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> fold-down tray is standard on CE and LE and optional on XLE Ltd
My guess is that the powered removal console is standard on the XLE; it has cup holders and storage, thus making the fold down tray redundant. But for my use, I probably would remove the console for easy accessibility to back seats; and I do prefer the fold down tray as well.
Thanks for any info, Becky
Does anyone know which other Toyota models are built exclusively in the U.S., and are the U.S. built models usually held to be inferior in quality? Also, were the current Sienna models also manufactured entirely in the US?
I think the cars made in Japan are superior to the ones here in the US. That's why "Lexus" is made in Japan and "Toyota" is made here in the US (except Landcruiser). That's why Lexus is the number one reliable make and Toyota is like number 6, although a "Lexus" in Japan is just called a Toyota, not Lexus.
One argument against my reasoning is the Mazda MVP minvan, which I believe is made in Japan. For some reasons I don't think it's as reliable as the Toyota or Honda made in the USA.
Currently, to my knowledge, these features have to be purchased as part of a convenience pkg. on the 2003 CE's. (The HX pkg. on the 2003 CE adds power windows and doors, among other things, and costs just under $1000). If there is $1,000 drop on the base price of 2004's, as has been variously reported, and now power doors/locks are both standard, then there will be nearly a $2,000 drop in base MSRP for reasonably equipped CE, which can partly offset the absence of discounts and incentives. Or am I missing something?
Steveb: On the subject of Toyota's diabolically confusing model grades and configurations: I still can't quite figure out what the difference is between a 2003 CE with HX pkg. and an Le with UN pkg, other than a huge leap in cost for the LE. As far as I can see, the exteriors are identical, and they are virtually indistinguishable as far as equipment. So is it just the status factor of LE vs. CE that makes the LE more desirable-- ?
Thanks for all info!
If you look at the above link, one of the pictures of the back of the Sienna has a third row seat that is not split (it is 3 over and 5 down) but seems to fold flush, it also has a 60/40 middle row seat (as opposed to the 3 seperate seats, or two captains chairs) compare it to the picture that is 5 over and 5 down and you will see the difference. Is this some stripped version of the Toyota, or is it some other car? I doubt it is another car because the plastic trim on the side looks identical.
My guess is that it is a CE - has Toyota mentioned anything about the CE not having the split third row, and not having the 3 seperate seats in the middle for an 8-passenger model?
LE has a tach, better fabric on the seats, adjustble (fwd & aft) head restraints, illuminated visor, alloy wheels, etc ...
powertrain is the same but you get luxury items added.
It appears to have no third row seating at all (probably to add structural reinforcement for a lift assembly.) Also, if you look closely, the second-row 60/40 seats are pushed way back compared to the standard config. That would allow space for a wheelchair to be brought in through the sliding door (I believe another set of pics also showed a side-mounted ramp on this model.)
Larry R
2002 Sienna XLE
Thanks
1. Satellite radio option available for 2004?
2. One-Touch up/down for any or all windows?
3. Heated seats available for higher end model?
4. Will Toyota ever offer an "on-star" type feature?
Also, a visitor to my website asked if the new Sienna has a separate opening rear window. I'm pretty certain that it does not but just in case post here if different.
Toyota makes several vehicles exclusively in Japan.
MR2-Spyder
Celica
ECHO
Prius
RAV4 and the electric version of the RAV4
Land Cruiser
4Runner
Highlander
Toyota dealers are allocated Siennas from Toyota, they don't get to order exactly what they want (for at least the first 9 months or so). He told me every Toyota dealer has been allocated one '04 Sienna to arrive early March.
He would have let me put a deposit only on that one he has coming in. It just happens to be an LE model and I'm looking for the XLE Limited. He said Toyota will allocate more vehicles to dealers every few weeks and that I need to check back periodically to see what he has coming in.
Personally I think that's nuts that I can't go to a dealer and order exactly what I want. Essentially I need to accept whatever Toyota is sending to him (or other local dealers).
Pricing nor brochures have been given to dealers yet, and the sales manager was not given a date as to when they would arrive.
It's like everyone else has said - Folks in this chat group seem to know more than the dealer do. . .
1. No mention of any satellite radio option
2. No memtion of one-touch up-down for all windows. Only thing that power windows comes standard in 1st and 2nd row seating in all models.
