Lovinwaves/other Odyssey owners

[steph]

Hey guys -

I never thought I would say this but I am actually considering a Honda Odyssey!!!!:eek:

We went to the Honda Dealer to buy the Pilot and I started looking at the Odyssey and then drove one!!! It drove awesome and it was very luxurious!! While I don't particularly care for the look of the Odyssey and I will definately have people telling me "I told you so" (since I swore I would never drive a minivan) - I want to know if you fall more in love with it when you drive it? I mean were you anti-minivan before the Ody?

Tell me all - good and bad!!!

[lovinwaves]

Well Steph, I really can't say anything bad about it. When you factor in the safety, and all the wonderful "hidden secrets" of it you just can't go wrong. Safety was extremely the main reason DH and I were running to Honda and Toyota. I had a hard time parting with my Toyota 4-Runner (I literally balled at the dealership when we traded it in), but after taking the Odyssey home that night I knew I had made the right decision. If you still don't like the looks of it, then maybe try looking at all of the different color options it comes in. I personally am partial to the Black and Silver colors. Honda seems to have rounded up every American Mother AND Father and said "What do you want in a vehicle", and voila the Odyssey keeps getting better every year.

I have said this before and I will say it again...I get many many compliments on my Odyssey. Some people are minivan people and some people aren't, but the Honda Odyssey definitely closes that gap for many. Dh being my hardest critic of vehicles was extremely impressed with the Odyssey in every aspect. We were very happy with the valve shut off system which gives the Odyssey the best gas mileage minivan (only available on EX-L and Touring Models). I know Honda has finally added some great safety features and convenience features that my '05 does not have. Which would be great for you if you are purchasing brand new.

Ok do you want me to keep going, 'cause I can........... LOL LOL :D

[tchrgrrl]

I wasn't anti-minivan but I was amazed at how comfy the Odyssey was and how nice it drove. All past tense since it got smooshed in a SIC last month - and thank God for the Odyssey - it really did its job of protecting my family!

As for falling more in love with it over time - absolutely - there are tons of little extras you just don't realize how much you NEED until you are driving it day in and day out.

I have been considering other vans to replace my Odyssey for reasons of economy but nothing really compares to the Odyssey for luxury, extras and ride.

[steph]

We are looking at the color Nimbus Grey - very nice and makes it really "richer" looking. And yes we are looking at the EX-L so it has that ECO for saving on gas. I really want the touring but I think I would regret not getting the 8th seat.

So right now it is between a 07 Honda Pilot EX-L with Navigation or a 2007 Honda Odyssey EX-L with Navigation/DVD - the price is really similar so that isn't a factor and safety is pretty close (The Pilot being in the top 5% and the Odyssey the top 3% on informedforlife.org), so basically it comes down to function and appearance. Oh the decisions!!!!

Steph

Oh can you get a Britax BV or MA on the 2nd row center seat or a Keyfit for that matter? I was wondering since you don't really have a middle seat in the Odyssey if the sides aren't as safe in Side Impact or does the safety of a minivan outweigh the whole being in the center? Just wondering since I prefer Ryan being in the center right.

[lovinwaves]

Oh can you get a Britax BV or MA on the 2nd row center seat or a Keyfit for that matter? I was wondering since you don't really have a middle seat in the Odyssey if the sides aren't as safe in Side Impact or does the safety of a minivan outweigh the whole being in the center? Just wondering since I prefer Ryan being in the center right.

Well, Steph I just helped a lady with this same issue. What you would want to do is remove that "Eighth stow away" seat and very easily slide the passenger side captains chair to the middle, and voila you have a very safe middle seat for your son.

Here is the thread in case you missed it: http://www.car-seat.org/showthread.php?t=9624

[lovinwaves]

If you do end up getting the Odyssey I can help you find the best rear-facing tether point....

[steph]

Thanks!!!

Are the rear facing tether points not obvious? I know on my Pilot it was hard but I found some via help from another Mom.

So can you get a carseat on the second row center seat? I had already thought about stowing the center seat and sliding the other over to the middle....:)

[lovinwaves]

Thanks!!!

Are the rear facing tether points not obvious? I know on my Pilot it was hard but I found some via help from another Mom.

So can you get a carseat on the second row center seat? I had already thought about stowing the center seat and sliding the other over to the middle....:)

I wouldn't recommend it. I have done it, but I wouldn't say it was a satisfactory install. Also you will not have LATCH or Top tether usage there. If I get outside tomorrow I will see if I can install my marathon rear-facing on that seat again and let you know how it goes. Maybe CPSDarren has already tried? I would just slide that captains chair over and do it that way. ;)

As far as an obvious tether point, No, there isn't one. It is kind of tricky to find it....

