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Comments
Middle seat in middle row is quite uncomfortable as people have noted. Kids may not care as much, but probably will notice during long trips. Adults definitely can't ride there without uncomfort. Both sides of the middle row were very comfortable and roomy for me. I'm 5'10" 195 and thought it was great. Front seats were very comfortable as well. More comfortable and form fitting than the Odyssey. I do wish they included auto seat adjustment for the passenger front seat as well. The dash, even though a bit complex (with RES, i.e. lots of turn knobs), looked very good and well thought out. The area bin between the two seats can be useful. I did however notice that the sides of the bin where maps where designed to go will accumulate lots of dirt, etc. over time and will be a hassle to clean. ....lots of cup holders, etc = more difficult to clean
Leather seats in the Ody are much more comfortable than the cloth, however, still less comfortable than the Pilot.
Back seat is basically a bonus seat. Anyone looking to used this seat all the time needs to look at the Odyssey. It would be bearable to sit back there but uncomfortable. You basically give up all of your storage space if you use this seat. I tried to fit my 14 mo. old's stroller in the back behind this seat and could not do so. We had to put down half of the back seat to fit it in. If you carry any stuff at all, you will need to put down the back seat and use only the middle seat. Both vehicles are about the same height and width inside, but the Odyssey is about a foot lower to the ground yielding much more storage space. You definitely can feel this difference in the seating as well. The distance from the the front seats of the Pilot to the rear was about the distance of my arms stretched out to my sides. The Odyssey was that plus about 4 more feet.
Both vehicles drove very nice. The Pilot was more loose than the Odyssey. We drive an Acura Integra now and the Odyssey definitely is tighter like the Acura. The Pilot was slightly quieter than the Ody. Vision for lane changes was slightly better in the Pilot. Front vision was about the same. First impressions were that I felt a little more in control in the Ody. Both drive very nicely.
Can't beat being able to move from the front seat to the back without stopping in the Ody, especially if you have kids or need to get stuff in the back. Sliding doors are a plus, with children and in tight spaces with the Ody. The EX Ody is about $2520 less than the EX Pilot. I told my wife that if they cost the same, the Ody still would probably win out. And with the price difference the Ody looks to be the winner for me. I'm banking on a dark blue Ody with beige leather interior either in '03 or '04(redesigned).
The Michelin Symmetry(sp?) original tires on my '01 EX are about shot at almost 17,000 miles. I know this is, to a great extent, a function of how one drives--we drive a lot of short trips, but I was wondering what everyone else's experience has been. Any recommendations for replacements? I'm more concerned with longevity and wet/snow traction than I am dry pavement performance.
Secondly, and lastly for now, whenever my fuel gauge reads just above "E," all I can put in is 15 gallons! The tank's supposed to hold 20! That seems like too big of a reserve (5 gallon, 25%) to me. I'm happy with the mileage, but I'm only getting about 250 miles before the gauge reads "E." Anybody else experiencing this? I'd like to make less frequent trips to the gas station. My dealer did replace the "sending unit" once--no change. (He also showed me a Honda Technical Bulletin(?) that talked about how the gas pump light would come on when the gauge read about 1/4 tank; but that's not my problem.)
Does anyone have experience with this installation? please advise
Thanks
Dan from CA
I think if I really want to go off road, I'll drive my Odyssey to the edge to the woods and get out my backpack and hike in!
Yep, the brakes click one time when you first start driving for the day (the pads releasing from the calipers?), then they are fine...yep gas tank has a slosh noise now and then (well I know there is gas there), yep when you (or the kids) press the sliding door buttons to many times to quickly, the doors sometimes get confused...just wait a sec and press it again. One think is funny, I have jumped into the back of the van with the "magic" seat down to change....when your back there with the back closed, you can't open it from inside...obvious when thought about but funny when you changed and then had packed all the stuff that was in the "well" up between the middle seats....oh, and of course it is really hot outside.
Not really. Why would you want to be able to open it from the inside when the 3rd seat faces toward the front? Also you shouldn't be riding back there with the seat down (I know you weren't) so just another $50 or so to fit a useless rear tailgate opener there. Could use the $50 to pad the front armrests so the DC people wouldn't have ANYTHING to cry about.
Another thing that you do need to consider with the tank is that the fuel pump generally uses the gasoline as a coolant. Running the car dry can damage the pump. For that reason the manufacturer may provide a little leeway to ensure that the pump remains submerged.
Steve
Host
SUVs, Vans and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards
Is this necessary and worthwhile? What are your thoughts? What are other people's experience with Honda Care?
I am cosidering not buying one, and save money.
