[dc_driver]

I'd be tempted to, but my current car (03 Forester) has that feeling that something is going to break on it (the engine always seems to smell hot after I drive the car for any length), and I'm getting sick and tired of trying to get both a car seat and my wife in the car with me. The Forester's rear seat is tiny, resulting in my wife sitting way too close to the airbag to be considered safe. And since I do accident recon stuff, and look at those nasty crash pictures more frequently than most people, I'm always leery of that.

There will always be a new model right around the corner. Unless you are willing to pay at or near (or over) MSRP for a new model, look into the old models.

 

[Hodog16]

Yes, I remember back in 2008 when Honda dealers were refusing to budge off MSRP on the incoming current-gen Pilots. One dealer went from "the first 5 are pre-sold" to calling me two weeks later begging me to come in for a test drive. Nevermind the fact that gas at the time was easily over $4/gallon.

My 2008 MDX has the turn and release auto-crank system, so Honda's had the technology for awhile. Push button start would be nice though.

I'll be in the market for an Odyssey in the late summer/early Fall as well. Will be looking to get a 2014 TE, but it will be fun to see how cheap the 2013's get which may be tempting. The Ody is almost certain to get new front and rear fascias and maybe colors too--would love for the non-burgundy red to reappear.

 

[Threxx]

Whenever the 2014s become available for order, I'll probably just visit or call around to a few dealers and offer them $500 over invoice to order a 2014 TE for me. Very little work required on their part and they don't have to have the car sitting around on their lot, either.

If they try to force me to pay MSRP or anything over what I'm willing to pay, I'll move on to the next dealer. If they're all like that, I'll just wait a few more months until they aren't quite so proud of the refresh. I'm in no big hurry.

 

[dc_driver]

Whenever the 2014s become available for order, I'll probably just visit or call around to a few dealers and offer them $500 over invoice to order a 2014 TE for me. Very little work required on their part and they don't have to have the car sitting around on their lot, either.

If they try to force me to pay MSRP or anything over what I'm willing to pay, I'll move on to the next dealer. If they're all like that, I'll just wait a few more months until they aren't quite so proud of the refresh. I'm in no big hurry.

It really just depends on your dealer and demand in your area. When I lived in Northern VA, no dealer near me was willing to budget on MSRP for awhile on a new model or refresh. Many of them had "area adjustment" on the sticker for $500-1000 and wanted over MSRP. Simple economics, supply and demand. If there is high demand and low supply, most dealers will get as much as they can. The same thing happened recently with the FR-S and BRZ cars in my area. No dealer was willing to budge from MSRP with several asking $1-2K over. As long as you are willing to wait it out you should be good.

 

[jpstinnett]

Would you be willing to drive 100 miles to save $1000? How about 200 miles to save $2000? I ask this of people a lot since they get locked into the mentality of only looking at the closest dealer. The deals are there, an incremental effort on your part should yield additional savings.

 

[dc_driver]

Would you be willing to drive 100 miles to save $1000? How about 200 miles to save $2000? I ask this of people a lot since they get locked into the mentality of only looking at the closest dealer. The deals are there, an incremental effort on your part should yield additional savings.

That's a good point. To save that much I would diver 100 miles or so, but if it is a few hundred different I prefer to buy from my local dealer where I will get the vehicle serviced.

 

[Threxx]

It really just depends on your dealer and demand in your area. When I lived in Northern VA, no dealer near me was willing to budget on MSRP for awhile on a new model or refresh. Many of them had "area adjustment" on the sticker for $500-1000 and wanted over MSRP. Simple economics, supply and demand. If there is high demand and low supply, most dealers will get as much as they can. The same thing happened recently with the FR-S and BRZ cars in my area. No dealer was willing to budge from MSRP with several asking $1-2K over. As long as you are willing to wait it out you should be good.

I wonder if I walk in there and offer to place an order for one and just wait until it's ready, if that will really be effecting their supply and demand.

In other words, does Honda truly limit how many Odysseys the dealer is allowed to take delivery of in the first few months, and if so, does my custom order reduce the allocation of Odysseys they get to put on their lot, or not?

 

[dc_driver]

I wonder if I walk in there and offer to place an order for one and just wait until it's ready, if that will really be effecting their supply and demand.

In other words, does Honda truly limit how many Odysseys the dealer is allowed to take delivery of in the first few months, and if so, does my custom order reduce the allocation of Odysseys they get to put on their lot, or not?

