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What?
Without chrome, I'd be really depressed:-)
But I cannot be the only person who likes chrome.
Look at all the luxury vehicles---sedans, SUVs. They all have serious chromes inside and out and have plenty of woodtrim inside.
But oh, well, as long as it has a totally awesome NAV, it will do.
Heh. I'm just kidding. I've never been a chrome fan, but apparently everybody doesn't share my taste. You can put some 22" chrome spinners on whichever one you decide on to add some more bling.
In each internet email I've responded to, I've explained that I can get an 05 Odyssey EXL DVDRES for $32,400. I just received a "best offer" from a dealership in Denver for a 2005 Sienna XLE package including the following:
XLE Package #7: Includes
17" Alloy Wheels w/P225/60R17 All Season Tires
Leather Trim Seats
Dr & Fr Pass Seat Heaters
Side Door & Quarter Window Sunshades
Curtain Shield Airbags for All 3 Rows
Dr & Fr Pass Side impact Airbags, Vehicle Stability Control w/TRAC
Rear Disc Brakes
Windshield Wiper De-Icer Grid
Daytime Running Lights
Power Tilt/Slide Moonroof
JBL AM/FM/Cass/6-Disc CD Changer w/10 Speakers
DVD Rr Seat Entertainment System w/2 Wireless Headphones
Two 115V Power Outlets
Carpet Floor Mats/Door Sill Protector
The features very closely match the 2005 Odyssey EXL DVDRES. The Toyota dealerships (internet sales) best offer was $34498 which is $1987 off MSRP. Nice discount, but still nowhere near the Odyssey. I could add the killer Odyssey NAV system to the Honda EXL DVD RES for the same price as the Sienna XLE package 7.
I still don't think $2000 is worth buying the Sienna over the Odyssey for a tad more room and power rear lift.
Sienna pricing depends on where you live. I had multiple dealers offering 3K off MSRP in Dec/Jan. when I got mine (in Northern CA). Apparently supplies are still tighter in other parts of the country. I'd guess 05 Odyssey availability should push prices down in most area.
There's some dealing going around now w/ teh siennas which will be much needed competition!
Ace
Anyway, it was nice. The 2 remind me of each other much more than the '04 Ody did. Both had nice seats, similar dash, etc. Hard to really say one was better, and Ilike most people) would probably be perfectly happy with either one.
So, I think it will be the combo of price and "hot button" features that will make the decision for many people, although there may be just enough difference in the driving experience (for the 5% of the population of minivan drivers that care) to count. I prefer a firmer ride and tighter steering over a floaty ride, so am predisposed toward the Honda, but in the real world, they are probably comparable.
The Sienna does have a much bigger moonroof though. I really don't understand why Honda made theirs so darned small.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
I won't argue with anything else, but I just cannot look beyond the NAV.
If Toyota can copy Honda's NAV, CD changer, RES, instrument panel, and chrome grille, I would have absolutely no complaints.
I love the way the Sienna drives---like my Lexus--soft/cushy/quiet.
I'm not at all into racing or towing, so the HP/torque thing doesn't affect me.
But for crying out loud Toyota: THE NAV!!!
We don't understand why both Honda & Toyota do the things they do.
I guess life would just be too simple if somebody made us the "perfect" minivan for the "perfect" price, which is below $40K.
I don't need navi or a RES, and most of the other high-end stuff isn't worth my money (although, as always, YMMV). But I do require alloy wheels, since I hat hubcaps.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
Ace
Aceman
I do find some things that are better in Sienna. I like that 3rd row window can be opened just a bit. This allows for the airflow to enter in front and exit in the rear. I do not understand how air flow is supposed to work in Odyssey. Apparently Sienna is a bit longer inside.
Worst of all, Odyssey Touring seems to be less then EX. Touring does not have an 8th seat. I do not like this seat all that much, but why take it away (and 20$ console is not a replacement). It uses new tires which will be hard to change. Right now I can go to Costco and change tires, with new tires I would probably have set up an appointment with Honda and loose that car for a day, plus pay more for both labor and tires.
