It was also a question of my own as I have started to seriously consider the XLE Ltd. Directly from the option package with NAV, the Toyota website for zip codes in So. California lists the following, "...DVD Rear Entertainment System with Wireless Headphones (2), Rear Seat Audio, Volt Outlets(2,) EMV & Navigation System: (Nav System replaces 6 Disc CD Changer w/ 1 Disc CD Changer)."
Yes, Honda and Toyota meeting together to set prices would be obvious "collusion" (also illegal in Canada). Having Totoya dealers meeting together is different. Saturn has been doing it since the beginning. It is probably as legal as WalMart selling a watch at the same price in every WalMart stores. The problem is that customers are not used to it.
The main problem today is that the Canada list price is set to give margin to buyer and dealer for negotiation everywhere expect in Quebec where the list price is the price to pay. Obviously we pay more than anybody else. The day they will extend the program to Canada, at least everybody will pay the same price (expect the rest of the world).
However, the buyers are grouping together trying to fight again this new Toyota politic. The main problem is that people are still buying Toyota...
Hey russell29, The factory-installed DVD looks and works great. I tried one out at the dealership while trying to decide between the factory and aftermarket and I immediately chose factory. The screen looked great and the sound was very good through the included wireless headphones and terrific through the 10 speaker sound system in the van.
I live in MN and travel often to MT in winter months and decided on the FWD vehicle (I wanted a moonroof, side curtain airbags, and DVD-RSE and that is only possible on an AWD LTD not on an XLE AWD). I do regret not having the run-flat tires (but I guess I could get them for the 16" size.)
You do loose the 6 disc changer if you opt for the NAV. The DVD for the NAV is placed under the front passenger seat, I don't know if you loose the storage bin though.
The single cd player and cassette is behind the NAV screen.
Saturn dealers don't collude to set prices. The manufacturer has decided to have a no-negotiations pricing strategy, and has dictated to their dealers that they follow that strategy. That is not collusion. A manufacturer is free to determine its pricing strategy.
Can someone explain to me how the process of ordering a Sienna works? I put in an order on seven weeks ago for an XLE #14 package. The dealer said that they would put this through and that it would take approximately 6 weeks until they started to build the van and then delivery would be approximately 4 weeks later (10 weeks total). I called the dealer last week and he told me that he spoke with someone from a regional office to try to get me this vehicle up on their allocation. I don't understand how this works. Can someone who knows please tell me? I don't know if I am just getting the run-around from this dealer or if he is being honest.
You're getting the run-around. Just kidding. It approximately took me 6 weeks to get a build date and delivery time.
From what I understand, the dealer gets to place an order 2 times a month with the regional distributor. The regional office (I believe there are about 7) then puts the order to TMMI (Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Indiana, Inc.) in Princeton and they will accept or reject the order.
Once TMMI accepts the order, it gets placed into the regions queue which can be weeks out. As the queue updates TMMI will then give a status to the regional office. At this time you'll have a serial number, build date and ship date.
What kgnw1 said is true, but the time frame can also be even longer. I have a friend who is the GM of a rather large Honda dealership in So. Cal and used to be a Toyota manager. He tells me that with the Sienna you are "requesting" or "preferencing" but there is no "ordering" unless they are making your particular package at the time you are ordering. They are making Siennas out of one plant. Today they may burn a lot of LEs with package 6, but who knows tomorrow.
Of course, my friend wants me to buy the Honda for a great deal or wait until the remodel. Regardless, my only advice is to be patient.
I was given an estimated delivery of about 5 weeks originally. Mine was actually about 7 weeks. I know how hard it is to wait. Wish they could give you real dates.
Well we picked up our XLE with option package #12 today. I emailed a bunch of dealers in the maine/new hampshire market and the first one to email me back had one coming that was not sold. It had exactly what we wanted and our favorite color-stratosphere mica. He also offered $2424 off the msrp right off the top. There was no further negotiating, but I was satified. How lucky could I get, exactly what I wanted and delivery in less than two weeks for less than msrp. The car is great, smooth, quiet and all the extras will be enjoyed. The JBL stereo is quite enjoyable, but can't match our Bose! All is all I am very pleased. I can't wait to fill it up with kids and friends and take a trip....now, as long as the trasmission holds up :-)
I have read about how long it often takes to 'order' a Sienna with a specific trim and option package. However, does anyone know if they are making a lot of specific types that are more readily available than others? For example, they might be making a lot of CE option package 3s, but you have to order a LE package 11, etc. We are primarily interested in CEs and LEs. Thanks in advance.
