[vquan]

Anyone see this article on yahoo?
http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/ap/20020129/bs/auto_ratings_5.html
They mention the Villager and Quest being the top rated minivans in eight catagories. Other top rated minivans are the Chrysler T&C and Pontiac Montana. Not a single mention of the Odyssey. What gives!?!

 

[Aardvaark]

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by vquan:
Anyone see this article on yahoo?
http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/ap/20020129/bs/auto_ratings_5.html
They mention the Villager and Quest being the top rated minivans in eight catagories. Other top rated minivans are the Chrysler T&C and Pontiac Montana. Not a single mention of the Odyssey. What gives!?!</font>

Probably because according to Gillis:

"While the Ford F-Series is the only recommended standard-sized pickup truck, the two BMW models are not rated. That is because there were no government crash tests done on either car. Gillis said the crash test is so important in determining whether a car is safe that "the book does not rate any vehicle that hasn't been tested."

No test, no rating for that year.



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'02 Ody EX-L(Mods: still considering options).
'96 Maxima SE(Mods: FSTB, RSTB, RSB, Winter Blizzaks on GXE rims).
'87 Honda mower(No mods).

 

[CPSDarren]

In previous years, Gillis' book gave pretty specific criteria for the ratings in each category. Of course, his criteria may not match yours, so it's important to read the fine print.

For example, in the 2001 guide, one of the categories was Frontal Crash Tests, which only considered the NHTSA frontal crash results. It did not include the side crash results, IIHS offset crash results or rollover ratings. This is somewhat odd, since their section on safety did mention these other tests and include some of those ratings.

 

[Jerry O1]

In the copy of that book I read, one of the factors which put Honda down the scale was the cost of maintenance. Some of the Honda replacement parts, such as starters, alternators, transmissions, etc. were more costly than those of the other vans. Also, most of the others do not have a timing belt (they use chains), which is an expensive item to replace. I think Honda's 30K mile (and 60,90,etc.) are ususally priced quite high, relative to those of the "American" brands. When I was in the dealership yesterday, I overheard someone getting one of those services, which did not include a timing belt, and it was $430.00. That's a lot for some preventive maintenance. I know owners of high line luxury cars really get burned (the traffic will bear it) on PM, but, Honda dealers do a pretty good job of that, too. Yes, a Honda may not need as many of those replacement parts, but that is not really considered by those authors, I guess.....

Jerry O.

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2001 Odyssey GG LX

 

[CPSDarren]

I just received my copy of the 2002 Car Book, the source of this report. The Odyssey received an overall rating of "3". Sub-category ratings were:

Frontal Crash Tests: 10
Safety Features: 6
Preventive Maintenance: 2
Repair Costs: 5
Warranty: 1
Fuel Economy: 4
Rollover: 7
Complaints: 2
Insurance Costs: 10

Indeed, preventative maintenance costs, poor warranty and high complaints (compiled from the NHTSA consumer complaints database) are the downfall of the Odyssey.

Interestingly, they dock the Odyssey in Safety Features for no built-in child seat or DRLs, which is true, but also for no seatbelt pre-tensioners, which is false. Their Crash Test category does not include side crash tests or the IIHS offset crash test, where villager/quest does poorly.

The Villager/Quest were top rated, with an overall "8".

Frontal Crash Tests: 10
Safety Features: 7
Preventive Maintenance: 9
Repair Costs: 10
Warranty: 2
Fuel Econ: 3
Rollover: 5
Complaints: 5
Insurance Costs: 10

[This message has been edited by caviller (edited 02-14-2002).]

 

[OdyRocky]

Jerry O, you bring up an interesting point...the cost of PM's on vehicles, especially luxury vehicles is unreal. The flat rate/$ per hour for service can be unreal over 100k miles. My parents got a 100k warranty and 50k (standard on the vehicle) PM maintenance from Audi on their Allroad. At least the only sticker shock they will have for a while will be tire replacement.

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2002 Silver EX
1996 VW Gti
1999 Pit Bull/Catahoula Leopard dogs

 

[TrickedOdyssey]

yeah, the Ody was the HIGHEST rated minivan for safety in 2000 and 2001....not sure why that would change

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Owner:
1991 Honda Civic SiR: B16A DOHC VTEC powered visit at: http://turbocivic.8m.com
2000 Honda Odyssey LX: Wings West body kit, H&R springs, visit at: http://trickedodyssey.8m.com
1991 Honda Civic Basemodel: Bolt on mods, winter car, visit at: http://trickedodyssey.8m.com/91civicbase.html

Any questions related to honda and your ODY? just email me! [email protected]

Need speed? Need a Tricked Odyssey? www.pri-racing.com

Come join the Tricked Odyssey list today!
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/trickedodyssey

 

[Aardvaark]

Does depreciation and driving satisfaction factor into "The Car Book's" overall ratings?
Ody's good handling (active safety), power and retained value history were strong factors for my buying decision.

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by caviller:
I just received my copy of the 2002 Car Book, the source of this report. The Odyssey received an overall rating of "3". Sub-category ratings were:

Frontal Crash Tests: 10
Safety Features: 6
Preventive Maintenance: 2
Repair Costs: 5
Warranty: 1
Fuel Economy: 4
Rollover: 7
Complaints: 2
Insurance Costs: 10

Indeed, preventative maintenance costs, poor warranty and high complaints (compiled from the NHTSA consumer complaints database) are the downfall of the Odyssey.

Interestingly, they dock the Odyssey in Safety Features for no built-in child seat or DRLs, which is true, but also for no seatbelt pre-tensioners, which is false. Their Crash Test category does not include side crash tests or the IIHS offset crash test, where villager/quest does poorly.

The Villager/Quest were top rated, with an overall "8".

Frontal Crash Tests: 10
Safety Features: 7
Preventive Maintenance: 9
Repair Costs: 10
Warranty: 2
Fuel Econ: 3
Rollover: 5
Complaints: 5
Insurance Costs: 10

[This message has been edited by caviller (edited 02-14-2002).]</font>

[This message has been edited by Aardvaark (edited 02-14-2002).]

 

[CPSDarren]

I don't think the Car Book does any judgement on price or value. For that, check out Intellichoice which just released its 2002 winners:

http://www.intellichoice.com/best_value/bovyTemplate1.cfm?template=2002MiniVan.cfm

Sienna CE replaced Odyssey LX in the under $25,000 category for 2002. The 2002 Odyssey LX and EX still receive an "Excellent" overall value rating, however. See:

http://www.intellichoice.com/reports/vehicleReport.cfm?section=ownership&vhcl_nmb=9632

http://www.intellichoice.com/reports/vehicleReport.cfm?section=ownership&vhcl_nmb=9633