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1. I've been searching for any information on what new features the 2006 Sienna may have and in particular really want memory seats. Can someone suggest any places/sources/sites that might offer insight to 2006 features?
2. Does anyone know when the 2006 Sienna models are scheduled to be available?
3. What does this mean, "an apparently optional-option"? It sounds like not all options are available throughout the U.S. (?)
Thanks
As for 2006 models, if you aren't in a rush, it might make sense to wait for a 2006. If you want to save money, buying a 2005 at then end of the year could pay off for you - (actually buying at the end of any month helps save sometimes). Not sure where the power seats/3rd row power option started, somewhere on this board, I think from a Bulletin from Toyota. Your dealer might be able to confirm this, although probably a little too early to tell. I would imagine though, that the power 3rd row option, which would be a first on a minivan, won't be cheap, and will probably be available only on the XLE or XLE Unlimited, but I am just speculating here. A very cool option nonetheless.
While it might be theoretically possible to order a Sienna built as you like it from the factory, I have never once heard of anyone successfully doing so. I think that practically that is not a possibility.
As for whether or not memory seats will be widely available (or available at all), I cannot say. But if/when they are listed as an option on the Toyota web site, you can then try to build a car with that option and check inventory to see if it is available in your area. My best guess is that the memory seats would only practically be found on the highest (and most expensive) trim level, if at all. Good luck! I hope you can get what you want.
I checked the edmunds' invoice price for a barebone xle in my area, it is still higher than my ex cloth, and that is without the side bags for everyone, traction and vsc. Before i bought the ody I shopped the ex cloth and the sienna le pkg 6, both were at the same price but the ex has the driver pwr slider and 6 disc changer. With two young kids, dual pwr slider was the deal maker.
But in terms of price, what tipped the scales in favor of the XLE was the great lease deal I got. I may keep this van after the lease, we'll see. But I needed a decent van that would have fairly low payments. The Ody EX cloth was $440, and the XLE was $359. Different buying experiences for sure, and I think I got a great deal at Fitzmall, something I couldn't get locally. I was looking locally at a base SIenna LE AM package (#1) and they wanted about $380 for that lease. Honda should sell the LX model with 1 power door. I bet they would sell a lot. Seems like they are selling a lot anyway. For some strange reason though, the leasing program on the Odyssey's wasn't very competitive. One dealer who I trusted told me that, that financing they were good, but lease to lease, they could not compete with Toyota, and I found that to be true too, for now at least. It seems to vary every month.
Does anyone have any experience installing and using child safety seats in the Sienna and/or Ody. I'm looking at the Ody and 8 passenger Sienna. In the "driving with kids" section, Consumer Reports stated that installing a child seat in the middle of the 2nd row seat is a problem with the Ody. Because of that I was considering not even looking at them. However, I recently read over in the Sienna prices forum that somebody was having a problem with child seats in the Sienna. Just looking for some insight. Thanks.
This is my first Honda and I feel I made the right choice. For the equivalent equipage, Toyota is more expensive. In addition, I couldn't believe why Toyota still sells 6" DVD while Honda sells 9" DVD. Honda's navigation is super-cool too. As far as the initial quality, I have yet found any defects. Yes, zero defect! Given the complexity of the car, I have to give Honda a lot of credits, especially the Ody was made in USA and my Toyotas were both made in Japan.
Agree with other Ody owners, my Ody doesn't have the hot-air problem. When AC is off, I get the fresh air with the same out-door temperature. Up to now, that was the only person reported such problem assume he is a real ody owner.
That's quite odd. Cheapest XLE with no options has 27,100 invoice, and you can get EX cloth for about 26,000 ( I just paid 26,500, but I am a sucker for not shopping around too long.). And you want many options on XLE, as its default safety sucks - does not include Vehicle Stability Control for example. So add $4k for package 6.
Unless you are doing something extremely unwise with financing (and who shops by "monthly payments"? Invitation for a rip-off.) lower principal should result in lower payments.
I would think it depends on the seat. Large Brittax in reverse position was a pain indeed, I moved it to the captain chair. I want to replace the 8th seat with a console anyway - you can fit one from Touring.
Booster should fit fine, but I do not you can easily fit 3 of then on the second row in Ody. I would not try that.
On the other side, the other two chairs in the 2nd row on Ody (I am talking EX cloth) are much more comfortable then ones in 8 seater Sienna. So for two child seats in the 2nd row I would pick Odyssey (and I did). Removing the center and moving one inside also.
