Honda Odyssey Review: Looking hot for a minivan

My family owned the previous generation of the Honda Odyssey and I ‘m a bit of experienced in driving.
The 2005 model was a good vehicle, but there was no denying it was a minivan in the way it looked and felt.
But, the Odyssey has undergone quite a journey since then, with a complete overhaul for 2011.
My first impressions of the work of Honda engineers is nothing but positive.
They deserve kudos for making a minivan that really doesn't drive like one and looks pretty darn good.
Standing next to the redesigned Odyssey, I found myself being able to look at the van's roof at eye level, something I definitely was not able to do with the previous generation.

Honda Odyssey

While I thought they had made the Odyssey shorter, The Honda in fact just made it sit lower to the ground.
It has the added benefit of making entry and exit much easier for passengers. In fact, it feels just like getting in and out of a car.
But the "car" has room for seven passengers and my tester was loaded with just about every bell and whistle you could think of.
The Honda Odyssey comes in five trims, starting with the LX at $29,999 and goes to $46,990 for the top-of-the-line Touring model I tested.
For that price, you get a luxurious family mover that is sure to make everyone happy.
It comes loaded with plenty of good features to make driving it easier, including a rear-view camera, Bluetooth mobile phone interface, fourwheel anti-lock brakes with electronic brake distribution and a parking sensor system.
Some of the many convenience items include driver's seat with eight-way power adjustment, passenger's seat with four-way power adjustment, heated front seats, power sliding doors, power tailgate, 115-volt power outlet, automatic day/night rear-view mirror, leather-trimmed interior, a power moonroof with tilt feature, 18-inch alloy wheels and auto-levelling high-intensity discharge headlights.
The Touring is the only model where you can get what is perhaps one of the nicest DVD entertainment systems I've seen in a vehicle. Honda's DVD Ultrawide Rear Entertainment System features a 16.2-inch display, which takes up more than half of the Odyssey's ceiling. Coupled with the 650-watt audio system that has 12 speakers -including subwoofer - and you have a seriously fun entertainment package.
IT’S DESIGN
 Because of being a minivan, you might be shocked to hear this, but the Honda Odyssey looks darn good from just about every angle.
The new, wider front grille, narrowed headlights and reshaped bumper make the Odyssey look wider - which it in fact is.
Perhaps the best angle of the fourth-generation Odyssey is the profile shot.
It's got a distinctive wedge shape and the beltline that raises front to back enhances that look.
I also liked the handle treatment, which sees them indented somewhat, meaning they don't stick out as much as on previous generations.
At the back, wraparound taillights are joined across the tailgate by a chrome bar, making it look like one piece.
The spoiler at the top of the rear door also adds a sporty touch.
Inside, the Odyssey has also received many upgrades, including an improved gauge cluster and a much nicer centre stack, which is now split into several well-divided tiers that make operation easier.
At the top of the stack is the large display, followed immediately by controls for the ventilation system - and there are separate controls for the rear system.
The third tier has all your radio controls, as well as the control for the i-MID (intelligent Multi-Information Display.
The last piece of the centre stack is the shifter, which is something that has become fairly standard in minivans these days.
IT’S PERFORMANCE
The entire Odyssey lineup is powered by the same 3.5-litre i-VTEC V6 that offers 248 horsepower and 250 foot-pounds of torque.
All trims except the Touring are equipped with a five speed automatic transmission, but the Touring gets a six-speed automatic gearbox.
Honda says the Touring consumes fuel at a rate of 10.9 litres per 100 kilometers in the city and 7.1 L/100 km on the highway. The other trims are rated at 11.7 L/100 km city and 7.2 L/100 km highway.
The sixth gear makes a huge difference on fuel efficiency, but also on how well the Odyssey drives.
That fuel efficiency is also helped by Honda's Variable Cylinder Management system, which shuts down half the engine's cylinders when they are not needed for power.
When the system is activated, the only way the driver knows is by the ECO indicator that lights up in the dash.
DRIVING/UTILITY
I never thought I would say this, but I actually had fun driving a minivan.
The Odyssey is quite nimble for a vehicle of its size and it's easy to forget you are driving a minivan since its feel and driving characteristics are more in line with a car.
Acceleration off the line is excellent, corners can be taken with alacrity - something not all minivans can handle - and the ride is extremely smooth even on some of the bumpiest roads.
Of course, being a minivan, there is room for seven passengers and access to the rear-most bench is fairly easy.
And there is 38.4 cubic feet of cargo space available behind the rear bench, an amount that increases considerably with the easy stowage of one or both halves of the rear seats.
The Odyssey has been a popular model for Honda for some time and the newest generation should only enhance its popularity. It offers plenty of room, good cargo space, an excellent ride and it looks really good.
It's hard to make a minivan look good, but Honda designers have figured it out.

