1995 Honda Odyssey from North America

Summary:

The best vehicle I have ever owned

Faults:

Tape deck started eating tapes at 175,000 miles.

Starter needed replacing at 197,000 miles.

Back light for the A/C controls went out sometime around 200k miles.

ABS light came on at 215,000 miles.

Original radiator hose sprung a leak at 230,000 miles. (I should have replaced this earlier as part of regular maintenance)

Some wiring needed replacing (didn't keep the car from running or driving fine) at 230,000 miles. Replacing it made the ABS light go back off.

General Comments:

This car was just a great family car. It had room for our family to grow from one kid, to two, three, and four. At that point we decided to get a little more room, so we got a newer van and this became my "daily driver" commuting to work and running errands. I took out the middle seats then, so I had a four-seater with the back folded up, and a "truck" with the back down. Very versatile, and hard to replace with anything. The car was still going strong when we passed it to another family. I had just been on a 1500 mile trip with it the week before, and it did everything it was supposed to do.

It doesn't have a lot of pick-up. I have driven 15-passenger vans lately that had a similar feel when you put your foot on the accelerator. It's adequate, but not a "performance car" to speak of.

The cabin has lots of room for the overall size of the car.

I love being able to fold the seat down in the back. I know a lot of cars have that now, but at the time it was made it was still a rare and exciting new feature.

I like the swing-open back doors okay, although having another Odyssey with sliding doors, I do prefer those.

It had bucket seats in the middle, which were kind of nice, but I would have rather had the middle bench seat for extra seating.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 15th July, 2010

1995 Honda Odyssey EX 2.2L 4 cylinder from North America

Summary:

Great minivan that is turn-key!

Faults:

Rip in left CV boot (fixed by used car lot dealership under warranty).

Loose battery cables (fixed very cheaply at Sears -- they just put new ones on there).

General Comments:

This minivan drives like a car.

I've had it for a little over a year, and I am totally content with this model.

I purchased this van because I had another baby and needed a little more room than a sedan could give me (with a double stroller and two car seats).

The only complaint I have is that the US models don't have a top tether for second row installations of car seats.

I love this car and made my decision to buy it because of this website. I noticed that the newer Odysseys had transmission problems.

I've had to move an armoire, and took one of the second row captain seats out and folded down the third row seat, and had no problem loading it in.

General maintenance: 177,000 timing belt and water pump replacement, transmission fluid changed, new spark plugs, coolant changed, new air filter, etc.. (all changed by small dealership).

I keep the oil changed with high mileage oil and the only thing I've had to replace were the windshields.

I thank God for this minivan -- it's very affordable and reliable for my family. It's my first van and I'm happy -- hope it lasts for at least 300,000 miles!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 29th October, 2009

2nd Nov 2011, 19:12

I am the original poster.

Update: 212,000 miles and still going strong!

My biggest complaint was not being able to install a tether anchor for my child's forward facing car seat. By the Grace of God & after almost 3 years of searching, I finally did it! You have to take up the carpet, unscrew a bolt and then install the top tether anchor. The part number is 82410-SE3-C01, called a "plate assembly," available for approx. $13-$15 per part from a Honda dealership.

If you are a first generation Honda Odyssey holder and need to find out how to install the top tether anchors, visit this thread: http://www.odyclub.com/forums/20-kids-safety/12160-1995-gen1-second-row-tehter-anchor-position.html

Now I REALLY love this van!

21st Aug 2013, 20:59

Original owner here again :)

The Odyssey currently has 234K miles on it and is still going strong! Just got a transmission fluid flush and coolant flush. :thumbsup:

8th Jul 2014, 00:11

This is great, thanks for the update. Looking to buy a '95 model 2nd hand.

12th Oct 2014, 04:20

Heck yeah, good stuff. I'm about to buy a 95 Odyssey and I will be buying that top latch thing. Great to know, thanks buddy.

30th May 2015, 01:48

Did you ever score one?