Used 1997 Honda Odyssey Minivan Consumer Reviews
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Far more advanced then other vans
Ruchy, 05/23/2010
1997 Honda Odyssey EX 4dr Minivan
15 of 15 people found this review helpful
We bought this van for $500, yes it needed work ( suspension ), it does have 259k on it. Why any one would buy another van is beyond me, if you have $3k to spend pick one up, even if it has a lot of miles. This van is FAR MORE advanced than anything from this year all the way up until now. The ride is great, the gas mileage is superior even to anything now, for a 6-7 passenger vehicle. I wish they still had them but Honda decided to use a 6 cylinder, boo-hoo. I call this car a wagon on steroids, we take it when we go on any outings because it is very comfy and roomy. Drive one, you'll buy it.
God Bless my 1997 Honday Odyssey
V Weiskopf, 03/07/2016
1997 Honda Odyssey LX 4dr Minivan
12 of 12 people found this review helpful
First let me state: I love this car. I am a 66 year old woman. I appreciate the roominess, utility, reliability, serviceability and overall quality of this car. I am aiming for 300k miles. If you see a vintage 'older' Honda van such as this one, by all means buy it. You will not regret it!
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reliable, 04/22/2010
1997 Honda Odyssey LX 4dr Minivan
10 of 10 people found this review helpful
Reliable, efficient, quality. Much better than newer model, drive up the Rocky mountain with speed 70 and drive very stable in the snow, never had any problems or die on me.
Best basic minivan reliability for the money
Jethro, 06/09/2018
1997 Honda Odyssey LX 4dr Minivan
10 of 10 people found this review helpful
I have a 97 Honda Odyssey right now it has 254419 miles and runs absolutely perfect all I did was tires brakes oil change timing belt and water pump in the time that I've owned it it is the best minivan on the road
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War wagon just keeps going!
Eszti, 04/28/2010
1997 Honda Odyssey LX 4dr Minivan
8 of 8 people found this review helpful
I bought my '97 Oddy in 2000 with 27,000 miles on it. Now the odometer is at 242,000, and it just keeps going! I haven't done anything but brake work! There is now a little rust around the rear wheel well, front passenger door bottom, and under the rear bumper guard. Also the steering is getting a little loose, but heck! I love this car, and would buy another in a heart beat! There are still plenty of them out there, and their price is still way up there for a really old car. Honda made a huge mistake when they "upgraded" to the new Oddy. Nowhere near as good as the old one. I understand the Honda Stream, available in Japan and maybe Europe, is very similar. Why can't we get that here?
My Companion, My Oddy!
A Devoted 1997 Odyssey Owner, 06/09/2017
1997 Honda Odyssey LX 4dr Minivan
7 of 7 people found this review helpful
I must say that I'm in love with this car... ever since I bought her 11 years ago, when she had only 173K miles. She now has 326K mi, and just keeps going!! I love the way the seats fold down in the back, and the middle ones are removable. I absolutely love the way the back seat turns into a 'couch' if you turn it to face the open hatch! There is so much room inside the car, even though it is much smaller than a minivan. The overall size of the car is a perfect balance between sedan maneuverability and van hauling/functionality. I've gone camping, done craft shows (sometimes both activities together! With the kids!), moved, transported bamboo/lumber, picked up furniture; a great hang out space, watch movies and look at the stars, picnic, safe space, portable office; the list is endless. An attractive and reliable car, she's been perfect for my kids and myself for years. I wish cars were still made like this... not all plastic junk taking up the interior space, not tiny, not gigantic, etc. I wish we could buy cars like this (Honda!) in the US. What I REALLY want is THIS car, as a hybrid. I'll pass on the extra technology, too; I want just enough tech for a super efficient, more eco-friendly, slightly more powerful motor, (and expandable cup holders) Oddy! If you have a chance, buy one of these cars! Many of them are still on the road!
