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Article Comments: 2006 Minivans Comparison Test

49 messages,  Last post on Dec 28, 2007 at 10:46 AM

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What is this discussion about? Chrysler Town and Country, Dodge Caravan, Kia Sedona, Honda Odyssey, Toyota Sienna, Nissan Quest, Van

#40 of 49 Re: Subjective Score Bias [albertx46] by rorr Dec 12, 2006 (5:58 am)
Replying to: albertx46 (Dec 12, 2006 2:25 am) If it's an LE with leather, the leather is aftermarket (not from Toyota).
#41 of 49 Just purchased a Sienna from my local Dealership (Lustine Toyota Scion) by sduff68 Dec 31, 2006 (1:48 pm)
Just traded in my 2004 Honda Odyssey in for a 2006 Toyota Sienna.   Two months earlier we test drove a 2007 Odyssey, it drove very similar to the 2004 Odyssey.   I like smoothness of the Sienna's transmission, I have never heard the transmission engage or even shift. I used to hear the Honda's transmission.   On the other hand, the Sienna's engine is a little louder than the Odyssey's. However I like it. It sounds a little aggressive and gives me a little smile.   I don't miss the Honda's additional power. The Sienna is pretty powerful despite the fact that it has 10 less HP than the Honda based on the old HP ratings (04 Odyssey had 240 HP, in 04 the Sienna was rated at 230..current HP ratings says it has 215 HP).   The Sienna of course does not handle like the Odyssey, however I just drove it on a twisty winding road and it did very well. On the other hand I love the way it goes over bumps, many times I hear them as oppose to hearing and feeling them as I did with the Odyssey.   The overall luxury feel of the Sienna is very appealing as well. I am happier with it than the 2007 Odyssey because the comparable Odyssey did not have the wood grain (yes I like the cheesy wood grain, it also looks realistic) or the trip computer with mpg, miles to empty, or the built in compass.   I think I paid to much for the car (see what I wrote under prices paid and buying experience post). However I am still happy with the purchase. The fact that I got a 0% interest rate with the Sienna was also a big plus and I still saved money over buying a 2007 Odyssey with the interest rank my bank was offering me. (Also, almost three years ago when I bought the Honda my wife really wanted an Odyssey, however they did not have any in stock with the features we wanted, and they were only selling at the MSRP. Replies to this message: hansienna (Jan 01, 2007 8:31 am) fromsf (Jan 01, 2007 9:31 am)
#42 of 49 Re: Traded 2004 Ody in on 2006 Sienna [sduff68] by hansienna Jan 01, 2007 (8:31 am)
Replying to: sduff68 (Dec 31, 2006 1:48 pm) Please keep us informed how your Sienna gas mileage is compared to the Odyssey's.      We considered buying a 2006 Ody EX (cloth) but it does NOT have the complete overhead console with outside temperature, compass, and trip computer and the Honda dealers are too arrogant. Replies to this message: fromsf (Jan 01, 2007 9:31 am)
#43 of 49 Re: Traded 2004 Ody in on 2006 Sienna [hansienna] by fromsf Jan 01, 2007 (9:31 am)
Replying to: hansienna (Jan 01, 2007 8:31 am) I agree Honda and Toyota dealers are too arrogant. Yesterday we went to test drive Honda Pilot and they refused to give me a chance unless I am going to buy today.
#44 of 49 Odd Man Out?--went with T&C Limited by 5greyhounds Jan 31, 2007 (4:28 pm)
