quote:

Originally posted by PASig:
Thanks for all the feedback so far.

I just can’t get over how cheap and flimsy the Honda‘s doors feel compared to the Toyota!

One last question, we would like to have some sort of built in entertainment system for our boys to be able to watch DVDs and other things while on road trips, are these something that are offered in these vans?

I’m pretty sure all mini-vans will have some sort of entertainment system available - both our Sienna and Odyssey have ‘em.

Also, this link shows results about death rates. The 2017 Sienna is the safest with the Odyssey one point behind. The Pacifica is 20 points behind.

Several friends have owned the Honda and all were very happy. Some have well over 200,000 miles on them and are still going strong.
I've had no experience with the Toyota but I'm sure they are good too. Probably a personal preference as much as anything.

In early 2018, I test drove the Honda and Toyota mini vans and ended up buying a 2017 Sienna L. It is an excellent mini van.

Our 2002 Odyssey has served us well. Many long vacation toad trips. Has 260k on it and the engine is still strong. Body is finally going after 18 years in the elements.

We’ve had our Toyota Sienna for 16 years. It still drives great. No mechanical or electrical problems. Some minor wear and tear but that is to be expected. Plan on replacing your tires more often. Despite regularly rotating mine, the van goes through them faster than our SUV. I’ve been told that is standard for the design, however.

I know it's not an answer to your question but, you'd be remiss not to consider the Pacifica.

Just bought a lightly used 17 Odyssey SE last week because baby coming within the next week. We also have 7 and 4 year old. It seems nice and has the DVD player in the back. I like that 5 of the 6 rear seats in my Odyssey have LATCH, and the middle seat in the 2nd row is actually usable. Honda went to a 10 speed in 18 and reading online seems it may have some issues, not sure if they've been ironed out. I like in my Odyssey I can lift one 2nd row seat foward with 4 year olds front facing seat in it to allow the 7 year in the back. Obviously still new to us but it seems like its going to work out nicely.

I suggest the two of you test drive both vans. Take the time to determine how you will use the vehicle beyond hauling kids in car seats and day to day driving. If you are a agressive driver you will be in for more maintainance because a mini van is not a sports car and is certainly not a truck. I find, to eek out a little comfort in driving, I am in everyones way on secondary roads. Even 20 MPH over the limit, some idiot has it I'm in his way. The vans aren't made for mega stupid roddy alterations. They aren't made for hauling loads if concrete pavers. That's truck work. I have moved an entire house, garage and storage units with the Honda van and it served quite well. Thats a great mini van. My 2011 Sienna you know about. I have lived in this van. It is a very useful vehicle. Very reliable, pretty comfortable ride, she's heavy and does not corner like a Vette. Deceant fuel milage and nicely optioned. Have 4 sets of blue tooth head phones and 2 remotes for the never used DVD player. The arm rests are narrow but work. I would buy Sienna again but 2021 they go hybrid, no thanks. Consider the roads in PA. as some are awful twisty, narrow and hilly. Remember, its not a sports car. Test drive either, for a few hours. It is V6 powered so dont plan on out running anything on the road. Which ever you choose, use it properly. Dont piss away thousands of dollars on a vehicle which wont work for your needs. Make the right purchase choice well informed and certain, before you buy.

quote:

Originally posted by heisrizn:
I know it's not an answer to your question but, you'd be remiss not to consider the Pacifica.

I rented a top of the line Pacifica a couple of years ago on vacation. Hands down the worst motor vehicle I have ever driven. I absolutely hated it.

The courier company that does our local deliveries drives the sienna minivans. They have a fleet of them. The gold one that had been our normal van we always saw, died last week. It had right at 350k miles on the clock. Never rebuilt according to the driver.

Seems pretty solid to me.

I wouldn't touch a Honda product with a 10 foot pole. We had so many problems with our (newly purchased) 2012 Odyssey, then we traded it in for an off lease, low mileage CPO 2014 MDX. No issues until 80k miles then all hell broke loose. The MDX group I am in documents so many problems with those SUVs it's incredible.

We ditched it/bought a Sienna and never looked back. When I was younger I had such high respect for Honda and always looked at Toyota's as boring. Now that I am a little older - give me the boring (and reliable.) Honda can go fuck themselves. My neighbor with a 2018 Pilot that needed a new torque converter at 40k miles agrees with me.

