Ok Here's the situation:
The wife is driving a '98 Honda Minivan.
(I hate to even type the word Minivan)
Anyway, Tuesday I dropped it off at the Honda place for the 31,000 mile "service".
I also had a few things to add to the list:
1) wheel noise
2) suspension noise when going over bumps
3) check engine light on
4) transmission shifts rough.
They have issued me a rental car at no charge to me.
They told me it would be ready Tuesday afternoon so when I called them they told me they didn't have the wires in and would get them overnighted.
OK fine I have a rental.
So today the guy called me and said I need a new CPU ($1500 but covered by warranty) to fix the tranny problem.
It's supposed to be ready in the morning.
(computer overnighted)
Here is my concern,
If the van is ahving this many problems now what is going to happen when the warranty runs out?
So here are my options
1) cross fingers and pray nothing else happens after the warranty is up.
2)Buy an ESP (I don't normally buy these as a rule)
3)Get rid of the van.
I wouldn't mind getting her into an Expy or Explorer but the payments on the van are only $325.00 and the family budget is streched as it is.
So what would you do?

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99 XLT 5.4L reg cab 4x2 120" Wheelbase 4 wheel disc brakes/ABS 5 star larait style wheels Toreador Red/Silver 3.55 gears 255/70/16 OWL Delta toolbox
Eclipse 5340 cd player
Memphis ARCS50 component speakers w/tweeters mounted flush in the door panels (excellent sound)powered by a Sherwood 35x2 RMS amp
Jensen 50x2 RMS for the 2 Audiobahn AWC10 subs
Looking for reasonably priced used running boards
regcab54@sc.rr.com in Columbia SC

 

54Regcab: When I bought my 99 F-150, I asked about the extended warranty. The finance manager said that I had up to the time the factory warranty runs out to purchase the extended warranty. You might wait until that time (if you have that option) and see how the van runs until then. It sounds weird because Hondas are usually very reliable, but you never know. If you can't get the extended warranty when the factory one runs out, I'd still wait until it comes close to that time. If you've had more problems by that time, dump the van if it's in your budget. Good luck!

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1999 F-150 4x4 SuperCab, Deep Wedgewood Blue, ORP, 4-Wheel ABS, Loaded, Flowmaster 50 series, K&N, Tint, Super-White headlights, Westin Nerf Bars, Toff Spray-On Bedliner, Pioneer DEH-P3000 and TS-A6815 speakers, ADS PQ/8 amp.

 

54regcab,
Tough decision on this one. Sounds like you just had a bunch of stuff fixed...but with only 31,000 miles on it. sounds like you might have many more problems in the future.

If it were me..and the budget would allow it..I would consider a better vehicle like you posted. But with your budget stretched (as you posted) you might want to hang on to the van for a while, drive it..see if the fixes have improved it any and put some extra cash in savings for that better vehicle.

Best of luck!!

---------------------------------------------
2000 F-150 XLT, 4x2, 5.4L Supercab, Styleside, Black with silver two-tone, 3.55, class III towing package with heavy duty cooling package, overhead console, sliding rear window, keyless entry, dark graphite interior, in dash CD, Pendaliner bedliner, K&N air filter, rubberized undercoating, cabin filtration system, Bugflector II, 5W-30 Mobil 1, engine build 10/4/99

 

54regcab,
I would ask the Honda garage what caused the CPU to die? Is this a common problem for honda?Is it a victom of of a bad input or internal failure?
This info could help answer the larger question, if and when will it happen again.
It is easy to spend "your" money, So I'd go the Explorer route even if the budget requirs you give up a few model years to make it work.
What ever you choose I hope it works out for you.
Merry Christmas

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2000, F-150, XLT, SC, Flareside, 4x4, 5.4, 3.55ls, ORP,
Tow Package,BFG Allterrain T/A KO's
Downey soft tonneau, Black Westin step bars
Bright REDWINGS red

 

I to would ask the dealer why the problems and unless he has a reasonable explaination I would consider that Consumer Reports says the Honda Odyssey Reliability is "EXCEPTIONAL". With that kind of rating I would be worried that mine was a problem child and would get an ESP or a different ride.



