What do you guys think of the latest Honda Odyssey commercials "Respect the Van." Are they just patronizing the 70s, or do you think it's a clever & memorable campaign?  

I know what they're trying to do. They're trying to do a '70s theme, back when vans were considered cool. I guess it works. I think it's a little patronizing, though.

I mean, come on, as "cool" as you try to make it, it's still a freakin' minivan. I've seen some pretty slick customized Odysseys and Siennas, but if you've got this mental thing about owning a minivan, nothing is going to convince you they're cool.  

Yeah, What he said. The comercial is cool, but never gonna get me to buy a mini-van.  

The commercials in themselves are pretty cool but all the commercials in the world wouldn't get me to buy one. My van made a cameo appearance in the first "Respect the van" commercial.  

I like the commercials. I read and have seen on TV that van manufacturers are looking at the youth market as prospective buyers of their product. What if they did do a cruiser like ford did back in the 70's who knows it may be a good seller.  I just don't want a new van, If someone does, and if they want to customize it, that's cool, I want to see it, but it's just not my ride.

When I started thinking about getting a van again, I looked seriously at the early Dodge Caravans, the lines are right, and the aftermarket stuff is there to beef up the motors, wheels are available and the gas mileage is right.  They are very affordable now, and they aren't that much smaller inside than the early fords, plus you can get to the back without crawling over the doghouse.

That said, I am a hotrodder, custom guy and like to go to car shows, so I wanted something that fit my age better, and something that would get me into car shows, like Goodguy's and other shows that have cutoff years for admission.  For me it had to be an old van, but I know that I'll be on the highway one day, pushing my van at the speed limit and some lowered caravan with blacked out windows, custom paint, a wing on the back and the stereo thumping is gonna fly by me like I'm sitting still, and it'll still be getting 10 more miles per gallon than I am.

Cool thing about the car hobby, there really is room for everybody  

i hear ya there buddy, but it could be a 4x4 dually full size Ford with a diesel, passing you too. Biggest difference will be the mini-van owner will prolly be flipping you off for going so slow, and I'll be slowing down to give you a thumbs up!