Toyota Sienna Future Models

dudleyr

What about vinyl? All the benefits of leather, but does not stain, and is much cheaper. Mercedes and BMW both offer vinyl in their cars, and it is hard to tell from leather. It may not breathe quite as well as leather, but with holes (like some leather has) it is fine. Most cars with "leather" actually have a good portion of what seems to be leather as vinyl - generally only the part you actually sit on is leather while the doors back of seats and sometimes even the bolsters are vinyl.

Unfortunately vinyl suffers from the stigma of its reputation from many years ago.

racercwb

I am looking hard at the Sienna to replace Ody. Please send comparison spreadsheets to:
cwbeasley@earthlink.net.
Thanks

racercwb

Is there a factory installed DVD available in the 2004 model. If so, is the screen ceiling pulldown or back of headrest.
Thanks,
cb

nddog

I have also ordered a 2004 sienna from Columbia Fleet for 2% over invoice if you need there info email me at nddog2003@yahoo.com and I will email you back.

etbull

I am also looking at the Ody & Sienna. Pls include me in the email list.

Thnx,

Elaine
elaine.boydNOSPAM@cox.net
(remove NOSPAM from address)

hansienna

Since you have done all the work, I along with many others would like to read your results;

Please send to: Toy04Sienna@aol.com

Thanks.

wesley8us

Thanks Alpha01. I did go through the Toyota webpage like you said. The direct quote from the press release said:

"The base MSRP for the XLE Limited will be $34,480. The all-wheel-drive XLE will carry a base MSRP of $36,930."

I'd assume that they meat to say "all-wheel-drive XLE Limited will carry a base MSRP of $36,930." But if I go to the 04 Sienna mini-site, the listing of MSRP of all models is actually inconsistent to the press release.

(From 04 Sienna Mini-site)
Sienna CE 7-passenger $23,465
Sienna CE 8-passenger $24,085
Sienna LE 7-passenger $24,770
Sienna LE 8-passenger $24,920
Sienna XLE 7-passenger $28,770
Sienna Limited 7-passenger $34,990
Sienna AWD CE 7-passenger $28,385
Sienna AWD LE 7-passenger $31,975
Sienna AWD XLE 7-passenger $37,440

Also note that the AWD Limited's MSRP is not listed in Mini-site. If $36,930 in the press release is really the MSRP of AWD Limited, then it's lower than the above price of AWD XLE, which doesn't make sense at all.

I'm totally confused now. Can someone help here, please?

Wesley

newcar35

The difference in price you are seeing is that the miniprice includes a destination fee of $510 in the listed price (see tiny print at bottom of list on minisite).

HTH

andrewtran71

Does anyone know historically which Trim (XLE, LE, CE) is more reliable?

jimmymke

Hi all. Went to to MKE Auto Show on Tuesday night. Had no luck logging on to this site until today for whatever reason. Here's what I learned about the new vehicle:
The gal my dad and I spoke to at length told me NO AWD in LE in the immediate future. Just on XLE and LTD. She wasn't firm on price info either. No printed material to hand out. She also said the build your own site is wrong and Toyota would be changing it to reflect what is available. But, she has been on the road with the show for a few weeks and may be out of the loop, so I don't think I trust her info. Ken, any comments to add? The LE with AWD has always been in the discussion and this was the first I heard otherwise.
We could touch and handle an XLE in white all we wanted. It had no goodies on it, though. The room and comfiness is excellent. I am 6'2" and with the front seat slid back I could still sit comfortably in the middle row. The backs of the front seats are dished toward the front to allow more leg room. I would not choose the third row for myself unless kids were in the middle and were slid up as far as they could go. Not bad then, but my knees were a bit high up. Seats slid and tumbled easily.
The hideaway seat is very easy to do, has springs to assist. They Ody seat is very heavy and cumbersome to do in comparison. Hard on short folk and weak backs. Plus the drag of removing and stowing the headrests detracts. The third seat recline is nice. Significantly more room behind the third seat compared to D-Chr products and other competitors. No electrics hooked up, so no powered doors or seat adjusts to try.
The pod for the fold down DVD was in place without the guts and just looked like a small widget holder. Although I didn't measure the space, it would be a mighty small screen and it appeared to me to be too far back to view comfortably from the middle row. Too much head turn. On a side note, we saw a 15" fold down screen from an aftermarket booth that blew us away. Looked like a reverse laptop. That would be the way to go if you didn't care about seeing out the rear view mirror as a driver.
Driver seat was about 29" off the ground at mid thigh, the Town and C. is about 30" (for comparison). Discouraged about the seeming lack of AWD in LE, my personal choice. Hope some real Toyota folk on the board can add input to restore my hope.
Jim in Milwaukee

steveb84

Jim,

At this point there are LE AWD models coming to the Chicago region, but in very low numbers. My guess it might take a little wait to get exactly what you want.

