New or used?

[Kleine hexe]

Dh and I are debating about whether to buy new or used. We're looking at getting either an Odyssey or a Sienna.

So is it worth buying new or would it be wiser to buy used?

Oh, and should we get an Odyssey or Sienna? ;)

[jen_nah]

I think it will be solely on personal choice. With new you are more likely to get the options in the model & color you want. But, With used you are going to have a lesser $$ too. But, You could also be buying someone elses headache too.

I am nervous buying used just for the pure fact I have no idea how the original owner maintaned and cared for the vehicle. My dh & I are nit picks on routine maintance and it shows in our vehicles.

[lovinwaves]

Oh, the famous question "Odyssey or Sienna"

If you do a search of the forum you will find many threads on these two vans, and preferences which each.

Odyssey: http://www.car-seat.org/search.php?searchid=581584

Sienna: http://www.car-seat.org/search.php?searchid=581592

You will find info about each vehicle in both links :)

[Kleine hexe]

I could care less about color and options. The more money saved is best in my book.

DH is saying that these vans hold their value well...especially the Odyssey. So he thinks we should just get new. We'd have to find a good deal though. I'm hesitant to buy new because we were burned badly before doing that. It took 7 years to get out of that mistake.

So we sit here with no car payments and it's going to be hard for me to go back to payments. I want something I can pay off as fast as possible.

[Kleine hexe]

Oh, the famous question "Odyssey or Sienna"



:p I know! It always comes down to these two it seems.

[lovinwaves]

DH is saying that these vans hold their value well...especially the Odyssey. So he thinks we should just get new. We'd have to find a good deal though. I'm hesitant to buy new because we were burned badly before doing that. It took 7 years to get out of that mistake.



What about a Kia Sedona?

Also, Honda offers their 3.9% interest rate periodically throughout the year. Maybe they still have some 07's they would be wanting to dump? In any case you CAN talk them down. Be persistent and don't let them say no to you :D

Try going to the ody forum to get some pricing info. www.odyclub.com

This is also a link on the odyclub discussing "minivan comparision" http://www.odyclub.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=12

[lovinwaves]

:p I know! It always comes down to these two it seems.

Here I will make it simple:

Sienna:
If you want to put three across "easily" in the second row, then get a Sienna hands down.

If you like a wishy washy suspension

If you like a more roomier interior.

a bit more luxurious feeling and looking.

quieter interior

3 seats in the second row (easier for carseat installing)



Ody:

If you like more sporty handling

Drives more like a car

tighter suspension

more get up and go on the highway

lower profile

in 2005 a new ody was cheaper than the Sienna ( may not be true for 2008 though)

awesome brakes

bit rougher ride

two FULL captains chair in the second row
Try to get each van next to each other. Take each van home with you for a night. Spend the day with each. Drive them both on all different kinds of roads. Play with all the interior functions. Don't be in a hurry. Dh and I went home with both brochures and marked which features were important to us. Write a pro and cons list. In the end it may just come down to price, and what accessories the dealer will throw in.

I will say this...the biggest mistake we made was not getting the backup camera system. I hate parallel parking because it is so hard to tell how close you are from the vehicle behind you. Sometimes I use the stores glass window reflections to park :o

[Kleine hexe]

Thanks. I hate car shopping. Makes my head spin.

[lovinwaves]

I added some more to my above post...

[Kleine hexe]

I will say this...the biggest mistake we made was not getting the backup camera system. I hate parallel parking because it is so hard to tell how close you are from the vehicle behind you. Sometimes I use the stores glass window reflections to park :o

I refuse to parallel park. :o

[lovinwaves]

I refuse to parallel park. :o

Ah well, that should save you a cool few grand of $$ then :love:

[sfeitler]

These days, at least in Colorado, a Sienna costs less than an Odyssey. I'm in the same position, trying to choose between those two. I am currently looking for a used Sienna, just 'cause it is cheaper. I've driven both, although not side-by-side, but I'm just not that picky... the Sienna was fine (we had a week-long rental once), the Odyssey was fine (borrowed from a friend for an 2-hour errand).

FWIW, Toyota right now has 2.7% financing or $750 cash back on '08 Sienna, I think. I'm sure Honda has some deals going too.

-Sarah

[Kleine hexe]

Try to get each van next to each other.


I'm thinking about this statement. Would I be able to do something like the following...
Go to an Ody dealer and test drive and tell him I'd like to compare it to a Sienna. Take the Ody (with the dealer) to the Sienna dealer to look at both and compare on the spot. I'm thinking the two dealers could stand there and try to win my business. Is that allowed or are dealers not "allowed" on each others "territory"?

