Even though drivers regularly complained about the wobbly gearshift and flimsy center console, for the most part, all riders found something to enjoy. When an 18-month-old grew antsy in his seat, all grandma had to do was rotate the chair on which his car seat perched, and the little devil had a new and engaging view. All kids liked riding backward in the rotating middle seats—a throwback to rearward-looking benches of a long-ago station-wagon era. Bill Ferguson, an 83-year-old traveler who had been a participant in World War II, used an air mattress in place of one of the minivan’s second-row seats on a 600-mile trip to see the monument in Washington, D.C., dedicated to those who served in that war. And on every long trip, kids cocooned within wireless headsets, watching movies and playing games on the two-screen setup.We appreciated that the powerful Caravan betters most of the competition in fuel economy—we averaged 20 mpg over the course of 40,000 miles—as well as in its user-friendly features, both big and small: self-storing, rear-window sunshades;
side-door windows that open almost all of the way (which made for friendlier border crossings back into the U.S. when we returned from Canadian trips); and key-fob-controlled side doors and rear hatch. The second-row seats were rotated for some passengers and removed for others. Underfloor storage gobbled up the cargo and hid the table, and ambient lightingbrightened the interior.____________________________________________________The logbook is free of gripes about the service experience. Routine maintenance calls for oil changes and tire rotations every 6000 miles. Those six service stops ranged in cost from $51 to $109, adding up to $462, which is more than our long-term 2004 Sienna’s $359 service bill even after adjusting for inflation.We ordered a set of winter rubber after about a month of heavy snow (by February, four feet had fallen in Detroit). Without them, the slightest driver inputs on snowy roads triggered the anti-lock brakes and set off stability-control flashers.
After we slapped on a set of Bridgestone Blizzak DMZ3 winter tires ($424), we were able to plow ahead with confidence. After about 18,000 miles, we began hearing a rattle coming from somewhere inside the Grand Caravan. As winter finally gave way to spring, Michigan’s big-city potholes began their annual mating ritual, quadrupling in number and increasing our rattle anxiety. Fact is, we never did locate the irritating noise and did what a lot of people do: We just accepted it, although we never stopping complaining about it.____________________________________________________ WWII vet, Bill Ferguson, 83, gets 40 winks on a second-row air mattress.____________________________________________________Repairs to a latch on one of the drop-down video screens and a second-row seat lever were made under warranty in one service call. And the front brake pads and rotors were used up in a pathetically short 24,000 miles, requiring nonwarranty replacement at the dealership for $480. The Grand Caravan had two recalls early in its stay: one for a software update to the MyGig infotainment system and the second for software affecting the rear sliding doors.
A third recall for a power-steering hose came just at the end of the minivan’s time with us. You won’t be chasing apexes or carving up two-lanes in a minivan. You’ll be hauling your unruly clan around and trying to keep the little buzz-cuts in their belts. Though no major mechanical issues surfaced during the Grand Caravan’s stay, the low-quality interior and lukewarm driving experience keep it off the top of our vehicle-buying list—even for the family types among us.The Honda Odyssey offers a great deal of interior space for both passengers and cargo, but the addition of a roof rack will multiply one's cargo options in very useful ways. For example, a growing family may find that it’s easier to add a roof cargo box to transport everything that they need for a road trip. Dealer installations of roof racks can get costly because a dealer's service department often charges the same hourly rate for all tasks. Those who are put off by dealer installation costs do have an alternative: They can make this a DIY project.
The task does require some cutting, so review the following instructions to determine if this is an appropriate project to take on. Installation of the Roof Rack When purchasing a Honda Odyssey roof rack, always make sure that it is designed for the right model year. Honda Odyssey cross bars can be added if desired. Yakima cross bars are another possible choice. Assemble the appropriate materials prior to beginning the roof rack installation. Air saw or hack saw for cutting trim pieces T-15 and T-30 Torx drivers Car trimming tools to remove the trim pieces Tape measure to size trim pieces Masking tape to protect the paint finish when rail covers are snapped into position Marker to mark the trim pieces prior to cutting Needle-nose pliers to pull off the retainer clips A file can come in handy to smooth the cuts that are made. An air reciprocating saw is ideal for cutting the trim pieces, although a hack saw will do. Car trim tools come in handy for removing the trim pieces with ease.
1. Remove the left roof molding by lifting it upward from the four molding clips. Take care to avoid any damage to painted surfaces. 2. Open the tailgate about halfway. Identify the left molding rear cove, and use a trim tool to pry up the rear of the part. 3. Use eye protection while using an air saw to saw off the very end of the left roof molding rear cover at the scribe line. A hack saw can be used if care is taken to make a straight, accurate cut. For a good finished result, be sure to remove any burrs. 4. Remove and throw away the four molding clips located on the roof molding. Do the same with the stud bolt on the roof. 5. Remove any sealant on the base of the stud bolt. 6. Measure the left roof molding according to the instructions included with the roof rail. Use the marker to mark it. Use the air saw or hack saw to cut at the marks. 7. Install a roof molding clip to the front of the left roof molding. 8. Reinstall the rear cover for the left roof molding. If installed properly, it will fit even with the roof.
9. Reinstall the three cut pieces of the left roof molding onto the roof of the Odyssey. 10. Using six Torx nuts, install the left side roof rail. 11. Using two clips, affix the left-front roof rail cover to the left side roof rail with a Torx screw. 12. Using three clips, affix the left-rear roof rail cover to the left side roof rail with a Torx screw. 13. Hook the left-center roof rail cover to the middle support of the left roof rail. 14. Attach masking tape to the panel around the mid-roof rail support. 15. Affix the left-center roof rail cover to the middle support of the left roof rail. 16. Remove the masking tape. Simply repeat the steps noted above to attach the right roof rail to the vehicle. The removal of the rear molding covers requires some care so that they do not crack. Study the assembly carefully before beginning. The trim pieces should be carefully measured and marked. Then, re-measure them once again prior to cutting. Using towels on the roof can eliminate the risk of paint damage during the installation.