2008 Honda Odyssey

rv65

No Dark cherry pearl touring. There must be a dark cherry 07 touring that can be had for a nice price.

robr2

Because the resale price of replacement parts has nothing to do with the price of the same parts installed at the factory.

djs3

The press release says Bluetooth HandsFreeLink is available Odyssey EX-L and Touring. However, on the specifications page Honda only says it is Standard on Touring and no mention of Available for any other models. Any insight on whether you can get it on EX-L as an option without NAV/RES?

siggie1

One reason I've been leaning towards a 2008 Odyssey Touring vs. a 2007 EX-L, or 2008 EX-L is the availability of Bluetooth. I have it in my other car (a Nissan Versa), and I like it. One thing that's missing, that I would really like, is the ability to import my phone's phonebook and use speech recognition to place calls to those in the phone book. Without that feature it is a laborious process to bring in contact information to the car's Bluetooth processor. As a result, I have all of 5 contact's in my Versa's Bluetooth phonebook.

If you go here: http://automobiles.honda.com/odyssey/features.aspx?Feature=bluetooth you can see a video where the car's Bluetooth (HandsFreeLink) imports the phone's phonebook and then let's you use voice commands to place a call to anyone in the phonebook. The catch is, however, that few of the phones specified for compatibility with the Odyssey allow the importation of the phone book. The Honda Web site lists just about every phone available in the U.S. and I could only find three, all from Sony Ericsson, that allow the importation of the phone book. I realize that the inability to import the phonebook is not Honda's fault, the phone has to support that capability. Still, it is in the Odyssey that I would be paying a substantial amount for Bluetooth (if it leads to buying the Touring instead of the EX-L). So, that leaves me with the decision of whether it's worth getting the 2008 Touring when one of its primary features, the Bluetooth capability, is pretty well crippled unless I want to get a specific phone. I hope the press release announcing that the 2008's are on sale is correct in that the EX-L offers Bluetooth. That would make the choice easier for me.

baron64

It appears the EXL will have a neat backup camera in the rearview mirror but still no compass. I have to have at least a compass in my vehicles - maybe, because of my aviation background. A near $33K car with no compass or trip computer! It's the little attention to detail aspects that make me frustrated with Honda. I know, I know... "go buy a cheap add on..." I still like the Odyssey, however.

philapa

I agree with your statement.

You can get by if you select with the Nav option.

How about a pair of fog lights.

It cost about $600 to install.

Honda should not force customer to pay extra when they are charging customer over $30,000 for the MSRP.

:mad:

mary36

I wonder how that back-up cam screen on the mirror is going to be compared to the nav screen.

We just got an EXL R&N and now that I've gotten so used to the image from the back-up cam on the nav screen, I couldn't imagine going any smaller.

I'd be curious to know what the clarity will be like compared to the nav screen too.

rv65

You might be lucky. Verizon disables any form of contact importing except a few phones where you can only import a contact one at a time.

rv65

EX-L doesn't have bluetooth but touring does. Johnson Controls makes the honda HFL system.

siggie1

My wife and I both have LG VX8100 phones with Verizon. We needed to swap phones because my wife's phone had water damage and the phone is much less important to me than it is to her. I was able to download the contacts and ringtones from one phone using a Bluetooth adapter on my laptop and the Bitpim program, and upload it to the other phone in the same manner. I didn't run into any restrictions imposed by Verizon.

sd_dad

I just online chatted with a dealer in San Diego who said the "build date" on an '08 Touring is 10/16-20, with vehicles arriving 3-4 weeks later. Pricing to arrive the week before vehciles.
Take it for what it's worth.

ocuihs

rv65

Pricing was posted yesterday. The Non PAX touring costs $40,010 minus Dest fee. Pax adds 600 USD to that figure. Destination fee is now $635.00. Hope this helps.

baron64

The popular EXL now goes for over $1K more than last year. From what I can see, the only major additions are the rearview camera mirror (with no compass), passenger power seat and XM. It appears a similarly equipped Sienna XLE is priced much better than the EXL and you still get more options. I was waiting for the 08 EXL but now have to reconsider the Sienna. Or, I jump on a well priced '07 EXL. I know the 08 VCM can do 3, 4, or 6 cylinders. Is there really much difference from the 07 VCM?

