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
I always feel that you can get an aftermarket video system with similar quality much easier than a NAV system(especially with the rear-view camera). I would also like the option of getting a video system with both a DVD and VCR with the possibility of a tuner.
The HVAC filter is probably on the higher end models where a "different" filter might be put in on lower end models. Just a guess
Thanks, I didn't see that the 290 was for a specific region. I feel a lot better now.
Thanks again!
With the Odyssey, you can get one with the Factory installed Navigation OR DVD RES. If you get the NAV, SOME dealers can install the DVD RES, but it's like getting it installed at Best Buy, Circuit City, Ultimate Electronics, etc. In other words, it will not be EXACTLY like the FACTORY installed DVD Rear Entertainment System.
If you go with the Factory-installed DVD RES, the dealer can sell you a "Portable" DVD Navigation system, but why would you want a portable system for $1,500? You can do just as good with a laptop navigation system!
What we want is FACTORY INSTALLED NAV + DVD RES--none of that DEALER installed stuff!
One other example: my brother bought an Trooper that did not come with a moonroof so the dealer installed one for him. Guess what? It's just not the same as FACTORY installed! Dealer installed is bad, bad, bad!
Another example: dealer installed window tint is cheap, cheap, cheap! The dealer just rips you off. I would rather the dealer not install cheap stuff on my car and I would rather go somewhere else to get it installed.
I want Factory installed products on my Sienna, not dealer-installed.
2. Knowing that the Sequoia is an SUV and a darn good one at that I would rate it a solid 8 out of 10. It has no memory seats, poor mpg, ify brake issues and no steering wheel controls (on my 2001). However, it rides great, plenty of room and comfort and good towing capacity. With that being said its a little high for my kids to get in and out of. No DVD entertainment system and I do no more towing; got rid of boat I had. So the Sienna now comes into play. Overall it is the best SUV out there hands down.
3. I would suggest if you want something specific for April delivery you better get in touch with a dealer now to set something up.
4. wholigan I believe deepan has the right answer.
5. hansienna, welcome you're in for a wild ride the next few weeks!
6. s1gins- The DVD nav is going to make me wait also. I really want after using it in other vehicles. You'll be the first to know when I find out how long the wait will be.
7. cat, I can call you cat right?
Jack
Bowellville Garage
As for the latest discussion of NAV vs ENTERTAINMENT, my solution will be to use my wife's laptop computer in the Sienna, plugged into one of the power jacks. It plays DVDs, has a 14" screen, can plug in headphones, and doesn't hang from the ceiling which might be hard for my kids to crane their necks up there. I'll just figure out something to hold it up at waist level.
The thing that has held us back from buying an Ody or MPV is that the front passenger seats are EXTREMELY uncomfortable! The Ody, although heated, only moves forward, backward, and the backrest tilts. That's it. One height seat fits all (not). It feels as if the seat is tilting forward. For all the $$$ you can spend on the options to get better everything, it seems rediculous not to have this available. I'm sure there are plenty of other places to store things than under the front passenger seat so that the workings for a fully-automated seat can be put in. Even my '96 Explorer EB has this feature, which is invaluable for longer trips.
I just hope that the Sienna will have comfortable seats, because from what I see in the pictures, the passenger seat does not tilt or go up or down. (I know the back tilts, I'm talking about the whole seat, including the bottom cushion.)
Has anyone investigated the possibility of having the front seats changed by a van customizer? How much would two fully-articulating, leather seats cost? With Heating?
Any thoughts? Thanks, and keep up the good work with all the information.
dan
http://homepage.mac.com/jbowell/.Pictures/Photo%20Album%20Picture- - - - s/04%20Sienna/IMG_0006.JPG
This is just like my Sequoia and they are very easy to work. Also, click the link in my sig for more photos from Detroit.
Too big to post.
Jack
Bowellville Garage
PS Welcome Dan!
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00006ANXQ/103-5453- 991-3903016?vi=glance
I just think that $1500-2000 is WAY too much to charge for a DVD player and a screen, even if it does have a remote and wireless headphones.
Thanks for the idea, though. - dan
On Power doors: I know that there have been some posts here debating the need for power doors (I have been watching the board since #200 or so). I am actually quite disappointed that the driver-side power door isn't even an option for the LE, my target flavor of '04 Sienna. I have no need for some of the extras that are standard on the XLE, but I (and especially the wife) are really sold on the dual power doors of other vans. I feel that, in order to get the van I want, I may be priced right out of a Sienna altogether.
We're also sold on the entertainment system, but I would be interested in hearing more about others' experiences with alternatives and aftermarket versions. Incidentally, wireless headphones are available for use with any audio output. You can get a pair for under $100, and probably a second set for the same transmitter for less than that...
