Why I Regret Buying a Second Honda Odyssey for My Turo Fleet

On paper, the 2020 Honda Odyssey looked like a perfect addition to a Turo fleet.

• Spacious
• Comfortable
• Strong seasonal demand
• Section 179 tax benefits
• Proven performer

So why would anyone regret buying one?

Even more importantly — why would someone regret buying a second one?

Let’s break down what happened, what went wrong, and what this teaches about scaling a car-sharing fleet.

The 2020 Honda Odyssey: A Great Vehicle on Paper

There’s no denying it — the Honda Odyssey is an excellent vehicle.

This specific model features:

• 8 seats (2 front, 3 middle, 3 rear)
• Massive trunk space with deep cargo well
• Fold-flat third row
• Comfortable ride
• Large infotainment system
• Thoughtful design details

From a usability standpoint, it’s one of the most versatile vehicles you can own.

For families, road trips, airport pickups — it checks almost every box.

The Section 179 Advantage

One of the biggest reasons this van looked attractive was Section 179.

Because the vehicle qualifies under Section 179:

• 100% of the purchase price can be deducted
• If used 100% for business
• The deduction reduces taxable income

On a $30,000 vehicle, that’s a meaningful tax strategy.

For fleet owners trying to offset income, that makes the Odyssey extremely appealing.

So between:

• Strong utility
• Solid demand
• Major tax benefits

It seemed like a smart move.

The Mistake: Doubling Down Too Fast

The first Honda Odyssey performed well.

So naturally, the decision was made to buy a second one.

That’s where the problem started.

As soon as the second Odyssey was added to the fleet, something changed:

The first one started underperforming.

Fleet Cannibalization: The Hidden Risk

This is a classic business mistake.

Just because one product performs well doesn’t mean adding a duplicate will double your revenue.

In this case, what likely happened was cannibalization.

Instead of:

• One Odyssey fully booked

Now it became:

• Two Odysseys splitting the same demand

The Market Reality: Minivans vs. Luxury SUVs

Here’s the hard truth.

Even though minivans:

• Have more space
• Are more practical
• Offer better trunk capacity

Most renters still prefer:

Luxury 3-row SUVs over minivans.

Minivans carry a stigma.

Even if they’re more functional, customers often choose:

• Lincoln Navigator
• Tahoe
• Yukon
• Escalade

Over a Honda Odyssey.

That preference affects booking patterns.

When the Odyssey Performs Well

The Odyssey isn’t a bad car.

In fact, during peak periods, it absolutely rockets.

High-performing months:

• June to early August (Summer travel)
• Spring Break (March)
• Thanksgiving
• Christmas
• Sometimes Fall Break

During those windows, each van can generate:

$2,000–$2,500 per month

That’s strong revenue.

The Problem: The Rest of the Year

Outside of those peak windows?

Performance drops.

What was observed:

• Rarely are both Odysseys booked at the same time
• Usually only one goes out on weekends
• The other sits idle

And idle vehicles are expensive.

The Real Cost of an Idle Vehicle

This is where the math hurts.

A higher-end vehicle like the Odyssey carries:

• Higher insurance
• Depreciation
• Monthly payment
• Opportunity cost

Unlike cheaper economy cars, these vehicles must stay rented to justify their cost structure.

When one sits in the shop, it’s not neutral.

It’s negative.

The Key Lesson: Not All Demand Scales Linearly

This was the major takeaway:

Just because one performs well does not mean two will.

Economy vehicles often scale better because:

• Larger demand pool
• Lower pricing
• Broader renter base

Higher-end vehicles and niche vehicles (like minivans) have:

• Limited renter segments
• Seasonal spikes
• Demand ceilings

And once you hit that ceiling, additional inventory splits revenue.

Strategic Reflection: What Should Replace It?

Now the discussion shifts to:

What replaces it?

Options considered:

• Trading into a Lucid Air Touring
• Moving into a high-end Turo exotic (Audi R8)
• Reducing business debt
• Keeping it through peak summer (FIFA demand)
• Selling after summer when demand slows

The brown Odyssey (better optioned and lower debt) will likely stay.

The higher-debt one will likely go.

Timing the Exit

February marks the end of the slowest season.

Upcoming events:

• Spring Break
• Summer travel
• FIFA in Dallas

That creates temporary high demand.

Selling before summer could mean leaving money on the table.

Selling after summer could maximize revenue before exiting.

Timing matters.

The Bigger Strategic Takeaway

This experience reinforces three major principles:

1. Test Before Scaling

Don’t assume one strong performer means unlimited demand.

2. Watch for Internal Competition

Vehicles in the same class can compete against each other.

3. Understand True Market Preference

Utility doesn’t always win — perception does.

Luxury SUVs often outperform minivans even when they’re less practical.

The Hidden Signal: The Dead Battery

Ironically, the moment this reality hit was simple.

After sitting idle in January:

The van had a delayed start.
Warning lights blinked.
The battery was nearly dead.

That’s not just a mechanical issue.

It’s a business signal.

Idle inventory is telling you something.

Should You Avoid Minivans in Your Fleet?

Not necessarily.

The lesson isn’t:

“Don’t buy a minivan.”

The lesson is:

“One may be enough.”

Minivans can be excellent:

• For tax strategy
• For peak season revenue
• For families traveling

But doubling down without analyzing market absorption can hurt.

Final Thoughts

Regret in business isn’t failure.

It’s data.

This Odyssey:

• Generated strong seasonal revenue
• Delivered tax advantages
• Taught a valuable scaling lesson

Sometimes the best ROI comes from what a mistake teaches you.

If you're building a fleet, this is exactly why market research and positioning matter more than emotion or momentum.

If you want to learn how to:

• Analyze your market
• Avoid cannibalization
• Choose the right vehicles
• Structure your fleet for scalability

Explore the Car Sharing Masterclass and build your fleet with strategy — not guesswork.

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