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Toyota Sienna 2004+
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Comments
From a pure dollar perspective, the extra "goodies" probably aren't worth the extra money in terms of functionality. However, I enjoy gadgets, my wife thinks they are also neat and therefore, we will be ordering an XLE Limited.
Good luck with your decision!
Thanks
Adam
As soon as my wife saw the third row she knew we were going to buy another van. Not only are the 3rd rows not as roomy, they are very difficult to gain access to, especially if (like us) you have 3 car seats. If you have 2 car seats in the 2nd row, they only way to the 3rd row is climbing or taking 1 of the car seats out. Then you have to figure out how to buckle the kid in who is in the 3rd row. I've seen neighbors open the back of their SUV and buckle in from behind. Just seems like a big pain to me.
We've decided the Sienna (either XLE or Limited, whichever comes in first) is the best solution for a family with 3 kids.
Good luck.
Thanks!
Bev
Thanks Jim
We've been using 87 octane and had no problems.
I didn't know this. With today's gas prices, this could cost a lot of money.
The minivan for one has sliding doors, so you don't have to worry about the risk of door dings on other cars. Also, I don't know about the rest of you, but this weather has been a big pain lately, with the rain and snow. It sure is nice to be able to get in the vehicle while you are helping the kids with buckling up and putting on their coats.
kngw1(post 102) where did you get your Limited for 34k?
Another advantage may be that drum brakes are more susceptible to water, at least the old ones used to be. Don't know if this is still true anymore.
Of course, the front brakes which do most of the braking are always disks on modern cars.
Since I have decided to go with the safety option, I would like to find out any available aftermarket DVD entertainment system which is comparable to the one from Toyota.
Thanks!
I would like another XLE with: cloth seats, all wheel drive and the clincher, a moon roof.
Possible? it seems the linited is the only model with a moon roof.
CP includes VSC with traction control/brake assist, rr disc brakes, w/s wiper de-icer, daytime running lamps, and alloy wheels.
CU includes Power moonroof w/sunshade.
CZ includes Driver, front passenger, and side curtain airbags.
This might not be possible to order in the AWD version though.
Both have the same engine, but the awd on the Sienna caught my eye. Currently have a 300 - like it, rolled the lease for a couple months until both these cars come out. So its time to make a choice. I'm interested in hearing your thoughts - there are some very interesting posts.
Pricing: RX base is less than Ltd base, options push RX higher
Engine: Same
AWD: Same I think
Trans: RX seemed sportier
Acceleration: RX quicker
Room: Sienna, by far
Inside look: RX sharper
Outside: Look similar (the 330 looks more like a minivan than the 300)
Utility: Sienna
Luxury Features: Similar (Most used feature, memory seat, left off Sienna (??)), Sienna may have a little more.
Cup holders: Just kidding.
The Sienna LTD is not a Lexus, but if you read some of the boards, its being called the Lexus minivan. I ususally take a couple trips to VT and MI from NJ - the 300 seems to be getting smaller (ok, recently had a boy, which can quickly fill up a vehicle).
I'm likely to be getting a 2'nd vehicle as well - really like the GS or G35, which may take care of the performance.
This was exactly my question to the guy who runs the fleet service for my company. He had to talk with several dealers, with no luck, to then get in touch with Toyota directly. Toyota had apparently not gotten this question yet as it took quite awhile to find someone who knew the answer. The answer:
To my surprise as well as all the dealers my guy was talking to...
The AWD XLE Sienna has moonroof standard.
That is right. No, it does not say anything about it on any website right now and none of Toyota's information states that either, but it, apparently, is true.
Honestly, I am really disappointed with Toyota's brochure and discussion of options where it relates to the AWD models. Many of the listed XLE option packages are known to be standard on an AWD, but no mention is made of it (17" wheels as an example.)
Other standard features of an AWD XLE:
Traction control, Vehicle Stability control, windshield de-icer grid, Daytime Running Lights, and rear disc brakes.
The only options on an AWD XLE are: Leather heated seats with 2nd and 3rd row sunshades, side curtain airbags with leather heated seats with 2nd and 3rd row sunshades, or DVD with leather heated seats with 2nd and 3rd row sunshades and 10-disc CD changer.
Just one other bit of confusion: rear seat audio controls and 2 rear seat 115-V AC Power Outlets are listed as part of the DVD option package on some websites but listed as standard equipment on others. Who knows?
Adam
Leather is only available on the XLE in every region other than those two.
What are your thoughts on one over the other GIVEN the huge real $ difference.
Adam
But, Toyota did tell my fleet manager that the moonroof is standard on the XLE AWD. He seemed pretty sure when I pushed him on it. I hope this is true, but I am not fully certain yet.
I sent a question to numerous dealerships in this area and none have any clue as far as I can tell.
Good luck to your friend in whatever they decide.
Here's what I posted elsewhere about my Chrysler Voyager(s).
----------------------
I have had the 1996 Voyager and then the 2001 Voyager. That's it. I'm done. I've had MANY problems with both vehicles. The service department people know my name.
My 2001 now has 42,000 miles.
Here are some of the problems I have with my 2001:
- Car pops into neutral every 4-6 weeks. I was driving 65 mph and my car dropped into neutral. A few weeks ago, my daughter was in the back seat. I started to cross a busy highway and the car popped into neutral. I almost got rear-ended!!! That's it. It is too dangerous. The dealer has told me for the past 10,000 miles that they can't fix it because they can't reproduce it. So I guess they just expect me to continue driving until I crash!
- The power door locks don't work anymore.
- The sliding door doesn't slide open during the winter months.
- Interior lights go on/off without being turned on/off.
- Car doesn't start at times. Takes 10 to 15 minutes of waiting.
In all of the cases above, Chrysler told me they can't fix the problem because it doesn't happen in front of them. The service manager was right next to me when the power door lock didn't work. He saw it and agreed that there was a problem with it!
When my car broke down, I went to look at the new voyagers. My 1st instinct was to buy a new one and get rid of my piece of junk. My husband wanted anything that was NOT a Chrysler.
I stopped into at least 10 dealerships and tried out many different brands of vans. Decided to try Sienna. It was definitely the nicest one I saw.
The SUV has some significant disadvantages to consider, such as gas mileage, interior room, exterior size (big, tall, wide), access to 3rd row seat, rear passenger doors (more inconvienent that sliding doors), cost.
Others with 3rd row split:
'03 Sienna
GM minivans
Sequoia
Trailblazer EXT
Might be more.
(we were really tempted by the Sequoia and Trailblazer EXT, but wife put the foot down!)
At highway speeds, does the Sienna need to downshift in order to climb a modest hill? For example, if you climb a 5% grade while on cruise control, would it downshift? If it does shift, how noticeable is it?
Other Toyota V6 vehicles with 4-speed transmissions (such as the Highlander) have enough power to climb without downshifting.
I ask because frequent downshifting can be jarring to the occupants.
: )
Mackabee
Goodbye T&C!
I am beginning to think that the only way to get AWD with a moonroof is with the XLE LTD model. That is a big chunk of change to add to a vehicle for a moonroof.
Good luck to you!
Bev
Wen I go back for service (June) I ask. Unless someone can confirm.
Again can you get a Sienna XLE (NOT Limited) with AWD and a moonroof?