[LHOdy]

We were selected to participate in new vehicle opinion survey because we own a 2002 Odyssey. We will be doing it this afternoon. The following is a quote from the invitation. "At the study you will be evaluating concept vehicles, features and different designs." I have done this once in the past, and it is interesting. The interviewer said that they were looking for people who owned Odyssey's and that they were going to be showing cars that bridge between SUV's and Mini Vans. Should be interesting.

 

[OdyRocky]

Sounds like a great time! Last time I was invited to a 'ride and drive' it was for a new rear leaf spring gadget for pickup trucks. The passenger/evaluator told me to drive an AutoX course as fast as I could with a 2002 GMC 2wd pickup. It included a 360 'rotary' evolution on the course. Well I managed to swing the tail out and countersteer half the loop...I had fun...the evaluator was screaming "I didn't really mean it!!!!!" Have fun, please enjoy the "E" ticket ride whatever it may be

Oh, please ask them why there are no true Suburban style mid-size sport utes? Jeep Liberty/Xterra/Rav4/CRV all have these cute little rear storage areas not suitable for any roadtrip with four adults.

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

 

[LHOdy]

Just saw the next generation Honda, or Toyota Minivan. Signed a non disclosure, so I can't talk about specifics, however it's going to be awsome. Most of the attendiees think that it is a Honda, however I think that it could be a Toyota. I would buy one in a flash, (depending on pricing). It will be loaded, and looks like a million.

 

[voyager]

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by LHOdy:
Just saw the next generation Honda, or Toyota Minivan. Signed a non disclosure, so I can't talk about specifics, however it's going to be awsome. Most of the attendiees think that it is a Honda, however I think that it could be a Toyota. I would buy one in a flash, (depending on pricing). It will be loaded, and looks like a million.</font>

Awesome, as in you'd trade your new Odyssey for it? Is it awesome for the looks, performance or both? I think the all-new Sienna is due next year and I'm sure they want to do something above and beyond the Odyssey. If our old van was healthier I was even thinking about waiting to see what Toyota had to offer. Of course, then Honda would come out with their 2004 Odyssey which would be better than the 2003 Sienna and so on and so on. You just can't win.

 

[shareef]

we can win, the trade in for hondas are always good. plus with this site we can always be armed to make the best deals.

 

[LHOdy]

What we saw was a full scale model, and another device that had all of the internals, seats dash etc. that we could sit in to examine the layout. Thats what makes me think that it might be a Honda, as I would suspect that the Toyota would already have a prototype production car if it is to be introduced in model year 2003. The Honda is still two years out and therefore they have not finalized the specifics. The model looked awsome and the feature list they are considering is long.

 

[LHOdy]

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by voyager:
Awesome, as in you'd trade your new Odyssey for it? Is it awesome for the looks, performance or both? </font>

Yes I would trade in my 2002. Looks and features! They did not get into performance, however you can just assume that it will be no worst than the 2002, and thats plenty of hop for me.

 

[shareef]

LHody, stop teasing us

create a new id, and give us the details, or e-mail it me [email protected]


this is why I always lease Honda, best resale value, so no hestiation to trade up.

 

[OdyRocky]

Sure it wasn't the upcoming Nissan Quest? Though it sounds like the models that you saw were crude in nature and I believe that the Quest is already on the show car circuit.

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2002 Silver EX
1996 VW Gti
1999 Pit Bull/Catahoula Leopard dogs
2000 Kenmore Vacuum with 5spd/adjustable suspension/Cyclonic cleaning/washable air filter/N.O.S. badge/racing stripes/100w headlight

 

[dgs]

Being in the design/engineering/tooling industry for 5+ years now, I can tell you from what you described it was still in the concept phase (may be late in that phase) so it probably wasn't the Toyota. With less than a year to market (assuming an '03 model year), it needs to me in the tool build stage by now. For each of those plastic parts inside and outside of your car the mold maker needs anywhere from 4 to 20+ weeks to design and build the mold, depending on the complexity. There can be design chages during that time frame, but the majority of it needs to be frozen before the tool build begins.

So that means it was the next Ody or next Quest. From the van shown at the Detroit show, the Quest seems to be carying on with the short wheelbase & body. So, was the van you saw Ody size or Quest size? That would narrow it down. Also, are you sure it wasn't American? The GM and Ford vans are (or should be) due for an overhaul soon too.


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D Schaefer
99 Odyssey EX
93 Escort LX
60 Thunderbird Conv.

 

[LHOdy]

I have come to the same conclusions as you have. I have a working relationship with CALTY Design studios, one of Toyota Design studios in Southern California, and have worked with their chief designer, and know the cycle.

This van was big!

This is definately not an American designed van. There is no way that it can be an American designed car. The visual cues are all japanese.

[This message has been edited by LHOdy (edited 02-18-2002).]