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Honda Odyssey Future Models
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Comments
Was that North American Odyssey/Japan LaGreat or Rest of World Odyssey?
Man, basically all you want is a simple, basic, reliable, brand name minivan.
Thus, if I were to seek opinions on who would want all the luxury options like NAV, RES, woodtrim, etc., I would ask people who desire those things, not from someone like you.
That's why they have the basic Odyssey and the top-of-the-line Odyssey. The question is, for those who DESIRE the top-of-the-line Odyssey, would you want EVERYTHING?
And the resounding answer would be, "The heck yes!"
I mean if I'm already paying over $30K to get the best of the best minivan, you better believe I want everything at a good price!
The minivan with NAV+RES+Real woodtrim+all those fancy options will absolutely not appeal to those basic minivan shoppers like you, man. So of course, the woodtrim and RES will not be a deciding factor.
I don't have any new details - i am getting lot of rumors but no confirmed releases yet. Will keep you guys informed. One feature that is likely to have on the new Ody is a power folding seats.
BTW - Let's keep the posts on track!
We do watch too much TV
So, okay, that's cool--everything except TV for us. However, if I were to please the majority, I would still make the NAV+RES together. I think most people want just the RES, so I would make it by itself. But MOST people who want NAV (except for us) will probably want RES too.
"One word for you, man: BORING! Man, basically all you want is a simple, basic, reliable, brand name minivan."
Yup, me too.
My wife and I don't value all the feature stuff.
We want transportation for 5 or more, not a living room.
We want to encourage our children having conversations with their parents, not passifying them with a DVD or video games. We know how to appreciate and use a paper map. We have enough arm strength to adjust our own seats manually, and we don't need the doors magically opening at the touch of a button...
Personally, I think that Toyota has gone absolutely crazy with all the option paks. It's confusing, and oh wait, yes that's it...aren't people frustrated they can't get the vehicle built the way they are told that they could?
And how about all those folks that get all the special stuff and don't use it?
There is beauty in simplicity. Those that avoid the feature rich models may have other priorities and quality assessment criteria.
I'm glad Honda recognizes that. It is a formula that is successful.
Regards,
I could almost see it for long trips, especially after this past summer's vacation with our 2.5 and 4.5 year olds and me having made the mistake of thinking how much I would save by making reservations for the stops along the way.
We (re)discovered that the whole point of taking a driving vacation is the trip itself and not the destination. Especially with our kids so young, we aren't doing anything particularly on the trip besides splashing in the motel pools each evening. And having them actually see the scenery..., well, I think that's priceless.
Fortunately, on our way back home, I remembered to simply stop whenever anyone in the vehicle needed to stop and go only so long on each leg as all could handle. That turned the typical "vacation from hell" of the first part into the vacation that makes us eager for next year's. And that is something even the two year old appreciates.
Now I have my own bad choice example to remind me, in addition to those hell-bent-to-get-there-no-stopping-until-Dad's-bladder-says-so-ju- - st-use-the-milk-carton-son epics of my youth....
http://www.thehollywoodextra.com
Actually good work on the new M35!
Interior 2
Why, because it makes me feel good. And that's what life is all about--feeling good.
So, with that said, I still think there are a lot of people like me--those who want everything in a a vehicle--NAV+RES+Leather+Powever Everything, etc.
But, hey, if all you want is a basic reliable minivan, you have chosen wisely, young man. Nothing wrong with that.
Oh, by the way, I don't mean to offend anyone. Everything I say is out of fun and games :-)
And that's all I have to say about that.
32. man - when i was 32, i was thinking more like that. then i got married; more than a decade and 3 kids later, i find myself without a $10 bill in my wallet (mostly no cash)...but <sappy> i have infinitely more today then i did 10yrs ago.
i'm completely serious.
whoever coined the phrase "he who has the most toys - wins" sold those that choose to listen a falsehood.
everyday, my wife and i see external evidence of people with a much higher standard of living than ours... then again, we believe some of these people while living large are to some extent consuming beyond their means.
yes, we'd like to take some satisfaction in our ability to appreciate luxury, and yet still make the compromises which are fiscally sound for us, and yes, viewed by others, this makes our decisions viewed as very conservative and "boring".
hey, don't get me wrong, i'd love to drive around in faux leather, and when I need to escape the screaming, yelling, fighting, go out to the garage, hop in the van, experience the quiet, feel that automotive flooring at my feet, hit the switch and be reclined, then check out a DVD someone lets me borrow (we don't have cable or SAT, no DVD, no MP3, no PlayStation, no <insert high-tech toy list here>...); see a pattern?
sometimes i think the LX is excessive. people tell me that's twisted.
hey, i don't want anyone to think i'm knocking the higher end trimline. it just wasn't in the cards for our family. there are others out there like us too. Honda knows this.
P.S. We still don't own cell phone.
Just kidding :-)
I don't have SAT, MP3, or Sony PS2 either, and lately I don't even have time for television. But a DVD player is a must for me.
I think there are more people with DVD players than people without.
Oh, well, every family is different and that's why auto makers have different trims.
I just think most people are either in the basic camp (LX or EX) or the luxury camp (EX-L w/NAV+DVD+woodtrim+powered everything everywhere).
I think by just offering one or the other (NAV or RES) would leave the luxury camp very unhappy and make them want to buy a Sienna instead of an Odyssey.
Lot of you ppl are saying that this is the JDM version - Didin't Honda just release the New Odyssey in Japan... and they alreay have a Concept model out??!!
