Odyssey vs Sienna

[sbrinton]

Hey,
We need help deciding whether to buy a Honda Odyssey or a Toyota Sienna. We're looking mostly at 2004's. We can spend up to about $12,000. We're in negotiation with a dealer now for a Sienna that has the features we want (CE plus all the safety options) and hoping to get to that number. But it looks like there are lots of Odyssey's for around the same price.

Thoughts? Help??

[Mama Mko]

I don't know anything about the Toyota Sienna. We have a 2007 Honda Odyssey though and we love it.

[MamaMelis]

We test drove both and I personally much preferred the Odyssey. I liked the overall look and functionality of the interior better. From most of the reviews that I read they are both excellent choices. Good luck!

[Knittin' in the Shade]

we've got an'05 ody and adore it! If you're able, I'd try to get that model year since it was the one when they did tons of safety upgrades and such We test drove the sienna (same year) and there was much better handling in the ody.

[leavemealone]

Either one is good, but we preferred the Odyssey. We've had a 2004 and a 2005 and both have been great. I don't think you can go wrong with either one. I'd rather get a used Odyssey than some of the other vans brand new.

[dentmom]

Contrary to the other posters, my SIL has an Ody and hates it! She's had to have the automatic door fixed 2x out of her pocket. If you don't have to get the door like that, don't.

[sbrinton]

We cannot afford the 2005 or newer Odyssey - we need to look at the older body style. Our price range is up to about $12,000.

[sbrinton]

I think I like how the Honda drives a little better too, but the 04 sienna we're looking at has 8 seats and would work better with our car seats. The main downside is it's alittle mushy. But it is a minivan!

[nichole]

The only thing I don't like about my Sienna is that if my kids cut one of their lights on in the back and I don't realize it, it stays on even after I've cut off the van. It has a great warranty and has not given me any problems.

[jewelsJZ]

Originally Posted by nichole

The only thing I don't like about my Sienna is that if my kids cut one of their lights on in the back and I don't realize it, it stays on even after I've cut off the van. It has a great warranty and has not given me any problems.

Mine do this too, so I just got into the habit of pressing the switch that turns all the lights off when we get out of the car for the day.

We love our Sienna as well. Lots of options for LATCH where you can put your carseats, the t.v./dvd player is great, and love removing the middle seat in the 2nd row.

[lmonter]

Mushy is about how I'd describe driving the Sienna as well. At least the ones we test drove. We ended up with a 2001 Odyssey - in our price range at the time, fit all the kids legally, blah blah blah. It handles nice and tight like the 2008 CRV we had to sell this fall - just feels like a tank because it's just a tad bigger. Just a tad.

Only thing I think I would've like better with the Sienna is their version of the 8-passenger seating. Easier to maneuver/configure it seems like, and you could fit an actual kid carseat in the middle seat of the middle row. The Odyssey's 8-passenger setup doesn't feel/seem like it could fit 8 as comfortably. But we ended up with the 7-passenger Odyssey anywho, so it's a moot point. Oh, and our rear seat only folds down in one piece, it's not a 50/50 or 60/40 split which is a bummer, but again, meh. Can't always get everything when you've got a small budget. I think most of the newer ones have the split thing going on though, but don't quote me on that.

[vm9799]

we have a 2005 odyssey and LOVE it! have never been in a sienna, but know the ratings are good too......we are just honda people!

[sbrinton]

Well we've found a 2004 odyssey for $7200...compared to more than $12,000 for a comparably equipped Sienna. We'll probably go Odyssey!

I'm nervous about the horror stories I've read about odyssey transmission problems, however. Anyone have an older (1999-2004) ody that hasn't had transmission issues?

[leavemealone]

I would say to be careful about Odysseys before 2005 b/c of transmission problems. We had a 2004 and didn't have problems, but we also had it on lease and turned it in before we really got to the point where there would be problems. When looking for another Odyssey about a year ago, we seriously considered a 2003, but ended up spending more on a 2005 b/c of issues with transmissions. Be sure to get it inspected by a good, trusted mechanic. Also, look outside your immediate area. We found a much better price (by at least $3,000) by looking two hours from where we live for vans.

