Reflections on 02s 8 hours later...

As good as it is for my heart and soul to be positive about it, I'd be kidding myself if I said I felt comfortable keeping my brand-new, barely driven '01 instead of keeping an '02 for 7-10 years.

The first day I drove my '01 out of the dealer, I thought to myself (and discussed w/ friends at work) "man, this thing needs a five speed desperately... too bad that's so uncommon." Then, over the past few times I've driven it with other people along, I've thought "it's stupid not to have grip bars above the sliding doors" as I watched people reach up for non-existant ones. Before I even ordered my '01, I thought to myself "rear DRUM brakes?!?! What is this, 1985? oh well, beats a chrysler..." Comparing my Mistu Galant's power plant, I thought to myself, "why does this 3.5L only make 10 more HP than my 3.0L?"

Then, while installing a child seat, I thought "why are these belt buckles so far forward on the seat cushion? It makes things hard for infant seat base installation!"

In a lot of ways, I purchased my 2001 EX because it was the best, not because it had everything I wanted. Now comes along a version of it that is both the best and everything I want.

No matter how much I tell myself, "I love my '01, it is a great van", myself tells I "the '02 is what you really wanted all along."

And, no, this isn't a case of every year I want a new one. It's a case of my specific desires answered HEAD-ON... and I'm not even used to having my '01 yet.

Plus, w/ all the tranny problems out there, a brand-new redesigned tranny from Acura is surely meant to address these problems. My ody has the annoying grinding just like everyone else's.

Basically this is an issue of price for here on out. I will be much happier come 2010 if I'm in an '02 MB EX.

Just my thoughts..
Carlos

------------------
2001 Mesa Beige EX

Hmmm ... different people ... different stories ... To be sure, we will be able to hear numerous stories about 2002 in the near future (Thank you OdyClub! Good job!)... I heard rumors about 02 changes in February... I know a few "car builders" friends and ... I tried to do my homework...My choice was Ody LX. The only question was ... 01 or 02. I was able to wait but ... I had two problems ... first, the new plant in Alabama ... it is not easy to build cars ... people forget that ... my friends were very clear about that ... it is very nice to have a new plant ... but ... you have to use new people... and new people will have to learn the job ... so ... to get 02 stuff I was ready to accept only one "Canadian" (or 03 model)... I had good info ... just too many changes ... and ... I don't like to be the first buyer ... new features ... new problems ... you can't avoid that ... btw,because of that I also drive Camry 96 (100% trouble free) ... I also don't like to pay too much .. and .. my spouse really doesn't care about 240hp ... so ... I bought March 01 ($500 bellow) ... 2002? ... yes, some nice changes ... but ... at the end I was really looking at 2003 or 2001 ... just my $.02

Anyway, good luck 2002 generation. Looking forward to hearing from you soon ...
Regards,
01 LX

"Would love to have...;but am happy with..."
our '01.Like Marvyn said, just mod yours up.
In a few years, that re-design will most likely include the body. Then the '02's will be saying the same things we are, and it goes on and on.............

------------------
-Rob-
'01 GG LX "Lagreat"(with stuff,just S-T-U-F-F)
http://community.webshots.com/album/18601743AkjQIJiKqK

Good thread Marvyn!

I imagine some bought 2000 LX's about this time last year after some wait, only to see the 2001 changes announced with standard TCS, etc. ....but I've never had it trigger yet, and the speakers were supposedly upgraded in 2001 and now upgraded again in 2002... but people will still be doing aftermarket speaker swaps on both. I've never had a car that came with a Bose system designed for it, so it's always aftermarket sound systems if I want to go beyond adequate. I like my 2001 changes as I'm sure 2002 owners will like their changes... but the relatively small changes are not normally the selling points of these cakes, they are just extra icing.

Can't argue the side airbags are nice, but they were available before 2002 in other van makes, but we all still went with the Honda which had better ratings even without the side-bags.

I really liked the Amber/Red tailights versus the Red/Red... because it was unique. Now that they will be standard production, they don't seem so unique and maybe the Red/Red will ultimately be the unique. Plus, it's kinda a trade off... the amber some say is a bit more visable but the red makes it clear that it's the butt end of a car making a turn. So even if it's interchangeable (and from the pictures looks like it might be), I've lost interest in swapping to something that is now losing it's uniqueness. I've got Red/Amber on my 90 Accord... now the Red/Red parked next to it brings my own "fresh change".

I've never had a problem with noise, and quite frankly don't understand it. Our Ody is a_LOT_ quieter than our Accord. My son-in-law wants an Ody but my daughter wants a Sienna (sometimes ya give 'em bubblegum, and they eat the wrappers!)... duaghter's main complaint is the aledged noise of the Honda. My son also nixed the Ody when he got his money back via the Lemon Law on a 2000 GC and he got a 2001 Montana. Well last month, we went and visited all the kids. None of them could understand it, our Ody was quieter than anything they had, including my son's top of the line Montana!! Yet all four of them had test drove (2 different ones) "noisey" new 2001 Odys last fall. I don't get the "noise" complaint stuff?? Now, I thought it odd that when we picked up ours March 2nd, the Service Manager came over and said we "really got a good one", plus the Salesman said we had extra "noise dampening" that the earlier ones didn't have. I assumed the salesman was referinng to the 2000 models, but after visiting the kids, I'm wondering if the extra noise dampening wasn't started in mid-production of the 2001's and is just being announced for the 2002 brochures??
The new bag hooks & hammock sound real nice, especially the bag hooks!!

