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Honda Odyssey vs Dodge/Chrysler minivans - READ ONLY

7485 messages,  Last post on Mar 23, 2008 at 8:43 AM

You are in the Honda Odyssey Forum.

What is this discussion about? Dodge Caravan, Honda Odyssey, Chrysler Town and Country, Chrysler Voyager, Plymouth Voyager, Van

Messages Page 227 of 749

#2255 of 7485 RE: Sticking up for Chrysler by algie_fawkes by blandfordm

Mar 26, 2003 (3:40 pm)

Since there are not enough Sienna's or Odyssey's for everyone who wants a mini-van, I'm glad there is someone willing to buy other minivans.
 
However, I would say using Consumer Reports to substantiate Chrysler's reliability does not make sense. CR said rated the Voyager's reliability with their worst rating. They rated the Town & Country's reliability with their next to worst rating. CR rated the Sienna's reliability with their best rating and the Odyssey's with their next to best rating. And as far as comparing Chrysler's reliability to BMW's or Mercedes, since this is a discussion board for a mini-van, I'm curious which BMW or Mercedes mini-van you are comparing Chrysler to. I did not see a mini-van listed in Consumer Reports for either maker- I never shop for BMWs or Mercedes, so I can only assume they don't make one.
 
As for not believing what the magazines tell you about Chrysler's reliability, the only experience I have with a Chrysler van is the 3-4 year-old Town & Country that two of our friends owned (past tense), which they intended to keep for years, had so many problems (specifically with the electrical system) that they finally had to buy a new car and get whatever they could for their problematic Town & Country (which was not much considering the thousands required if they had tried to fix it- for a second time).
 
Furthermore, Sienna, which you referred to as a "Jap" car, has always been made in America- they made models up through the 2003 in Georgetown, KY. They recently moved production for the 2004 to their Indiana plant. Whereas, although I'm not an expert on Chrysler, it appears they build the Town & Country in their Windsor, Ontario (Canadian) Plant. And they build the Voyager in Graz, Austria.
 
So, although I wonder why someone would, to keep demand from raising prices too high on the Odyssey and Sienna, I hope other buyers will continue to buy other mini-vans- so the rest of us can get a deal on vans that are reliable.

#2256 of 7485 Palmer by bill1000

Mar 27, 2003 (11:35 am)

I bought a 2003 T&C LXI model with leather, dvd, sunroof, heated seats, cargo organizer - pretty much fully loaded. Paid $29,900 including rebates and discounts. The Odyssey EXL w/DVD was about the same price minus some bells and whistles (sunroof, power hatch, computer console, power passenger seat, 3 zone HVAC). The Sienna was about $4000 more since Toyota is loading options on them for now. The noise was comparable in the T&C and Sienna and a little bit more pronounced in the Honda. It came down to which car we liked driving better and the Chrysler was it for us. It was just an added bonus that we got more for our money. Like I said before, I got a 100,000 bumper to bumper exetended warranty to ease my conscience about the reliability. The Honda only gas a 36,000 mile warranty on everything including the powertrain so I would have probably bought one for it also. I drive an Acura car and love it, so I certainly can't say Hondas are not great cars, but I also have friends who have had problems with their Odysseys (power doors in particular). To each his own.

#2257 of 7485 Palmer by bill1000

Mar 27, 2003 (11:41 am)

P.S. I traded in a 1996 Dodge Grand Caravan for the new 2003 T&C. It had 120,000 miles on it and was running in great shape. I did have a couple problems with it during the seven years I owned it - oxygen sensor, fuel tank, and power steering. Spent about $1500 total in repairs which I thought wasn't too bad considering the 96 was a new model and gets trashed in consumer reports. Maybe I was lucky.

#2258 of 7485 by algie_fawkes

Mar 28, 2003 (5:48 am)

No, Mercedes and BMW don't make minivans, you are right. I was just comparing Chrysler as a company to those two German companies as a whole. ANd yes, I am aware that when we speak of "imports" and "domestics," oftentimes import brands build cars in the US and vice versa.
 