Well, I just took the plunge and bought a Sienna, gave the dealer a ridiculous profit but such is life. Truthfully or not, this is what the dealer (in Cleveland) told me. Each dealer gets an allocation of so many CE, LE, etc. There is a lot of flexibility to change within the trim levels, but not a lot of flexibility to change trim levels. So if on a given allocation, a dealer is alloctaed 3 LE's and 4 LX's, that's all she wrote, no CE's or limiteds on that batch. On the other hand, if Toyota says to dealer that none of your LE's will have auto sliding door or dual airbags, and 2 will be red and 1 will be green, the dealer can change that around per existing customer orders-- as long as it's an allowable package for that reason. This is what I'm told, the truth I can not tell you-- the dealer had a clear incentive to take my deposit and get me in the long line of orders that he must have. I have to say, Toyota didn't seem to learn a lesson that Honda has learned quite well, Keep it simple!!
I was promised 6-8 weeks for my LX with the GJ package, we shall see.
I am considering buying a XLE w/ pkg. 19 or 16. I would like to have both NAV & RES (pkg.19), but pkg.19 does not have TRAC/VSC. Pkg.16 does have TRAC+VSC, but it has no NAV.
My question to you all is: how useful is TRAC/VSC? In what kind of driving condition, this system will help? I am in SF bay area.
Obviously, if I buy LTD, it will have everything. But it is too expensive and it is also hard to get.
I may not be the best source for this as my decision was between AWD XLE and the FWD XLE with Nav not being an issue at all and the only thing that makes me feel comfortable taking the FWD XLE and package 16 is that it has TRAC/VSC. (On the other hand, this may be a bad place to ask about nav as many people on these boards seem to think that without nav, they could not find their own home.)
It is a matter of safety with me and the skid control and traction control that will allow me to maintain control is much more important than a "toy" that will help me find an address. There are many aftermarket nav products you can get (granted the will not integrate into the vehicle as well as the factory model), but there is no way to add Trac/VSC after the fact.
Take the Trac/VSC and the safety it provides, if you miss the nav, get it aftermarket.
Does anyone's Interior lights automatically shut off after a period of time if any interior ceiling lights were left pressed on or a door left open?
Also, I've noticed that if the headlights are on when you park, and a door is left ajar, the headlights will not turn off until the battery is dead.
My Chrysler Town & Country handled the above situations by automatically turning off the lights after about 15 minutes. I thought I read somewhere in the manual that there is an automatic shutoff feature on the Sienna too.
I'm glad to see DC fixed that little problem. On my '99 GCS, if one of the reading/GameBoy lights is turned on, it'll stay on until the battery goes dead. And if I leave the rear liftgate ajar, the courtesy lights in it will likewise stay on for as long as the battery can support them.
Does anybody know if the center console between the two front seats can be installed at the dealer as an added option? I am thinking of XLE with Nav/DVD/Trac but can't get the console unless you buy XLE limited trim which will cost me additional $2000.
I thought I read somewhere that you could move the console to the middle row. That been the case I am sure you could get another one as an option. In your case it would be a matter of taking out the fold down tray and replacing it with the new console.
I suppose that begs another question, is it possible to attach a fold down tray to the right hand captian's chair? Probobly not because you could end up dumping any drinks if you tried to fold the chair forward.
I owned a '04 XLE Limited AWD with the DVD entertainment center.
Does anyone knows how to control the volume of the DVD player using the remote control? I looked through the manual but did not see anything about this. Currently I changed the volume from the front dash board.
I have about 200 miles on this van and so far so good.
The only wish list I have are: 1) Missing the driver seat memory 2) Does not have an auto-shut off lights when the engine is cut off.
I have a '98 Volvo that have the above features and I kinda miss these in the new van.
Your reply bring out another question for me. What's the difference between fold down tray vs center console box? Does anybody have any picture showing what the console box look like?
Has anyone really looked into whether the traction control and stability control Toyota utilizes works well, and where I can get more info. Also, what's up with the $619-679 Toyo-Guard treatment they push. Doesn't Toyota undercoat their vehicles at the factory. Is this just a gimmick or will it really make the vehicle's paint and underbody last longer.
