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Honda Odyssey vs Dodge/Chrysler minivans
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Comments
I'm sure that the Odyssey would probably hold about as many cases of beer as the GC, I have no doubt that the beer would be Canadian.
I have no doubt that some wiser person will inform me that the above judgement just won't hold water.
Ody owners think they're all wet.
jk:GESS
My understanding with the EX ody is that due to that power slider the door will no doubt be stuck halfway open. Would taht only lose half the power giving the battery a half life?
Steve, Host
Consequently, the debat over the Odyssey/DCC/Kia/Toyota etc cannot reveal which is the perfect van, only try and discuss the attributes so that the consumer can select the one that best meets his needs. It's a pity that most posters don't realize that.
After about a half hour of this, I couldn't take it anymore and I excused myself to get a cup of coffee and chill out. When I returned to the van, the kids had licked the Skittles and had colored all over the seats and carpet with them. Some of the offending spit-laden Skittles were even laying on the carpet getting stepped on and ground-in to the fabric.
Well, I lost it. I screamed at the kids, which got their parents mad. The parents and I were both screaming at each other. One of them (I can't remember which one - I was really mad) suggested it would all come out with some carpet cleaning. Aren't the seats Scotchguarded" they asked. "No" I replied, "and that crap doesn't work on ignorance anyway", I added.
Well, that got me fired from that job, but the good news is that I landed another gig at the Honda dealership down the street! At least I don't have to pretend to think the DC is just as good or better that the Ody any more.
Of course I can't even imagine what I'd have done under the circumstances!
What happens when your Ody buyer comes back with the van full of water. It seems to be happening a lot lately
Of course, afterwards in the break room.......
Good luck selling Honda's. Since customers have to wait for an Odyssey, there will be no kids messing up one on the lot.
Anyway, it looks like the days of the wait on the Odyssey are gone. Local dealer, who is an idiot by the way, has a couple on his lot. I didn't ask price because I'm not in the market but I see in here that people are getting deals on them now.
Used ones are still holding value nicely. This is good.
Can you?
Since one son has a well equipped 2002 Dodge Grand Caravan Sport and another one has a 2001 Odyssey EX, I have been able to make a direct comparison.
The Odyssey has better seating arrangement with double the cargo space but the Grand Caravan Sport is quieter and has many more nice features not on the Odyssey EX. I imagine the 2001 Ody EX now has a greater resale value now than the newer 2002 GC Sport and will probably go longer before major repairs are needed than will the GC Sport.
However, if money is no concern, the Dodge/Chrysler minivans do offer the most luxury.
Steve, Host
Chrysler for the leading mini van?!?!?!?!?!???
Steve, Host
A closer reading indicates AAA did not consider reliability and resale as their most heavily weighted criteria as does CR.
Notice their emphasis on items such as "over the road performance, comfort, convenience, workmanship and overall value."
Maybe AAA considers the HUGE discounts DC has been giving buyers of new Grand Caravans which would make them cost far less than the Odyssey.
I have compared since one son has a 2001 Ody EX and another has a 2002 Grand Caravan Sport. The Grand Caravan Sport is quieter, smoother riding and has more nice features than does the Ody EX BUT the Ody EX has more flexible seating and double the cargo space behind the 3rd row seating + the 3rd row folds into the floor which is convenient if large items are to be hauled.
The whole AAA organization exists for people whose cars are likely to breakdown. Of course they would pick Chrylser. If everyone drove Honda's and Toyotas' there would be no need for an AAA.
Steve, Host
Besides, the looks of the T&C inside and outside just looks "slightly ugly" as jsmath5 would put it:-)
Andrew, apparently you had the opposite feeling. That doesn't make them wrong or you totally right.
By the way, here is the reason why (I think) DC didn't install the Nav from the factory. Unlike
most Nav that need a big screen on the center console to operate, the one from DC built within the radio. Since a customized center console is not needed in DC case you can always add one in the future.
There are pros & cons with aftermarket NAV, just like all aftermarket products.
I guess as long as the dealer can install them and give you the same bumper to bumper warranty, it's alright.
But the most important reason for me is the looks. A big screen NAV on the center console looks great. With the aftermarket, the screen is either small or it is motorized to retract or "disappear" into the unit when it is turned off. And the way it looks just doesn't look quite as good as a permanent NAV screen on the console.
Of course with your aftermarket, you could install it in your future vehecile and I cannot do that on my Ody.
But how long does it take for the screen to open up and get started?
Well, NAV is great, but how does the NAV look on the dealer installed van? Is it a motorized one like your Pioneer?
All I care about while driving is the NAV and the cool looking factory NAV screen.
But I think your Pioneer aftermarket NAV is just as good as any NAV. Is it voice activated?
I grew up with my dad and his "American" car plus a million repairs. I finally got him switched to Toyota and now he is a Toyota person forever.
So based on countless repair experiences, I would never ever buy another "American" car make.
But that's just me.
Also, the Ody is the best looking minivan :-)
So is the NAV screen installed on the dash permanently?
It all started for me when I rented a car from Hertz Rental. The only car left on the lot had NAV, so they let me drive it without charging me the usual $6 per day for the NAV. Man, it was great. After that I was hooked. I bought the DeLorme Earthmate GPS for my Laptop. It worked okay, but nothing like the "real" stuff. So when my wife said we needed a minivan, I just had to have it.
Life is too short. Have fun while you can and enjoy the moment and all the toys-for-boys:-)
Acura 3.2TL and Lexus GS 400 selected for the same reason it was stated AAA selected Chrysler minivan. (However, the AAA link specified the Dodge Grand Caravan as the choice of AAA for minivans).
Spread the word: Do NOT buy an Acura or Lexus because ...." If everyone drove Honda's and Toyotas' there would be no need for an AAA."
- Rob
Chrysler turns to flat-folding seats (USA Today)
Steve, Host
I do think Honda has to step up to the plate and make their warranty longer. Those Korean car companies are starting to take a toll on the auto market. Can you imagine how many cars Honda would sell if they had a 10yr 100,000 mile warranty?
I'm rambling again..sorry...
my 2 cents
According to the Consumer Reports Frequency of Repair records, the 2002 PT Cruiser over two years has had an excellent reputation, I believe that Road and Track in their long term report commented that the PT Cruiser compiled "one of the most impressive records of any vehicle in the history of the long-term fleet."