Re: Probably gonna get an Odyssey...
 

Seth wrote:
> Been looking to get the wife a new minivan. Her '02 Venture WB-Edition I no
> longer trust. 2 weeks ago needed the intake manifold repaired, now last
> week the AWD stopped working. Initially they said needed a new rear diff.
> to the tune of $3000. Told them to forget it. Later on, after they did
> some more research, found some other tech articles suggesting just replacing
> the AWD pump in the diff would do the trick. That was only $250 ($170 for
> part plus labor). Went ahead with that gamble merely to keep it in as good
> a shape as possible till we decide upon it's replacement.
>
> It's not an issue of the dealer. I've dealt with them for many years on
> prior vehicles and they've always been straight. It's I just don't trust
> the vehicle any longer. Only has 96000 miles on it and seems like it is
> falling apart.
>
> 3 vehicles we are looking at are the '07 Odyssey EX-L, the '07 Sienna XLE
> with Package #3, or the MB R350 (my uncle works for them and can get me a
> sweet lease even with a 20000 mile a year allowance.
>
> I haven't driven the Odyssey yet, but my wife went and drove it Thursday.
> Today we both tried out the Sienna. Very nice. My wife liked the drive
> better than the Odyssey. But the Sienna, in the XLE level, only comes 7
> passenger. So that issue, and the 175,000 nearly trouble free miles on my
> '01 Accord V6 EX-L has her leaning that way. Dealer is offering it to us
> for $29,438, so we're pretty happy with that. Gonna see if I can work him
> a little further and/or see what I can get out of him on our trade-in
> (haven't even mentioned trade to dealer yet).
>
> Ok, lots of irrelevant history out of the way...Just wanted to get that data
> out there in case anybody else is currently comparing the same vehicles.
>
> Any finance deals or incentives either rumored or confirmed in the upcoming
> week or 2? Hoping there may be some rebates or financing incentives for the
> upcoming President's day weekend.
>

I bought an Odyssey (still can't spell it) in Nov and just got back from
several thousand miles to FL. I LOVE it, may be the best all-around
vehicle I've ever owned.

Baseline: previous car was 84 BMW 528e that I had owned for 20 years.

....BOb

Re: Probably gonna get an Odyssey...
 

SMS wrote:
> Seth wrote:
>> Dealer is offering it to us for $29,438, so we're pretty happy with
>> that.
>
> That's about right if it's for the EX-L with the DVD, and a good deal if
> it's for the EX-L with the DVD + navigation, but it's about $1000 high
> for the plain EX-L.

Mine was plain EX-L for 28500. Basically the dealer invoice according to
Consumer Reports.

Re: Probably gonna get an Odyssey...
 

Seth wrote:
> Been looking to get the wife a new minivan. Her '02 Venture WB-Edition I no
> longer trust.

Get rid of that thing. Our '02 Olds Silhoette (same van) started to
become very trouble prone not long after getting out of warranty. To
all the GM PR flaks who blame "perception" and "media bias" for their
rotten image I say ... just have a look at your own records of V-6
intake manifold gasket failures and high failure rates for almost
everything to do with the "U" minivans to see why so many former
customers joined the Never Again Club.

The three vans worth serious consideration today are the Toyota, Honda
and Hyundai/Kia.

John

Re: Probably gonna get an Odyssey...
 

"John Horner" <jthorner@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:WH_Bh.898$XT.380@trnddc06...
> Seth wrote:
>> Been looking to get the wife a new minivan. Her '02 Venture WB-Edition I
>> no longer trust.
>
> Get rid of that thing.

Done. Picked up the EX-L in Ocean Mist yesterday.

Re: Probably gonna get an Odyssey...
 

Woody wrote:
> But he is comparing it to a 2002. The problems he had then are also fixed in
> the 07 GM cars. The 07 Odyssey hasn't been out long enough to say the
> problems are fixed....
>
GM's minivans still stink, enough so that they are about to be killed
off all together by the General.

Re: Probably gonna get an Odyssey...
 

