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Honda Odyssey vs Dodge/Chrysler minivans
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DC make nice van. Smaller engine than Honda and no magic seat. Kia best value now. Might trade Honda for Kia. Honda too powerful don't need to drive so fast. Kia get better milage when being towed use hardly any gas. DC give big rebate on their van. Best value now. May just buy 2 year old DC van now. Less wait for smoke and repairs to start.
DC vs. Odyssey board in Town Hall top ten discussion today. Posters known much knowledge and information. Like lack of articles and conjunctions in sentence structure. Ody01 get much credit for interest in topic.
We visited three dealers in one weekend and there was not a single Odyssey left on any of the lots. I guess it's true what they say...they sell them before they hit the dealership. Our's should be here within a week to ten days.
We went on a test drive and felt cramped with the 4 year old girl in the back seat. The noise level was higher than we prefer so we offered to trade in our 99 GC SE on a new 2002 Chrysler T&C eL if the dealer would sell the 99 GC SE to them for the trade-in we received. They were most pleased to buy an exceptionally nice 99 GC SE with only 37,240 miles on Janury 26, 2002. (After all the 4 of them had gone to Disneyland with us 4 times in the past 2 years and KNEW the 99 GC SE was an outstanding vehicle).
The 2002 T&C eL does not have all the nice features of the 99 GC SE such as Infinity 200 watt 10 speaker sound with CD and Cassette, Built in child safety seat in right middle Quad, Cast Wheels but is even quieter than the very quiet 99 GC SE. Triple Zone Temperature is even nicer than Dual Zone where the rear passengers got the temperature set by the driver. Instead of heat/cooling vents at middle and rear of both front doors as in the 99 GC SE, the 02 T&C eL has only heating vents under the front seat in addition to the 4 overhead A/C vents in ceiling overhead middle and rear row seats and also has the rear heater in front of right rear wheel. The front fan is even more powerful than was the excellent 5 speed fan of the 99 GC SE. We very seldom use the rear A/C even crossing the Mojave Desert of California since the A/C in each is very powerful with very cold air.
Yes, we would have purchased a 2002 Havasu Blue Honda Odyssey had one been available in January as we were willing to try another van. I would like the 240 HP with 5 Speed Automatic, Magic Seat and flexible 2nd row seating but would have needed to give up the very nice Overhead Console with outside temperature/Compass/Trip Computer, Triple Zone Temperature, and 50/50 split fold and tumble 3rd row. As stated before, we feel the Odyssey and Grand Caravan/Town & Country are of equal value with each having unique advantages.
What van do you think jumps better, the Honda or the DC? The magic seat would be nice for loading welding gear in one minute, and then Murdoc the next. But over the long hauls when Mr. T refused to fly, the leather and 3 zone climate control of the T&C might be the ticket. See it's even hard for the A-team to choose, I still love it when a plan comes together.
1. An engine
2. Spotty Reliability during the first year
3. A disappearing seat (I'd rather have a disappearing finance payment)
4. A noisy gas tank and inaccurate gas guage
5. Four Wheels
6. Some Windows, seats and a steering Wheel
The DC Van has:
1. An Engine
2. Spotty Reliability However new generation much better.
3. Split removeable third seat
4. A gas tank and gas guage
5. Four Wheels, (give or take one or two)
6. Some Windows, seats and a steering Wheel
Sounds like a wash to me.
Neither Car has:
5 speed manual transmission with chrome shifter topped by a cue ball shifter knob
chrome door handles with real push buttons
Available factory flames or woodie treatment
Upcoming turbo model and convertible model
Advantage the Microvan
Thank You very much
A better name for the board would be My Van is better than your Van as this is what it amounts too.
Headlights ODY much better than DC. I put aftermarket Hella bulbs in 96 DC. Still have to drive no more 60 at night or outdrive head light. Not so ODY. Go likety split at night.
I like crkeehn neon, too. Have PT Cruiser Package. Bet factory flame job all same.
"2022 Odyssey much fast very good. Better much bad 1989 DC van. Me good you bad. Me big Sequoia scare woman now all alone."