Safe Car Seat

It is not surprisingly the most common question by parents.  We all want the best for our precious little kids.  There is no good answer to this question and buying a seat which has placed “best in test” might not give any additional safety.  Lets start by saying rear facing is the absolute safest.  Regardless of seat, don’t turn your child forward facing until you have reached the limits of your seat by height or weight.

Truth is that most well known rear facing car seats offer equal safety.  It’s rear facing which is the huge advantage, not car seat model. Testing done by car seat manufacturers are never shown in public.  All tests are also different.  A different sled might be used, different speeds, different install, etc. Safety in a collision might vary depending on install and type of vehicle.  Those are factors which are always going to be there but knowing this might perhaps encourage parents to read the manual a little extra.

Guidelines, Installation and Challenges

In an effort to further reduce risks to young passengers, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) have issued new child safety seat guidelines. The revised guidelines advise parents to keep children inrear-facing seats until they are 2 years old or until they are at the maximum height and weight for the seat, based on manufacturers' instructions.

The academy's previous policy suggested a child could be turned around to a forward-facing seat by age 12 months and 20 pounds.

The academy also says most children will need to ride in a belt-positioning booster seat until they reach 4 feet 9 inches tall and are between ages 8 and 12. Children should remain in the backseat until they are 13, experts say.

Research on passenger safety triggered the new advice. For instance, a 2007 study in the journalInjury Prevention found that children under 2 are 75 percent less likely to die or be severely injured if they ride in a rear-facing seat. The recommendation to keep children facing the rear while seated until they reach their second birthday is not a hard-and-fast rule, the academy notes. Some children will benefit by staying in the rear-facing seat even longer, while others might outgrow that position earlier.

In addition to recommending that children stay in rear-facing seats as long as possible, NHTSA and other organizations continue reminding parents that for child safety seats to be effective, they must be installed correctly. A recent NHTSA study says that this is easier said than done.

What's Your Installation IQ? 
According to the study, just 26.9 percent of parents installed a child car seat correctly. This means that three out of four parents could use some help.

Installation is not as complicated as it may seem, says Julie Vallese, a consumer safety expert for Dorel Juvenile Group, a manufacturer of car seats. Vallese also is certified as a child passenger safety technician (CPST). "It only feels like parents need a Ph.D. in car seat-ology in order to get it right," she says.

The first thing about car seats any parent should know, she says, is that "the right car seat for them to use is the one that fits their child and their car — and the one they will use correctly each time."

There are two types of child car safety seat systems. The first is LATCH, which stands for Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children. The second is the seatbelt system. In the U.S., you can use either system, Vallese says.

While some experts prefer one over the other, the two systems are generally considered equally effective.

"Both the LATCH system and the seatbelt system work equally well," says Lorrie Walker, the training manager and technical advisor for Safe Kids Worldwide, which certifies child passenger safety technicians. NHTSA agrees.

"LATCH was introduced as a way to make it easier to get it right," Vallese says. But people make mistakes with both systems, she says.

How To Install a Car Seat With the LATCH System
Here is information from NHTSA and Vallese about the way to install a car seat with a separate base and the LATCH system for an infant. For instructional videos for older children, visit NHTSA'schild safety page or the Web site of your car seat manufacturer:

·                                 For seat location, choose the backseat spot that has a LATCH connection. The middle seat is safest, provided it has LATCH, Vallese says.

·                                 If you are carrying an infant and a toddler, place the toddler seat in the LATCH-equipped middle seat and place the infant seat in one of the outboard seats, Vallese says. That is considered safest because of how the shell of the infant seat is constructed, she adds.

·                                 Identify the two anchors in the seat bight (where the seat front and back come together).