On Feb 12, 9:41 pm, High Tech Misfit <m...@privacy.net> wrote:
> Woody wrote:
> > Before you harp all the praise on the jap cars look at the 2002 Odyssey
> > problems onwww.odyclub.com. With their transmission, EGR, IAC valve and
> > other problems they are far worse than the problems you had on the Venture.
> > The reliability is no better there.
>
> Woody, would you please do this newsgroup a favor... SHUT THE HELL UP!!!
>
> Once again, here's a reality check for you. Honda extended warranties
> and/or issued recalls for many of those issues. If you look at long-term
> reliability data in Consumer Reports or just about any other source, they
> will say that Odyssey is still more reliable than any big 3 minivan.
> Venture (since "replaced" by Upchucker, uh, I mean Uplander) is saddled with
> a V6 that is prone to the expensive-to-fix intake manifold gasket problem
> that GM still refuses to acknowledge. Ford and Crapsler minivans still have
> higher rates of tranny failure than the Odyssey, and they never issued
> recalls or extended warranties for them.
>
> BTW, the OP is looking at a new Odyssey. The tranny issue was resolved by
> the time it was redesigned for 2005.

Yeah, Honda just mailed out like last week the notices of extended
warranties for the transmissions on all those Odysseys and the other
models with the problem. Meanwhile, I know lots of people with
Odysseys of that vintage, and none of them have actually encountered
the problem.

Re: Probably gonna get an Odyssey...
 

On Feb 11, 8:01 pm, "Seth" <seth_lermanNOS...@hotmail.com> wrote:
> Been looking to get the wife a new minivan. Her '02 Venture WB-Edition I no
> longer trust. 2 weeks ago needed the intake manifold repaired, now last
> week the AWD stopped working. Initially they said needed a new rear diff.
> to the tune of $3000. Told them to forget it. Later on, after they did
> some more research, found some other tech articles suggesting just replacing
> the AWD pump in the diff would do the trick. That was only $250 ($170 for
> part plus labor). Went ahead with that gamble merely to keep it in as good
> a shape as possible till we decide upon it's replacement.
>
> It's not an issue of the dealer. I've dealt with them for many years on
> prior vehicles and they've always been straight. It's I just don't trust
> the vehicle any longer. Only has 96000 miles on it and seems like it is
> falling apart.
>
> 3 vehicles we are looking at are the '07 Odyssey EX-L, the '07 Sienna XLE
> with Package #3, or the MB R350 (my uncle works for them and can get me a
> sweet lease even with a 20000 mile a year allowance.
>
> I haven't driven the Odyssey yet, but my wife went and drove it Thursday.
> Today we both tried out the Sienna. Very nice. My wife liked the drive
> better than the Odyssey. But the Sienna, in the XLE level, only comes 7
> passenger. So that issue, and the 175,000 nearly trouble free miles on my
> '01 Accord V6 EX-L has her leaning that way. Dealer is offering it to us
> for $29,438, so we're pretty happy with that. Gonna see if I can work him
> a little further and/or see what I can get out of him on our trade-in
> (haven't even mentioned trade to dealer yet).
>
> Ok, lots of irrelevant history out of the way...Just wanted to get that data
> out there in case anybody else is currently comparing the same vehicles.
>
> Any finance deals or incentives either rumored or confirmed in the upcoming
> week or 2? Hoping there may be some rebates or financing incentives for the
> upcoming President's day weekend.
>
> Thanks


Little late now, but... two caveats, maybe, if you were feeling
luxurious; lots of people who get the electric remote doors are
unhappy, because they are slow, can't be manually overridden, get
stuck on pebbles and things and have to recycle themselves slowly, and
won't operate if the vehicle isn't in park. (That last one seems odd
to me; are there a lot of carpool moms who want to just sort of slow
down in front of the school and fling the kids out the door like
paratroopers?)
Secondly, the runflat tires are like $250 each when it comes time to
replace, and if you decide not to go that route, then you need a new
set of wheels to fit "normal" tires.

Re: Probably gonna get an Odyssey...
 

