By accessing this website, you acknowledge that Edmunds and its third party business partners may use cookies, pixels, and similar technologies to collect information about you and your interactions with the website as described in our
Privacy Statement, and you agree that your use of the website is subject to our
Visitor Agreement.
Comments
Walbert
Myxplik, you may want to contact a dealer in Delaware or New Jersey as they will be getting package #14. I don't know about the New York area as they are in a different region than I am.
Hope this helps.
: )
Mackabee
I am in southeast Michigan. I was willing to buy from Western NY at good % above invoice, but I was told that the list of vehicles Western NY can order from in September (which comes out a couple of days before the month) does not include LE 8 Pckg.# 11 but can only build pckg #1 or #4. I was told that Friday 29th. On the Toyota website where you can build your own vehicle, up to yesterday; the end of the month, I could build with pckg #11 using western NY zip code. Today 1st of September, pckg #11 is not available on the Toyota site, nor is pckg # 4! Why couldn’t I order Friday, I was still in August? If every month there is a new build list by region, then why is there a wait of more than one month?
Why does one dealer in Michigan tell me that I should look on the Toyota site for vehicles available for my region and another dealer tells me I can order any vehicle I want?
How can one navigate this maze? Is there a basic summary about the ins and outs of ordering, availability, allocations, builds by region and this whole chaotic mess Toyota is creating? If the dealers are lazy or ignorant to navigate it, why doesn’t Toyota make it available to the public to navigate for themselves?
Thanks to everybody on this site for sharing their ideas and experiences. Well done Steve!
I'll wait and see.
Also, is there any anecdotal evidence that the wait lists for Siennas are longer or shorter now than say two months ago. I'm wondering what effect the Quest might be having on the demand for Siennas (i.e., shorter backlog?). I realize Toyota dealers are still selling every Sienna they take delivery on at MSRP or close to it, but I'm hoping the situation for future buyers like me might improve in coming months.
My wife and I are both long term Honda owners (Accords) and love the vehicles. We rejected 2003 Odyssey as we agreed with one rating agency's report that the ride was a little firm at lower speeds and my wife felt turning was somewhat cumbersome. It also irritates me that Honda has refused to put stability control as an option in either Ody or the Pilot.(and no awd option on the Ody). I could not find out whether Honda will add awd and stability control for 2004 Ody. When Americans find out how important the stability control saftey feature is, (particularly in higher center of gravity vehicles), those vehicles without it will suffer a loss of demand. According to the Chicago Tribune, 2 out of 3 European vehicles have this feature already. Also 2nd and 3rd row side curtain head protection air bags were a great selling point for me as this vehicle's number one priority is to protect my family. I also count the run flat tires as a net positive despite increased expense. If you've ever had a flat in a gang infested neighborhood or during a blizzard or along busy I-80 (I've experienced all three) you would very much want the option of being able to drive on a flat for 100 miles.
We did drive the neighbor's somewhat smaller 2002 Sienna and loved it. I drove 40 miles to deal with same salesman who sold my neighbor his Sienna, and he indicated that if I did not like the new 2004 Sienna better he would refund my down payment. Apparrently with their waiting list a vehicle from a "busted sale" only takes a matter of hours to fill. I don't mind Toyota making a handsome but honest profit on a splendid vehicle, but I am counting on them to be fair om my trade in. I ordered our vehicle on August 22nd and am looking at 6 to 8 weeks, 10 at the outside if I am remembering the conversation with salesman accurately. I hope this information helps someone as Edmund's service herein really helped us find (we think) the vehicle that was right for us. I will keep the thread informed as new information developes.
There is no site where we can find out what is being built or is available in our different regions. I have found that some dealerships do know a lot more than others and have a better grasp on the allocation game. According to Toyota's customer service center, the dealership has to ask for the specific van you are ordering and most likely will get it in if you have left a deposit - they are filling deposit allocation requests first, but if they are out of a certain vehicle, they will sub. I have been told numerous times that they do not build vehicles to order -- they build vehicles and see if they match an order (which certainly does not seem to be the case when people are getting VIN numbers??)
Regarding option package #1 requirement -- yes, you do have to have at least package #1 on a vehicle. Doesn't seem much like an option to me either, but that is the way it goes.
The link for the customer service phone number:
http://www.toyota.com/about/contact/index.html
naoo7sf
I suppose a non-refundable deposit does discourage people from putting up deposits with several dealers.
Steve, Host
I'm planning to buy a Sienna soon, so I'm not out to insult anyone here, but it amazes me that so many people spin a Toyota safety issue into a positive. If this were an incident involving a GM or Ford vehicle there would be dozens of messages on this board bashing them for their incompetence and calling it a dangerous design flaw.
Steve, Host
Chief321, you have a shorter memory than I, there was Audi sudden acceleration problem in the 80s, there was the Ford Explorer tires, there was the recent VW starter problems-- those automakers didn't issue a recall without kicking and screaming, they finally relented when they were assailed by the media, this recall by Toyota is so very different, and it's cost Toyota a bloody fortune to slow production for a vehicle with more demand than there is supply.
This leak occured in an IIHS test and they are brutal when it comes to negative publicity. Considering the cicumstances, the recall was a no-brainer for Toyota.
Steve - I know this conversation belongs on one of the more generic Sienna boards, but I'm not sure how to move it.
Try the main Toyota Sienna 2004+ discussion or the Toyota Sienna 2004+ problems one for more about the recall and general Sienna info. Thanks!
