2008 Honda Odyssey Consumer Reviews Page 5

Second One

Written by: KrisB on 09/10/2008

Vehicle

2008 Honda Odyssey EX-L 4dr Minivan w/Nav, Rear Entertainment (3.5L 6cyl 5A)

Review

Overall, a great van. I had a 2005 Touring, which performed excellently in a roll over - not a scratch or bruise on me. That was reason enough to get a second. This time we opted for the EX-L w/ R&N. There are a few things I miss, like the memory seats (I'm 6'1", my wife 5'2"), auto headlights, rear sensors and the rear power door, some of which should be standard. We compared the new Chrysler van (a relative has comparable one), and they are by far more feature intensive at the same price, but they just didn't have the same level of comfort and the gas mileage isn't as good. Would like to see some of the options at a lesser cost, like Bluetooth. $800 - a joke!

Favorite Features

Nav, DVD system, comfort, handling, engine, ease of use (driving, parking, etc), seats

Suggested Improvements

Have had two problems in first 1000 miles. Slider door broke and wouldn't open and check engine light. We're at 3000 miles now and no other issues. If you look at the bumper the wrong way, it scratches. With strollers and other kid stuff, it needs to be more durable. It is a bumper, after all.

3 out 3 people found this review helpful

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Like it so far (10k miles)

Written by: geppetto2008 on 09/02/2008

Vehicle

2008 Honda Odyssey EX 4dr Minivan (3.5L 6cyl 5A)

Review

Smooth driving experience with good pick-up when I need it. I had a v-8 Ford Explorer beforehand, and the Honda has as much acceleration at the Explorer. The brakes are fantastic, highly responsive, excellent stopping distance. We settled for the EX model because for the features in the EX-L, we couldn't justify the price. I don't understand the other comments re: road noise--our van is by far one of the quietest vehicles I've ever driven. Gas mileage isn't too bad--we consistently get 24 highway--but city suffers a bit at 17 mpg on average. We added our own DVD player and screen for a fraction of what it would have cost at the dealership---a little hassle, but saved us nearly $1500!

Favorite Features

Lots of small, very practical features: Love the 8-person removable bench, daytime running lights, AUX input jack, map reading lamp by the driver for nighttime driving.

Suggested Improvements

A little rattling around the windows--tolerable, but could use some improvement.

4 out 4 people found this review helpful

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Outstanding

Written by: Dave&Ruth on 09/01/2008

Vehicle

2008 Honda Odyssey EX-L 4dr Minivan (3.5L 6cyl 5A)

Review

This is my first Honda that I've purchased. My wife and I are very happy campers to say the least. We've already made 2 road trips. One to the beach and one up to the country. No problems. Needless to say...it's look like we're going to stick with the Honda Odyssey. Handles like a car.

Favorite Features

Like the back up camera in the rear view mirror. The leather interior. Very good A/C. The room. Good visibility.

Suggested Improvements

Make the new van smell last longer!

0 out 1 people found this review helpful

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2008 EXL Odyssey

Written by: Rich on 08/30/2008

Vehicle

2008 Honda Odyssey EX-L 4dr Minivan w/Nav, Rear Entertainment (3.5L 6cyl 5A)

Review

The Odyssey achieved 26.8 mpg on 1500 mile trip with AC set at 72 degrees, speed 65 mph, cruise on, tire pressure 35 psi, some hills, some stop and go, 91 octane gas. 25.0 mpg commuting to work, mostly interstate with some stop and go. I drive in eco mode as much as possible. Michlelin LX4 energy-saving tires sing badly on some types of concrete highway but otherwise acceptably quiet. Comfortable long distant hauler which gracefully replace our 96 Lexus 400 due to Odyssey tradeoffs in size, seating height, features (nav).

Favorite Features

The Nav system is very useful traveling and easy to use. XM radio great during long trips.

Suggested Improvements

Improve front suspension to eliminate small front rattles while going over rough pavement.

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Cheap - Junk - Bad Buy

Written by: Kelly Fredericks Wag on 08/29/2008

Vehicle

2008 Honda Odyssey EX-L 4dr Minivan w/Nav, Rear Entertainment (3.5L 6cyl 5A)

Review

This is my first Japanese brand vehicle and I am very disappointed. I had a 2006 Town & Country that I really loved. No issues ever in 30,000 miles. Then I get talked into this Honda Odyssey. Well 19 trips to the dealer in 10 months for repairs to the brakes, transmission, seat heaters, oil leaks, electrical system and door motors makes me not recommend this, or any other Japanese nameplate.

Favorite Features

I love the tow truck driver and shuttle person at the Honda dealer. we have become good friends with all of the contacts we make with each other. My favorite person is the service write up guy. He sees me more than my husband.

