So after spending months researching and test driving pretty much every three row crossover on the market, my wife suddenly thinks she likes minivans. Or just one minivan, the Toyota Sienna SE. For the most part, she's denounced any suggestion of looking at minivans before. She has mentioned liking this particular model with the sport package before, but never seriously considered it. For those unfamiliar, this is the sport package, which includes 19" wheels, sport front and rear fascias, smoked headlight housings, etc. We went down and test drove one, and she and the boys loved it. As for me, I have absolutely no problem driving a minivan. The space, versatility, handling, just can't be matched by the crossovers and SUVs, and my wife finally sees the light.

Anyone on here have experience with these latest generation(2011+) Sienna's?

This is what the particular one we test drove looks like:

 

If there is ANY minivan to get, it's the Sienna SE.

 

i really like this minivan. I might get one few years down the road.

 

My buddy got one brand new and now have about 40k miles on and they absolutely love it. They said they would do all over again.

 

 

 

Oh, I know. I'm trading in my '08 Infiniti G35xS for this, and inheriting my wife's Rav4. Hers is paid off and mine still has 2 years left on its loan. We're soon to be a family of 5, and neither vehicle had a enough room and don't want 2 car payments. , indeed.

 

Sucks when have-tos over power want-tos. I'm sure ttribe can somewhat relate. (Maybe not to a Rav4, but you know.)

In any case, your sacrifice will surely be rewarded elsewhere.

 

I wouldnt count out the odyssey!

I keep telling myself i'll never get a minivan haha, better not.

Congrats anyway lol

 

Mini van is THE way to go with a family. You'll see.

 

Sienna w/sport package FTW!!!! Get it now.

Run away from the Honda Odyssey as if you were running from brain thirsty Zombies, and you were the last human alive on the planet.

Ok...seriously now......RUN!!!!!!

 

Knew it was only a matter of time before Moog said something about the Odyssey...he's had some BAD experiences with his Ody (to put it mildly).

 

I just couldn't ever do a mini van. I've personally told too many people you'd have to kill me before I'd get me behind the wheel of one, but I can certainly relate to the lack of room. We have a 1 year old and are planning for a second child down the road. Already the mid-sized sedan feels tight at times.

 

someone on my street has a white one, HIDs, yellow fogs, looks bad ass actually.

 

Gotta warn the peeps about the Odyssey quality...or lack thereof.

It would be a great vehicle, if it wasn't for the recalls and recalls, and TSB's galore, followed by warranty extensions, and chronic problems that never go away, even though they have been addressed multiple times.

Then there is the typical Honda stuff like horrible paint, and the lowest quality front brakes money can buy.....and the oddy eats tires like Wimpy eats hamburgers.

 

 

Oh, I wasn't criticizing you. I because I was thinking about responding to speedemon, and mentioning your horrible experience with the Oddy, but figured if I waited just a bit you'd do it much better than I could; and you did (zombie apocalypse, FTW).

 

^^ No worries.

I think doms "spidey sense" is tingling too about the oddy.

He'll be here shortly with his ownership horror stories as well.

 

I think the Sienna is a great minivan as well, but giving up the G35 for one?

JMO, but maybe keeping the G and selling the paid off RAV is worth it... I don't think you'll be happy making that switch and will be pining for something fun soon.

 

Based on the car reviews, the current Sienna seems to be better than the current Odyssey. Otherwise, I've sat in a 2010 Sienna, but haven't driven a Sienna in years.

Ouch.
My wife was mumbling about trading in the TL to get a new Lexus RX and handing me the Odyssey, or having me drive the RX for work and letting her have it on weekends.
I'd rather drive a minivan than an SUV except when driving on dirt or trails

 

With all the G-owners around here, I am amazed their isn't a forum for y'all on AZ. I can't say I have seen I thread devoted to it either. You guys are like STDs in Lubbock or like the 3G TL owners running around here, except respected.

 

Sienna is a great van. I keep telling my wife we need a mini van but she won't drive it. It's much more practical than anything else and would put our Pilot's MPGs to shame.

 

Sliding doors FTW, makes getting the kids in and out easy.

 

+1; if you can do it, keep the G and trade the RAV.

 

This is like the 5th time I've read members wives "won't drive" mini vans. I thought mini vans came about because women didn't want to drive station wagons.

I don't get women when it comes to this.

I'm not a proponent of minivans but there really isn't anything that can compare to the convenience, flexibility and overall utility of one.

fortunately for me I no longer require one.

 

I don't get it either. My wife flat REFUSES to the minivan thing, even though she knows its the best option. She just will not do it.

I actually don't mind minivans. I'd get one.

That said...she saw a Sienna SE on the freeway a few weeks ago and said that was flat out the ugliest minivan she has seen because of the altezza tails and she doesn't the like the look of the caravan/t&c either...

