This is my first post here, but I've been lurking for a little while before I registered to become a member. It's really great to find this site! This is a little bit long, but it's an introduction after all. The background is first and the current issues are at the end, so that can guide your skimming.

So, I'm a long time lover of Honda cars. My first car was a 93 civic hatchback that met a sad end when it was sideswiped about 5 years ago.

Second was a '09 Honda Civic wagon that I loved like crazy. I only gave that car up when it started emitting noxious odours that couldn't be stopped, and I felt it was the only responsible choice to move on because I have two young children riding in the back. By the end of its life a chunk of the engine had fallen off and I had reattached it with chicken wire, rad clamps, plasticine, the foil from a gum pack and a piece of the foundation of a PetroCanada station, so it truly had seen better days. (I like to find creative solutions for things.) But other than that, best car ever. I'm happy to report that mine moved on to a hippie guy who planned to turn it electric.

My current car is a Saturn SW2 that I am not wild about, but for now it's alright. I'm looking for a larger vehicle, though, and I'm not having a great time.

My criteria for the next vehicle are: Manual transmission. Seats at least 6, preferably more. Ample cargo space. Room for my dog. Good on gas. Decent visibility to facilitate parallel parking (I am the parallel parking master. I care about these things.)

So, for various reasons, it's clear that it's minivan-or-equivalent time for me, but I've been resisting minivans for ages because they are not mini, and they have automatic transmissions, and I was under the impression that they were all gas-guzzling beasts. I recently learned that Honda Odysseys aren't so bad on gas after all, and I loved my other Hondas, and Honda is first on my list of car makes to consider. So, I started thinking a bit more seriously about an Odyssey, but I really, really want that manual transmission. I considered the Mazda5 but the lack of cargo space is an issue for me. If my dog won't fit in the back hatch and all the seats are taken up, the car is too small.

So, the manual Odyssey is a prospect I am willing to spend some money on. My husband got so excited over the Toyota Innova that he wanted to import one, so any transmission conversion will surely be cheaper than that (and more possible... Innova import turned out to be illegal in Canada, as with any other import newer than 15 yrs). But in the next little while here I will be figuring out what model year of Odyssey to buy (I don't plan on buying a new one, but not too old either), what's involved in converting it to a manual, how much of the work I can do myself, etc etc. I will post with more specific detail elsewhere, but I just wanted to introduce myself and state my interest in the manual Odyssey prospect.

I truly wish they would just manufacture minivans that are actually mini, drive like cars and have manual transmissions, but perhaps this is the next best thing. And nobody else will have one, and I will get to geek out about it and show it to people, so that's fun too.

Nice to be here, and I'm happy I found this forum!
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well it is an interesting idea and i think this would be a huge headache if you try but anything is possible. ive seen an ls1 civic and a mid engine rear wheel drve integras befor so im sure its possible. unless you are into fabrication and hev a decent work space/ shop to do this in, i would just say forget it and just keep it an automatic. i have to drive a big dumb chevy van everyday and i would hate to drive it, if it was manual. if you want an extremely reliable minivan, just get an oddesy and leave it alone. but if you really want to do this, find out the model you want, what engine it has in it, and find out what other honda has the exact same engine prolly a v6 accord which come in manual, and see how much a tranny would cost, shift linkage, pedal set,clutch master and slave cylindar, and ask a local tuner if they might be able to tackle a job like that. GOOD LUCK.

 

There is a group of guys that work in the Honda plant in Alabama who have an Odyssey that they use in the "One Lap of America" race. The van is turbocharged with a manual transmission out of an Acura TL. I'm sure it took alot of fabrication to make it work, but anything is possible. Try a google seach, there is bound to be some information out there. Like you, I love manual cars, (I have 2 manual Civics) but I would not want a manual in my '07 Odyssey. Try driving the Odyssey anyway. It is still right fun to drive (for a minivan) with the auto trans.
I think the Mazda 5 is the only like (much smaller) vehicle to offer a manual trans. IMO a manual transmission Odyssey will be worth less and harder to sell when you are ready to unload it unless you are planning to keep it forever.

 

Yes, I saw those one lap of america guys. I wouldn't want anything nearly that turbocharged, but one of my joys in life is driving and I like to drive a manual transmission. I just think they're better, and way more fun. I spend so much time driving, and we are a one-vehicle family, so I want what will please me, kwim?