3. "Driver and front passenger heated seats with adjustable temperature control (leather-trimmed seats only)" Available on XLE and standard on XLE Limited.
4. No mention on any on-star system.
Some diference between the XLE and XLE Limited.
* "JBL Synthesis AM/FM Cassette/CD with ten speakers, making the Sienna the only minivan with surround sound (with 6-disc in-dash changer)"
* "Retractable side-window sunshades"
* "Driver and front passenger seat-mounted side and three-row side curtain airbags"
* VSC, DRL, and brake assist
* HID headlamps
* "Intuitive Parking Assist"
* "Dynamic Laser Cruise Control"
* "Windshield wiper de-icer grid"
* "Auto-dimming electrochomic driver's power mirrow and inside rearview mirror"
All of these are standard on the XLE Limited and may be only available on the other models.
I seems that Toyota is doing extensive road testing on the 2004 Sienna in Southern California. I just saw one again today (XLE limited) on the 10 frwy just outside Palm Springs. Followed it for over 15 miles and did a 360 on it as we were criusing along the 10. Looks impresive. The only thing I did not like was the color (demim blue).
* 17" Alloy 225/60 R17 standard on limited (vs 16" alloy on XLE)
* JBL Sound system is the same on XLE and XLE limited. Only the limited has the 6 disc changer.
Note that the Parking assist, laser cruise control, Xenon and autodimming mirrors are listed as standard on the XLE limited; and they are not available as an option for other models.
Answer- As far as I know, Toyota has no plans for X-M radio as they are not a huge fan of products that cost a monthly service fee for usage such as Onstar. They try to have alternatives without the service fee typically.
2. One-Touch up/down for any or all windows?
Answer- Toyota will probably have what they have in most of their upper end vehicles which is to say auto down, possibly up for the driver's window only. The auto up and down feature is usually limited to the Lexus line as one of the things that distinguishes it from Toyota.
3. Heated seats available for higher end model?
Answer- Similar to the answer above, if they do what they have been doing with most of their higher-end vehicles, heated seats will be available with leather only as an option. They will probably use a similar system as what they have in the 4runner and it will be adjustable.
4. Will Toyota ever offer an "on-star" type feature?
Answer- Toyota has preferred to use the DVD navigation system so that customers don't have to pay a monthly service charge.
Hope this helps.
Ken
Toyota bought a Honda Odyssey so they could
reverse engineer it. After doing that they sent
a group of engineers to the local honda dealer
(D. Patrick) to again go over the different specs of each model. I had a long talk w/ him about both vans. He said the main reason the honda is
cheaper, is because honda just builds a two grades
of vans ( an lx and an ex). He said honda makes everything standard. All ex odyssey's are fully equipped. That might be why they don't negotiate;
it already is a good deal (dollar for dollar). I
hope toyota learns a little from honda. I tried to negotiate with the local toyota dealer. They did discount quite a bit, but I found the odyssey
was still less money better equipped. I come from a toyota family, but they may lose me. If toyota has to copy the odyssey to compete, why not get the original, especially if the odyssey is still
less money, more horsepower, and better equipped.
I' ll tell you what I do, later.
I see you are from Canada. You may be interested that the spec sheet for Canadian models is quite different than the feature list on the US web site. For example, my spec sheet only has a XLE model...no separate "Limited" model. The XLE in Canada will come with the "Limited" badge (I'm told). It will have only some of the equipment that the XLE Limited has, however. For example, it comes with 17" alloys (run flat in the AWD version) vs 16" Alloys in the US XLE. But I don't see HID headlamps or Dynamic Laser Cruise Control on the Spec sheet I've got. The Canadian XLE has "Reflector Style Halogen Headlamps".
http://www.newswire.ca/releases/January2003/06/c7587.html
It is pretty similar to US. The Limited is available as a "package" option for the XLE model. And the press release did mention about HID and laser cruise control. It seems to be specifically written for Canada (e.g. appropriate phone number) and not just a copy from US press release.
Sienna's five-speed automatic transmission is controlled by a gated
shifter conveniently integrated into the lower control panel of the dashboard.
