okay we are going to have to get a van now (well at least by the time I can drive with all of the girls).. I like the Toyota Sienna, but do not know anyone with one. Anyway, I was hoping some of you could help me out with a few questions..

~I am going to have 3 kids in carseats...how should I put them in the van?

~how do you like your van and what kind do you have and any problems with it?

We will be buying new or slightly used (like 1 or 2 years old). We are really looking at safety and reputation (as in does have problems with engine and all that). Any recommendations? TIA

By Colette on Tuesday, February 22, 2005 - 02:47 pm:

I have a Sienna xle, and truthfully I liked my Caravan better. It was more like driving a car. I like my Sienna a lot, but the feel of the caravan was definately better.

I've had 2 minor problems - the bar that holds the hood up broke off (can be fixed) and the rubber molding around the top of the windshield is coming undone (the same thing happened in our Toyota RAV4 so it might be a toyota problem)

By Debbie on Tuesday, February 22, 2005 - 03:18 pm:

I have a 98 Toyota Sienna and I love it. It got very high marks for safety. I have not had any problems with it at all and it now has almost 80,000 miles on it. We are going to get something new next year. I am actually looking at the new Chevy Uplander. It looks like an SUV, but is built like a van. I still need to check out safety and things first. I also really like the new Toyota Sienna. I would definitely buy a Toyota Sienna again. Dh would just prefer something more sporty. I don't think you can go wrong with a Sienna. My neighbor also has a Honda Odyssey. She loves it and I am pretty sure it got high safety ratings also.

As far as carseats. I would put two in the second row seat and then 1 in the middle of the third row seat.

By Kaye on Tuesday, February 22, 2005 - 03:20 pm:

With three kids what I do for seating is I pull out one of the middle seats, I put two in the back and one behind the driver. That gives me room to get in the van and buckle everyone up. the catch is that leaves a big empty space to put stuff in and that isn't safe, always use the back for storage. We have a honda, love it. I had a caravan, will never have another one. The only thing I know about the "older" siennas is the storage space behind the back seat is small. The newer ones have a lot more space. I think 2004 was the new model year. Trina has one, so I bet she will have some great advice.

By Trina~moderator on Tuesday, February 22, 2005 - 03:22 pm:

We currently own our second Toyota Sienna and LOVE, LOVE it!! We bought our first Sienna new in 1998 and would still have it now if it wasn't for the chipmunk that died in the venting system. Absolutely NO problems with it whatsoever. Only regular maintenance. After we were unable to get rid of the chipmunk stench, we traded it in for a 2004 model. LOVE IT!! Super safety and reliability ratings, which are very important to us.

By Trina~moderator on Tuesday, February 22, 2005 - 03:25 pm:

Almost forgot... LOL! As far as where to put the kids, that's really up to you. I would lean toward putting the oldest in the 3rd row and the two younger children in the middle.

By Missmudd on Tuesday, February 22, 2005 - 03:34 pm:

We test drove every van on the market practically, we liked the sienna but ended up with the caravan because the Sienna just didnt have the guts that the caravan had. I piled all 6 of us in the Sienna and took it up a sharp grade, it kept shifting up and down and really had quite a bit of difficulty keeping to 45 up the hill. The Dodge passed that test w/ flying colors so we went with it instead. The sienna was our #2 choice however so it matters how much load you are going to be putting on it. With us 2 full grown adults and an even bigger teen and 3 other boys and it made a big difference.

By My2cuties on Tuesday, February 22, 2005 - 03:35 pm:

This is the one van that dh and I can both agree on. He doesn't like the Dodge, or the Nissan, or the Honda..lol He is tough to please when it comes to vehicles.

Thanks Trina, that is what I wondered ..which child to put in the back row. It would be easiest on me too because Katelyn could get out of her booster and I wouldn't have to climb all the way back there.

Also would it be safest to put Katelyn in the back middle seat or back side seat?

By Fraggle on Tuesday, February 22, 2005 - 03:39 pm:

We have a Dodge Grand Caravan and we really love it. We are actually in the process of looking at a new one. I really just want a Caravan again, but we are checking some other models, too. We haven't had one problem with it (it is a '98) except for the air conditioning going on us at the end of this summer. I love the way it drives and the extra room in the back is a definite plus. My sister has the Toyota Sienna and loves it.

By Sunny on Tuesday, February 22, 2005 - 03:41 pm:

I also have a 2004 Sienna and have had no problems (I've had it since 8/03). This is our first minivan and I often wonder how we got along without it before. I'd also put the older child in the 3rd row and keep the younger ones in the middle row. I also know that the Sienna comes in an 8 seater, but I'm not sure if all three carseats would fit.
Toyota and Honda both have excellent safety ratings, good reliabilty and resale value and, I believe, both have side-curtain airbags (may be optional on some models) and other safety features that should be standard, IMO. Test drive a couple different models and do your research. There is a lot of information out there, so do your homework!

