Toyota Siennas, Good or Bad Minivan?

The Sienna and Odyssey are top vans.  It truly is Camry vs Accord. My 05 Odyssey has 240k. I purchased an extended warrantee (added $1800 at purchase). At 89k I had a trans issue. Paid nothing per extended warrantee. I replaced a OE rear shock ($29) and 15 minutes at 70k. A radiator at 180k. ($325). A pair of lower control arms ($250) and front discs ($135) at 200k. I drive it harder than my MR2. Runs like a champ and I’d bet it would be 0-anything faster than my 2zz. It tops out mid 120’s with tons of wind noise, but still willing.  It gets 21.7mpg with moderate acceleration, always pushing and mixed NJ driving. The rear electric sliding doors quit around 225k. They are now manual. I have discovered rust in the passengers rear quarter coming from the inside. The Sienna are less sporting (I know it’s a van...), not as comfortable, and have never beaten the Odyssey in any rating. That’s my one sided commentary. My mom loved her Camry.

I would creep up on some soccer moms and ask for their opinions, then watch the cat fights. 

Devil's advocate here... 

Why not keep it mid-engined? Gen 1 Previa S/C?

Probably safety and reliability. If you have kids, driving around in a late 80s minivan is not the greatest idea if it can be avoided. 

But do it anyway.

Sorry marsrock7, I already spent too many years driving 80s minivans. Chick magnets, they were not. Could not interest even the soccer moms!

Posted by: @not-2-old-for-2-seater

Sorry marsrock7, I already spent too many years driving 80s minivans. Chick magnets, they were not. Could not interest even the soccer moms!

What a shame... Not even prospective future soccer moms?

In the 80s my wife wanted a station wagon with wood grain sticker down the side. I would have no part of it. The next car she wanted was a minivan, for me it was fortunate that the emt’s found me before the rope completely collapsed my windpipe.

My mom has a 2000 Odyssey and it runs like a champ

Posted by: @cspidy

In the 80s my wife wanted a station wagon with wood grain sticker down the side. I would have no part of it. The next car she wanted was a minivan, for me it was fortunate that the emt’s found me before the rope completely collapsed my windpipe.

You left out one detail: who tied the noose? 🤔

Paul,

Found you another MOPAR vehicle. Its not a van, but it is "mini".

You might even find some chicks that dig it:

Bonus: eats Odysseys (any year) as a light snack, Siennas too.

Your suggested vehicle has lots going for it:  can't worry about stuff hanging around and cluttering up the place; plenty of fresh air, so no need for air conditioning; great power to weight ratio.

Only downsides I see are no creature comforts..... and I need my creature comforts!

Paul

After a month of car shopping and soul searching.  Bought another MOPAR/Dodge 2013 minivan.  Why?  Siennas were commanding a 33% price premium.

FULL DISCLOSURE:  Within months of Dodge purchase, got one of the dreaded "Transmission Codes," plus found areas --- which had completely evaded me when I inspected the car twice before buying it --- one area of rust and another area of paint bubbling. Factoring in the (minimum) possible cost of transmission repair plus rust/paint issues.....the Dodge was actually more expensive than the Sienna.

Go Figure!

LOL, but I did get Stow and Go Seating.

Paul

P.S. Even though I have bought more than 15 cars over the years (the last one of 2001 vintage), the next time I am inspecting a used car I will:  bring a stepladder to inspect the top of the vehicle; run my hands completely over the body; bring the car to a lift so that I can inspect the undercarriage; bring a legal pad and start from the bottom left of the dashboard all of the way through the ENTIRE CAR to make sure that every switch/component/device/control works as it is supposed to. Also to verify that DVD remotes are present and operable. This, having been my first "Modern Era" accessory laden electronically governed car, had gadgets/bells/whistles which none of my previous vehicles had possessed.

Steering wheel heat, rear minivan windows that actually opened and had shades, multi-disk players....who knew?