CrimsonKarter21

Those Oddyseys are awesome. I drove to Colorado in one, had 6 bikes, and about 12-15 wheels in the back, two tupperwares filled with track cogs, chainrings and other stuff of the like, four hockey bags, and 4 people.

They're positively AWESOME to draft off of too.

Retro Grouch 

Not "one of the first" by a long shot. I used to haul our tandem inside a first generation Dodge Caravan and it wasn't even the long body style. Now I haul it inside of a Honda Element. FWIW, I havn't noticed any lessening of the "scoff factor" in switching from a minivan to the Element.

alancw3

rumor has it that honda will have a diesel available for the odyssey for the 2010 model year. mpg to be increase by aproximately 20%. it will be interesting to see if american soccor moms' embrace diesel power.

bbattle

I love my Element. The back seatbelts are useful in holding bikes and keep them from moving around. I carry a lot of lumber, bags of dirt, plants, recyclables. One back seat is out and the other stowed in the up position. I have a rubber liner that covers the rear area perfectly; you know, to keep the plastic from getting too messed up.

But if you've got kids, it's not the right vehicle for the small ones.

I'm always amazed at the technology that goes into minivans.

palu

Love the Odysseis. I actually found that Tahoe/Yukons were the worst. They're higher up, so it's harder for the mom's to see you, and when they run you over, they RUN YOU OVER. At least with the Odyssey, they've got that sonar thing on the bumper that beeps there is something on your front bumper. Oh, and apparently on the GM instruction manual, it says to 1) start the car, 2) put cell phone to ear, 3) Drive.

Retro Grouch 

Me too. I bought it because I can fit our tandem upright on the inside and the car is still short enough to fit comfortably in our shorter-than-typical garage. We still keep both rear seats in ours, partially because we have grandchildren in the area and partly bacause I don't have a good place to store it if I took it out.

Trsnrtr

My first Santana (1992) would not fit in a Dodge Caravan if it had a console. I know because I would take my tandem to the local dealership and tell them that if they could get it in there without removing the console that I would buy it and they never could. They could get it in a Grand Caravan but I couldn't afford one at the time.

In 2005, I told the local Toyota dealer the same thing. Stick my 2003 Sovereign in a Sienna without interfering with the console and I'd buy it. They couldn't do it either.

I just bought a 2009 Odyssey to replace my '05 and I did check out the '09 Sienna with a tape measure and my Sovereign should fit in it now.

f4rrest

8 cylinders available in the 90.

Terex

Honda Oddities are awesome. I've told many people that mini-vans, esp. the Oddity, have more utility than any other vehicle. I had 1st gen Chrysler mini-van, 2nd gen., 3rd gen. Been driving SUV's lately but the mini-vans still rule when it comes to do-all vehicles.

dalava

Yeah, but all that extra weight on a V8 only give you a small net gain, IMHO, not really worth it. I almost pulled the trigger on a XC-70 but got lucky, found a great deal on a Subaru Legacy Wagon GT a year and half ago (2007 was the last year they made the wagon in a Legacy. Now all Subaru wagons are Outbacks and they ride like a boat, very floaty compare to the Legacy). It is positively the most awesome all-around car, ever.

dalava

Is the car on actual "neutral race support" duty? Now that would be a race from hell.

Retro Grouch 

So that's what you get for wanting the fancy-boy Caravan with a console. Ours had a plain flat floor between the front seats. Roll up windows too.

I had to make a "thingie" for our Element console that raises the back wheel up so that the quick release fits above the arm rests. Might not have needed that but for the Santana's 160mm rear dropouts. I also had to fabricate a spacer to raise the fork mount so that the pedals don't hit the floor.

Trsnrtr

Originally, I would just roll our Santana in to the van and tie it down like a motorcycle with straps, but one of my straps started getting worn and quit cinching tight and the tandem would start to fall over. Imagine screaming wife while I try to pull over on the interstate.

Anyway, I made a fork mount (also with a spacer) for the rear of the van and now remove the front wheel. It travels a lot better that way. We've hauled it all over country that way without any problems.

tobashiya

Odysseys.... While they are jammed full of useful goodness and plenty to make you forget that your driving down the road and to pay attention to other people... I HATE THEM. (sorry peepl that own them on here)...

I work for a Honda dealer. I'm supposed to care about customers, right? I've had so many close calls (bike and in my Element) with inattentive Ody drivers. I've only recently identified that the sole reason I dislike working on Ody's is because of the vast majority of their drivers have their heads firmly implanted deep inside their own rectum. (once again, region specific. don't take offense, if you're on this board then your obviously going to be aware of cyclists, and the above doesn't apply to you).

If there was a way that I could do personal harm to an Odyssey, I would. One day, when Honda makes cars with feelings, its on. Until then, if your in my area, driving an Ody, and a biker swerves in front of you with two middle fingers flying, just wave. cuz its me.

dalava

my feeling exactly

RVD72

I have a 2008 Chrysler T&C with swivel & go seating b/c I like to buy American (even if Chrysler declared bankruptcy). It's nice because the 3rd row seats automatically fold down flat and my bike fits easily in the back.

I am too nervous to put my bike on the roof. I'm afraid I'm going to forget about it and drive into a parking structure or a low bridge or something and get my bike chopped off.

Around here the Range Rover women with the big sunglasses are the worst.