There are some very good dealers in the Milwaukee area, I'm sure if you stop into one and speak to the right person (not always easy) you should be able to find the info that you need. You may want to wait until next week though, right now it's the last days of a short month and everyone is trying to make sure they finish strong.

If there is anything else I can help with, just let me know.

Steve

palmer

Sounds like the 3rd row is kind of cramped. However, it sounds like you can move the 2nd row seats up and back to give more or less legroom to the 3rd row seat. How would you compare the 3rd row comfort level to say the Odyssey or DC/Chrylser vans? Also, for the XLE and Limited vans with the automatic temp control, for the rear passengers, where is the control for the temperature located? Is it in the center on the ceiling or off to one side?

jctobin

"The pod for the fold down DVD was in place without the guts and just looked like a small widget holder. Although I didn't measure the space, it would be a mighty small screen and it appeared to me to be too far back to view comfortably from the middle row"

You may have been looking at the rear seat audio pod, it looks a lot like the DVD pod and has some sort of small fold down storage bin instead of the screen.

Luzer

Did not want leather - cost over $1200 more.
Almost the price of my leather sofa at home.
But had to get it if I wanted a sunroof.

Kids eat only dry stuff in car - mostly cheerios or crackers, drink only water in car/van - train them to eat everything else outside.

Only bennie I got was when someone else kids got to the third row seat with greasy hands.

Car seat on leather - inserted a piece of thin foam, you can use a towel if you do not have foam.

Scotch guard on my other cars - yearly application recommended.

jimmymke

I sat for awhile in the Sienna, didn't want to wait my turn for the Odyssey. The Sienna looked easier to get into. T and C van seemed to have very limited mid row tumbling ability and the third row looked the hardest to get to, though I didn't try since I'm not considering one. Sienna tumbled foreward and folded up and left a nice big hole to crawl through. 3rd row Sienna would not be too bad with the middle row slid completly foreward.
There were climate controls above the rear door on the driver's side. Didn't look to see if it was for middle or middle and back. Not important to me.
Yes, I could have been looking at the center audio pod for the middle row, not dvd. Made an assumption that it was the outfit without the hardware installed. Again, not important to me, I mentioned it for others.

zorax2

Please - tell us more about the 15" aftermarket DVD screen. Who makes it? Who sells it? Do they intend to have a kit for integrating it nicely in to the new 2004 Sienna?

wesley8us

newcar35,

Thank you for point out the destination charge difference. Now thta I'm convinced that the mini-site's price list should actually read like:

(From 04 Sienna Mini-site)
Sienna CE 7-passenger $23,465
Sienna CE 8-passenger $24,085
Sienna LE 7-passenger $24,770
Sienna LE 8-passenger $24,920
Sienna XLE 7-passenger $28,770
Sienna Limited 7-passenger $34,990
Sienna AWD LE (instead of CE) 7-passenger $28,385
Sienna AWD XLE (instead of LE) 7-passenger $31,975
Sienna AWD Limited (instead of XLE) 7-passenger $37,440

Wesley

zorax2

Steve -

Are you able to post a list of model breakdowns being shipped to the Chicago region? Any idea of when 04 Siennas will begin showing up at dealers in MN and WI? I'd love to get a sneak peak before March 14 as the Twin Cities auto show begins March 15.

I'm especially hoping to see an XLE Limited FWD in Arctic White. Since Arctic White is a special color, do you think we'll have a tough time finding one to see the color? I can't find any other Toyota that uses that color and we want to see it before we buy one.

lapvn

Assuming that we can get an offer for $25,900 on the Odyssey, the best deal that we can hope for on the Sienna is probably $28,233 (2% over invoice). This includes the CZ package.
That is a difference of $2,333, this is before taxes and interest.