"z" <gzuckier@snail-mail.net> wrote in message
news:1172000475.901184.325790@m58g2000cwm.googlegr oups.com...
>>
> Little late now, but... two caveats, maybe, if you were feeling
> luxurious; lots of people who get the electric remote doors are
> unhappy, because they are slow, can't be manually overridden, get
> stuck on pebbles and things and have to recycle themselves slowly, and
> won't operate if the vehicle isn't in park. (That last one seems odd
> to me; are there a lot of carpool moms who want to just sort of slow
> down in front of the school and fling the kids out the door like
> paratroopers?)

They weren't any faster on the Chevy we just got rid of.

And I have no problem with requiring the vehicle being in park to operate
the doors. Doesn't hurt anything and may prevent an unfortunate accident.

> Secondly, the runflat tires are like $250 each when it comes time to
> replace, and if you decide not to go that route, then you need a new
> set of wheels to fit "normal" tires.

Don't have the run-flats. I think those were only part of the "Touring"
model. I got a lowly EX-L.

Re: Probably gonna get an Odyssey...
 

I have the run flat tires and I know I will be unhappy the day I need to buy
new tires, if I get a flat and don't need to change it..... that will be a
happy day.



"z" <gzuckier@snail-mail.net> wrote in message
news:1172000475.901184.325790@m58g2000cwm.googlegr oups.com...
> On Feb 11, 8:01 pm, "Seth" <seth_lermanNOS...@hotmail.com> wrote:
>> Been looking to get the wife a new minivan. Her '02 Venture WB-Edition I
>> no
>> longer trust. 2 weeks ago needed the intake manifold repaired, now last
>> week the AWD stopped working. Initially they said needed a new rear
>> diff.
>> to the tune of $3000. Told them to forget it. Later on, after they did
>> some more research, found some other tech articles suggesting just
>> replacing
>> the AWD pump in the diff would do the trick. That was only $250 ($170
>> for
>> part plus labor). Went ahead with that gamble merely to keep it in as
>> good
>> a shape as possible till we decide upon it's replacement.
>>
>> It's not an issue of the dealer. I've dealt with them for many years on
>> prior vehicles and they've always been straight. It's I just don't trust
>> the vehicle any longer. Only has 96000 miles on it and seems like it is
>> falling apart.
>>
>> 3 vehicles we are looking at are the '07 Odyssey EX-L, the '07 Sienna XLE
>> with Package #3, or the MB R350 (my uncle works for them and can get me a
>> sweet lease even with a 20000 mile a year allowance.
>>
>> I haven't driven the Odyssey yet, but my wife went and drove it Thursday.
>> Today we both tried out the Sienna. Very nice. My wife liked the drive
>> better than the Odyssey. But the Sienna, in the XLE level, only comes 7
>> passenger. So that issue, and the 175,000 nearly trouble free miles on
>> my
>> '01 Accord V6 EX-L has her leaning that way. Dealer is offering it to us
>> for $29,438, so we're pretty happy with that. Gonna see if I can work
>> him
>> a little further and/or see what I can get out of him on our trade-in
>> (haven't even mentioned trade to dealer yet).
>>
>> Ok, lots of irrelevant history out of the way...Just wanted to get that
>> data
>> out there in case anybody else is currently comparing the same vehicles.
>>
>> Any finance deals or incentives either rumored or confirmed in the
>> upcoming
>> week or 2? Hoping there may be some rebates or financing incentives for
>> the
>> upcoming President's day weekend.
>>
>> Thanks
>
>
> Little late now, but... two caveats, maybe, if you were feeling
> luxurious; lots of people who get the electric remote doors are
> unhappy, because they are slow, can't be manually overridden, get
> stuck on pebbles and things and have to recycle themselves slowly, and
> won't operate if the vehicle isn't in park. (That last one seems odd
> to me; are there a lot of carpool moms who want to just sort of slow
> down in front of the school and fling the kids out the door like
> paratroopers?)
> Secondly, the runflat tires are like $250 each when it comes time to
> replace, and if you decide not to go that route, then you need a new
> set of wheels to fit "normal" tires.
>

Re: Probably gonna get an Odyssey...
 

In article <ZgNCh.4514$Jl.4252@newsread3.news.pas.earthlink.n et>,
"Art" <begunaNOSPAMPLEASE@mindspring.com> wrote:

> I have the run flat tires and I know I will be unhappy the day I need to buy
> new tires, if I get a flat and don't need to change it..... that will be a
> happy day.