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99 .. XL .. SC .. 4.2 .. 3.31 .. auto
Olathe Kansas

 

Well, my dad's got a 99 Honda Accord LX (bare bones model w/ air conditioning). I *think* he had the computer chip replaced just a few months into the warranty as well. Maybe they had a few bad chips. But the Honda runs great, fuel mileage is unbelievable. I can fill the truck up twice a week and the honda twice a month.

If the other problems are fixed, I'd probably stick with the Honda.

[This message has been edited by Spartan (edited 12-16-1999).]

 

Keep it and ESP it. My vote.

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97 F-150 SC Lariat, Styleside, White over Gold, 4.6L (Windsor), Automatic, 3.55 rear end, electronic 4X4, w/ every option of Lariat and ORP packages except the 17" wheels (I even got the OR decals now!), MOD's so far: K&N air box mod, Gibson Super Truck, clear Bugflector II, Leer TSC 600 hard cover, Bridgestone Dueler OWL ATP 265/75 R-16's, TrailMaster Invader N7 shocks, Smittybilt step bars, Ford moulded mud guards, "White-white" head lamps, Cloud Rider Design's SS Grill and bumper opening "Summer Grill's", Bosch platinum + 4's.

 

Before I'd do anything rash, like throw away some cash on an ESP, I'd research it. Search the TSBs and find out what Consumer Reports has to say. If things don't look favorable, I'd sell it outright and buy something else. I don't think you're going to continue to have trouble, most problems occur within the basic warranty. When your vehicle gets paid off, all of the rattles and squeaks tend to go away.

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'98 F150 XL Regular Cab, LWB, 4.2L V6, 5 Spd, 3.55 LS, Rhino Lining, factory heavy duty suspension, 3" Gibson Swept Side Cat Back, K&N filter, Oxford White minus the two tone garbage. BIG TIME FoMoCo p/u fan, not some fair weather hammerhead.

 

It's a Honda, keep it. My brother-in-law is a manager at a Honda dealer and he says they rarely see Odysseys(sp) back in for service.

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'97 XLT Reg. Cab, 4.2V6, 5spd, Superchipped, K&N Air Filter, Lund Deflector, Dash Mat, MagnaFlow Muffler, Hellwig Rear Sway Bar, Edelbrock Shocks, Duraliner, Extang Saber Tonneau, Bell-Tech 2" Rear Drop, Amer. Rac. Atlas Wheels Clad in 275/60/17 Eagle GTII. Likes straightaways, loves twisties.

 

IF it was me I would get rid of the van now and buy something to replace it even if it means going the used car route to fit the budget.

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2000 F150 XLT Reg. cab
4.6 Triton Engine
4x2 3.55 rear end gear
sliding rear window
automatic keyless entry
white styleside short box

 

Well, I got my van back today.
Seems to run much better now.
Well have to see what happens in the next 6mos.

 

Just looked in the Consumer Reports Y2K Buying Guide, they rate the Odyssey as having very few problems in all areas (that's WAY above average, in terms of reliability). They also go on to say it is their top rated minivan and a "best buy." Under used cars, they are listed as a reliable used car to purchase. I looked at http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/problems/tsb/ and found four TSBs related to what you've complained about. It would appear you're covered.

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'98 F150 XL Regular Cab, LWB, 4.2L V6, 5 Spd, 3.55 LS, Rhino Lining, factory heavy duty suspension, 3" Gibson Swept Side Cat Back, K&N filter, Oxford White minus the two tone garbage. BIG TIME FoMoCo p/u fan, not some fair weather hammerhead.



[This message has been edited by Ford man (edited 12-18-1999).]

 

I say, keep the Odyssey. It is a better people/luggage mover than any SUV's overall. You already have a truck to haul bigger/messier stuff. Sure its not manly, that's what the truck is there for. Hondas are reliable, this incident could be one of those things that happen when the planets are properly lined up. We have a Honda Accord that still ran good even though it was 1.5K miles over the recommended service interval. By the way, does that minivan have a tucking third seat? I like that feature, much better than the removable like in our 92 Grand Caravan.

Leo dC

 

Yeah I have the tucking rear seat!
The wife likes it and the 150HP 1.6L engine really isn't too bad for that small van.
I wish Ford could get those kind of HP/Liter #'s
The 5.4L would have over 500HP w/o a blower!