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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 735 of 749

#7340 of 7485 Re: 2004 Chrysler Town and Country Limited vs 2007 Honda Odyssey EX [masterpaul1] by shipo

Jul 11, 2007 (6:43 am)

Replying to: masterpaul1 (Jul 10, 2007 7:19 pm)
The swaybar bushings on Gen4 vans are problematic, period, full stop, the end. Some also claim that the swaybar ends are troublesome as well although it is unclear whether that is actually the case or whether the links are being lumped in with the noise generated by worn bushings.
 
In our case, our 2003 developed the infamous "clunk" somewhere in the thirty to forty thousand mile range and we simply ignored it until about the 85,000 mile mark when it finally got annoying enough to do something about. I am an analyst by trade and as such am a fan of changing one thing at a time instead of throwing a whole bunch of parts at a problem hoping to solve it via brute force. So, ignoring the dire warnings of many experienced folks, I simply changed the bushings (I used the NAPA "Blue" bushings that cost about $11.00) and NOT the links.
 
When I admitted what I had done I was told that I'd need to go back in and replace the links as well and that I was a fool for not doing them all at the same time. Well, I'm here to say that nearly 10,000 miles later and our 2003 is still as quiet as it was the day it rolled out of the showroom.
 
In defence of the "You must change the links" folks, I've heard anecdotal reports that suggest that Chrysler used two different end link types, one primarily plastic and one primarily metal. If that is the case, then I can certainly understand why some folks are convinced that the links are needing replacement at the same time as the bushings.
 
Best Regards,
Shipo

#7341 of 7485 Re: 2004 Chrysler Town and Country Limited vs 2007 Honda Odyssey EX [thegraduate] by masterpaul1

Jul 11, 2007 (8:22 pm)

Replying to: thegraduate (Jul 10, 2007 7:58 pm)
Maybe I've been spoiled my my service from my 174k mile '96 Accord, but you've had a lot more things fixed from 37k to 88k miles than I have from 125k to 174k miles in my car.
 
I'm glade to hear that you have had less repairs then we have. Let me ask though, what repairs have you had done, big or small, up to 174K?
 
Also, You are comparing a car to a minivan. (Apples and oranges.) I agree, the power window motors and regulators should not have stop working around 37K. The front suspension bushings and links should have lasted longer. (These two problems are well known with this generation minivan.) The bolt for the thermostat housing breaking off inside the engine block should not have happened and I'm not even sure why it happened. (It was an easy fix and the thermostat did not need to be changed. I choose to change it since I had to take apart the thermostat housing.) The water pump being replaced is ?. Not sure what broke with the emergency brake. (Pedal or cable.) We apply it every time we park, since we've owned it. (Most people don't even use their emergency brake. So, the life expectancy is questionable.) Even with these minor repairs on our minivan, I still feel that it has been very reliable. I have heard of more costly repairs and repairs in general on later model minivans with less miles then ours on Daimlerchrysler, Honda and Toyota. Some problems that couldn't be solved or solved only after multiple visits to the dealer. Also, keep in mind, that this is a first year model. There are always going to be bugs needing to be worked out on any new model, no matter who made it.

#7342 of 7485 Re: 2004 Chrysler Town and Country Limited vs 2007 Honda Odyssey EX [masterpaul1] by thegraduate

Jul 11, 2007 (8:35 pm)

Replying to: masterpaul1 (Jul 11, 2007 8:22 pm)
I'm glade to hear that you have had less repairs then we have. Let me ask though, what repairs have you had done, big or small, up to 174K?
 
At 131k miles, I had my main cooling fan (radiator fan) replaced due to motor failure. My brake master cylinder developed a very slow leak around 155k miles - had that replaced. Most recently, I had a developing crack in my radiator, at 172k miles. While it never ran hot, it likely would have shortly had I not had the thing replaced. Both of these repairs were in the $300 range each.
 
The suspension, rear brake shoes/drums, front rotors (not pads), tranny, alternator, exhaust system, etc... are are original, from purhcase date Nov 12, 1995.
 
I certainly realize that I was comparing two very different vehicles, but it seems like things like the emergency brake (my whole immediate family uses the brake every time - I was taught it was part of driving, like putting the car in park and wearing a seatbelt. I use it regardless of where I'm parked) shouldn't break so soon.
 
I didn't intend to make a specific rally for Honda, its just that the only older vehicle I've ever owned was this Honda, and it seemed like in comparison, your Chrysler wasn't aging very well. Every make will have its share of issues. Honda had V6 transmission problems in Acura 2001-2003 3.2CL Coupes, 1999 Odysseys, 2003-2004 Accord V6s. Toyota had an infamous engine sludge problem in the 1990s, and seems to flub its most recent launches (2007 Camry V6 tranny failures, New Tundra 5.7L engine problems...).
 
