The 09 Odyssey

Went and had another look at the '09 Odyssey to try to convince myself to buy (my wife wants this car for 7 seat option). I compared it to the previous model, the dealership had a used model on the floor as well.

I think the middle row seat in the previous model for seating 3 people in comfort was better. The old model was a flatter bench like structure with a 60:40 split. I think the older model was more user friendly in seating 5 using the 1st and 2nd rows only.

New model is similar but has a V like shape and the middle seat in the middle is very skinny, and hard. It folds down to be drink holder for the larger bucket shaped comfortable seats next to it. I hope I have described this sufficiently, if not think of the Toyota Kluger which has similar 2nd row. I think this middle seat is one that people will only use as a last resort, and only for a small child.

With the anchor points in the roof for the middle row (in the face of people sitting in the 3rd row), and in the way of storage space for the third row, I wonder whether in Japan they use a different anchoring system for child seats, because as a designer of the vehicle there are better places to put the anchors so they are not in the way (that is, on the back of the seats under the head rest).

I also wonder whether this car has been designed for people in Australia to use with child seats? Are the anchor points a compromise to fit Australian safety standards?

My discussion with a salesman at one of the many dealerships I have visited to see this car, went along the lines of - in Japan this is designed to carry 4 people with option for additional 2 in the back if you go on short outing .....

I think the car is a great vehicle, but not one for people with young kids requiring the use of the anchor points, unless you are willing to compromise with above shortcomings. But why should have to compromise?

The simple answer to what I understand is a complicated issue is that a lot of the world uses ISOFIX and we don't - and the Aus Std requires the top tether that ISOFIX doesn't. :thumbdwn:

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Originally Posted by bezzita

Yes I talked to him directly and he's bit arrogance IMO.

The car will be delivered within 2 weeks, I will post pics later.

Btw, loe indo kan? gue sering liat mbl loe..., keren banget. Pagi pas brangkat kerja sering liat..., gue yg pake Chrysler H1T4m :)

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Haiya... ini mas Erfan toh... gua Daniel yg pake euro biru ENDUT, kalo di freeway pagi2 sering ngefloor nih, gak kekejar sama odyssey gua hehe

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Originally Posted by Qld_ODC

The simple answer to what I understand is a complicated issue is that a lot of the world uses ISOFIX and we don't - and the Aus Std requires the top tether that ISOFIX doesn't. :thumbdwn:

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As per your original advice I will need to take 2 child seats and H harness to try the car once again and see whether I can live with it - problem is that there are no alternatives if you want a fuel efficient car that does what the Odyssey does, and is made by a manufacturer that has a reputation for reliability, in the Aust mkt.

Subarau is releasing the Exiga in the Aust mkt later this year but will only be a 6 seater in Aust (apparantly something to do with maintaining 5 star ANCAP crash rating), and based on other Subarus I have seen will probably have anchor points in simular place as Odyssey.

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Originally Posted by Atjo

Haiya... ini mas Erfan toh... gua Daniel yg pake euro biru ENDUT, kalo di freeway pagi2 sering ngefloor nih, gak kekejar sama odyssey gua hehe

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Daniel, pm sent :)

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Originally Posted by Tom Gioskos

... problem is that there are no alternatives if you want a fuel efficient car that does what the Odyssey does, and is made by a manufacturer that has a reputation for reliability...

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Exactly. For your particular situation there's a compromise you have to make.
You have to decide which way you go.

I'm thinking you'll have the car longer than all of the kids will be in harnesses/boosters/baby seats so as long as you can manage in the short term it's not worth compromising on the quality and long term economics of your purchase.

Just tested the RB3 Lux. These are what I feel, my opinion is biased because of stuff that I have done to my RB1 as compared to a stock RB1. I've been riding on coilovers and BBK for so long now that I have forgotten what a stock one use to feel like.

Interior:
1) View is better thanks to smaller a-piller
2) I think because the car comes with the crap looking 2 DIN stero, the dash seems like it's missing alot of stuff, it also feels cheaper, more plasticky
3) No black interior, the colour combi is bad
4) Gear knob feels wierd, must be too used to the old Odyssey.
5) No 'Oh! that's new' gadgets.

Exterior:
1) 17's still look small
2) OEM body kit looks alright, but I would prefer without and go for the Mugen lip kit
3) Car looks lighter than RB1 as in it's not that solid. dunno if it is good or bad

The Drive;
1) Can feel the increased power.
2) Suspension is stiffer but still comfortable, I can feel quite a bit of body roll when cornering
3) Brakes are still the crappy ones, I nearly rear ended the front car in traffic.

In short... I still prefer my RB1 although I would like the power increase.

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Originally Posted by evolution

Just tested the RB3 Lux. ...... In short... I still prefer my RB1 although I would like the power increase.

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haha Evo, pretty much same feeling for the RB3. must admit Honda Australia choose the best 2 din stereo to make the interior sucks.

with AUD5k+ increase of price, can spend the same amount of money for getting more horsepower than RB3 with the help fm Mr. HKS ;);)

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Originally Posted by AusAccord

with AUD5k+ increase of price, can spend the same amount of money for getting more horsepower than RB3 with the help fm Mr. HKS ;);)

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And it would be more fun with Mr. HKS.


Forgot to add on thing about the interior, in the RB1 we could fold the middle row seat into the seat frame by lifting up the bench part so that it becomes one long flat floor. With the RB3, the middle row seats can only be folded down and the centre row is higher than the third row. This can be really annoying when you are transporting stuff like tables and other large based items where the uneven surface makes it hard to load the items.

Lucky i didn't wait for RB3 but i couldn't get the price i wanted as the RB1 stock is limited while the demand still high.

I was looking forward to a new Odyssey.
Went to my local dealer with a luxury odyssey with 10 months warranty remaining and 47000 kms to trade.
Offered me 27k for mine with a change over of 26k. I thought that was a bit steep especially when he said mine would be on the lot for between 35-36k,
so holding on to this one.
A bit disappointed dark leather isn't available as the tan has marked quite badly in my one.

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Originally Posted by raysa

I was looking forward to a new Odyssey.
Went to my local dealer with a luxury odyssey with 10 months warranty remaining and 47000 kms to trade.
Offered me 27k for mine with a change over of 26k. I thought that was a bit steep especially when he said mine would be on the lot for between 35-36k,
so holding on to this one.
A bit disappointed dark leather isn't available as the tan has marked quite badly in my one.

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Try sell privately, and buy using Private Fleet.