2021 Sienna is out, what used model year to get?

[LazyDog]

Hola,

The new redesign Sienna van is nice but will not work for us. the intent of the van is for camping trips and some long rides. The middle counsel extends to the middle seats and the inability to easily removed the seats it out of consideration.

We are looking at 2015-2020 and avoiding the 2017 which is the 1st year of the 8 speed. I am also not sure of the trim level since I prefer cloth seats and do not really cared for sun roofs. Not sure what else is included on the upper trims besides these 2 options.

I am missing anything, thanks for your ideas.

 

[oilstudent24]

I think the LE used to have cloth and no sunroof. Not sure about the sportier looking SE trims. The L trim used to be the base trim that only had the manually operated sliding doors. 11-16 was the 6 speed years. And I agree about the console. Must of the new vehicles have it and I’m not fond of it. It takes up storage space and leg room for some

 

[AutoMechanic]

I’d definitely get an older one for sure. Rule of thumb never get the first year of a new style model year because the bugs aren’t worked out of it yet and as a Toyota mechanic I can speak truth of that. I’d get about a 15 or 16 at the most that’s what I’d get nothing newer than that. The new stuff is bogged down with electronics. Also avoid one with push button start and get a real key you will not like the repair bill to replace the push button start. I believe the LE has cloth seats which is a big preference for me as well.

 

[LazyDog]

I been kind of looking at prices in Face Book, Craigslist, Car Gurus, Carvana and others. It seem Vroom has what a consider the best value.

I'll probably be doing the home delivery because my medical stuff, unless I pay some one to inspect and drive the vehicle.

I wonder if their is businees or people that offer these servi

 

[AutoMechanic]

I been kind of looking at prices in Face Book, Craigslist, Car Gurus, Carvana and others. It seem Vroom has what a consider the best value.

I'll probably be doing the home delivery because my medical stuff, unless I pay some one to inspect and drive the vehicle.

I wonder if their is businees or people that offer these servi

I’d definitely test drive it some of them feel different while riding or driving and you don’t want to be dissatisfied with it. Plus they always say never buy a vehicle without test driving it.

 

[LazyDog]

I’d definitely test drive it some of them feel different while riding or driving and you don’t want to be dissatisfied with it. Plus they always say never buy a vehicle without test driving it.

I know what you mean about buying a car w/ out driving it but in case almost impossible does why the Vroom

 

[AutoMechanic]

I’d definitely test drive it some of them feel different while riding or driving and you don’t want to be dissatisfied with it. Plus they always say never buy a vehicle without test driving it.

I know what you mean about buying a car w/ out driving it but in case almost impossible does why the Vroom

Yeah it is impossible pretty much from them. I am strongly against buying a car online and not getting to drive it as a mechanic that has led to bad roads for some people I know. But I understand you may not be able too and that’s fine.

 

[AutoMechanic]

I’d definitely test drive it some of them feel different while riding or driving and you don’t want to be dissatisfied with it. Plus they always say never buy a vehicle without test driving it.

I know what you mean about buying a car w/ out driving it but in case almost impossible does why the Vroom

Yeah it is impossible pretty much from them. I am strongly against buying a car online and not getting to drive it as a mechanic that has led to bad roads for some people I know. But I understand if you aren’t able to go look at one in person.

 

[oilstudent24]

I think there are plenty of services that offer to inspect vehicles before/after purchase in the case of Carvana/Vroom. Probably 100-200 from what I have seen, but have never used that service. Might in the future though

 

[JMJNet]

I have a 2017, they replaced the transmission at around 18K miles (around a year later) and it never have any issues after that.
Toyota stealership replaced the transmission completely free.
After that, they extended the transmission warranty and they found the problem and fixed it.

Just FYI since you are afraid of the 2017 model year.

Trying to find a used Sienna may be more of the challenge.

 

[AutoMechanic]

I have a 2017, they replaced the transmission at around 18K miles (around a year later) and it never have any issues after that.
Toyota stealership replaced the transmission completely free.
After that, they extended the transmission warranty and they found the problem and fixed it.

Just FYI since you are afraid of the 2017 model year.

Trying to find a used Sienna may be more of the challenge.