IMHO Odyssey is not a bad car of course. It’s just not much better to justify higher then Sienna price. Not sure if MSRP is a good price.
I really really like the interior & exterior looks & features of the Sienna as well as the feel of the ride (soft & quiet) over the Odyssey. I don't like the fact that I can get a cool 9-inch screen front-loading DVD with the Odyssey for the same price as the non-DVD Siennas. I am torn.
We would get a portable DVD player if we got the Sienna. I just don't know if buying the Sienna is worth it for the looks and feel of the drive over the Odyssey which includes the DVD and also has a good interior and drive. (we have 2 small toddlers who are greatly entertained with the DVD on long 500+ mile trips- we only use it for an hour or two of the drive, though and we will make the rule that it only works on long trips- we don't want them watching it all the time)
Any advice is welcome.
As for pricing, there is probably a bit more flexibility with the Sienna as it has been out for a while and there is more information about invoice and such. As mentioned in this and other threads, you may be able to pick up a Sienna for close to invoice, whereas there appears to be less flexibility with the '05 Ody since it was only released this week.
Thanks, LH
since you are so in to toys on cars, you definitely need the sienna. laser cruise and xenon. you can't even get xenon (or laser cruise) on the acura mdx. everybody has nav. only a select few have laser cruise--the ultimate toy.
gator
also, why no awd or gated shifter on ody? 3rd row shades and 3rd row windows that open? sienna limited awd still tops as i see it.
in all seriousness, the new ody looks very nice and will obviously be a great van.
wish honda had put curtain airbags and a dash mounted shifter on the pilot. if they had, i'd have already ordered one. i guess i'll have to wait until next year.
Sounds like many people aren't finding the 05 Odyssey to be the Sienna-trouncing wondervan you have been promising.
The 05 Odyssey doesn't have any safety features that aren't available on Siennas.
toyota manual specifically says that premium fuel is NOT required. it says you may get performance benefit with premium.
gator
The noise of the Honda engine compared to a Toyota is alot more noisier and a rougher drive, the Honda feels like a cargo van with the lazy daisey hidaway storage is a neat idea, but it creates more road noise as there is no insulation to prevent it.
A TV show I watched showed a Honda and a Toyota side by side, to prove who was better and the toyota had more speed (Honda more get up and go) Toyota better gas milage. Toyota quieter, Toyota Nicer, and the honda does not have a good heating system with the vents in the rear of the vehicle for heating that is so stupid. Honda wants to consume more gas and energy to cool the van with very little venting. hah hah.
So with that I will buy a toyota any day!!
Ody has STANDARD side and 3 row side curtain airbags on every model, Sienna does not(only more expensive models).
OPDS, Occupant Position Detection System not available on Sienna.
For Sienna (VSC) is optional, except on the most expensive model.
Odyssey has a shorter braking distance. 30-0 ft - 36.0 ft Sienna/33.9 ft Odyssey.
60-0 ft - 142.8 ft Sienna/136.5 ft Ody.
In independent tests conducted by Consumer Automotive Research Inc. (CAR).
Sienna's navigation screen is 6 inches vs. 8
inches for the Ody.
Sienna's DVD screen is 7 inches vs. Ody's 9 inches.
Why in the world would you bring an isolated CRV issue over here in the first place?
I'm glad you clarified things.
My concerns with my situation, is that the person that'll be driving this '05 sienna, has been use to and awd/4wd s10 blazer. I want her to feel safe, however, I don't know how well this AWD system really works? Like, if I were stuck in the snow, will it smartfully determine what wheels to engage? Also, a huge factor...how well has this system held up mechanically? The guy from the toyota hotline said this is a new and improved system on the '04/'05. Well, what were the problems from the previous years systems?
