First and foremost, you're a saint to do that for your family member. I am sure any reasonable person wouldn't complain one second about a FREE and effectively baselined van.

For reliability, it will ultimately depend on how the prior owner maintained it barring some sort of odd manufacturing issue that hasn't reared its head yet. I have a 2014 and have only done basic, normal maintenance to it over the past 10 years of ownership.

For your "to do" list, I would consider adding: New shocks/struts/tower mount rubber things (top of struts), oil change, filter changes (engine, cabin), clean and then grease sliding door tracks, steering column greasing, check spool valve. If you want, consider changing rear springs as they have a tendancy to develop a sag over the years. Check all the bushings on the suspension too if you end up changing the shocks/struts. Check the age on your battery. I have rarely had one last more than 3 years.

If you're REALLY wanting to go all out, maybe consider changing alternator and stater with new OEM parts. Those two alone will push you close to $1k in parts, but will allow the van the highest degree possible to be "trouble free" for years.

If you ultimately only do what you outlined, get a new drive belt. The old one has to come off anyway and they're a consumable item. Godspeed, good man!

This is a great resource too:
Things Every New Owner Should Know | Honda Odyssey Forum (odyclub.com)

 

OP HERE...Thanks "gasman4U". Yes, I would of course, do a full safety inspection and correct as indicated and a FULL lubrication service, before driving the Odyssey to Florida.

What about "Denso" alternator/starter, etc., (formally Nippondenso, ) they are a Japanese OE supplier of parts. I believe they still supply quality parts.

What about the sliding doors, I hear that they can be problematic. Anyone? How would I inspect and lubricate said doors?

All input appreciated!

 

The sliding doors have common problem points, but so do most of the things on the van. Not a big deal to resolve, usually it's the center roller that wears with use.

Lubricating the door is not difficult, there are 3 tracks, just grab some lubricant (I like white lithium spray) and apply it to the tracks.

 

Check out the Power sliding door mega thread - common issues, their symptoms, and how to fix them which is in the 2005 - 2010 Odyssey section. Center rollers often wear and break, and if ignored can cause the cable to break.

 

Welcome to the Odyclub.

For your #1 concern, there is a HUGE VCM Mega thread which has ALL the answers to any and all questions which you have thought of and even for the ones you haven't even thought of yet. The thread is in the stickies of the 3rd gen forum. The 4th generation forum also has a stickied link to the VCM Mega thread in the 3rd gen forum.

 

I read the HUGE VCM thread and IT is what concerns me, about buying an Odyssey. That's why I created this thread, asking just how good/bad the Odyssey is.

I road tested a 2016 Odyssey XL with 80,000 miles and it idled smooth, even when the "ECO" light went on. Trans seemed to shift OK, on my brief test drive.