Maybe buying an Ody

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NicoleCPST

Senior Community Member

• May 22, 2012

• #1

DH and I have been out looking at Odys all day. Mostly 03s, the last one is an 02, it looks the nicest and had the least miles. Can anyone tell me what to check for on them, feature wise? How do all the seats moves around? Are problems with the power doors common?

 

P1ally

New member

• May 22, 2012

• #2

NicoleCPST said:

DH and I have been out looking at Odys all day. Mostly 03s, the last one is an 02, it looks the nicest and had the least miles. Can anyone tell me what to check for on them, feature wise? How do all the seats moves around? Are problems with the power doors common?

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Dont do it, don't do it, run the other way, please don't do it!

The transmissions are HORRIBLE. And yes, issues with the power doors are pretty common, and expensive to fix. Seriously, RUN the other way. Have you looked at maybe the 2003 Sienna?

Edit- http://www.edmunds.com/honda/odyssey/2002/reliability.html?sub=minivan

 

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NicoleCPST

Senior Community Member

• May 22, 2012

• #3

Wow! Really? I thought they were supposed to be great! That stinks!

 

lovemybabies924

New member

• May 22, 2012

• #4

I have an 04 ody and love it!!! Latch in captains chairs and I can fit 5 carseats

 

ketchupqueen

CPST and ketchup snob

Staff member

• May 22, 2012

• #5

Eh, as long as you are sure the transmission has been replaced it should be a great van for you. I'd look for one with a transmission that is new, though.

 

ElfJewel

New member

• May 22, 2012

• #6

We loved our 2007 Odyssey. The only problem we had was with a tire that kept deflating because it was changed wrong before we bought it. We had manual doors so no problems there. Once we figured out how to move the seats it was pretty easy. You can move the passenger seat to the center to provide 3rd row access (there is a lever on the bottom of the seat, you lift the back and slide the front across). It would have been great if we could have put a seat there with LATCH, but the big girls had to go there and they were too big. I never heard of transmission problems but maybe ours was too new.

 

P1ally

New member

• May 22, 2012

• #7

ElfJewel said:

We loved our 2007 Odyssey. The only problem we had was with a tire that kept deflating because it was changed wrong before we bought it. We had manual doors so no problems there. Once we figured out how to move the seats it was pretty easy. You can move the passenger seat to the center to provide 3rd row access (there is a lever on the bottom of the seat, you lift the back and slide the front across). It would have been great if we could have put a seat there with LATCH, but the big girls had to go there and they were too big. I never heard of transmission problems but maybe ours was too new.

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That's a totally different generation, OP is looking at 2002's. 3rd generation began in 2005.

With a new tranny, sure, it can be an ok vehicle. But why bother if a Sienna is the same price and far more reliable? For the sake of it being an odyssey? I fell into that trap, and I hate all the problems that came along with my odyssey.

 

ketchupqueen

CPST and ketchup snob

Staff member

• May 22, 2012

• #8

We were able to find Odys of that generation significantly cheaper than Siennas of that generation. We were open to either, and got the one we could afford. For some that can be a significant consideration...

 

P1ally

New member

• May 22, 2012

• #9

ketchupqueen said:

We were able to find Odys of that generation significantly cheaper than Siennas of that generation. We were open to either, and got the one we could afford. For some that can be a significant consideration...

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And there's a reason for that... Because they're horrible unreliable.

 

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NicoleCPST

Senior Community Member

• May 22, 2012

• #10

Well crud. 2 were at dealerships, and we've mostly rules them out. Getting ready to look at the last one, maybe we will get lucky. If this one isn't "it" then I'm keeping my explorer. I do not want tranny issues.

 

ketchupqueen

CPST and ketchup snob

Staff member

• May 22, 2012

• #11

I wouldn't consider them horribly unreliable, again, if you get one with a new transmission. We were very pleased with the way ours had been maintained. A lot will depend on how it was treated, like with any other used car. The tranny is the caveat I'd put on that generation, but other than that they are good vans.

 

stephie1012

New member

• May 22, 2012

• #12

I got an 01 I hate it. Always have issues with the doors and the trans shifts terrible. I know it's gonna go soon.

 

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NicoleCPST

Senior Community Member

• May 22, 2012

• #13

Well now I really can't decide. I think we are going to sick with our Explorer. The 02 ody was only $6500 but it had 129 k miles and the original trans. they claimed they haven't had any issues, but I think I'd rather pay the note on my explorer than have to replace a transmission in a yr

 

P1ally

New member

• May 23, 2012

• #14

What are your specific needs? Would a different SUV or sedan fit the bill?

 

Maggie

New member

• May 23, 2012

• #15

Is there a reason you're set on that year/model?

I recently got a '06 Town and Country loaded with dual power sliders and power tailgate, stow and go (AMAZING!), heated leather, etc. for $6000.