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I Call Her "Olivia" :)
nanamcal, 07/19/2011
1997 Honda Odyssey LX 4dr Minivan
6 of 6 people found this review helpful
I purchased my Odyssey in 1999 w/ 29K on her. She now has 154K on the engine. She is like a trusted old friend. She even survived a flood in 2005 at 127K with water in the engine. I had to wait a month for the carpet to be cut for her back then. She survived! When the water was blown out of the engine by my Ace mechanic; I was told it was one tough little engine. Timing belt change; new rear shocks from all the loads she carried. Brakes last forever on this little dynamo!. I dread the day I have to give her up. Great resale value still. Would buy another in a heartbeat! They don't make them like her anymore!! Built in Japan to LAST! Hope to keep her for another 150K
Great Vehicle
Racer X, 08/07/2009
1997 Honda Odyssey LX 4dr Minivan
5 of 5 people found this review helpful
Bought this van used from a private owner, has some high miles on it, but after hearing it, driving it, and drove it hard, to see how it responded to my testing, I'm pretty impressed on the solid sound and ride the Honda drove. I've owned a 1994 Honda wagon and I really liked the car, it was solid and had no what so ever any problems on the engine or drive train, it had hi miles on it and now that we have grand kids and need that extra room and have a the best a van can have on mpg of 24 city/29 hwy. Mixed 27. Kid you not, why, clean your injectors, set your spark plug cap to engine specs, tire pressure, and a good tuneup on the valve tappets and timing, you can achieve this kind of performance.
Just Right
Mike, 12/09/2004
1997 Honda Odyssey EX 4dr Minivan
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
This vehicle is small enough to be car- like manuverable yet large enough to haul family, friends and cargo. Pleasure to drive. I have a need to reconfigure the seating a couple times a week and find the fold down rear seat great and the middle captain's chairs easy to remove or put back. I find the four cylinder no problem and the transmission matches up great with it. No shifting back and forth on the many hills which I travel. Since I have purchased it 20,000 miles ago I have only needed brakes and tires. I've been getting about 26mpg in mixed driving.
Best car I ever owned
DonnieG, 06/13/2020
1997 Honda Odyssey EX 4dr Minivan
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
Still my daily driver 100 miles a day. Bought it used with 139,000 miles in 2007 and now has 410,000 on oringal motor and transmission. Never left me stranded! Never a major repair!. My wife says I drive it like I stole it and yes I drive it hard and it’s a work vehicle and I have hauled some heavy loads even pulling a trailer. If I new it would last so long I would have taken better care of it.
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Rides Great
Ruchy, 12/23/2009
1997 Honda Odyssey EX 4dr Minivan
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
Okay I just bought this van, aka station wagon on steroids, and I already love it. Domestic van had nothing on it, this vehicle was almost 10 yrs. more advanced than the competition. It has 256k on it and was just driven to PA from TX. I drove it home and it rides great just like my accord, which has plenty of power. Drive it, you'll see what I'm talking about.
Never worry of getting stuck!
Mcync, 11/21/2002
1997 Honda Odyssey EX 4dr Minivan
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
Reliable van! Knock on wood, I drove this van for 6 years now and never visited the dealer because of problems. The power is a little weak, but I gain in gas mileage.
Great family van
dnc4009, 01/23/2003
1997 Honda Odyssey EX 4dr Minivan
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
We went from a large Ford Windstar to this smaller van and have never looked back. Honda is by far the most reliable auto maker we have experienced. The only thing they could have improved on this van would be more power. Other than that I plan on driving it to it's grave!!
Family Van
jim, 04/15/2007
1997 Honda Odyssey LX 4dr Minivan
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
Gas oil new brake shoes and tires. Thats about it for 200k + mi. absolutely no problems always starts first crank of the key and better than 20 mpg no matter what you do - what more can you ask for?
Very good van
Tim Cook, 08/15/2003
1997 Honda Odyssey EX 4dr Minivan
2 of 3 people found this review helpful
Very reliable and fun to drive. Lots of room.
Great Deal
Oddly Odyssey, 06/04/2008
1997 Honda Odyssey LX 4dr Minivan
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
I purchased this Ody with 222k on it and is possibly best deal I have had. Have been through numerous new cars and used cars and I think this is my best deal. This Ody was a Honda fleet vehicle from Marysville and then purchased by Honda exec. driven for 7 years with 3 boys. I purchased because former owner bought a new Ody from Manufacturer. Works GREAT for me! Both Honda and owner kept EVERY maintenance record. I have all that now and keeping up the trend. Everything still works. Hopefully I can still have this feeling in a year or 2. Thanks Honda!