CR's ratings have come under heavy fire from all sides and I can understand that--even agree with that. but what I find interesting is that they are beginning to warm a bit toward Chrysler, a company they always ripped off for reliability in the past. So, that seems to show something, does it not?
 
And yes. Motor Trend pretty much said that the Dodge G. Caravan and the HOnda Odyssey are equal in advantages--it just depends what you want. Caravan=quieter interior, better style, AWD, power liftgate/doors, more comfort. Odyssey=good reliability history, better for cargo, "magic" seat, better acceleration, esp. in low end.
 
So, I'll leave it at that. I would buy DC, but for those who want the honda, fine.

#2259 of 7485 Dodge/ Chrysler by blandfordm

Mar 28, 2003 (4:03 pm)

Well, you sure are right about Motor Trend's review between the Dodge Caravan and the Odyssey. Although, having had a couple used cars when I was younger, that I spent more on repairs than I would have on a monthly payment for a nicer car, reliability is very important to me. And Motor Trend did not even mention reliability or estimated repairs in their article (which was written by a bachelor with no kids- he notes that in his article).
 
But as far as "warm[ing] a bit toward Chrysler, a company they always ripped off for reliability in the past". I didn't see much warmth from Consumer Reports concerning the reliability of Dodge or Chrysler minivans. Between the Caravan, Voyager, and Town & Country, the best rating they gave for reliability was their second to worst rating. And the Voyager got their worst rating. Whereas the Odyssey got their second best reliability rating and the Sienna got the best rating available.
 
However, if these companies would:
1. Significantly improve the reliability of their minivans and,
2. Start building these cars in America, and
3. Keep their prices competitive with the other minivan makers
 
I would certainly consider buying one instead of a Sienna (that is made in Indiana) or an Odyssey (that is made in Canada).

#2260 of 7485 Caravan=quieter interior, better style by andrewtran71

Mar 30, 2003 (8:24 am)

Please. Motor Trend must be on the D/C salary list or they must have lost their God-loving minds. My father-n-law owns two Caravans-a 1997 and 2001. I think the Caravan is definitely louder than the Odyssey, but there's only one way to fine out. Yes, blandfordm, sound meter!
And styling? Oh My Gosh! How can you compare the stlying of the Caravan to anything? It sucks! The MVP or '04 Sienna or '03 Odyssey blows away the Caravan or T&C anyday, but again, beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder---purely subjective opinions.

#2261 of 7485 Yes and No by blandfordm

Mar 30, 2003 (10:41 am)

Andrewtran71, Yes. I completely agree with you about everything except, Noooooooooo! Please don't start posting more sound meter recordings. I really laughed at this post- about the sound meter part.

#2262 of 7485 blandfordm by andrewtran71

Mar 30, 2003 (1:28 pm)

Okay--as long as algie doesn't want to get into a debate cession on sound levels. Who knows? Being a young and able person that he is, he might try to out do me and buy himself a digital sound meter and start his own comparison.

#2263 of 7485 That would be just fine by blandfordm

Mar 30, 2003 (5:42 pm)

If you want to champion the argument on why the Odyssey and/ or Sienna are much better than some other makes, I might be interested in reading it, even if it did have some sound meter readings in it- although I would probably like it even more without the readings.

#2264 of 7485 One less reason to by the Chrysler by estevens

Mar 30, 2003 (8:49 pm)

I have the 2002 Grand Caravan Sport, it was the best van I have ever had until all the oil leaked out and it cost me $5,000.
If you want to know more, go to my web site http://www.barberic.ca
After having Chyrsler give me the run around, I posted the info on my site.
After checking sites like this and lemon aid sites, it is now no surprise that it takes extreme measures to get Chrysler to pay up.
 
My next van will most likely be the Honda, the new Toyota has poor seats, the Mazda is too small.

Messages Page 227 of 749

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