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Claires, Host
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Hybrid Minivans
Next vehicle to be "hybridized"?
All of which means if you want to turn left or change lanes to the left and you don't want to rely only on the mirrors, a quick look over the left shoulder offers very little in the Ody and a whole lot of view in the Sienna (actually the best car for view over the left shoulder is the Grand Caravan which allows you to see out the back vent window too - excellent - but I digress....).
Also the "helicoptering" in the Ody is unbelievably bad (roll down the side windows only and drive on - your ear drums will pop). Honda could have corrected this with power vents at the back, but they didn't. I'm sure they'll correct that soon. The Sienna also "helicopters" but not as badly.
Thanks,
On another note, how do you find the blind spot over the left shoulder? Do you rely on the mirrows? I found the sightlines very limited.
p.s. My heart would love to get the Ody Touring - grey exterior and black interior - it's beautiful, loaded, and rides like a dream. I just can't bring myself to spend that much on a van that is likely to annoy me each and every day because of sound and blind spot.
Enjoy your Ody.
Anyway, he said that all vans do this to some extent and to take care of that problem would just create another. How bad this problem is depends on the exterior aerodynamics of the vehicle. This problem was the reason that many of the earlier vans had flip open windows in the rear... which caused exhaust fumes to enter the car. Another thing they did was to install a vent on the top rear of the custom vans.
Another 2 cents.
The salesperson who said they were removed because they eventually rattle should be selling something else. What a crock!
Of course, I live in North Texas, and it seems to go immediately from heater weather directly to air-conditioner weather. Maybe that's why? ;-)
Also, skipping any attempt at humor this time, I have a permanent ringing in my left ear. It is almost undoubtedly due to those years of driving my non-air-conditioned cars around Missouri, Iowa, Illinois, and Indiana with the window down. The seemingly low-level roar affected many folks my age (I'm 51) and older the same way.
So, considering that and the fact that most fresh air in Texas is inside air-conditioned spaces, leads me to leave my vehicles' windows almost permanently closed.
YMMV
Safe driving.
I guess you've missed the numerous posts in the Sienna Problems and Solutions thread talking about the lack of thigh support in the front seats of the Sienna.....
"If your basing your opinion on a 5 minute sit at the dealer, then you probably would not understand the dynamics of seat comfort over a 10 hour ride."
:confuse:
Are you saying that seats which are uncomfortable after a 5 minute sit, start to become MORE comfortable after 10 hours? It's been my experience that the reverse is more often the case: seats may feel fine after 5 minutes but start to be uncomfortable after 10 hours. Maybe I just don't understand seat comfort dynamics.....
Minivans have large front windows that cause a lot turbulence when opened but they don't create the air buffeting that hurts the ears. IN my last Chrysler t&C I installed air/rain deflectors from WeatherTech, which solved the air turbulence problem significantly. I have been calling WeatherTech for several month but they have yet to come out with a deflector for the 05 Ody. I am ready to buy the first set of 4 because they should help a lot.
Anyway, enjoy your Honda.
Another question: Do we need a minivan for 3 people? I think it's nice to own one but it may be a waste as well.
Thanks.
If anyone out there knows why they would cause the Odyssey to fail the safety inspection please let me know.
No, it's hardly a waste (regardless of how many people are in your family) - if you're like most folks, once you get a minivan you'll wonder how you ever managed without one.
Oops, I almost forgot to mention the best resale value and great reliability. I have never taken my Ody back to the dealer for any warranty repairs or service since I am mechanically inclined.
the Ody is the "BMW of minivans". I will not dispute that or want to debate our host, Steve of Edmunds.com about it. :} I believe it since I have personally evaluated both vehicles before buying.
Both the Ody and Sienna are fine vehicles. But it all depends on your preferences for a more floaty ride(Sienna) or better road feel/driver engagement(Ody). A lot depends on one's previous driving background.
I own my 05 sienna le for five months-13000k already...minor problems )brakes go too quickly..) rear is sitting a bit low...thats it!
The company that builds the corolla & the lexus ls430 & the avalon is the company for me !!
the ex came with dual pwr sliders, 6 disc changer, more comfy seats and yes, drives like an accord.
the sienna is quieter, smoother ride, flip out back windows
eventually, price/feature wins. I agree it is indeed personal preference
The Sienna is supposed to get memory seats and mirrors, and power folding third row seats, among some other more subtle changes.
I'm sure that, just like the adjustable pedals "option" (an apparently optional-option), the memory seats and mirrors will not be available in my area either. Just another "give only to take away" game Toyota plays to unnecessarily tick off potential customers. :mad:
Hardly. Read the Sienna Boards and you'll see nagging issues people have with them too.
Both great vans, people just have to decide which one they happen to like the best!
You might try Hugh White (Columbus), Marysville Honda (Marysville - a brand new store), or Matthews (Marion). Folks have reported buying at (or being quoted) invoice on a Touring R&N at all three stores in the past couple of months.
First they wouldn’t open, or close in Automatic, shut vehicle off, and
they started working.
Next, Power doors, wouldn’t close fully. Had to try and shut them manually.
Then after shutting door, door ajar light and alarm went off, and doors were closed.
Now buzzing noise coming from Passenger Doors, needs new motor, bought vehicle in December, and this is 2nd major problem with Odyssey.
