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My friend has a 2005 Toyota sienna with the 3.3 with 200k miles The transmission is showing it's age but the engine has another 300k left in it.
Selecting a Potential "Forever" Vehicle
- Thread starter amateurbob
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I saw a 2006 Toyota sienna with 205k , on paper very well maintained. At the car lot they asking 5000$ for it and it has the 3.3. I am very tempted to go look at it.
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Gotcha thx
I’d pick the Nissan Xterra (2011+) or the Pathfinder (2011-12 or 2022+). They’ll last 300k+ miles or 400k miles like @SC Maintenance mentioned . I’m biased and I’d say the Gen1 Armadas (specifically 2013-15) are great value for money. There are a few examples on the forums with 400-500k+ miles.
I’ll go against the grain here and say that used Toyota/Lexus make little financial sense. Look at the depreciation vs age vs mileage and you’ll see how much more value your $s get you with the Xterra/R51 Pathfinder/TA60 Armada go.
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There seems a lot room in the engine compartment in the Armada. Especially the coils and spark plugs. I believe both the Xterra and the Pathfinder use the 4.0... a durable engine but less ease of access.
You’re correct, it’s much tighter in the Pathfinder/Xterra. It’s not horrible and I did the plugs on the Pathfinder without taking the intake manifold off - so stubby sockets and ujoints did the trick. I went from the VQ40 2011 Pathfinder to a 2015 Armada. Based on the experience, I’d pick the Armada every day over the Pathfinder. Fuel efficiency reduced by 2-2.5 mpg in my case for a much larger vehicle. I really really wanted a GX460. But after test driving one and given the silly pricing, I ended up with a 2015 Armada. It’s a great family vehicle - lots of space, the VK56DE is very reliable (but has an appetite for fuel) and is pretty comfy and quiet highway cruiser. It’ll last me a long long time barring unforeseen circumstances.
The 3.3 is great, I went with that for my Sienna over the 3.5. Didn’t want the oil leaks and head gasket leaks that were common on the 3.5. Plus on the 3.5 to fix those leaks you have to drop the engine, it won’t fit out the top. If I had to pull my 3.3, it will come out the top.
I love my 2006 Sienna. Bought it at 200k miles Feb 2025 and its at 252k at the moment. I am keeping it forever if at all possible.
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You are speaking my language! The Armada was the main competitor to the Sienna in my mind. I also agree a 100% that it is surprisingly reasonably priced used.
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The spare parts comments that have been posted is something l really have to consider. I called a couple of local transmission shops to see how much it would cost to rebuild a transmission... Half said they couldn't due to lack parts and other half said 6000$ or more.
I watch Timmy the Toolman on YouTube. He has a series about rebuilding a transmission rebuilt. It's a company called Yota 1. I am curious if they still rebuild that particular transmission.
I like the VK56 / Armada - but the benefit of the VQ40 is Nissan used practically the same thing all the way to 2019 in the Frontier and they made a lot more of them - in the spirit of running it forever.
You can even stuff a 2019 Frontier RE5R05 transmission in a 2005 Xterra (you need to swap the TCM).
However I am starting to see parts dry up on the older electrical stuff - for example the ECU for my 2008 and 2011 are NLA, but the 2013 still is.
You can even stuff a 2019 Frontier RE5R05 transmission in a 2005 Xterra (you need to swap the TCM).
However I am starting to see parts dry up on the older electrical stuff - for example the ECU for my 2008 and 2011 are NLA, but the 2013 still is.
