2013 and Earlier - Toyota Sienna Prices Paid and Buying Experience

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Comments

  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    Bait and switch? BBB.

    Or maybe a call to the local consumer protection division of the AG's office would help stop this type of practice.

    I take it you didn't have a deposit, refundable or otherwise?

    Steve, Host
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    Here's a message with some links of interest:

    link

    Steve, Host
  • ajsakoajsako Member Posts: 22
    What dealership was this at?? Thanks, email me directly if you want!
    ajsako@earthlink.net
    -April
  • ajsakoajsako Member Posts: 22
    Has anyone heard any updates about the Siennas that were supposed to be built on 9/15? I haven't heard anything and I have give a dealer one of those $500 non-refundable deposits?!!? I trust our dealer (enough) and he has helped us tremendously (though did I mention he is in CA and we are in OH?) throughout the process! Anyway, most of my family is pushing me to buy the the Honda Pilot EX-L with DVD. It is on the lot now, they are offering a good discount, and is pretty nice. Can anyone please advise?

    Oh, in order to get it from CA to OH, we need enough prior notice in order to get there, or 10-14 days to arrange for shipping at the very least! Any thoughts other than I lost my mind for even trying this all!??!?!
    Thanks in advance-
    April
    ajsako@earthlink.net
  • dofer2dofer2 Member Posts: 3
    Thanks Steve. Deposit? First they asked me for the credit card, then they asked for a check. They are willing to return the deposit. But I just wasted a month waiting for the order that was placed already. I have a fax document and email confirming the price we agreed upon since I heard same stories in this board. Bad thing for me, I became a victim too. I will not depend much on BBB but I will try the AG office.
  • steveb84steveb84 Member Posts: 187
    How much did the price change ?

    Was there a "price protection" area on the contract ?

    Destination/Freight fees did just go up - that may account for some of the adjustment.
  • dofer2dofer2 Member Posts: 3
    $1,300

    there is no clause that says "price is not final" or "price is subject to change"

    1st reason they gave me - we quoted on a wrong vehicle spec

    2nd reason - we start from scratch again on our pricing

    vehicle is already about to delivered next month

    order already placed since last month
  • steveb84steveb84 Member Posts: 187
    I can understand something small - but if you and the dealership both signed the contract...and it lists exactly what you were ordering....it might be worth a call to a local attorney to see what rights you have.
  • unionviewunionview Member Posts: 9
    I was just at a Kirkland, WA dealership. The salesman told me that they had a 2004 Senna xle that just came down from Canada. I asked him if the Sienna had the exact standard features as the US Siennas. He said most emphatically, "the standard features are exact between the US and Canadian Siennas". Turns out they are not!! The Canadian Sienna XLE DO NOT have dual power sliding doors. The US Sienna XLE do. I'm not sure what else may be different, but seems like a good reason to stay away from the Canadian versions.

    I'm sure these guys in Kirkland are representing the car as an exact match of the US version and asking the same price for the car as the US version. BUYER BEWARE!
  • rambhamrambham Member Posts: 10
    Thank you to everyone that posted prices for
    running boards. I called the salesrep and
    he agreed to refund $587.00. He told me that
    was MSRP for what we ordered - and from the posts
    I saw here the price seemed fine.

    Thanks again to everyone.
  • ajsakoajsako Member Posts: 22
    If this is the wrong forum, I apologize, please tell me where it should go instead!

    Anyway, I am looking for a reputable shipping company to have our Sienna shipped from CA to OH. Does anyone have any suggestions? I have requested and received quotes from many companies, but really feeling like I am going in blind here. I am not even sure where to begin. Any advice is welcome!
    -April
    ajsako@earthlink.net
  • ajsakoajsako Member Posts: 22
    I did get to see it yesterday, don't think they will discount much, but wanted to post (where does this really belong?) in case someone was wanting it!
    -April
    ajsako@earthlink.net
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    This discussion looks fine.

    About your transport question, I'd ask your local dealer for some referrals too.

    Steve, Host
  • kailynkailyn Member Posts: 8
    We ordered our Sienna in mid-July, just before the slow-down, but our dealer still hasn't given us a build date and/or approximate delivery date; he just says he'll let us know once he knows. We've been very pleased with him otherwise, so I have no doubt that he truly doesn't know -- but is there any way we or he could get at least a ballpark estimate about where we are in line?