Great Family Car
rumrazz, 09/30/2003
1997 Honda Odyssey EX 4dr Minivan
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
I have owned this car for over 3 years and I am the second owner. This car has really worked for us with two growing teenagers and taxing their friends around. The captain seats in the second row are a real bonus for long rides, each child has their own space. I like having all four doors open like a sedan and that all the windows roll down giving everyone air. The third seat is small but so easy to fold down when not in use, leaving a large cargo space.
Tank
Robert, 04/28/2005
1997 Honda Odyssey LX 4dr Minivan
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
I purchased this van to haul my police K-9 to work and back. I paid 8k for it with 100,000 miles. Let me be honest, I beat the hell out of this car every day. 85mph+ to work on a daily basis. YES, it may take a while to get up to that speed, But I can fly like that all day. Still get 21 mpg. Regular oil change and new tires is all this TANK needs. 155,000 on it now and 100k to go. Honda can make a car that lasts.
my workhorse
tia, 11/26/2003
1997 Honda Odyssey EX 4dr Minivan
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
My van has been great. I have had no problems and have loved the 4 doors--in fact I will not buy another O. because they now have sliding doors and v6's. This car is a part of our family. The last of its kind!
Old Faithful
WJDupont, 07/16/2004
1997 Honda Odyssey LX 4dr Minivan
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
My Odyssey has been a pleasant suprise since I bought it over the internet a year ago. I picked it up in Sarasota, FL and drove it to New Orleans (with 89000 miles on it) with no problems. With three kids, we run the wheels off this van and we can't hurt it. I'm always on the look-out to get another pre 1998 model. The 4 cyl has plenty of power to go with great gas mileage. The 4 cyl is no longer available so the past is my refuge. After a disaterous experience with Mitsubishi, I feel smart again with Honda.
Extremely reliable
Carlitos, 03/10/2003
1997 Honda Odyssey EX 4dr Minivan
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Great mini-mini van. Unfortunately it tends to be compared to full mini-vans which most the time carry a V6 under their hoods. Hey! not everybody needs that (keep in mind that its 4 cil. engine is a Vtec. Inside is very roomy and the rear passenger door are a plus with their roll down windows. Extremely reliable (never had to call road assistence at all) So far I have 138000 Km and just one visit to de dealer to replace the power doors controler (covered by the extended warranty) If you want to move people rather than furniture, it's great
Love it!
hijman, 08/04/2004
1997 Honda Odyssey LX 4dr Minivan
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
The most reliable of the Oddys, really (best overall reliability ratings for ANY Oddy, Consumer Reports, and they are right). More cargo room than the Pilot. If you can stand the 4 cyls, it's worth the 'buzz'. Rotors do tend to rust easily, and brakes are noisy. Driver door armrest is very hard, needs more padding. Overall, though, worth every penny I paid. I live in rural winterland, and reliability is key factor.
Reliable family hauler
sotex, 09/22/2004
1997 Honda Odyssey LX 4dr Minivan
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
This is the second '97 our family has owned. I am using it in my sales position, so I will be in it often. It is great getting in and out of it because the seat is higher than my Mark VIII. The ABS light was on when I bought it, and I have found out that the ABS modulator is out. $1500.00!!! From what I have found out, this is somewhat common for these as they approach the 80,000 to 120,000 mile marks. I'm not sure I am going to fix it. Other than than that, I like the dual air, great reliability from this one and our previous one. I am pretty impressed by the quality of workmanship. (except ABS malfunction)
my pickup truck and car
Charles Stuart, 12/27/2004
1997 Honda Odyssey EX 4dr Minivan
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
I purchased this van because of the review others have expressed and and more than happy with the purchase. We have used it to move items and people and have taken it on trips. This van is a truck and car and I will keep it a long time.
wow!
hot mama, 12/05/2005
1997 Honda Odyssey LX 4dr Minivan
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
This has been a fabulous car for a small family. It is so easy to drive and so easy to get the family comfortable in. The rear seat is so easy to lift up and folds flat into the floor so I feel like I'm driving an SUV instead of a van!