Steve, Host
On July 28th I signed a buyer’s order for an LE 8 passenger with option package #7, floor mats and cargo net for 26,876 (1,283 under MSRP). This does NOT include the 389 “doc” fee, and 26 for title and New Car Warranty Act, and 7% tax. I took delivery on August 14th.
After calling Toyota I learned that ours is NOT one with the problem gas tank.
My impression is that this is a fair deal considering the market in our area, and the fact that we got our van in 2 weeks is outstanding. All in all, I’m very happy.
Roswell Toyota, Atlanta: Pretty smooth sailing. I dealt with the leasing/inventory manager there, who seemed a straight shooter; cannot tell you what the salespeople are like because I do not know. His initial offer was pretty much straight MSRP (just like the other dealers in this area) but I shopped around and got a better price, and when I went back to them he beat the best offer I had by 200 and I stopped there. (Might have kept playing, but from what I was reading this was “ballpark reasonable” for our area and I did not think I could do significantly better within a reasonable distance from our house). Also, this person seemed more optimistic about his ability to get a van within 2 months (at that time) than the others I spoke with.
Thank you to the participants on this board who encouraged me not to pay MSRP (I would have otherwise). I saved a little money and feel better about the deal because of this discussion.
By the way, I was quoted 27,594 (plus tax, 21 title, and NO doc fees, etc.) from the Costco program, FYI.
Took the van on 2 trips, (mostly highway) and got 25.6 mpg on one trip and 21.5 on the other. On the second, we drove 75 mph for hours on end, while we drove at lower speeds on the first trip.
- Rear Air Completely inadequate. Be sure to seat on the 3rd seat and crank the air up.
- Too many rattles.
- Cargo behind 3rd Row noticeably less than Ody and Sienna.
- Buttons on dash to operate all the various controls required quite a bit of searching/fumbling
- Rear seats seem a little flimsy
- Cup holder for front is very inconvenient
- Was a noisier drive than Ody (slightly) and Sienna.
Look at overall reliability for Nissan products - they easily trail Honda and Toyota.
my 2cents
Are you sure you don't want to wait for a Sienna????? Just kidding. But they are in high demand for a reason.
I will hold out, but I am disappointed it's taking 2x longer than I was told (so far). ANd, I have a very bad feeling the dealer will reneg on the money he promised me for the trade in-- any idea if they can do that, vanshopper? As it is, Ohio taxes have gone up 1% since I put my deposit down!
I only discovered these Edmunds msg boards in the past few months but they're been a great resource. It helped me to decide to buy the 2004 Sienna instead of the 2003 Odyssey (both great vehicles in my opinion). So, now I have my new Sienna so I thought I'd share my experience with anyone that's interested.
In mid-July I sent out 30 emails to the Internet Sales depts of dealers in California-- about 20 to SF Bay Area dealer (where I live) and the rest to dealers in the Sacramento, central valley, and LA area (to get some regional baselines). I received about 15-20 emails in return. Prices varied from a high of MSRP from LA dealers to a low of $500 over cost from Sacramento and central valley dealers. The Bay Area split the difference between MSRP and cost. My best offer was $500 over "cost" (cost was defined by multiple dealers as their invoice price plus Toyota Dealer Advertising, which was $492 for the Sienna being sold in northern CA). The "cost" was quoted at $30,185. The MSRP for the XLE with CF (floormats) and GH (Pkg 14) is $33,811 (this is the only reliable, consistent number). I paid $30,685. I brought my lowest offer to the dealer, he verified it, and then he found the Sienna we wanted in his in-coming inventory sheet. We ordered the car in late July and he said it would arrive mid-August. We gave him a $2000 deposit (he only required $1000 but I wanted the frequent flier miles earned by using my credit card-- $2000 was the max they'd do!) and he signed a contract that he would deliver the Sienna to us by some certain date. It arrived exactly on-time. In addition to $30,685 I paid $250 for California vehicle licence fee (this will nearly triple on October 1 due to our State budget mess!!), $45 doc fee, and 7.25% CA sales tax. The total was $33,207.93. I didn't get the extended warranty or any type of protection program. They discussed everything and encouraged me to buy the extras but were not obnoxious about it. This was a great buying experience! Good luck in your search for your Sienna!! Steve
Thanks!
MODERATOR /ADMINISTRATOR
Find me at kirstie_h@edmunds.com - or send a private message by clicking on my name.
2015 Kia Soul, 2021 Subaru Forester (kirstie_h), 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 (mr. kirstie_h)
Review your vehicle
I have the same question as want_sienna.
Could you let me know which dealer you went to? Would be a great help. If you prefer, you may reach me at yeomanflood@hotmail.com.
Thanks for sharing! I agree, this message board is excellent.
**
Yeomanflood
When I purchase a vehicle, I first determine all of the options and then call 3 dealerships. I inform them that I don't play games and am a serious buyer. The best price back wins the deal. One shot only. I received prices ranging from MSRP + $100 to to $26,400 from the dealer that originally wanted MSRP+!! Sorry, I don't play the games and stuck with the best price from round 1 or $26,700.
Here the dealers have something called Access Pricing. Apparently, all dealers charge the same price on a vehicle, and although they are allowed to sell for less, they NEVER do. So most consumers in Canada pay prices that are way above TMV.
Any one of you who has comments on this please share your thoughts with us at the discussion "Toyota Canada Access Prcing". You can find this under "Sienna".
-Joey