Another Minivan or a Suburban? WWYD

[HonorAndHonesty]

We have had a 2005 Toyota Sienna AWD for 16 years now, it has 130k miles, it has been a great vehicle overall with some disappointments on quality such as failing welds inside the doors for the door checks, junky power sliding door, and a few other misc issues. It has towed more than many f150s probably ever will and has never complained.

It is starting to show its age and frankly im getting tired of it and really dont want to dump the work into it that it needs at this point.

It seems the obvious choice is to get another Sienna. 2021 and newer are out, you cannot take the seats out or fold them in the floor and that ruins it for us.

So was looking at 2017 to 2020 model year siennas and for about 10g more or so we could get a 2020 suburban with 50k miles for 40k, the thing is I like the fact the Suburban is an absolute tank as far as crash protection goes. We have had so many close calls with people running red lights, almost getting rear ended ect.... it really makes me want a 6klbs Suburban for just the added safety factor alone. Especially since where we live everyone drives car crushers it seems. Now a newer Minivan will fare better in crashes than our 2005, which isn't terrible so anything would be an improvement, but as we know a 6k pound vehicle will fare better than a 4500lb van when you are up against jacked up 2500 trucks driving recklessly everywhere around here.

The fuel mileage would be about the same as our current sienna, its a 18 to 19 mpg wonder on the highway.

I also have been waiting for the car market to crash, it definitely seems like it has come down, but how much further will it go?....

I guess I don't know what to do and am looking for any input or words of wisdom.

I can pay cash for it, but its a hard decision. We have been driving old junk for so long the prospect of buying something that expensive is a hard pill to swallow. But when you are finding a 2019 Siennas such as a 2wd with 60k miles that was a previous rental for 28k the suburban doesn't seem so far fetched.

Any thoughts? Is the Suburban worth it just for the safety factor alone?

 

[SupremePossum]

I got into an accident in my F150, a car hit my driver door. After that, I said I would never buy a lower vehicle. So I opt for the Suburban

But, I did buy a motorcycle 6 months later, so maybe I'm just an idiot

 

[meep]

My boss drives only yukon xls. I’ve known him 20 years. He loves them, and we occassionally work on them together. I like the style of the newer ones a good bit, once they finally centered the steering wheel to the seat. He usually buys his a couple of years used. They seem to require a decent bit more upkeep than the typical Toyota does. Not trying to throw shade - suburban has a loyal following - they are just a different pedigree. I’d highly suggest driving a couple - they don’t handle as well as you’d expect by the look of them, and you are coming from a very different vehicle. Also, if you diy much, you almost need to be suspended from above the garage in a harness to work on them (or get an over-fender creeper).

 

[slacktide_bitog]

Do not get a 2017 Sienna. That seems to be the worst year of that generation.



Another option is the 4-cylinder Sienna they offered in 2011 and 2012. TCCN hates on the 4-cylinder Sienna, but there is nothing wrong with it. It has 190 hp, which is enough.

The Transit Connect is definitely worth your consideration.

If you still desire a V6 minivan, there's the Nissan Quest. Even though it's a CVT, the fluid is very easy to change on them. If the example you buy shifts good, just give it regular fluid changes, and you won't have any transmission problems.

Minivans are the best when you need a lot of space. The Suburban is twice the size on the outside but has no more space inside

Modern minivans are quite large despite the name "mini" van. The only exception is the Transit Connect. If those stil don't have enough space, you need a full-size van

Mercedes made the Metris, but the seats don't fold at all! However, they are removable. The Metris is RWD, larger than a Sienna but smaller than a full-size van like the Sprinter.

 

[SupremePossum]

What about an Escalade-V?

 

[HonorAndHonesty]

Do not get a 2017 Sienna. That seems to be the worst year of that generation.



Anotherescalade?

ion is the 4-cylinder Sienna they offered in 2011 and 2012. TCCN hates on the 4-cylinder Sienna, but there is nothing wrong with it. It has 190 hp, which is enough.

The Transit Connect is definitely worth your consideration.

If you still desire a V6 minivan, there's the Nissan Quest. Even though it's a CVT, the fluid is very easy to change on them. If the example you buy shifts good, just give it regular fluid changes, and you won't have any transmission problems.

Minivans are the best when you need a lot of space. The Suburban is twice the size on the outside but has no more space inside

Modern minivans are quite large despite the name "mini" van. The only exception is the Transit Connect. If those stil don't have enough space, you need a full-size van

Mercedes made the Metris, but the seats don't fold at all! However, they are removable. The Metris is RWD, larger than a Sienna but smaller than a full-size van like the Sprinter.

