Considering 2003 Sienna LE

[NJC]

Still on the hunt for a van - tonight it was 2000 XLE Sienna with 240K KM's. It was recently detailed, but a bit worn around the edges. With sunroof, power leather seats et al it seemed like a nice van but just didn't seem like the one.

Although I am a rank and file Honda shill, am still staying away from the Odyssey because of their trans problems.

 

[oilmaven]

I admit it...I'm a closet minivan lover. I've owned 6 of the things (1988 Caravan base with the 2.5L, 1989 Caravan with the 3.0L V6 and 3 speed auto, 1991 Voyager with the 3.3L and 4 spd. auto, 1994 Mercury Villager, 1996 Villager and a 1997 Town & Country for which I paid $1,500 from a friend who owned it from new with 91,000 mi). I have to say that the '96 Villager was my favorite and I owned it for a couple of years (got it with 55,000 miles). The Villagers were the most "carlike" of the bunch, had good seats and handled well. I could get an honest 28 mpg on the highway with that van and both of them were very reliable (check engine light caused by a vacuum leak on the "BPT" hose, weak tie rod ends and a sticky gas pedal were the biggest complaints). They also rusted like mad in the salt belt states unless you were meticulous about keeping it clean. They haven't built the Villager since 2002 but there are quite a few for sale...prices for a 2001/02 with 70-100,000 miles seems to be in the $6,000-$8,000 range...which is nuts. Although a minivan doesn't make sense for me anymore considering the miles I drive for work, I really miss the room and versatility.

 

[dishdude]

Originally Posted By: oilmaven
I admit it...I'm a closet minivan lover. I've owned 6 of the things (1988 Caravan base with the 2.5L, 1989 Caravan with the 3.0L V6 and 3 speed auto, 1991 Voyager with the 3.3L and 4 spd. auto, 1994 Mercury Villager, 1996 Villager and a 1997 Town & Country for which I paid $1,500 from a friend who owned it from new with 91,000 mi). I have to say that the '96 Villager was my favorite


I am surprised the '88 or '89 wasn't your favorite. I thought the 84-90 Chrysler minivans were a blast to drive. Of course they didn't have a lot of power, but everything else was perfect!

 

[asiancivicmaniac]

Originally Posted By: oilmaven
I have to say that the '96 Villager was my favorite and I owned it for a couple of years (got it with 55,000 miles). The Villagers were the most "carlike" of the bunch, had good seats and handled well. I could get an honest 28 mpg on the highway with that van and both of them were very reliable (check engine light caused by a vacuum leak on the "BPT" hose, weak tie rod ends and a sticky gas pedal were the biggest complaints). They also rusted like mad in the salt belt states unless you were meticulous about keeping it clean. They haven't built the Villager since 2002 but there are quite a few for sale...prices for a 2001/02 with 70-100,000 miles seems to be in the $6,000-$8,000 range...which is nuts.


The Nissan Quest is the identical twin of the Villager. We have a 2000 with over 130k miles on it and it has been trouble free except for a couple of wear-and-tear items and the stupid ABS module. I see plenty of them around.

 

[oilmaven]

I had the strongest attachment to the '88 Caravan. I bought it for a song with about 78,000 miles. The engine had a terrible knock (common in the early 2.5L engines...caused by a wrist pin I was told and didn't affect longevity but was annoying and got louder over time). I had a 2.5L out of a '91 Sundance that was totaled with 45,000 miles put in. The van was a base model with air. I spent a ton of money "upgrading" that van. I replaced the front seats with high back buckets out of a '90 van with the same upholstery (standard seats at the time were low-back WITHOUT recline...not very comfortable) and replaced the steering column from the same van so I'd have tilt...added cruise control and a new stereo, upgraded to 15 inch wheels, tore the van apart and added sound deadening, etc. The engine was not very powerful but it got it around OK (steep hills were a challenge) and was very reliable. I eventually sold it to my neighbors who drove it a couple more years until the front end was shot (not sure they even changed the oil). The Villagers were just a nice size and drove like a car. Also, the Nissan drivetrains were pretty much bulletproof (although they had their own niggling problems). What I really appreciate was the ease of entry...minivans are just the right height...you just slide straight in and out (maybe I should reword that). My Honda is low to the ground and an effort to get in and out of (more noticeable at my age) although it's probably the most reliable, best built car I've ever owned (the Kizashi is a superior vehicle but far newer technology...can't really compare the two...we'll see if it runs as long and without any issues like the 'ol Honda). I've been perusing the internet for a low mileage Villager/Quest...might still consider one for a second vehicle.