Old Faithful
1997 Honda Odyssey, 07/15/2007
1997 Honda Odyssey LX 4dr Minivan
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
This van has been like a family pet. It is as tough as a bull, easy to drive, and has never let us down. My only complaint is the paint job. Our old van is looking pretty ratty as the paint deteriorates. We are considering a paint job, rather than getting a new one.
God bless my 1997 Honda Odyssey
1997 honda odyssey , 10/01/2021
1997 Honda Odyssey EX 4dr Minivan
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
This car is very reliable if you take good care of it it haves 374,000 miles on it and stll runs and drives but no ac but hot heat we life In minnesota so you at least have hot heat I love this van
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Love My Odyssey
nanamcal, 10/27/2011
1997 Honda Odyssey LX 4dr Minivan
4 of 12 people found this review helpful
I bought her used in 1999 with 30,000 miles on her. She now has 155K, after 12 years of faithful service, and due to harsh N. E winters rust is the enemy now. She survived a flood in 2005 and the engine is still as sound as ever. I've maintained her with regular oil changes and aside from a timing belt, a new radiator and rear shocks, she has been good as gold to me. Her dynamic engine even survived a flood. Honda tough. Built in Japan. I now finally need to replace a pipe on the exhaust. These four door vans are the best, wish I could keep her another 100K! If you find one down south minus the rust grab it! I will. Best car I ever owned!
1997 Honda Odyssey
ppatterson, 11/11/2002
1997 Honda Odyssey LX 4dr Minivan
1 of 2 people found this review helpful
Purchased in 2000 because new ones were not available. We're sold on Honda products. Undoutbedly, our next vehicle will be a new Odyssey or Pilot. The only problems have been a door actuator and broken engine mount. Have not had any other problems at all with this vehicle. Averaging about 22 mpg on long trips. We typically travel from Atlanta to Indiana or Ohio twice a year with our 2 children. Room is good, power is kind of on the low side.
nice car with no power
JackS, 05/24/2003
1997 Honda Odyssey LX 4dr Minivan
1 of 3 people found this review helpful
Had the car for over six years before I ran into a deer and traded it in. Very reliable!! No maintenance problems over 118K miles. Flip down seats were great. Big problem....the four cylinder engine will not accelerate to save your life. Get a later model that has a V6. I was almost killed on the highway because of this
old style, but great minivan
lsulance, 07/11/2002
1997 Honda Odyssey LX 4dr Minivan
1 of 9 people found this review helpful
Very well built. Great gas mileage. Holds six 6 ft. people easily. Built on Accord platform, so it's like a car on steroids. Rear A/C a plus. Interior very similar to new style Odyssey, but a little smaller in scale. Made two 12 hr. trips and was very comfortable. 4 cylinder engine makes it a little more difficult to pass on the interstate b/c of the weight of the van. When will Honda make a comfortable place to rest your arm on the door. Not enough padding on the door armrest. 2002 has the same problem.
Never a Problem Since 1997
Denise Ramirez, 01/24/2004
1997 Honda Odyssey LX 4dr Minivan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
This minivan amazes me. Since 1997 I have never had one problem. I get the require maintenance, etc. and that's it. My co-worker has a 1997 Aerostar. Her van is always in the shop for something. I feel that I made a very wise choice with the Honda Odyssey. It now has 85,000
Extraordinary Van
Yuanshou, 05/19/2004
1997 Honda Odyssey EX 4dr Minivan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Very satisfied with almost every aspect of this great van. the only pity is lack of acceleration. reliability is superior to any other brands in the market. my friend has a 1995 one, so far the mileage is 400,000 miles, no problems at all. It's your lifetime transportation tool if you own one.
97 Odyssey
Family Man, 02/05/2003
1997 Honda Odyssey LX 4dr Minivan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Overall a great minivan! Highly recommend as a super family vehicle with many flexible uses. Look long and hard a better vehicle would be tough to find for function and value.