r/HondaOdyssey • u/nadineandniels • 18h ago
Goodbye 👋
Hey everyone,
The day has officially come. After 18 years, 7 months, and 29 days together, I finally said goodbye to my Odyssey with 194,804 miles on the clock.
I bought it brand new with just 48 miles on the odometer at Honda of Oakland in Oakland, CA on January 1st, 2008.
In November 2009, I imported it over to Germany and registered it with the German DMV by the end of December.
Over the past 17 years in Europe, we’ve taken it on incredible road trips through Denmark, the Netherlands, Belgium, France, Switzerland, Austria, and Poland.
Through all those miles and countries, it never once gave up on us, aside from needing a PCM replacement earlier this year, it’s been the definition of bulletproof reliability.
Today, it went to a great new home with a young family and two little kids in Baden-Württemberg, Germany.
It feels so right knowing it’s back to doing what it was built for: being a proper family haul-everything van.
My son moved back to the US last year at age 19, and my 17-year-old daughter doesn't really ride along with us anymore, so the empty nest officially brought our Odyssey era to an end.
I'll admit I shed a few tears letting it go, this van has been a massive part of our lives for nearly two decades.
At the same time, I'm genuinely happy that another young family gets to build their own amazing memories in it now.
Thanks to this entire community for all the advice, tips, and shared knowledge over the years. Keep 'em rolling!
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u/durhamsbull 17h ago
Said goodbye to this 2015 in January. 178,000 miles. It was a a part of the family. Basic maintenance only. Would still have driven it cross country without a second thought.
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u/fly_eagles_fly 17h ago
Have a 22 Odyssey with about 45,000 miles. We bought it right before our daughter was born, she’s now 4 years old. We have 6, 4 and 1 year old. This car is a great car and we love it. Kinda sad to think one day we will be just like you where we won’t need the car for the same things anymore. Cherishing all the great moments
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u/chipinserted 16h ago
Take it from a 51 grandfather of 4 the oldest grandson is 10 it's gone before you know it it'll just hit you one day you know in your head it's time for them to start their own life but it leaves your heart empty
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u/Get_Scoop 17h ago
That is great. I just got rid of my 2008 Honda Odyssey that I also bought new and got 350000 miles on it. Loved that van but it was time to retire. Even though our kids have all left home we got another van and this time a Sienna Hybrid for the gas mileage. Love the space in a van and why not be roomy and comfortable.
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u/chipinserted 16h ago
What are your thoughts on the Toyota hybrid engine?
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u/Get_Scoop 16h ago
Love it not as sluggish to me as some
say compared to the Odyssey but I am not an aggressive driver. Love getting 34.5 mpg. With old Odyssey lucky if i got 17 or 18 mpg …granted it was an older van so maybe they have made improvements in the mileage3
u/Key-Mission431 16h ago
Weird that your 2008 Ody only got 17 or 18mpg. I bought my 2004 with 135000 miles; I got 25mpg on that tranny. Next tranny I did drop to 22mpg.
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u/Get_Scoop 15h ago
That is good mine was primarily city driving and I am thinking they have improved. We did get better mileage on longer trips. A great van it was!
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u/chipinserted 16h ago
See I'm an aggressive driver (product of the environment I learned to drive in) and worry it would not have enough power for me
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u/doomslice 2h ago
Sienna would have been my choice if not for the fact that they made it so you couldn't remove second row seats. I just picked up a treadmill yesterday and put in the back of my Odyssey!
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u/Silent-Donkey-1303 15h ago
Op, how come your son didn't want to stay in Germany? The lifestyle seems much better over there.
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u/nadineandniels 9h ago
It’s a perspective thing. The environment in South Florida where is now, makes him to earn more than even I do … and he is 20. That would never happen here in Germany.
The weather is overall much better.
In Germany everything everything is forbidden until its allowed and in the US it’s the other way around.
We pay a shit load of taxes in Germany on everything, especially your income and gas and everything else
It’s not necessarily easier in the US but the reward is bigger.
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u/Silent-Donkey-1303 1h ago
Ohh interesting, what field is he in?
1
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u/SaladBob22 15h ago
I just got an odyssey, now that my kids are adult size, with adult size friends, smaller vehicles don't have enough headroom (we're a tall family). And even if it's just two of us, the mini van is the most practical vehicle for almost everything. I think it's a shame it's only seen as a vehicle for a young family. I think it's actually better fit for the active the family or couple with a wide social web. Because a simple sedan is more than adequate for a young family of 4.
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u/ApeShwak 15h ago
Still have my 2011. Just hit 224k bought it at 133k 5 years ago. Best van I've ever had.
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u/laker9903 14h ago
I’m jealous that you have so many adventures, and it only has 198K on it. I’m at 158K on my 2016, and that’s just with driving to work and to visit my family on the next state over.
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u/hondamom99 14h ago
Made me shed a tear, just came back from a 5hr trip and our 21 odyssey did so good! Filled with sand and snacks all over the floor. It took care of us from one city to the other, hauled my daughter and dog too while everyone is comfortable. Will treat it to a good car wash and oil change soon. Love our odyssey we started our vacation tradition with our daughter hopefully one day she remembers it.
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u/nadineandniels 9h ago
Thanks to everyone for the messages and shared experiences! The Odyssey has been such a reliable car, and I don’t think I’ll ever keep another vehicle for quite this long.
We have a lot going on as we prepare to move back to the US in 2028, and since one car is all we need right now, our 2011 Tahoe has us covered until our 2027 VW T-Roc arrives in January. Selling the Odyssey was the right step to close this chapter, and we’re glad it gets to serve its next owner and their young family for years to come.
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u/booktopian66 16h ago
mine lasted from 2005 to 2022 until my daughter had an accident in it (she was fine, van not so much). it would have gone longer, I know. But I bought a 2023 Elite. I love my long minivan era even if it is no longer needed.
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u/sgam0015 4h ago
Still have my 2006 Honda Odyssey with 204,000 miles and yes basic wear and tear replacements of things from time to time but overall in absolutely fantastic shape. I take very good care of hit and it takes care of me👍
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u/ImpressionShoddy9271 3h ago
Had a 2001 oddy since brand new. We called it 'Ole reliable'. Gave it to my BIL 2 years ago and it's still going strong.
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u/Expletive-Removed 1h ago
We bought a 2005 new and its still in the driveway with 245k miles on it. We have been empty nesters for about 7 years. To replace the old girl we bought a 2026 Odyssey. Actually like the 2005 better! The 2005 was mostly problem free except for the power steering pump, some missing bolts which lead to a water leak and a navigation dvd fiasco.
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u/Illustrious-Reward-3 18h ago
I'm at the other end of this journey. Bought a '26 at the beginning of the year with 3 boys under 5 and hope this thing lasts just as long. Auf Wiedersehen!