"dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford" (dtg11)
03/12/2016 at 17:40 • Filed to: Oppo Reviews, Honda, Odyssey
6
10|
"dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford" (dtg11)
03/12/2016 at 17:40 • Filed to: Oppo Reviews, Honda, Odyssey | 6
| 10 |
After DD’ing this 2007 Odyssey for close to 4 months, I figured that I’m now comfortable enough with it to do a full review. My parents bought it new 9 years ago this month and has served us well.
Please excuse the dirt in the pics. It hasn’t been washed yet this year.
Exterior: 6/10
I think it’s held up to the test of time pretty well. A bit dull and a bit boring, but it doesn’t look as dated as, say, a Pontiac G6. But it’s still a plum/burgundy minivan.
Double the Honda, yo!
Interior: 9/10
It’s really, really good. It’s design won’t wow you, but everything is practical and ergonomical, except for the random chrome bits that like to blind you whenever the sun shines on them. It’s simple and laid out well. Everything is where you think it’d be, with the most useful functions closest to the driver. No unreadable buttons, all knobs or large buttons for the radio. Everything works well, expect the lower glove compartment. But that’s because we’ve got too much weight in it. In the doors, (cue Xzibit) there’s pockets in pockets. The seats are great over long trips too. It’s all built well, with very few squeaks, and none of the materials feel cheap (looking at you, Toyota). And it can fit sheets of drywall, laying flat. Not a lot of pickups can do that.
VTEC, yo!
Acceleration: 6/10
This van isn’t what one would call fast or powerful. A better term is adequate. Will a 0-60 of 8.2 seconds, this is no speed demon, but good enough that it isn’t a concern of whether you’ll be going fast enough to easily merge onto the highway. It’s got enough oomph to pass slower traffic (except I’m usually the slower traffic) with ease. For normal driving, the 244 HP is enough.
Braking: 6/10
They work. So better than my last DD’er.
They have pretty good feel for a normal car and stop the car pretty quickly when you consider it is a 4400 lb car.
Ride: 9/10
The ride is quite comfy and is great over long distances. It’s soft enough so it’s great for long road trips but still firm enough that you can turn without getting seasick.
Handling: 6/10
Again, adequate. It’s numb, not providing much feel. But this wasn’t designed for that. It reacts well and has a pretty good turning circle. Obviously a 4400 lb car ain’t gonna hustle around corners, but it’s really not bad. The 235 section tires provide a good amount of surface contact. The car corners pretty flat for a minivan (and better than my previous DD’er, an 2001 Corolla).
Transmission: 3/10
It’s crap. We’ve had it in for recalls to fix rough shifting, but they only changed the gear that shifts rough. It shudders and jolts when coasting, especially downhill. Under hard acceleration, it’s slow. We have friends with these and there’s aren’t better. It’s just a know problem. As a note, it’s a 5-speed. Understandable for the time, so no marks there.
Toys: 4/10
It has power windows, power locks, keyless entry, and that’s where the list stops.
Audio: 6/10
The VTEC V-6 sounds angry when accelerating hard. Not a ‘grrr, I’m a fast car’ angry, more like a ‘why are you doing this to me’ angry. But for a base model car that’s got 9 year old speakers, the the sound system is pretty great.
Value: 9/10
When this was new, it cost $26k or so (I think). Despite 2 kids and 9 years of wear and tear, it’s still worth about $6k. That’s pretty good. But trying to find a newer (2006 and newer) practical family car for less than $8k, this is one of the best. It’s well built, pretty reliable (never left us stranded), and very roomy.
Total: 64/100
For a family that needs reliable, practical transportation, look no further.
Specs:
Engine: 3.5L VTEC V-6
Power: 244 HP
Transmission: 5-Speed Automatic
0-60: 8.4 sec for Touring with Nav (about 200 lbs heavier) so maybe 8.2 sec?
Drivetrain: FWD
Seating: 7 people
MPG: I don’t pay for gas so I don’t care. (about 17 city, 24 hwy)
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Hope I didn’t bore you to death!
Yes I daily a Prius and I like it, hate me.
> dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford
03/12/2016 at 18:12 |
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Thanks for the review! I’m looking into this generation Odyssey for around 8k used. It’s somewhat unsettling to hear there are still transmission issues :/
The alternative would be a TN1 sprinter :D but will cost double the price :(
To be honest I want the sprinter much more but they are hard to come by compared to odysseys
pjhusa
> dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford
03/12/2016 at 18:54 |
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why does everyone on Oppo have one of these
Brickman
> dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford
03/12/2016 at 19:15 |
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Great review. I need to review my Caravan for the hell of it :D
Van Man, rocks the Man Van
> pjhusa
03/12/2016 at 19:49 |
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Because they're actually pretty good?
C62030
> Brickman
03/12/2016 at 19:55 |
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A concise review of any old Chrysler product:
“Just how many the hell cars did they use that star-thing logo on?”
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Van Man, rocks the Man Van
> dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford
03/12/2016 at 19:55 |
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My parents have 2009 Odyssey. It’s basically the same as your ‘07 but (in my opinion) slightly better looking. I 100% agree with everything you've said. If you need to haul people or stuff, the Odyssey (3rd generation especially) can't be beat. It's not pretentious or cool or sporty but it does its job extremely well.
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dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford
> Yes I daily a Prius and I like it, hate me.
03/12/2016 at 21:20 |
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Supposedly there are fixes for the tranny, but we haven’t taken it back to the dealer yet. It’s not unbearable and I haven’t heard of any going out, but do your research. But overall, it’s hard to beat the Odyssey for the money.
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dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford
> pjhusa
03/12/2016 at 21:21 |
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Because they’re reliable and practical and are affordable to the common pleb.
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dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford
> Van Man, rocks the Man Van
03/12/2016 at 21:23 |
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The ‘08-’10 vans look a good bit better. Alloys also help too. The ‘11-now are a bit strange looking.
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dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford
> Yes I daily a Prius and I like it, hate me.
03/12/2016 at 21:27 |
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Also, you should definitely get a later year model (08-10). Their trannys are much improved.