[01EX_SS_SLC]

I just wanted to update everyone on the board to say that the major paint problems are still happening with the Starlight Silver paint. I have a 2001 EX with the cloudy paint problem, and I have seen 2002 with the same problem both on the road and on the lot.

I am now working through the Better Business Bureau Autoline to receive a settlement from Honda regarding my paint problem. They had originally only offered to re-paint my van, including voiding the Honda paint warranty upon doing so. This meant that if there were further problems after that, I would have to fight the body shop rather than Honda. It was a very easy way for Honda to wash their hands of the situation.

I was also told by a Senior District Service Manager that the clouding was "characteristic" of their silver paint, and that they still offered silver becuase it was such a popular color, even though they have ongoing problems actually painting it!

To make a long story short, think hard before ordering or accepting delivery of a silver Ody. I didn't see my paint problems at the dealer on a bright sunny day, but they were there. Sometimes you don't see them for quite a while since you have to have a precise lighting condition! Just beware of this ongoing problem and of Honda's lack of commitment to make the customer happy.

I paid $27,000 for a lousy paint job!

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Andy
01 SS EX

[This message has been edited by daddy2twins+1 (edited 01-24-2002).]

 

[OddyNewbie]

I don't know if this helps, but where I am (Northern CA) the local TV stations usually have a team of "Consumer Advocates". They would listen to individual consumers like us, do their research and present their case to the manufacturers. It is EXTREMELY effective as I have watched many weekly segments about how they solve problem and gain back the costs for consumers. The fact is that mfgr's are not afraid of consumers, because they know there isn't much we can do. However, with the TV stations' power to publicize a company such as Honda they will cave in. Try calling your local TV stations and see if they have something like that. The ABC/NBC/CBS affiliates all over CA have this programs and I'm very sure other states' TV stations do also. I am the owner of a SS Oddy and when I heard about this, it terrified me and fortunately it didn't happen to my van. I can understand the pain you are going through, but with patience and some ground work Honda will have to pay. Honda's attitude has disappointed me tremendously. They don't want to fix their problems thinking that as long as consumers are willing to pay why bother with quality improvement? This attitude will kill Honda's business faster than it thinks. Once Nissan & Toyota come out with a better, higher quality with all features like the Ody, Honda will lose business - at least from me.

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'01 Starlight Silver EX
Totally Newbie now, but learning quick.

 

[01EX_SS_SLC]

OddyNewbie,

Thanks for the suggestion. I actually sent an e-mail to a local CBS affiliate who has a program for consumers. I haven't heard anything back from them. I don't know if they're researching it or what. I am planning on following up with them later on. I agree that publicity is the way to force Honda's hand, but you'd think they would care a little more about someone who paid MSRP for one of their vehicles after waiting almost 2 months!!!

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Andy
01 SS EX

 

[accordian]

I'd like to know what you find out, too. My '02 ss LX paint isn't very even, either. If the light is just right, it looks pretty bad. But, I was driving down the road last week and spotted a silver Vette, and guess what, the silver paint on it looked no better than on my Ody. Is there a paint expert in the audience here that can enlighten us? Just what is the deal with silver paint?

 

[accordian]

I'd like to know what you find out, too. My '02 ss LX paint isn't very even, either. If the light is just right, it looks pretty bad. But, I was driving down the road last week and spotted a silver Vette, and guess what, the silver paint on it looked no better than on my Ody. Is there a paint expert in the audience here that can enlighten us? Just what is the deal with silver paint?

 

[accordian]

Look what happens when you accidently hit the Submit button twice! How do you delete one of these postings?

 

[starlight]

Only original posters and admins can delete a post. (Right Jim ?)

Click on the Edit/Delete icon next to the First line{which shows the dateof posting) of your post. (This is the second icon with the pencil).

Check the Delete Checkbox and Submit.

Hope this helps.

[Jim - Perhaps we should setup a Forum usage topic where all these info is posted]

 

[cmt4]

I'm no paint expert, but I do know this... silver paint has traditionally been a VERY poor performer on autos. There has not been one auto manufacturer that could make it work... smooth, even finish that didn't fade after a few years. Even if the paint came out looking good, the long term quality was seriously lacking and most cars faded terribly.

Even Mercedes don't hold up that well, IMHO... and they are the king of silver vehicles. From a very early age I've always been told: don't spit into the wind and don't EVER buy a silver vehicle.

 

[OddGrinch]

I also got the gasp from my family when I informed them that we were buying a silver ody instead of red. My father said to always keep a good wax on it and don't leave it out in the sun often.. something about the sun burning the paint on the way in and on the way out.