If we take into consideration, taxes (6%) and interest ($8000 down, finance at 6%, better to overestimate) the number would be as follows:
Odyssey $ 28,675 Sienna $ 34,061
The actual overall difference is now: $5,386

With the new Sienna we would get the following, and also what I think of each:

2nd Row Windows: Nice but not important.
Power Liftgate: Nice but not important
Fog Lights Very Nice
2nd and 3rd row
Curtain air bags VERY VERY nice
Conversation Mirrors Not important at all
Heated mirrors Nice but not important
Tire Pressure Nice

This is merely my own opinion on whether to spend an extra $5k for the above. By all means correct me if I am wrong on my calculations or if I omitted something.

FYI, Honda dealer called me up just 5 minutes ago asking if we have made a decision, I told him we are waiting for the 04 Sienna. He said that they were told that the 04 Ody will be revamp, any truth I don't know, but I couldn't wait that long.

vahomemom

Jimmymke: I sat in an '03 Sienna 3rd row seat and, of course, it is short and less comfy than 2nd row, to be expected. However, when I reclined it I got a huge pushed up area in the lumbar, I guess something to do with hinging?? My kids had muddy shoes so I did not want to get them into the shiny floor model to do their comfort test. On another discussion board, one dedicated member hauled his 21 year old BIL, 6'7" tall and took pics of him in 2nd row and 3rd row. Very cool. My kids are not so tall yet and I am most concerned with comfort in the 3rd row. Did you get to sit and bounce a bit in the 3rd row? Did the seat compare with a DC? When reclined, were there any surprises?

Thanks in advance...

deepan

you left out one important feature
split tumble down 3rd row. dont the XLE come with a sunroof,

vahomemom

Please, anyone with info reply:

I could be happy with the CE + pkg AI or the LE + pkg. BW. (Ecstatic, actually.)

Aside from the different included options (those pkgs have what I really want already) the fabric seems to be the only big diff between the CE and the LE, no difference in the knobs, fit/finish quality, etc. Those of you who have owned Toyotas in the past: Is there a big diff in these two quality levels of fabric? I need the most durable to be cleaning after 3 kids, but would really like any appreciable increase in plushness/luxury in feel or appearance.

Thanks for any input.

sbelfield

Does the '03 Sienna require regular or super unleaded gas?

How about the '04?
Thanks!!

sbelfield

I would love a copy of your spreadsheet comparing Ody to Sienna.

Thanks in advance. (sbelfiel@hrpdc.org)

Anyone have an opinion on buying an '03 Sienna and saving a bundle?

sbelfield

With deep discounts on the '03 Sienna (about 5-6K off MSRP), is it a steal when compared to the new '04 Sienna. I know they made improvements, but are the improvements worth paying $4K or $5K more?

dyh555

LE + BW will have alloywheels, trip computer, Homelink, power RH sliding door, rear seat audio
in addition to a different fabric compared to CE + AI

dyh555

I am in the same boat.. I decided to wait for 04..
like the 3rd row and the 8 seat option!

I have ordered LE 8 + BW at MSRP.

deepan

Going by past experience there is a noticeable difference in the texture. LE feels more luxurious and softer. We have a 87 Camry LE (limited production i was told) and a 00 Sienna CE and even after 15 yrs its WAY better than the sienna.

here a place for some comparison.
http://www.siennaclub.org/comparison.htm

newcar35

I think the 04 is definitely worth the extra $$ if you have young children. The 03 has only one LATCH and one tether anchor (if I remember correctly) and they are both on the same seat. The car is overall smaller, and doesn't have the side curtain airbags that are available on the 04. Plus, with the 04 you have the versatility of the rear seats, being able to roll down the windows in the second row, gear shift on the floor, etc. If you really wanted an 03, I'd try to get a deal on the 03 Odyssey -- I think that's a better car than the 03 Sienna, and its MSRP was lower than the Sienna's.

jimmymke

Zorax2: The 15" DVD was shown by Erickson Auto Trim here in town. They said any custom shop could get something similar anywhere. Not branded with a name. Cost was $2600 installed (with player). Don't know where the player rests. The fellow I spoke to thought an install would not be a problem on the new Sienna based on putting them in past Siennas, no promises.
Vahomemom: I sat in the third row, but can't say that I bounced around enough to notice the cush factor. I reclined it enough to be comfy, not to it's limit, but I didn't notice the lumbar poking you experienced. But at 6'2" since age 14, I've been in back car seats less comfy than the Sienna for long trips. Kids can get used to it. Tell 'em it's the best out there and to toughen up! : )

steveb84

I don't have time for a complete detail listing, but here goes:

5326 CE - 3
5336 LE 7 pass - 196 (4 build combos)
5338 LE 8 pass - 6
5346 XLE - 68 (4 build combos)
5356 XLE Limited - 21
5366 LE AWD - 6
5376 XLE AWD - 3
5386 XLE AWD Limited - 8

So far, no sign of an XLE Limited in Arctic Frost.
Not sure what percentage that color will be of the build mix. I'm guessing that it will be close to the Diamond White Pearl on Camry and Solara.

