[CrasHUV]

I have my name on the list for a 2002 LX. The dealer is giving me a tenative date of mid August. Does anyone know when the 2003 are due out? Would that lead to a 2002 price drop if I wait a few months more?

I am also working on 3 dealers, so maybe I can get the date moved closer. Any thoughts would be great. As a side note, we are waiting on a Silver LX.

 

[krampits]

I was told by a dealer in Portland, OR, that if I wanted and EX-L RES, that I would be put on the 2003 list for October.

 

[niki]

If you could wait for another couple months for 2003 in October, then I think you should consider to order 2003 model.

 

[ComputerGeek]

Tough Decision to make

Couple of things to consider here....

1. the 2003 will (almost certainly) cost more than the 2002. Honda has a winner here, and a short supply..that ALWAYS means higher prices.

2. IF you buy the 2002, you will have a year old Ody by October...

So... how long do you plan to keep your Ody? If you plan to keep it 10 years or so (as we do), then the 2002 is probably the better choice. (Cheaper up front cost, and not that much loss of resale value 10 years later)

Just my 2 cents

Good luck...I bet you will LOVE your Ody!

 

[Maugham]

We had a similar dilemma last summer and ended up with an '02 instead of an '01 and we are glad we did. There was a slight price increase (couple hundred bucks, about 1%) but there were more than enough new features to make up for the increase. Since the economy is still slow, I'd be surprised if there was much of a price increase.

If I didn't really need a new vehicle in July or August I'd definitely wait for the '03.

Regards,

Maugham¿

 

[Garbat]

Personally as the 2003 will likely be almost identical to the 2002 I would go for the 2002 unless I wanted one of the new 2003 colours.

That way I would get the van sooner (August v's October/November), pay less (likely), and be enjoying my ODY over the summer.

If I could convince myself to wait for the 2003... I would be tempted to wait for the completely new 2004.....
:joy:

The problem is you can always keep waiting for a better ODY... IMHO if you want the van and can get a good price... GO FOR IT!!

Cheers... Gary

 

[CrasHUV]

Update

Thanks for all the good feedback.

I talked to one of the dealers and he said 2002 prices wont drop because they will all be sold out. I have not heard much differance for the 2003 so it looks like im 70 some days away from getting my Ody.

 

[Maugham]

Re: Update

...I have not heard much differance for the 2003 so it looks like im 70 some days away from getting my Ody.

When we were shopping last year, several dealers assured us there would be no difference between the '01 and the '02. The enhancements weren't public knowledge until mid-summer(??). I'm glad we ended up waiting the two extra months last year.

Maugham¿

 

[SuperDad]

I think that is to be expected. Ever hear of "Osbourne" portable(actually luggable) computers? If not, it is probably because they announced all sorts of better features in their second model, and their first model's sales evaporated. Their second model was never completed.

That's from the early 1980's, if you didn't guess.

 

[Maugham]

I think that is to be expected. Ever hear of "Osbourne" portable(actually luggable) computers? If not, it is probably because they announced all sorts of better features in their second model, and their first model's sales evaporated. Their second model was never completed.

That's from the early 1980's, if you didn't guess.

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I shared one of those 24 lb. Osbournes one with a co-worker and lugged it around for a while. Wrote my first program in 1963 and have been involved w/ computers since.

I was pointing out to the previous poster who said, "I have not heard much difference for the 2003" that we didn't hear in advance last year, either.

I'm wondering if Honda will add some competitive geegaws this year because of the Sienna being completely updated.

Regards,

Maugham¿

 

[Garbat]

Re: Re: Update

When we were shopping last year, several dealers assured us there would be no difference between the '01 and the '02. The enhancements weren't public knowledge until mid-summer(??). I'm glad we ended up waiting the two extra months last year.

Its likely that the dealers just were not aware of the extent of the differences - Honda being known for doing an excellent job of keeping these things secret. If you look at history though you can draw some conclusions and use those to "predict" the future. Honda have historically always done a "refresh" in the third year of a model - two things you can always count on changing are the front/grill and the tail-lights (not sure why they picked those two - likely because they are visual representation that the vehicle has changed.

Other than those, there can be subtle changes throughout the vehicle (or in the case of the Odyssey more significant changes). It could be that the Odyssey changes were more significant than usual because of the opening of the new plant at the same time - "hey if we are spending all this money on a new plant anway, lets introduce this improvement and that improvement... etc. etc."

Historically in the last year of a model Honda make very few changes although as I indicated in a previous post they usually introduce a Special Edition model to keep sales up. This model is usually an LX with some of the EX upgrades, but priced closer to the LX (take a look at the current Accord Special Edition as an example). As Odyssey sales are not a problem I am not sure they need to do this - I guess we will find out how consistent they are with this practice, whether they need to or not!!

Cheers... Gary

 

[MTK]

I am in the same position. My original order was placed in March with a Jun/July delivery. Last week my dealer said my color choices (HB or GG) were not available until August deliveries (GG being discontinued). When I asked about 2003 delivery he said Septermber to October and that I would be on his first 2003 allotment. Since Honda offers no incentive to buy now rather than wait for the new model (like most car companies) I decided to wait the extra 6 weeks or so for an '03. I've waited this long and I'm not desperate. Besides the 2003 colors may be better!

Regarding prices he told me (I always take what a dealer says with a shaker of salt) that it is usually 1%-2% and that he would split the difference. (That's an '03 Ody for under MSRP!).

However... I am also considering waiting to see if 1. The new Sienna is worth it. 2. Wait for the 2004 redesign. 3. Wait until next sping to see if there are substantial discounts due to numbers 1, 2 and Pilot sales stealing from Ody.

I have some time before I need to cancel or take delivery in October.

Wish I could be one of those carefree impulse buyers!

 

[MTK]

Re: Re: Re: Update

Historically in the last year of a model Honda make very few changes although as I indicated in a previous post they usually introduce a Special Edition model to keep sales up. This model is usually an LX with some of the EX upgrades, but priced closer to the LX (take a look at the current Accord Special Edition as an example). As Odyssey sales are not a problem I am not sure they need to do this - I guess we will find out how consistent they are with this practice, whether they need to or not!!

I forgot to mention that when I asked about an SE model like the Accord I was "told no way, Honda does not need to do that with such a hot item". Given how much dealers are kept in the dark and since it is not without precedence, AND Honda may want to counter Toyota in some way before the Ody redesign in 2004, I felt a wait and see strategy may be best.

 

[bobf58]

Gary,

You're right on the money except that when Honda switched from 4 year to 5 year Generations, the refresh moved to the 4th year (which I think is what you meant).

Also, my "freshened" '01 Accord EX V6 gained a few nice extras in addition to styling over '00, such as power passenger seat, In Dash AM/FM/Cassette/6CD, Traction Control, lighted (well one anyway) power window switch.

Bob

 

[Garbat]

Gary,

You're right on the money except that when Honda switched from 4 year to 5 year Generations, the refresh moved to the 4th year (which I think is what you meant).

You are correct Bob... I did mean year 4 not 3 (its too late in the week to count accurately!! :stupid: ) Actually what I meant was at the end of the 3'rd year... yeah thats it... thats the ticket!!

Also, my "freshened" '01 Accord EX V6 gained a few nice extras in addition to styling over '00, such as power passenger seat, In Dash AM/FM/Cassette/6CD, Traction Control, lighted (well one anyway) power window switch.

Bob

Sure rub it in!! I would love to have some of those on my 98 Accord!! Ah well... once the ODY is paid off I can start to look at the Accord replacement... still a great car though!

Cheers... Gary