Thanks again for all the major posters here; I will be buying a van within the next 6 months, and the information off this board is priceless!
Options for Sienna 1K-10K
Waiting for Sienna 1-3M
Information by Jack and Ken : Priceless
There are somethings money can buy(Sienna) for everything else there's Ken and Jack!
Dkrill- I like your laptop idea. I think kids are spoiled enough and have enough time to watch t.v. daily, without traveling to the grocery store or to baseball practice while watching t.v. You can take the laptop out of the vehicle and only use it for long trips. Then you also have the use of the laptop at a lesser cost than the dvd system.
The software you buy for the laptops sound like robots, and they are not as fast.
Also, the Sienna NAV is not only a GPS, but it has the rear view camera when backing up!
When it comes to movies, the factory installed DVD RES would be hooked up to the 10 speaker Surround Sound JBL system, which would sound a lot better than any laptop. Also, can you imagine making that sharp and abrupt turn in your Sienna and seeing your laptop hit the floor?
Another thing we don't know about is whether the DVD RES will have a T.V. tuner so that we could watch T.V. in addition to DVD movies!
andrewtran71: As for my laptop hitting the floor, I think I might find a way to secure it to a small table or to the center console. And I don't know about you, but I wouldn't want to listen to Bambi or Monsters, Inc. through my 10 speaker Surround Sound JBL system as I'm driving down the highway! I thought the idea of that was to have the kids in back use the headphones so the adults in front can listen to NPR or Rock & Roll!
Laptop as a DVD- This issue was brought up on a forum several years ago and the idea was hotly debated b/c of the safety issue. I don't want to go down that road again. Seriously evaluate the pros and cons of securing a laptop somewhere b/w the front seats for 2nd row passengers. I'm talking about emergency braking, lane changes, etc.
I at one time considered it and did it. My wife and her Mother took the kids on an 16 hour trip and I secured the laptop to the center console using bungy cords and velcro. I'll sum it up by saying I no longer use that laptop (dell) but I do have a nice new Apple PowerBook!
Jack
Bowellville Garage
Oh, and thankfully no one was injured; just the computer.
Anyway, listening to "The Lion King" 3 times in a weekend is no worse in the van than it would be at the house.... :-/
Larry R
2002 Sienna XLE
I would love to have someone like Ken working with me. So many dealership employees look at the internet as some awful, scary thing, when in reality, it is the most incredible source of information (mostly accurate) that is out there.
Jack would either be an excellent customer or a total pain - just a matter of perspective, I'd love it myself, but most salespeople would become defensive at the fact that he is so much better informed then themselves.
I hope this makes sense, they both seem like great guys and most everyone participating in this forum is civil and friendly, you don't find that too many places online.
Have a super weekend all !!!
Only six weeks until the 2004 Sienna is here
Steve
For sound, there are several options to pass the sound through the cars speakers or headphones - wireless included. There are also several options to fix these safely in the vehicle. You can even now purchase sturdy support mechanisms for these units specifically designed for these units.
You save big $$ & get a great portable unit that you take with you at trade in. Kids can finish the movie in the house/hotel/camping, etc. They usually come with remotes and are very easy to use, unlike Laptops. Some Laptop DVD player's also skip every bounce unlike portable units.
Not to persuade anyone, but just wanted to suggest another option.
Honda charges around $3k plus for the Odyssey DVD in Canada. I could buy a high end portable for 1.5k that would be able to be used more than those 8 yearly trips.
http://www.toyota.com/about/operations/sales-service/index.html
there are more than 1,400 Toyota dealers in America. I'm not sure whether "America" includes Canada or not.
Apparently there are 12 Toyota sales regions in the U.S., and the information from sequoiasaurus detailing 290 February vehicles is believed to be from one of those regions.
So how difficult is it to make 1,400 new Sienna's (one for each dealer)? Should we expect any more than these to be available during the month of March? How many Sienna's should we expect to be shipped in April? May?
For those of us who want to buy a moderately-equipped LE model at a rational price, when should we expect there to be enough supply to make this possible? And what should we be doing now to prepare for this?
Thanks,
- Kevin
I plan to buy a 2004 Sienna this spring or summer (exactly when will depend on availability and price). My wife really wants to get AWD (she currently drives a Subaru) but we also would like the 8-passenger model.
- Does anyone know for sure why there is no 8-passenger model offered with AWD? Is there a physical reason (not enough space somewhere) or is it just a marketing decision? Is there a chance that Toyota might build these sometime in the near future (like by this summer)?
