Toyota Sienna: how are they?

[hypervish]

Originally Posted By: JHZR2
Were not seriously looking at minivans right now, and the MPGs on the sienna are horrid vs the odessey. If you can get past the AT issues, an odessey might be a good option too... And might squeak a few more MPGs.

I think currently the sienna is 25 while the odessey is 28 MPG highway.


25 is hardly horrible. 3 miles per gallon vs a new transmission...uhmm, easy pick for me.

The Sienna has more horsepower than the Odyssey.
266 vs 248

Odyssey has 250 ft lbs torque compared to the Sienna's 245 ft lbs.

Sienna- 7.8 sec 0-60
Odyssey- 8.8 sec 0-60

The Sienna has better braking distance than the Odyssey.

Sienna- 121 ft
Odyssey- 141 ft
Both from 60 mph.

Plus, the Sienna has an extra airbag compared to the Odyssey.

But, I digress OP is talking about 99-04 not current generation.

 

[hypervish]

Originally Posted By: JHZR2
To me it does.

Driving a box on wheels, operating cost is what it's all about.

1.5c/mile difference over 150k miles is $2250 with fuel at $3.50/gal.

Its all utilitarian and about lifecycle cost. The van with the best lifecycle cost is the best bet. $2250 is >5% of the acquistition cost of the van, just by itself...


Yeah, but how much does a transmission cost?

What about Honda's VCM problems?

A potential engine and transmission failure... = big $

 

[hypervish]

If we compare 2004 Toyota Sienna and Honda Odyssey MPG:

2004 Honda Odyssey 6 cyl, 3.5 L, Automatic 5-spd, Regular Gasoline
16- City
19- Combined
23-Highway

2004 Toyota Sienna 2WD 6 cyl, 3.3 L, Automatic 5-spd, Regular Gasoline
17- City
20- Combined
25- Highway

2004 Toyota Sienna 4WD 6 cyl, 3.3 L, Automatic 5-spd, Regular Gasoline
16- City
18- Combined
22- Highway

Winner in bold!

And to be fair, even before the 2004 Sienna redesign.

2003 Toyota Sienna 3.0 L, 6 cyl, Automatic 4-spd
17- CIty
19- Combined
23- Highway

 

[SwampSurvivor]

You should get a Toyota Previa! Mid engine (it's under the passenger seat) and a bulletproof transmission.

Never hear anything about the Sienna - good or bad. They're typical Toyota bland, but I'd take one over VCM issues with honda and transmission issues that affected Honda, Chrysler and Ford minivans.

 

[IndyIan]

I've read the 98 and earlier Odysseys were also quite reliable. My buddy has had one for 4 years now, no major issues, just rusting out. He's towed a small ~1000lb tent trailer for 1000's of km as well. With 100k miles it was $4k from used dealer, privately I'm sure there are mint ones for that if you look long enough.

 

[JethroBodine]

Originally Posted By: WhyMe
i am looking for a van like vehicle for my trip down south to look for a new place to live. I would like a van as i plan to take out all the seats and put living needs in it.

in my budget, the best I could find that are close to what i ma looking for are the 99- 04 Toyota Siennas.

So what do you guys think of them?? are they reliable? Good on gas?


Get an Avis Mini Van $17-18k

https://www.carsalesavis.com/car/details/2C4RDGCG6CR146264;usestate=true;distance=0.0

 

[JHZR2]

Originally Posted By: hypervish
If we compare 2004 Toyota Sienna and Honda Odyssey MPG:



Ummmm, perhaps you missed that we are shopping them and I was using new numbers.

All the Honda apologists insist that at issues are fixed, and if I were shopping used, id either price the new at into what I'm willing to pay, or have one that has already gotten the at replaced.

This ain't rocket science. What's with the agenda. You demand to show you are right to the world? Great you win the prize.

We're shopping and were seeing the odessey as rated higher, and all the Honda folks claim no at issues. Sounds good to me. I don't own either so it's six innone, half dozen in the other to me. I'd buy either... But an odessey is looking like lower lifecycle cost to us trimmed and set up as we would buy one.

Buying used its all about purchase price and condition, then maintenance, not brand.

 

[hypervish]

Originally Posted By: JHZR2
Originally Posted By: hypervish
If we compare 2004 Toyota Sienna and Honda Odyssey MPG:



Ummmm, perhaps you missed that we are shopping them and I was using new numbers.

All the Honda apologists insist that at issues are fixed, and if I were shopping used, id either price the new at into what I'm willing to pay, or have one that has already gotten the at replaced.

This ain't rocket science. What's with the agenda. You demand to show you are right to the world? Great you win the prize.

We're shopping and were seeing the odessey as rated higher, and all the Honda folks claim no at issues. Sounds good to me. I don't own either so it's six innone, half dozen in the other to me. I'd buy either... But an odessey is looking like lower lifecycle cost to us trimmed and set up as we would buy one.

Buying used its all about purchase price and condition, then maintenance, not brand.


Agenda, hardly.

OP asked for advice, and it was given to him.

BTW: claiming no issues, and actually having no issues are two completely different things.

 

[JHZR2]

No kidding but I think we're seeing enoughacura owners using these ATs to see that they can last decently.

I loved our previa - until hurricane Sandy gave it an untimely death. Looked new inside and out, and ran like new at 250k miles. I like the sienna. I just want to see 28 out of it. If Honda can pull 28, I expectvtoyota to do it too (or even 30).

I'd buy a hybrid sienna. Not what the op is asking about though.

But for later model vans (a 10 year van may well be really beat if used for family duty), the odessey seems more efficient. Maybe not 10 years ago, but recently.

And again if buying a 10yo van, I'd either expect receipts from a replacement, after which I'd be confident, or else I'd be pricing it accordingly. Nothing wrong with that, and I'd be pricing a $3000 AT repair into a 10 y.o. 150k sienna with unknown history and use as well.

 

[NJC]

Originally Posted By: WhyMe
in my budget, the best I could find that are close to what i ma looking for are the 99- 04 Toyota Siennas.

So what do you guys think of them?? are they reliable? Good on gas?


As others have noted, the 2004 model Sienna was the first year of the new generation (released early in 2003 too). We bought a 2004 Sienna LE last year and I would HIGHLY recommend it. Tons of space, handles well, significant power, great great GREAT highway family hauling machine.

The LE has the auto sliding door one side only. As well, the newer generation (vs the 1998-2003) has the 40/60 split rear seats. I think I would have bought the van for that feature alone.

We've driven it on two identical 3000KM (~1800 miles) road trips. The computer stated 8.2L/100KM both times but real mileages were 9.45L/100KM and 9.75L/100KM. Both times the van was well loaded, 5 people, AC ~30% of the time, tires 35PSI front / 40PSI rear and driven ~100 - 110KM/h.

Watch for failing control arm bushings. Both sides on my van were completed hosed at 100k miles. And check for pulsating disks, also a PITA and noticeable mostly braking from highway speeds. Highway wind noise is audible, but too severe.

We steered away from the Honda vans because of their transmission drama ... which seemed to afflict most of the models which we had interest.