I'm honestly not too worried about reselling. If I lose money, so be it, but chances are I would keep it for a good long time. I tend to find something I love and keep it until it's dead (the Honda civic wagon was the prefect example of this). I loved it so I spent money on it, but eventually passed it on, lost money in the end, but didn't care. The experience of having it and enjoying it was worth the money to me. That interpretation might not make sense if you look at just numbers, but I count the enjoyment I get as value.

We considered the Mazda5 specifically because it's available in manual transmission. Unfortunately it's not looking like the best idea anymore. I have learned that there is not enough space in the trunk for a stroller, and there is nowhere that the dog can sit (not enough floor space and the trunk is too small). So as much as I like the idea of a small car/minivan mashup with a manual transmission and a small engine, it's not looking ideal anymore because we have young kids and a lot of stuff to haul around. Fitting in all of the kids' car seats is apparently an issue in the Mazda5 as well because the back row is not a normal shape/size. (both our kids are in car seats currently, we're planning another in the next year and they will all be in boosters until age 8ish, so space for car seats is important).

I have to say though, I'm getting excited about the idea of working this thing out. I was always so anti-minivan, and this is making me feel like I can compromise and make a minivan more like a fun and convenient thing than an unfortunate side-effect of parenting.

Also looked around on my local craigslist and there is a 2000 Odyssey with a slipping transmission for $3000 Canadian. I am hoping to find a 2001 or newer so that it will have LATCH and tether anchors already installed (again for the baby car seats) and preferably with leather (again with the messy kids), but it was promising to find that. SH is suggesting buying one we like and then just keeping it as is until the transmission starts to go. Either or, but I imagine I could save a lot of money if I bought one with the transmission already going, as long as I was certain I was doing this.

I live in Montreal so there is no shortage of shops. I'm wondering if my regular mechanic would do it, actually. I met him through a family member who was enthusiastic about his "Russian repairs" which means fashioing something out of rusted metal when he can't order the parts (said family member had an ancient Isuzu Trooper ). Best mechanic I've ever had for sure. But, if not him there are about 50 shops all within 15 blocks of my house, and who knows how many hobbyists in a city of 3.5 milllion. I'm not too worried about finding a person to help with it, more just wanting to educate myself on what I will need and get a good grasp of the process and potential costs before I make a final decision.

 

Being this Ody will be your familys only vehicle, and if you can afford new, I wouldn't go with a vehicle that old. Unless it is low mileage and in perfect condition. (Good luck finding that in a mini van.) Daily driving around town is one thing, but long road trips with 3 kids in the car is another thing. Any vehicle can break at any time, but you would be better served in something newer. (Again, if this is in your budget) If you are set on an current generation Odyssey with a manual, with alot of fabrication, an Acura TL transmission could be used. On the first generation Odyssey, you can use the H22 and trans from the Prelude. There have been a few folks who have done that swap. I'm sure there are some on this website here who have done the converson who might be willing to share some information with you. Try a search for H22 into Odyssey. Best of luck with your project and please post some pictures in the process.

 

You may have a point about buying newer. In general I just don't really believe in buying new. I see it as a significant money sink because cars depreciate so quickly. I suppose because I'm no stranger to old cars, the 2003 sounds brand new. I also like to buy cars with cash (and I'm not sure there would be another option for a job like this), so it would just take that much longer to save for a newer one. But, totally an option. With any luck prices will drop as time passes and the price and my savings can meet in the middle.

Thanks for your ideas and encouragement!

 

hondas are probubly the best investment you can make in a car. my girls has an 06 civic with 9,5xx on it. yeah thats nothing but this car rides better than my moms 06 lexus. hondas were built so good back in the 90's and dont get me wrong i loved my old 92 integra but, they are ten times better now. i would buy something within 5 to 6 years old.

 

welcome..... and kep us posted on your decison

 

I agree. I think the fit and finish is better on the new Hondas. I don't know about reliability. My '93 Civic Si has much a much nicer interior fabrics, paint, etc. than my '98 Civic LX. They both have roughly 80K on both. The Si is pretty much a garage queen now, but the LX is my daily now. No real problems to speak of, just odd ball things with the LX. The drivers door lock broke, with the door closed, and the power window regulator on the same door broke. Both really fun repairs..... My '07 Odyssey EX-L has much nicer interior, fit and finish, etc than the Civics. I know the Civics cost half as much, are 10 plus years older, but the fit and finish is much better on the Odyssey. Time will tell on the reliability, this thing has a million things that can go wrong with it....Electric heated seats, DVD player, Navigation, etc, etc, ........