·                                 Pick up the car seat. Attach the straps on the car seat to the anchors.

·                                 Tighten the belt to secure the base to the car. Test it to be sure it's secure. It should move no more than an inch, side to side or front to back.

·                                 Position the harness, referring to the car seat manual. Adjust it until snug.

·                                 Place the chest clip at the child's armpit level.

·                                 Be sure the seat is rear-facing for an infant, and the seat is at a 35-45-degree angle. This is considered the best angle to prevent ''head drop.''

·                                 For older children, you'll use the tether with this system. Visit the NHTSA Web page and click the photo corresponding to your child's age. Then refer to the instructional video.

How To Install a Car Seat With the Seatbelt System

Here are the steps for installing a car seat that uses the seatbelt system for use by an infant, according to NHTSA and Vallese.

·                                 For one child, choose the middle seat in the backseat.

·                                 Pull out your seatbelt so it is fully extended. Feed the seatbelt through the belt path and put it into the locking mechanism.

·                                 Tighten the seatbelt system as far as it will go.

·                                 It might help at this point to put your weight on the car seat — such as placing your knee on the seat where the child would be sitting and then bearing down. This helps ensure the seat is tightly pressed against the vehicle seat.

·                                 At the same time, pull the seatbelt to make it as tight and taut as possible.

·                                 Then do the 1-inch test. The seat should move no more than 1 inch, side to side or back to back, when you try to move it.

·                                 Next, be sure the harness strap is adjusted correctly. When you're done, the harness should come out of the car seat as close to shoulder level as possible. Once you strap in your child, the harness clip should be at armpit level.

·                                 For older children, visit the NHTSA Web site and click the photo corresponding to your child's age. Then refer to the instructional video.

Do It Yourself or Hire Someone? 
Assistance choices abound. Plenty of help, much of it free, is available to make the installation process easier, to guide parents through it, or simply to check their work.

Whatever route you choose, know that a session with a professional is meant to be instructional. The expert you select is not installing the seat for you. Rather, he or she is teaching you how to do it, so you can reinstall it if need be and know the specifics of safety.

"You not only have to read the car seat instruction book, you have to know your car," says Cindy Crothers, a child passenger safety technician whose business, Kidzseatz is based in Somerville, New Jersey, and Los Angeles. Take the car owner's manual and the car seat instructions along to the training.

You should seek someone who is certified as a child passenger safety technician. The program is run by NHTSA, the National Child Passenger Safety Board, State Farm and Safe Kids USA. Ask to see the technician's proof of current certification.

If you're a first-time parent, you should have a plan for how you're going to install the car seat — either by yourself or with a professional's help — by about the seventh month of pregnancy, Crothers says. This allows time for you to troubleshoot the installation. If you know you are having twins (or more), push that back to the sixth month, as multiples have a reputation for arriving early.

Among the options for assistance:

Hire a CPST: Some child passenger safety technicians (CPST) are in ''private practice." In general, a training session costs about $50-$150, according to Crothers' estimates. Safe Kids USA, which certifies technicians, offers a locator service on its site. You can search by location, language or special-needs training. The site also lists NHTSA inspection stations. You can go to these inspection stations and have a trained expert there check to be sure you've done the installation correctly.

Visit an installation clinic with CPSTs: As it has in the past, Dorel will team up this summer with the American Automobile Association, hosting installation clinics in 10 cities across the country, Vallese says. Check with your local AAA office for dates and times.

Get online help: Many manufacturers have installation videos on their Web sites. Once you have the car seat you're going to use, check out the company Web site and you are likely to find a video for your particular car seat model.

Get help in choosing an easy-to-use car seat: As any parent or parent-to-be who's shopped for car seats knows, the choices can be overwhelming. Before choosing a new seat, you may want to check out the Ease of Use ratings for various child seats provided by NHTSA. It has a five-star ease-of-use rating system that will allow parents to evaluate car seat features before making a decision.

Help on the Horizon From Car Manufacturers?
Choosing a car seat may soon get easier. NHTSA and carmakers are developing a voluntary program to help parents know which car seats work in which car models. But it's not expected to become reality for a year or more.

According to NHTSA's Karen Aldana, the agency plans to launch a program to provide consumers with information from auto manufacturers about the specific child safety seats it recommends for individual vehicles.

