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Buying a Used Sienna

177 messages,  Last post on Mar 31, 2013 at 2:43 PM

You are in the Toyota Sienna Forum.

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

Messages Page 8 of 18

#71 of 177 Re: 2007 XLE w/ Leather $26000 [deltheking] by yatesjo

Jan 04, 2010 (6:40 pm)

Replying to: deltheking (Jan 04, 2010 2:46 pm)
Dealers in the Bay Area are crazy in what they try to ask for late model used Siennas. When I was shopping in 2008 for ours I checked around on used vans before going with a new. What I found is that 80+% of the late model used Siennas are retired rentals with relatively high mileage (all LEs with with a slightly de-contented EVP1). For the privately owned trade-ins the dealers wanted outrageous prices. By the time I was done dickering, I was getting offers for a brand new 2008 Sienna for nearly as much used side of the exact same dealer wanted for a similarly equipped 2006 (with the weaker engine!!!). I tried using this as an argument for the used van to come down on the price and they still wouldn't budge. I told them they were crazy and they responded that they didn't have any problems selling them at that price. I took Toyota's 0% financing had a lower payment than if I financed the used van through my credit union.
 
As they appear to still overvalue the used vans, I would recommend going new. Taking into account the incentives that Toyota offers for financing, buying new can actually come out to less cash payout over time in addition to the luxury of getting to be the first owner.

#72 of 177 Re: 2007 XLE w/ Leather $26000 [yatesjo] by zinder

Jan 05, 2010 (10:09 am)

Replying to: yatesjo (Jan 04, 2010 6:40 pm)
Thanks for the replies. Luckily I don't have to buy right now so I can wait for the right deal. I'll probably just wait a couple months until the 2011s drop to see what that does to the market. I would like the 2007 but for quite a bit less like ~22K I think, I'll watch it to see if it stays on the market.
 
I also agree about the prices for used Sienna's around here. I have no problem with the dealers if they can get it, but who would BUY a used for the cost of a new?

#73 of 177 AWD or Stability control by seattlemom

Jan 05, 2010 (11:36 am)

I am looking into buying a used minivan. We live in the Seattle area which usually doesn't snow but when it does, it's a pain (with hills around).. and we go skiing a lot so I am considering buying a AWD. However, I see so many complaints about the run flat tires and AWD vans are a lot less to choose from.
 
a dealer recommended vans with traction and stability control feature and said it does well in snow.
 
Can you comment on will stability control good enough to drive in snow (not in heavy snow everyday but highway to ski resorts, etc.. )
 
Thanks

#74 of 177 Re: AWD or Stability control [seattlemom] by ateixeira

Jan 05, 2010 (11:53 am)

Replying to: seattlemom (Jan 05, 2010 11:36 am)
Doesn't seem like you'll see lots of snow, so FWD should be adequate.
 
Consider a set of Autosox for occasional traction needs.

#76 of 177 Re: 2007 XLE w/ Leather $26000 [zinder] by jproc

Jan 05, 2010 (4:19 pm)

Replying to: zinder (Jan 05, 2010 10:09 am)
Its interesting the prices dealers want for used cars.I looked for a used Civic ( 2 years oldish or so a while ago) and soon realized new was cheaper! Same thing with the car I bought my daughters ( ford focus) A new one was cheaper than a 1 year old used one.
Regarding Sienna's I have an 00 with 138,000 miles and its been essentially bullit proof.Other than a sensor about 4 years ago all I have done with the car is follow the recommended maintenance.But buying a 2-3 year old one probably doesn't make sense.Buy new and keep it a long time would be my advice.

#77 of 177 Re: 2007 XLE w/ Leather $26000 [jproc] by yatesjo

Jan 05, 2010 (5:58 pm)

Replying to: jproc (Jan 05, 2010 4:19 pm)
My guess is two factors at play. The first is that there is a glut in global production so there are lots of incentives to push vehicles out the door to keep the factories and sales floors humming. The second is the inertia of conventional wisdom that says you take a hit just driving it off of the lot and that buying used saves the depreciation hit so you should always buy used unless you just have to have a new car. We aren't great it looking rationally at every decision and tend to depend on recieved wisdom for many of our decisions- it simplifies life.
 
The first pushes down the cost of buying new and the second props up the price of used. The biggest problem with the conventional wisdom is that while, yes, you do take a hit driving it off of the lot, you take a similar hit on a used car. The the tax man and the dealer want their cuts and the reputations of Toyota (and Honda) are so good people will pay the premium even for a used one even if it is not the most rational economic decision.

#78 of 177 Re: 2007 XLE w/ Leather $26000 [yatesjo] by jproc

Jan 06, 2010 (2:43 pm)

Replying to: yatesjo (Jan 05, 2010 5:58 pm)
When I was looking for the used Civic, I remarked to my salesman that the prices were so high I didn't even know how negotiations on price could even start (I had bought a new CRV from him a year or so earlier).He told me that because of the extended warranty on certified honda's that they could sell the used ones for the prices quoted.Given the price of an extended warranty on the new car we bought (around 900 to bring the coverage to 7-100,000) that explanation didn't make much sense to me either.
I simply think that buying certain cars slightly used makes no sense.(most toyota's and Honda's and even the ford focus )

#79 of 177 New, considering a used Sienna. Help !! by phillymom

Jan 06, 2010 (4:17 pm)

I currently drive a 03 Town and Country. I am looking to buy a 8 pass Sienna used, but no older then 2008. I am curious how people feel about the 8 pass?
I do childcare and could always use the extra seat but is it really useable?
How about access to the third row?
How long should I expect a Toyota to run without many major issues (my 03 van now with 70K miles is starting to give me issues, so I am unsure looking at a 09 with almost 40K miles)
 
Any thoughts about these prices.
 
09 LE w/39,400 miles for $19,876
09 LE w/34,924 miles for $21,422
08 LE w/44.330 miles for $19,650
08 LE w/ 26,963 miles for $20,975

#80 of 177 Re: New, considering a used Sienna. Help !! [phillymom] by deltheking

Jan 06, 2010 (8:26 pm)

Replying to: phillymom (Jan 06, 2010 4:17 pm)
Dont worry,the Sienna is the most reliable van out there and they will easily run more than 125k miles with no major problems. Just a few questions:
 
1.Your budget range--max budget??
2.8th seat is usable but small-- Is the 8th seat absolutely necessary? Is it a must have or can you do without it?--b`cos 8 pass Siennas are rare compared to 7 pass.
3. 04-06 Sienna is the redesigned model whereas the 07-09 is the updated version of the 04-06 model.So practically no difference between the 07-09 Siennas.
4. Any specific features you need-like leather/navigation/AWD ? Or is the base LE OK with you as you quoted prices just for the LE model ?
 
I would never buy an 09 or 2010 models with more than 25k miles as these are mostly rentals.So any 07-09 Sienna should be OK and the mileage should be of a bigger concern. Let us know.

Messages Page 8 of 18

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