Looking at getting an Odyssey EX-L

[FiLeZz]

MSRP is $35,625
If I use Costco it looks like I can get it for $32,400. Is there any better way to shop for this van? Wife and I have twins on the way and we also looked at the Toyota van, but the wife used to be a mechanical engineer with Honda at the Lincoln plant, so she likes the Honda better. Any other van like this I should consider? 8 seats was on the list of wants. Thanks for the feedback in advance.

 

[KentState]

Odyssey is the probably the smart buy when it comes to minivans. Good reliability, features, safety and resale value. For price, the Costco deal isn't bad, but if you have a credit union, they may also help. Ours will shop for the lowest price and do the financing.

 

[OSULugan]

We did the van shopping thing a few years ago. Neither the wife nor I cared for how the Odyssey drove, but we're both used to how a Toyota drives than a Honda. That was the deciding factor between the 8-passenger Sienna vs. the 8-passenger Odyssey. Nothing else could touch it in quality after a few years (by checking out the used car lots) and price. I really wanted to like the Chrysler options for the Stow and Go seating, but after test driving a couple that were only 3 years old, we both agreed that they didn't hold up as well.

 

[TheAdvocate]

I'd get the Sienna, but theyre both solid for what they are.

 

[NutBucket]

Honda pricing can be tough. I hate Honda dealers. You'd think they were selling Ferraris or something. I think that Costco pricing is pretty good but you can negotiate that price too.

 

[Scarpozzi]

I'm in the same boat. I've got a car that seems MUCH smaller with 2 car seats. We've got 2 car payments now and I'm reluctant to jump into a 3rd unless I find the right deal.

I'm looking at Odyssey and Sienna. We've got a 2011 4Runner that we got new. We have about 10 door dings from other peoples' cars. Toyota doors are EXTREMELY thin compared to the way they used to be. I don't know how that compares to Honda....just thought I'd complain.

I'm also interested in the EX-L and have noticed that you can get one used with less than 30k miles for $25k... @ $32k, that's not a bad buy for new and probably cheaper than what you could get a Sienna with leather unless you did what I did on our 4Runner and have the dealership install leather aftermarket...

 

[nerp]

These vans are so pricey for what you get, really. Get a Caravan and call it a day.

 

[NutBucket]

But then you have a Dodge. No thanks.

 

[FiLeZz]

Picked up the Odyssey yesterday. $32,100

 

[NutBucket]

Nice.

 

[vi edit]

Picked up the Odyssey yesterday. $32,100

Costco pricing, or working directly with Dealer?

 

[FiLeZz]

Costco pricing, or working directly with Dealer?

Costco pricing.. It was lower then true car..

 

[nerp]

But then you have a Dodge. No thanks.

Yeah. Who wants a better driving, more affordable and just as reliable car. I mean, really.

 

[NutBucket]

Dodge...reliable? If they're so good they wouldn't have to slash the price to get people to buy them!

 

[Jumpem]

Eight seats for twins?

 

[Zivic]

Yeah. Who wants a better driving, more affordable and just as reliable car. I mean, really.

I cross shopped minivans when I purchased mine n 2009... the chrysler products were only cheaper if you got the smaller engine and they definitely didn't drive better than the hondas. And they got crap mileage. cheaper interior, basically city bus style seats vs legit captains chairs for second row. that said, it was at a time when their bigger motor vans were the ones that qualified for cash for clunkers because they got better mileage. so inventories were low.

I will give you that they are likely as reliable. all minivan brands seem to have some inherent faults that keep them from really being rated reliable.

when I shopped mine I felt like I was sacrificing the least buying the honda

 

[FiLeZz]

Eight seats for twins?

If I ever wanted to go to dinner and take my parents or in-laws or anyone for that fact without the eight seats we would have to take two cars.


I also have a large great Dane. If I ever needed to take the dog with us, for any reason such as hurricane evacuation how would I get this done without enough space to do so.

So eight seats seemed like a good idea. I would rather have enough room then not enough.


Also when we go out of town to visit family, I know that we will need to carry half the house with us for the kids. The extra room from the rear magic seats will come in handy. The cargo capacity of 61.5 cu.ft. is also what we wanted not just the eight seats.

 

[Jumpem]

If I ever wanted to go to dinner and take my parents or in-laws or anyone for that fact without the eight seats we would have to take two cars.


I also have a large great Dane. If I ever needed to take the dog with us, for any reason such as hurricane evacuation how would I get this done without enough space to do so.

So eight seats seemed like a good idea. I would rather have enough room then not enough.


Also when we go out of town to visit family, I know that we will need to carry half the house with us for the kids. The extra room from the rear magic seats will come in handy. The cargo capacity of 61.5 cu.ft. is also what we wanted not just the eight seats.

We have always done fine with an Outback or Forester. Enough room in the back for luggage and a stroller. Our black lab fits back there as well.

I would never consider a minivan with all of the snow we get. A capable AWD system and ground clearance are at the top of the list.

Visitors do have to take a second car though if we are going somewhere as a group.

 

[KentState]

We have always done fine with an Outback or Forester. Enough room in the back for luggage and a stroller. Our black lab fits back there as well.

I would never consider a minivan with all of the snow we get. A capable AWD system and ground clearance are at the top of the list.

Visitors do have to take a second car though if we are going somewhere as a group.

We found the Outback too small to fit a car seat, dog, stroller and more than 1 piece of luggage and misc. bags. Even the Acadia was pretty well stuffed the last time we went on vacation. Are you talking a full stroller or umbrella one?

 

[Jumpem]

We found the Outback too small to fit a car seat, dog, stroller and more than 1 piece of luggage and misc. bags. Even the Acadia was pretty well stuffed the last time we went on vacation. Are you talking a full stroller or umbrella one?

Full size. Until recently, it was a double stroller. Two car seats in the back seat. We could fit all of our luggage for trips. We only would have the dog in the back for going to the vet.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Picked up the Odyssey yesterday. $32,100

Nice! Congrats!

Pics?

 

[FiLeZz]

https://c6f58g.by3301.livefilestore...0sCh8HXsU1mCif6pHSw2YlhI--WKYD_A/DSC00217.jpg

 

[FiLeZz]

I bought weathertech mats for the van should be in on Wednesday...

 

[ponyo]

Nice. I love the interior of the Odyssey. It's like a cavern in there. There's no better way to travel on a family trip than a minivan.

Is Honda still using timing belt on the Odyssey? I know Toyota switched to chains for the Sienna years back. Timing belt service is one less thing I rather not deal with. Also, I seem to remember Honda using some kind of expensive custom tires/sensor thing on the Odyssey. It was pretty expensive to replace. Is that still the case?

 

[Accord99]

Is Honda still using timing belt on the Odyssey? I know Toyota switched to chains for the Sienna years back. Timing belt service is one less thing I rather not deal with.

All of Honda's (and Acura's) V6 engines in North America still use the timing belt.