[Kscha41]

Well, NO! Not in this case. You simply refuse to accept the fact that defective component do exist. There will always be a few defective engines, transmissions, alternators, compressors, etc... There is simply no chance to ensure that each and every component produced is perfect. Not even in the Lexus world. Hence the warranty!

I didn't refuse to accept anything. I know anything can go wrong. I've been there done that with products over the years.

 

[jondotcom]

I need help.

I have a 1999 honda oddity with 170K miles on it and it will not die.
Honda paid for a free replacement trans right at 100k, even thought the vehicle warranty expired at 3/36.

Vehicle still runs perfect, drives straight, and I really want a forcing function to get a new van.

What should I do?

 

[jc]

If your van is that reliable I would drive it until it dies. Why spend money on something that might not be as reliable.

Unfortunately the new Toyota's in my opinion aren't as foolproof as they once were.

 

[Gordon]

I need help.

I have a 1999 honda oddity with 170K miles on it and it will not die.
Honda paid for a free replacement trans right at 100k, even thought the vehicle warranty expired at 3/36....

So the tranny died prematurely at 100k? And you are 7/10ths of the way to 100k on the replacement tranny?
Well then it seems you have 30k miles to decide what to do before the tranny likely craps out again, and I would not expect Honda to buy you a second one.

Or maybe it wont die.. just pointing out there are different ways to look at it. Glad you like the Honda. If they had not got so experimental with the engine and tranny to ekk out a few more MPG, and thereby leave unhappy customers in their wake, I would have bought Honda

And yes, I also think Toyota is not as reliable as they used to be.. and that goes for just about every other car maker also.

 

[Daddie4x]

Just traded in my 2002 Odyssey EX that had 201,000+ miles. Air-con cold both front & back. All power devices worked, doors & windows. Had it for 13 years. Had tranny replaced at 170,000 because it started to sound like a turbo with a whine. Did all major service at the dealer and did the rest of the recommended services as recommended by the manuals. Went on vacation and it started to overheat in the California/Nevada desert. My wife and Indecided that the cost to repair and get 3 motor mounts replaced and new shocks and the 205k service was more than the car was worth. It served my family well and was a very low maintenance vehicle. Was bummed to give it up but the economics of it made sense. I bought the 15 SE-Premium because I liked the 19" rims and it's more aggressive look. Plus never had a Toyota product and wanted to see if this Sienna will be just as if not better than my 02' Odyssey. Used my money I was saving for my 2016 CAMARO SS convertible because my family needs took precedence over my wants. Put 1k miles and am very impressed with the soft ride and super quiet interior. Loving this new van and all its utilitarian capabilities.

 

[MikeDB52]

I just traded a 2007 Odyssey EX-L for a 2015 Sienna. During the time I owned it, I had 4 factory recalls for such things as fuel pumps cracking, transmission re-programming, vehicable stability control problems, etc. it was a good thing I purchased an extended Honda Warranty on this vehicle. I had the master brake cylinder fail, power outside mirror fail, control arm issues, rollers replaced on both sliding side doors, binding window tracks on power windows, etc. all within 63,000 miles! The topper was a complete roof, hood, and fender re-paint due to peeling. The extended warranty was due to expire in 3 months so I got rid of that lemon fast. So much for Honda's bulletproof reputation!

 

[yourfishman]

My 2001 Odyssey drove from 200,000 now at 325,000 my son is driven it. Trany got replace once cost $1300 to rebuild, the rest was normal stuff A/C failure was pricey.

My 2002 Odyssey drove from 190,000 now at 280,000 still have it but im going to sell it soon (too many vans). Trany got replaced once and the rest was normal stuff. I much prefer the 2001's 4 speed trany to the 5 speed in the 2002.

My wife 2002 Sienna drove from 180,000 to 240,000. A/C failure and other normal stuff,

The sienna was much quieter and smoother and very reliable. But the Odyssey's were much more fun to drive responsive and agile. No question to me that the Honda's look a lot better inside and out, yep subjective i know.