I'm a bit nervous about hearing some 2002's have the silver problem. We just purchased ours and waiting for delivery. yipes!

Maybe if there is a problem, I'll get to put flames on it after all >

 

[accordian]

I just tried to delete my duplicate post, but it came back saying only administrators can delete posts. Oh well.

Silver seems to be worst as far as durability, followed closely be red. But it seems they hold up much better these days, at least as far as fade goes. Now if we talk about damage from environment (bugs, birds, hard water), paints seem more delicate these days, especially Honda. My VeeDubs had great paint in comparison.

 

[Maugham]

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by accordian:
I just tried to delete my duplicate post, but it came back saying only administrators can delete posts. Oh well...</font>

FWIW, just edit duplicate posts down to no content - that saves the poster from typing in yet a third post explaining the duplicate.

 

[Maugham]

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by OddGrinch:
...Maybe if there is a problem, I'll get to put flames on it after all >

</font>

Don't go too far with those flames

<center>

</center>

 

[OddGrinch]

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Maugham:
Don't go too far with those flames

<center>

</center></font>

LOL! Love your graphic enhanced humor!

Thanks for the laugh!

 

[Khale]

Well thanks for the post..we were thinking of a silver Ody, but now I have really decided to wait..not to count the other problems people are having with their new Odys. Honda it seems is jerking their customers around and all that for Van that costs MSRP!!.

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-95 Toyota Corolla DX
-95 Honda Civic
-82 Mazda B2000

 

[OdyRocky]

Well our new EX-SS has the same issue though only 'in certain light' on the hood area. I will be interested in how Honda will handle this issue. I remember well years ago Ford pickups had a similar issue with their silver/slate colors. I live in Arizona, with air temperature 100-120 in the Summer, guess I will have to wait and see. Are we seeing a clear trend of Honda ignoring/not dealing with any vehicle 'problems'? Maybe I have spent too much time in these forums but so far I am unimpressed with Honda's attitude towards aftercare.

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

 

[01EX_SS_SLC]

Update:

I have just heard back from the Better Business Bureau Autoline.

Honda has made an offer to settle my dispute. They are offering the HondaCare 7/100,000 warranty with a $50 deductible, plus free 30K, 60K, and 90K services.

Question: Any idea how to find out how much the warranty is worth? They're saying almost $1,000, but I thought that the 7/100,000/0 was only $895.

Thanks.

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Andy
01 SS EX

 

[OddyNewbie]

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by daddy2twins+1:
Update:

I have just heard back from the Better Business Bureau Autoline.

Honda has made an offer to settle my dispute. They are offering the HondaCare 7/100,000 warranty with a $50 deductible, plus free 30K, 60K, and 90K services.

Question: Any idea how to find out how much the warranty is worth? They're saying almost $1,000, but I thought that the 7/100,000/0 was only $895.

Thanks.

</font>

The 7/100K warranty with zero deductible runs around 900-1K. If you like the settlement, you SHOULD (and I underline SHOULD) bargain for zero deductible. Don't go for anything less, because everytime you make a trip to a dealership, it's 50 bucks out of your pocket. This is Honda's way of discouraging you to bring your vehicle to a dealership for every single problem. As an owner who paid over MSRP for a vehicle, one would expect to be able to bring in his vehicle to a dealership with zero charge. It's just a piece of mind for me to have zero deductible - don't want to play game with dealerships NOR Honda. I've always purchased extended warr. for vehicles with zero deductible.

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'01 Starlight Silver EX
Totally Newbie now, but learning quick.

 

[CJM02SSEX]

Mine is SS too, and I think the first S stands for something other than "Starlight". Also the door paint on the jambs and all other areas not visible from outside is not metallic. I looked at another SS and it was like mine. Does anyone know if this is just with Silver, or just with Odysseys?

 

[accordian]

They don't paint the door jambs with the final coat on any of the metallic colors, which is all of them except white. On Acrua Integras, they didn't even apply a clearcoat to the doorjambs! I don't know about the RSX.

They don't paint the door jambs, and they don't feel obligated to make paint flaws right unless they are grossly obvious. All I can figure is that Honda considers paint to be cosmetic, so they don't much care how it looks. On other problems, especially mechanical, they seem to be better than average about making it right. But they had better get rid of that attitude, because paint makes a big difference in first impressions, especially for customers not familiar with Honda. Are they happy just selling to previous Honda customers that are more likely to overlook these shortcomings?

 

[CJM02SSEX]

Ok accordian, so there is a clear coat though? Also, I've seen new silver Civics jambs painted like the outside.