    Thanks! Our family has been without a van for over 3 months now, and without a vehicle w/ adequate passenger and cargo room, it's difficult to manage a lot of the routine errands I used to just do without much thought. I believe the Sienna is worth the wait for its safety features, but it'd be nice to know when we could expect to have a van again.
  • jxg123jxg123 Member Posts: 6
    I'm not sure I want to hear that. We placed our order (XLE AWD) on Labor Day, and were told 6-8 weeks wait. Now I'll be happy if it arrives in early Nov.
  • fourinflafourinfla Member Posts: 4
    It's not all bad news out there. I ordered a LXE on July 28th. Yesterday, the dealer advised it was built on September 18th, as promised.

    Now a few weeks for delivery...... We'll see
  • kailynkailyn Member Posts: 8
    So, how does the allocation system work, anyone know? I looked at our paperwork last night, and ours was ordered July 15. I assume it's not just a first-ordered-first-built system, though? Someone posted yesterday to the Sienna 2004+ board that he ordered in June and is still waiting.
  • cnagalcnagal Member Posts: 3
    Well, we ordered our XLE Ltd. with HO package on May 19th and still haven't received it! Now they are telling us they have a ship date of October 17th. We wanted the van because I was having our second child and our current car (RX 300) just isn't big enough. Thankfully, they didn't require us to put down a deposit to place our order.
  • kailynkailyn Member Posts: 8
    That's terrible :( If you don't mind me asking, what region of the country do you live in?

    I'm wondering if some regions are getting their vehicles substantially faster than others. I had high hopes when I saw the post above about the one ordered July 28 and built Sept. 18, but it doesn't sound like that's the norm at all.

    The Odyssey was our second choice, and one of the salesman's primary arguments was that we could drive it off the lot that day, but the entire reason we need a van is that someone t-boned our old one.... like you, I have children, and I want them to have the extra protection of those rear-seat side curtain airbags, an option the Ody didn't offer. Having them could easily save my child's life in an accident of the kind we had, and I was *not* reassured by the Honda salesman's asking, "What are the chances you'd ever be in a side impact collision, anyway?"
  • dparlerdparler Member Posts: 22
    We are in the same boat in SC. I ordered Blue Mirage Mettallic XLE on 5/20, now over 4 mos ago and AT THAT TIME was told "2 mos...2-1/2 mos max". Now, they cannot tell me ANYTHING... no build date, estmated delivery date, etc. We sold our station wagon after 2-1/2 mos, now ... still no word. Has anyone been getting recent arrivals or info on XLE's ordered in May and June ?? What is the wait?? How did you get info ?? Local dealer just says "I'll let you know when we haer something."
  • lok888lok888 Member Posts: 1,788
    I guess that is the reason why I don't give any non-refundable deposit. I haven't seen such as many frustration and disappointment on car shopping before. Oh! No! I still remember my relative car shopping experience on their 00 Odyssey, not only paid MSRP, but it was a four months wait. They finally gave up waiting on their first choice of color... otherwise there will be two or more months of waiting.

    BTW, how do you know for sure that they did order the van without deposit? Like a prepared worksheets or receipts.
  • nyfn1nyfn1 Member Posts: 9
    We order our LE July 15th, came in yesterday. If you are in the SE, go to BUYatoyota.com, build your vehicle, and see if one specs out. When I did that ours showed up as coming in 10/6, but dealer called me yesterday and said it was there.
  • kailynkailyn Member Posts: 8
    but our options package (12) wasn't among the permitted choices.

    Maybe that's part of the delay? We chose one that isn't a "standard" options package? When we ordered, they didn't say anything about it being a complicating factor.

    Is there a place on that website that lets you see what vehicles are going to be available in your area in the near future? It says dealer inventory is available, but on the Sienna pages, it just says inventory is "limited," which is blatantly obvious already.
  • jxg123jxg123 Member Posts: 6
    Just learned from our dealer that our build date is 10/18 (XLE AWD, Option #17, ordered on 9/1). Not too bad compared to others.
  • bww2bww2 Member Posts: 5
    I ordered a XLE Limited 2WD with Nav in Mid June. My dealer told me today that the "port" date (Portland, Or) is 10/18. So I should get my hands on it by the end of October. About a month later than originally stated when I first ordered the van.

