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Comments
The biggest bummer about the Sienna(and this IS where the Ody wins) is that Ody does come with more standard functional "stuff". Dual sliding doors, power seat in ex, etc. I'm not sure what Sienna you are looking at, but for us, looking at LE w/ option 5, you can't get the 2nd slider which is something we really want. That said, my wife(and I agree) preferred the Sienna by such a wide margin that we decided o do without the "extra's" to get the car we really want. Just my 2 cents.
I have read these seat issues lately, and frankly they do kind of scare me...I may need to go do another ride or so before we buy to make sure we'll be cool.
By the way, if you move the seat and steering wheel closer together (not the best for safety), the slanted wheel is less of a problem. However, for me, my right ankle then hurts due to the bad angle with the throttle and brake.
Good luck. I'll mainly be discussing the Explorer and Mountaineer.
Toyota has changed the design of its second row seat belts in recent weeks.
Toyota identified 40 people who complained about the seat belts. And also replaced 3,089 second-row seat belts under warranty over the past two years to satisfy customer concerns.
So, check out your second row seat belt Sienna owners...adjust them if they are to loose when buckling up the kids.
Still, if you're the type not to use certain features, the all-in-one Honda format might not work for you.
This area is for discussing the Sienna's features, attributes, etc. Please post your question in the Toyota Sienna Owners: Problems & Solutions (2004+) discussion.
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Urban Legend
I especially like the "Editor's Note:"
OTOH, a few months after buying the Sienna, we bought an '04 Honda CR-V - my wife really, really wanted a small SUV. It's a great little truck ... except the seats. Most people apparently don't have a problem with the seats, but for me, they are a real pain in the back. I didn't notice anything during the test drive - it was only after we bought it (of course).
Anyone know what a "doc fee" is? Is this an added dealer fee? Any comments or words of advice? Thanks much
"The so-called "doc fee" is set in some states, such as California where it is $45. In other states, dealers can charge anything they think they can get for the doc fee. We've heard reports of customers being charged up to $900 for doc fees. In such a scenario, the dealer would quote an attractive price for the car, knowing they would make their profit by sliding the $900 doc fee past an unwary customer."
.... one of the few things CA has right in the new car fee/purchasing area....
I have already replied to the salesperson and asked directly, what is the doc fee? Is it a State fee or a dealer add on? and what will the fee be for this vehicle?
Furthermore, I have asked about any other possible fees beyond the destination charge so that I know that I am negotiating for the vehicle alone and not allowing these fees to make the difference for the dealer.
Besides the doc fee (I will find out how much they plan to charge for that), is $22300 reasonable for this van?
And with the Sienna, there are multiple sales regions in the US. Right now some are offering up to $1K rebates while others are offering none. Also, be aware that in two months or so the 2006 Sienna's are going to be arriving. You wont' be getting any discounts on the 2006's for a while. There will be decent discounts on the 2005's but your choices are going to be limited and those choices may be the cars that have been sitting on the lot for a while, unsold for whatever reasons.
So, really, it's hard to say what is "reasonable" for this van based on unknown factors like what region you are in, what the dealer cost is, what strategies you have pursued in finding the best prices, and model availability. Ultimately you can ask everyone but in the end, you are buying it and only you can decide if the price is "reasonable".
You might want to check out SiennaClub.org for more info. on buying strategies and what people have been paying for their Siennas.
Definitely ask and get in writing exactly what the doc fee will be before signing anything.
I almost didn't on another car brand and it would have cost me almost $300.
Luckily I asked and then walked away.
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I am hoping for some personal experiences with the Siennas in snow and up gravelly hilly roads, both AWD and the standard front wheel drive.
Thanks,
Carseats
Obviously, AWD would be better if you think the extra money is worth the piece of mind.
Ken
Personally, I'd rather have a station wagon that an SUV b/c many wagons will hold more, but even if that's a push, station wagons will generally handle better, get better mileage, have easier entrance and exit and easier cargo loading.
I have looked at caravans, and kia's as well however I have not checked out mazdas. I think the 2 it comes down to if I were to do minivan are Odyessy or Sienna and I just would have to deal with the fact that it is not as comfy as I would like. I would probably have to get a seat cushion of some sort. Usually figuring out what kind of car to get as not been such a big decision, I guess I am just tryhing to figure out whether convience or comfort is more important and to what level.
Anyway, what I really want to know is how the Sienna AWD will perform in the snow. I live in rural Southern Michigan with harsh winters and lots of snow. Will I be happy with a minivan, or should I look instead at an SUV or 4WD?
Thanks.
The only other option you really have as far as I am aware is to purchase the part from your dealer. The probelem with that is that it is probably not an accessory that can be ordered, rather something that is usually based on an accident claim. As such, the part cost is probably relatively expensive.
You may also want to post on some of the Toyota owner's boards on some of the other websites offering to purchase one if anyone is interested in selling theirs.
Hope this helps.
Ken
Ken
I'm going to look around the internet (toyota forums, ebay, etc.) and see what comes up. In the meantime, write to Toyota. (I will too) Maybe, if enough of us question Toyota about it, they'll include it as an accessory (Dodge/Chrysler does, iirc) that they can overcharge for :-)
If I find one, I'll let you know!
For what it's worth, I've checked ebay, googled it, checked other forums, all to no avail, but maybe you'll have better luck.
Be sure to post if you fine one, and I'll do the same.
On to the junk yards...
Junk yards have learned about the internet.
Ken
Ken
And perhaps to some's liking. The ugly (IMO) black trim on the CE and LE have been eliminated for silver colour.
Do you have any additional information on the 2006 Sienna? If they add the separately controlled temperature for driver and front passenger to the LE, the Sienna will be my first choice. The Sienna performs better than the Odyssey.
2006 Sienna with 3.3L V6: 215hp/222lb-ft.
Basically the numbers fell to a more accurate rating but in reality, the performance of the 3.3L has not been tweaked one bit. Hope you guys understand that.
You can find the 2006 preview info at the "other" Sienna website *hint, hint*
I'm not at liberty to indicate the changes but I would wait if I were you and you think you're interested in what may be coming.
I'd stay with a minivan. If you still don't think the AWD is enough for you, buy a good set of snow tires and you'll be even better than an SUV or 4WD truck.
What kinda line is that?!? :confuse: If you told us, would you have to kill us???
If the AWD doesn't come with a spare, does it at least come with some time of temporary "donut"?
Thanks for the advice on the snow tires. I know I'm a girl--but I still should have thought about this (duh.)
Does anyone know anything about the reports that the 2005 Sienna has a data recording device--much like the black box in an airplane? I hear Toyota has been installing such devices to protect themselves against fradulent lawsuits. Will the "06 model have this "feature" as well?
Short answer: no.
Long answer: a temporary "donut" is a spare. The standard FWD Siennas include the temporary "donut" (spare) stored under the floor between the 1st and 2nd row. This space is occupied by various mechanical bits on the AWD Sienna.
Therefore, if you want a spare (donut or full-size) with the AWD Sienna, you MUST find a place to put it. Most put the spare in the 3rd row seat well behind the 60 portion of the 60/40 folding seat. Of course, this means the owner can't fold the seat without placing the spare elsewhere.