Ask the Car People.SM


Toyota Sienna Prices Paid and Buying Experience

12158 messages,  Last post on May 12, 2013 at 2:28 PM

You are in the Prices Paid - Buying & Leasing Experiences Forum.

What is this discussion about? Toyota Sienna, Car Buying, Van

Messages Page 1157 of 1216

#11561 of 12158 2012 Sienna Buying Experience by cmkbd

Oct 28, 2011 (4:53 am)

I purchased a new Toyota Sienna XLE in 2006 and loved the vehicle all the while I owned it.
It was loaded with features, had a beautiful interior with soft plastic, and everything functioned the way it should. I only had 38,000 miles on it when I decided that I wanted to get the latest model Sienna. I liked the new style I had seen on the road and started my research online and learned a great deal.
 
After my research I visited Honda and Toyota dealerships. My initial impressions at both dealerships was that the interiors were not nearly as nice as my 2006, hard plastic and not much of an upscale look. Ultimately, with my wife’s urging we decided on the Toyota Sienna mostly due to outside style and the fact that the interior on the Sienna was a bit nicer. It was somewhat like voting in an election. You have two candidates and unfortunately you need to decide which of the two poor choices would be the best.
 
We made a deal on the XLE but I knew in my heart that this vehicle really fell short of what I had hoped to achieve by purchasing a new car. I was really disappointed in what Toyota calls one-motion stow seats. It still requires as much work as previously except with the new third row seats you get a horrible fit with a cheap flap that flips over held in place by Velcro. Since the flap fits so poorly, if you had boxes in the van in front of the 3rd row and pulled them back you would run into the flap and perhaps damage it. Perhaps they could have sprung for Velcro on both sides so it will stay in place. Also, the floor does not have solid footing as it did in the past. A really bad idea. The next thing that really bothered me was when the second row of seats were removed (something we do frequently when we travel to Florida) you don’t have a flat floor you have two large metal assemblies that can’t be removed and are really in your way. Next you have these awful tracks in the floor that were made to collect debris and food and whatnot. Even with the carpet mats in, it looks unfinished. In the past the carpet mat covered all of that, the floor was flat and no place to catch all the debris. Additionally, the old tumble seats worked more easily with a lot less effort. What was Toyota thinking?
 
Next, looking very carefully at the specs, I discovered things that surprised me to no end. Foolishly, I thought when I moved up from a 2006 Sienna XLE to a 2011 Sienna XLE I would get all that I currently had along with the latest and greatest features. I was appalled to discover that the new XLE, second to the top of the line vehicle did not have automatic headlights. I haven’t owned a vehicle in the past 15 or so years that this wasn’t standard on including two Corollas. I couldn’t believe it and this is something I really wanted. Further I found that the nice power folding mirrors had also been removed. Every time we pull into our garage we use this feature, now we would have to open the window and pull them in by hand. Unacceptable. The next two items I could live without but was surprised that they had been removed: Puddle lights and memory seats. My goodness, the second to top of the line Sienna XLE started to look like a stripped down base model.
 
Well, I couldn’t justify spending this much money and being this disappointed. Therefore, I decided that I was gong to have to move up to the Limited model. This proved disappointing as well. I was told that I couldn’t get the Limited with just Navigation but rather, would have to order the navigation and dual DVD player. The DVD player would never get used. Specifications clearly indicated on the Toyota site that I could order either one separately or as a package. But I wasn’t able to do that. I passed on this in favor of a 7” Magellan GPS (the same size screen as the in dash unit but far easier to use) for $147.00 with free map updates instead of the expensive updates with the Toyota product. The Limited also is only available with two moon roofs. We didn’t care if we even had one – but not an option. I am also amazed that Toyota would make standard Ottoman second row seats with a caveat that they are not to be used with the vehicle in motion. What are we supposed to do with them, invite friends over to sit in our van in our driveway? This is the height of dumb. However, the next item truly irritated me. I could only order the Limited with the $890.00 Convenience Package (HID headlights and rain sensing wipers). I didn’t want either of these. In particular, I hate those new headlamps when they are coming at me and didn’t want to do the same to others. Isn’t an option supposed to be an option? But again, no choice.
 
At this point, I’m still not certain why I decided to forge ahead and spend $42,000.00 on a vehicle that fell so short in so many ways.
 
Last Friday the Vehicle arrived and I picked it up. It looked very nice and I thought I’m going to get over some of these irritations and really enjoy the vehicle. That didn’t really happen. The first thing that occurred was the dealer offered to set up the BlueTooth for me – except it was such a complicated procedure, he asked the sales manager to get involved who also had great difficulty in getting it set up properly. (I have since spent several hours trying to get it to perform properly with no luck). Then I was informed that this particular “Luxury-Upscale” audio system was only capable of holding 26 phone numbers and apparently each had to be entered individually. We have two other BlueTooth products. One is a Garmin GPS that loads my phone book right into the unit the minute I connect ($150.00 item). Also, we have a 2011 Hyundai Sonata (Base model). As soon as I turn the car on, the BlueTooth gives me a message that it is loading the phone book (Not 26 items) all the items in my phone book or contacts list. I am so upset about this that it is hard to put into words that this $42,000.00 vehicle doesn’t even have a decent audio system in it.
 
Moving on. As soon as I began to drive the vehicle I noticed something very wrong about the steering wheel. The wood design on it is very slippery and slides through your hands creating an unsafe driving environment. I can’t believe there is no texture on this part of the steering wheel so that it is not so slippery. This is not a petty issue. Someone should look into this. I really do believe it is unsafe.
 