It's not limited to one make, rather, just the opposite.

#7343 of 7485 Re: Comparison [dc_driver] by sarkan

Jul 20, 2007 (8:49 pm)

Replying to: dc_driver (May 01, 2006 9:01 am)
just curious, what kinda of problems did you have with your jetta? I had a series of elec, struts, back window brackets, and just recently had my speedometer and tach including the dash lights die. In like the first 2 years i had a birdshit stain my hood, air condition leak, No AM reception on my radio, and went through those crappy tires. now i'm bout to trade her in for a oddyssey. 4 years ago i was going to get 10,000 but now they offering 2,000 for trade.

#7344 of 7485 Re: 2004 Chrysler Town and Country Limited vs 2007 Honda Odyssey EX [bhs1975] by marine2

Aug 08, 2007 (12:37 am)

Replying to: bhs1975 (Jul 09, 2007 8:04 pm)
But I'm still a little leary about the Chrysler product's reliability over the long haul. If you were in a similar situation, would you go the new van route or save the cash and go with the 3yr old model?
 
Chrysler today leapfrogged every other car maker by extending its powertrain warranty on every new car and truck it sells to the life of the vehicle. The warranty will apply to the entire powertrain including the engine, transmission/transaxle, drive shafts, and axles. The new warranty goes into effect today, July 26, 2007 and applies to all new 2007s that are on the dealer lots as well as 2008 models.
 
The warranty covers all parts and labor as long as the owner brings the car in to a Chrysler dealer at least once every five years for a free powertrain inspection. Apparently, the only fly in the ointment is that the new warranty applies to the original owner and is not transferable. If the car is sold within the first three years, the warranty reverts to the previous 3 year/36,000 mile coverage for subsequent owners.

#7345 of 7485 Re: 2004 Chrysler Town and Country Limited vs 2007 Honda Odyssey EX [marine2] by dennisctc

Aug 08, 2007 (2:16 pm)

Replying to: marine2 (Aug 08, 2007 12:37 am)
Hey Marine, you thinking of getting 08? Probably not since your Toyota is still new right? I have itch for one, but then I think of how I use current 05 with only 20k trouble free miles and I can't see me doing it. I'm thinking of getting myself a Sky for a toy, and just hanging on to Dodge

#7346 of 7485 Re: 2004 Chrysler Town and Country Limited vs 2007 Honda Odyssey EX [dennisctc] by thegraduate

Aug 08, 2007 (2:30 pm)

Replying to: dennisctc (Aug 08, 2007 2:16 pm)
With only 20k miles, you shouldn't be van shopping yet!!

#7347 of 7485 Re: 2004 Chrysler Town and Country Limited vs 2007 Honda Odyssey EX [thegraduate] by shipo

Aug 08, 2007 (2:41 pm)

Replying to: thegraduate (Aug 08, 2007 2:30 pm)
Fer-sher, that thing ain't even broke in yet.
 
Best Regards,
Shipo

#7348 of 7485 2007 Chrysler T&C vs Honda Odyssey by fmichael

Aug 23, 2007 (11:55 am)

The hospital I work has "deals" for it's emplyees a few of the local auto dealers which allows us to purchase the "invoice" price along with any rebates, & special finance rates.
 
I was a "Ford" guy for many years; in 2001 I bought an Accord so I'm now a "Honda" guy. Now with a baby on the way I would like a mini-van, & have been looking around. To my surprise there are quite a few folks whom are not happy with the Odyssey (for 1 reason or another). Also to my surprise there's quite a few folks whom are happy with their T&C.
 
Any of you folks wish to shed some light on a mini-van newb; I've also checked out a new 2008 T&C - very nice - reminds me alot of the Odyssey, but I don't know if it would be worth the extra $$$ (no rebates nor financing specials for the 2008) when compared to the 2007 T&C.
 
Any info would be great, thanks!
FMichael.

#7349 of 7485 Re: 2007 Chrysler T&C vs Honda Odyssey [fmichael] by jchan2

Aug 24, 2007 (7:23 pm)

Replying to: fmichael (Aug 23, 2007 11:55 am)
If you don't mind the older design of the T&C, the lifetime warranty that Chrysler is doing, combined with the hefty rebates and discounts, makes it a very attractive deal.
 
Of course, you can never go wrong with a Sienna or Odyssey, but the T&C is a really good deal these days...
 
I would test drive the T&C, Sienna, and Odyssey, and determine which one is your favorite, and if the Sienna and Odyssey feel like they are worth the extra $$$ to you.
 
Then, pick the one you like best, and buy it.

Messages Page 735 of 749

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