- Of the 290 February vehicles detailed by Sequoiasaurus, only 26 are AWD (less than 10%). Can we expect 90% FWD to be the case across the various regions, or are these numbers perhaps from a southern region that would likely have less demand for AWD vehicles? What do you think the percentage of AWD vehicles will be in northern regions?
- Has Toyota ever built AWD (as opposed to 4WD) vehicles before? Is the AWD system for the Sienna on any other Toyota vehicles, or is it unique to the Sienna?
- Are the 2nd row seat floor mounts different for the 7- and 8-passenger configurations? It seems like the "Front and Center" floor tracks would not be on the 7-passenger version, but assuming that feature was not important I wonder if you could mount the 8-passenger 2nd row seats on the 7-passenger floor mounts. The Dodge salesman told me that on the Caravan the floor mounts are the same on all models, so you can interchange the bench seat and captain's chairs, and you can also move the 3rd row bench seat up to the 2nd row mounts if desired. It would be nice to know what is possible on the Toyota.
- Assuming we go with the AWD and we get a flat tire, how much more will we have to pay for a new "run flat" tire than for a regular tire? I have been told that AWD requires all four tires to have the same tread wear, so you can't just buy one new tire -- you have to buy four. Is this true? Will it apply to the Sienna?
Thanks in advance for your help,
- Kevin
As for the AWD models. I believe that the floor mounts for the seats are different in placement for the 7 and 8 passenger configurations. Also, from my understanding, there may be something to do with the rear drive-shaft interfering with the mounting positions for the 8th seat, so that may be the reason. I will find out more when I get a chance and update you when I can.
The AWD does not really need all 4 tires to have exactly the same thread wear. What it does need is the tires to be of a very close overall diamater. This is because the ABS sensors are used to detect low tire pressure via difference in tire rotations and similarly, the system is used to sense wheel slippage to activate the VSC and TRAC systems when the vehicle is so equipped. So if you were to need to replace a tire, just like on most vehicles, it would be advisable to replace the matching tire on the opposite side of the vehicle.
I do not have specific information about how much "run-flat" tires cost in relation to "normal" tires, but I would guess that they are at least somewhat of a premium. I will also do some research on this when I get a chance.
Toyota has been building versions of AWD vehicles for MANY years. You might remember Camry, Corolla, and Tercel "ALL-TRAC" models from as far back as the early 80's. The systems used in the RAV-4, Highlander, RX300, etc. are different now, but they have a long history of building them.
As for DVD Nav systems in other Toyota vehicles, you can look at the Camry, Landcruiser, or Matrix to see similar systems.
From what Toyota is telling the dealers, they will each receive ONE sienna in their first allocation due March 14th. After that, they plan on giving regular allocations of additional vehicles starting to arive in April. With over 1,400 dealers and trucks going to all of them, this may vary slightly, but not greatly.
And lastly, about wireless headphones for children, you should be able to find models sized to fit children at most electronics stores. They all use the same frequencies, so should be perfectly adequate for use in Toyota's with the rear seat audio controls.
Thank you all for the compliments and I will try to keep everyone updated with information as I get it.
Ken
After seeing Edmunds data on new 2004 Sienna, I went to Toyota web site, found new 2004 Sienna, and printed the Specifications to study closely and compare to the other minivans.
It appears Toyota included all the good features of every other minivan into the 2004 Sienna and added some new ones such as the sliding middle portion of 2nd row seat to place small child or infant near the driver and front passenger. Another very nice new Sienna exclusive is the 60/40 "Split & Stow 3rd row seat" where part or all of the 3rd row can fold flat into the floor. I am interested to see how large the fuel tank is and where the spare tire is placed.
Another web site shows additional photos and write-up for the all new 2004 Sienna:
http://www.car-data.com/xpage.preview/pre.template.asp?mfg=toyota- - - &model=04sienna
http://www.bowellville.com/garage.htm
Ken, too bad you can't just offer a group discount and drop ship the vans thru the country, say invoice plus $300. Not a big markup, but the volume would be good!
Here's what i am doing. since dvd players keep coming down in price or screen sizes get bigger, I just purchased this ingenius system Called "suspension theater" by mitocorp (saw in autoworld mag) It incorporates a rigid platform to hold up to 10 in screen, then suspends from either 1 or between seats folds up into it's own carrying case, that holds 6 dvd's cost me 76$ from simplycheap.com That way i can store, place in any car and it's a complete kit. when you are done it folds up very cool. that way i can get a 6"dvd player from Walmart, and then i can take it with us to the hotel or parents home and it has room for the gadgets Very nice, elegant solution.
Second, there seems to be some sort of misunderstanding on the availability of HVAC filter and HVAC Controls.
