Odyssey reliability?

Hi all,
I am thinking of purchasing a used (2000 - 2001) Odyssey and was
wondering how reliable these vehicles are. I will use this van for work
and it will be hauling about 250 lbs of tools and parts. I drive about
30K a year and hope to keep the vehicle for 4 - 5 years. So, I was
wondering if hte Odyssey has a durable enough drive train to last up to
150K without needing anything major like a transmission, engine, or
major suspension parts (other then the normal strut / shock
replacements) I have read a few posts about transmission problems, tire
wear problems and poor fuel economy (13 - 15 mpg). Are transmission
failures in 30K miles common? Is the 13 - 15 mpg figure the norm or do
most people with these vans get 18 - 25 mpg? Does anyone have a V6
powered 1999 or newer Odyssey with high mileage and how has it
performed? Since this vehicle is going to be used for my job, I can not
have a vehicle that is going to be unreliable. These things are
expencive used or new. I'm willing to pay the premium if the Odyssey can
equal the reliability of Civics and Accords I have had or used. I'd
rather have a Civic, but I need the room of a van. I am also looking at
the Toyota van. Would this be a better choice then the Honda? I prefer
the looks and feel of the Honda, but if the Toyota is more reliable, I
would go with it since reliability is my major concern.
Thanks,
Bill B.

 

try this site:

http://www.odyclub.com/

good luck

 

Hi,
Thanks,
I checked out that site and now I am a bit skeptical with respect to the
Odyssey. Two things I can live without is a gas guzzeling vehicle (14 - 16
mpg,, ouch) and a vehicle with transmission problems. Been there, done that
with a Ford Windstar. Two trannies in 64K miles. But, I am seeing on that
website that people are having the Odyssey transmissions fail as low as 17K
miles. I don't know if this is common or not, but I have also read several
posts about Honda V6 powered cars with automatics giving a ton of grief.
Since I would use this vehicle for work as well as personal use, I can not
have that much down time.
The big thing is that I am not hearing from anyone with a 1999 - 2003 Odyssey
who has over 100K miles on the thing. It makes me wonder if these vans hold up
for the long haul. I thought it was one of the most comfortable, nicest
handling mini vans I had ever driven, but if this one is as unreliable as the
rest of the FWD vans, then I think I may well pass on it unless I hear that
others are driving them over 100K without problems.
Bill B.

 

As much as I love Hondas and swear by them. The tranny issue on Odysseys,
Accord V6s and AcuraTLs leave me with a chill. In my book therefore I'd
rather have a Sienna with a potential sludging engine. Why? If I change the
oil frequent enough or use a top quality synthetic I get around the problem.
With the Honda, that tranny design shortcoming cannot be countered
effectively. My opinion.

 

Hondas generally run 100K+ without a bit of problem. I had a 92 Civic
that I passed to my nephew; 135K and still going strong.

The transmission thing is absolutely a worry. But, they fixed it on 02
and up models. If you can find an 02 or later that you like, don't
hesitate.

 

I only have 60,000 miles on my 01 EX Odyssey. I haven't had any
problems yet. Of any sort.

If you go to a site that is specifically for a vehicle, and that site
has been in existence for a while, you will find stories, probably true
stories, about failures. A disproportionate number of failure reports,
because people with no problems tend not to seek out the forums for
solving problems.

If you wish to buy a vehicle that hasn't had failures, you need to buy a
vehicle that has just been designed, and hasn't been sold yet. On the
other hand, if you want a vehicle that has been sold, and hasn't had any
problems, you'll need to relearn the fine art of walking.

All you can deal with as a prospective buyer are the probabilities. The
probability of an Odyssey being more reliable than any other van is
fairly high; you're doing the right thing with the idea of researching,
but you have to be able to properly interpret what you see and hear.

I would highly recommend the Odyssey, and probably the Sienna.
Certainly, if I were buying one today, it would be the 2004 Sienna, from
what I've been able to glean about it. But I'm very happy with my
Odyssey. By the way, I (actually, mostly my wife) have gotten a fairly
consistent 21 mpg average over those 60,000 miles.

RFT!!!
Dave Kelsen

 

If reliability is your major concern, get the Toyota, but the Odyssey
hasn't been too shabby, both are a magnitude better than the
domestic brands. They did have some early problems with
the transmission, that might be enough to make me go with the
Toyota, but Toyota had some problems too. If you go looking
at web sites looking for problems, you'll find them, guaranteed.
Look at reliable sources, like consumer reports and take the stuff
from the internet with a grain of salt. Personally, I'd buy the one
that was the best deal and had proof of regular maintenance.

-Tom

 

I think Elmo P. Shagnasty is the best damn name I've heard.

 

My family has an '01 ex with 55k miles on it. It has been such a good
van that we bought a second one (kept the first one). I had heard
about transmission problems, but have not had any myself. It is my
understanding that Honda send out 100k mile warranty cards to Accord
and Odyssey owners due to potential issues.

Gas mileage is around 24 on the highway. Not too bad for a vehicle of
this size.

I like the Toyota, but with incentives, the Toyota was $6k more for a
new model. The older Sienna is a smaller vehicle than the Honda.




Good luck