Registered: May 2007
Location: MD
Posts: 13

Just got back to Maryland from Sunset Beach N.C. Our Ody now has 5K on it. What a great family van, can't say enough good things about it. We got between 24.25 and 25 on the three tankfuls we used down, around and back. That was 75% highway up and back and no highway when at the beach. Speed between 55 and 75 with 4 people and the van packed to the gills with stuff.

Observations/thoughts:
-We took too much stuff. I need a roof box or a rear hitch cargo platform. Anyone know if the boxes are loud or kill mileage?
-I wish the Ody had a limo window between the rear seats and the front seats so I could shut the kids out for five minutes of peace and quiet! I really love those guys but five minutes behind glass would be nice!
-Did I mention how great the Ody was?
-power sliding doors are wonderful. and I thought they were a gimmick
-Ride is quiet and smooth with power to spare.

See Ya
Rick

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2005 Accord

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Registered: Apr 2007
Location: nc
Posts: 81

wow, you make it sound like you put 5k from Sunset Beach to Maryland. lol. You sure went the looooooong way around. I guess you didn't want to get stuck in DC traffic. lol.

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Registered: Feb 2002
Location: Vancouver, Canada
Posts: 1187

quote:

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Originally posted by Raw Power
Anyone know if the boxes are loud or kill mileage?

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We're leaving on our cross-continent trip to visit my brother in Maryland with a cargo box. It's not really that loud and simply blends in with the road noise from the tires and is easily covered up by turning up the radio. I'm bringing my laptop and will be keeping track of the mileage.

quote:

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-I wish the Ody had a limo window between the rear seats and the front seats so I could shut the kids out for five minutes of peace and quiet! I really love those guys but five minutes behind glass would be nice!

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We have something that like--I call it headphones--one of the best inventions ever !

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Registered: Mar 2007
Location: Fairbanks, Alaska
Posts: 5

Thank you that is very good to know! We are heading out of Alaska in August to South Carolina and driving the entire way . We have had the van for two months so I haven't done a long trip yet.

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Michelle

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Registered: Aug 2004
Location: North Texas
Posts: 341

quote:

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Originally posted by Raw Power
-I wish the Ody had a limo window between the rear seats and the front seats so I could shut the kids out for five minutes of peace and quiet! I really love those guys but five minutes behind glass would be nice!

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Guess you didn't have any type of video system for the kids to watch on the trip. they are a must have....imho. we generally take coloring books, movies, games, and toys to help the kids out. they can generally last about 7-8 hours this way. if you need them to last longer, leave earlier in the morning so they can sleep

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Registered: Jan 2006
Location: houston, tx
Posts: 1758

you'd get better gas mileage w/ a rear hitch mount style, but it might get in the way more then a rood box.

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Registered: Nov 2006
Location: Where the mountains meet the ocean-wet coast
Posts: 1359

I find the seats extremely comfortable on long trips.

We bought a power inverter and plug in my lap top so the kids can watch movies. Mine fits nicely on the arm rests between the front seats.

My highway mileage improved once it was broken in,approx. 12 K on it.

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Registered: Feb 2005
Location: Anchorage, AK
Posts: 792

quote:

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Originally posted by Raw Power

Observations/thoughts:
-We took too much stuff. I need a roof box or a rear hitch cargo platform. Anyone know if the boxes are loud or kill mileage?

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Wait... you took too much stuff, so now want a roof box or cargo rack for... MORE stuff?

I take it what you're meaning to say is you just want to get the stuff out of the van and out of the way? Watch out tho' cause there's a theorem that says, essentially, "the more space you have, the greater tendency is to want to fill that space with (you guessed it...), more stuff"

Reading it the first time made me laugh and laugh!

Welcome to OdyClub.

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Registered: May 2007
Location: MD
Posts: 13

Actually we did go the long way around DC! Only put a little over a thousand on her though. The other 4 is the wife taking the 4 year old to school and going to the store for stuff to fill the Ody with.

Your right about filling the space you have. The only time we had any extra space was when we took the CTD pickup with a cap on it. Still managed to take too much stuff! That is my wife though not me.

The 4 year old has a video system for his seat and all the coloring book/games any kid could ever want. For some reason he still needs to let us know he is there! Over and Over again! The 5 month old sleeps real well and was very good. Anyone else buy happy meals just for the toys? My son won't eat the food, he says it is bad for you. Funny thing is we were at a family reunion mostly bankrolled by my Uncle who owns 5 or 6 McDonalds in N.C. We kinda stopped there out of Guilt!

One more thing. The Britax regent is great for the4 year old. Plenty of room to sleep and very comfy. The Britax companion makes the baby's butt sweaty after a long snooze but looks comfy too. I will switch him to the Decathalon when he gets a little bigger.

Mom likes to sit in the way back to be near the kids so we had the van set up for seating 7 people. How do others do it? Just curious.

My Cousin drives a new Suburban and it realy was nice. Sh says she gets 18 mpg most of the time. I prefer the Ody but understand why folks would go for the Sub....They had it full as well.

We need to haul bikes and a canoe on future trips so just wave and smile if you see an overloaded Ody from the People's Republic of Maryland lookin like the Beverly Hillbillies on Holiday!

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Registered: Jul 2004
Location: Owasso, OK
Posts: 70

I've used a roof top box only once (one of the larger black Sears models) and will only use it again if absolutely necessary. While the wind noise was not that objectional, the 5 MPG drop in fuel economy was!

We went from a Ford Excursion down to an 04 Odyssey. It's true, the more room you have, the more you want (or tend) to fill it. We pack differently when we travel with the Odyssey, and have made numerous road trips with plenty of cargo capacity - and that is with a family of five kids. We just use duffel bags instead of hard sided suit cases.

If we travel for Christmas, we have to use the roof top carrier.

Enjoy your Odyssey - it's a great vehicle!

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Registered: Jul 2006
Location: PA
Posts: 182

I currently have 18K miles on the odometer in one year of heavy road trips. About 1/3 of them with a Yakima Spacebooster on it. My kids called it the "bullet". I get about 1-1.5mpg drop with the box. ~23mpg with the box and a full-loaded van versus ~24-25 without it. I fit three large duffel bags in it. It's not the biggest box, but I can put it up and down by myself with a ladder. I would probably need help if the box was any bigger.

Very little wind noise. Easy to forget it's there. The only drawback is some of the urban destinations we went to - NYC, Chicago, Montreal all have parking garages that aren't tall enough for the Ody+box. So we either park on the street or tip the valet extra to keep it out front of the hotels.

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Registered: May 2007
Location: BC, Canada
Posts: 66

We haven't gone on a long trip yet with our 06 touring, but we will soon! and I'm really looking forward to having all the extra amenities. We drove our 99 EX from Vancouver Canada to Disneyland approx 30 hrs drive each way with a make shift DVD system, colouring books etc. and for the most part our two kids enjoyed themselves. I was considering a coffin for the roof too but having the mother in law strapped up there, there was just no room for the box I know I know I could have put her in the coffin box but that would reminder her too much of home! didn't want to make her too comfortable else she'll want to come again

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