Kirstie_H

A reporter seeks to talk with owners and serious shoppers of the 2007 or 2008 Honda Odyssey who are also parents. If you are interested in commenting on your experience, please reply to jfallon@edmunds.com no later than Thursday, November 15, 2007 and include your city and state of residence as well as the age of your child/ren.

Thanks for your consideration,
Jeannine Fallon
Corporate Communications
Edmunds Inc.

tsteele93

>It appears the EXL will have a neat backup camera in the rearview mirror but still no compass.

Does the Touring Edition still have the backup camera on the GPS screen?

I am waiting for the 2008 without pax because of what I have read on this page:

http://forums.automotive.com/70/13003/tires/michelin-pax-system/index.html

Has anyone else here experienced this?

rv65

I believe so. All navigation models will show the backup camera. No Mirror based one. Still an awesome van. For Touring make sure you get a compatible phone at http://handsfreelink.honda.com/. That way you can talk hands free.

tsteele93,

There was a thread on this board from edmunds that had pax experiences.

tsteele93

Interesting, I have a Samsung Blackjack that works fine in my Dad's Infinity G35. I would assume that it would work in any bluetooth vehicle. If not, I guess changing phones isn't that tough.

I'm going to look for the PAX thread here.

Thanks!

starman98

I never understood why foglights are only on touring. I mean Honda puts them on a 16K Honda Fit but not a 36K Honda Odyssey EX-L?

starman98

I thought XM radio was available on the 2007 Odysseys the more expensive ones of course.

rv65

Blackjack is incompatible with the Handsfree link. It works but it has some major problems. But maybe a firmware update can fix it.

mfletou1

Honda is WAY behind the eight ball on Bluetooth. Toyota makes it available on many different models...you don't have to always buy the top of the line XLE Limited (of whatever model it is) to get it. Honda should be it available at least aftermarket as a dealer install.

My Camry Hybrid has it and I love it.

mfletou1

That on the Sienna, it ain't so easy. In most regions, you have to order a $5000 option package...which is just as bad as Honda putting it on Touring.

C 'est L'vive.

theooutback

For 2008, Bluetooth comes on any Sienna with the better audio package (which often adds the rear seat DVD as well) - a $5,000 package would be on the XLE for the soup-to-nuts, DVD, nav, etc.

sd_dad

I know the build dates on '08s were 10/16-20. When will dealers know how many, which ones, and what prices they will be so I can make a deal so that I can pick one up as soon as they come in?

I sold my trade-in myself last weekend for cold hard cash, and can't keep "borrowing" my father-in-law's car much longer (I'm going to secretly pay him, so I'm really renting it).

I'd love to strike a deal, do the paperwork, and pick up the car the day it arrives. Anyone know when I'll be able to do that?

Thanks,
SD Dad.

mfletou1

Nope.

You would THINK that by visiting the Toyota website, but then actually try to BUILD a Toyota. See, Toyota's are controlled by their distribution network. They do NOT sell optioned cars ala carte--you get what the regional network provides. They bundle "popular options" together. I checked 5 regions today and in all of them, Bluetooth is part of an upper, more expensive package which includes a host of other stuff that I don't want. You can't just get it on a "base" XLE.

theooutback

You can special order a Toyota from your dealer with the set-up the way you want it, which aren't limited by the regional builds. That option can also give you more negotiating leverage because the dealer doesn't have any floorplan financing, which is what the factory pays them the holdback to cover the interest on (i.e. the factory pays the dealer money for the interest to carry the cost of having the dealer financed vehicle on the lot. When you special order, the dealer loves it (but will act like its a pain) because they still get the full holdback that covers the intertest on a dealer floorplan loan, but since there's no interest for that vehicle, it's pure profit for the dealer).