I would think so, since a car is being allocated for a dealer. It will be interesting to see what happens with pricing once the new models are released. I am getting quotes for $1500 under invoice for EX-L w/RES and Touring models on the 2013 model. I wonder if Honda will increase the incentives on the 13's once the 14's are announced to get them off the lots quicker.

I asked my dealer today (sales manager) if he had any word on the 14's yet and he told me nothing concrete to share.

 

[Hodog16]

It won't be quite as dramatic a change as a mid-model refresh for the Odyssey, but when the 2009 Pilots came out Honda was basically giving the 2008's away with $4,000+ off invoice. I imagine $2500 or so off invoice wouldn't be difficult to come by for the 2013's in time.

What will be difficult is trying to find the perfect time when the rebates continue to increase, yet you can still find the model and color you want. Existing stock goes quickly.

 

[wktjr]

Would you be willing to drive 100 miles to save $1000? How about 200 miles to save $2000? I ask this of people a lot since they get locked into the mentality of only looking at the closest dealer. The deals are there, an incremental effort on your part should yield additional savings.

In my region of the country, Boston is where the best deals are. Some were very aggressive on price when the 2011's came out. Yes, I used that exact quote as a tool to get a better local deal. But looking back at the threads, there were people claiming to traveling a lot farther (multiple states) to save thousands.

 

[fr8bil]

As regards the engine, the Odyssey can certainly use addtional horsepower, and most importantly, gobs of torque. If the 6spd tranny rumors are correct, the higher gearing inherent in a 6-spd in 5th and 6th gear can certainly benefit from increased torque which will lower the number of heat and wear-producing downshifts.

Never did understand why, in the Odyssey with it's greater weight and coefficient of drag, Honda equipped the vehicle with the same displacement V-6 as the Accord but lowered the horsepower ratings. Is there an intake or exhaust problem that limits higher power ratings in the minivan vs. the car ?

I've done some searches for any improvements in breathing for our 2012 like less restrictive air intakes and cat-back exhaust systems and can only find the former.

 

[OMCUSNR]

Probably not in the market to replace my '12 EX-L Navi for another 3 yrs. For me, shopping around means 8 dealerships in 250 mile radius (4hr drive) with 2 "local", and with internet checking of inventory, I can pretty much guarantee best price. It's a good way to shop.

 

[OdyDudy]

Its not just the raw HP and Torque values but the torque curve that Honda changed between the car V6 vs their truck V6. Heavier trucks need a less peaky curve so they adjusted it with the result of marginally lower HP and torque.

 

[DeDondeEs]

Probably not in the market to replace my '12 EX-L Navi for another 3 yrs. For me, shopping around means 8 dealerships in 250 mile radius (4hr drive) with 2 "local", and with internet checking of inventory, I can pretty much guarantee best price. It's a good way to shop.

Yeah if I feel the need replace my 2011 Ody due to me not being satisfied with it in the next couple of years, I will probably look at something other than getting another Ody.

 

[stockae92]

I am still happy with our 2012

6-sp transmission upgrade for MCR is pretty much as expected. But the rest are only "nice to have" feaures.

I really wished they would put in keyless entry for the van. push button is nice, but keyless is truly useful when you are carrying baby seat or a lot of stuff. haha.

 

[Threxx]

I really wished they would put in keyless entry for the van. push button is nice, but keyless is truly useful when you are carrying baby seat or a lot of stuff. haha.

I might be misunderstanding you, but... every vehicle I've ever been in that has a keyless push button start system also has keyless entry to the doors. Basically if it has a push button to start the car then you don't have to get your key out of your pocket to get in the car, either.

 

[dc_driver]

I might be misunderstanding you, but... every vehicle I've ever been in that has a keyless push button start system also has keyless entry to the doors. Basically if it has a push button to start the car then you don't have to get your key out of your pocket to get in the car, either.

Right. One thing I liked about the Quest LE is the puch button start and fob, and the sliding doors had little buttons on the handles your kids could push to open the doors automatically.

I am sure the Odyssey will get this feature at some point, but like the Quest and Sienna, it will most likely only be on the very most expensive model (Touring Elite).

Personally, I think all models from EX-L and up should get it since it is a nice feature for people with kids.

 

[jpstinnett]

+1 on this feature. it is shocking how handy it is not to have to touch the key fob. I am really hoping it comes with this refresh.

 

[Oddy11]

Fuel economy. These are family movers, not race cars. Families would rather spend money on food and school than the extra gas it takes to feed engines producing more HP for the few who want it I suspect.

 

[dc_driver]

The new Earth Dreams engine uses direct injection resulting in improved fuel economy. I believe the transmission is also improved resulting in better fuel economy.