I sure hope someone hits back on this. Thx
last year, car and driver showed a 15 ft stopping advantage for the sienna over the ody.
i doubt either c&d or consumer's report has had a chance to test the ody yet.
For me I am shocked Honda did not include this as an option, especially since they are the so called "Safety Company". Can anyone explain how they make that claim and forget important features like AWD for the Odyssey and side curtain airbags on the Honda Pilot?
AWD on the Sienna is automatic, it detects slippage and adjusts automatically.
I for one went from RWD to FWD to AWD.
All my vehicles will soon have AWD and side Air Curtains. All you need is one time,fFor a bad storm, rain or snow, to realize how important these features are!!
Sienna uses the all-wheel-drive system of the RX 330 and is fully automatic. There is no driver involvement necessary. Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) automatically routes power to either the front or the rear wheels as necessary to help give a smooth ride and optimum traction
Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) senses lateral slip in turns and helps keep the vehicle on course, while Traction Control (TRAC) helps effectively deploy power during slippery conditions.
So yes AWD is an important feature, which should of been an option on the new Odyssey.
And don't forget that all Siennas are selling close to invoice, and the odys at MSRP.
P.S. when I said usable, I mean you can get/own it, otherwise, you don't have it. Not just 1" larger that you can read it at 1' further.
Available on several models that are price similar to the Odyssey. The good thing about the Ody is that it is on all models and not a package that can be difficult to get.
OPDS, Occupant Position Detection System not available on Sienna.
Actually it is on all 05 Siennas.
For Sienna (VSC) is optional, except on the most expensive model.
VSC comes on all models that also have side curtain airbags.
There's no comparison to the touring w/ Nav at that trim level both being at teh same price. Sienna wins that comparison hands down IMO.
Aceman
Could someone give me some advice as to whether the 2004 or the 2005 is the better way to go? I have given some consideration to the Toyota if anyone has some feedback there as well. It is my understanding that Leather seats will last longer than the cloth so I guess that would be a good idea. I will be carrying some equipment on the road as well as my luggage. I will also have some customers riding with me as well.
I am looking for a Van that will be as safe as possible, will get great Gas Mileage, Preferably will have Navigation built in, I have no use for DVD as both my kids are in college, I will use this for a family van when I'm at home with my wife and one of my son's in college. I plan on keeping this van for the long term.
Thank you all in advance for all of your advice and assistance.
We were able to drive an EX-L, and sit in a '05 SIenna (LE package 1, so not a direct model comparison). although one was much more loaded, you still got a good feel for how they "fit", just too bad we couldn't drive the Sienna.
Anyway, my wife liked them both just fine. She is now pumping me for a comparison of features/price. I think each buyers must have list is going to drive the decision more than anything else, when combined with price.
In our case, wifee wants the leather and would liek to have a moonroof again (we have one now). So, that puts us into an XLE with options, which meant IIRC about 34-35K MSRP, probably 33K street price if we are lucky (very tight supply in NJ).
So, she likes the Honda fine, and pretty much picked that when she found out the price for an EX-L was 2-4K less than the Toyota. And since we actually prefer not to have the power tailgate, I don't think the Toyota offers any feature of interest to us over the EX-L.
To me, I prefer a sporty driving feel, so I have always leaned to Hondas as opposed to softer riding, more isoloated/cushy TOyotas, so I wanted the Ody anyway.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
My wife definately wants a sun roof in her minivan, but in order to get one, you must get leather. We typically try to keep our cars about 10 years and I question how leather will hold up that long. I've seen leather, crack, split, etc.... We also have a black lab that comes with us in the car at times. I'm not sure if she could scratch the seats, etc. I could always put down a blanket for her.
Let me know your thoughts??
I see this all of the time...sorry.
I'm positive we will see $1,000 discounts on Ody within a month, once all the people who don't give a rat's [non-permissible content removed] about money buy the Ody's at MSRP or at markup above it.