    To break the non-communication with Toyota (both dealer and regional said they knew nothing, I complained on the Contact Toyota' phone line. That got the attention of someone beyond the NW region and they were able to give my dealership information on what was happening two weeks ago, even though at that time Toyota didn't have any dates. Apparently, Toyota was building the vans up to the point where the gas tanks were to be installed and then putting them "on hold" until the tanks were ready. The electronics get installed after the gas tanks.

    Incidentally, the IIHS gave the '04 Sienna a "GOOD" and a "recommended" rating on its offset crash test. Toyota requested a repeat test after the original gas tanks spilled gas during the crash. The second test with the new tank resulted in no spilled gas. The information can be found in the news releases on the IIHS web site.
  • jchalfiejchalfie Member Posts: 1
    I read in Wall Street Journal this past week that Toyota is building Siennas and waiting for the redesigned fuel tank to arrive (recalled for potential of causing fires in crashes). This appears to be the delay in supply. Does anyone know what the timetable is for these new redesigned tanks? I would like to get one by the end of November and I'm holding out for now hoping supply will catch up once this problem is resolved.
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    I saw that WSJ article and had problems with it. I thought the redesigned tanks have been installed in new Siennas for weeks now, and the backlog at the factory consists of built Siennas that need to be retrofitted. The WSJ says that the tanks haven't arrived at all?

    I think the article's suggestion that the recall was going to stymie sales was a bit off the mark.

    Here's a link to a similar article that quotes some of the WSJ stuff:

    Fuel tank stalls '04 Siennas (Cincinnatti Post)

    Steve, Host
  • prasannavsprasannavs Member Posts: 5
    There was this article in Wall Stree Journal this week.
    http://www.motortrend.com/features/news/112_news19/

    Also ready another article in Smart Money magazine saying to wait for more Sienna's on the market. THe wait should be about 1 to 2 months for better supply. That's what i hear from other dealership as well.

    NJ Shopper
  • cnagalcnagal Member Posts: 3
    I live in the Atlanta area but we got the van at a dealer about 250 miles from here. They were the only ones willing to give us more than a couple hundred below MSRP at the time.

    Unfortunately, I am putting a ton of miles on my car while we wait because I have a really long commute to work every day.

    It took 2 1/2 months before they could tell us any info at all. If I didn't like the van so much, I'd be tempted to look at others but there aren't any that offer all the features that our Ltd. will have.
  • kinder2kinder2 Member Posts: 1
    I took delivery of my Sienna LE with floormats today. We ordered at the end of May. The blue mirage is a great color. My THIRD build date was Sept.16 and it arrived at the dealership yesterday. We drove off the lot for a total of 25,275. Le Mieux Toyota of Green Bay was easy to work with. Thanx to all of you for giving me courage to keep waiting.
  • lumbarlumbar Member Posts: 421
    about 1% over invoice if my abacus is working for one of the hottest vehicles on the market--and only 7 miles from home. Almost seems too good to be true. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did reading about it.
  • kateb2kateb2 Member Posts: 1
    Is it safe to purchase an 04 sienna with the rear and third row curtain airbags if I have a 3 year old and a newborn?
  • kailynkailyn Member Posts: 8
    I did extensive research on this one -- the airbags will *improve* their safety in a severe side impact. There's no incompatibility w/ child seats as long as the seats are installed/used correctly (specifically, the children should never be leaning over on the windows... which they can't do when properly buckled into a 5-pt restraint, anyway.)
  • viskhaviskha Member Posts: 35
    Based on information gleaned from many internet sites, I managed a deal I would have thought impossible 3 weeks ago. In fact, I started looking for a Sienna more out of curiosity rather than a real decision to get it (I have an '02 Odyssey EXL NAV with aftermarket DVD/VCP that I am quite pleased with).

    Yesterday I signed papers and gave a deposit for an XLE Limited FWD with package #6 (DVD, Navigation), carpeted floor mats, gold package, and mudguards at a number around $4,000 under MSRP (yes, that is correct, not a misprint) - getting such a good deal I just had to get this van!

    Anyway, there are others that have got comparable deals - just need to search the net. Actually this local dealer (amazing that I found him in my own City) estimates getting the van in 4 to 6 weeks. Even if this takes double this time I am pleased with the deal. (Incidentally this dealer had a white CE on his lot today that was not sold).