Under this plan, carmakers would recommend a minimum of three restraint system categories (rear-facing, forward-facing and booster) in a range of prices. Nissan is getting ahead of the curve by offering a guide that shows parents seats that fit with some of its models.

 

Step-by-Step Guide for Buying Car Insurance

This step-by-step guide will help you determine how much insurance you need. We'll also tell you how to get quality coverage at the lowest price possible.

• Getting started. As you shop for an auto insurance quote fast, always keep in mind that there is a lot of money to be saved by shopping around. Similar policies for the same vehicle can differ in price up to hundreds of dollars, and that's money you could be saving toward something you really want to buy.
• Determine the amount of coverage you need. Before you can begin searching for an auto insurance quote fast, you'll need to have an accurate estimate of how much coverage you need. A good place to start is to figure out how much coverage you need to carry to drive legally in your state. After you know what is required by law, you should look at your financial situation to determine how much coverage you need on top of that. If you carry only $50,000 in liability coverage, for example, but have assets worth $100,000, you could stand to lose $50,000 in assets if the other driver's medical expenses exceed the amount of your coverage.
• Look at your driving record and current insurance coverage. You will need to look into three things before you get an auto insurance quote fast: your driving record, your current auto insurance policy, and how much you're paying in premiums. You will need to report how many moving violations you've had in the past three years in order to get an accurate quote, so make note of any such violations on your driving record. Also look at the amount of coverage you have on your current policy and how much you are paying annually for the policy. This will help you compare your quotes with your current policy, as most quotes reflect annual premiums.
• Get quotes and compare. Now you're ready to get an auto insurance quote fast. Try to get at least two or three quotes from different insurers. Compare the quotes on coverage levels and premiums and also consider the reputation and performance of the insurer.
• Dig up discounts. Ideally, after you get an auto insurance quote fast, you'll want to talk to an agent from your prospective insurance company. Be sure to ask the various agents about discounts for which you might qualify, as they could have a big impact on your premiums.
• Choose the best insurance company. You want a financially stable, quality insurer with excellent customer service and the lowest premiums possible. Make sure you've checked up on the insurer through your state's department of insurance before committing.
• Cancel your old policy. Arrange to have your current policy canceled as soon as your new coverage kicks in. Also be sure that you have proof of insurance for your new policy with you at all times.

                                                                                

Tips for first time car buyers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 First time buyers, Attention!

(a) Your first car- new or used?

Better to buy pre-owned car, or new car?

First time car buyers have a choice of buying a brand new car, or buying a used car. Which is better?

There are advantages and disadvantages to either choice. Most people would rather have a brand new car with its new-car smell and latest style, but there are reasons that a new car might not be the best choice.

Advantages of buying new

• You get a brand new car with new -car feel and smell.
• You get the latest style and technology.
• You get a full manufacturer's warranty.
• You get Lemon Law protection.
• You get the latest safety equipment.
• You get lowest loan interest rates, if you qualify.
• You get the option to lease.
• You may get special manufacturer -sponsored pricing and financing. 
•  

 (b) A basic checklist for first time car buyers

Buying your first car can be a wonderful experience- provided you don't encounter many missteps during the process, of course. To avoid missteps, follow this basic checklist for every Dodge, Jeep, or Chrysler car buyer to follow:

(1) Determine your purpose:

What's really important to you? Cargo room, safety features, a cutting-edge sound system? Make a list of what you really want out of a car.Write everything down without second-guesting or censoring yourself. Once you have that list move on to the next step.

(2) Gather information: 

Look for cars with all of the feathers you want, from Dodge to Jeep or anything in between. This is the point when you start crossing off the items you don't really need and figuring out which ones you honestly cannot live without. Once you've cut out every feature that is outside of your budget and not absolutely necessary, you're ready to move on.

(3) Solidify your budget: 

Now that you have a good idea of what you need out of a car, it's time to solidify your budget. You might think this should be the first step of the process, but it you are a first-time buyer, then you may not have a very good grasp of how much vehicles cost; a little preliminary research is necessary. You've done your research, so now it's time to ask yourself what you can really afford. Be completely realistic. You don't want to wreck your credit.

(4) Choose your car brand: What is the best car?