Now ive been driving the two different 2005 Ody's with 200,000 miles on them and I have concluded the 3rd gen Ody's have more than there share of issues. The VMC issue sucks but it's a easy fix with a muzzle mod. Door issues, easy fixes but just that they require service. Also some can have crazy excessive oil consumption (related to the stupid VCM). Motor mounts can wear out quickly and cost $$$ (also related to the stupid VCM).

I haven't yet owned a 2nd gen Sienna but i think it's a better van overall. Less problems as far as i can tell (aside from the cracking dashboard), handles much better than the 1st gen Sienna almost as good as the Odyssey. Super quit and smooth. The cons are its exterior looks, i think it's because wheels being overly inset and the skinny wheels. The interior seems a bit flimsy compared to the Ody.

I drive 40,000 mile a year and only buy older high mileage vans, i think id be better off with the Sienna.

 

[hankosaurus]

Hello Folks.

My wife and I started this year out wanting a new minivan, mainly for her. We studied them all for several months, paying particular attention to what Consumer Reports had to say in their April automotive issue. I really liked the Odyssey's interior, handling, and overall appearance. Well, except for that triangular rear side window thing, which I truly dislike. After all was said and done, we selected the Sienna based in no small part on the fact that it was rated two notches higher in quality (less trouble) than the Odyssey, according to the April 2017 issue of Consumer Reports.

I hope we did well. I can never forget how that the best car I ever owned before our Sienna was a 1980 Honda Accord, which I bought new.

Happy Day.

 

[DennisB]

I have my 2007 Odyssey for 10 years now and plan on hanging on to it even though it's got 145,000 miles. I jus bought a brand new 2017 Sienna SE last week. Things good and bad about the Ody? Brakes are way undersized, it eats rotors, I've done a lot of pads and rotors on it. The AC systems are underdesigned, I've replaced two AC compressors and the AC doesn't blow as cold as I like. Things I do like? I think the Ody handles great for its size! I like the flip tray between the front seats since I carry long items. I like the second row seats folding onto themselves and how easy they are to stow/store. And I like the resale value of Hondas.

EVERY Honda I have owned has lost an AC compressor, the Honda source for these are terrible.

Time will tell about the new Sienna but I trust it will have superb reliability and the AC blows icicle cold.

 

[Tinkindling]

Everybody is different. We all have different needs, and of course, beauty is always in the eye of the beholder.

I have a convertible I enjoy, but I've always had a pickup as a "beater". This past year, I managed to total a deer, and the insurance company then totalled my truck. I had a neighbour selling a very low mileage Nissan pickup with AC, but never enjoyed driving it. So, I thought about it, and decided that I would enjoy a minivan.

After doing internet and Consumer Reports research, as well as checking old Edmunds and other on-line road tests, and thinking about my budget, I decided that i'd get either a Honda Odyssey (3rd gen), or a Sienna (second gen). Started searching and driving both. Found the Odyssey to be quite a bit noisier than the Sienna, and I preferred the fit and finish of the interior of the Sienna. The Odyssey seemed to drive better, and the third row seat was somewhat faster/easier to stow. I did not like the sliding door track and seam on the side of the Odyssey, while I thought Toyota did a much neater job with the track on the Sienna. Finally, of the ones I drove, I found the Sienna to be tighter, with less rattles, than the Odysseys I drove.

I ended up with an 09 LE, with the leather, power seats, power sliding doors, and power hatch options. I'm a bit worried about the possibility of a repair issue with the VVT-I mechanism, as my VIN falls within the range, but at 53,000 KM, there are no signs of trouble. It does not burn any oil, or leak any other fluids. For a minivan, it has pretty good acceleration, but it is sure no sports car when it comes to steering response and braking. But hey! it's a minivan.

For me, the Sienna was the better choice, but with the possible exception of transmission reliability, the Odyssey seemed to be a pretty good choice as well.

 

[Gary Stamey]

The title of the topic really tells it all...

My Odyssey was such a toilet, I traded it in

(not saying odysseys suck, they're just.. ugly!)

