Op's on 95-98 Odyssey

Wife says time for the Marquis to go. She wants a minivan, either a
Sienna or Odyssey. I like the smaller 1st gen Odysseys, on an Accord
platform iirc. Anyone with experience with these little guys? I've got
2 toddlers with *maybe* another on the way. How's a good, low-mileage
95-98 sound? Probably that price range would get me a newer Dodge, but
the lady ain't having it!

 

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Great vehicles! Good crash ratings. Still holding their value. The ride
is just like an Accord, and the interior is fairly flexible with the 3rd
row seat that drops into the floor. I like to leave it up, so the
groceries can stay put in the hole. Get the '98 if possible since it
should have a V-Tec, depending on what country you are in. Smaller is
better. Lots to learn over at odyclub.com.
P.S. try to figure out whether you'll want a six or seven passenger
version ahead of time. We like the seven because (the other driver) can
sleep on the second row on long trips. Six passenger has advantages if
you want to carry huge items, right up to the back of the driver's seat.

'Curly'

'Curly'

 

I test drove one prior to buying a '98 Sienna. 1st gen Odyssey had
marginal room, marginal engine performance for my purposes. Now almost
170K miles on the Sienna. I'd buy another Sienna in a heartbeat.

 

My dad has a 98. Rock solid. His only wish is for more power--not that
it's underpowered, but it certainly isn't overpowered.

But it *is* bulletproof.

Great idea. Get a 98. Now, the question is this: do you want an LX
with bench middle seat, or an EX with only captain's chairs in the
middle?

Me, I like the bench. It's very, very easy to use. But then, with
three kids, you might want the captain's chairs for easier access to the
third row.

 

But it *is* bulletproof.

Bulletproof is good. I wouldn't be too worried about power especially
having a "looser Honda" torque curve being a Honda and all. Can't
forget that one! LOL I figure, if I'm in it, I'm driving it, so it
doesn't matter too much about the middle types of chairs. That didn't
sound too good did it? EX would be the higher end model, right, with
all the goodies? Probably go that route all other things being equal.
Thanks all for the input. See if the wife bites now. (I bet she'll want
a newer model) Some of these new minivans are way bigger than
necessary. Plus I don't have the long bread for a 2-3 yr old model.

 

Note that the Isuzu Oasis is just a rebadge of the first generation
Odyssey.

 

Problem is, on that Odyssey there aren't many goodies. There's very
little difference between the LX and EX except for how the middle row is
configured.

The thing is, you don't want an Odyssey from 99-01, and you have to be
kinda careful about the 02 and 03 models, so realistically--to cover
yourself--you'd be looking at an 04 model. And if you don't have the
cash for it, get the 98 and wait a couple more years.

I have an 02, and it's a blast to drive. I know you think it's awfully
big, but just wait until you have one. It'd be tough to live without.

And nobody expects F1 sounds coming from a minivan--but when VTEC kicks
in...

 

cant blame her.

IIRC, the isuzu oasis was the same exact van. you can likely get one
much cheaper, merely because it has the isuzu badge on it.