change this past weekend in my garage for under $5 in oil and filter costs!
  • jipsterjipster Member Posts: 6,299
    Man talk about self righteousness. Owning an Ody sounds almost as good as being in heaven. Well...I'm still young. Glad you like your Ody so much Mac...ya gonna have them bury ya in it? ;-)

       I really like the 2005 styling of the Ody.If the 2004 had such good looks(minus the seat discomfort issue and transmission problem issues)we would have bought one instead of the Mazda MPV.

    Comfort and ride is equal to that of the Chryslers vans...powertrain better performance.

    From what I've read in the various forums though, Hondas reliability not as good as the perception.
    2021 Honda Passport EX-L, 2020 Honda Accord EX-L, 2011 Hyundai Veracruz, 2010 Mercury Milan Premiere.
  • hansiennahansienna Member Posts: 2,312
    Yes, I am willing to try an Odyssey IF my 2002 T&C becomes un-reliable AND Honda can correct some of the problems such as transmission failure and "whistling noise".

         I had driven a 2001 Ody EX and a 2002 GC Sport many times and found each had advantages. The Ody has the "Magic Seat" and excellent seating flexibility of the 2nd row. The GC is quieter and smoother riding and gas mileage was better in the GC than the Ody.

         The models I now compare are the 2005 Ody EX and the 2005 GC SXT. Honda finally added separate temperature for driver and front passenger which DC has had for many years. DC finally added a split, fold-into-the floor 3rd row seat.

         Do NOT confuse a lower price with cheap anymore than I would confuse a higher price with being ripped off.
  • isellhondasisellhondas Member Posts: 20,342
    I know I'm going to regret this...but...

     

    Honda HAS corrected the transmission problems that affected a samll percentage of their cars!

     

    The "whistling noise" that also affected a few cars is easy to correct and fix too.
  • stickguystickguy Member Posts: 53,564
    the whistling noise affected some early build units (the windshield cowling wasn't sitting flush). My later build (December) has no wind noise at all.

     

    As to the tranny issues of past years, only time will tell if the running changes have fully eliminated the problem. At least Honda has established a precedant of extending the warranty on them.

     

    You can also get an ESC for extra peace of mind, but of course the extra cost has to be factored into your decision.

    2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.

  • rorrrorr Member Posts: 3,630
    I'm reminded of Toyota's problem regarding sludge issues. The problem was diagnosed and fixed years ago, yet for some reason, the spectre of this problem comes up again and again.

     

    Last time I heard, Audi seems to have this little problem with unintended acceleration too......

     

    <said tongue in cheek!!!>
  • isellhondasisellhondas Member Posts: 20,342
    And for the majority of Toyota owners who changed their oil as often as they should had no idea what this "sludge problem" ever was.

     

    I for one, would not be the slightest bit afraid to buy a "sludge era" Toyota but I would want to see the service records.
  • mikeo1mikeo1 Member Posts: 53
    NOT been my experience.

     

    Bought a brand new '91 DGC that my wife drove

    slower than my grandma. After 3 transmissions,

    (the first at 42,000 miles)2 computers, and 2 antilock brake systems, enough was enough.

    And this was just the big stuff.

    At the time the Dodge dealer mechanic

    told me that some people were on their 5th transmission on the '91's.

     

    Made the switch to Odyssey in '01 and

    have never looked back.

    NO transmission problems after 4 years.
  • dulnevdulnev Member Posts: 652
    "the whistling noise affected some early build units (the windshield cowling wasn't sitting flush). My later build (December) has no wind noise at all."

     

    Same here. This issue is NOT an issue anymore.
  • heywood1heywood1 Member Posts: 851
    '91 was automotive light years ago, so it really isn't fair to compare it to even a new T&C, let alone an Odyssey. I believe back then the GC's were still being built on the K-Car platform. I never could figure out how Lee Iacocca managed to save Chrysler with such crummy cars....
  • ypresiaypresia Member Posts: 27
    We used to own a K-Car, which is probably why we have a negative opinion of Chrysler. Bought a Toyota at about the same time, underscoring the difference even further.

     

    Anyway, it's really anyone's guess at this point how reliability for the 2005 models will be. Based on history, Honda is going to do more reliable than the Chrysler. Although arguably Chrysler has been doing better and Honda has been doing worse in recent years, I don't think Chrysler has caught up to a worse Honda yet.
  • ypresiaypresia Member Posts: 27
    We used to own a K-Car, which is probably why we have a negative opinion of Chrysler. Bought a Toyota at about the same time, underscoring the difference even further. Which only goes to show why car makers should make decent cheap cars... eventually, the same folks will be looking at more expensive models.