I'm not huge on the Sienna...I like they are trying for a sportier look on the exterior with the SE. But my biggest gripe with them and most of toyotas line is the lack of DARK colors for the interior. Its all beige and light grey.Why the hell can I not get dark grey or black...or even saddle brown.

 

haha i see... well maybe the new ones arent that bad?

One think i dont like about the sienna is that its trying to look sporty, why??

 

..and I'm kind of in the same boat with my wife as well. Even though we had a minivan in the household for a period of about 12 years, my wife won't entertain the thought of a minivan especially since picking up the MDX......not even as a second vehicle to the MDX.

I also have no issue with having and driving a minivan. At 44 y/o with 4 kids and 1 grandkid, it isn't like I'm looking to cruise for chicks or something.

All that said (and back on topic), the styling of the new Odyssey did for that lineup what the 4G did for the TL lineup: add a ton of great features to an already great model and then wrap it up in the most ugly package possible.

In the unlikely event that we go minivan again, the Sienna would likely be the direction I'd go in. And honestly, I actually like the one Jayhawk posted.

 

Ive actually grown to like the exterior of the new odyessy...low and wide, sporty and agressive. Almost looking more like a wagon than a minivan.

I think the Sienna SE looks pretty good outside...but I agree with my wife, I dont like the altezza lights.

Everyone can roll their eyes at me....but the interior...and only the interior...IMO...in the caravan/t&c is the best of the 3. Very nice materials, very nice design. The exterior while not being horrible (its a minivan afterall) is not at good looking as the other 2.

 

^

 

RT model has black leather with red stitching that looks really nice in person.

 

I'm partial to the Odyssey's dash layout and style but that probably has more to do with familiarity as I do have an 09 MDX and 12 Accord, which has a similar 'interface' with * above.

 

I know you're right, I will be pining for something sportier soon. Financially we just can't justify two car payments right now. At the accelerated rate I'm paying off my students loans, they'll be repaid in about two years. We'll be in a much better position to maybe consider a second payment at that point. I knew all this before we decided to add a fifth member to our family, and have no reservations to making this temporary sacrifice. While the Rav4 is not exactly my favorite vehicle, it'll be fine for a couple years. At that point, I should be in a position to get the car I really want.

As for the altezza style tail lights, I'm not a big fan either and would prefer the standard style Sienna tail lights. My wife thinks they're fine, and well, that's the bottom line.

 

Chrysler has really stepped up their game with their interiors the last couple years. My sister and brother in law coincidentally just bought a new grand caravan today, will interested to check it outa little closer. We just pulled the trigger on the gray Sienna se identical to the one I pictured above, but have to wait for its delivery on Wednesday. Gonna have to take the Infiniti on a couple fun drives these last couple days while I still have her.

 

Congrats!

It won't be that bad...you do what you gotta a do. Not the like the G is some rare collectors car. There will something better in the future.

 

Car Talk is infinitizine, bmwzine, audizine, mazdazine, cadillaczine, vwzine, etc.

My G is stock. So not much to see there and I have no real desire to mod it, it's pretty much a complete car stock. I'm sure one of us will make an official G thread.

As I mentioned, the 3G TL seemed to attract a certain demographic to it once the car became "affordable" on the used market. While the G has been out in this body style for quite sometime, that said demographic did not venture over, go figure?

Pretty sad for all of the decent 3G drivers especially since I've owned one for four years.

Congrats man. It's all par for the course. You'll have another fun car. We ditched our Fit for a Highlander. The Sienna will give you years of trouble free driving and they look pretty decent.

 

I like the new Ody (sorry Moog!), and the Sienna with sport package is pretty good-looking too. Were I forced to buy a mini-van, I would choose either.

Sounds like your wife has made up her mind already on the Sienna, though. Pics when you pick it up please! And did I say get the sport package?

Sorry you have to give up your sports car to do it.

 

Congrats on new Sienna, my sister-in-law has the previous gen and they really like theirs. It will serve your family well even if it is a mini-van (j/k ).

BTW, cool gray color for the Sienna!

 

+1

My wife wanted a Durango, I wanted a 2G Ody. She hated mini-vans also and besides it was going to be her vehicle.

So I convinced her to wait until the MDX and Pilot came out. We put a deposit for a 2003 Pilot, paid list, had to wait a couple months. It's going at 210 K miles, easy to own and drive. Now our two daughters are driving it as well.

We know alot of friends and family with mini-vans but also alot with SUV's. It is amusing to see how many mom hate mini-vans for no other reason than it's a minivan.

 

Bought the wife an 06 SRX V8 fully loaded because of the whole "minivan" thing. (seats 7 people)

Now that the newer sienna's and odyssey's have come out, she has considered those two if she ever had to get a minivan.