The sad part is that although I think the Odyssey is a good van I would be hesitant to ever own one just because I wouldn't want to be associated with the ody owners on these boards. The original gloating on this board was bad enough but now it has literally broken down to a comparison of manhood and mocking others. It is kind of like playing king of the mountain. The winner gets to stand all alone and look down on everybody else. Some day the king might realize that he is all alone and playing with himself.
Had you already done your deal before your daughter decided to buy your old van?
It's usually better to keep the trade-in out of any new vehicle purchase until after you've got the dealer committed to the lowest price you can get without trade. That way you can figure out what the new van costs, and also what the dealer is willing to give you on the trade, rather than combining the two issues. By the way, Edmunds has a good tool for determining ballpark used vehicle prices, either as trades, private sales or purchased from a dealer.
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Now then. Odysseys are clearly superior to DC vans because
... Better resale
... Less confusing color selection
... I'll think of more stuff later ...
BTW, I am rather enjoying our 2001 DGC. It is very smooth and handles quite well for a large vehicle. I would have preferred the 3.8 engine but it is hard to find used vans with that engine. The only other thing that I wish I had is a power drivers seat. My other car has one and I quite enjoy it and would like to have it on the van as well.
whambam - Actually color selection is one of the things that I do not like about the Odyssey. Unlike most van buyers out there, white and silver just don't do it for me. Our DGC is Steel Blue and I really like that color.
I wish you and some hosts would realize that not all owners are fiercely fanatic anal retentives defending to the death that they chose the right car. Most of us could care less. It's just a car.
A little life and fun in these fora would go a long way towards making them palatable while exchanging info and points-of-view.
To be forced to be dead-on-topic at all times is even more ridiculous than my precious Ody's initial color selection, which clearly sucked.
Lighten up, everybody.
AVAILABILITY
Why did we buy our 2nd Choice in January 2002?
AVAILABILITY
Are we happy with our 2nd Choice?
YES...Both times we paid less for our nice DC minivan than the Odyssey LX would have cost.
What about less trade in?
Moot point since our 2nd daughter and her husband bought our used 1999 GC SE for the same amount we got for trade in. Salesman at each dealership was equally pleasant, decent, and trustworthy.
Odyssey advantages: Most power, most comfortable seats, Magic Seat, most cargo space with all seats in place, Flexible 2nd row seating, 5 Speed Automatic in 2002, slightly higher EPA ratings.
DC advantages: Availability, Separately controlled temperature for driver and front seat passenger, Complete Overhead console with compass/outside temperature/accurate trip computer, automatic locking door locks, more convenient dealer for oil and oil filter changes, better quality stereo....(and I can not leave out the padded armrests on the front doors).
I drive my brother-in-laws 2001 Odyssey EX frequently (as a service to them when they fly all over the country I drive it home when they leave and back to airport when they return...a WIN/WIN situation: convenience for them and an excellent opportunity for me to drive and compare the Odyssey to DC minivans).
The seats in the new 2002 Odysseys are NOT as comfortable for me as are the 1999-2001 years but I do like the 5 speed automatic in the 2002.
I owned a 96 DC van and frequently rent DC vans on business trips. They have really improved their vans, especially in fit and finish.
One problem with the Odyssey is there are few, if any, of them available for test drives.
I do believe that this forum can be mellow, non aggressive, and an assistance to those that are considering buying either minivan. I do appreciate humor, as well. Just my $ .02
Pat, has nobody told you that Santa isn't real?
Odyssey best minivan, all Odyssey standard 3.5L V6 most power, good mileage. Some Chrysler also good large 3.8L V6 some model lots power, high mileage almost same Odyssey.
Need forum Honda Odyssey vs Chrysler/Dodge vs Kia Sedona. Smaller, less expensive Sedona same size 3.5L V6 Odyssey use more fuel much less power. Sedona same size short Chrysler Voyager and Dodge Caravan.
Agree 100% with Bigwhammy. All of my posts on the subject of the superiority of the Ody minivan were interspersed with a certain amount of self deprecating humor. I certainly do not believe that the Honda is by all means a perfect vehicle. I apologize to all of the other van owners if my humor was lost on them. ("I'm shakin the tree boss, shakin the tree").
