Stock Number: 4747

The original Honda Odyssey was a sales success for a variety of reasons. As Honda's first minivan, it was thoughtful, affordable, and touted its reliability and low cost of ownership. This 1995 is finished in a classy Bordeaux Red Pearl (R78P) and offered with a mere 62K verified miles. Accented with a set of simple five-spoke alloys with new tires, the body is in good shape except for some small dings, lower bumper scuffs, and chips associated with normal use. You can spot in the photos the passenger side front bumper ding and the two scuffs on the rear bumper which are the worst of it. This RA-1 would function as a unique family hauler and is in great shape overall. Legally imported, and freshly serviced, you won't want to miss out on this six-seat Japanese Classic.

The simple and clean interior design is incredibly spacious considering the exterior proportions are rather small by today's standards. Overall the interior is in above average condition for a car of this age, especially when you start looking at comparables originally sold stateside. The ride height is in between an SUV and wagon, making ingress and egress simple. You slide into the cabin, rather than hunkering down or lifting yourself up like a truck. The dash is in good shape and the large windscreen lends itself to premium visibility. The gauges are easy to read and the controls for the switchgear are easy to find. Factory dual zone A/C is standard and the system works properly. Seating six, this Odyssey features soft, clean, and durable gray cloth upholstery. It has held up well over the years and is a clear sign that this van was well cared for in Japan. The front buckets, middle, and rear rows don't have any large imperfections such as rips stains of tears. They are comfortable for long drives and have a surprising amount of legroom. The rear two can actually fold down into the floor, creating a fully flat loading surface. Getting access to the rear is a bit different as Honda chose conventional doors over the more common sliding ones. These open wide for proper entry and are kind of cool compared to the normal style we see on our imports. With the tailgate up, it's simple to slide cargo in over the low rear bumper rather than hoisting items upward like in an SUV. A spare tire is tucked away into a spot by the D-pillar for immediate access to it if you get a puncture. Its the ergonomic things like this that really make these so useful. The last thing anyone wants to do on the side of the road is unloading the entire cargo area just to get to your spare on a road trip. The headliner is in good shape, as are the carpets, and if you look upward you can see dedicated rear-seat climate control which can be adjusted at will. Built alongside the Accord, Honda's engineers used a lot of running gear from other models at the time. As this model was also sold here stateside, parts are cheap and they are simple to service.

Under the stubby bonnet sits Hondas tried and true 2.2L F22 powerplant. Benefitting from a fresh semi-synthetic oil and filter service, this little four-banger runs like a champ and needn't be serviced for another three-thousand mile. With the twist of a key, she jolts to life care of a newly installed 12V battery that one of our techs has installed. It should stay proply charged as a new alternator replaces the old one. This unit should last another four years and guarantees that the starter can power through the coldest winter snaps here in the US. Powering the front wheels, an auto gearbox does a fine job rowing through the gears and shifts cleanly. The factory suspension cushions large and small bumps with confidence and the ride quality is decent for a car of this age. The steering is light, and power-assisted, making it easy to articulate. The small exterior dimensions make city parking a snap and the long-wheelbase lends itself to a balanced highway ride, unlike the choppy handling associated with smaller JDM vans. As noted in our intro, new rubber has been installed at all four corners ensuring a quiet and safe ride for all those aboard.

This low mileage, reliable transporter would make a wonderful JDM van to own. Its inexpensive entry point, legendary Honda reliability, and superior condition to American substitutes make this one a sure-fire winner!

*California Residents: In order to register a Grey Market vehicle in the state of California then it will have to be made CARB complaint first. CARB certifications will have to be performed within the state. Depending on the vehicle and any existing modifications will affect the pricing. Typically CARB compliance will range between 5-10K. Additional information can be found on the California Air Resources Board website.