     

    Anyway, it's really anyone's guess at this point how reliable the 2005 models will be. Based on history, Honda is going to be more reliable than the Chrysler. Although arguably Chrysler has been doing better and Honda has been doing worse in recent years, I don't think Chrysler has caught up to a worse Honda yet.
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    91 was automotive light years ago

     

    I was hoping to use this quote today and that's a nice lead in to it, Heywood.

     

    "Product quality has improved to the point where J.D. Powers commented in 1998, "There are no bad cars out there."

     

    Business Week

     

    Steve, Host
  • heywood1heywood1 Member Posts: 851
    Can you also post the link from 'Forbes Magazine' about the 10-worst new cars?
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    I just see the Yahoo version of the Forbes article off-hand:

     

    Seems that the fancier-and more European-the car, the less reliable it is

     

    Steve, Host
  • cccompsoncccompson Member Posts: 2,382
    The only way to tell is too eject the DVD (for the Nav - it has a separate unit) and see which version it is. It should have whatever was the lastest version available at the time of production.
  • heywood1heywood1 Member Posts: 851
    I'm not computer savvy-enough to post the link, so I'll paraphrase the Top 10 Worst Cars for 2004, according to 'Forbes Magazine.' This list omitted soon-to-be extinct dogs like the Chevy Cavalier, etc.:

     

    1. Kia Rio sedan

    2. Mitsubishi Lancer

    3. Nissan Sentra

    4. Ford Ranger truck

    5. Mazda B Series truck

    6. Ford Explorer Sport-Trac

    7. Lincoln Navigator

    8. Dodge Neon

    9. Lincoln LS (V-6)

    10. Chrysler Sebring sedan

     

    Numbers one through six made the list for safety concerns. The Navigator's showing was due to poor reliability ratings. And the Neon, LS, and Sebring were (respectively) the vehicles with the worst depreciation.
  • yahoo2yahoo2 Member Posts: 28
    Has anyone seen the aero kit on the Ody yet? Any opinions? It's kind of subtle. I like the sides, on a couple of pics it gives it a little stockier look. I don't really like the front and rear though. Just throwing it out their....I know, it's a mini van.

     

    Also, I swaped out stock speakers for Infinity 63.5i's. I had done the same on my E320 and it made a great diff. The Ody sounded awful in my opinion so stock speakers got changed pronto. Again great diff. For a stock stereo it sounds pretty amazing. Anyone else change speakers?

     

    I actully like driving the Ody. Sometimes I actually forget that I'm not in my car. Then when I do drive my car I feel very low.
  • cccompsoncccompson Member Posts: 2,382
    How many of the speakers did you change? Did any installation issues arise?
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    That's a pretty funny list, since Pf_Flyer (host in News & Views & Pickups), is driving a '96 Sentra with 213,000 miles on it, and sold a '91 a few months ago - it had 222,000 miles on it. Can the mighty fall that far in just a few years? Or must we take Forbes with that usual grain of salt?

     

    And was the '04 Odyssey in the Top Ten?

     

    Steve, Host
  • macakavamacakava Member Posts: 775
    Like you said, the Ody drives like a great handling car. This differentiates it from the competition.

     

    I am always glad to get back to driving it after driving 30 DGC and T & C rentals. In fact I prefer it to driving my other car.
  • macakavamacakava Member Posts: 775
    I believe that the report is referring to the the more recent Sentras back to 2000.

     

    Maybe the French ownership influence is starting to show its ugly head like Renault, Eagle Premier, etc LOL
  • heywood1heywood1 Member Posts: 851
    The (current model) Sentra made the list for the mere two stars it received in the government's front/side impact crash test. It WILL go 222,000 miles as long as you don't get hit by anything--let alone live to tell about it. I would assume earlier (airbag-lacking) models would fare even worse....
  • stanfordfamilystanfordfamily Member Posts: 5
    We had to have the transmission replaced in our new van that is less than a month old. Three days after the replacement it was back in the shop. I was told that the "banjo" springs had only been torqued to 10# instead of the 21# needed. Our garage was covered in transmission fluid. Is anyone else having problems with their NEW vans? Help...
  • yahoo2yahoo2 Member Posts: 28
    I replaced four, the front doors and the third row. I left the the dash alone. I believ they're only tweeters. I would actually like to add two on sliding doors and two on hatch but not enough power in factory stereo. sounds nice as is.
  • cccompsoncccompson Member Posts: 2,382
    Thanks, yahoo2. Was this on a Touring model or an EX?
  • chriso825chriso825 Member Posts: 7
    Chrysler's Stow 'N Go system sure looks good, but think about it: How many minivan owners have at least one, or possibly two car seats in the second row (I, for one).