[Avani]

I once had a 2005 Sienna and loved it. The 8 seat option in the Sienna is a million times better then the Odysey's option. You can't even get a carseat in the Odysey's version. The only drawback was the lights burning the battery out in the Sienna. If the side automatic door was kept open it would kill the battery and same if a light in the back was kept on. This seemed ridiculous to me. Also the trunk light had to be turned on it isn't automatic. Very little light in the trunk when the light was put on and hard to see anything. Oh wait, yes one more thing you need a key to open the trunk every single time. There isn't a handle to open it you have to use a key which was an issue for us. But still the vehicle was worth it and amazing. I think we bought it for $35,000 brand new in 2005.

[jewelsJZ]

Originally Posted by Avani

I once had a 2005 Sienna and loved it. The 8 seat option in the Sienna is a million times better then the Odysey's option. You can't even get a carseat in the Odysey's version. The only drawback was the lights burning the battery out in the Sienna. If the side automatic door was kept open it would kill the battery and same if a light in the back was kept on. This seemed ridiculous to me. Also the trunk light had to be turned on it isn't automatic. Very little light in the trunk when the light was put on and hard to see anything. Oh wait, yes one more thing you need a key to open the trunk every single time. There isn't a handle to open it you have to use a key which was an issue for us. But still the vehicle was worth it and amazing. I think we bought it for $35,000 brand new in 2005.

We've never had the battery die and my kids have often left the lights on in the back or the door open in our garage overnight. Ours is a 2007 and you don't need a key to open the trunk. I agree about the trunk light, that is kind of a pain to have to turn it on and it isn't very bright.

[leavemealone]

The Sienna doesn't automatically turn off the lights if a sliding door is left open? I am pretty sure my Odyssey will in that case, but it won't if a light is turned on separately. DD has left a light on a number of times - good thing I check the garage before going to bed.

What annoys me is that the Odyssey doesn't have a low washer fluid sensor on the model I have. I think the touring model has the sensor, but the model I have doesn't. Why is that? My 97 Camry had one, even my 97 Mercury Tracer had one, why can't an 05 Odyssey have one? Just a minor annoyance but in the winter it would be nice to know that the washer fluid is low b/c it's not something most people think about that often.

[mom0810]

We have an '07 Odyssey and LOVE it! I just love how it drives.

[mbelisle2]

We just did months of research and test driving of these vans. We were definitely scared off by the TONS of reviews about that 2000-2004 transmission issue in the Odyssey. The older Siennas didn't drive as well and they were small. After 2005 they both looked better, but then you're shelling over a LOT of $. We ended up finding a great 2003 Mazda MPV. Definitely affordable and very reliable! I'd recommend getting a carfax report (and/or getting ALL maintenance records from the owner) and having a thorough examination done by a mechanic before buying the Odyssey. I don't get concerned about a few negative reviews, but there were soooooo many! Good luck.

[sbrinton]

So I think we are down to two vans:

2004 Sienna CE with 8 seats and the safety package (side curtain air bags, traction/stability control) with 80,000 miles for about $12,000.

OR

2004 Odyssey EX with DVD player and lots of extras with 100,000 miles for $10,500. That price includes the full 105,000 mile service (which would cost about $1300) as well as a very thorough inspection (buying from a trusted dealer).

Here are the main differences:
-Sienna has 8 seats, Ody has 7 (both styles would work for our family of soon to be 6)
-Ody has power doors, moon roof, better sound system, and DVD player; Sienna is very basic
-Sienna has great visibility, but other than that, I like how the Ody drives more
-I like the outside of the Sienna better, I like the inside of the Odyssey more

What do you all think? We can sell our current car for about $9500, so with the Odyssey we don't have to pay much out of pocket. With the Sienna, we might need a small loan, but we could pay of either within the year...