Arrival time: maybe some on the 13th, I'm expecting ours on the 14th - hopefully early in the day.

Maybe I'll see you at the Mpls Auto Show, I have a meeting in Bloomington the morning of the 15th, then hitting the show.

Steve

vahomemom

Thanks Deepan and dyh555: the luxury of the fabric is what I was getting at. The cost diff for the CE/8pass with AI and LE/8 pass with BW is right at $2K. I would get lots of little goodies besides the safety features I require: alloy wheels, driver lumbar support, rear audio, audio controls in steering, jamb proof windows, illuminated vanity mirrors, front underseat storage, passenger seat folds down plus a couple of things that cost a lot that I don't want: power door, Homelink and Trip Computer. Safety if first but the little stuff is nice, too. I'm on a tight budget so have to figure every penny.

Thanks Jimmymke: The boys will probably get to your height, their dad is a bit over 6'3", but for now I just want to hear no whining. The recline feature will be entertaining enough for at least a year, the roll down windows another year of fun.

I guess I just need to do the test drive, especially with the three kids' derrierres in place!

Thank you all!See you over at SiennaClub.

mjb56

Tonight I sat in the Milwaukee show, white Sienna. Having a bad back, seat comfort is of paramount importance. I found this van to be extremely comfortable in all seating areas. I kept going back and forth between the Ody Leather EX and this XLE. Both are comfortable but the neat features on the Sienna make it the choice. 3rd row seat was the best. Ody seat was way to heavy and rather inconvenient in comparison. Very, very nice vehicle.

zorax2

Thank you jimmymke and steveb84! Great information.

I'm encouraged that 21 FWD and 8 AWD XLE Limited are coming to our region - now I've got to figure out which dealership will have a Limited for me to look at on the 14th.

Steve - any idea of how to figure out which dealers will get a FWD Limited within 100 miles of the Twin Cities or do the dealers just have an '04 Sienna show up on their doorstep not knowing what it'll be? Just like a baby . . .

Did your regional allocation listing actually include color information? I'm really hoping to see the Arctic White and wondering where I'll have to go to see the color. Perhaps there haven't been any XLE Limiteds made in that color yet? You mentioned it might be similar in percentage to the Diamond White on the Camry and Solara - any idea of what that might be?

Do you have any idea of what model Siennas might be on display at the Mpls. Auto Show?

Thanks for all the info you've provided so far!

libertycat

dplachta

Regular won't hurt the engine, but they recommend 91 Octane.

xfactor

Have not posted on Edmunds in months.

I own a 1999 HO LX and installed an audio vox entertainment system (DVD & VHS & RF connector) around $1,500 from Circuit city very happy with the performance.

The 2004 Sienna looks like a real winner and could put the HO away by offering AWD on the under 30K models (at least offer it on the 8 seater which I would need) and by removing the leather gouging as an impediment to getting other options.

In any event my HO is the best MV on the road right now (Until the 2004 Sienna rolls out)but will need replacing in 3 years 70,000 miles today average 18,000 per year.

I am thrilled with the negotiating power being generated by all this competition. Kia Sedona (Low price) HO (MSRP a thing of the past) 2004 Sienna (Clearly defining the next benchmark in MV's) and I hear some domestic brands are coming out with flip and fold seats and striving to catch-up.

Happy to be in a situation where I can wait 3 years for the Sienna bugs (if any) to get worked out and to see how Honda and others respond.

The engineers look like they got this one right. Now lets see if the salesmen can do the same.

steveb84

I've only been able to track down two Arctic Frost for our region - one is coming to MN, but not the Cities.

I mis-typed about the percentage before, I was trying to say the color would be similar to Diamond White, I have not seen the color mix grid yet.

No clue how many or what models will be at the Convention Center for the Auto Show.

