Maybe you remember the 2008 Honda Odyssey for its peeling paint. Or maybe for all of the reliable miles it gave you. Either way, the 2008 Honda Odyssey may be a minivan––but it was unforgettable. It’s even a great used car today that gives you a lot of family-friendly minivan amenities for a bargain price.

Though it was criticized for being a very high dollar minivan in its day, the 2008 Honda Odyssey is easy to find under $5 grand if you don’t mind something high milage. Plus, it’s even possible to find examples with under 100,000 miles for around $8 grand. But is the 2008 Honda Odyssey even worth it?

2008 Honda Odyssey reliability

On Car Complaints, the 2008 Honda odyssey has some complaints. However, the overall verdict is that “aside from peeling paint, the 2008 Honda Odyssey is a pretty reliable, generally trouble-free minivan.” There are significantly fewer complaints about the 2008 model year than the 2007, 2006, 2005, and most complained about 2002 model years.

Consumer Reports rates the 2008 Honda Odyssey 3 out of 5 for reliability. Additionally, it is one of the better-ranked model years in terms of owner satisfaction. If you want a used Honda Odyssey, the 2008 model year might be a good place to begin your search. You may remember it from the back seat from when you were a kid, but it’s still a good van.

The 2008 Honda Odyssey won a performance award from J.D. Power. Additionally, J.D. Power gave this Honda Odyssey model year a 3 out of 5 for reliability, according to US News and World Report. The Honda Odyssey in its 2008 model year reminded us why minivans are so great. Even MotorTrend was impressed with the 2008 Honda Odyssey.

While some may believe the end is nigh for the minivan segment, Honda is out to prove it’s anything but with the 2008 Odyssey. 

Motor Trend

Standard features

In terms of used minivans, J.D. Power puts the 2008 Honda Odyssey #2 for the 2008 model year. US News and World Report notes that this van has a healthy list of standard features and is the epitome of family convenience for its time. In its time it received many accolades.

“The 2008 Honda Odyssey receives accolades for its class-leading powertrain, sedan-like handling, eight-passenger capacity, long list of standard convenience and safety features, and record of reliability.”

US News and World Report

The Odyssey is available in four trims, including the LX, EX, EX-L, and Touring trim. The 3.5 liter 6 cylinder V6 is under the hood in all trims and it is a favorite feature of the 2008 Odyssey. Standard features for the LX trim include remote keyless entry, cruise control with steering wheel controls, and an illuminated glove box––according to cars.com.

Buying a used car

One of the best things about buying a used car, however, is all of the knocked out range-topping features you can get for a super discount price. A higher trim level like the EX-L or the Touring trims will have plush leather seating arrangements and options like built-in DVD entertainment. Sure, it won’t be the 2021 Honda Odyssey Touring Elite. Still, the 2008 model year will have a lot to offer for a price under $10 grand.

The 2008 model year for the Honda Odyssey was an unforgettable minivan. Today, you can buy a used top trim model of this van for far less than a new one. The 2008 Odyssey was a great van and it still is today.