That said, you can get a fully loaded FWD 2008 XLE with NAV, DVD, and of course the JBL/Bluetooth for just over $32,000 (delivered price including freight) - the quote I got from calling fitzgerald toyota in Maryland (I'm in Mass, shopping around) - fitzmall.com, I believe. I think that's a far cry from what we're going to see 2008 touring Odysseys for. So the point is in response to the notion that there's really no price difference between the Sienna and the Odyssey when you want bluetooth. That statement just isn't corret. And again that's for a loaded XLE. The bluetooth package is on the std build LEs with JBL / rear DVD for much less than $32,000.

mfletou1

First of all, I've bought two vehicles from Fitzmall, including my Camry last year, and I can't recommend them highly enough.

That being said, you're looking at $30k for a Sienna with bluetooth, that's the bottom line. And that's for an LE. Even with Rear DVD, you're lacking many features. I'm certainly not going to pay $30k for a vehicle with cheap blacked out mirrors!

You're actually better off in MA, because you don't need the top end package on the XLE to get Bluetooth...you can get an XLE with Bluetooth in MA with a $33k sticker.

You're right in that the XLE with the bluetooth package is going to be cheaper than the 08 Ody Touring, at least for a while (actually 07s are going for about $32-33 right now, but of course don't have bluetooth).

None of that helps me, personally, because I'm shopping in the mid-20s. I'm not going to be able to get bluetooth on either vehicle. In my price range, the best value appears to be the 07 Ody EX-L, which is running about $3k under the Sienna XLE. I wish the Ody had a power liftgate, but for $28k or so, you can't get a Sienna with a moonroof either (std on Ody EX-L). And we like the 3rd seat on the Ody which you can't get on Sienna XLE.

rstoerger

So we came thissss close to leasing an EX-L w/Res & Nav this summer but among other things, decided it wise to wait for the 2008's and "Bluetooth". Honda's web site goes into bluetooth detail and only mentions it as "standard" for the touring. IS THIS THE FINAL WORD FOR 2008 ODYSSEYS????

If so, I will go look for a screaming deal on a 2007 EX-L w/Res & Navi.

siggie1

I called Honda's HandsFreeLink help line (1-888-528-7876) and was told that only the Touring model would have Bluetooth. It will not be available on the EX-L.

By the way, after seeing this: http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2006/jan06/01-05InfotainmentExperiences- PR.mspx. I'm not sure I'd want the Nav system at all. I wonder how often the Nav system crashes?

rv65

Not really. It's quite stable. It's not a bad option. It does use Windows CE or some embedded windows that is customized for the navigation system. Hope this helps.

theooutback

mfletou1 - when I was taking an Odyssey test drive the other day, the dealer said that Honda was going to release a bluetooth, dealer-installed option. I don't know if it's true, but something to pass along for you to ask about.

rstoerger

There is a dealer installed option but from what I have been told it does not integrate into the navigation display. I have bluetooth on my Audi with Nav and love it. I had hoped that such a common feature would make it into any model with Navigation (considering that they pop you for two-grand for an integrated navigation system). I believe you have the ability to pick up the phone on the fly and speak/listen through the car but dialing is still done on the phone. Would love to hear from someone on how it really integrates/works.

rv65

Blackjack 2 is coming out. That might have better HFL compatibility.

sd_dad

I was working with a dealer on an '07 Touring, but decided to hold off for the '08 for a couple of reasons I've explained in prior posts. I got an email from Honda yesterday saying that the '08s are available and at the dealerships, so I called the dealer I was working with. There aren't any '08s in yet, but he looked at what he has coming and the only Touring is the rare Black/Taupe combo that my wife insists on. So I've put down a $500 deposit to hold it for me. Now my question: How much should I pay for this?

mfletou1

Well, no matter what, its going to be at least $2000 more than a 2007 because there is no incentive on the 2008--and I'm sure there won't be for quite some time.