 

That is something else that I should consider. I really don't want or need a lot of extras. ie navigation, heated seats. I could do without power door locks and power windows although I would take them too, as they seem useful and practical when getting the kids in and out. I am a firm believer in the "less to break" school of thought. I do like the idea of climate control for the different areas of the vehicle, though. Currently someone is always complaining about being too hot or too cold, and I always worry that the A/C doesn't reach the dog in the back enough.

 

Here is a question I forgot about-- are any model years smaller than others? Better visibility? I know the '98 and earlier ones were small, but are any of the more recent ones bigger/smaller than the average odyssey?

 

No need to worry about A/C in the back of the Odyssey. The current generation is the largest and has rear A/C with it's own seperate controls. If you are considering a current generation van, look into the LX model. It has the least amout of "frills", but has the same drivetrain as all the other models. Check the Honda website for trim level features. I know the second generation Odyssey had numerous transmission issues but I have not heard of any real transmission problems with the current generation models. I'm no expert, and I'm sure there are some actual Honda Technicians on this site who can give you better, more detailed information. I have "heard".... that the '05 and '06 Odysseys have the weaker 3 shaft transmission, where the '07 and up models have the stronger 4 shaft transmissions. All automatics BTW, which I know you are not interested in. Just food for thought. If you get the chance, check out www.odyclub.com , there is plenty of information on the Odyssey there.

 

interesting...
i think it maybe easier to a manual swap on a 4WD toyota suv...

 

I'm not totally sure what you mean. Are you suggesting swapping a 4wd toyota engine/transmission into the odyssey?

There is no SUV that I know of that will fit the amount of kids, dogs and stuff I have to transport, so I am really only looking at vans.

But if you meant swapping a toyota engine into the odyssey then please elaborate a bit!

 

You're awesome, period.

My wife had two Civic Wagons and an Accord Wagon, so I know where you are coming from. We had to search far and wide to get her 5MT Element.

Good luck with the Odyssey.

 

There's no real "meat and potatoes" in this thread.

You'll need the TL transmission. You'll need the TL driveshafts (and probably need to make a hybrid of the TL and Ody shafts to make the lengths and splines work.) You'll need linkages, you'll need a shifter. You'll need mounts. There's going to be a lot of fab involved. You'll need to fool the ECM to work without the TCM functioning (or fool the TCM to think your manual is an auto...good luck with that.) You're going to have CEL issues. It won't pass emissions inspection.

Most of all, you're going to have a good time if you do it. Just be aware of what you're getting yourself into. This is a swap for a fabricator type of person, not an average DIY. It will take a LONG TIME to get it sorted out. You'll need to keep your current car to drive while you do it.

You'd spend about the same amount of time/money "stretching" a Mazda5 to fit all of your stuff. A Mazda5 limo is still no Odyssey, though, so I understand why you'd want to go through all of this.

FYI - 1st gen Ody isn't going to haul any more inside than a mazda5. You need 2g or newer for your space requirements.

 

Yep, a manual odyssey is definetly a "keep forever" car. The resale posibilities would be basically non existent.

 

5 speed...fast...minivan

The only thing that comes to mind are the Dodge minivans that came with a turbo...they can run 12's

http://www.turbovan.net/turbovan.html

 

Right on the dot.

 

I found this thread rather interesting, because It's stupid here really. I think we're just getting lazy and want automatics. In Asia, I spent a month there last winter, and another month 4 years ago. I plan to go for 2 months this winter. There are 5-speed minivans everywhere there, and automatic minivans there are as scarce as manual trucks here these days.

I understand there isn't as high of a demand here for manual transmissions, but why not make it an option for those like us? Yes, i've wanted a 5-speed SUV, and the only option was the Toyota FJ Cruiser (6speed). Which, I may eventually get.

Best option for the MT H.Odyssey project would be to find a donor car with the engine and transmission that would be suitable. Unfortunately there isn't much information out there for this kind of project, so a lot of self Research and Developement would be needed.