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All seriousness here question for nofeer. Have you used the suspension theater on curvey roads or stop and go traffic? If so, does it sway and rock much making it hard to focus on it? Thanks
Is the front passenger seat comfortable? Can you relate a comparison of it to, say, the Ody or MPV, or the Camry, or even an Explorer? That is one of my major concerns, since the others I have tried are terribly uncomfortable, with too few adjustments, such as on the Ody & MPV. My Explorer seats are excellent, comfortable for longer trips, and fully adjustable.
So I'll say this again, for most people, FWD with a good set of tires will be more than adequate. For some people, whether for their own comfort or or by necessity, AWD is the best option for them. At least now Toyota has given them the option to choose.
Ken
Nice thing about failure is you get to try new things, and many domestic brands have had to refresh the product line and reorganize the sales tactics.
Each dealer has its own culture, so it may not be Honda across the country, but a particular dealer.
Best experience I had was about 12 years ago when infiniti just got launched. We picked the G20 over the Maxima and were treated just great.
A buying tip, try to identify the top sales person in the dealership. Generally work on higher sales and will accept better margins. Volumn speaks loud. Armed with facts and figures, you can negotiate from strength.
Edmonds has great articles on these topics.
I do find the last few days of the month do work.
Obviously trade in's really hurt negotiating posture. Its all net-net anyway. Very important, leave a deal on the table and if you don't like it, walk. but if you really really want a model, color, and equipment, better to pay a little more than you would like and get what you want, then a little less and be unhappy.
It is uncertain how the demand for this van will be after the first few weeks, but if its high, expect to pay market price. In the end, we all lose on cars and trucks, so why not enjoy the ownership. Good luck
dkrill- As far as I know no one has sat in the new Sienna other than the media and Toyota. None of us "civilians" have had that luxury yet.
Jack
Bowellville Garage
Toyota Minisite
February Order for Region:
LE 8-Pass AM 23
BW 31
BY 4
LE 7-Pass AM 103
BW 141
BY 12
LE AWD 7-Pass BI 8
CE+XLE forgot to ask
So it looks like those who are looking for AWD will have to wait awhile for availability.
Other bits of information:
- Did not know when any vehicles other than the one on March 14th would be arriving
- Thinks that Toyota will wait to clear out 2003 Sienna inventory before announcing pricing on the 2004
- His particular dealership does not charge a premium over MSRP for high demand vehicles
- One person has already put down a deposit to buy the first LE that the dealership gets (of course, take this info with a grain of salt since it comes from a salesman)
- Kevin
Thank you,
Etnies
Just wondering if you can get it as a stand alone option. For me, I care about these conveninece features more than the big ticket items like AWD.
It makes a difference when you want to heat up a bottle of milk on the road or plug in the ps2 for the kids.
Thanks for any info.
color: I am open to color.. estimated delivery date is Apr 4th.
From listening to your posts I feel like I'm in the same predicament as you when it comes to purchasing a new Sienna. I also want(need) DVD and NAV on my XLE (or limited if pricing isn't crazy), but not sure I want to wait until late summer to get it.
I'm planning the family trip from VA to FL in June and really wanted to enjoy the NAV and DVD on the way. Given this predicament what would you recommend, continue the wait, or look closer at an Odyssey?
Did you say you were/are considering an Odyssey? Also, what will you do if Honda announces specs on the '04 Odyssey in June or July?
. . .And thanks again for all the great posts! I'm enjoying my evenings getting to know decent folks like you participating in this town-hall discussion.
Otherwise, I still would probably go for the Toyota b/c I like the looks better, Im very pleased with my Sequoia quality and ride and resale value. I paid $41,000+ for my Sequoia about 27 months ago and its selling for $32,000-35,000 in this market in the newspaper and dealer lots when you can find it. I think the Odyssey is very plain and boring looking. Its never attracted my attention other than to say how awful it looked.
So in the end, I will wait for an XLE Limited with DVD/Navi system. FWD/AWD has not been decided b/c I want to see what kind of allotments come this way.
Jack
Bowellville Garage
Toyota Minisite
Also, I've seen the portable (mobile) DVD players, and they seem to make more sense than craning your neck to look at the roof of the vehicle for the stock item. Is there a distinct advantage to ordering it from the factory?
Thanks for any input you can share!
So there are alternatives out there, the only question is what style do you like better and what features do you think are worth it.
Hope this helps.
Ken
Please provide the link to the medical journal article that discusses the connection between motion sickness and video system placement in a vehicle.