Leather was not an option - I hate leather seating in cars...
My '88 Corolla hatchback also had a lot of padding-backed interior vinyl. While it was an exceptional car mechanically (incredible power out of that little, rock-solid 4 cylinder!), the interior had shredded to tatters by 1995 without any heavy wear (I was single and rarely carried either passengers or cargo). True it was in Hawaii that whole time and lived much of its life outside, but other cars in the same conditions did not seem to deteriorate so far, so suddenly, after so short a life. So, maybe they learned something and actually did improve things? (Probably while saving money at the same time!) :confuse:
Since buying my Ody almost a year ago, it has never seen the dealer again for any warranty repairs or PM (since I do this myself).
Hassle free ownership! Priceless!
The Ody is a great road vehicle with its fine "sporty" handling.
"So add $4k for package 6" Again, you are wrong. Package #3 has all of the safety things you find essential for $1,388 (again, invoice price)
One thing, I leased this van, and for me, my monthly payments were important factors, although I am quite aware of the ripoff that is possible. I didn't advertise to dealers what I needed to pay. I am not new to this game, and did a lot of research into this. Also, I went to Toyota.com as well as Honda.com and used the prices I knew I could get each van for, and used their websites accordingly. When I factored tax in, the Sienna came out almost exactly to what the dealer said it would, $359. The Odyssey was also pretty similar, over $400. Two dealers I worked with for Honda (one I liked a lot) said they just couldn't get good rates on the leases for the Odyssey yet (probably selling too well to justify it). The lease factors for Siennas are very good.
In the end, the Sienna simply leased for quite a bit less than a Ody EX cloth, and yes the prices were pretty simiar. But Honda doesn't do leasing in NYS the same way as Toyota does - you have to pay the whole amount in taxes up front, whereas with Toyota, just pay tax on the monthly payments you are leasing.
If I could have leased the Ody EX for close to the Sienna XLE, I would have - I certainly think it is a great van, and the one to beat at the moment.
I don't like traction control - had it on my last vehicle and it hinders too much in snow going up the driveway, I would rather have a little spin, and not get bogged down. This winter, I am getting snow tires anyway - probably the best safety feature one can have, that doesn't come standard on any car. If I lived in a big city or drove a lot of miles, I might find these safety features must haves, but in my case, I just didn't. The Sienna still rated a 5 star crash testing, and that's pretty good. (I think all minivans can claim a 5 star crash test rating now).
Get 3rd party financing. Credit union, many online outfits etc.
No, the invoice price of a XLE is $26,574
I have counted the destination fee as well. In any case, XLE is no less expensive in the stripped form, and is a real stripper. You are right that at least #3 include rear disk brake and stability control. Do not underestimate stability control.
I would reiterate - if you got higher payments on a cheaper vehicle you did not explore all your options for financing properly. That means - you have lost money.
high-pitch "noise" when it is in speed 30-40 miles at quiet local street. if on highway
the road noise will overpower the high-pitch one. The "noise" is very gentle and
weak and you must pay great attention to find it. But once I recognize it I always
can sense it. The dealer mechanic said the "noise" is from speaker, and may generate
from anti-noise system. He said he will check the other new Odyssey if it can duplicate
the "noise". The "noise" pattern will change, sometimes even like classic music!
Any 2005 odyssey owners have similar experience?
Izzat a good price, or no?
Sales mgr. SEZ it's $400 over invoice...but Edmunds sez that's $2000 over invoice???
That said, Honda pricing is a little more straight and narrow than Toyota as Toyota has a tiered option structure that varies from region to region. Also, the Ody does not have AWD, which for some people is a big deal. The Ody uses the i-VTEC engine which may result in better gas mileage depending on your driving habits and normal travel conditions.
Hey, thanx for the info...it was a big help. :shades:
Not sure how many kids you have, but I've heard and read that getting 3 kids seats in the second row of the Ody is not practical/possible. It is OK in the 8 pass Sienna. If you only have 2 kids, then you're set either way. Good Luck.
I would agree and add that color is a big deal to the salesman because to get you to commit to a color is another "Yes" on the way to the complete close of the sale.
But, even more importantly, color is an emotional choice reasonably far from the rational considerations of price, features, safety, warranty, etc. that are harder to hook you on. Selecting a color is a big step to taking emotional ownership of the choice and commits you at a gut level to the particular vehicle. Like satisfying a certain payment amount you need, it leaves little room for someone to back up and "think about it" once the salesman can answer that need ("I don't know if we have any red ones left.... That is a very hot color right now. No, wait! I do have one that I think I can get for you today, if we can move fast!").
