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Honda Odyssey vs. Toyota Sienna

5511 messages,  Last post on May 23, 2013 at 11:23 AM

You are in the Honda Odyssey Forum.

What is this discussion about? Toyota Sienna, Honda Odyssey, Car Comparisons, Van

Messages Page 460 of 552

#4584 of 5511 Which of these has better BASE model? Best time to buy? 3 car seats ok? by hyperpippi

Mar 17, 2008 (9:26 am)

We're still in a toss-up between the Sienna and the Odyssey. We're looking for a model with regular upholstry seats and a non-electric seat adjuster. (My husband dislikes the automatic ones... "just one more thing that can break".)
 
At the Chicago auto show this year, we sat in both in the back row and noticed the Toyota has a much lower leg level. Even I, at only 5'5", ended up with my knees way up when I sat in the back seat. He's 6'1", so it was even worse for him. But I've been hearing bad things about Odyssey reliability. With money also an issue, we can't afford to have things breaking down.
 
We have two convertible car seats right now in a 1999 Saturn SW2 and there's no room for us to go overnight anywhere because of the stuff we'd have to bring... including an IV pole for our older son. (Long story - HLHS heart defect) We hope/expect to be needing a third car seat in 2009, but hopefully our oldest will be into only a booster seat by then. Has anyone put three car seats in either of these vehicles? If so, what was your opinion? Anyone ever fit an IV pole in either of these cars with the back seat still up?
 
All of these questions will affect our decisions. Thanks!

#4585 of 5511 Re: Which of these has better BASE model? Best time to buy? 3 car seats ok? [hyperpippi] by ateixeira

Mar 17, 2008 (9:31 am)

Replying to: hyperpippi (Mar 17, 2008 9:26 am)
I have power seats that adjust for height and angle (on my 07 Sienna LE w/pkg #3), but you said he doesn't like power seats...
 
If you get manual seats (CE, base LE), you will probably give up the adjustability to some extent.

#4586 of 5511 Re: Which of these has better BASE model? Best time to buy? 3 car seats ok? [hyperpippi] by thegraduate

Mar 17, 2008 (11:38 am)

Replying to: hyperpippi (Mar 17, 2008 9:26 am)
But I've been hearing bad things about Odyssey reliability. With money also an issue, we can't afford to have things breaking down.
 
The Odyssey being on year number 4 should have the bugs worked out by now. Consumer Reports recommends the Odyssey.
 
With a 5 year/60,000 mile powertrain warranty, if something did decide to break down, it'd be covered for quite awhile.
 
We had a 2000 Odyssey EX that we loved, and my aunt has a 2005 Odyssey EX as well. Other than a whistle coming from the windshield at 50 MPH (that she hasn't taken to get fixed, she says she doesn't pay attention to it), she's got no issues; it's rattle free and drives beautifully, delivering 24 MPG at 80+ mph loaded with gear when moving my parents across the country. At lower speeds, mileage would be closer to 26-27 MPG.

#4587 of 5511 Re: Which of these has better BASE model? Best time to buy? 3 car seats ok? [hyperpippi] by bobber1

Mar 17, 2008 (12:53 pm)

Replying to: hyperpippi (Mar 17, 2008 9:26 am)
We've got a 5, 3, 1 year olds in our Oddysey. We put the two youngest in the middle row and the oldest in back. For now we've taken out the middle second row seat which gives us easy access to the back. Works great and we're amazed at how much stuff the you can squeeze into the van.
 
The Toyota and Honda are both good choices. Like any other brand they both have had their mechanical issues, but overall reliability is good and both are recommended buys by most review services. If you're really worried about reliability you can buy an extended warrantee package which will cover you.
 
When we were looking we looked at all the makes and it came down to Honda and Toyota and we just like the way the Honda drove better. If I were looking today, I'd give the new Chryslers a good look too. They've generally caught up with Honda and Toyota in most features and they've got superior warantees in place right now.
 
Good luck on your purchase. Buy what you like.

#4588 of 5511 Price for OE extended warranties by ateixeira

Mar 17, 2008 (1:15 pm)

I think if you shop around for extended warranty pricing on either of these you'll see even the manufacturer is betting on both being very reliable.
 
I've seen quotes well under a grand for both of these for a 7/100 bumper to bumper with no deductible.

#4589 of 5511 odyssey vs sienna - overriding factor by raj1

Mar 30, 2008 (4:53 pm)

In my research, I found that the odyssey seatback was very hard. sienna's was quite comfy/soft in comparison. that pretty much overrides any other advantage odyssey had if it did.

#4590 of 5511 Re: odyssey vs sienna - overriding factor [raj1] by thegraduate

Mar 30, 2008 (9:25 pm)

Replying to: raj1 (Mar 30, 2008 4:53 pm)
To some a softer seatback doesn't offer long-trip support. The seats in my Accord are really firm (and fairly similar to the Odyssey), but after 12 hours straight, I had no pain (Birmingham, AL to Oklahoma City, OK), just stiffness in my legs from sitting still so long. Firm doesn't always equal uncomfortable, and soft doesn't always mean comfortable, and vice versa. Different seating will fit different bodies differently.
 
The best advice is to drive all the options and rule out which you don't find comfortable.
 
PS: I'm 6'5" 195lb, for the record.
 
Happy motoring.
 
TheGrad

#4591 of 5511 Re: odyssey vs sienna - overriding factor [thegraduate] by bobber1

Mar 31, 2008 (7:25 am)

Replying to: thegraduate (Mar 30, 2008 9:25 pm)
Yeah I agree seat comfort is pretty subjective. I just took a 13 hour trip with my Honda and felt great after the trip. The seat seems to fit my 6' 1" back like a glove. Different strokes for different folks however.

#4592 of 5511 Re: odyssey vs sienna - overriding factor [bobber1] by thegraduate

Mar 31, 2008 (10:56 am)

Replying to: bobber1 (Mar 31, 2008 7:25 am)
Right. That's not to say I wouldn't be equally as comfortable in a Toyota, either; just that the firmness in the Honda is comfortable to me.

#4593 of 5511 Re: odyssey vs sienna - overriding factor [thegraduate] by ateixeira

Mar 31, 2008 (11:08 am)

Replying to: thegraduate (Mar 31, 2008 10:56 am)
The firmness counts but also don't forget the shape!
 
To be honest I think the Sienna's seats are a bit flat, i.e. they could use more side support. The arm rests compensate.
 
The padding is just right - soft but not too soft. My bottom isn't numb after a long drive.

Messages Page 460 of 552

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