As for the navigation system on the camry, I'll give you a brief description although the system on the Sienna may be slightly different as it is different on every vehicle that Toyota has it as an option for.
Each of Toyota's navigation systems feature voice and map guidance, the ability to choose multiple routes to one destination and route tailoring that allows the user to avoid freeways, toll roads and ferries if desired. The Toyota systems include hundreds of thousands of addresses for restaurants, gas stations, hotels, ATM's, and other points of interest. Owners can also add 100 points of interest of their own. In addition, the Emergency feature provides guidance to the closest police station, hospital, or Toyota dealership.
When inputting a destination, you can input an address using the keypad that comes up on the touch screen. If you're parked in a driveway or parking lot, the voice guidance will direct you to "please procede to the highlighted route". If you're already on a street, the voice guidance will prompt "Route guidance will start now." As you drive, the system will show your position on the street, while the voice prompts for upcoming turns. When you arrive at a destination, the voice prompt will announce that assistance is over.
Hope this gives a better description of how the systems work for Toyota vehicles.
Ken
<#891 Auto Show Experience by rpram1> which states that they tumbled every seat and sat in every seat. So I am interested to hear what rpram1 has to say about the seats.
rainbow24: Any "doctor" who tells you that you get less sick if it is above shoulder height (with no proof) is selling you snake-oil also. Any sailor knows that if you are seasick you are to keep your eyes on the horizon, which is at or below shoulder level. I don't think that the console in front of the second row of seats is near ground-level, probably at waist or mid-torso level, especially on young kids, so I don't think that it should be a problem.
If they do feel sick, open the window (with the new roll-down window in the sliding door) and get them some fresh air in the back. That should do the trick. (I should know, having left my mark on every state between Ohio and Florida back in the 70's traveling with my folks, in the back of a Olds 98, no car seat, no seat belt, just a mattress for my sister and me!)
And thanks to everyone for all the good information. Thanks for the info on the latest monthly's, too.
"Be forewarned, however, that having a screen in-dash is illegal (at least in NY state) and can result in a nice little ticket from your friendly neighborhood police officer. That is why all the DVD screens you see are not visible from the front seats. If you put a screen in the dash, better conceal it some way."
Just to let you know, some newer cars, (2003 Cadillac Deville, for instance) have an in-dash NAV system which can play DVD movies while shift is in park. Once you shift out, it returns to NAV system. Hope you don't get a ticket for that from your friendly police...
We are most interested in the XLE and Limited and are also considering whether to purchase an AWD model as we live in Minnesota. I think we would prefer the Limited model however it appears that a Moon Roof is standard which cuts down on headroom and I am 6’2”. It has always bothered me that luxury packages from many manufacturers insist on a Moon Roof in these packages which makes it difficult for tall people. The Limited trim line appears to be the only way we can get the HID headlamps, Radar Cruise Control and Parking Sonar. It’s really too bad you can’t get these options with the XLE package without a having to get a Moon Roof as well.
When my wife and I first began shopping for a van last year, we found that none of the Honda dealerships had a new Odyssey (nor in most cases even a used Odyssey) to look at. The salespeople were a bit too smug for my taste saying that the Odyssey was so good people just bought them without trying them. Of course that didn’t sit well with us. Nonetheless, we had a friend with an Odyssey who was kind enough to let us look at their van. We decided to hold off on purchasing knowing the new Sienna was coming out and heard rumors about a new Odyssey as well. By the way, has anyone heard whether Honda will actually release a newly redesigned Odyssey this fall?
Another question I have for those with greater familiarity with transmissions is how well do you believe the AWD system will hold up pulling a boat assuming it will be near the 3500-pound maximum trailer weight limit? We typically go 25 to 100 miles each way when towing our boat. We are somewhat hoping we can get rid of our Chevy Tahoe if it doesn’t appear that this would be too hard on the vehicle. We’ve heard the Chrysler Town & Country has had a lot of transmission problems particularly for those who tow boats. So, transmission experts, what do you think?
Thank you for your comments!
As for towing, at least on Toyota vehicles that I have seen, the Transmission is the strongest part of the whole vehicle next to the engine. The weakest link I've found is the suspension. So as long as you're within the limits, and from the amount of towing that you're talking about, it should not be a big problem for you.
As for the likelihood of the dealers keeping one or more in stock, that is each dealer's decision. Some will likely do so, while others very well may not. At least initially, it is highly unlikely that they will have multiple trim levels to look at just because of the limited allocations going to dealers and expecially the limited number of some trim levels being produced.
Hope this helps.