Hello, Every body. I am new to this board and this is my first post. We are looking for XLE with pkg#12. I see some differences between the options listed by edmunds, cardirect for #12 Vs what I see on the toyota's build web page.
Toyota's build web page says: Vehicle skid Control/ W Brake Assist
All the other items are exactly same in toyota and edmunds. Are these same or there is a difference. All other options like pkg#1, pkg#14 in toyota's web site states the stability and traction control and rear disk brakes, brake assist like the edmund's. Since you got the same package please let us know what actually did you get ? Thanks.
The Toyota Sienna DVD RSE will play VCDs. I created one with a few digital photo slideshows and used it to test the DVD system along with a DVD movie. Both worked great.
A local dealer here in SF bay area told me that Toyota has changed their allocation plan. In order to get the RES, you have to go for the LTD model. Also, all the LTD model will come with with either HF(DVD) or HO(DVD/NAV) packages.
I think Toyota now realizes that their package structure was too complicated, thus they decided to make it a little simple.
Has anyone got the DVD player in XLE around No. CA?
Toyota's website is the WORST manufacturers website available. You might want to try the carsdirect.com website for rebate and invoice info, as well as MSRP. However, this site will not tell you if you can actually obtain a vehicle in a particular color/options combination in your area.
You can do that today, and it's only 2003. But the operative word is "Good". Also, you didn't say that the minivan had to be new, which helps. Still you can buy a good, new minivan with a good engine and lots of features today for under $19k. If you want a VERY good minivan, like the Sienna, it will cost you more.
Has anyone tried to use wireless headphones other than the Toyota branded ones? I want to get some for my rear audio system, but do not want to spend $80+ dollars. What brands have you tried and seemed to have worked. Thanks!
I went to Radio Shack. The guy there said they don't recommend the cordless headphones for the car. Can't guarantee quality. I don't know if he knew what he was talking about or not. Toyota manual also says can't guarantee quality if you don't get their headphones.
You might want to call a few places, before you drive around. Could save you a lot of time.
I ended up getting headphones with cords on sale at radio shack for 30.00. Were regularly 50.00. I wanted to get the full size headphones. Didn't want the cheap ones, since I planned on listening to my music in the front of the van while the kids used headphones in the back of van. I was afraid to spend the money for cordless and find a quality issue.
How much are they if you buy them through Toyota??? I wonder if you can buy them after you have the van?
Do want to say that we LOVE the rear audio. It is so nice for me to be able to listen to adult radio/music up front and for my kids to get their kids music in the back. Wonderful!
Sorry I can't help you. Just letting you know my experience.
I got an LE #7 with passenger side power sliding door. After owning it for a few weeks, we found that it will be great if we can also have the driver side sliding door powered. Can this option be added to an existing LE?
I have the Toyota wireless headphones and they are excellent according to my 14 year old. I would check the price out again from Toyota because $80.00 US seems high. In Canada I paid $92.00 for two sets and have read somewhere that the US price was around $60.00 US for two sets. Have read some comments from another forum that the quality of the Toyota headsets was better then some aftermarket products. I am sure some of the big electonic stores could provide choices just as good as Toyota's product.
Has anyone heard anything else about the rooftop carrier? Anyone heard about how the 2004 Sienna handles this weight? Here's the edmunds link where it was discussed.
I have a question. Both the Siennas and Odys have good prior safety/crash records. The new Sienna seems to be improved even further with the new side/head curtain airbags on all 3 rows. However, does anyone know anything about how well these curtain airbags work or any research that has shown their effectiveness? Is this feature really worth focusing on as a significant safety advantage beyond the Ody (and other models)? This is one reason why I might buy a Sienna instead of an Ody, but am basing this totally on an assumption that these things are really helpful in a side impact crash, but where's the data? Thanks.
I don't have an answer about the data. I wonder if its too soon to find that out.
I got the LE with the safety features (side air bags, etc).
My husband's niece died at 27 when driving a car. She died instantly of head injury because she was hit on the side of the car. I'm hoping that the side air bags will provide more safety than my husband's niece had 2 years ago.
I did hear something on the radio this morning, talking about SUVs. The announcers were saying that 2 SUVs (can't remember the names) were determined by research to be safer than all the others because they have side air bags.