    Good luck to all of you in getting good deals on this great van!
  • missingchicagomissingchicago Member Posts: 5
    Originally ordered a XLE w/ DVD from a GA dealer to take delivery this summer while visiting the in-laws in TN. After 3 months on order the dealer admitted they would be unable to get the car by the time of our visit and refunded our deposit.

    We then ordered a XLE w/ DVD in Mid June from Bennet in PA at great price and was told that it would be no longer than 3-4 months. Salesman now says he expects it by end of Oct which would still be OK but customer service rep states mid nov(min). I really want to believe that I will see this car someday but I have serious doubts. The wife is now starting to get cranky and has complained to toyota corporate with limited success. She is considering contacting the BBB or states attorney when the 4 months are up to file a complaint but I am willing to give them a little more time. I doubt that will have any real effect anyway.

    This will be the first Toyota either of us has owned. So far I can't say I am very impressed but all will be forgiven if the wife ever gets her car. I will post a message if/when we get the car.
  • iluv_wheelsiluv_wheels Member Posts: 11
    What model is it? Who is the dealer? Thanks

    Send me private info to: iluv34c@yahoo.com
  • kschletterkschletter Member Posts: 13
    One thing I found completely bizarre in the process of buying a Sienna was the stunning lack of choice.

    Ideally, we wanted a BASE LE (wanted the roof rack & tinted windows) without the power doors (don't need'em, our arms work just fine, thanks). Sorry, you can't get that (even though the brouchure makes it look possible).

    OK, we'll go with a CE (if we're going to get any package, we would want the side curtain air bags & disc brakes). Sorry. No can do, they aren't producing that combo now. Huh? But the sales brouchure says.....

    OK, we'll take a CE, but want metallic beige. OK, you can have a CE, but the color you will be getting is grey (yes, we "ordered" one, didn't buy off the lot).

    This really smacks of "you can have any color you want, so long as it's black".

    Toyota has a REAL problem building the specific cars people want. I found it both bizarre and disappointing. Yes, we're going to get one, but the choices of what we wanted vs what we are getting leave a lot to be desired.

    Toyota leaves a gigantic window open for competitors to beat them up with.
  • unionviewunionview Member Posts: 9
    We live in Western Washington (State), we bought a XLE FWD, with option 16, and the floor mats. We got it for $2791.00 off the Edmunds MSRP.
  • lumbarlumbar Member Posts: 421
    I think there's a misunderstanding--my post 2129 was in response to another post just before it that the poster deleted. If you check you'll see it's missing The reference to 1% was in response to his numbers. He claimed $4100 off of MSRP and also claimed if you look around, similar deals are "out there."

    He then reposted at 2133 with a few changes claiming $4000 off of MSRP and that one's gone too. Can't imagine what the guy is up to.

    So bottom line, if I turned heads with the 1% over invoice reference, it was in response to a post that's gone, not anything -I- got. I wish.
  • chiawchiaw Member Posts: 92
    my sienna xle limited has ship date of 10/13/03, and it will arrive 3 weeks from that time (already have the temporary vin allocated). My dealer, which is one of the bigger toyota dealer in the N.CA region is only getting 4 XLE limited during the 1st allocation. Only 2 XLE limited AWD. And i recall less than 20 XLE.

    As soon as the allocation came out on labor day weekend. All of my dealer's XLE limited, XLE, and AWD all were sold at less than $1000 off MSRP. My sales guy told me i was lucky as my deal was done when there were sienna available on the lot.

    now i am a little piss that i am paying about 1k more than everyone else.
  • viskhaviskha Member Posts: 35
    It was me that posted #2128 - that stated the facts (I would be glad to send you details) of over $4,100 under MSRP! For some reason the next day I noticed the post had disappeared (I had nothing to do with that!) - so I re-posted #2132 (NOT #2133!). This post is still very much there (at least I can see it) and it also states the facts.

    And yes, there are others who have got similar deals - that is how I found my deal. Again, send me a PM and I can get you details and specifics - or let me know what I can legitimately post publicly and I will do so.

    [Anyone know why my post #2128 has disappeared - did I post something that was not appropriate?].
  • lumbarlumbar Member Posts: 421
    That was my mistake--Sorry, I don't know how I missed your second post. But I wanted to clarify for the other poster what I was referring to, since the first post before mine was gone.

    I assumed that you had deleted the first one since I didn't see anything objectionable in it and some of the details were slightly changed in your second post. Perhaps the "Host" could clarify the rules for us.