Ken
Honda Odyssey Owners: Future Models
Please go there to offer comments/observations about Odyssey's future.
Now back to your regularly scheduled program....
But I digress - we are all in the same "hurry up and wait" mode. Remember the simple facts:
• Only the BASE PRICE OF THE BASE MODEL has been released
• What is in the brochures can be changed at any time
• Sequoiasaurus and Toyotaken are the best!
Relax and wait... BTW - I have gotten a call back from a Honda dealer that wants to talk about an Ody LX?!?! I wish I looked forward to buying a car like I look forward to football season!
2004 Honda Accord EX-L Graphite Pearl
2007 Honda Civic EX - Atomic Blue
2013 Honda Civic LX - Crimson Pearl
Larry R
2002 Sienna XLE
Busy now but will return later on that subject.
Thanks
Jack
Bowellville Garage
Toyota Minisite
consisted of several LE models and XLE models. I don't know how reliable this information is.
- Kevin
I am still hopeful that Toyota does not take lessons from Honda on the mark up from MSRP. I understand Supply/Demand very well. However that is why many of us could not swallow the Oddusee last year. Out of 5 Honda dealers I would only consider buying from one. On the other hand I bought a Tundra in 2002 and there was only one dealer that made my skin crawl. The Honda dealer who told me the EX was "safer" because the alloy wheel had a "lip" that kept the tire from coming off with a flat....is still calling me. What about "no way" does he not understand?
It has been a long time since I have waited for any vehicle to hit the market with this much anticipation. Maybe never! I just hope it is now "a good value". Toyota is usually true.
Please Be Cheep!
On higher end models the tray is repalced by a console which probably has more space to store stuff without it being exposed. This console can be removed and installed between the second row seats as well.
The last month or so has seen some incredible amount of info being posted and shared. nearly 9 months ago i had the honour of posting the first message and what we knew back then is more or less bang on. This is also message # 1000. wow. Keep up the great work especially Jack & Ken
Okay back on subject. As to one of the earlier posts, I think the mark up will depend on the dealers and your area. A few people have posted that their dealer said that they would not mark up. I live in the Northwest and our dealer said you bet it will be marked up, a long with all the others around here. But the mark up will only last a few months until they get a stock in, then they will deal. What can you expect, you have 1 van and 10 people who want it. Our local dealer said that they have 12 people on a list to view the first one that comes in.
Table/Console- deepan is right with what he said also note that the XLE Limited has the option of having either or and the table version is wood. That should be interesting to see. Course I believe I would prefer the console for extra storage.
Jack
Bowellville Garage
Toyota Minisite
From what I am reading the ford and Mercury will be a step-up in trim levels.
The sienna is the first of this generation.
I would expect that Honda's next version will be excellent. If trim levels are not there, then look for an Acura. While the high line divisions have yet to introduce a model, if the demographic are correct, then Lincoln, Caddy, Acrua, Lexus etc. will follow suite. I have not read anything to this effect as of yet. As I said, this would be based on success of the new vans and demand for such additions.
The largest segment has been on the lower end. But empty nesters whom in the past have taken to the highways in LTD's, are finding minivans comfortable, spacious and good MPG. They might demand more luxury. Could high peformance be far behind?
I gotta get a way. lol NEVER!
Jack
Bowellville Garage
Toyota Minisite
What about he Previa? What model years were they produced?
Thanks
Jack
Bowellville Garage
Toyota Minisite
Sienna '98-'03
What about he Previa? What model years were they produced?
Thanks
Jack
Bowellville Garage
Toyota Minisite
Especially, everyone please trash the LE AWD w/ BI package in Stratosphere Mica! Who wants ugly dark blue anyway? Then, as chaos takes over the marketplace and the Siennas start collecting in dealer lots, I will walk in on the last day of the month, my fear-inspiring folder of net-collected data in hand, and the salespeople will bow down before my awesome negotiating skills and I will get a Sienna below invoice...
;-) ;-) ;-) ;-) ;-) ;-) ;-) ;-)
Yeah, right.
There are few comments being posted on the other van boards because the new Quest is ugly, and because the current Ford and GM products are uninspiring and don't generate a lot of brand loyalty. If anything concrete were known about the new Ody, OTOH, I'm sure that board would be active as well.
This was probably the first crack by toyota for the NA market
http://tinyurl.com/5dz2
i still see them in decent shape running around
> does anyone know if the AWD versions will have traction control and stability control
Yes. In fact, you cannot order AWD without them. Sienna's AWD system depends on the traction control system to make it work. And the VSC is standard on the AWD as well.