[twokidstwodogs]

Okay, DH drives the minivan in our family, so perhaps I'm not really in a position to comment on this. But we do love our 05 Odyssey. The power sliding doors are a big deal in our small garage, and we like having ready access to the third row when we're traveling or when we need to transport more than four people. The third row is both accessible and comfortable for adults. It's also great for road trips. We took a 2500 mile round trip in it last year to visit family. It was winter, so being able to use the third row to nurse the baby and change her diaper at stops without having to get out of the car was awesome. This may be TMI, but when my older daughter was potty training, it was also pretty easy to use the travel potty in the car. I just like the fact that you can move about within the vehicle. I love being able to buckle kids into seats in rainstorms without actually having to stand out in the rain!

The Odyssey has loads of convenience features for people with kids. I'm sure the Pilot does too, but it's hard to come up with much that they didn't think of (besides an easy RF tether location for the passenger side captain's chair!)

[twokidstwodogs]

Okay, we are all awake far too late! (Unless the two of you are on the west coast.)

[lovinwaves]

LOL!! I am on Central time. So it is midnight right now!

Anyways, yeah I forgot to mention that when we test drove the Odyssey I made sure to ride in the third row on a bumpy road, and it handled and felt wonderful. The third row is actually very comfortable for anybody. I have had two adults back there many times and they have all made a point to say how incredibly smooth and roomy is was back there.

We also have a small garage so the sliding doors are a must, especially since the Odyssey is so wide.

[tchrgrrl]

I really, really miss the automatic sliding doors. *sniffle*

[ccjones]

Steph,
I am anti-minivan as well, but DH and I test-drove the Ody while I was at the Honda Dealership just for the hell of it. It wasn't actually too bad...for a minivan! LOL Seriously, if I was planning on having another kid or two, I definitely would have bought the Ody, simply because I wouldn't feel like doing three across in the Pilot, or having to fold one side of the 2nd row forward to get a kid into the third row for each trip. But, my body can't tolerate another pregnancy so it's only 1 kid for us! The Pilot works fine for the three of us, plus our black lab and great dane (who will have to ride in the Pilot until DH's new 4-door Wrangler gets delivered in March).

BTW, I got a 2007 Nimbus Gray 4WD Pilot EX-L! I have a portable Garmin GPS, so I didn't need the Navigation System, but I was tempted to get the DVD. We decided to pass since DS is gonna be RF for a LOOONG time and wouldn't be able to see the screen! LOL

Colleen

[CPSDarren]

My main complaint about the Odyssey is the tire/road noise. It's not so bad around town or on most asphalt, but it gets very loud at highway speeds on concrete. It can get pretty tiring on long trips.

My review might help:

http://www.epinions.com/content_208641101444

You may already know this, but the Pilot also comes with the VCM engine on the 2WD models. This may not save much fuel around town, but you might get an extra mpg or two on the highway.

We've had only one problem in the 1 year we've had it. When I took it in for an oil change last month I mentioned that there was a noise in the steering when it got cold. They ended up replacing the power steering pump system. A number of other owners at Odyclub have had a similar issue. Funny thing was, the noise was barely audible; my wife never even noticed. I was sure the dealer would say "could not reproduce problem."

I don't think you can go wrong with either model. If you are open to minivans, also check out the Sienna and Sedona.

[lovinwaves]

Darren, I can agree with you on the tire and road noise, but coming from an SUV I think the Odyssey is pretty decent as far as road noise goes.LOL I think the Sienna is going to be quieter in general, but they both don't do that bad of a job. I know we both have '05's, but are they still having a road noise issue with the newer models?

Also I am wondering Darren if you have a Touring Model? The Touring Model uses a different kind of tire called the PAX system. Could that also effect the amount of road noise made audible in the interior? Have you heard anything about that? Actually, that PAX system is another reason we did not want the Touring Model. While I throughly enjoy the conveniences of the DVD and Nav, the price that they charge is extremely expensive compared to what we could pay to install that ourselves. Just my opinion.

[CPSDarren]

Mine is a 2006 EX-L and I doubt any thing was changed for 2007 in this regard, either. For comparison, I drove a Toyota Highlander and Sienna and both were notably quieter on concrete at highway speeds.

It's not bad, mind you, but it is about my only remaining complaint. It's certainly worth an extended test drive on the highway to see if it bothers you. Maybe it can be improved with better tires and some soundproofing in the wheel wells, I don't know..

[steph]

Well I got a 2007 Honda Pilot EX-L with Navigation!!! Silver/with grey interior!!!
We bought it today and got one heck of a deal!!!

I'll post pics with the BV in it once I get it installed.

[lovinwaves]

Well I got a 2007 Honda Pilot EX-L with Navigation!!! Silver/with grey interior!!!
We bought it today and got one heck of a deal!!!

I'll post pics with the BV in it once I get it installed.