You picked a color, which means you have already pictured yourself looking good in it, and it is virtually already yours!
Another reason to decide as much as you can far away from the dealership....
But if a dealer has six silver Odysseys on the lot and he has to do a dealer swap for the red one the customer just HAS to have, guess where the better deal will probably be?
Yes, my wife and I would be some of those saying, "I know it's a better deal maybe, but we just can't stand that silver!" Color is important to us, sure. But we would already have figured out what we wanted and how much we were willing to pay "out the door." Plus we are more than willing to say, "Sorry we can't do that." and head for the door as necessary.
We also respect the fact that the dealer also may not be able to live with the deal that we can live with and do not begrudge them that either. My point is that it is a matter of figuring out -- as precisely as possible -- exactly what you want and what you are willing to pay for it before walking into a dealership. These forums and online shopping aids finally make that possible.
But, though it is certainly difficult with something as emotionally-charged as an automobile purchase, you will do better if you are truly willing to walk away. Just MHO and it has worked pretty well for me. Well, that and the fact that I sick my bargaining-is-a-way-of-life Asian wife on them at the final moments. She really is extremely tough!
Yeah, a dealer will either accept your offer or not. If a dealer lets you walk it's because you didn't offer enough. Make that same offer a month later when the inventory levels are better and it may work. Doesn't have to be difficult.
As far as color, well...I don't think anyone should buy a color they can't stand just to save a few dollars. On the other hand I guess I can't understand how some people can be so picky they wouldn't at least have a couple of alternatives that they would like almost as much..
But, that's me. We are all different.
Last month NHTSA ordered Auto makers to begin phasing in TPMS this September. By 2008 model year all new vehicles (10,000 pounds or less) are required to have individual tire pressure monitoring sensors.
Can somebody inform Honda that TPMS is NOT a luxury feature but a SAFETY issue. Honda is plastering ads touting safety all over the place. Yet, Honda balks at including a TPMS in every trim level the cost of which is $70 (NHTSA estimate).
Honda: Put up or shut up. :mad:
I figured that the dealer can make 3K when they sell the camry, and as for the new Sienna, I paid 1750 over invoice of $36250 ($37000-$750 rebate).
I think this deal is ok for me since no other dealer had offered me more than $8000 for my trade-in.
Do not understand why Honda would do that , they give the Pilot a much nicer interior than the Oddy, I am talikng about the top of the line trims.
Am pleasantly surprised at how good the Odyssey's leather seems to be wearing.
While the Pilot interior may, at a glance, appear nicer than that of the Odyssey, it lacks certain Odyssey features such as lighted steering wheel controls and more extensive seat back storage).
The XLE is not a real stripper - what are you talking about? Dual power doors, power liftgate, 8 way dual power seats, alloys, 3 zone climate control, removable center console, upgraded interior, power everything, 10 speaker JBL cd system, fog lights, etc. etc. No, it doesn't have leather or a sunroof and I didn't want either of those options this time. I've had them, and they are overpriced. The dvd also was not a necessity this time as this van is used for mostly short trips. In the future I might get it, or I can easily make do with a portable player. My kids watch enough dvds as it is.
"I would reiterate - if you got higher payments on a cheaper vehicle you did not explore all your options for financing properly. That means - you have lost money. "
Really, it is just the opposite. I got lower payments on a more expensive vehicle, I explored my options, and saved money. Case closed.
I think I understand outright purchases (the reason that I've stuck to those) with the idea that you own the vehicle (such as it is at that time) at the end of the payments. There, I'm simply concerned with the actual out-the-door price paid together with any cost of financing. At any time on a straight purchase, I can decide to sell or not depending simply on what I would get for the car and whether I'm satisfied with that amount or not. No forced return with potential "Whoops, that is worse than it should be, so we'll have to charge you for it" or a big lump to buy it outright.
But, leases seem to be a slippery sort of thing that, like the odds in Vegas, are stacked to the advantage of the "house." From the customer's perspective, other than the lower-payment (for a season), the only advantage I've heard of involves a possible tax advantage if leased for a business. I'd certainly value some further education on the subject....