Yes you are right about trying to find a used one it seems they go fairly quickly at my dealership when we get them in.

 

[LazyDog]

Thanks for all the great ideas and replies, I am in hurry so I have plenty of time to look around.

 

[Andrew1972]

Curios what is so bad about 8 speed. I think my 2018 VW Tiguan shares the AISIN unit and it’s really decent with 69k on it this far.

 

[LazyDog]

2017 first year of the 8 speed, check car complaints.com for problems. The other problem is the electronics more stuff on it.

If you like the latest tech, the older choices are not for you. I like simple cars w/ simple technology.

 

[edyvw]

Hola,

The new redesign Sienna van is nice but will not work for us. the intent of the van is for camping trips and some long rides. The middle counsel extends to the middle seats and the inability to easily removed the seats it out of consideration.

We are looking at 2015-2020 and avoiding the 2017 which is the 1st year of the 8 speed. I am also not sure of the trim level since I prefer cloth seats and do not really cared for sun roofs. Not sure what else is included on the upper trims besides these 2 options.

I am missing anything, thanks for your ideas.

While it is excellent family hauler, be aware.
I found it great space wise. There is not much else to like it, it is necessary evil.
But, problem I encountered this summer is ground clearance. Yous aid you want to go camping. If you are into outdoorsy stuff, get SUV. Trust me, you will have a lot of issues accessing certain areas bcs. of ground clearance. We have been few weeks back in Escalante, UT, and we could not access bunch of stuff bcs. my hitch sits too low (aftermarket though, things are better with OE) and generally vehicle is low. In hindsight maybe VW Atlas from that point would be better (it is 100 times better to drive generally) but I was not impressed with engine performance. After issues with Sienna and accessibility, plus transmission leak I now have (developed on that trip to Escalante and Bryce) and I need to figure out what it is, I am back thinking I will eventually get Atlas.

 

[sloinker]

Buy a NEW Dodge with stow and go seating for less than a low mile Sienna. Cheap compared to the Toyota. Take the money saved, the many thousands of dollars saved and put it in the bank for when or if the Dodge needs a major fix or apply the difference for an extended warranty. Just watched the 500k mile transmission youtube video and the Pentastar is pretty decent, the known issues are easily remedied, especially under warranty.

https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/new/s...lectedEntity=d653&zip=60007#listing=281746107

 

[Skippy722]

Buy a NEW Dodge with stow and go seating for less than a low mile Sienna. Cheap compared to the Toyota. Take the money saved, the many thousands of dollars saved and put it in the bank for when or if the Dodge needs a major fix or apply the difference for an extended warranty. Just watched the 500k mile transmission youtube video and the Pentastar is pretty decent, the known issues are easily remedied, especially under warranty.

https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/new/s...lectedEntity=d653&zip=60007#listing=281746107

We got an ex-Enerprise rental CPO 2018 that had 42k on it and we couldn’t be happier. Their 7 year/100k powertrain warranty on CPO models is longer than the factory powertrain warranty. Just couldn’t justify the price jump to a Sienna... used models with similar options were on average $7,000-$10,000 for the same mileage or significantly older (2011-2012 vs 2017-2018) with higher mileage.

 

[LazyDog]

Thanks for the Grand Caravan and the Atlas idea, in Mexico I bought my mom a 2005 Voyager w/ 3.3L engine and we are real happy with it.

The best thing is no rust at all unlike here in the mid west.

 

[sloinker]

Came across this on the local marketplace. Have no idea if it's a good deal or not but remembered your post.
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/375574290149236

 

[JMJNet]

2017 first year of the 8 speed, check car complaints.com for problems. The other problem is the electronics more stuff on it.

If you like the latest tech, the older choices are not for you. I like simple cars w/ simple technology.

As I said above, Toyota replaced mine free.
IMO, if it has problem, it has probably been replaced by now.
They also have an extension on warranty for 2017, Toyota sent me a letter to that fact that I can store although mine was replaced.

As for the electronic, you may need to go far to the 90s model year to Gen 1 Sienna to have something without too much electronics.
Even the earlier transmission will have more electronics.

Did Carcomplaints.com specify if there is any extension warranty or they are paid by the competition?