2005 Honda Odyssey

We purchased this car after much waiting and anticipation and it really was worth it. My perspective on this car comes from being a mom with 3 young children all under 5. So, I'm viewing this car from a family perspective.

Here are some positive highlights about this car: - Like many honda cars, even the base model had many features that are nice to have with children. 1. Being able to open both back-siding doors with remote control. (I love this feature. Being able to just open one door with remote is very inconvenient when you have more than 1 child) -> We compared it to Toyoto Sienna at the time, and this option was only available on the highest model. 2. Having sun blockers on the back windows. When you have young infants or children that are facing backwards, it is really nice to have sun blockers that cover the entire window, without having to purchase store bought screens that only fit the window partially. -> Again, when we compared this model to Sienna, this was only available on the highest model. - I was very adverse to high cars, having driven old Caravans, SUVs (Infinity QX) because I felt that the car felt tipsy, however with this car, I felt as if I'm driving a sedan, rather than a minivan. - I also like the fact that the cup holder on this car can easily flip up or down, rather than having to take the cup holder block between (driver and passenger) out or not be able to move it at all. This is because when you have young children, you may have to stop to get them something to drink or give them a hand, so it's nice to be able to filp down the cup holder so you have room to walk to the back of the car inside, rather than to have to get out of the car to go around to them. (Especially when it's raining or snowing or cold outside.) - I like the fact that we can configure the middle row seats in different configuration, rather than having it in fixed locations where the 2 seats are closer to the door. Since I have 3 children, I have my 2 younger ones seated on the middle row,side by side to each other, allowing me some clearance way at the side of the vehicle to buckle in my oldest one sitting at the back. (Toyota Sienna didn't have the adjustable middle row seats at the time when we purchased this car in 2005)

There are many reviews out there that talks about roomy space, 40-60 split back rows, cargo room space etc. Which is all very true. We really haven't had problems with space with this car, even though we usually have to seat 6 people where 3 children are in car seats with Costco groceries in the back.

Here are some disappointments with this car. 1. I'm not sure if this is my lack of understanding about this car, but because the front dash board lights are too bright at night, I have often forgotten to turn on the headlights which is a danger hazard. However, when I turn the lighting on the front-dash to low, I can't see very well during the day time. 2. Our car is just past 3 years, and we have had problems with the rear sliding door and window. The passenger side sliding door got stuck and wouldn't open, and right after that, the window on the passenger wouldn't go up.

All in all, we are very happy about this car.