![]() ![]() It’s probably the smartest $1,500 a family will ever spend. She: Can you even imagine owning a minivan these days without a rear-seat entertainment system? That’s one of the features that Honda added on the 2003 Odyssey. It’s truly light-years ahead of those early minivans that we owned. But I couldn’t help but be impressed by the amenities, the power and the overall comfort in the Odyssey. ![]() In some ways, this is almost too much vehicle for a couple whose kids have flown the coop. He: I’m not so sure that empty nesters like ourselves are the right demographic. This is a perfect vehicle for families of all ages. I spent the better part of a weekend in the Odyssey with both my parents, and they raved about it, especially the power sliding side doors and the easy accessibility to the second row. I thought it was interesting that my dad was shopping recently for a Mercury Villager because it would be perfect for hauling everything from his golf equipment to his grandchildren. Since our kids are now in their twenties, I had no one to test the 2003 Odyssey on, except for my parents. She: We owned three minivans while our kids were growing up, and they were excellent family vehicles, in terms of the package. Our test model, a well-equipped Odyssey EX, had a sticker of $30,860. The company has responded with a 2003 edition that’s been improved in many ways and continues to appeal with such benchmark features as a fold-flat third seat. So the heat is on Honda, whose Odyssey has been at or near the top of the segment in recent years. Three of the class leaders - Toyota Sienna, Ford Windstar and Nissan Quest - are being redesigned this year, with Mercury introducing a brand-new model called Monterey. That makes life a little difficult for families comparison-shopping more than a dozen entries from such stalwarts as Chrysler, Ford, Chevrolet and Toyota, as well as relative newcomers like Kia. They gave nothing for a recommendation of service or solution to the problem.Nobody makes a bad minivan. Told them that's not acceptable and I'm not paying $160 for them to tell me absolutely nothing. Obviously there's a problem and they have nothing to say without a code. Technician drove vehicle and confirmed shifting issue. Went to pick up the car and the "diagnosis" report said customer states shifting issue from 4-5 gear. Said they were finished and it was ready to pick up. They could not pull a code so they had no idea what to do. Can't tell if they are that stupid or just not doing crap and assuming I don't know anything. Proceeded to not knowing how or what the fluid level is on my car. I almost laughed on the phone and proceeded to explain to this "service writer" the level check port that you use. Tried to tell me that you can't check the fluid level for this transmission that it's a sealed unit you have to disassemble to check that. I asked if they checked the fluid level and the condition of the fluid. Told me they drove it around and agreed there is a shifting issue from 4-5, but could not tell me why. UPDATE from Honda's inspection: Total waste of time at the dealer. Is it better to get one with the TCM or does it matter to swap mine over? Does anything have to be reprogrammed or does it go through a learning phase? Any tips or recommendations or thing to look out for would be great. Would the general disassembly procedure be similar to earlier generations? Also I see some are sold with and without the TCM. Trying to gather information/videos/specs and it doesn't seem like there much information for the 2018+ models. I've replaced a couple engines and transmissions in the past with success, but never with a Honda. If I end up going the salvage route, I'll swap out the transmissions myself. Only other option I can find is buy a salvaged one and hope it doesn't have issues and maybe get some kind of short term warranty with it. I'm not spending $10,000 for a transmission replacement. Anything goes wrong, the whole thing has to be replaced with a new one only from Honda. TBDįrom what I have found online it seems like no one can repair these 10 speed transmissions. It's at the Honda dealership now getting inspected to see what they say. Told me parts are not available to do a rebuild yet. Called about 5 transmission shops and no one can rebuild the 10 speed. ![]() Quotes $11,330 including new trans from Honda at $8,616 that is on backorder with no estimated date. Got inspected by independent shop and pulls code P0736. Let it sit 30 mins or so and all lights go away and drives ok besides hard shift. Transmission system problem and blind spot problem pops up. We made it home about 600 miles later and put it in reverse and it revs like it's in neutral. On vacation it started to hard shift from 4-5. Bought it as a one owner trade in 5 months ago with 93k miles. ![]()
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