For exceptional active safety under all driving conditions, all Sienna models
are fitted with Anti-lock Braking System, Brake Assist and Electronic Brake
force Distribution. Sienna XLE FWD as well as LE and XLE 4WD models are
further equipped with Vehicle Stability Control and Traction Control.
The reason the new 2004 Sienna should be better than the 2003 Odyssey is because they did the research and their entire goal was to make it better than the odyssey.
Why would you want the old when you can have the new?
For example, notice the new Sienna has side curtain airbags and the "old" Odyssey does not.
Now tell me, if you and your family were in an accident, wouldn't you want your kids (assuming you have kids or just theoretically) to be protected by side curtain airbags?
That's just one example. The bottom line is, Toyota made it their top priority to make a van better than the Odyssey.
Now next year, Honda may do the same and try to make a van better than the new Sienna. Then you could say buying the Odyssey may be better.
Competition is very good for all of us because we end up with better products.
There are people who want a luxury minivan. However, no luxury manufacturer produces such a vehicle. I repeatedly try to find a luxury SUV that would work with our wheelchair lift. However, only minivans will work. I was hoping that Lexus would add a minivan to its lineup.
The XLE Limited sounds like it is a nice van. :-(
No, scanning won't work...the fax is of very poor quality...I need to use 2 pairs of reading glasses just to see what it says. I think the XLE model comes as a "Limited" model in Canada according to these preliminary specs. I don't think you can have XLE without "Limited". The XLE comes equiped very similarly to the 2003 LE with the "Limited" package. I called the dealer and asked him and that is what he told me. But, who knows?? Maybe someone from Toyota is watching this discussion and will clear it up for us.
http://www.autonet.qc.ca/Nouvelles/AutoNouvelles/Stories.cfm?stor- yID=7451
In general, it says there are 3 models, CE, LE and XLE. In confirms pretty much what canuck13 has on his fax regarding VSC and Traction control.
It also confirms that all models have ABS, Brake Assist and Electronic brake control.
I am looking at the LE 7 Passenger. I think the price will be right as Toyota is trying to increase its market share. Plus, it is coming our at a time when you can start dealing the other brands on their 2003 (the odyssey is still a nice vehicle). I am only worried about the interest rate they will charge. They can be high, depending on the model (4runner is very high, highlander is OK).
No, scanning won't work...the fax is of very poor quality...I need to use 2 pairs of reading glasses just to see what it says. I think the XLE model comes as a "Limited" model in Canada according to these preliminary specs. I don't think you can have XLE without "Limited". The XLE comes equiped very similarly to the 2003 LE with the "Limited" package. I called the dealer and asked him and that is what he told me. But, who knows?? Maybe someone from Toyota is watching this discussion and will clear it up for us.
http://www.car-data.com/xpage.preview/pre.template.asp?mfg=toyota- &model=04sienna
My grade 9 French is a bit rusty...how about a translation?? I can make out most of what it says and yes, it seems to match what I have.
One thing I find a bit odd...if my calculations are correct, the 215 65 R16 (total radius of 342.9mm) tires are smaller size than the 225 60 R17's (radius 350.9). A 225 65 R16 (radius 349.5) would be much closer to the same size (also the same width). I wonder why Toyota didn't go with the closer size tire. Perhaps you can't get a 225 65 R16?
I still think the XLE FWD come as a non-limited trim for Canadian market. The limited pkg is probably an option for the top trim, XLE 4WD, where the HID, laser cruise control, parking assisted sensors, DVD entertainment unit, leather seats, etc., come in.
Remember the 02 Sienna did come with an XLE nonlimited trim for Canada.
Do either one of you know what the blue color is shown in picture #5. Also, is this the same color as in picture 1-3 also. Seems greenish in one and more blue in the other.
Also, Steve do you know what interior colors are going to be available?
Thanks
Hope this answers some questions,
Etnies.
As for 2003 Sienna, no, the HID is not available for US models either. It has never been a feature of the old model.
Etnies, you do realize those are Canadian dollars? C$40,000 is approx US$26,300
For translation, try http://babelfish.altavista.com/
P.S. now we are going to have a bunch of unhappy Americans when they find out that the car manufacturers sell cars cheaper in Canada than in the US....even ones made south of the border!
Back to the new Sienna, I tend to agree with lekn that Canadians will get the XLE FWD, XLE 4WD, and XLE 4WD Limited