Trying to find something to be positive about, my wife and I decided to try out the second row ottoman seats. What a joke. I am 6’2” and didn’t expect them to work for me but she is only 5’4” and could not put her feet up unless the seat was all the way back - therefore no one could sit in the 3rd row and only if the front seat were all the way forward making it difficult to sit there. Basically this is a useless product and should not have ever been included not to mention, these seats are even harder to operate than the XLE seats and don’t p

#11562 of 12158 Re: 2012 Sienna Buying Experience [cmkbd] by ateixeira

Oct 28, 2011 (8:47 am)

Replying to: cmkbd (Oct 28, 2011 4:53 am)
I passed on this in favor of a 7” Magellan GPS (the same size screen as the in dash unit but far easier to use) for $147.00 with free map updates instead of the expensive updates with the Toyota product.
 
I have one also. Does your have the video input? It would be in the lower left, at the bottom of the unit.
 
If so, register your Magellan, then consider ordering the backup cam. It lists for $150, but you get a 10% discount coupon when you register, so I paid $135.
 
Of course I think yours has a backup cam on a smaller screen already, doesn't it? If so, never mind.

#11563 of 12158 TX: Reasonable Price for 2011 Sienna V6 LE? by mejazz

Oct 28, 2011 (10:47 am)

I am in Austin TX and I purchased a 2011 V6 LE with XM Radio, blue-tooth, and USB connection (plus some other crap thrown in by Gulf States Toyota like 3M window film, paint sealant, fabric protector etc.) for $29.1K+TTT (not using the $1000 rebate) - is this a reasonable price for an 11 LE V6? Could anybody from TX please comment. TIA

#11564 of 12158 Re: TX: Reasonable Price for 2011 Sienna V6 LE? [mejazz] by mejazz

Oct 28, 2011 (3:38 pm)

Replying to: mejazz (Oct 28, 2011 10:47 am)
BTW I am assuming couple of items as add-ons as i am not sure what is standard on LE V6; here is what i think are additional equpment: (1) the Blue-tooth controls on steering wheel (2) Stereo has XM Satellite Radio (3) There is a USB Connection alongwith AUX-in. Are these BT, XM, and iPod add-ons or just standard with all LE V6?

#11565 of 12158 Re: 2011 Sienna XLE base [mmgg] by mac718

Oct 28, 2011 (6:11 pm)

Replying to: mmgg (Oct 22, 2011 7:19 pm)
I've also been offered $31,800 + TTL. I'm holding out to see if they come out with an outstanding finance deal. I'm debating between an Odyssey & the Sienna. I'm doubting Odyssey will come out with any great financing, but I'm hopeful Toyota will.

#11566 of 12158 Re: TX: Reasonable Price for 2011 Sienna V6 LE? [mejazz] by carpenter6

Oct 29, 2011 (8:54 am)

Replying to: mejazz (Oct 28, 2011 10:47 am)
I too am in the market, and was at a dealership last night. I would like to know exactly the deal you made. They are trying to get $29,500 for an LE with options overpriced by the dealer. On a 2011 consumer report says I should have paid $27,637 which includes the $1000.00 rebate. The 2012 Is sticker priced at $31,327.00 They want $29,500 + TTL I want to know if anyone knows the real price. And the real mark up the dealer uses.

#11567 of 12158 Re: TX: Reasonable Price for 2011 Sienna V6 LE? [carpenter6] by mejazz

Oct 29, 2011 (11:34 am)

Replying to: carpenter6 (Oct 29, 2011 8:54 am)
I got the 2011 V6 LE for $291xx+TTL without the $1000 rebate (used 60mo special financing) with no factory options but with distributor (GST -Gulf States Toyota) installed Window Tint (though LE comes from factory with privacy glass!), Premium Carpet mat set (include door sills protectors), Vehicle Shield Package.
I honestly believe i paid too much as it is a 2011 - could have gotten at least another $2K off it on that basis especially as i traded in a newer vehicle that gives them another $3K-$4K profit margin.
The thing with CR is that they probably are not adding the GST regional AD fee of $948 (sucks to be in TX suckered by the distributor) plus maybe the $810 destination fee.
So for a V6 LE, around $29K+TTT in TX might be a reasonable price but for current model (2012) - the 2011 should be discounted further.

#11568 of 12158 Re: 2011 Sienna XLE base [mac718] by mmgg

Oct 29, 2011 (12:37 pm)

Replying to: mac718 (Oct 28, 2011 6:11 pm)
I was offered $30,989 +TTL for 2012 XLE base.

#11569 of 12158 Re: 2011 Sienna XLE base [mmgg] by mejazz

Oct 29, 2011 (1:26 pm)

Replying to: mmgg (Oct 29, 2011 12:37 pm)
Yeah, i realized i paid too much. basically i was happy with paying less than invoice but should have gotten more discount for an outgoing model. But I intend to use this van for next 7-10 years and for now i got a safe family vehicle and am happy about it - not going to stress over it

#11570 of 12158 2012 sienna xle purchased by count0123

Oct 29, 2011 (6:02 pm)

i just wanted to share the deal i got today since this board has been helpful to me. I purchased a 2012 sienna xle w/ carpet floor mats and door sill protectors (msrp 34340) for 31200 plus ttl. i might have been able to get a couple hundred more but ive already wasted 2 months researching and haggling pricing. that was the most i was gonna pay and feel i got a great deal considering truecar was at 31360. hope that helps everyone get a great deal on theres. this was in the chicago area incase you were interested.

Messages Page 1157 of 1216

To POST a message, please Sign In.

Advertisement

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle
   View All Vehicles

Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
View All Topics

Edmunds Community

Advertisement