u/TrainingEmployee4931

I have the opportunity to buy a clean title 2021 odyssey touring with 45k miles. I’ve been looking for a minivan for my family for a while, and I would prefer a sienna due to AWD and fuel economy, but this Odyssey is being offered to me at a very good price from a family friend, especially considering the current prices of siennas.
But I have some concerns and wanted to know people’s experiences.

I hear that the AC sucks. I live in a climate where we have dry 90-100F heat regularly in the summer. The van is dark red, and I am planning to do ceramic tint so that might help. Is the AC that bad?

Is VCM still advised to be muzzled? Or have they improved with that technology so it’s no longer that big of an issue.

I also heard the engines on this generation Odysseys had problems to the point of some being recalled, although I don’t know if it affected this 2021 model.

I do know that timing belt and its accessories need to be changed at 90k.

Anything else I should be aware of?

Some background; I’m not a professional mechanic but I have experience fixing regular cars (non hybrids) I’ve rebuilt engines, and I feel pretty confident in my abilities in general and extensive car repair work. However, I have never worked on a hybrid car, but I am willing to learn. I know in general how they work, but I always hear from people that they take special skills and they are extremely difficult for a hobbyist mechanic to deal with unless they have the correct dealer manuals and expensive diagnostic equipment. basically that even a slight hit in the front can result is multi thousand dollar electrical issues, etc. I have been thinking of buying a slightly wrecked low mileage, hybrid (Sienna) from auction in order to fix it myself and get a van for less money, (as I’ve done before with regular cars) but I’m worried about what I mentioned above. Any input from mechanics who work on hybrids? Is it better to stay away as a hobbyist, or it’s not that bad?

I want to take advantage of some autopay discounts but some companies require it be a bank account linked, not a debit or credit card. I’m not comfortable with handing out my bank account especially wth risk of data breaches and such. I want to have a virtual “burner” bank account that I can send money too so as to have a limit of how much total money is in there in case of a hack or breach. Then I can link my autopays to that account. What is the best way to do this. Should I just use something like ally or chime, or what is the best one to do something like this. No hidden fees and such.