Dennis & Alex at Mendo-Lake Honda in northern CA (800-287-6727) - $645 for the 7/75/0 Honda Care warranty
and
Tracy McCrystal at 800-264-3275 charges $655 for the 7/75/0 . She charges $875 for the 7/100/0.
i called both (no problem that i didn't buy the car from them) - very easy and saved me a ton on warranty for my new odyssey (my dealer started at $2000 for the 6/100/50 and the lowest he'd go was $1150...
I want a light-colored Ody with a beige interior so it is still the only option if I get a 2003. Unfortunately, I'm not sure that I like it as well as the Mesa beige.
Regarding the MPV comparison: I really like the colors, dashboard styling (beautiful wood grain), hide-away 3rd seat and roll-down middle seat windows of the MPV (I haven't actually driven one - just looked at it) - but it's too small in comparison to the Odyssey. The 3rd seat might be acceptable for a small child but there's no storage behind it when it's up. It's pretty though. I really wish the Odyssey had the roll-down middle windows and better color combinations, but I'd still pick it over the MPV.
Go with the Ody, you won't regret it. I too looked at the MPV, but it is small and underpowered.
p.s. wood grain is available for a fairly low price on Ebay. Just make sure that if you want real wood, that it is real wood and not plastic. Search Ebay using Honda Odyssey - you'll see listing there. It's easy to put on too (3M adhesive backing on the pieces.)
The sticker says:
Dear Valued Customer
You May Receive A Survey From
Honda In A Few Weeks
Excellent... Very Good.. Good.. Fair.. Poor
...Pass .... -------------Fail----------------------------
Please note this is a pass or fail scale
THIS IS OUR REPORT CARD WITH THE FACTORY; IF WE HAVE MET YOUR EXPECTATIONS WE ASK FOR YOUR SUPPORT BY GIVING US A PASSING GRADE
THANK YOU.
It was further explained to me, verbally, that only an Excellent rating was a passing grade. Any other rating was a failing grade.
How very good is failing is mystifying to me. I think excellent should be for outstandingly superior service, very good just what it says, Good= slightly better than average, and fair = average.
To compound the failings of the surveys many dealerships are "paying" for good surveys with coupons for free services such as oil changes.
So now when I see the ads: We have the manufacturers highest award for service the "XYZ" award it makes me laugh. Dealerships that have none of the service/satisfaction "awards" do make me leery.
"I wound up ordering from Brown's Honda City in Glen Burnie, Maryland. Their internet sales team was great to deal with. They did almost everything by email and took my deposit by phone so I'll only have to trek up there when I pick up the van. I got the van for $500 under MSRP (with no processing fee), which they said was their "January internet special." I don't know if they have a similar "February internet special" going on now."
Good luck. Hope this helps.
What are you doing driving at your age. In my state you have to be 16 not 3!
Thanks
SMelvin
Steve
Host
SUVs, Vans and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards
I went to Tirerack.com. I think I am going to buy the Regatta IIs from Goodyear. The noise level was rated good by the other buyers. It also was good on snow. The Aquatreads seemed good as well. They seem to a good choice as well.
It sounds like it is not just the Firestones that go bald rapidly. I have seen people mention Michelins being worn out early.
My guess is the weight is heavier than other like vehicles. The tire sidewalls are just not stiff enough on the tires to handle the weight.
Anyone agree or disagree?
We just returned from a 600 trip into the mountains of WV. 400 miles was on the interstate. I was pleased to average 24 mpg and how well the Odyssey handled on the hairpin curves. Only one of the three sons got sick in the back, having failed to fill up on Draemine.
Happy Odysseying!!!! Thanks for sharing your experience with replacement tires. JR
Good Luck
Tirerack is an excellent source of information at: tirerack.com
They list user survey ratings along with tire info and excellent prices.
I replaced the Firestone Affinity's early on for our 99 Ody EX with Michellin MXV4 Pluses (235x60R16) initially quieter and provided much better handling, but at 45k, even with much tread left it's time for a replacement; they are harsh and noisy now. But I won't be spending $500 plus from Price Club for the next set.
Since the MXV4s, I replaced the tires on our 95 Grand Caravan AWD (Michellin Xones, 215X60R15)with Yokohama Aegis LS4s, and have been sold on Yokohamas, and for half the price of Michellins.
I'm looking to get Yokohama Avid Tourings for the Ody in 225X60R16, on the rim and out the door for less than $300. Anyone want a spare set of Firestone Affinitys cheap?
Good luck!
Steve
Host
SUVs, Vans and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards
I also think $15,000 is a lot of money for a van in the 98 Odysey class - you're paying more cuz it's a Honda, a lot more. (I'm going to do something I almost never do here...) For that money, you could get yourself a 2000 Dodge Grand Caravan. If it were me, I wouldn't do it (the 98 Odyssey), but then, I don't know what your needs are. You may be satisfied with a small, 4 cylinder, 6 passenger van.