I purchased a 2000 EX in February 2006 with 80k miles. It had some very minor rust spots, which the manufacturer refused to repair (3-wks outside of warranty). I have recently noticed the space in which my 3rd row seat folds into is wet—more rust underneath? I've read a lot regarding if you hound the dealership they will make the repairs for you. I suppose that's any dealership, though.

It had one owner prior to me. It was in one accident, which was not reported by the previous owner, but the poor body work is apparent to the naked eye.

Purchasing a Honda:
I was urged to purchase a Honda over the Chrysler Town & Country I had my eye and heart set on finding. I loved the features, and all of the bells and whistles that Chrysler products are known for. But, under "strong advisement" from a few different mechanics, Honda was the direction (only direction) to go in for longevity and reliability, etc.

The Extras:
Overall, I'm not "wowed" by this vehicle. It has the basics and little-to-no frills. The Japanese I guess haven't figured out that Americans enjoy all of the extras. We are constantly called upon to multi-task everything, so our vehicles need to reflect that.

Acceleration:
There is an obvious hesitation and lag upon acceleration, regardless of octane level/gas grade. It is most obvious when trying to maneuver into or out of a parking spot or make a 3-point turn. Moreover, there is a noticeable improvement in pick-up for the first few weeks following an oil change, then its back to the slow, old and tired temperament of the Odyssey. I’m not sure what the correlation is. Entering the highway/freeway is usually a knuckle whitening experience due to the slow pick up and lag time.

Braking:
When going in reverse the rear brakes will make a clunk noise; I’ve read that that is normal for the Honda. Other than that, they stop when I need them to without obvious pulsating underfoot typical of ABS.

Tires & Handling:
Handling receives a fair grade. I definitely wouldn't give it high marks. I still have the original tires that were on it when I purchased it 1-yr ago; so, that may play a major role in its poor handling. The OEM Michelin Symmetry tires have received horrible consumer reviews and I would have to agree. The cabin noise is deafening at times. A whisper of rain on the roads and I go sliding. Cornering is unimpressive as I always feel like I'm driving on gummy rubber.

I've yet to replace the Michelin tires, I just need to sit down and do the research. Due to the weight distribution in vans differing from sedans it takes a bit longer researching a good tire specifically reviewed/tested on minivans.

Air Pressure:
Big problem! I have to check the air pressure regularly, and I mean regularly. They are constantly losing air. I've read that this is a common issue with these vans too.

3rd Row Bench Seat:
The third row folds into the floor, which is so great! I love that feature. It's so easy to convert to a passenger vehicle or make quick room for cargo by folding the seat into the floor. I still have the 3rd row bench to the last minivan I owned sitting in my yard (It weighs a ton!). No one wants this thing and is virtually impossible to get rid of.

Cargo Space:
Yes, it's got plenty of room in the back cabin with the seat folded down, but the hatch diameter opening is a bit smaller than other models, which makes it difficult to transport items (i.e., washer/dryer), without careful planning ahead of time. I recently transported a washer and a dryer. I was upset because I had to make two separate trips, because I had to lie each down so they could fit through the back hatch opening. What a waste of gas and time!

2nd Row & Front Console Features:
I absolutely love that the 2nd row forms a bench or two captain's seats. What a fabulous feature. 2nd row seats each have arm rests. And, the center cup holder/console that folds away between the front seats is perfect for scooting in the back to soothe baby during meltdowns, feeding time, or whatever you need to do in the back of your vehicle. You never have to exit your vehicle to retrieve anything out of the rear of your vehicle. Great feature in the cold months or if traveling in an area you don't feel entirely comfortable getting in and out of your vehicle.

No LATCH in this model for infant car seats.

Driver's Seat & Comfort
Electric driver's seat (up/down, tilt, back/forth)--standard feature in the EX model. Tilt wheel. Love it! It's a must, in my opinion for the vertically challenged (lol). Nevertheless, the seat itself is not very comfortable at all. Nor are the other seats, I am told.
And, the arm rests sit unusual as well.

Gas Mileage:
Gas mileage is not great. I average between 16.5 and 21.5/mpg. That's a combo of hwy and city. I drove a Ford Windstar (1998) prior and its gas consumption was so great, it was absurd.

Electric Doors:
Dual electric doors. I had a problem with them, like most others have had. I had them greased, and so far, so good.

Paint & Interior:
The paint and interior plastic moldings are incredibly soft. So, you need to take extra care if transporting anything. Your vehicle WILL DEFINATELY reflect whatever you've used it for. For example, my daughter's lightweight stroller has put several scratches and a gouge or two from sliding around in the back. Don't know if other vehicles do the same--just commenting on mine.

Switches:
Interior light switch is in an awkward spot and not easily reachable for the driver.

Mechanically:
I've had some difficulties as well. Immediately after purchasing it the check engine light went on. After several fixes to repair the problem, I finally had to have the main computer replaced to correct it. Thankfully this happened 12-miles before the warranty had expired, so it cost me nothing, other than time, a lot of time.

Transmission:
When driving down hill/decline the transmission will abruptly slow with a subtle, but obvious jerk. I’ve read other comments about this occurring as well--not sure if it’s normal or not. Most people focus their concerns/write ups with the major transmission issues the Odyssey is known for.

I'm beginning to experience transmission problems now. The D4 light doesn't light up and, until recently, I couldn't shift into the lower gears. 2-quarts of transmission fluid corrected the shifting problems, but the D4 light continues to exist.

Honda has had A LOT of DOCUMENTED TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. They've extended the warranty to 109k-miles and 7-yrs for several models and years. If buying used, you should definitely check into this!

Minivans in General:
Overall, I love minivans as a whole, even though this jury is not impressed about the Odyssey. When driving a minivan, you sit higher, which allows greater visibility. This gives you the opportunity to prepare for any road hazards up ahead. Furthermore, minivans can fit virtually anything, including a number of people AND all of their 'stuff'.

This Odyssey:
As I mentioned above, the jury is still out. If this vehicle lasts as long as I hope it to--a VERY, VERY LONG time (with proper maintenance), then I will be happy with all of the features and comforts that I've sacrificed for this Honda. If it doesn't last and continues to give me problems and cost me money, then I'll be back and updating you again.

Helpful Link:
I have found one site very helpful in assisting me to determine/diagnose what problems/issues I'm experiencing with my vehicle. I discovered it on the www.Edmunds.com; the Town Hall section.
It's a forum of others who own Odysseys and is in a problem/solution format.

Amount Paid (US$): 9800
Condition: Used
Model Year: 2000
Model and Options: EX