The increased horse power is the one that made me flinch. I like the increase in torgue for towing purposes... does anyone know if the tow rating got an increase? But then I wonder if the 5 speed will be as good for towing as the four speed? In some vehicles with optional trans., it's the lesser speed transmission that's recommended for towing. Anyway, I've had zero problems with the trany. I do religiously apply the parking-brake _before_ putting it into Park.

After the initial flinch on the increased horses, I still find myself impressed with the 210, ain't no moss growing on my wheels! To put it in perspective, my '90 4 cyl. Accord chirps the front tires going from first to second when you get on it from a dead stop, can get up & merge with any traffic, and still impresses the heck out of me. I think I'd be far more tweaked by these new changes if they would have left the power the same, and instead increased the MPG by almost 15%! The way I'm reading it, they indicate an increase of power with about the same milage... I'm guessing "about" translates into at least a slight loss of MPG, IMO that's going the wrong direction on an otherwise powerful van.

Not sure if the change in suspension/sway bar would be a plus or minus for me. What some call a "plush ride", I call a "floater". I'm very happy with the road feel, if I don't have enough I feel like I'm on a boat. Some people like the opposite. I doubt if Honda would change the feel too radical, so I'm sure most will be real happy with it.

Now, if the 2002 had actual glass head lights instead of plastic lenses that will go opaque alot sooner than my '90 Accord's will, _then_ I'd have to go trade in my 2001... looks like I'm safe for another year.

Best Regards,
Skybolt

For me, anyway, the observations of Pummal (Carlos) are right on the money. For some (and I in no way place myself above any of these categories) the degree of envy, gear hounding, one upsmanship, or second guessing will drive them over the brink thinking about owning of a mere ’01 odyssey, when they could have had an ’02 ODDYSSEY.

When I sat down about 2 years ago after our second child was born and listed out the items that I needed/wanted on our next car, there were very few vehicles out there that fit the bill, with the Odyssey coming closest. This list was made in a blissful vacuum of ignorance of what features the ’01 or ’02 models might have. When I look back at that list now, then look at the handfull of improvements from ’01 to ’02, I can check off a few more items. This brings the Odyssey a little closer to my concept of the perfect vehicle for my family at this point in our lives.
--------------------------------------------------------
’90 4Runner – great, but inadequate for a family of 5
’86 Civic – bye, bye my little old friend
’02 GG Odyssey EXL-RES w/all the fixings – hello, my new best friend

tnuckels

I think I'm a typical car guy. When I saw the press release I immediately started a wish list of parts to swap. I didn't even consider trading in my '01. We adore our Ody. It's part of the family.

I can't wait to start compiling the part #'s for all the new goodies.

If we trade, it'll be in 5 years after we've hit the 200,000 mile mark. That's exactly why I bought the van. When I hit that mark, I'll splurge again and get the latest and greatest. It may or may not be a Honda.

------------------
Jim
'01 GG EX w/stuff
'93 Nissan Sentra SE-R with more stuff

I've got an '01 SS LX because that's how the timing of it worked out. I needed a new vehicle and at the time, waiting around for another 6 to 8 months wasn't an appealing option at all. Besides, back then, we didn't know if there were going to be any significant changes in the Odyssey for 2002.

I like the idea of a power increase, the improved safety features and extra sound deadening. The new 5-speed transmission sounds great and some are heralding it as a fix for the old 4-speeds woes. I truely hope that's the case but I have to point out that it isn't necessarily so. This is a new transmission for the Ody. It may be based on a tranmission used in other Honda vehicles but I wouldn't be surprised is it isn't a redesign to some extent. The Odyssey is a much heavier car than anything else Honda builds and a transmission designed for the Accord or something similar won't necessarily be appropriate in the Ody. While I'm sure it'll work just fine, I also wouldn't take that as a given. I doubt anyone on this forum would have bet that Honda would have had the troubles they had with the original 4-speed unit. I'll wait and see how the 2002's work out and be happy with my 2001 model.

As for the modifcations, my neighbors are giving me a hard time. Every time they look out the window, I've got the car stripped down to one degree or the other. First it was the alarm system. Last night it was the subwoofer and in dash CD player. I told them, "wait until next week when then fog lights show up and I've got the front facia off the car!"

Drive Safe,
Steve

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Intrepid175:
.

As for the modifcations, my neighbors are giving me a hard time.

Every time they look out the window, I've got the car stripped down to one degree or the other. First it was the alarm system. Last night it was the subwoofer and in dash CD player. I told them, "wait until next week when then fog lights show up and I've got the front facia off the car!"

Drive Safe,
Steve</font>

Click to expand...

