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It's humorous how little you guys know about minivan owners and what we expect out of our vehicles, especially Odyssey owners.
I don't think you can generalize about us Ody owners, either.
The SUV/SAV/CUV is a generally space-inefficient, relatively slow road hog with bad gas mileage being driven by an urban mom or a guy who has no idea what "4WD" means. I have no idea why they have a "cool" image.
The Ody was the fastest and best handling of the minivans at the time, more spacious, more efficient and easier to enter and exit than most SUV/SAV/CUVs. That doesn't mean I'd pay more for a nicer Acura-branded Odyssey, though-- I'd just get the stiffest-suspensioned Sienna, Ody or other dependable minivan then.
The saved money would be put into nicer cars instead of an Acura minivan.
As for the comment about power, yes, it's the same Honda 3.5 V6, but Acura gets better torque and horsepower out of it running premium (higher compression ratio) and direct injection:
Though, honestly, the TLX's numbers are rather low compared to other premium automaker's similar sized V6 engines - they do look to get better gas mileage.
Its humorous how you think we dont know.
If that is what you are after, get a Flex. Damn near the same cargo space, AWD, and MORE HP and TQ than Honda or Acura could ever hope to have.
Exactly. What would be the point? It would just be another Honda+ product which is what they don't need if they're serious about distancing themselves from Honda, because a $45K-$50K Acura mini van isn't going to have all this:
unless they're willing to take a big hit on their high margins.
Uhh, if an MDX sells for $45k-50k with all that stuff, what makes you think a minivan wouldn't?
Originally Posted by iforyou
I don't think you need to go with the sport hybrid setup to be more powerful than the Odyssey. The powertrain combo from the TLX would provide an extra 40hp.
The Pilot is from $30k to $42k.
The MDX is from $42k to $57k.
The Odyssey is from $29k to $45k.
I'd imagine if this is indeed an Acura version of the Odyssey, it will be somewhere around $40k to $58k, not $60k-$70k. Is $40-$58k too much for an Acura minivan? I don't know.
With that said, my understanding is that these spy pics are of a FMC Odyssey. But I guess we won't know until later in the future.
$58k is probably asking a bit much but I could see them selling one trim level decked out minivan for ~$45k-$50k and making out ok. It wouldn't be a volume seller by any means but that seems to be the Acura thing to do anyway.
Originally Posted by ttribe
I disagree, and here's why - For whatever reason, the SUV is perceived as sufficiently "cool" for only one person to drive. Think about how often you see a professionally successful man or woman driving around in an SUV; even if they don't have kids at home. Happens a lot, right? Now, try to imagine that in a mini-van...doesn't work, does it? I can't explain that, it's just the way the market developed, and for that reason you can sell an SUV to a much wider audience at higher levels of luxury and price.
I completely agree with that but here's the difference. A minivan is bought by a specific group of people who want everything the minivan has to offer. Those people often times want all the luxury features that go with a mid to high end SUV as well and as such they sell many many more of the higher end versions than the low end versions because people are willing to pay that much for the utility and efficiency a minivan offers that an SUV/CUV does not. For a person with a set of requirements that leads them to a minivan, the cost is not an issue because it's the only thing out there that checks all the boxes. There's nothing that comes even close to the utility, economy, and family friendliness that a minivan offers. Only downside is that it doesn't look cool.
In reality, a minivan can be driven by anyone but is perceived to be "uncool" which is fine, I totally agree and I wouldn't drive one at this point either. I'd buy an SUV too since I have zero kids. Though if I had three kids and needed a daily hauler, buying a Yukon XL Denali would be out of the question due to expense when a minivan can do the same thing for half the cost both to buy and run. Unless heavy towing is required that is.
Uhh, if an MDX sells for $45k-50k with all that stuff, what makes you think a minivan wouldn't?
Uh, did you even bother reading the part where I said "unless they're willing to take a big hit on their high margins."?
High end Odyssey already starts out at $45K. Completely optioned out and you're getting near $50K. Expecting all this additional equipment
Better leather and interior materials
More power and the 9 speed transmission
Remote start
Better driver memory options (seats + mirrors, steering wheel, pedals)
Better sound system
Jewel Eye headlights and other LED based lighting
etc.
for the same $45K as a high end Odyssey means taking a big margin hit. Even asking $50K for all that means taking a margin hit.
