[htn75]

Hello everyone.
I've been researching the Odyssey for over a month now. I've read pretty much every reviews out there and pretty much every posts on here as well. We have an 18 m old and expecting another one in Oct. Our currents vehicles will prob not work with the 2nd baby due to lugging so much crap with us when traveling.
I've made up my mind on the Odyssey if we were to go minivan. The only problem is letting go of my current car. It's a 2011 E550. I really love the E.
So anyone here went through what I'm going through now? Was it the best thing you could have done for the Fam or are there any regrets? Love to hear your comments.

 

[bmacz06]

It does not sound like your ready to step into a minivan.

They are the most versatile vehicles available whether you need to haul people or gear but for some folks having to admit that they are driving a "minivan" is more than they can take. Sometimes it is better to understand who you are and buy the vehicle that best suits both your needs and your personality.

I have no problem telling anyone that asks that I drive an Odyssey and I don't have any kids to haul around. When I want to play I drive the Corvette.

 

[lori_cohen]

I don't know which model of the E you have, but, if it has 4 doors, I honestly can't see why you think you'd need a van unless you really want a van. As long as you had the trunk space for the stroller, and didn't have the fold down roof in there, I should think you could get by. When I had my second, I went to a Subaru Outback from a cute red sport car, and it was fine. The Subaru I think may be smaller than your E, but of course the space in the rear is configured differently. If you're thinking of having a 3rd, then you just have to decide WHEN to get a more family friendly vehicle. If you don't have 4 doors, then I would consider a different vehicle because the car seat thing gets old when you're reaching in behind a fold-forward seat. Of course, with all the bells and whistles of the E550, you'll probably want the Ody Touring model that also has lots of bells and whistle. The benefit of the van as a people-hauling machine, is the ease in which the children can get in and out of the car on their own as they older. Perhaps it's worth waiting until they need to crawl in and out on their own before making the jump. By then, all their friends will want to ride too. Good luck, the Ody is the best van on the market.

 

[htn75]

I am really sold on the "wide mode" seat configuration. Since we prefer to have rear facing baby seats, this will allow access to the third row.
Was also looking at the Mercedes GL, but too narrow. Not to mention....too expensive.

 

[banswee]

I am really sold on the "wide mode" seat configuration. Since we prefer to have rear facing baby seats, this will allow access to the third row.
Was also looking at the Mercedes GL, but too narrow. Not to mention....too expensive.

wow.. look at the car you have. I just sold my 2011 SUbaru WRX STI for the Odyssey and no regrets at all.. YOu should get the Touring elite instead-- you'll miss the HID lights..

 

[tl01]

It was a hard switch until I stopped trying to convince myself it was going to be so hard. I came from a GL450 which I loved...and still do!! This is my first non-Merecedes car since I got my driver's license. I wish Mercedes made a minivan. Sure I miss the driving experience of the benz... but the GL didn't make traveling with my kids as easy and that's what I need right now. I'm loving my Touring Elite though it is missing some conveniences I had on my GL like Keyless Go.

As a car seat tech... I'll tell you that I love the wide mode of the seats. My kids rear face forever and in the wide mode I can do practically any seat combination which makes me happy!!

 

[tom34diy]

No regrets here, and we're on our third van (one Nissan followed by two Odysseys). We gave up our two door Madza MX-6 15 years ago and cannot imagine having driven around with children all of those years without the ease of those big power sliding doors and all of that storage space. I know you are giving up a special car in that Mercedes, but I think life will be much easier for you and the children with a new Odyssey. I think most people who are critical of minivans have probably never experienced all that they have to offer.

 

[Aslan]

Since I think the 2011 Odyssey looks sleek as hell and is cool I had no problem!

 

[jbqwik]

Far from being "painful", going from a four door sedan to a 2001 Ody, for me, was a revelation of space and comfort, with car-like handling. Whether moving our daughter back and fourth to college, or on a long trip with seven people, or moving 1200 lbs of concrete, the Ody did it all while keeping everybody cool and comfy.
We've had two more since, the latest a 2011 Touring. My enthusiasm for this mode of transportation hasn't changed, even though Honda has dumbed-down what was class-leading handling.

 

[baobay]

Hello everyone.
I've been researching the Odyssey for over a month now. I've read pretty much every reviews out there and pretty much every posts on here as well. We have an 18 m old and expecting another one in Oct. Our currents vehicles will prob not work with the 2nd baby due to lugging so much crap with us when traveling.
I've made up my mind on the Odyssey if we were to go minivan. The only problem is letting go of my current car. It's a 2011 E550. I really love the E.
So anyone here went through what I'm going through now? Was it the best thing you could have done for the Fam or are there any regrets? Love to hear your comments.