Ha! Been there, done that! My neighbors are pretty sure I'm nuts, but they're finally getting tired of pointing it out to me, so things are starting to quiet down.



------------------
Chuck
Click here for Ody pics, mods and fixes.

Yeah, as nice as it would be to have one o' them thar newfangled 2002 models with all of the bells and whistles, it's also a lot of fun having one that's not quite like anyone else's and is tweaked just the way I like it. I'm gonna try to keep telling myself that for a couple of more years.

------------------
Chuck
Click here for Ody pics, mods and fixes.

Modding is a journey, not a destination.
Getting there is ALL of the fun.

------------------
Jim
'01 GG EX w/stuff
'93 Nissan Sentra SE-R with more stuff

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by tnuckels:
A lot of you folks sound like engineers, or who should have been engineers, or possibly were engineers in a past life, who's motto goes somthing like this:

IF IT'S WORKING MODIFY IT
IF IT'S BROKE, BUY IT, FIX IT, THEN MODIFY IT
</font>

Click to expand...

tnuckels:

well I am an engineer. well at least that's what my boss thinks I am anyway. My motto is If it ain't broke. Don't fix it.

nyvram:

I am with you! I am happy with my 01 EX. 02 sounds and looks good more HP and 1 more speed rear disc brake, leather, side airbag all sounds better than 01. But also come with $$$.

You also pointed out. Cars just like computer always comes better later. If Honda keep its 5 years product cycle then 2004 will have a new minivan. Maybe it will have wings and could fly then. LOL. Maybe people should wait till 2004 to get new one instead of 2002 mid product year upgrade. After 10 years 2002 or 2004 will all become "old model" anyway.

Another thought: Will Honda make Odyssey's too good and too expensive to become a Luxury minivan? Then it will be sold under Acura name.

$30K is the price I like to pay for any minivan. Though if I could get Ody close to Invoice instead of MSRP then I could get Navi and leather seat below $30K.

Vangirl: You will love your 01 SS EX.



------------------
'01 GG EX
Mud Guard, Wheel Lock, Cargo Tray, Weathertech Mats
leather steerling wheel cover, Pioneer 1655 speakers,
Lojack

A great thread here, especially for those like me with an '01 with 1500 miles. I too started to feel like maybe I had missed out since we really wanted a van for THIS summer. Some folks on this board are plainly conflicted by the the desire to run these durable vehicles into the ground for 10 years AND at the same time, the need to have the latest, greatest and safest (if they can get safer - 6 stars??) at the same time. As a former and current Volvo owner and Ody owner, I will reexamine my own longstanding practice of keeping my cars for 10-12 years as before and maybe buy a new Ody or whatever might be better in say 3 years - the resale on the 36 mo, 36k '01 will still be very high due to relatively few on the used market and the price of a new one will still be a bargain compared to many of my friends' and neighbors' considerably more expensive Volvos, Audis and Suburbans. As passionate as people here like to get about their Ody's, I like to think of mine like a good appliance - useful mostly to make your life easier. When something else can do it a lot better, ya go for it if you are comfortable with the economics. My other car, a 98 Volvo v70 wagon 5sp, was $30k four years ago and I am still elated to be driving a new, less expensive vehicle that is actually a better value. My first new vehicle that cost less than the one before it in my life. So, to pay myself back for driving a great, status-free ride, maybe I'll just buy a new one every three or 4 years - I am glad that I still haven't bought the extended warranty as this ($800) is another possible subsidy against a new one in three years. Heck, maybe I'll even LEASE the next one! Just my own way to keep from feeling like I missed out.

Hey another thought about good thing for 01 model. If any weird thing happens to my 01 at least there is more history from 99, 00 to 01. Future 02 guys have to find out themselves about the upgrade portions like new tranny, new 3 stage VVTiming, side airbag, other improved stuffs.

The other good thing to own a 01 is: If I want to do anymore mod I could look at chuck's pictures and say ahh haa that's how you do it.


------------------
'01 GG EX
Mud Guard, Wheel Lock, Cargo Tray, Weathertech Mats
leather steerling wheel cover, Pioneer 1655 speakers,
Lojack

Well, I have to stand up and applaud Honda for this one. They've definitely made a minivan that will KILL the competition! Yet again, making the benchmark for future minivans. Dodge/Chrysler/T&C, Toyota, Mazda, and Ford have definitely got their work cut out for them.

And pre-2002 Ody owners should not feel bad in anyway - our Odys have been, and are still kicking the competitions butt w/o all those new upgrades. And remember the 2002s are on OUR SIDE! It could've been worse - Dodge would've come out with one first! I would LOVE IT if Honda would rub it in their faces with an ad campaign saying "No we're the best minivan ever!". That would make my day.

-Nestor

P.S. Of course, I agree with just moding your Odyssey to make it unique from the rest.

[This message has been edited by nemogira (edited 08-04-2001).]

I know. I was just looking for an excuse to use one of H*nda's pics.

------------------
Jim
'01 GG EX w/stuff
'93 Nissan Sentra SE-R with more stuff