Toyota Sienna or Honda Odyssey

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FirstNissan

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Hey guys, my parents are looking at getting a minivan since they want to start taking more family members/kids on roadtrips. My father has made it clear that it has to be a honda or toyota. Looking at a new odyssey or sienna, most likely base model. I am stuck between the two. Going to be a 80/20 highway/city mix.
Anyone with these cars or has driven then, please chime in and help me out!
Thanks for the help!
 
Our 2006 Ody has 80K miles now. Runs and drives like a champ - I mean like a nice car. Engine is strong.

My wife loves the thing, so I'll just list some negatives:

Front Pillar blind spots are irksome.

Nose pan easily damaged.
 
Ive had two Odys 2001 and presently a 2007. The 01 went to 170000 miles. Only had to do the brakes once,timing belt, water pump and a transmission drain and refill and a battery. Thing drove great when i sold it. This newer one seems great too. Bought it with 35000, now has 56000. The newer one drives pretty good, almost like a luxury sedan. Quality seems very good with Honda. Very reliable. Cant comment good or bad about the Sienna. But I wouldnt switch to one myself having owned two Odys previously.
 
+1 Odyssey, I've read a few reviews in the buff magazines and heard them talking about it on the Autoblog podcast, everyone seems to agree the Odyssey is the best.
 
My mom loves her odyssey. Go with the odyssey and you won't be let down. I think it's what Honda does best. There is a reason it's so popular.
 
The mechanical of the new Odyssey may be good but the styling is not good at all. If your father doesn't care about styling of the new Odyssey then it is okay, if he doesn't like the styling of the new model, buy the 2010 model with good discount.
 
I would stay very far away from the toyota Sienna. My grand parents just purchased a 2011 four months ago and it has been to the dealer four times for various rattles, and mechanical problems. The quality control is appalling. The rear hatch opener broke the third week they owned it, the rear hatch glass does not sit flush like it should. I've seen other sienna's and the rear hatch glass does sit flush. Lookat the mazda 5 minivan, or something. Stay away from ANYthing that has Toyota on it. They just recalled 170,000 more vehicles yesterday as well.
 
Odyssey. Sister has an 08 EX-L model, loves it. Got to ride in the far back for about 100 miles, surprisingly comfortable.

Our VueV6 has the same Honda Ody drive train, enjoyable power, good MPG for the vehicle size.

I was a Sienna owner ('99 model) that won't be buying another, ever. Rubbish IMO.
 
Can't go wrong either way. I'm not sure how the 2011 Ody is, but previous years are very Honda-like. I own a 2008. Stiff ride, firm seats, you will feel EVERY transmission shift and feel every ounce of the road. There's quite a bit of road noise with them as well.

Siennas (up to 2009 at least) are very cushy, soft and quiet, yet still powerful.

Given how the 2011 Odys look, I'd try a Sienna, Kia or Nissan first.

Joel
 
I've owned both and hands down, the Odyssey is the better buy. Really don't understand all the negative talk about the looks of the new Odyssey as I think it is very good looking. Here is a nice site for the Odyssey with a video clip.


2011 Honda Odyssey
 
I'd buy a Sienna before an Odyssey because Toyota knows how to make an A/T and Honda doesn't, IMO.
 
Honda's recent automatics (after 2004 or so) have been fairly good. I will agree that they don't seem to be as bomb-proof as those of other brands, but the obviously premature failures are, for the most part, part of history now.

Conversely, many of Toyota's recent automatics (the U-series) don't have as good of a reputation as their earlier A-series automatics, built by Aisin-Warner. So far, I've been very happy with the U760E in my '11 Camry, but I'll only be able to report on longevity in another few hundred thousand miles.
 
Originally Posted By: Hokiefyd

Conversely, many of Toyota's recent automatics (the U-series) don't have as good of a reputation as their earlier A-series automatics, built by Aisin-Warner.


No kidd'n? I haven't been following Toyota stuff recently and didn't realize they used anything other than Aisin-Warner ATs. Who makes the U-series?

Joel
 
Originally Posted By: JTK
No kidd'n? I haven't been following Toyota stuff recently and didn't realize they used anything other than Aisin-Warner ATs. Who makes the U-series?


Well, information that I had read elsewhere seemed to imply (or that's just the way I read it anyway) that the A-series transmissions were A-W and the U-series transmissions were not. I asked where the U-series transmissions were made, in a thread in the General Automotive Topics forum, and folks there suggested that the U-series were also made by A-W. I am pretty sure that, for my Camry for example, both the 2AR-FE engine and the U760E transmission are made in the same Georgetown, KY, plant that the car is. I could be wrong, but I believe that Toyota at least assembles this particular U-series transmission. Could they have a section of the plant that's operated or leased by A-W and A-W actually builds the transmissions...sure. I don't know the details.
 
Originally Posted By: Hokiefyd
I could be wrong, but I believe that Toyota at least assembles this particular U-series transmission. Could they have a section of the plant that's operated or leased by A-W and A-W actually builds the transmissions...sure. I don't know the details.


I wouldn't doubt that. I know Hyundai basically took over transmissions that were originally designed and built by/for Mitsubishi. The F4A51 in my Santa Fe is a prime example of that. It's basically an all Hyundai unit now. I don't know if it's a matter of AW, selling the patent to Toyota and Toyota takes the unit over.

Joel
 
Originally Posted By: Hokiefyd
The 1ZZ-FE engine in my old Corolla was made at Buffalo...


Geez.. Just when you though one Buffalo was bad enough?!?! I didn't know that one existed!

Joel
 
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