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By
EWAN KENNEDY
20 December 2004
Honda
Odyssey is a Japanese people mover that leans more towards passenger car
design than it does towards being a van-like vehicle. In particular, the
Odyssey has a lower roof than most of its type, this gives it better
stability and improved styling.
The lower roof wasn't achieved simply by lowering the complete vehicle,
cleverly the engineers also lowered the floor to maintain decent
interior height. You can’t really walk about inside an Odyssey, but
getting from seat to seat isn't as awkward as you might think when
looking at its sleek design.
The Honda Odyssey has proven to be a reliable vehicle over the years and
holds its value well on the used-car market.
You have a choice between seven-seater and six-seater versions, though
the former wasn't available until March 1996, nine months after the
release of the latter. Both have three rows of seats; the seven-seater
has a bench in the middle row, the six-seater, two bucket seats. The
third-row, which takes two children, or tolerant adults, folds into the
cargo floor when not in use.
Visibility for the passengers is enhanced by seats with each row higher
than the one in front. Boot space with all seats in place isn't
particularly good, Odyssey isn't alone in this regard, but be sure to
check the luggage space before falling in love with the shape of the
vehicle.
Access is by four conventional doors, rather than by the sliding units
used in some people movers.
Power initially came from a 2.2-litre four-cylinder engine driving
through a four-speed automatic transmission. The engine size was
increased to 2.3 litres in January 1998 at the same time as the complete
vehicle got a revamp to further improve its refinement.
Performance from the four-cylinder units is adequate for most buyers,
but those who prefer a bit more grunt can opt for a 3.0-litre V6
introduced in January 2000. Teamed with a five-speed automatic featuring
a sequential shift the bigger engine not only improved power output, but
also gave the Odyssey a feeling of real refinement.
The four-cylinder continued when the V6 was launched. It retained a
four-speed automatic transmission for cost-saving reasons, but at least
it was given a sequential shift to improve its versatility.
Honda Australia only imported the V6 with the six-seater interior
trimmed in leather and numerous other upmarket features to make
travelling a very pleasant experience.
Spare parts are relatively expensive, though Honda in Australia has
worked hard at reducing the cost of many of the more common components.
Insurance is generally below average in cost as this is very much a
family car and is seldom driven with any verve.
The third generation Honda Odyssey was released midway through 2004, it
reverts exclusively to four-cylinder power and is even lower than the
model it supersedes. Very few are on the used-car market at this stage
so we won’t go into it in detail this time around.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR
Inspect the complete interior - seats, carpet and trim very carefully.
Remember that people movers are more likely to have carried passengers
in the back seats than are cars, so look throughout the vehicle for all
defects.
Make sure the engine starts quickly, even when it’s stone cold and
look for a puff of smoke from the exhaust when it first kicks over.
Watch for smoke from the exhaust pipe when the engine is accelerated
hard after it’s been idling for while.
The automatic transmission should be precise and smooth in operation and
not hunt
through the gears overmuch when climbing hills.
Look for rust in the lower areas of the body and in the floor of the
cabin and luggage area, but problems are unusual unless the Odyssey has
been in a crash and poorly repaired.
Check the brakes work smoothly and evenly without one wheel locking up
before the others. When the ABS system engages you should feel a mild
pulsing through the brake pedal.
Fewer Odysseys are used as commercial buses than for most other people
movers in this class. If you do come across one that has, it’s
probably best to pass it up unless the price is very good.
CAR BUYING TIP
People movers probably lead a tougher life than anything this side
of a 4WD in the middle of a desert. Keep this in mind when doing your
inspection and always call in a professional for the final verdict.
© Copyright
Marque Publishing Company
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Honda Odyssey |
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2001
Honda Odyssey |
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2004
Honda Odyssey |
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