By Trina~moderator on Tuesday, February 22, 2005 - 03:44 pm:

Great site when shopping for vehicles. You can compare features side by side.
Kelly Blue Book


SUVsafety.com - Minivans

Katelyn is in a booster now, right? It depends on whether the van you get has a lap and shoulder belt in the 3rd row middle position or not. I believe '98-03 Siennas have only a lap belt in that center, 3rd row spot. If you get a 2004, all seating positions have both lap and shoulder belts and headrest.

By Conni on Tuesday, February 22, 2005 - 03:45 pm:

I have a 2003 Sienna XLE. I like it. Have had no probs with it at all. There was a brake drum recall or something-- but I took it in and they replaced them. It was no big deal. Good gas mileage. Perfect for zipping kids around town. Thats all we do with it.


We have been very pleased with our Toyota's!

By Melanie on Tuesday, February 22, 2005 - 05:11 pm:

We have a 1999 Toyota Sienna XLE which we have owned since October 1998. It has 71,000 miles on it and we have never had a problem with it. We live on a mountain and our vehicles get quite the workout, so saying we've had no problems is saying a lot. I love my Sienna and when we finally get rid of this one we will definitely be getting another one. I don't think you will be disappointed with a Sienna.

By Andi on Tuesday, February 22, 2005 - 05:47 pm:

Well I have the 2005 Honda Odyssey and I LOVE IT!!! It has so many safety features including Side Curtain airbags that cover all 3 rows!!! Smart Airbags that can turn themselves off. I was torn between the Toyota and the Honda and here is what I found out from doing some research:

The Odyssey was Voted Best Value by Money Magazine

Odyssey was voted Best Family Van by Parenting Magazine

Toyota takes Super Unleaded Gas...Honda takes Regular Unleaded, that will save you money.

Toyota has less standard options than the Honda and it is more expensive.

The Honda has windows that roll down on the sliding doors just like the Toyota.

The Honda has a Lazy Susan system in the floor board for storage and I love it. I keep snacks, water, Diapers, Wipes and juice in it.

the back seat folds completely flat, it's a 60/40 split seat, so it's easy to get stuff in and out when you are moving something big or in our case taking the dog somewhere. Plus it's great for changing diapers.

A friend of mine asked her mechanic what van to buy and he told her the Honda for this reason: They are easy to fix when and if something goes wrong, the parts are easy to find and they are inexpensive.

We have the option of Captains Chairs in the middle row or we have an insert that makes it one long row. We chose to have the Captains chairs and we have the insert in the garage incase we ever need the extra seat for someone. We have DS and DD in the captains chairs and DS loves it.

I love Toyota's, my DH has a Toyota truck with almost 170 K on it and it still runs perfect. So for us to buy a Honda was a big deal, that just shown how much we love it.

I think if you are leaning towards a Toyota you won't be disappointed but in our case I am sooooooo happy with our Honda.

Oh, one more thing I love is the dual climate control in the front. I can have the heater on and DH can have the AC on a the same time! It's the little things that make me happy.

By My2cuties on Tuesday, February 22, 2005 - 06:03 pm:

Thanks Andi, that's alot of info.

By Kate on Tuesday, February 22, 2005 - 06:16 pm:

The Sienna HAS to have super unleaded gas??? I've never heard of a car that HAD to have that! What about the annoying headrests on the Honda when you sink the seats and there is no room for the headrests? Now both of those issues would make me reconsider! Yikes!

By Andi on Tuesday, February 22, 2005 - 06:34 pm:

All I know is what I read...to get the best performance the 2005 Toyota Sienna is supposed to have Super Unleaded, I guess it's up to the owner if they want to use it.

The 2005 Odyssey is redesigned so the headrest doesn't have to come off or move when you lower the seats.

By Melanie on Tuesday, February 22, 2005 - 06:35 pm:

Kate, I've never used super in my Sienna. This is the first time I have heard that.

By Truestori on Tuesday, February 22, 2005 - 07:53 pm:

I have the Mazda MPV 2000. We actually compared it to the Honda and Toyota and for the price, reliablity, and safety ratings it was by far the best deal.

Most people don't think of Mazda when buying a van so it keeps the cost lower and I suggest reading carbuyingtips.com to learn how to haggle. LOL Happy Hunting and keep us updated

By My2cuties on Tuesday, February 22, 2005 - 08:07 pm:

Stori,

I actually did think of that, it is a very pretty van (and doesn't look like a van at all btw imo) How is the leg room in the very back seat? I was concerned about that when I looked at it. My dd is expected to be close to 6 ft. tall she is very tall right now and leg room for her is a big issue..she is 40 in. tall right now and only 3 years old.