We had a 2004 and have a 2009 Odyssey. The 2004 was totaled in an accident and it protected everyone well, but we did have numerous mechanical issues. The 2009 replaced the 2004 and we got the Honda extended warranty when we bought it. The extended warranty has paid for itself as we have had numerous mechanical issues with the 2009 also. I would strongly suggest you look at the Honda extended warranty if you get the Honda. We were able to get the warranty for $1300 which was a zero deductible 120,000 miles, 8 years. We also have Toyota vehicles which have been trouble free, So if I were buying a new van today, it would be a Toyota. I also spent a bunch of time in my mother in laws Chrysler van and it was nice but she had many mechanical issues with it all before 100,000 miles.

Not on your list but I have a Kia Sedona with over 60k miles and nary an incident. LOTS of cool, thoughtful built in features.

My parents had several Odysseys over the years (Dad trades them in every 3-5 years, he drives a lot) and then switched to Siennas the last two go arounds. The don't typically fly but drive 2 days to visit us so they pack a bunch of junk with them.

I think either will be fine, just pick the one you like the best. I mean, they are all minivans, really only good for hauling a bunch of kids and stuff. As long as they ride ok on the hwy, that is about all you can ask for.

quote:

Originally posted by AirmanJeff:
My neighbor with a 2018 Pilot that needed a new torque converter at 40k miles agrees with me.

Honda of old was great - we've had a 2004 Pilot since brand new and the in-laws have a 2006 they bought used a couple years ago. Both have been change the oil, change the brake pads & tires, then keep going type cars.

But even at the Honda dealership with the Pilot last year while getting the starter replaced after 16 years, the senior service tech said "Keep it as long as you can, they don't make them like this anymore". I thought about swapping the starter myself (did all the troubleshooting to figure it out), but declined. I figure at 16 years and 180K, it was likely due.

quote:

quote:
Originally posted by heisrizn:
I know it's not an answer to your question but, you'd be remiss not to consider the Pacifica.

There are a few Pacifica's in our company's fleet. Most people have negative reviews compared to the Sienna's. The only positive's I've heard are the Stow N Go seats, that's it.

quote:

Originally posted by Graniteguy:
Do you need AWD? Sienna has it - Odyssey does not.

Odyssey has more of a tight, sporty feel to it. Sienna is more a softer, compliant ride.

Both have an impeccable reputation for reliability.

Good luck.

This is our exact experience. I love driving the Odyssey, because the Sienna feels sloppy compared to the Odyssey.

Other than that, they've both been ROCK solid for us. Coming up on 260K on the Sienna.

If you're considering the Ody and can deal with the base trim level, you can probably pick up a new LX for $28K. If you go used on a higher trim level on either Honda or Toyota, you'll be in the $28-35K.

We raised 3 kids in an 03 Ody LX. No thrills.

If you need the entertain stuff, just get the portable stuff for a few hundred bucks that can be upgraded vs. a new van's static technology.

quote:

Originally posted by AirmanJeff:
I wouldn't touch a Honda product with a 10 foot pole. We had so many problems with our (newly purchased) 2012 Odyssey, then we traded it in for an off lease, low mileage CPO 2014 MDX. No issues until 80k miles then all hell broke loose. The MDX group I am in documents so many problems with those SUVs it's incredible.

We ditched it/bought a Sienna and never looked back. When I was younger I had such high respect for Honda and always looked at Toyota's as boring. Now that I am a little older - give me the boring (and reliable.) Honda can go fuck themselves. My neighbor with a 2018 Pilot that needed a new torque converter at 40k miles agrees with me.

We had a 2012 odyssey and it was trouble free for 3 years and 40k miles. We have owned many Honda’s with no major issues. I would say anyone can make a bad one. Luck of the draw, it’s just that some brands have more bad ones in the draw pot.

quote:

Originally posted by Russ59:
If you're considering the Ody and can deal with the base trim level, you can probably pick up a new LX for $28K. If you go used on a higher trim level on either Honda or Toyota, you'll be in the $28-35K.

We raised 3 kids in an 03 Ody LX. No thrills.

If you need the entertain stuff, just get the portable stuff for a few hundred bucks that can be upgraded vs. a new van's static technology.

Guess that depends on mileage and year. Our 17 was $23k with 27k miles for an SE which is a lower mid level trim.

2004 Sienna here with few issues over 140K+ miles. Seats 8 and can take a sheet of plywood flat in the back if needed. I'd buy another one, but in the 2021 model they're going hybrid only.