Seems like they should be made standard, although there's the kid sleeping against the window issue - here's the small SUVs side crash test results link you probably saw in the news: side impact crash tests (IIHS)
I just wanted to tell everyone that I know for sure that the Rear Audio System definitely transmits via IR. I just received my set of (2) headphones and tried them. They work perfectly in the second and third rows. Best of all, I got them for only $26 incl. S/H. A LOT cheaper than getting it at any dealer. For those in need of some, just look on ebay.com for IR wireless headphones. For those who got them from the dealer, maybe you can save yourself some money now and got some more for your third row passengers.
We just ordered a FWD XLE today with the GJ and CF options. MSRP was 35,511--our price was 34,610. It's not a great discount, but I was expecting to pay MSRP. The delivery is 45 to 60 days out. This has most options except for the Nagivation system.
We had two Oldsmobile Silhouettes prior to this and had very good luck with them. This is our first Toyota so I'm hoping for good things.
Ace, I had to pay MSRP, just north of 34K. I mentioned calling around 25 dealers, but forgot to mention that every one of them was MSRP or higher, with the exception of one, Longo Toyota. They are the largest in the US, and I was told "maybe a couple hundred under MSRP". I decided I wasn't willing to wait a few months for the prices to "maybe" come down, so MSRP I paid...
That is what I am afraid of. I am pretty sure that if I send offers to dealers in my area, I will get laughed out of every one of them. It might even become the salesman joke of the day :-)
"So, check this guy out who wants us to sell a Sienna to him at our cost + 2% profit. Yeah! We could use his 2% profit to buy us some lunch <snigger/chuckle/laugh>"
The dealer I went to had about 10 Siennas on his lot and every one of them was SOLD (I bet, at MSRP)
Comments
The main problem today is that the Canada list price is set to give margin to buyer and dealer for negotiation everywhere expect in Quebec where the list price is the price to pay. Obviously we pay more than anybody else. The day they will extend the program to Canada, at least everybody will pay the same price (expect the rest of the world).
However, the buyers are grouping together trying to fight again this new Toyota politic. The main problem is that people are still buying Toyota...
The factory-installed DVD looks and works great. I tried one out at the dealership while trying to decide between the factory and aftermarket and I immediately chose factory. The screen looked great and the sound was very good through the included wireless headphones and terrific through the 10 speaker sound system in the van.
I live in MN and travel often to MT in winter months and decided on the FWD vehicle (I wanted a moonroof, side curtain airbags, and DVD-RSE and that is only possible on an AWD LTD not on an XLE AWD). I do regret not having the run-flat tires (but I guess I could get them for the 16" size.)
The single cd player and cassette is behind the NAV screen.
Thanks, Coachdad
From what I understand, the dealer gets to place an order 2 times a month with the regional distributor. The regional office (I believe there are about 7) then puts the order to TMMI (Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Indiana, Inc.) in Princeton and they will accept or reject the order.
Once TMMI accepts the order, it gets placed into the regions queue which can be weeks out. As the queue updates TMMI will then give a status to the regional office. At this time you'll have a serial number, build date and ship date.
Of course, my friend wants me to buy the Honda for a great deal or wait until the remodel. Regardless, my only advice is to be patient.
The car is great, smooth, quiet and all the extras will be enjoyed. The JBL stereo is quite enjoyable, but can't match our Bose! All is all I am very pleased. I can't wait to fill it up with kids and friends and take a trip....now, as long as the trasmission holds up :-)
I was promised 6-8 weeks for my LX with the GJ package, we shall see.
I am considering buying a XLE w/ pkg. 19 or 16. I would like to have both NAV & RES (pkg.19), but pkg.19 does not have TRAC/VSC. Pkg.16 does have TRAC+VSC, but it has no NAV.
My question to you all is: how useful is TRAC/VSC? In what kind of driving condition, this system will help? I am in SF bay area.
Obviously, if I buy LTD, it will have everything. But it is too expensive and it is also hard to get.
It is a matter of safety with me and the skid control and traction control that will allow me to maintain control is much more important than a "toy" that will help me find an address. There are many aftermarket nav products you can get (granted the will not integrate into the vehicle as well as the factory model), but there is no way to add Trac/VSC after the fact.
Take the Trac/VSC and the safety it provides, if you miss the nav, get it aftermarket.