I have actually looked for the 4cyl Siennas, they really don't get much better mileage but would be easier to work on, I love 4cyls where a 6cyl is optional because usually it's not crammed in there. They rarely come up for sale it seems

The Toyota Sienna is definitely far from the bulletproof Toyotas of the mid 90s that I loved, still not bad I suppose but buying a 2017 with 145k miles seems like a nightmare from what I have seen!

I completely agree that minivans have more space! We actually call ours the mega van, it holds SO MUCH. It's honestly the most versatile vehicle we have ever had.

It's either me getting older or people are really driving like it's a free for all anymore. We have so many close calls woth people driving extremely aggressively, or just not paying attention it really makes me want to have more steel around me.

I absolutely love minivans, they are actually kind of fun to drive, It's been a long time since I've driven a suburban and that was 20 years ago, the sienna actually handles really well and can take corners amazingly for it's size and weight, I'll have to see how the suburban drives as well as the newer siennas.

The newer pacificas are my favorite minivan, we rented one, 28mpg, great power, but the fit and finish of the rear carpet was terrible, it had weird random chomes that would cone on after the engine came on after shutting off at a stoplight sometimes and while many people have had good luck with them there are many that have had absolute nightmares with them, enough that it's scared me off of them.

 

[HonorAndHonesty]

What about an Escalade-V?

Those look very nice, a bit more than I'm willing to spend though lol, or did you mean an escalade esv?

 

[SupremePossum]

Those look very nice, a bit more than I'm willing to spend though lol, or did you mean an escalade esv?

 

[Kurtatron]

Those American v8s are fairly stout. Should last a long time, but it’s the stuff around them that go bad. Windows stop working, door locks fail, rattles and squeaks, and American vehicles seem to have not been doing so well with corrosion.

 

[clinebarger]

A 2020 5.3L Suburban will have a 6L80E, Recommend a Billet Front torque converter, Tuning, And eliminating the ATF thermostatic valve.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

I have actually looked for the 4cyl Siennas, they really don't get much better mileage but would be easier to work on, I love 4cyls where a 6cyl is optional because usually it's not crammed in there. They rarely come up for sale it seems

The Toyota Sienna is definitely far from the bulletproof Toyotas of the mid 90s that I loved, still not bad I suppose but buying a 2017 with 145k miles seems like a nightmare from what I have seen!

I completely agree that minivans have more space! We actually call ours the mega van, it holds SO MUCH. It's honestly the most versatile vehicle we have ever had.

It's either me getting older or people are really driving like it's a free for all anymore. We have so many close calls woth people driving extremely aggressively, or just not paying attention it really makes me want to have more steel around me.

I absolutely love minivans, they are actually kind of fun to drive, It's been a long time since I've driven a suburban and that was 20 years ago, the sienna actually handles really well and can take corners amazingly for it's size and weight, I'll have to see how the suburban drives as well as the newer siennas.

The newer pacificas are my favorite minivan, we rented one, 28mpg, great power, but the fit and finish of the rear carpet was terrible, it had weird random chomes that would cone on after the engine came on after shutting off at a stoplight sometimes and while many people have had good luck with them there are many that have had absolute nightmares with them, enough that it's scared me off of them.

Then you will like the Transit Connect. It's basically a Focus with seating for 7

And yeah, avoid the Pacifica.

 

[SupremePossum]

Then you will like the Transit Connect. It's basically a Focus with seating for 7

And yeah, avoid the Pacifica.

Do they still have major transmission issues? The Transit, not the Focus (Which, also has transmission issues)

 

[LDB]

Have you compared safety on NHTSA website between Suburban/Sienna? Is the Odyssey an option? What about a Tahoe? Much better looking but that's subjective. Good luck deciding.

 

[VersatileGuy]

You might want to look at Sequoias before going American.
Because, things might start rosy...but then something obtuse just manages to break and interfere with your life...and wallet...
There's a reason the market went Japanese in the 80s, and mechanics(not just Car Wizard or Car Care Nut) all over tell people get Toyota....

My mom got a Toyota because the mech that came to look over a Subaru when it pissed out its head gasket said to get Toyota...and she doesn't know internet nor is English her first language...that's the level of word of mouth Toyota has gotten....