Suggested Improvements

Look at a Chrysler van and learn how to make customers happy by making a quality van like my old town and Country. I will tell everyone I know to stay away from Honda's

6 out 31 people found this review helpful

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Exceeds Expectations

Written by: Traveler7 on 08/27/2008

Vehicle

2008 Honda Odyssey EX-L 4dr Minivan (3.5L 6cyl 5A)

Review

We bought a 2008 EX-L just over 4 months ago and my wife (and I) couldn't be more pleased. We compared this vs. the Toyota Sienna, and while my wife liked the "softer/smoother" freeway ride of the Sienna, the Odyssey handled better than the Sienna when making any turns over 15 MPH. Around-town fuel economy averages about 19 MPG). The big test came last week when our family of 4 took a trip from So. Cal to the Bay Area. The Odyssey was *extremely* comfortable over the entire trip. The kicker was that I calculated that the van got **27.9 MPG** on the freeway. Avg speed: 75 MPH; cruise control on when possible; A/C on about 80% of the time. The variable-cylinder technology really works well!

Favorite Features

Handling, fuel economy, styling (IMO, it looks better than any of the other minivans.) The back-up camera is invaluable now that we have it, and I trust a live video view while backing up more than an audio-based (beeping/"sonar") system.

Suggested Improvements

Rear A/C controls need to be improved. The dealer service dept had to instruct us how to control the rear A/C fan appropriately.

4 out 5 people found this review helpful

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5,000 Mile Update - Not Good!

Written by: fiend_bear on 08/26/2008

Vehicle

2008 Honda Odyssey EX 4dr Minivan (3.5L 6cyl 5A)

Review

OK - I have to agree with another reviewer that said many folks will take back their great ratings after putting some miles on the Ody. This is a follow up to an earlier review. The 2008 Ody drives and handles well, but that's where it all stops. Our problems to date include: steering spline knock, faulty wheel alignment, engine ping/knock, oil leak, rattling front windows, and Air Conditioning that currently works only on the passenger side. None of these issues were of course apparent when the car was purchased, but it did not take very long for them to surface. We are bringing the Ody in for service tomorrow, so we'll see how things go. But for now, it's two big thumbs down!

Favorite Features

Strong engine (though it pings/knocks when lugged), very good handling for a minivan.

Suggested Improvements

Initial build quality. When we will see a HYBRID?

5 out 8 people found this review helpful

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Honda Odyssey vs. Seinna MiniVan

Written by: eyedoc on 08/24/2008

Vehicle

2008 Honda Odyssey Touring 4dr Minivan (3.5L 6cyl 5A)

Review

My wife and I looked at these two vehicles when deciding to purchase a mini van. Others in the market did not have the build, drive, and quality of these two manufacturers. Comparing the odyssey touring edition without pax tires (do not recommend pax tires) vs. the sienna limited edition here are the pros and cons of each: Odyssey: Pros: Front load dvd player, good storage, middle seat in second row, better layout of buttons for opening side doors, power rear lift button (not a strap that needs to be pulled) Cons: Seats are not very comfortable, brakes not as responsive and strong, fuel economy

Favorite Features

Sienna: Pros: Strong/responsive brakes, comfortable seats, navigation screen appears sharper, stronger engine with more pickup, dynamic laser cruise control Cons: awkward location of switches, back load dvd player, no middle seat in second row (a must with little children, fuel economy

Suggested Improvements

Both vans had a impressive ride with the Honda edging out the sienna for responsiveness. Cabin noise similar. Hard to find a sienna van with the features you want (frustrating shopping experience). Honda makes it easy. I could provide more details but the site limits input. Hopefully this helps!

13 out 15 people found this review helpful

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Creaking, Squeaking, & Rattling

Written by: kp on 08/20/2008

Vehicle

2008 Honda Odyssey Touring 4dr Minivan (3.5L 6cyl 5A)

Review

The first 3 months, this van was in the dealership off and on for 7 weeks. The rattling noises in the windows and doors were so loud that my 5 year old son thought it was hailing outside on a sunny day. Overall, space is awesome. Dvd & Nav function w/o any issues. Rear view camera is strange & deceiving. Almost out of car seats and will definitely switch out to a less noisy SUV.

Favorite Features

cargo room, walk through to rear area from front seat, remote sliding door and trunk opening.

Suggested Improvements

rear view camera, rattling, noises

4 out 6 people found this review helpful

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Disappointed

Written by: Gail on 08/17/2008

Vehicle

2008 Honda Odyssey EX 4dr Minivan (3.5L 6cyl 5A)

Review

We just leased a 2008 Odyssey last week of May. Barely three months old, on our way for a vacation the car broke down. It was brought into a Honda dealer and they found that there was a leak on the transmission and the clutch was burned. Good thing we were able to stop at the nearest area. So scared of what happened as we were with our five year old son. Now, even if we take it back and they changed the whole transmission, i will never feel safe again especially for our son.

Favorite Features

Spacious and comfortable seats. AC is great.

Suggested Improvements

To keep the Honda quality that we used to know. It's gone now.

0 out 6 people found this review helpful

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