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Vans & Minivans Honda Odyssey Honda Odyssey vs. Toyota Sienna
5230 messages, Last post on Dec 06, 2009 at 7:16 AM
You are in the Honda Odyssey Forum. Your Host is Karens
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Replying to: dilbertzzz (May 24, 2005 7:35 am) If never fails to amaze me what a big deal some people can make out of the smallest thing....small to the masses anyway. |
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Understand that I'm not demeaning these folks' complaints in the slightest. These complaints certainly should be stated, listened to, and not belittled. Personally, I am now completely spoiled by auto-locking/unlocking on both my 2003 vehicles: a Yukon XL SLE (the base model) and a Taurus SES (a Taurus, mind you!). I'm even just a tiny bit miffed that the Taurus has the feature, but doesn't allow the same range of programming options as the YXL (though I use only the one I like best on the Yukon, I did get to make the choice!). I am also quite surprised that Honda would include that feature on only one model in an apparent attempt to help justify the expense of the most expensive version. I can think of no other reason as it undoubtedly costs them more money to make the different with/without versions than it would to include this simple feature on all trim levels. My only point is that railing against Honda over these matters is undoubtedly personally more harmful than helpful: tilting at windmills. |
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"Is the LX and EX (w/o leather) have a different engine than the '04 Ody?" Well, all the '05 Odys (as well as the '04) have a SOHC 3.5l V6 with identical bore/stroke. The LX and EX '05 (like the EX-L and Touring) engines are rated at 255hp whereas the '04 engines were rated at 240hp. From that standpoint, the '05 engines are different from the '04. However, I think the only differences where in the intake and exhaust system and perhaps some slight tweeking to the VTEC system. That being said, the VCM system on the EX-L and Touring is simply an offshoot of the VTEC technology. In that sense, I would expect the VCM system to be as reliable as VTEC. What is not known is the long-term reliablity of the special engine mounts and noise cancellation technolgy which is specific to the VCM or the long-term effects of cylinder shutdown (at least in regards to US spec engines). However, VCM technology has been used for a few years on some JDM Hondas so the technology isn't COMPLETELY new. I don't know if this eases your mind about the VCM technology or not. "Can the rear thermostat be controlled by the driver's settings?" I don't know about the LX and EX. However, with the EX-L, you can control the rear fan speed from the front HVAC control panel. You cannot control the rear thermostat or where the air is going (upper vents, lower vents, or mix) from the front. On the Touring, you can set everything from the front HVAC control panel (3 zone automatic climate control). "Also, does the Ody have a windshield wiper deicer like the Sienna?" I'm not sure but I don't think so. |
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Replying to: dhfd (May 24, 2005 10:00 am) 
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Replying to: dilbertzzz (May 04, 2005 9:24 am) 1. I've been searching for any information on what new features the 2006 Sienna may have and in particular really want memory seats. Can someone suggest any places/sources/sites that might offer insight to 2006 features? 2. Does anyone know when the 2006 Sienna models are scheduled to be available? 3. What does this mean, "an apparently optional-option"? It sounds like not all options are available throughout the U.S. (?) Thanks
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Replying to: jlawkwu (May 24, 2005 2:34 pm) As for 2006 models, if you aren't in a rush, it might make sense to wait for a 2006. If you want to save money, buying a 2005 at then end of the year could pay off for you - (actually buying at the end of any month helps save sometimes). Not sure where the power seats/3rd row power option started, somewhere on this board, I think from a Bulletin from Toyota. Your dealer might be able to confirm this, although probably a little too early to tell. I would imagine though, that the power 3rd row option, which would be a first on a minivan, won't be cheap, and will probably be available only on the XLE or XLE Unlimited, but I am just speculating here. A very cool option nonetheless.
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Toyota provides a host of options on their vehicles, unlike Honda which is pretty sparse on such choices. However, depending on what part of the country you are in, you may well find that particular "options" you might want to choose are never available to you. In other words, the distributor responsible for your area may never ever order that particular option. While it might be theoretically possible to order a Sienna built as you like it from the factory, I have never once heard of anyone successfully doing so. I think that practically that is not a possibility. As for whether or not memory seats will be widely available (or available at all), I cannot say. But if/when they are listed as an option on the Toyota web site, you can then try to build a car with that option and check inventory to see if it is available in your area. My best guess is that the memory seats would only practically be found on the highest (and most expensive) trim level, if at all. Good luck! I hope you can get what you want. |
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Replying to: 05ody (May 23, 2005 1:23 pm) |
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Replying to: irg (May 24, 2005 8:01 am) I checked the edmunds' invoice price for a barebone xle in my area, it is still higher than my ex cloth, and that is without the side bags for everyone, traction and vsc. Before i bought the ody I shopped the ex cloth and the sienna le pkg 6, both were at the same price but the ex has the driver pwr slider and 6 disc changer. With two young kids, dual pwr slider was the deal maker.
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Replying to: nwng (May 26, 2005 6:55 am)  I have 2 young kids too, and another one due very soon. So I liked the XLE because of the dual power doors and the power liftgate. The LE doesn't have that you're right, and the EX cloth does. I forgot whether it has the power liftgate? I think it does, my memory of all the options each van has is starting to slip now that I have made my purchase. I was on the fence about the lack of some of the safety things on the base XLE. Side air bags have pros and cons, and since my kids sometimes fall asleep by the sides of the vans, I figured not having side air bags could be a good thing (the Toyota manual even mentions this). Traction control to me is a pain sometimes. I had it in my previous GM Saturn, and it actually hinders more than it helps in snow. Where we live, and with our driveway, I sometimes need the tires to spin to keep going in a forward motion. With the TC on, it would prevent the wheels from spinning true, but sometimes to the point of getting stuck altogether. Also, we live in a small college town, and at this point we don' take many trips. My speed limit to work ranges from a low of 10 mph (one lane bridges!) to a high of 45. So actual accidents that are severe here are very low. And any minivan, with or without airbags are pretty safe now, from what I've seen. But in terms of price, what tipped the scales in favor of the XLE was the great lease deal I got. I may keep this van after the lease, we'll see. But I needed a decent van that would have fairly low payments. The Ody EX cloth was $440, and the XLE was $359. Different buying experiences for sure, and I think I got a great deal at Fitzmall, something I couldn't get locally. I was looking locally at a base SIenna LE AM package (#1) and they wanted about $380 for that lease. Honda should sell the LX model with 1 power door. I bet they would sell a lot. Seems like they are selling a lot anyway. For some strange reason though, the leasing program on the Odyssey's wasn't very competitive. One dealer who I trusted told me that, that financing they were good, but lease to lease, they could not compete with Toyota, and I found that to be true too, for now at least. It seems to vary every month.
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