Dear htn75,
I know exacltly what you are going through. We have a six year old daughter and in feb God blessed us with twins (boy and girl). My Lexus GS was too small to accommodate all the car seats. Even my Land Rover LR4 was tight. We made the switch to the van and couldn't be happier. It far less sexy than the E class, far less power and handling, but much more space and utility for your family. Lease one for 3 years and then move to a larger sedan or a GL. This what I am doing. Once the kids no longer need rear facing car seats I plan on going with a GL or similar. Very happy with the Touring Elite so far.

 

[htn75]

Guess I came to the right place for vote of confidence. D
Boy will I be missing the Intelligent Key.

 

[drool6]

I have not driven a sedan for a long time (last one was a 1996 Nissan Maxima). Since then, I went to a 2004 Infiniti FX35, then a 2009 Audi Q7. I've always had large cars, but found that when I had my first kid, the FX was too tight to haul around stuff. We tend to overpack a lot and take many day road trips. For my Q7, even tough it was larger than the FX35, I felt that getting the kid in and out was a little bit of a pain. Still doable, but a pain. I also dreaded the idea of a minivan, but when we found out we are going to have our second this Fall, we made the move to purchase the Touring Elite. Honestly, the car is very convenient to have. So much space, and my daughter loves it. I do miss the Intelligent key though. I've had it for the last 5 years and it sucks to have such a big key stabbing my thigh in my pocket. Other than that, the technology in the Elite is pretty nice. I don't regret my purchase, although once the kids get older, back to the Audi for me....unless I have another kid!

 

[htn75]

I have not driven a sedan for a long time (last one was a 1996 Nissan Maxima). Since then, I went to a 2004 Infiniti FX35, then a 2009 Audi Q7. I've always had large cars, but found that when I had my first kid, the FX was too tight to haul around stuff. We tend to overpack a lot and take many day road trips. For my Q7, even tough it was larger than the FX35, I felt that getting the kid in and out was a little bit of a pain. Still doable, but a pain. I also dreaded the idea of a minivan, but when we found out we are going to have our second this Fall, we made the move to purchase the Touring Elite. Honestly, the car is very convenient to have. So much space, and my daughter loves it. I do miss the Intelligent key though. I've had it for the last 5 years and it sucks to have such a big key stabbing my thigh in my pocket. Other than that, the technology in the Elite is pretty nice. I don't regret my purchase, although once the kids get older, back to the Audi for me....unless I have another kid!

Spoken like a true car enthusiast. I had the first year Fx and it was tight even with out kids. Kicking around the idea of a Q7 so glad that you shared your personal experience.
Knowing my luck, once purchase the 11 Odyssey.... they'll come out with the intelligent key in 2012.

 

[drool6]

Don't get me wrong. The Q7 can definitely fit 2 kids. My friend does it. But his car is always messy and cluttered looking. Takes away from the beauty of the car. If you can wait, you may want to hold out for the 2012 model.. which is probably coming out around Sept. (Not sure of availability). That model should fix all the issues of the 2011 model, and most likely come with the intelligent key. The only reason I got a 2011 instead of waiting for a 2012, was so I can get a one for one trade for my Audi. I think I only paid $1000 out of pocket for the Odyssey after trade in. Congrats on your arrival coming in October. Ours is due in early November and just found out we are having a boy!

 

[Shazzam]

Keep the E550 for yourself and get the mini van for your wife. It is the only sane choice.

 

[BigBoat]

Driving a minivan should be the least of your worries. You also become the butler, the chauffeur and your own needs become priority #25, so you'll do fine. As per being seen driving a minivan, who cares, if the family is happy, you are happy.

After decent research by wife and I, even with its flaws, the 2011 Odyssey is the best automobile for any family needs, period.

 

[tdpark]

I am with Big boat, your life is no longer your own when you have kids and priorities change. I doubt when you are old and grey your going to say, i wish i had a performance oriented sedan when my kids were younger- we are more likely to say I wish i had more time for them or enjoyed them more.

 

[wktjr]

I sold my '91 5.0 Mustang and got the a van. Child seats didn't fit so great in the back.

You do what you gotta do.

 

[Bloomfieldboy]

Even after we bought the Odyssey, we kept the E46 but got rid of the 8th gen Civic.
My wife uses the the bimmer while I drive the minivan. I told myself at first that when my wife has a day off during the week or when we car pool, I'll be driving the bimmer. I still drive the Odyssey even when she is on vacation. Can't complain about it. Has room for all baby stuff and other family stuff. We have a 4 month old baby and whenever we go out of town, we bring his stroller, portable crib, etc...and people can still come along with us. We were looking at the Acura MDX at first, but after you put up the last row seats, you can probably only fit 2 carry on luggage. You'll be happy. I don't care what other people say for as long as my family comfortable and safe during trips.

 

[Gstom1]

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