The door problem has been going on for 1 week. Finally dealer found bad motor,
today.
Defroster doesn’t blow much air on Floor to heat feet. They can't fix that, cause Honda says it’s not a problem. And I'm not even mentioning wind noise problem.
Should of bought Sienna or Ford Freestyle, it's quicker and has AWD.
Honda, I not impressed. First Honda Vehicle, soon to be my last.
Overpriced, and quality sucks!!!
Don’t buy a first year vehicle, which the touring model is. Don’t care who Manufacturer is. It has problems,
And it takes a year or two to them fixed!!
2005 Honda Odyssey Recall ID from NHTSA: 05V132000
Auto Recall Date: APR 05, 2005
Vehicle Component: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS
Estimated Vehicles Affected: 1923
2005 Honda Odyssey Defect Summary:
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, A LOOSE TERMINAL IN THE MAIN FUSE BOX MAY CAUSE THE FUEL PUMP TO LOSE POWER. IF THE FUEL PUMP BECOMES INOPERATIVE, THE ENGINE MAY NOT START.
Defect Consequence:
IF THE FUEL PUMP LOSES POWER WHILE DRIVING THE ENGINE COULD STALL WITHOUT WARNING WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH. :sick:
Remedy:
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ENTIRE FUSE BOX. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON APRIL 13, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT HONDA AT 800-999-1009 OR ACURA AT 1-800-382-2238.
Notes:AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., P73, P74
2005 Honda Odyssey Recall ID from NHTSA: 05V039000
Auto Recall Date: FEB 03, 2005
Vehicle Component: STEERING:COLUMN
Estimated Vehicles Affected: 203
2005 Honda Odyssey Defect Summary:
ON CERTAIN MINIVANS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE STEERING COLUMN MAY BE INCORRECTLY ASSEMBLED, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL.
Defect Consequence:
LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL CAN CAUSE A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE. :sick:
Remedy:
OWNERS WERE NOTIFIED BY TELEPHONE ON JANUARY 25, 2005, AND ARRANGEMENTS WERE MADE TO HAVE THEIR VEHICLES TOWED TO THEIR DEALERS AND HAVE THE REPAIRS PERFORMED. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 25, 2005.
Notes:AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., P70
2005 Honda Odyssey Recall ID from NHTSA: 04V536000
Auto Recall Date: NOV 15, 2004
Vehicle Component: SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK:WHEEL SPEED SENSOR
Estimated Vehicles Affected: 2247
2005 Honda Odyssey Defect Summary:
ON CERTAIN MINIVANS, THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) USES A SENSOR ON EACH WHEEL TO DETECT WHEEL SPEED. SOME SENSORS ON THE REAR WHEELS WERE INSTALLED INCORRECTLY, WHICH MEANS THE SENSOR MAY REPORT THE WRONG WHEEL SPEED TO THE ABS CONTROL UNIT.
Defect Consequence:
THE DRIVER COULD EXPERIENCE A LOSS OF BRAKE FORCE AND A CRASH COULD OCCUR. :sick:
Remedy:
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE REAR WHEEL SPEED SENSORS. IF AN INCORRECT GAP IS DETECTED, THE SENSOR WILL BE REMOVED AND THE KNUCKLE CHECKED FOR CROSS THREADING DAMAGE. IF DAMAGE IS FOUND, THE KNUCKLE WILL BE REPLACED. IF NO DAMAGE IS FOUND, THE SENSOR WILL BE REINSTALLED CORRECTLY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 12, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009.
Notes:AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., P52
2005 Toyota Sienna recalls
NONE
They are both two big evil corporations, and if not for NHTSA they would not admit anything. I am actually shopping for an Odyssey right now - do not ask, wife drove both and said - this one. I also owned Prelude and Integra, and kinda like Honda.
What bothers me is the nature of the recalls. Not a poor design - poor execution. I trust Honda engineers, but it looks like local assembly quality is lacking. If that is the problem - there is no guarantee that those issues will sort out after a year or so.
As you can install ABS sensor backwards independent of the greatest design and features.
Most recalls amount to "A tempest in a teapot". They address islolated things that, "could", "possibly" lead to a problem. Because of liability they have to make it sound as bad as they can.
When the recalled cars are inspected, it's VERY rare to find an actual problem.
Imagine in the "old days" when there was no such thing as a recall? It's amazing we survived!
This is a dead issue.
The 'improperly installed' components (ABS sensors) affected 2247 cars and the recall was in mid November of last year. Honda identified the issue early and, again, contacted owners of affected vehicles beginning on November 12.
Again, this is a dead issue.
Would there be any point in dredging up the recalls issued on 1st year Siennas (or MPV's for that matter)? No. All the recall indicates is that a problem has been identified and there is a KNOWN SOLUTION.
Regarding this "loss of control resulting in crash" language: How many of you adjust your seat while driving? How many of you adjust the tilt/reach of your steering wheel while driving? Do you have any idea of the number of warnings in a typical new car users manual which warn against "loss of control resulting in crash"? I had to laugh at the one about the fuel pump losing power resulting in an engine stall which could cause the driver to crash. Anybody ever hear of a crash resulting from the driver running out of gas?