    You have to admit that $4000 off MSRP or about 1% over invoice is an eye-opener for a vehicle this hot.
  • viskhaviskha Member Posts: 35
    No problem - I just emailed iluv_wheels the information he/she requested. I would be glad to do the same to you if you get me your email address.

    Yes, the deal I got is pretty good - as stated in my post that is the reason I decided to go ahead and get this van.

    Take care.
  • viskhaviskha Member Posts: 35
    At another website (that I probably cannot name - I did so previously and my post mysteriously disappeared) I saw the following results from 199 people that responded to a pricing poll (that is on-going - these results are to date):

    13 paid $3,500+ under MSRP (I am one in this category in the poll)
    20 paid $3,000 to $3,499 under MSRP
    39 paid $2,000 to $2,999 under MSRP
    54 paid $1,000 to $1,999 under MSRP
    33 paid $500 to $999 under MSRP
    14 paid $1 to $499 under MSRP
    23 paid MSRP
    1 paid $1 to $499 over MSRP
    1 paid $500 to $999 over MSRP
    1 paid $1,000+ over MSRP

    Send me a PM and I can get you a link to the site.
  • jbond_007jbond_007 Member Posts: 3
    Drive Out price - $24,360 (no tax) in Southeast region
  • vpmuttavpmutta Member Posts: 8
    Can anyone suggest which dealer in TN is giving $4000 below MSRP ? Looking for Sienna with DVD/Nav/Camera/Leather/
  • evian1evian1 Member Posts: 4
    Finally took delivery of my Sienna LE Mirage Blue with BW (#7) package. Ordered beginning of August, delivered Sep 27. Paid MSRP and this is best I could get. Many dealers in this Northern NJ area were asking for up to $2000 above MSRP.

    Great van, but the hassle of the whole process has been disappointing. Dealers were arrogant because of the shortage; there were no choices in the packages (had to pay for the ridiculous Z1 convenience package including a first aid kit for $200+); no choices in exterior/interior colors unless you were willing to wait 3-6 months. The van was supposed to have been cleaned up but discovered mud imprints all over the van. They were showing it and letting people test drive because there were no other Siennas in the lot.

    I will probably not buy a Toyota again.
  • steveb84steveb84 Member Posts: 187
    You may need to find a different salesperson. There are 97 different buil combos of the Sienna (not including color) Yes, certain regions order only certain combos but that can be deviated from as long as you are in one of the 97 build combos.

    I'm a little confused by your post: you mention wanting a base LE, but then mention power doors - dual power doors are only on the XLE, and standard.

    Then you talk about disc brakes and side airbags - again, that contradicts your desire for a base LE

    The thing to remember is only certain accessories are availble in packages with other accessories. You should figure out your "must haves" then find a salesperson that understands and will help you figure out what package comes closest for you.

    If you ordered one, but couldn't choose the color - there is a problem there.

    Good luck
  • tonawatonawa Member Posts: 3
    I just put a $500 (refundable) deposit on a XLE base with floor mats. Final price is $1000 below MSRP. The dealer showed me that the vehicle will be arriving in a couple of weeks. The worst scenario will be a few days late. We'll see. I can get more discount on the price if I go with more extra package. He quoted me another vehicle $1500 below MSRP but it has some package on the car. By the way, this is in Houston. I know it's not the best deal but this is better than waiting for months with no certainty.
  • breezygirl67breezygirl67 Member Posts: 1
    evian1, Is this a problem exclusive to Northern NJ?

    I was shocked when we first were looking, that none of the dealers had one in the showroom and they would allow everyone to rummage through and test drive a van that someone had already purchased (even in the rain). One reason we chose the dealer we did is because they weren't letting people test drive the already sold vehicles. Who knows if that's still the case.

    I ordered the XLE FWD from a dealer in Bergen County on August 12. All dealers we visited were extremely arrogant. Silver was my first choice, but the dealer said he was getting a Phantom Grey XLE on Aug 25. We settled because he could not promise us a silver XLE would come in any time soon, "could be months" he said.

    On the 21st (Thursday) I was told to come in with my credit application because the car would be coming early next week. When I called on Wednesday the 27th to find out what was going on, I was told that it would not be coming due to the recall. They said they'd keep me posted.

    At the end of Aug I called for an update and was told that it would be in by the end of Sept. Considering that's tomorrow, I left a message this morning and have yet to hear. I'm ready to throw in the towel.
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