I wouldn't expect dealers to go below invoice on 2008's, either (whereas on a 2007 you should be able to do $500 under), so I'd probably shoot for right at invoice and see what happens.

sleepydeux

I've spoken with several dealers (in the Carolinas and in Texas) and they won't budge under MSRP for their 08 Tourings; supposedly they are too new. :confuse:

I ended up calling my Credit Union to find out what financing options I had available to me and found out that not only could I get the best rate in town, but they had negotiated prices with local dealers (an 08 Touring happened to be over 3000 below MSRP; I'm not sure what invoice is) on all vehicles, regardless of how new, so I'm getting my vehicle and my loan through them. I've seen some posts on this forum recommending costcoauto.com, but as of the time I posted this, they haven't added the 08 Odyssey to their available vehicles.

Slightly off-topic, my wife too *has* to have the Black/Ivory combo, so we've been trying to track one down. One of the dealers in Irving, TX is getting one next week (I happen to be in north Texas at the moment), but my wife doesn't want me to drive it across four states to deliver it to her so I'm waiting on a local vehicle :-(

sleepydeux

I picked up an 2008 Accessories pamphlet at a honda dealer and it listed bluetooth as an add-in option for the Odyssey coming in Fall 2007.

It doesn't make sense to me to offer it as an accessory if it *only* works on a vehicle that already has it (ie. Touring). Of course I've been beaten before when trying to apply logic to marketing decisions :-)

mfletou1

Can it be added to a previous year Ody, or just a 2008?

One dealer told me that it Bluetooth will be available as a dealer add on in the fall of this year, and that you can retrofit a 2007 for Bluetooth.

But I have no idea if he knew what he was talking about.

rv65

Honda dealers can do a swap.

sd_dad

I online chatted with another dealer who offered me $500 over invoice (whatever that turns out to be) on an '08 Touring. Seems reasonable on a brand new car.

siggie1

I found '08 Odyssey EX, EX-Ls and Touring models in stock at Miami area Honda dealers by searching their online inventory. It looks like the '08 models are trickling in.

cccompson

Yep, they're on the ground - saw a couple of EX-Ls yesterday in Toledo.

decisionz

I have also been laboring over the decision of a 2007 versus a 2008 Touring.
I have been sifting these posts and I have yet to find a definitive answer to how much better the new VCM will be compared to the old version (best guess? 1 to 2 mpg tops?). This is complicated by the new method of estimating mpg.

There are definately nice new features on the 2008... but I am leaning to the 2007 because I am looking to the future.... I will drive it until 6 months to 1 year after the next major model update happens... i.e. 2010ish. I ill use a Bluetooth earpiece and deal with the fact that my mirrors don't tilt down in reverse. Hopefully someone will finally develop a minivan with real mpg in 2010 and quibbling over how much better the VCM is in 2008 will be academic.

Offered price on 2007 Touring with all season mats: $34.1k --- thoughts before I do the deal?

siggie1

We are in the process of making the same decision: 2007 vs. 2008 Touring. Here's my analysis:

2008 Pro: Bluetooth, 8 passenger seating, no PAX.

2008 Con: Possibly price, see below.

2007 Pro: Probably price, but not necessarily. If we decide to lease then the amount of depreciation that has already occurred may be more than the amount Honda is subsidizing the dealers for 2007 year end. If that's the case, then it is possible the lease of a 2008 will cost less than the lease of a 2007.