 

[Sequoiasoon]

You might want to look at Sequoias before going American.
Because, things might start rosy...but then something obtuse just manages to break and interfere with your life...and wallet...
There's a reason the market went Japanese in the 80s, and mechanics(not just Car Wizard or Car Care Nut) all over tell people get Toyota....

My mom got a Toyota because the mech that came to look over a Subaru when it pissed out its head gasket said to get Toyota...and she doesn't know internet nor is English her first language...that's the level of word of mouth Toyota has gotten....

if you need seating room do not get the new Sequoia. The 3rd row sucks. My '19 Pilot has more room and more comfort.

A 2-3 year old one with their V8 and older technology would be good IMO.

The way all the new vehicles seem to be heading between motors, transmissions, fuel pumps and other stuff when I need to make a decision on the Pilot it might be a used older Sequoia.

Miss our old '03 Sequoia.

 

[joekingcorvette]

Toyota is boring but trouble free. The suburban will break down more but should be good for the first 100,000 miles. I would buy the Suburban and take my chances. Oh the gas mileage is way better in the Toyota. They are really two completely different vehicles. I had a nice Ford Expedition for several years and really liked it....much better than a van.

 

[Alex_V]

'08-14 Suburban.

 

[andrew_j]

Suburban won’t be better in an accident as far as passenger injuries. Safety is not the primary design aspect of a truck platform converted to SUV. Minivan its tops in priority.

Very simplistic however NHSTA gives 2020 Suburban 4 stars and 2020 Sienna 5 stars.

In short safety is not better with suburban.

 

[macarose]

I have a popular car buying service called '48 Hours And A Used Car' on Facebook. I also co-developed the Long-Term Quality Index which contains nearly five million vehicles that have been inspected and appraised by mechanics all over the country.

Your search really boils down to three questions.

1) Do I need AWD?

If you do, you've already picked two solid choices.

2) Am I willing to deal with lower fuel economy and, potentially, lower reliability?

The peak reliability period for the Suburban was about 15 years ago when they offered the 5.3 Liter. There have been some issues with their AFM engines that feature cylinder deactivation. One other issue you'll have with the Suburban is higher repair costs for the powertrain. Toyota used the 3.5 Liter engine for a very long time and they're pretty much indestructible.

3) Can you swallow the stiff price premium?

If you don't plan on towing anything substantial and are fine without AWD, I would look at a very low mileage version of the Nissan Quest instead. They're incredibly nice even in a base configuration. If you remember to change the transmission fluid every 50k (which few people do) they can last a very long time. I sell a lot of those to prep schools throughout the northeast because they hold up and cost nowhere near as much as the Siennas (and Odysseys) at the wholesale dealer auctions.

If you have any questions feel free to PM me. Good luck!

 

[burbguy82]

We have had a 2005 Toyota Sienna AWD for 16 years now, it has 130k miles, it has been a great vehicle overall with some disappointments on quality such as failing welds inside the doors for the door checks, junky power sliding door, and a few other misc issues. It has towed more than many f150s probably ever will and has never complained.

It is starting to show its age and frankly im getting tired of it and really dont want to dump the work into it that it needs at this point.

It seems the obvious choice is to get another Sienna. 2021 and newer are out, you cannot take the seats out or fold them in the floor and that ruins it for us.

So was looking at 2017 to 2020 model year siennas and for about 10g more or so we could get a 2020 suburban with 50k miles for 40k, the thing is I like the fact the Suburban is an absolute tank as far as crash protection goes. We have had so many close calls with people running red lights, almost getting rear ended ect.... it really makes me want a 6klbs Suburban for just the added safety factor alone. Especially since where we live everyone drives car crushers it seems. Now a newer Minivan will fare better in crashes than our 2005, which isn't terrible so anything would be an improvement, but as we know a 6k pound vehicle will fare better than a 4500lb van when you are up against jacked up 2500 trucks driving recklessly everywhere around here.

The fuel mileage would be about the same as our current sienna, its a 18 to 19 mpg wonder on the highway.

I also have been waiting for the car market to crash, it definitely seems like it has come down, but how much further will it go?....

I guess I don't know what to do and am looking for any input or words of wisdom.

I can pay cash for it, but its a hard decision. We have been driving old junk for so long the prospect of buying something that expensive is a hard pill to swallow. But when you are finding a 2019 Siennas such as a 2wd with 60k miles that was a previous rental for 28k the suburban doesn't seem so far fetched.

Any thoughts? Is the Suburban worth it just for the safety factor alone?

IMO the Suburban is the best all around vehicle in the USA for many reasons. So I vote for the Burb.