I see this question being asked frequently. "What is the best car to buy?" Of course, the real answer as to what is the best car can vary, depending on your own personal needs, preferences and finances. Some people place a great deal of importance on reliability. Others might think safety or cost is more important.And others might feel that the best car should have great looks and high performance. Many people believe that to get the best car, you must spend a lot of money- that the best cars are the most expensive -and some of the most of the expensive

cars are the least reliable and the least efficient.

One of the best automobiles, overall, is the Honda Civic . why? Because it has the most perfect combination of all the factors that most car buyers look for- cost, fuel efficiency, reliability, cost of operation, cost of insurance, style, performance, resale value, riding comfort, luxury features, and handling.

(5) Find local dealers: 

In this step, you should search the local dealers of your region.You should also compare the prices and seek after sale services and warranty.With your new budget in mind, start searching for cars that have your necessities and won't cost a pretty penny. You may already have a few Chrysler or Jeep models in mind from your first search, but if you don't, then don't worry. You'll find something great.

(c) Is auto insurance really necessary? Why do you need it?

Since car insurance is so expensive, particularly for teenagers and other young drivers, it's natural that this question should come up frequently for first time car buyers. You need insurance on your car to protect you from the risk of disastrous financial problems resulting from accidents, personal injury and property damage, and loss by theft, fire, or natural disasters.It may seem pointless to spend so much money on something you may never need.But if you ever need it, you'll be really happy you have it.

It's temping to believe that you don't need insurance because you are a safe driver and will never cause an accident.

However, Other people can involve you in an accident that is not your fault. If the other driver doesn't have sufficient car insurance, your own insurance will take over and pay your repair bills and medical expenses.You might avoid insurance if you had enough money to cover such problems on your own.  This is called “self-insurance.” However, self-insurance is not legally sufficient in most states and is not practical for most people. Financial responsibility laws in all states (except Wisconsin and New Hampshire) require automobile insurance coverage. The laws specify the type of insurance that is required and the minimum level of coverage. In most cases, liability insurance – bodily injury and property damage – is required, to help protect drivers from the financial risks of injury and damage caused to others in accidents. Other coverage may be required as well. The Insurance Information Institute publishes a table showing auto insurance requirements for all states.

If you purchase only the minimum insurance required in your state, you may be seriously under-insured. Many of these laws were put in place years ago and the mandated coverage amounts don’t reflect today’s higher accident costs. For example, some states require only “10/20/10″ liability coverage. This means the insurance only pays up to $10,000 for bodily injury to a single person in an accident, $20,000 for all persons, and up to $10,000 for property damages

Medical costs for someone seriously injured in a car accident can easily exceed $10,000. Damages to  an expensive luxury car can easily exceed $10,000. You can be held personally responsible for any costs above that which is covered by your insurance. Therefore, you should consider increasing your liability limits to a minimum of $100,000 for a single person and $300,000 for multiple persons.

(d) What if I drive without auto insurance?

If you drive without insurance, you are violating the law. You can be fined, arrested, jailed, your vehicle impounded, or your license revoked/suspended, depending on the laws in your state.If you have an accident and damage or destroy your own vehicle, the cost of repair or replacement is completely on you. If you cause an accident and injure other people or damage their property, you are subject to being sued. Don’t drive without car insurance.You can get free auto insurance quotes from NetQuote.com who works with all the major insurance companies to help you find the one that has the best rates for you. You are not obligated to accept any offer.

(e)Auto Loan Tip for First Time Auto Buyers

It is my suggestion to you to compare all the rates and also give importance to terms and conditions. The period of the loan should be given importance as well; the shorter the loan the better for you because it will be economical in the long run. They might tempt you into getting a longer period because a long term auto loan would also come with extra interest rates. But, if you force them then they will have to agree with you and give you a short term first auto loans. Examine your options and then select the best first auto loan based on your credit score and financial situation.

(f)Congratulations! 

You've just bought your first car! If you purchased the car from a private seller, you'll need to take a few more steps. Take all of your paperwork to your DMV to handle the titling and registration process.

However, if you purchased it from a dealership, all of the paperwork has been handled for you, and you'll probably need to make few, if any, trips to the DMV. You'll be given a temporary license plate to use until your permanent one arrives.