And it will be a sad day when snowy weather hits and you realize you
don't even have the OPTION of buying snow tires, that you're stuck with
tires that are by definition a compromise.

Nokian WR are the best tires for the average sedan/minivan, and yet the
Odyssey with run-flats doesn't give you the option of having them.
Looks like that whole "minivan safety" thing goes right out the door
there.

With cell phones and roadside assistance programs everywhere, run-flat
tires don't offer much if anything to the driver. The only thing they
offer is to the manufacturer: they can save the weight and expense and
storage area of a spare tire.

When was the last time you changed a tire? I believe for me it was,
let's see, 17 years ago--on an old van, and that was owned by my
employer.

And so what if you can drive on the run-flats? At up to 50mph for a
limited time. Gee, that gets you, what--off the freeway? Then what?
NOBODY can change out a run-flat; you're stuck WAITING FOR THE TOW TRUCK
to take you to a freaking HONDA dealer somewhere, where you're forced to
wait up to several days (yeah, that's right) for a damn tire!

Or you could wait at the side of the road, safe in your vehicle, waiting
for the tow truck you called with your cell phone--so he can either
change the flat for you, or tow you to the nearest facility that can
sell you a new tire and get you on your way.

Your wife would be PISSED if you stuck her with a vehicle that, when the
tire went flat, the only option was to hit the dealer and wait at least
overnight to get a freaking tire changed. Yeah, she was able to drive
to the next exit without damaging the rim--WHOOO HOOOO!

Re: Probably gonna get an Odyssey...
 

All your points are good and given a choice I probably would not pay for the
run flat tires. I live in central NC and snow is not an issue but I have
noticed that wet traction is not the greatest with these tires. On the
other hand, there have been many accidents here when people have been
changing tires on the inadequate highways... several deaths in the last
year within my tv news area..... so being able to get off the highway is an
advantage of sorts.



"Elmo P. Shagnasty" <elmop@nastydesigns.com> wrote in message
news:elmop-850AA9.20415120022007@nntp1.usenetserver.com...
> In article <ZgNCh.4514$Jl.4252@newsread3.news.pas.earthlink.n et>,
> "Art" <begunaNOSPAMPLEASE@mindspring.com> wrote:
>
>> I have the run flat tires and I know I will be unhappy the day I need to
>> buy
>> new tires, if I get a flat and don't need to change it..... that will be
>> a
>> happy day.
>
> And it will be a sad day when snowy weather hits and you realize you
> don't even have the OPTION of buying snow tires, that you're stuck with
> tires that are by definition a compromise.
>
> Nokian WR are the best tires for the average sedan/minivan, and yet the
> Odyssey with run-flats doesn't give you the option of having them.
> Looks like that whole "minivan safety" thing goes right out the door
> there.
>
> With cell phones and roadside assistance programs everywhere, run-flat
> tires don't offer much if anything to the driver. The only thing they
> offer is to the manufacturer: they can save the weight and expense and
> storage area of a spare tire.
>
> When was the last time you changed a tire? I believe for me it was,
> let's see, 17 years ago--on an old van, and that was owned by my
> employer.
>
> And so what if you can drive on the run-flats? At up to 50mph for a
> limited time. Gee, that gets you, what--off the freeway? Then what?
> NOBODY can change out a run-flat; you're stuck WAITING FOR THE TOW TRUCK
> to take you to a freaking HONDA dealer somewhere, where you're forced to
> wait up to several days (yeah, that's right) for a damn tire!
>
> Or you could wait at the side of the road, safe in your vehicle, waiting
> for the tow truck you called with your cell phone--so he can either
> change the flat for you, or tow you to the nearest facility that can
> sell you a new tire and get you on your way.
>
> Your wife would be PISSED if you stuck her with a vehicle that, when the
> tire went flat, the only option was to hit the dealer and wait at least
> overnight to get a freaking tire changed. Yeah, she was able to drive
> to the next exit without damaging the rim--WHOOO HOOOO!
>