I know what. Those who wanted everything in their minivan are on the Sienna forum since the Sienna offers everything. Most people who buy Honda may be more conservative.
So Honda= conservative and sporty and
Toyota= lavish and luxury.
I'm guessing hybrid.
I hope Honda doesn't go down the path of multiple configurable options ala the Toyota. I hope they keep it to a small number.
It's confusing, but I think (based on what I read) frustrating for numerous Toyota shoppers who apparently can't easily get the unit configured like they are promised, or at least not yet. There are apparently numberous combinations that are pretty hard to come by.
There is something to be said for repetition w.r.t. consistency and build quality. I think that's got to be one challenge for Toyota as they build all these variations.
I think pursuing that path would tend to cheapen rather than improve Honda's position.
Fundamentals, safety, reliability, simplicity, execution, economy, value / price...
Heck I'll have more interest in next yrs offering from Honda if they resist the feature bloat, purposefully omit the gimicky stuff, and focus on refining what they already offer.
I don't see how you differentiate yourself as a follower of trends.
But then, that's just one opinion.
Regards.
p.s. DVD? We rarely have time / inclination to even rent a VHS-version of a popular movie. DVD? Then I'd have to hook up my surround speakers (yes I have that).
Wow - we are boring! Time to see something on the big screen I guess.
It is impossible to please everyone, but I have to say that Honda has done a very good job with the Odyssey.
I can say that I'm being impartial since I've owned Toyota sedans all my life---Corolla, Camry, Avalon, Lexus LS400---and the Odyssey was my first non-Toyota.
Overall, There's something about the Odyssey that just beats all the others IMO. I think the new Sienna is great, especially with all the huge improvements and high-tech. But I still think the Odyssey is the best after all is said and done, and the new odyssey will be no exception.
Even with the most basic model, I think there will be improvements and additions that might not make the new Odyssey seem very basic.
I just don't undestand why they would use FAKE wood in a $30K+ vehicle when REAL wood does not costs that much more than FAKE wood.
Why did Honda put FAKE wood in their $42K Acura MDX w/NAV+RES?
Why did Toyota put FAKE wood in their $41K Sienna XLE Limited w/NAV+RES?
It doesnt' make any sense to me.
It's funny how you can add REAL wood to a Twenty-something thousand dollar vehicle, but be stuck with FAKE wood on a $40K+ vehicle.
I have done a lot of research on ALL models and I find the Odyssey has teh best bang for the buck, and holds its value.
However, I am an inherent car expert who worked for GM for a number of years as a mechanic and am familiar with product life cycles. I am little nervous buying a 5 year model as I think the 05 id right around the corner.
Does anyone have any CONCRETE info on the release date and impending changes??
and in your opinion would you see inventories scarce and dealers marking them up??
Eric in So Cal.
No, the only ones who know when and what on the 2005 Odyssey (even the model year assumption is still really only probably-correct rumor) is Honda Corporate and they are notoriously tight-lipped.
No, dealers might try, but Honda will be converting two lines (Toronto and Alabama) and not ramping up from scratch as in the 1999 new model change. In addition, Toyota has a really great competitor in its own, newly-redesigned (and finally full-size!) Sienna. I don't think that the glory, gory days of over MSRP bidding will return with the new Odyssey....
Thanks DAK for the well formed informative reply!!
Can you say... Cheeeeeeeeeezy?
There are two reasons I don't like fake woodtrim.
First, fake wood looks cheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeezy.
Second, real wood does NOT cost much more than fake wood---only about 25% more so we are talking about $100 more. So why cut corners? Get the real deal. If you don't like woodtrim and go for the more basic model, then it doesn't matter anyway. But if you want NAV+DVD RES+Leather+everything else too, why cut corners on woodtrim for $100 less?
Lexus uses real woodtrim. I love Lexus.
However, Acura and even the regular Toyota brand use the fake stuff.
Everyone knows that real is better than fake. Some just don't want to spend $100 more for the real wood.
The cost of Real vs Fake wood is more than just the material cost. It probably costs more in labor to get someone to match the wood trims - so that they have the same consistency, color, and such. At least, that is my guess.
As for the salesperson saying that the new Ody is due out in 2007 - they are just trying to score a sale! Everyone knows that the Odyssey is comining out with a new redesign for the 2005 model year.
Most aftermarket woodtrim kits come with WAY TOO MANY pieces. This makes the car look very "cheezy".
Notice how the Lexus vehicles have only a few pieces of real wood trim on the dash and the side doors. They don't plaster the whole dash or vehicle with woodtrim.
So basically, the message is quality, not quantity.
Obviously, we don't NEED woodtrim. It's purely cosmetic and we all know that. They are just for looks.
Some people just don't like woodtrim, even in a $70K Lexus.
But for those who do like woodtrim, I think we want something like the Lexus vehicle---real woodtrim and only in small quantity to make it LOOK "classy".
But I would agree that most woodtrims out there look very cheezy and poor taste.
Bottom line, it's just for looks. I would think those who want the top-of-the-line Odyssey would also want woodtrim to "qualify" as a "luxury" vehicle :-)
http://www.vtec.net/news/news-item?news_item_id=163852
Can't wait for it to come out--especially the interior!
I think Honda ought to talk to Andrew regarding Wood Grain, man, it's like they took a paintbrush and said:
"Let's put some cheezy wood-trim Here, here, here, here, and heck, EVERYWHERE!"
Andrew, you are right about the application, quality vs quantity.