I have a 2006 Toyota Sienna, bought new. When we were shopping for vans, we narrowed down our list of serious contenders to this and the Honda Odyssey. What made me pick one over the other?
Several factors:
* I'm not a huge fan of Hondas
* Honda's problematic transmission from the previous generation was carried forward
* We were looking at the 8 seaters: Honda's 8th seat was pretty much useless in size
* Honda dealers were firm on price (got my Toyota at invoice price)
* Oddball tire size on the Honda (only one make/model on the market in that size at the time)
* Need to be a contorionist to change the oil on the Honda
* Toyota had a full tow prep package standard (that model year)
* I preferred the interior layout of the Toyota (though Honda's I could still be happy with)
I now have just under 94,000km/59,000mi on the clock. I am very happy with this vehicle, and there have been no major issues. In fact, the only issues with the vehicle (not counting the aftermarket DVD player we added, or the twit at Canadian Tire who wrecked a part) are: some LEDs illuminating the garage door opener button and defrost button have burnt out; a well known software glitch in ECU that causes a very brief hesitation, but it is rare, and seems to happen only if you coast at a low speed, then suddenly stomp on the accelerator. Very hard to replicate, and I've experienced it maybe only twice a year on average. The battery [censored] out a bit early last fall, but it may have been in part due to leaving the inside lights on a few times (oops). Other than that, absolutely no issues with the van.
The engine in the 2004-2006 years were the 3.3L 3MZ-FE. It is not a sludger, but apparently is related to one of the sludger engines. The 2007+ 3.5L is a different engine altogether. Yes, the 3.5L has more power, but things to be aware of are, the 2007+ do not seem to be consistently equipped to handle towing, and many argue that the 3.3L, while having less power, is far more refined and the lower power output is for the most part not something you'd miss 95% of the time.
I've been changing the oil on this engine every 8,000km or so, using whatever synthetic has been on sale, plus either an OEM or Napa Gold (WIX) oil filter. Air filters used were also either OEM or Napa Gold. Did one drain and fill of the transmission using T-IV, and plan on doing another very soon.
The van has been used to tow a tent trailer that weighs in on the heavy end (2008 Fleetwood Utah) and the van has no problems towing it. Last summer, we drove from Alberta to the Great Lakes area and back towing the trailer. I remember one incident on a highway, a guy in a little econobox behind me, while we were both stuck behind slow vehicles kept edging left to see if he could pass. Everytime we had a passing lane, we'd both pull left, and by the end of the passing lane at the top of the hill, I'd have him at least a 1/2 to 3/4 miles behind me, and I wasn't even pushing the van that hard with the trailer behind. As I would do with any vehicle, I watched the tach to make sure I didn't drive with the torque converter unlocked, and if I noticed it unlock, I'd drop it down to 4 instead of D. This is the less powerful 3.3L. Knowing how happy I've been with the performance of the 3.3L, not sure I'd pick the 3.5L if given a chance to go back in time and make the switch.
