2005 Sienna CE vs 2005 Odyssey LX

jbigg

I'm looking at a 2005 Sienna CE with 24K miles. The dealer is asking about $17,500 for it. It's Toyota certified. Since I've had a good experience with my 2004 Accord, I have a little Honda bias, so I want to explore the possibility of a similar Odyssey. The problem is, when I compare KBB values, a 2005 Odyssey LX with the same mileage comes out about 2K higher than the Sienna CE. Does anyone know if I can find a good comparison of these two base models minus the obvious spin I would get if I asked the respective dealers? Are there any apparent advantages of the base Honda over the Toyota? Thanks for any help.

Jon

ateixeira

If you find that the Ody really does cost $19.5k used, I would strongly suggest you consider a new Sienna CE. They don't cost much more than a 3+ year old Ody with no B2B warranty? That's crazy.

Just an example, from fitzmall.com, which sells Toyotas:

$21,133 and that includes freight. It also includes a roof rack, cruise, wiper de-icer, and floor mats.

Spend $1600 more and get a brand new Toyota? This is a no-brainer.

Even consider a new Ody LX, which starts around $22k nowadays I think.

Incentives on new vans make them a more attractive buy vs. used.

jipster

The dealer is asking about $17,500 for it

I'd be asking too... about $2,500 less than that price, otherwise it would be better to buy new.

I'd pick the Toyota Sienna over the Honda Ody, as it is more reliable, especially with the transmission

tekkamaki

I found an 05 Sienna LE for $15,800 With about 35k on it.
what is a fair price to pay?
I see KBB says it bluebooks retail at just over 14k
what would be fair to pay?

ateixeira

KBB is usually high and you have a lot of ground to make up. Go see it and find out why the owner thinks it's so precious.

tekkamaki

I am at the point where Im going to hire a professional (conciere service) to negotiate the deal for me, I guess I am tired of unrealistic high prices and I hate being lied to by the sales people and managers.
I am hoping to get most or all of the money I spend back by getting a better deal on the car, and make it a less stressful transaction. Im finding lots of cars in the $16,000-18000 range that should be in the 10k-15k range.
Its not easy to shop for cars with 2 kiddos on your hip.
We will probably go with the Authority Car Specialists-the guys featured in the tips and advice section. Any of you guys tried that route before?

ateixeira

You may also want to consider a no-haggle style dealership, with fixed prices on the window and no argueing over prices.

Here in the mid-atlantic I'd recommend fitzmall.com, they sell new and used cars that way. CarMax is nationwide, and I think they have a money back guarantee if you're not happy, though you may have to choose another car there.

A broker may cost more and won't really guarantee anything for you.

tekkamaki

The "no-haggle" dealership near me has a CE Sienna at about 2k over KBB retail -quite a deal : ).. Frankly I think I will save money in the end if you consider my time wasted looking at overpriced cars with pushy sales people- etc. I am willing to take the risk of hiring an concierge service to find me a nice low mileage car at the best possibe price with the least hassle. I will report back on the forum on how the process goes for us.

ateixeira

Too bad, the local dealer prices below KBB usually.