Also, I've noticed that if the headlights are on when you park, and a door is left ajar, the headlights will not turn off until the battery is dead.
My Chrysler Town & Country handled the above situations by automatically turning off the lights after about 15 minutes. I thought I read somewhere in the manual that there is an automatic shutoff feature on the Sienna too.
Does anybody know if the center console between the two front seats can be installed at the dealer as an added option? I am thinking of XLE with Nav/DVD/Trac but can't get the console unless you buy XLE limited trim which will cost me additional $2000.
Thanks.
from LA.
I suppose that begs another question, is it possible to attach a fold down tray to the right hand captian's chair? Probobly not because you could end up dumping any drinks if you tried to fold the chair forward.
Does anyone knows how to control the volume of the DVD player using the remote control? I looked through the manual but did not see anything about this. Currently I changed the volume from the front dash board.
I have about 200 miles on this van and so far so good.
The only wish list I have are:
1) Missing the driver seat memory
2) Does not have an auto-shut off lights when the engine is cut off.
I have a '98 Volvo that have the above features and I kinda miss these in the new van.
Thanks in advance
Thanks again,
DC.
Does anyone know if the factory DVD player can play VCD?
All the home DVD player can play VCD, and Ody's DVD player can't.
Thanks.
http://www.edmunds.com/reviews/roadtests/firstdrive/100307/articl- e.html?tid=edmunds.h..reviews..4.*
Edmund's and car direct says it includes:
Stability Control, traction control, brake assist, rear disc brakes
Toyota's build web page says:
Vehicle skid Control/ W Brake Assist
All the other items are exactly same in toyota and edmunds. Are these same or there is a difference. All other options like pkg#1, pkg#14 in toyota's web site states the stability and traction control and rear disk brakes, brake assist like the edmund's. Since you got the same package please let us know what actually did you get ? Thanks.
BTW I am located in MISSISSIPPI.
Thanks for the answer.
A local dealer here in SF bay area told me that Toyota has changed their allocation plan. In order to get the RES, you have to go for the LTD model. Also, all the LTD model will come with with either HF(DVD) or HO(DVD/NAV) packages.
I think Toyota now realizes that their package structure was too complicated, thus they decided to make it a little simple.
Has anyone got the DVD player in XLE around No. CA?
then Definitely We can buy a Good Mini van in between 16K to 19K (Luxury Edition)
We Hope that this will happen in 2004
~alpha
You might want to call a few places, before you drive around. Could save you a lot of time.
I ended up getting headphones with cords on sale at radio shack for 30.00. Were regularly 50.00. I wanted to get the full size headphones. Didn't want the cheap ones, since I planned on listening to my music in the front of the van while the kids used headphones in the back of van. I was afraid to spend the money for cordless and find a quality issue.
How much are they if you buy them through Toyota??? I wonder if you can buy them after you have the van?
Do want to say that we LOVE the rear audio. It is so nice for me to be able to listen to adult radio/music up front and for my kids to get their kids music in the back. Wonderful!
Sorry I can't help you. Just letting you know my experience.
Bev
zolty "Sienna not safe for rooftop Luggage carriers?" Mar 24, 2003 7:18pm!make=Toyota&model=Sienna&ed_makeindex=.ef12fd6
Thanks for any help you can provide!!
Bev
I got the LE with the safety features (side air bags, etc).
My husband's niece died at 27 when driving a car. She died instantly of head injury because she was hit on the side of the car. I'm hoping that the side air bags will provide more safety than my husband's niece had 2 years ago.
I did hear something on the radio this morning, talking about SUVs. The announcers were saying that 2 SUVs (can't remember the names) were determined by research to be safer than all the others because they have side air bags.
Bev
Steve, Host
Steve, Host
This van BLOWS all others away. I checked em all...
Had to call around 25 dealers to find one with GC package. Couldn't find a single one with NAV & DVD. Oh well, I couldn't wait, had to have it NOW....
We had two Oldsmobile Silhouettes prior to this and had very good luck with them. This is our first Toyota so I'm hoping for good things.
"So, check this guy out who wants us to sell a Sienna to him at our cost + 2% profit. Yeah! We could use his 2% profit to buy us some lunch <snigger/chuckle/laugh>"
The dealer I went to had about 10 Siennas on his lot and every one of them was SOLD (I bet, at MSRP)