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Vans & Minivans Minivans - Domestic or Foreign
3643 messages, Last post on May 20, 2009 at 6:32 AM
You are in the Vans & Minivans Forum. Your Host is Karens
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Replying to: voiceofstl (Apr 20, 2009 1:44 pm) At the time, a similar Dodge van was $22-23k and did not have the 8th seat I wanted. A 7 passenger Sienna was $24.7k. So it was more like $2 grand price advantage, not $10. The Ody EX, which is the model with the power sliders and 8th seat, was $26,883 at the time, but came with some extra equipment I didn't necessarily want. It costs a bit more but you get the extras. I actually looked at the Entourage more than the Sedona, though they are clones, and the Entourage was $23,317, and though it still didn't have the 8th seat and a couple of things my Sienna had, it had a backup sensor and heated front seats. So I'd consider the equipment level roughly similar. I did see one bargain Entourage for $19,799, but it has no power doors and no 6CD changer, so it was pretty bare-bones. Still, a bargain. I also saw a left over 2006 Dodge minivan for $20,600, but it was the old model, and already looked so outdated. But you'd have to compare those to a Sienna CE, which was a little under $22k. So $2-3 grand price edge for similar equipment, maybe, but not $10, no way no how. Sure, you can price a Sienna sky high, but only if you get things that other vans simply do not offer at all, and that's not really fair. I'm talking about AWD and laser cruise control, stuff like that. Not comparable to any other van, so why compare? We should not penalize Toyota for offering more options, especially if you don't have to pay for them. Very few Sienna were over $33k when I was shopping, and the funny thing is those were the ones that sold first, because some customers want everything. So they were actually hard to find. Go figure. Those were prices in the Spring of 2007, and I bet they are down for ALL vans. I know the new Sienna is a few hundred cheaper at least. The Ody's price has dropped even more. All the better for the van shopper, it's a buyer's market. |
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Replying to: hansienna (Mar 12, 2008 3:29 pm) Chrysler 4.0L: 259 lb-ft 4200 RPM Sienna 3.5L: 245 lb-ft 4700 RPM Would be nice to compare the GC SXT with a comparably equipped Sienna XLE and not compare the heavy T&C Limited with a lightweight, spartan Sienna CE. In comparing the American engine vs the foreign did you ever look at Kia Sedona's 3.8? 3,778 cc 3.8 liters V 6 front engine with 96.0 mm bore, 87.1 mm stroke, 10.4 compression ratio, double overhead cam, variable valve timing/camshaft and four valves per cylinder - Unleaded fuel 87 - Multi-point injection fuel system - 21.1 gallon main unleaded fuel tank 17.6 - Power: 186 kW , 250 HP SAE  6,000 rpm; 253 ft lb , 343 Nm 3,500 rpm
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Replying to: lavrishevo (May 11, 2009 6:54 pm) Dodge did well, too, coming in 2nd on both. The Entourage did OK in acceleration tests but gas mileage was dismal.
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Replying to: ateixeira (May 14, 2009 11:56 am)
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Replying to: lavrishevo (May 14, 2009 2:42 pm) However I took a look at the Hyundai when we were shopping for minivans, walked away and never looked back. Yes it is considerably cheaper... and felt every bit of it. Fit and finish were no where near the Toyota and Honda levels and much closer to Dodge level. On the sample I looked at, the third row was the least accessible of any minivan and more like a cross over- that may have been because not even the dealer could operate the 2nd row mechanism correctly. The magic third row was heavy and hard to move and that would have been a strict no-go for my 5'4", 105# wife (only the Nissan's single bench third row was heavier and more awkward). The general impression was they looked at the lead vans on the market and made lesser imitations of good features, but had no original thoughtfulness to add. Ride quality and driving dynamics were blah even for a minivan. Also, while Hyundai has made great strides, they still aren't in the same league for reliability and the forum discussions bear that out. All that makes the extra cost of the Sienna worth it with more power and better economy as icing on the cake.
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Replying to: yatesjo (May 14, 2009 3:23 pm) My wife has no problems folding the third row but, she is not 105 lbs. To me they are very easy but again this is subjective to body type. I never test drove the Entourage as Hyundai does not sell it in Puerto Rico so I can not say if it drove different then the Sedona. I do know that the standard features and price sold me. |
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Replying to: lavrishevo (May 14, 2009 6:56 pm) Hyundai guy, your arguments are interesting, but until Consumer Reports tells me Hyundai long term reliability is as good as Toyota and Honda, I'm not buying your argument. I did check out Hyundai when I was looking for vans. It was an okay van, but I really recall both the Toyota and Honda's being better equipped with more little detail items. The Hyundai price was better, but I only recall it being a $3,000 or $4,000 difference between comparably equipped vans. The depreciation hit you'll take will easily wipe that savings. If you're a value guy, yeah buy the Hyundai. I wasn't and love my Honda. 
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Replying to: bobber1 (May 14, 2009 7:18 pm)
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Replying to: lavrishevo (May 14, 2009 2:42 pm) it would take 19.5 years to make up the $8,000 price difference Yes, *if* the prices you were quoted were really that far apart. In my experience it was less than half that price difference, more like $2-3000, easily made up on resale (and then some). I can find basic Sienna CE vans for $21k all day long without even having to haggle over the price, and you won't find an Entourage or Sedona for $13,000. Sienna LE with 2 power doors for about $24.7k, again no Korean van with power doors on both sides brand new sells for $16.7k. Freight included in all prices, BTW. And no fair comparing an AWD Sienna with dynamic laser cruise control and HIDs to a Korean van without any of those things. Apples to apples there's no way the difference is $8000, not in my experience. You are in Puerto Rico so that may be a different story, but here on the mainland there's just no way it's $8000 less. If it were, to be fair, I'd probably be in a Sedona. I did think the engine performed fine (I test drove a Sedona). The trim was OK for the price, especially when you stay under $22k, no excuses needed. I felt the cabin was a bit narrow, not sure why, and it wasn't as quiet as the Sienna, but it wasn't bad at all. Too bad you can't fly up here, buy a van, and drive it back. Only if it's an amphicar, LOL.
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Replying to: ateixeira (May 15, 2009 7:49 am) I agree that there is less options from Kia, but to counter the HID argument my kit from e-bay cost less the $200.00 with lifetime warranty. Not sure why someone would pay often over a grand for this option when you can do it yourself for 1/8th the price. Not to mention my pioneer touchscreen in the front connected to a 10.4 inch in the back for less then a grand. These options from the dealer are always a rip off.
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