Honda Odyssey-Experiences?
 

Wifey has her eye on a used Odyssey. I know Honda has a great reputation for longevity, but are there any issues specific to the vans that I should be concerned about?

We had a granite green 2000 that we bought as Certified Used car. Great van. I'd be sure the service history is complete. You should be able to get a print out of it from a dealer if buying private party, I think. Just need the VIN.
What year is she looking at?

2007 with the 3.5 engine. 102,000 miles.

She is going to ask for the service history.

Transmission
Transmission
Transmission


I think MRM might be ready to sell his 2007 EX I helped him acquire a few years ago. About 50K miles.

And yes, it has had its transmission done (updated) under warranty

Broken engine mounts. Pretty typical problem.

Louder then Toyota. Road noise that is. Handles better, and I think a little more power, but that isn't a big deal because its a van. We had 0 problem besides the sliding doors. Now they are recalled. Sales guy trying to sell me on the sports, fast and handling aspect of a "Van". Crazy. I hear they are very good vans.

1) Minivans with six figure miles are worth next to nothing. Esp when YOU are the one selling it next. No mom wants to stick her family in a high-mile van.

2) The timing belt, water pump, rollers, and tensior should be replaced at 100K miles. Was it just done? Or will it be your expense?

I've owned a 2005 Odyssey since a year ago and now have a 2012 Oydssey Touring. I've really has nothing of any concern go wrong with the car. The first one had about 100k on it. Biggest problem with both is inadequate brake rotor size. You can warp them very quickly. Sliding doors can have some issues with wear and tear. I actually liked how the older van one handled. The new version seems much more larger and less sporty. On the plus side, it holds about everything you would ever need. We took the second row seats out and moved my daugher back to college no problem. Make sure the van you are checking does not have run flats. They were a big pain with this model.

Eric is very good. Yes, we have a 2007 Odessey that Eric bought for us in 2009, I think, when it was fresh off a 30 month lease or something like that. The 07 has the upgraded transmission that had some problems. Ours had whatever the issue was and Honda replaced the torque converter under warranty.

It is an outstanding vehicle. It has the interior space of a Suburban with the exterior dimensions of a Crown Victoria. We use ours almost exclusively for runs to the cabin and long distance trips. It just can't be beat.

Now that our kids are getting older, my father in law passed away, and our beloved family pup died, we don't need the same space as we used to. We're planning to sell the van in order to get an 07-10 Ford Explorer/Mercury Mountaineer for the tow capacity and extra protection for young drivers. frankly, I've been dragging my feet (sorry Eric) because I love the van so much and am pretty sure we'll never get an SUV that is as nice and reliable.

When we bought it we went through a pretty extensive search process. We narrowed it down to the Odyssey or the Sienna. I would get either, and I would recommend sticking with only one of those two. I once bought a Plymouth Caravan that caused my family to develop its long love affair with Japanese vehicles. Don't make that mistake. Just get the Honda or Toyota the first time and be done with it.

Tell Eric before you pull the trigger on the one you're looking at. He can probably broker one to you cheaper than the dealer is asking. Dealerships want crazy money for old worn out Japanese brand minivans.

wahtever you do. DO NOT BUY ONE WITH ELECTRIC AUTOMATIC DOORS!!! my dad's has been to the dealer more than 6 times during its warranty and once it went out of warranty, he couldnt' be bothered to spend money to fix it. so we dismanted the door and de-powered it.

you have been warned

+1

My sisters Odyssey's trans just puked for a second time.

Had those doors on our 07 and now our 11. Never had any problems, even with wear and tear from three kids. The 11 is a more refined vehicle and much, much quieter. Big improvement.

I have an '06 Ody. 125,000 miles. No issues which were not covered under TSB / warranty. Powered doors have been perfect. It is in need of the major service Eric covered above.

I would by another. Never cared for the extremely compliant ride of the Toyotas.

My buddy has on '07 odyssey with trans issues.

We have an 01 with 180k km (110-115k miles). Did the timing belt and water pump at 150ish km at an indy shop, $600 parts and labour. We had the airbag module go about 2 years ago, that was close to $1000. And the sliders on the side doors (non-powered) - you can't slam them open (which my wife and kids constantly do). Otherwise the slider breaks down and needs to be replaced. I think it was a $150ish part and 1-2 hours DIY in my driveway.

Touch wood, we haven't had any transmission problems, and our generation was the worst for them. Honda extended the warranty to 10 years, but we're out of that now. Though most fail well before the mileage we've hit.

Yes, the handling is nice compared to a caravan or a montana. It has a front sway bar, something I didn't expect in a van.

They're awesome cars, as far as a minivan goes. We too narrowed it down to odyssey or sienna, and the right odyssey came up first. When this one gives up the ghost, I'm 99% certain we'll buy another.

If I was to get one without power doors, I wouldn't buy a minivan. Being able to open either door from the drivers seat to let in or out your kids is 90% of the convenience of having one. True, we did have one go that needed a new solenoid, but that was after 6 years of being opened 10's of thousands of times.

Had an 01 bought it certified w/ 64000 miles and went through 4 transmissions in 40,000 miles all under warranty. Sold it at 107000 miles and got an 05. Much better trans in the gen 3 Ody. The torque converter can have issues, had ours replaced at 100000 under warrenty, motor mounts can go and the rotors warp. Never had a problem with the doors on either van and my kids have tested them. Check out Honda Odyssey Forum : Odyssey Minivan Forums

My wife has had 3 of them... all 2007 or newer. No serious issues with any of them, over a 3-4 year period total. Hydraulic motor mounts are kinda testy, the ECO mode will seem strange at first, but they are super safe, and reliable. I would most definitely purchase an extended service agreement on whatever you buy, you don't know what might happen with any used/CPO car.

I am a car dealer, I have a 2.5 year old boy, and a 11 month old little girl. I would put them in her van and drive it anywhere.

It sounds like we are going to trade in the Mazda on the van. It's very clean and has had regular maintenance. I will definately check into an extended/aftermarket warranty, at least on the drivetrain components.

BTW-just how many cup holders/cubby holes can you have in a vehicle?!


I don't mind giving up the Mazda because I'm getting tired of unsticking the darn rear calipers anyway.

Avoid 99-01 due to transmission issues otherwise great, spacious family car that handles like a car.

Same with my sisters Odyssey, must be form the NY traffic.