     

    With a car seat attached, you won't be flipping those seats into the floor. The flat folding third row gives plenty of cargo space in the Ody.

     

    I'll be trading my '01 Ody in soon for a new one. The Chrysler products won't even be considered. My father, a master technician in the business for over 30 years, told me I'd be crazy to buy any Chrysler product. I'll listen to him and stick with Honda.
  • mikeo1mikeo1 Member Posts: 53
    Your father is a wise man.
  • denver5357denver5357 Member Posts: 319
    "Chrysler's Stow 'N Go system sure looks good, but think about it: How many minivan owners have at least one, or possibly two car seats in the second row (I, for one)."

     

    I do, and I have a 2005 Ody (though I liked the 2005 T&C). I find the Stow n Go an odd gimmick. Most people who buy minivans have kids, I assume. And a goodly number of those kids need car seats. So why would those folks even want a van where the second-row seats fold down? The people who would like that would appear to be people with older kids (above age 12) or people with no kids who just want room to haul stuff. But I would think that audience wouldn't want a minivan. I'm guessing a lot of people who buy a T&C for the Stow n Go seats later realize that actually they don't really need them and in fact would prefer better second row seats. But that's just a guess extrapolated from logic. Don't shoot me!
  • dulnevdulnev Member Posts: 652
    " I find the Stow n Go an odd gimmick. Most people who buy minivans have kids, I assume. And a goodly number of those kids need car seats. So why would those folks even want a van where the second-row seats fold down?"

     

    I agree wholeheartedly! The infant car seat in our van is a pain in the neck to install and remove with all the tethers. So whenever I need to have the full cargo hold available, I simply completelly remove the Ody's (or previously MPV's) middle seat that houses the car seat, together with the car seat. It'a s lot easier than the T&C alternative.
  • dilbertzzzdilbertzzz Member Posts: 190
    I'll be trading my '01 Ody in soon for a new one. The Chrysler products won't even be considered. My father, a master technician in the business for over 30 years, told me I'd be crazy to buy any Chrysler product. I'll listen to him and stick with Honda.

     

    This gets a little tricky as products change over time. Some companies develop a good reputation that outlasts the reasons for it. Sometimes the brand name is sold to someone else less-meticulous or more cost-conscious, sometimes the focus is lost, and frequently the product either gets left behind technologicaly or ventures too far too fast in the innovative direction. Even so, a good reputation often lingers and is even vehemently defended even though its superiority might actually have slipped markedly.

     

    We bought a GE refrigerator because I just couldn't forget about the one my folks bought used in 1960 or so that was still running very well (albeit in the basement by then) in 1980 when my folks finally decided to let it go as they moved to Texas for retirement. However, the salesperson told us (most likely honestly) that the company did not necessarily provide the superior product anymore.

     

    It's a little harder to overcome a bad reputation, I think. Probably because of the "once burned, twice shy" reaction. But Honda managed it (us oldsters can remember when a Honda "car" was an oxymoron) and look at its exalted status now!

     

    I think that the "domestic" (if there really is such a distinction today) automakers are no longer as deserving of their lingering bad quality reputations. What's more, they often offer luxury-level appointments at a bargain price compared to the "foreign" makes.

     

    It's a mixed bag. It's getting harder to find the very best out of the crowd. But then there are fewer horrible choices and the difference from bad to great seems to be narrowing. That's a marvelous atmosphere in which to be a consumer!
  • heywood1heywood1 Member Posts: 851
    Stow 'n Go seating doesn't appeal to me, for the same child seat reason.

     

    However, my sister-in-law has two car seats in her previous-generation Sienna. She keeps the passenger-side second-row bucket seat stored in her garage. Child #1 sits behind the driver's seat, while child #2 sits in the third row. She uses the area where the second row seat should go to keep their huge twin stroller and other baby items. Plus, she claims, she can stay dry when strapping in the little ones on a rainy day, or have a flat surface on which to change a diaper. So I suppose Stow 'n Go seats would benefit her-- or at least the rest of our extended family: Whenever we get together, she can't drive anywhere, because she 'doesn't have the seat in the car today.' It's become a family joke....
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