We still own a 2001 Honda Odyssey EX, the vehicle has always been maintained, lubed, new time belts[twice], water pump[twice]belts,etc. The van still drives like a fairly NEW vehicle at 175,000 miles, I would have bought a new Honda Odyssey, but we bought a NEW 2020 Sienna LE V6 instead. The Sienna is somewhat improved over the two decade old Honda Odyssey, but other than MUCH more HP, the vans are "about the same"! We still drive both vehicles. I would have purchased a Honda but they seem to have "muzzler" problems in engines, I don't know much about it, but after reading Honda owners, I am happy with the Toyota 2020 Sienna LE V6! I can verify the newer Hondas or Siennas, personally I DON'T WANT a hybrid vehicle of any type!

 

[Gabe Keith]

Forget AWD then

 

[VanRockR]

I have to say that there seems to be a difference between some Ody owners and Sienna owners. Many Ody owners are extremely militant, in denial, and close-minded about their pride and joy. Better not say anything bad about the Ody...even if it IS true or an isolated example. Many Sienna owners tend to be more realistic.....as in hey, I luv my car, but I know it isn't perfect, just fix/improve it the next time around please.

YMMV.
Good Luck!! 8)

You might laught at me and yes, Odyssey does have higher maintenance costs in my opinion. Timing belt kit replacement, costs about $600 to $1500 at every 60,000 miles.. .. valve adjustments if needed also about 60,000miles. Unlike my chain driven block iron Chrysler 2001 3.8 v6, that thing's maintenance has only been coolant flushes, oil changes, and yes, went through one tranny swap. Sienna will surely be a future purchase... the only thing I dont like is I wouldn't touch the spark plug maintenance kit... since I would need to remove the intake manifold. And nope I think I would be hesitant to touch the bolts and wouldn't want to seize or break a bolt or strip the threads.

 

[20swrt]

We still own a 2001 Honda Odyssey EX, the vehicle has always been maintained, lubed, new time belts[twice], water pump[twice]belts,etc. The van still drives like a fairly NEW vehicle at 175,000 miles, I would have bought a new Honda Odyssey, but we bought a NEW 2020 Sienna LE V6 instead. The Sienna is somewhat improved over the two decade old Honda Odyssey, but other than MUCH more HP, the vans are "about the same"! We still drive both vehicles. I would have purchased a Honda but they seem to have "muzzler" problems in engines, I don't know much about it, but after reading Honda owners, I am happy with the Toyota 2020 Sienna LE V6! I can verify the newer Hondas or Siennas, personally I DON'T WANT a hybrid vehicle of any type!

Like you i also had a 2003 and 2004 Ody. Loved it ! - i regret trading it in. The only flaw was the paint flaking off (dark blue). But ran like a champ. I got spooked because of all the tranny issues. My 2003 tranny failed. I never did like the 2008+ V6 because of the VCM. It was a good call - because years later Honda always had issues with them. That was my last minivan. After the kids grew up - i never needed to get a minivan again.

Fast forward 2021 - I rented a van from Enterprise. They gave me a Sienna 2021. Big surprise it was a Hybrid. I try to stay away for anything CVT (because i thought they all had that steel belt). After begin blown away by the performance (1 week rental). I did some research on hybrids and realized eCVT is nowhere near what a CVT was. My relatives all drove Priuses in California for a decade and swears by it. So a week later - i placed an order for the 4th gen Sienna. I waited 2 months though - it was worth the wait.

 

[CSAR]

I have to say that there seems to be a difference between some Ody owners and Sienna owners. Many Ody owners are extremely militant, in denial, and close-minded about their pride and joy. Better not say anything bad about the Ody...even if it IS true or an isolated example. Many Sienna owners tend to be more realistic.....as in hey, I luv my car, but I know it isn't perfect, just fix/improve it the next time around please.

YMMV.
Good Luck!! 8)

Well, as a former owner of a 2010 Ody, I can say Honda's VCM issues and lack of real fixes caused me to drop Honda from my list of preferred brands when shopping. It was so bad, that I had semi's swerving on the freeway when the VCM issue resurfaced for the third and final time. I have since purchased a Chevrolet Express 2500 (gas-guzzling 6.0), a Mazda 5 for my wife to replace the Ody (two kids off to college so it worked), and a Hyundai Accent for my daughter. First two are working longer and better than the Ody with fewer problems. The Hyundai is a 2021 so too early to make a judgement.