OH Steph, a big Congrats to you!!!! That's awesome you guys got such a great deal too!! Yes post some pix when you can!!! :D

[ccjones]

Well I got a 2007 Honda Pilot EX-L with Navigation!!! Silver/with grey interior!!!
We bought it today and got one heck of a deal!!!

I'll post pics with the BV in it once I get it installed.

Congrats! Did you get the Billet Silver Metallic or the Nimbus Gray? And did you buy or lease this time around?

ETA: Did you get XM Radio free for a year? I'm trying to figure out if it was a Honda promotion or a dealership promotion.

[CPSDarren]

Enjoy the new ride! Conrats!

[granolamama]

Darren, I have a question about the rear seat top tether on the '05 Odyssey. As understand it, the '05 model is the only year in which there is only 1 3rd row top tether AND no way to install more. So, can I tether an outboard seat to it, or can I only tether a 3rd row seat if it's in the center? Thanks.

-Helen

[granolamama]

I have a 2005 EX-L, and the tire noise doesn't bother me, though it can be louder on certain kinds of freeway pavement. We rarely open the 2nd row windows, though, because on many pavements it sets up some kind of rattling noise that just drives me nuts.

So, here's what I would change about the Odyssey:
1) Get rid of the rattling noise in the 2nd row windows.
2) Have 3rd row windows be able to open a bit.
3) Be able to completely control rear climate control from the driver's seat (only available on the Touring model, AFAIK).
4) Make 3rd row sunshades standard, or at least more available.
5) Add more top tether anchors, preferably not stretched across the cargo area. (I understand starting in '06, you can at least get more added in the back, even though they're at the back of the cargo area.)
6) Make the steering wheel a smidgen easier to reach. (I understand the '07 model has a telescopic steering wheel adjustment, along with tire pressure monitor standard on all the models.)
7) Make the 3rd row shoulder belts height adjustable, like the first 2 rows.

Overall, I totally love my Odyssey, though, and can't imagine driving anything else. I've never had anything against mini-vans in the first place, though, as I like things that are extremely practical. :)

-Helen

[lodonal65]

My main complaint about the Odyssey is the tire/road noise. It's not so bad around town or on most asphalt, but it gets very loud at highway speeds on concrete. It can get pretty tiring on long trips.



This is what I hated about our Odyssey. It was so loud on the highway, the kids couldn't hear the DVD player.
I can happily say that my Pilot is not like that at all! I love how smooth it drives and how quiet it is on the highway.
I do ALOT of highway driving too. Every other weekend I drive 150 miles roundtrip to take my dd to meet her dad for weekend visits.

[steph]

Congrats! Did you get the Billet Silver Metallic or the Nimbus Gray? And did you buy or lease this time around?

ETA: Did you get XM Radio free for a year? I'm trying to figure out if it was a Honda promotion or a dealership promotion.

We got the Billet Silver Metallic (although it was between that and Nibmus Gray). We bought it....we figure that in a few years when it comes time for that "minivan" (i.e. more than 1 or 2 kids) then DH can trade his Pilot in for the minivan and he can drive this one we have now (since he is soooo jealous because mine has a sunroof, navigation and XM LOL)!!!

Oh and we get XM free for 3 months then it is $12 a month after that. We have it on our Audi and I love it!!!! If you drive alot it is nice to have commercial free radio plus it has Disney music for the kiddos!!! Yours must be a dealer promotion, very cool:cool: .

[lovinwaves]

Don't minivans kind of have it in for themselves to be noisy? I mean because the cockpit is so vast and open? I always thought minivans in general were louder on the highway. Maybe alsobecause they are so close to the ground? I would imagine sound would carry much more because of the openess.

This same concept I think also applies in stereo competitions. A lot of the contestants use open designed vehicles like, honda Element, Vans, large SUv's, etc... The sound is better because it is allowed to bounce, if you will, around the cabin more easily.

I might be totally crazy, but this is my thinking. :)

[skaterbabscpst]

According to Cam it has to do with how well the vehicle is insulated and what kind of sound-absorbing materials are used in the cabin.

they use big vehicles in sound competitions not because the sound can bounce around more, but simply because the larger vehicles allow more space for installing subwolfers and amplifiers. :rolleyes:

[lovinwaves]

According to Cam it has to do with how well the vehicle is insulated and what kind of sound-absorbing materials are used in the cabin.

they use big vehicles in sound competitions not because the sound can bounce around more, but simply because the larger vehicles allow more space for installing subwolfers and amplifiers. :rolleyes:

Tee Hee!! Yeah I guess I was crazy Rebekah! I asked my DH as well, and he concured with what your husband said also. My Dh also use to install car audio systems. I guess I always though it was sound related not speaker placement :)

[Jeanum]

Congrats, Steph, on your new wheels. :)

[skaterbabscpst]

Cam did some car work when he first started in the field, but his focus is home audio/video distribution and theatre.