By Imamommyx4 on Tuesday, February 22, 2005 - 08:20 pm:

We've had 2 Plymouth Grand Voyagers. The first one was totalled in a wreck with no injuries at all to anybody in the van. Love my Voyager. But I think now the Caravan has taken the market for the 2 vehicles. But I think that the next van I get will be a Honda Odyssey. I wanted one when I got my last Voyager but it was going to take a month to get the one we wanted in and we didn't have the time to wait since ours was totalled.

By Trina~moderator on Tuesday, February 22, 2005 - 08:27 pm:

I don't use Super in my Sienna. Runs great with Regular.

There was chat on one of my CPS Tech lists recently comparing the new Sienna and Odyssey 8 seaters. Apparently the 8th seat in the '05 Odyssey (middle row, center) doesn't have LATCH or a tether anchor and is quite narrow. Something to consider for those looking for an 8 passenger van.

By Andi on Tuesday, February 22, 2005 - 08:33 pm:

It's me again! I'm telling you I really researched this before we decided on a van....I looked at the Mazda MPV and the new Saturn Relay.

The Mazda is much smaller than the Sienna or the Odyssey. It is a very nice van, I never test drove it just looked at it when I went to the dealership. The Odyssey is the largest Mini Van on the market right now. I think the sienna is a very close second.

The Saturn Relay is a very nice van...comes standard with a DVD player. My neighbor was the first person in our area to own it and she loves it. The reason I didn't buy the Saturn is because there are no side curtain air bags..that was very important to me. and the storage in the back is small and the back doesn't fold down totally flat.

By My2cuties on Tuesday, February 22, 2005 - 10:56 pm:

Thanks again Andi. I have talked to DH and let him read this post and I am amazed but I believe you actually made him look at it.

And we did and I can not believe how much cheaper it is with all the options that we wanted....wow!!! It's like 10,000 dollars cheaper. I will keep you all updated..

By Andi on Tuesday, February 22, 2005 - 11:36 pm:

I really do love it! Trust me the Sienna is an awesome van and it is a Toyota after all so you know it will last forever but Honda is a great van as well and I have no doubt that it will last us a long time.
As you know DH surprised mw with it as a Christmas gift and that was wonderful, but if I had it to do all over again I would have wanted the leather. It was only $2,000 more than what he paid and it comes with alot more options.

JMO

Let me know what you decide.

By Breann on Wednesday, February 23, 2005 - 10:12 am:

We own a new Sienna!!! LOVE IT! We bought it for it's safety rating.
I love the new style of it. It is a different from the regular "minivan look".
Haven't had an ounce of problems with it.
Good luck with your decision. You will love driving a minivan. They are so nice. Such a nice drive compared to trucks and suv's. You'll love it!

By Breann on Wednesday, February 23, 2005 - 10:22 am:

I forgot to mention that we use regular unleaded gas without any problems. My husband drives a small car to work, and in it's owner manual it says that it does best with super-unleaded gasoline.
Maybe that's just something that is fairly standard. Cars might just run better on super-unleaded rather than regular unleaded.

lol, this reminded me. I remember when I was a little girl going to the gas station with my dad. We would fill up the plymouth with "regular" gasoline. Unleaded was there, but most cars still took "regular" gasoline. Guess I'm getting old

By Missmudd on Wednesday, February 23, 2005 - 10:35 am:

Usually new cars run on regular, that is really strange about the super thing. Are these imports?

By Colette on Wednesday, February 23, 2005 - 10:38 am:

I use regular unleaded in mine.

By Andi on Wednesday, February 23, 2005 - 11:07 am:

I will try to find the article I read. It said that the Toyota is supposed to run on Super Unleaded because of the way the engine was designed and to get the best performance. My Passat was supposed to have Super Unleaded and I rarley used it because of the price but when the price would go down I would use it and after two tanks of it I could tell a small difference.

Honda designed theres to run on Regular, I think that was a very smart move on there part.

By Andi on Wednesday, February 23, 2005 - 11:13 am:

Candis,

I have tons more info on the Odyssey if you want it just e-mail me and I will pass it along.

Like I said before the Sienna and the Odyssey are both great choices, I just found the 2005 Odyssey to be the best choice for us.

By My2cuties on Wednesday, February 23, 2005 - 06:58 pm:

Andi that would be great! Just e-mail me with the info, I can't find your e-mail address. We are at willncandis @ twlakes . net