I have a family, myself, wife, one son and another coming.

I want to buy a new car that fits all of us including some extra room.

I really want an Odyssey but a friend of mine is pushing me away from it telling me there are quite a lot of problems with the engine and transmission.

Can I get some feedback in regards to the 09 version?

Thanks.

 

The transmission problems are mostly hewed to the 1999-2004 Odysseys. There have been a few rare instances for the '05, but for the most part the new generation of Odys are a huge step up (eg, they're what Honda should have produced in the first place).

Odyclub.com has great information for Odysseys of all generations.

Congrats on the 2nd kid! I'm in a similar situation as yours, where I've got one (girl) and another (girl) on the way. My wife's car is already packed with just the three of us and all our gear, so I can't imagine stuffing more luggage when the 2nd comes.

I've got it pared down to the Ody and Sienna. I love the former, having owned a '99 Odyssey before. I also love the way they handle (for a minivan). But the Siennas are inexpensive these days. Plus, they're also very reliable.

 

I haven't really seen any with engine problems, Honda's v6 power plant is a very solid motor. However, i have seen quite a few with rear main/block plug or torque converter seals leaking on the current generation. But most of the actual "transmission problems" that were common on the previous generation are gone now.

Overall it is a very solid vehicle, and this generation has been the best so far.


It sounds as if your friend doesn't know what he's talking about.

 

I have yet to see a single noteworthy problem with an '06 or newer Odyssey. It's a fantastic vehicle and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend one to anybody I know.

'99-04s are plagued with several chronic issues, but they're all well known and documented.

FWIW, our shop services over 70 Hondas and Acuras per week.

 

Problems? Its a van lol.

Actually I love the Odyssey. The wife and I test drove one recently and it was great. But with only one kid and still being in our mid 20's, we decided to hold off on it. We bought a Pilot instead

 

I have a 08 since Janaury, so far so good. IF you're as paranoid as I am, get the extended warranty. I got 8 year 120k coverage for about $1k (real Honda one, not after market). Like others said the transmission problem is more for the 99-04 model. Other then that I've heard the annoying sliding door problem every now and then.

 

the 09 odysseys are the same as the 08s right?

when are the next gen odysseys coming out?

 

Yes.

Should be introduced this fall as a 2010 model if they follow the standard Honda 5-year product cycle, or in the fall of 2010 as a 2011 model if they use a 6-year product cycle as they did with the '99-04 model.

 

Not exactly the same - the 09 EX-L comes standard with rear power lift gate, 08 does not. Not sure about other models though.

2010 will see a new Odyssey.

 

10K miles on my '08, and, so far so good. Just oil changes and a tire rotation.

 

I'm in the same situation and contemplating on whether to get a odyssey or sienna as well! with a 5 year old and a newborn and strollers, got to get a minvan!

 

I have an 07 Odyssey EX. Its a great van. The only thing I had concerns in the beginning, the brakes felt weak, but after awhile it felt normal.
I just changed new brakes at about 39K. We do alot of city driving but I thought it should have lasted a little longer than that. But its not necessarily premature wear, just hoping for a little more mileage.

 

We've been having a lot of torque converter issues but otherwise nothing major at all..

 

Since the new van came out in 05, the only thing I can think of that would be catagorized as a common problem would be motor mount failure and the same door roller wheels breaking (just like the 2nd gen van). The 3rd gen mounts have solenoids built in to them as part of the ACTIVE NOISE CONTROL. So they are more expensive than the 2nd gen.But overall the 05-09 Odyssey has been SOLID! I love the lojic control sliding doors.