HVAC Filter or HEPA Filter, will be available on LE and above. Push button AC will be on CE and LE. You will need to upgrade to XLE to get Automatic "Set it and forget it" A/C. This will also getyou separate climate controls for fron seats.
AWD, Toyota has made in some shape or form for over 15 years.... Currently included in the MAtrix, and the last generation RAV-4 was AWD. No one should be concerned about there reliability. As long as I have worked in parts I have never seen any patterns or characteristics in ANY of the 4 wheel/AWD configurations.
Model # Description # of units
5326 CE 7 pass 70
5336 LE 7 pass 162
5338 LE 8 pass 82
5346 XLE 7 pass 69
5356 XLE Limited 23
5366 LE AWD 29
5376 XLE AWD 8
5386 XLE LTD AWD 4
Total February Production = 447
Hope this helps clarify how many of each model they are building for different regions. BTW, this region is the New York Region which included NY state, NJ, and parts of CT.
Ken
I came across this as a solution for the compact DVD player.
http://tinyurl.com/55yx
Note: anyone wanting to shorten a link being provided, they could visit http://tinyurl.com and shorten the link as above.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
I'm planning to purchase a CE with a few basic options like privacy glass and roof-rack-- which seem to be available, but the one option I desperately need that isn't available on this model is the HVAC/HEPA filter. Does anyone know if these filters can be installed aftermarket? And will aftermarket filters work just as well as the ones installed at the factory? Is it especially complicated to install these filters??? This is a big issue for me because of severe allergies....but I'd hate to have to move up to the LE (for presumably many thousands more dollars) just to get a better air filter!
The other option I'm interested in is the side airbags--- an option, I believe, for both CE and LE.
Thanks for any help....!
#1. How realistic is $22,900 MSRP for 2004 Sienna CE?
#2. Will the 2004 CE have an EVP option of a bargain price of $757?
#3. Will the highly desireable 8 passenger option be available for the 2004 Sienna CE for a low price in same manner as Captain's Chairs $200 option for 2003 Sienna CE?
Toyota has made prospects for Honda, Chrysler, Ford, Dodge, Mazda salesmen very bleak with the exciting new 2004 Sienna CE that includes EVERY nice feature of all other brands just as Honda did with the 1999 Odyssey. I hope Toyota dealers will not follow the example of Honda dealers in 1999 where they became smug and greedy with obscene markups above MSRP.
The information here from sequioasaurus and toyotaken is top-shelf and the best I've seen from any other websites.
Guess we must wait for the info to disseminate to dealers from Toyota... I've got my checkbook out and ready to sign-up for an '04 when they're ready!!
As for ordering or pre-ordering, each dealership will be making that decision on their own. The specifics will be up to them as well, so the only advice I can give you is to contact your local dealership to find out what their policy is and how to go about it.
Ken
GM, Ford, Chrysler, Honda, Mazda, Kia, Nissan, VW: Hurry to the drawing table to copy Toyota as fast as you can before Toyota is the ONLY maker of minivans. (Honda, Mazda, and Nissan are not in as much trouble as GM, Ford, Chrysler, Kia and VW since each of these have incorporated most of the recent improvements...Kia may be able to survive as the Sedona is the cheapest by far).
In addition to the coveted space that this '04 sienna promises, the AWD aspect nearly gave me a heart attack. I never dreamed they would offer that option and I couldn't be more thrilled, living, as I said, in upstate NY. My beloved rear-wheel drive small pick-up is absolutely worthless in (the 6 MONTHS!! of) snow and ice, and I have to schlepp 350 lbs. of tube sand in then out every year and its help is negligible. I have gotten spoiled rotten by not having a car payment in 12 YEARS!! and I am PETRIFIED over what an AWD LE will cost. Does anyone have an opinion about the real need for AWD? I read back a ways that some think it isn't all that necessary in a FWD vehicle and may even be somewhat unsafe in terms of potentially causing one to feel fearless. But I guess I am asking again to get opinions specific to heavily wintery climates. Like, what do you think, toyotaken, living in Buffalo? Can anyone venture a guess (please be gentle..) at how much extra the AWD option could possibly be? I wish the CE came with that option, since I am really not interested in the extras of the LE; only in its AWD option. Sorry, once again, for the ramble - it is only because I am a new comer! It won't happen again, I promise! And thanks to everyone for all the research and time spent.
With the '04 Sienna and a new Ody due this fall, and no new DC van until the '06 model year, DC has got to be very, very worried. I have a '99 GCS on which the lease is up in early '04, and had a '91 Caravan before that, and DC doesn't have a product to keep me in the fold.