dieselwolf
New member
Tsk, Tskfranco said:
You meant to say YOUR woman has no respect for cars, right?
softer suspension aka Franco's minivan quest
- Thread starter BROOKLYN
- Start date
You meant to say YOUR woman has no respect for cars, right?
Thai
Elite Member
franco said:
My brother just bought a 2008 Honda Ody Touring (top of the line, but without PAX). I have a 2008 Sienna Limited 2wd with everything. Basically, we are both loaded to the max.
Both will bring with it relatively good resale value. However, ONLY the Sienna has been rated above the rest in reliability by Consumer Reports and JD Powers. Unfortunately, the Honda Ody reliability record is similar to the previous Chrysler minivan (aka average rating).
Honda Ody is a better handler. It has the best steering of any minivan...some even claim that the steering feel is as good as the Honda S2000! Unlike the Sienna, the top dog Ody can carry 8 people. In the Sienna, only the base model can carry 8 people...the upper end carries only 7 people. The Honda Ody has better underfloor storage in the 2nd row (very cool and practical). The reason for this is that the spare tire is stored in the cargo area...so, this is a plus and minus because Honda Ody cargo is significantly less than Sienna due to the spare tire, but you make up for it with the underfloor storage in the 2nd row. The Honda Ody is technically a safer minivan because it has Active Headrest (in the new models however). Traditionally, the Honda Ody has had top crash test ratings, followed closely by the rest of the field. This is the good.
The bad with the Ody is that it is an old design. My brother's Ody is already creaking because the doors apparently have significant "play" in it that allows the doors to shift when you go over bumps. No solution from Honda. The ride is sporty, but it is also rough on pothole roads. Road noise + rough ride may get tiresome over the long haul...so, you need to testdrive it really well to see how you like it! The stereo system is average overall, even the top end stereo. The front stereo sound is pretty good. However, the rear passengers have no imaging whatsoever on either music or DVD...this is where the Sienna is really a lot better. No HIDs. Leather quality does NOT reflect its asking price (aka pretty cheap vinyl looking). The "memory" seat on the Honda Ody is just the seat...and my brother has found out that it does NOT memorize the exact location of your adjustment. It does not memorize the outside mirrors. Of course, you always worry about the transmission.
The Sienna, on the other hand, is a luxurious minivan. It is the "Lexus" of minivans. The Honda Ody is the "BMW" of minivans. The Sienna ride is soft and comfy, but it does float a little over highway undulations. Handling is not its strong point...it will lean quite a bit around corners. Braking is average with a spongy feel. (Note: Although the Honda brakes "feel" better, the actual braking distance is about the same.) The steering wheel is very light...you can turn with your pinky! No road feel. No underfloor storage like in the Honda Ody. And if you care about carrying 8 people, then you are force to buy the base Sienna model.
The goods with the Sienna are significant..and this is why i drive a Sienna. The Sienna comes with HIDs (a must have for me!). The memory seat function is what you expect...it memorizes your seat accurately and the outside mirrors. The seats are slightly more comfortable than Ody (personal preference). The ride is very quiet and serene. You don't have to scream from the 3rd row when talking to the driver. There is plenty of cargo space. There are window shades on all the windows, not just the 2nd row (Ody). This is helpful when you have kids and have to use the 3rd row. Fuel economy is excellent. The JBL stereo is the best among minivans and will rival most other factory system in its price range. On top models, you can also get Dynamic Laser Cruiser control, which i find helpful on long highway trips. Unlike the Ody, the Sienna does not have a known problem with structural integrity. (Note: although the Ody does have some creaking noise, it is NOT considered to be a safety hazard or durability issue that i know of.) And if you get a chance to crawl around both minivans, then you will see that the Sienna does come with more luxury touches in and around the cabin than the Ody...things that you don't notice initially (i did not), but you appreciate them later on. The Sienna's transmission is OK...it does its job well and the failure rate is average. It does not have the Ody's poor reputation though.
Lastly, if you get a 2007 and up Sienna, then you will be rewarded with the fastest minivan on the market!
And despite the power, it has one of the best fuel economy...even bettering the Ody (in real world) despite the Ody having cylinder deactivation technology (on newer Odys). Stay away from AWD Sienna...a lot of people have issues with the run-flat tires.You can't go wrong with either. It all depends on what YOU (or your wife) prefers in terms of riding characteristics. These two minivans are the top in the class. I actually thought that the Honda Ody has a higher resale value.
BTW, i would wait a year and get a 2007 model Sienna (if you go that route). Minivans are NOT selling well. So, their values are going down everyday. Trust me, the extra power of the '07-up Sienna are worth it, esp. if you live in a hilly country or in the mountains! And it comes with little or no fuel economy penalty!
Good luck.
Thai
Elite Member
franco said:
In addition, i would get one with the FACTORY DVD rear entertainment system. The reason is that this system comes with a 115V outlet (like your home 3-prong outlet) along with the 3 colored cable connections. This is very cool because you (or your kids) can hook up a laptop to use or even a game console (XBOX for example) to it. Of course, you can also use the 3-prong outlet for portable vacuum cleaner, etc..