With leasing, In a sense you are basically paying for a portion of the vehicle. If you keep a car for 3 years for example, how much did that vehicle depreciate during those 3 years? Let's say for example a vehicle costs $20,000 and at the end of 3 years it is worth 50% (or the residual). So you are basically paying for that portion, or that $10,000 over the course of 3 years. You get lower payments usually, but you are right, you have nothing to show for it either. Of course, you can still buy the vehicle if you want to at the end of the lease, although doing so is usually more expensive in the long run than if you just financed it in the first place. But you can always negotiate the price you are willing to pay for the vehicle at the end of the lease, just like when you first bought it (my friend did that with a Saab, and got a great deal that way since they haven't held up in value very much).
I have leased 4 vehicles in the last 7 tears or so. I have never had to pay anything at the end of the leases in terms of damage, excess mileage etc. but I take good care of my vehicles, and don't typically put a lot of miles on them. If you drive a lot of miles, or don't take good care of them, you probably shouldn't lease. I did have to get out of one lease a little bit early because the job I had made me put more miles on the car than I expected (I had the car before the job). So there, I had to pay off the remaining payments in advance. I guess too, I could have sold the vehicle, and if I had sold if for enough to pay off the balance, that would also have worked.
I had the choice with my Sienna, lease it for what I wanted to pay, or buy a used van (and I almost couldn't touch recently used Siennas or Hondas.). If I bought a used Grand Caravan for example, about $19k around where I live, the payments would have been close to what my Sienna was. But I would have had to finance it for 5 years probably, and used vehicles still depreciate too. I have bought 2 other used vehicles recently, and have been surprised at how poor their resale have been. My Ford Explorer is hardly worth anything. But I digress.
The one advantage leasing can have, is with some brands, the residuals can be fairly high, meaning they don't depreciate as much as other brands. The residual on my Sienna after 3 years is around $18,000, so my payments are fairly low, all things considered. For others, they don't have to worry about monthly payments, so buying is the only way to go. Also, with leases, you shouldn't put any money down, with a purchase it is usually a smart thing to do.
Leasing is pretty striaght forward now, and it isn't voodoo science. For most people, financing is the better way to go, for some, leasing is a good option. I also like to have one of my vehicles to be pretty new and be under warranty, leasing lets me do that. If you keep a vehicle for 15 years until the wheels fall off, obviously traditional financing is the way to go.
The odds aren't always stacked against you. A while back, I leased a Nissan Altima at a very good rate. Turns our Nissan overinflated their values and they ended up losing money. Toyota claims their Tundra pickups has a residual of 71% which is great, but after the end of the lease, I will be curious to see whether Toyota can resell these trucks for that much. It wouldn't surprise me, but that does seem a little bit optimistic. Manufacturers never really know exactly what the market will bear 3-4 years down the road. Cars like Lexus seem to always have pretty good resale, so leasing is a safe bet here for both the manufacturer and it should be for the indivudual too. For a while, SUVs held their value very well. Now they don't so much. Manufacturers either have to inflate their value (to entice you to lease) or make the lease higher, which will turn off some buyers, but then the numbers will be more realistic later at the end of the lease.
As a side, we compared the Sienna (currently have a 2000) and found Honda to be a much better deal with the EX-L over a base XLE that was $1000 more.
The opening of the rear, third seat windows, is mostly for allowing the a/c and heater to work more efficiently by allowing a better airflow all the way through the cabin. That is why Chrysler has them instead of allowing the windows on the sliding doors to roll down. Which as you know, brings in that helicopter effect.
i believe in earlier model years, (and I'm sure someone can tell you actually when) the ODY did come in a "primary" or "forest" green, and even a grey. the Sage Brush Pearl as you've discovered is not the typical green - to me it seems a blend of blue, green and grey. that description doesn't do it justice. it also seems to reflect a slightly variable color depending upon sky conditions, light-levels and surroundings and is nice in appearence, specially after being washed and waxed (what color doesn't?). anyway our '03 in Sage Brush also has what seems to be metal flecks in the paint, and so isn't too bad at masking a bit of dirt.
regards.
Sienna xle. I have been waiting two weeks to get the air conditioning repaired in
my Sienna. The dealer keeps trying to fix it, then fails, then orders more parts.
The change in the 2004 body style allowed for a rear air conditioning unit. The problem
is that it is a known failure that the rear air conditioning lines rub against each other
and wear out causing loss of all refrigerant in the system. The vehicle has 15k miles
on it and it is one year old. Oh, and the oxygen sensor failed as well resulting in that
the whole exhaust manifold needs replacement as the factory over torqued the
oxygen sensor, yet another known common problem. I also have a 2004 Honda Civic
Hybrid with 36k miles on it that I love! My next car will be another Honda. Brien