2002 Honda Odyssey EX 3.5

Summary:

Full Price/Best Value Automobile on Market

Faults:

Nothing, should come with fog lamps standard.

Fog lamps from Honda are too expensive, bought them anyway and they illuminate well.

General Comments:

After owning a 2000, many of the complains we had are addressed. Still, the car is a bit noisy, but it is large with lots of windows. The new 5 speed automatic transmission is a hugh upgrade compared to the 2000. In addition, the new rear disk brakes stop our boat better and the extra engine power on regular gas is welcome. The seats are also recut and hold better. The dealer supply is getting a bit better, but I did not care for their attitude. Even though this is our second van, they still killed us on price.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 7th April, 2002

2002 Honda Odyssey EX 3.5 V6

Summary:

Great van that lives up to the hype

Faults:

I have had no problems with my Odyssey.

General Comments:

Van runs great. Power is very good and at 75mph it runs at about 2000rpm.

Gas mileage in the city is just shy of 21mpg, which is better than expected.

Automatic climate control works great.

Remote keyless entry can open both sliding power doors, which is a big benefit.

If you are patient, the dealers will work with you on pricing. The sticker was $2000 over MSRP and they originally told me that they would not negotiate, but after 2 weeks, I ended up getting the van for only $250.00 over MSRP.

I feel the Odyssey is worth every penny and would definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a mini-van.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 1st March, 2002

15th Jan 2003, 15:38

Our 2002 Odyssey was great until the transmission failed at freeway speed, nearly causing an accident. Look online for a long list of Odyssey owners with transmission problems. American Honda is replacing the transmission with a rebuilt one, but is not warrantying the repair. They don't have confidence in the transmission. I don't either. I will not recommend an Odyssey to friends at this time.

10th Aug 2003, 17:26

Did the transmission show any sign of problems prior to failing?

I have an '02 and @ 15,000 miles beginning to feel harder than normal up-shifts between 2nd and 3rd gears, at times.

2002 Honda Odyssey LX 3.5 V6

Summary:

May not be worth the high price

Faults:

Car pulled to right when first driven. Tires were rotated at owners insistence. This seems to have improved problem. Dealer had to be told to try to rotate tires to help pulling and resisted the suggestion vigorously. Still pulls to right on acceleration, possibly torque steer.

Dealer tried the usual "unable to duplicate" routine. (Scott Robinson Honda, Torrance CA)

General Comments:

Power good. Fuel mileage below EPA estimates.

Noise fairly low.

Steering dead and devoid of feel, even compared to old American cars.

Steering has torque steer.

Steering wheel position one to two inches too high. Tilt wheel does not go low enough. Driving position poor due to too high and badly shaped steering wheel. Worse than any American car or any other Honda tried. Part of speedometer hidden by steering wheel. Steering wheel slippery and easy to lose hold of due to texture and shape.

Air conditioning does not cool well enough.

Parking brake press on and press off is hard to get used to and different from old car.

Visibility to rear corners, especially right, poor due to wide pillar. Very hard to see another car at right corner.

Reliability of friends Odysseys' not up to old Honda standards.

Opinion: High price, high pressure dealer has to be told how to investigate a problem, quiet, poor driving position. May not be worth the high price.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 26th February, 2002

17th Jul 2002, 09:23

My 2000 Odyssey had alignment problems when I bought it.

I had to take it to a second dealer to fix because the first dealer changed my tire pressure to fix the pulling problem. The second dealer did a 4 wheel alignment and it is still good after 23000 miles.

You can get this with any new car! The Honda transmissions have also been reported to be problematic. However, all of my tranny shifting and performance issues went away after I put Slick 50 A/T additive in and started using high octane gas.

This Van is great even at MSRP. Buy one. Better yet, buy mine so I can buy the 2003 model!

PS. I've owned cars and vans from every other maker. This one is a keeper!