2007 Con: No eight passenger seating and PAX system. PAX is a deal killer. A guy I work with has a 2007 Touring and he said it "only" cost $105 to get a puncture repaired because the tire is under warranty. However, I believe the warranty only covers the first 50% of tread life, and the PAX tires supposedly have a very limited tread life. Add to that the fact that few places stock the PAX tire, or have the equipment to change it. If have a flat PAX tire how much is it going to cost to fix, and how far will you have to drive to get it fixed, and how long will it take to fix it? And then, how much is it going to cost to replace all four tires somewhere before 20,000 miles?

Is the $34.1K price for the 2007 with Nav, or without? CarsDirect shows the "guaranteed low price" of $32,034 without Nav and $34,022 with Nav. It seems you shouldn't pay more than that since you can always get it from them.

decisionz

34.1k is with Nav (and all season mats). I agree with your analysis. Honda seems to have calculated the 2007/2008 price difference to the perfect breaking point -- which I am sure is no accident.

I feel a bit more ambivalent about the PAX tires. Yes they cost more (I called the dealership today -- $995 total cost to replace all 4 tires) and repair costs will be more expensive, but I am buying this vehicle for my wife to drive with 3 very young children. I also know someone with PAX tires and he has driven 20k miles with no noticeably different tread wear compared to normal tires (although he has rotated them very regularly). I like to buy nice tires anyway so I am sure I would spend around $600 for a regular tire change (albeit at about the 50k mile point rather than 30kish). To me the safety considerations and peace of mind are probably worth it.

I am thinking the best deal I can get on a similar 2008 would be in the ballpark of $38k (at least within the next 3 or 4 months), so that is a savings of about $4k -- or at least the majority of the first year depreciation cost of the vehicle -- and for a vehicle with 0 miles.

I just wish I could buy the 2010 model today.

sleepydeux

Has anyone successfully paired a phone to a 2008 Odyssey Touring? Following the instructions at:

http://www.handsfreelink.com/hondana/pair.taf?do=i&cid=106&pid=241

I get to step 3, but the vehicle doesn't seem to respond to the command "phone setup". It will put us in the main setup menu, or offer to take us home with navigation. The vehicle is in Park and idling when trying to pair.

I've also watched the instructional video at:

http://automobiles.honda.com/handsfreelink/setup-videos.aspx?ModelName=Odyssey

but it's like the "phone setup" command is not an available command (supposedly there isn't a phone option off the main setup window either; I've been trying to walk my wife through it over the land-line, so I can't say for certain that it isn't under a submenu).

Of course the HandFreeLink phone support closed about 5 mins before we gave up and decided it was time to call, but if anyone has successfully configured this, I would love to know if it's possible or not.

Thanks!

tsteele93

>I online chatted with another dealer who offered me $500 over invoice (whatever that turns out to be) on an '08 Touring. Seems reasonable on a brand new car.

I was told $37,200. It wasn't clear to me whether that included shipping, but I think it does doing the math. I'm not 100% on that number though.

rv65

It's possible. I have successfully paired a Motorola RAZR Maxx Ve which is has the same instructions on an 07 TL-S. Try having no noise in the back ground. Say things clearly. Use the phone button to pair a phone. You must make a 4 digit pin number for the phone which could be any number combo you want. You need to turn on the power for bluetooth. It's in the menu on the far right and on the connections tab. You hit the bluetooth and then you hit setup then you should find power. Hit power and turn it on. It does work but you should be able to get the hang of it. Use the phone button to do the setup. Then finish up the instructions.

kgx

Saw these bluetooth messages, and have to say...likely just another exmple of mediocre Honda execution.
My Acura's bluetooth system is my first bluetooth cell phone experience. I have used it on my Palm pda and Macintosh computers. I was not impressed. I'd be willing to bet the system is being transplanted into the Honda cars. So your Honda experiences will likely be the same.

My bluetooth is a disaster. It was not easy to setup, but I did manage to get my iPhone paired. The system is inconsistent. Sometimes when I make a call from my phone and select the screen button for "Handsfree Link" the car's system won't pick up until 2 seconds AFTER the caller says Hello?... Hello?