While the below is cool stuff, it's no longer new.
Better leather and interior materials only area where the cost will increase.
More power and the 9 speed transmission assuming the next gen Honda products don't get them anyway (chances are they will)
Remote start this doesn't add much if any to the price...
Better driver memory options (seats + mirrors, steering wheel, pedals) other than steering wheel and pedals, this already is on the touring.
Better sound system touring elite already has a 12 speaker stereo with an entertainment system
Jewel Eye headlights and other LED based lighting touring elite already comes with HID headlights and if they are tossing the jewel eyes onto the ILX, this shouldn't be a huge cost difference. LED headlights are actually cheaper to make than HIDs.
etc.
While the below is cool stuff, it's no longer new.
Just what you touched on will easily add another $2K to the price.
But you're ignoring one of the big etc. that ultimate_ed wants too which is SH-AWD
Originally Posted by ultimate_ed
Having it with more power and SH-AWD would definitely make me give it serious consideration.
How much would SH-AWD add, $6K?
That would put an Acura mini van at $8K more than the Odyssey Elite, or at $53K. This goes back to what I said before.... "a $45K-$50K Acura mini van isn't going to have all this:
Originally Posted by ultimate_ed
Better leather and interior materials
More power and the 9 speed transmission
Remote start
Better driver memory options (seats + mirrors, steering wheel, pedals)
Better sound system
Jewel Eye headlights and other LED based lighting etc.
unless they're willing to take a big hit on their high margins."
Just look at the price difference between the Accord Touring (MSRP: $34,450) and a TLX 3.5 V-6 9-AT SH-AWD with Technology Package (MSRP: $41,450) or the TLX 3.5 V-6 9-AT SH-AWD with Advance Package (MSRP: $44,700)
$58k is probably asking a bit much but I could see them selling one trim level decked out minivan for ~$45k-$50k and making out ok. It wouldn't be a volume seller by any means but that seems to be the Acura thing to do anyway.
$58k is just the theoretically fully loaded option, you know, like the SH-AWD with Advance and Entertainment Packages trim of the MDX. In reality, the Tech Pkg with or without AWD would probably be the volume trims which would be around $45-$50k like you said.
There's still a market for mini-vans although not what it once was, for space efficiency, comfort and functionality nothing comes close.
Height wise its slightly shorter thus the smaller sq. Go sit in one. Then throw yourself in the 3rd row. Adults dont have a problem in it. It has more interior space and room for passengers than my Expedition.
lol my bad...but looking at your photos, I can definitely see why one has 83cuft, and the other has 148.....it's all in the height it seems.
Like i said, the main difference is in the interior height. Passenger space is very comparable. Im 6'5 and i fit in the 3rd row. We traveled from Wi to the Keys with 6 people (2 kids in car seats) and all the luggage for 2 weeks in one and no one had complaints about space. Added bonus, AWD and 365hp stock
Like i said, the main difference is in the interior height. Passenger space is very comparable. Im 6'5 and i fit in the 3rd row. We traveled from Wi to the Keys with 6 people (2 kids in car seats) and all the luggage for 2 weeks in one and no one had complaints about space. Added bonus, AWD and 365hp stock
Not a bad endorsement.
The wife loathes wagons, but surprisingly really likes the Flex.
We're thinking about going to look this weekend & see what we think of it. Possibly look 1-2 years used. 2 car seats in the back of a Civic isn't fun for a 6'0" driver.
We're thinking about going to look this weekend & see what we think of it. Possibly look 1-2 years used. 2 car seats in the back of a Civic isn't fun for a 6'0" driver.
Im going to replace my expedition with one. With typical Ford rebates and deals you can usually get 5+k knocked off pretty easy. Not to mention a Oddy gets to 50k too, so its not that bad when you look at it.
Im going to replace my expedition with one. With typical Ford rebates and deals you can usually get 5+k knocked off pretty easy. Not to mention a Oddy gets to 50k too, so its not that bad when you look at it.
True, wife would rather walk than drive a minivan.