Always trying to help,
Steve

jchan2

Will The Sienna LE offer AWD or not? I wish to clarify this fact. My friend wants a Sienna LE AWD or Sienna LE 8 passenger, and was wondering which option was cheaper. The LE 8 passenger seems less expensive than an LE 7 passenger AWD. Would it be a good idea to get an 03 Sienna XLE for the price of an 04 Sienna LE 8 passenger? My friend wants the 8 passenger, so he wants to know which way is cheaper. XLE 03 or LE8 04?

dplachta

Looks like there is much more info there than last week, or am I imagining it? Did you spend more time in it?

Looks like the most comprehensive review around.

This is the second review that states Brake Assist is standard--Plain Dealer said that too. Yet Toyota's website shows this as an option feature available only with traction control. This is a feature I'd like and I hope it is standard.

newcar35

Okay, so various dealers say various things when I ask when they can get the car in. They talk about allocations, trades with other dealers and preferences. Does anyone know what these really mean, and how they translate into real-life availability of the cars (eg how realistic is it really to get a trade for an 04 sienna from another Toyota dealer?). How many of you have ordered on a "preference" vs an allocation, and what time frames for delivery have you been given?

steveb84

Getting a car that in not sitting on the lot is an inexact science/art. There are several options.

Dealer Trade -Run a "locator" that shows other dealers inventory, find a model with equipment and color as close to customers request as possible, get on the phone, find one that is reasonably close, try to make a swap, send a driver to go get it.

This can also be done with cars not built yet (aka "allocated") a computer swap is sometimes done so the car you want is delivered to your dealer.

Preference - The dealer submits a list of preferred model/color/option combinations, Toyota computers work with what models are being built and tries to match things.

Allocation - That comes a few days after the Preference is submitted, a district manager contacts the dealer with what they "earned"

How to work within the system is fairly complex, and ever-changing. Some dealers are better at it than others. I'm at a medium size dealer, but work the system very hard and rarely do I strike out. Occasionally it takes some time time, but I tell the salespeople, if it's built, I can get it.

Now, some customers won't buy a car that they can't touch/feel/drive. Thats why dealers try to stock a wide variety, yet still keep certain "core" units in stock at all times.

Is it confusing ? Yes

I guess one thing to keep in mind - if there is an exact combination of color and equipment that you want, it may take time. If you need a car quickly, be prepared to be flexible.

Hope that helps.

Steve

buckeyedon

From all the limited readings so far, general quietness of new Sienna is advertized as palpable. This one factor would sway us to buy the 04 Sienna. If anyone can refer board to "noise" statistics on new Sienna I would be grateful.

stewardrobbins

Consumer Guide www.consumerguide.com has tested the 04 Sienna and gives it a 6 for noise. Compare this to 8 for the Camry and Land Cruiser.
Quote: "More refined than previous Siennas. At least equal to best in class from Chrysler/Dodge and Honda. Main noise source is coarse-pavement tire thrum, and it's moderate. V6 audible at full throttle, but not intrusive. Wind rush well contained given the boxy shape."

pdg2

will the 04 sienna come with an all time 4 wheel drive?or a front wheel with an option to go to 4 wheel on demand. I am wondering about the gas consumption on the full time 4 wheel if you don't really need it.

canuck13

How long does it typically take from the date a vehicle is built to when it arrives at the dealer?

unc8185

Does anyone know the height of the '04 Sienna? The manufacturer of wheelchair/scooter lifts says that the '04 only has a 38" rear opening. The reports on this and other sites paint the new Sienna as larger than the '03. Could it really be true that the opening has shrunk? Consumer Reports puts the '03's opening at 41"; our measurement in the '00 is 40".

This news if true really lowers the chances that the Sienna will work for us. The '00 barely works with our lift/hoist. A 38" opening would be too short for our wheelchair and main scooter. The 38" opening will be almost identical to the Sequoia and Lexus GX470.

Thanks for any information!

stever

Maybe you could try to contact the outfit mentioned in Nofeer's post - or does it sound like that's stictly a ramp mod for the sliders?

nofeer Feb 25, 2003 7:31am

Steve, Host

nofeer

I posted a bit ago (last 1-2weks) that sienna will make a special version for this including kneeling system.

mem333

We want cloth seats in the new Sienna. Unfortunately you can only get factory installed heated seats with the leather package. Does anyone know how well the dealer installed heated seats work and what the control will look like on the dash. Also, is there any way to get the factory installed components?