True. But there are plenty of vehicles around with this transmission. Could always swap a new one in. Anyway, its not something that concerns me. Mine feels solid at 252k.
i'm biased, but 5th gen 4Runner if you're after an SUV.
very long model run ('10 to '25) with very minimal changes so vehicles and parts will be around forever, and sold worldwide. easy to find in tech-light packages so there's less to break and they're simple to begin with. well deserved reputation for durability and longevity. capable in nearly any environment, and easy to live with. big enough for utility, small enough to fit most places.
ours is approaching 90k and has not needed anything outside of one CV boot tightened. stock pads, stock alignment, just routine maintenance. i've seen a couple odometers well into the 400K+ mile range. if you don't like it, sell it for nearly what you bought it for - they don't lose value easily.
very long model run ('10 to '25) with very minimal changes so vehicles and parts will be around forever, and sold worldwide. easy to find in tech-light packages so there's less to break and they're simple to begin with. well deserved reputation for durability and longevity. capable in nearly any environment, and easy to live with. big enough for utility, small enough to fit most places.
ours is approaching 90k and has not needed anything outside of one CV boot tightened. stock pads, stock alignment, just routine maintenance. i've seen a couple odometers well into the 400K+ mile range. if you don't like it, sell it for nearly what you bought it for - they don't lose value easily.
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Sienna and Sequoia get my vote. Specifically the 2-3rd generation Sienna and 2nd generation Sequoia. I’d say 1st gen Sequoia’s but those need lower ball joints and timing belt/water pump every 100k or so maintenance wise.
R51 Pathfinders 2005-2012- Early years had faulty radiators that would mix coolant and transmission fluid, suspect timing chains that would cut into the tensioners, and a lot of “quirks” that can and do still happen in 2011-2012’s models. However if you want the most reliable R51 2011-2012 are the years to get. This is coming from a former 2008 Pathfinder owner!
Armada- I’d only recommend the 2nd generation. They’re similar to the 2nd generation Sequoia. They both utilize independent suspension all around. Sometimes can be found for cheaper than their Sequoia counterparts.
GX460- it’s basically a 5th generation 4Runner with a V8! Not much goes wrong with these. Cargo space isn’t great, the tailgate swings to the side which can be a deal breaker to some. The 4.6 while reliable can suffer from valley coolant leaks.
I’m not a van guy but in your case I’d go for the 2nd generation Sienna with the 2.7 for ease of maintenance and longevity. You also get loads of cargo space. Hope this helps!
R51 Pathfinders 2005-2012- Early years had faulty radiators that would mix coolant and transmission fluid, suspect timing chains that would cut into the tensioners, and a lot of “quirks” that can and do still happen in 2011-2012’s models. However if you want the most reliable R51 2011-2012 are the years to get. This is coming from a former 2008 Pathfinder owner!
Armada- I’d only recommend the 2nd generation. They’re similar to the 2nd generation Sequoia. They both utilize independent suspension all around. Sometimes can be found for cheaper than their Sequoia counterparts.
GX460- it’s basically a 5th generation 4Runner with a V8! Not much goes wrong with these. Cargo space isn’t great, the tailgate swings to the side which can be a deal breaker to some. The 4.6 while reliable can suffer from valley coolant leaks.
I’m not a van guy but in your case I’d go for the 2nd generation Sienna with the 2.7 for ease of maintenance and longevity. You also get loads of cargo space. Hope this helps!
Nick1994
$100 site donor 2024
Toyota Highlander
amateurbob, what are you thinking at this point?
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I am still considering the pros and cons of the vehicles that were discussed above and any new suggestions given. I am not in a hurry and waiting for the right vehicle at the right price.
I like the Armada but l miscalculated the yearly fuel costs. It would cost me at least $1200 a year in additional fuel costs and depending on fuel prices it could go as high as $3000. Plus the additional insurance costs. I like the Nissans listed because they can almost last forever. At this point though, to make it worth it would have to be a steal.
If l had to choose right now... I am kinda leaning towards the passenger transit connect or the sienna. I am considering looking at the 2006 sienna l mentioned above because @ClutchDisc made a compelling argument. That said any of the Toyota hybrids listed above would suit me as well.
A first gen Armada would be solid, but if you are driving it daily the fuel costs will be a lot. I actually plan to get one as a tow vehicle eventually here. But not as a daily. My 2006 Sienna normally gets 20 to 23 mpg (mostly highway driving) which isn’t too bad for a heavy V6 van. Slightly lower mpg in the winter.
This is the reason I bought a new Tacoma. No auto start/stop or cylinder deactivation b.s., hopefully long term reliability, easy for me to get in and out, and I just really like it.