We also can get X-Plan through my stepdad, not sure what that really does to the price. It got them a smoking deal on a SRW F350.
True, wife would rather walk than drive a minivan.
We also can get X-Plan through my stepdad, not sure what that really does to the price. It got them a smoking deal on a SRW F350.
I was looking at one thru the X-plan that my friend gets (he picked up his Raptor for 46 with it) and i priced out a loaded titanium version and i think it came out to something like 39-40 if i remember right.
I was looking at one thru the X-plan that my friend gets (he picked up his Raptor for 46 with it) and i priced out a loaded titanium version and i think it came out to something like 39-40 if i remember right.
I was looking at one thru the X-plan that my friend gets (he picked up his Raptor for 46 with it) and i priced out a loaded titanium version and i think it came out to something like 39-40 if i remember right.
Just as an FYI, you should hold the X-Plan close when talking with your dealer. Only use it as a last resort because you can sometimes get a better deal than the X-Plan offers just by negotiating. Know what the X-Plan pricing is and only play that card if the dealer won't go lower than that.
I don`t think Legend2TL was talking about cargo volume rather than passenger volume.
With the 3rd row up:
Max Cargo Room:
I think those pictures really speak for themselves....there`s really no comparison when it comes to cargo room.
Originally Posted by fsttyms1
I said FLEX, not MDX
Notice the distance from the floor to the ceiling with the Ody, with the 2nd row removed and the rear folded into the floor you get pretty amazing volume.
The problems with the Flex cargo capability is the same as with many SUV/cross-overs like my wife's 2003 Pilot.
Notice how high up the folded flat seats are in the Flex.
The distance from the floor to the ceiling is less than a mini-van due to the rear differential, prop shaft hump, and ground clearance.
The Ody 2nd row seats are easily removable and the three row fold into the rear storage area so you get greater floor to ceiling height
In terms of passenger room, the Flex is similar to the 2003 Pilot for dimensions.
I've done a few road trips in 2G, 3G and 4G Ody's and like typical mini-vans the great height of the interior allows you to move around while travelling.
Cross-overs are a great compromise, but the ultimate in space efficiency the mini-van is superior.
Height wise its slightly shorter thus the smaller sq. Go sit in one. Then throw yourself in the 3rd row. Adults dont have a problem in it. It has more interior space and room for passengers than my Expedition.
Saw one at the gym this morning, with the uni-body chassis they do have a big interior. My sister-in-law got a 2014 Explorer with three rows of captain's chairs, probably not as big as the Flex but it is nice. She previously had a Sienna, and she wanted something sportier.
I disagree, and here's why - For whatever reason, the SUV is perceived as sufficiently "cool" for only one person to drive. Think about how often you see a professionally successful man or woman driving around in an SUV; even if they don't have kids at home. Happens a lot, right? Now, try to imagine that in a mini-van...doesn't work, does it? I can't explain that, it's just the way the market developed, and for that reason you can sell an SUV to a much wider audience at higher levels of luxury and price.
I see this all the time, everyone I know with a mini-van uses them for their solo work commute, as well as people you see in everyday traffic. IMO most mini-van owners have zero concern to be seen in them solo.
That would not include my wife, I could not convince her to get a 2G Ody, she hated mini-vans and wanted a SUV so she got a Pilot.
As for mini-vans the sales have definitely tapered for every 2014 minivan sold, there are ten SUV's sold.
I see this all the time, everyone I know with a mini-van uses them for their solo work commute, as well as people you see in everyday traffic. IMO most mini-van owners have zero concern to be seen in them solo.
That would not include my wife, I could not convince her to get a 2G Ody, she hated mini-vans and wanted a SUV so she got a Pilot.
As for mini-vans the sales have definitely tapered for every 2014 minivan sold, there are ten SUV's sold.
11-12-2014 | 09:06 PM
Like i said, the main difference is in the interior height. Passenger space is very comparable. Im 6'5 and i fit in the 3rd row. We traveled from Wi to the Keys with 6 people (2 kids in car seats) and all the luggage for 2 weeks in one and no one had complaints about space. Added bonus, AWD and 365hp stock 
they get pricey quick....