Whammy - no need to keep an eye on me. I've certainly learned my lesson and won't stray off the topic again. ("What we have hee-ahh.....is a failya to communicate.")
You ain't foolin' me none, no sir, no how, no way!
I've decided to let you slide this time, and won't rat you out to the Hosts, all of whom snap-to immediately to ameliorate any complaint I might have.
Now then, how 'bout them Hondas? How 'bout them D/C's?
Explain! When the Honda will carry 7 adults which means you could carry 2 in front, 2 in middle and 1 in rear or 3 in rear and take out the 2 middle seats.
Any man doesn't have an infinity sound system, spends a night in da box. Any man doesn't have a driver's arm rest, speds da night in da box.
I think whambam can eat 8 dozen hard boiled eggs in an hour.
If you have ever slept on a fold away cot, you will understand that comfort is not the priority in design.
So it is convienent, but would you want to sit on one for 4 hours.
Well, you just wouldn't understand.
My 18 year old daughter sits in the first rear seat position in my Odyssey's magic seat . She stretches her feet out along side the middle seats, that I have hooked together like a single bench She has the most leg room of any one in the van. She has never complained about being uncomfortable.
However, we know all teenagers are silent as they accept life's unfair adversities.. Teenagers accept their lot without a word of complaint, much less a sarcastic comment.
I was curious have any of you done the long trip with 3 people on that "seat", 1 adult and two children.
Let's just say I was pretty numb after the long drive.
You can stick kids in a cardboard box and they will be comfortable.
Adults need a little more than "magic"
Now need D/C 2-zone air condition, good feature.
Ody van now smell like Hersbird goat.
Having had both DC configurations I would prefer the Odyssey Magic Seat to either DC 3rd row seating.
The Odyssey driver's seat is much more comfortable for me than the driver's seat in either our former 1999 GC SE or current 2002 T&C eL. The 2002 Odyssey seats are NOT as comfortable for me as were the 1999-2001 Odyssey seats.
I have not sat on any of the 3 rear seats for an over an hour or two at any given time. All were comfortable for me for that length of time.
DC have triple zone AC? Just want to know from someone who has it - is it really possible to have the driver cooled/warmed to say 72 and the front passenger cooled/warmed to 78? Doesn't ambient air temp even out in an open enclosure with a volume of some 200 cubic feet?
Not to sound like a sexist...OK, to sound like a sexist - I always thought the dual front zone was a chick feature. After all, it's common knowledge that males have a much greater span in their personal comfort level with regard to the environment. My personal comfort level span ranges from 60 - 80 degrees. Within this range, I can comfortably operate with one layer of clothing and no supplemental heating or cooling. My wife's comfort span on the other hand, ranges from 72-78 degrees. Cooler than 72 and we're heating, warmer than 78 and we're cooling. Bdaddy's own extensive research on this subject confirms this is a universally accepted fact.
Of course, she married me. What does she know ?
Ody nice EX feature dial temp 68 degree. Wife want different, must employ advanced engineer technique known as vent diddling.
After eat pickled egg, wife open all window, rear vents, rear hatch, drive through car wash
Powerful Odyssey also employ well thought out engineering trick maintain gas milage under load. Ody suspension lower to keep coefficient of drag down so get same good milage as with just driver in it. Honda engineer smart and use sewing machine oil for lubricant so Ody get best minivan milage.
However, the GC Sport with "F" option and the T&C LX with "F" option do not have standard Triple Zone Temperature Control. The Triple Zone comes with Climate Group III on the "F" models.
The GC ES and T&C LXi, and Limited have Triple Zone Temperature with automatic control as standard equipment. As with the Odyssey EX, just set the temperature for each of the 3 zones.
As you can see, Honda makes it much less confusing to order and purchase the Odyssey with far fewer decisions to make concerning options.
I think DC has too many options which can confuse many purchasers.
Ody very nice tank look, strong engine. Carry PTC in magic well.
We test drove the PT Cruiser and liked it but it is NOT a long distance cruiser like either a DC minivan or an Odyssey.
I was disappointed with the effect of wind on the PT Cruiser since similar winds have no noticeable effect on our pot bellied pig DC minivan or on my brother-in-law's boxy Odyssey.