I guess I am the odd man here. I just purchased a 2007 T&C Limited. I drove the Toyota Limited AWD and really liked it. The Honda was not even a player. The interior is what I would call "Industrial" in design. Since I spend 2 to 3 hours a day inside the van I wanted something that had a little style to it. The Honda is good for Mom, Dad and the Kids. With our dogs I needed something that would take them (4 Retired Racing Greyhounds) and let me take people around without having to take seats in and out. The Toyota was 3k more, with AWD but without the NAV. It did have front parking assist and adaptavie cruise but still no easy storage for the seats and then where do the seats go when they come out. They are really, really heavy also. Taking in nothing else the Toyota was top of the rung. However, after adding the rebate (4k) and some added discounting the T&C was 7k less than the Toyota dealer was talking about. The T&C drove well, decent power, the engine was quiet, very nice stereo, good seats, nice dash, etc. Just overall a nice vehicle for the money. Now then, I know a new T&C comes out in about 6 months but I saw it at the detroit show and did not like the looks (I am not a fan of the Aspen and that is what the front looks like) and the interior was "ok". All in all since I liked the 07 better, nice rebate, and a nice drive it was our choice. It is funny what you end up liking and that is the U-Connect wireless system in the van. Very nice. Anyway, that is it. This is my first Chrysler so we will just have to wait and see how the reliability is. I know several people at work who have various models and while some have had problems they do not seem to be the same ones and nothing drastic. Replies to this message: perna (Feb 20, 2007 11:55 am)
#45 of 49 Re: Odd Man Out?--went with T&C Limited [5greyhounds] by perna Feb 20, 2007 (11:55 am)
Replying to: 5greyhounds (Jan 31, 2007 4:28 pm) I guess I am the odd man here. I just purchased a 2007 T&C Limited.   We just bought a T&C Touring. Honestly, unless you are planning to flip vans in the first 2-3 years of ownership, it's the best value of the lot. I'm not a fan of Chrysler at all, but literally every other minivan sold in the U.S. had some fatal flaw. The T&C had all the options we wanted, at a very good price. We're paying 22k+ tax (don't actually take delivery until Friday), and we get Sat, power gate/both doors, and a bunch of other doodads. The value is just off the charts. If it holds up over the next 8 years or so, I can easily see us buying another.
#46 of 49 Chrysler T & C 2007 Touring - Best Value by rochesterboy May 04, 2007 (6:28 pm)
I bought a Brand New 07 Chrysler Town & Country Touring Meraine Blue color with 29K Package and Cloth Seat + 6 DVD/CD/MP3 Changer + Rear Entertainment System with 2 Wireless Headphones + 1 Year Satellite Radio for $20,746 (MSRP $31,2xx) OTD with an EC number. Zip Code-48307, MI. After getting a good price, I sent email to multiple Chrysler Internet managers asking them to beat that price. I got reply from 3 dealerships with better price, one gave a quote of $20,640 ($19,200 before tax/title) and went with the price and bought the mini van.   I was going to buy a 2003 Odyssey EX with 60K miles in it for 16500 but then decided to go with Chrysler T & C because of the awesome price, value and 3 years warranty. No other minivan can beat that price.
#47 of 49 Why is this forum dead? by hansienna Dec 28, 2007 (7:54 am)
Was the Comparison Test flawed? Replies to this message: ateixeira (Dec 28, 2007 7:58 am) hansienna (Dec 28, 2007 10:46 am)
#48 of 49 Re: Why is this forum dead? [hansienna] by ateixeira Dec 28, 2007 (7:58 am)
Replying to: hansienna (Dec 28, 2007 7:54 am) The test is outdated now.   Sienna has a new engine. T&C has been replaced entirely. Odyssey is getting revisions for MY2008, too. Only the Hyundai/Kia and the Quest are the same. Replies to this message: hansienna (Dec 28, 2007 10:46 am)
#49 of 49 Re: Outdated test [ateixeira] by hansienna Dec 28, 2007 (10:46 am)
Replying to: ateixeira (Dec 28, 2007 7:58 am) The only difference I can see in the 2008 Odyssey is a new grille, NON-PAX tires in Touring (PAX now optional), Plus One 2nd row seat for 8 in the Touring, and the VCM now has the capability of using 3, 4, or all 6 cylinders instead of just 3 or 6.   Time for a NEW comparison (which will soon be outdated when Honda boosts the power in the Ody).

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