I guess the other way would be to take the Demo home for a night and drive it to the other dealer for a side by side comparison.

[lovinwaves]

I'm thinking about this statement. Would I be able to do something like the following...
Go to an Ody dealer and test drive and tell him I'd like to compare it to a Sienna. Take the Ody (with the dealer) to the Sienna dealer to look at both and compare on the spot. I'm thinking the two dealers could stand there and try to win my business. Is that allowed or are dealers not "allowed" on each others "territory"?

I guess the other way would be to take the Demo home for a night and drive it to the other dealer for a side by side comparison.

Either or. Both of our dealers let us take it by ourselves..NO DEALER. Like I said, be upfront and firm with them. This is a HUGE decision. You shouldn't have any dealers around you when you are comparing. Although, a very knowledgable dealer nearby wouldn't hurt. If you find yourself knowing more than them(has happened to me many times :rolleyes: ) then just kindly tell them to STEP BACK LOL!! Otherwise, if they know what they are talking about and aren't pushy they could be very helpful. Both of these vans have many many features that you probably won't see without reading the manual. So having them point out a few things isn't a bad idea. :)

In our situation the Toyota and Honda Dealer were right next to each other. The Honda Dealer had no issues with me driving it over to the Toyota dealer by ourselves. I mean, if they are confident their van is "the best" then what is the big deal, ya know?

GOOD LUCK!! :D

[Kleine hexe]

Thanks. We will be test driving tomorrow.

Yes, right now I'm finding that the 08 Siennas are less than the 08 Odys. However, we were quoted for a new 07 Ody for $20,968. So far no other dealer has said that they have any 07s(eith Ody or Sienna) available anymore. They say they are gone. Is this true you think? Anyway, the 08 Siennas are being quoted at $22K.

Would I be able to use the 07 Ody price to bargain the price of an 08 Sienna down?

Also if no other dealers have any 07s of either van how can I haggle the price of the 07 Ody down some more?

[sfeitler]

Thanks. We will be test driving tomorrow.

Yes, right now I'm finding that the 08 Siennas are less than the 08 Odys. However, we were quoted for a new 07 Ody for $20,968. So far no other dealer has said that they have any 07s(eith Ody or Sienna) available anymore. They say they are gone. Is this true you think? Anyway, the 08 Siennas are being quoted at $22K.

Would I be able to use the 07 Ody price to bargain the price of an 08 Sienna down?

Also if no other dealers have any 07s of either van how can I haggle the price of the 07 Ody down some more?

Hard to say if there are any '07 Siennas around or not. There are around here. Have you searched on cars.com? You can search local new stock there, to see if there are any new '07s around.

I'm no good on the bargaining question.

-Sarah

[Kleine hexe]

We decided to get an 07 EX Ody. It was a hard choice. Very hard.

There were things we liked about the 08 Sienna like the interior was nicer, the seats were more comfortable, and DH like the layout of the dash and controls better. It was also nice and quiet.

I did notice the difference in how they handled but I didn't really have a preference.

It was easier for me to install the Regent in the third row in the Ody than the Sienna. It was actually a bit difficult to install it in the 3rd row of the Sienna. I think the problem was that the point where the seat belt comes out of the the top of the van was actually a little behind the Regent. So the belt had to kind of wrap around...if that makes sense. Also the buckle was attached to plastic on the backrest on the side and I couldn't tilt it up farther. So the belt itself was getting scrunched up from the angle. It's so hard to describe it. Anyway, I worked for 10 minutes getting that seat in. Took me half the time in the Ody.

Basically, it came down to numbers or else I proably would have gone with the Sienna. We were able to get the 07 EX Ody for only $1K more than the 08 CE Sienna. Yes, the Ody is a year "older" but we got privacy glass, electric sliding doors, 3rd row flat folding seats, and some other electric stuff and such that the CE Sienna does not have for not much more.

[lovinwaves]

We decided to get an 07 EX Ody. It was a hard choice. Very hard.

There were things we liked about the 08 Sienna like the interior was nicer, the seats were more comfortable, and DH like the layout of the dash and controls better. It was also nice and quiet.

I did notice the difference in how they handled but I didn't really have a preference.


Nodding in agreement!

Yay for you, and congrats! :D If you have any little ones rear-facing you might find this article of help http://www.car-seat.org/showthread.php?t=9902

[Kleine hexe]

Thank you for that link! Yes, my younger guy is RF in his MA. Although proably not too much longer. He weighs 32 lbs. :( He turns 4 next month. He staying RF until he gains that whole extra pound!

[lovinwaves]

So lovin' is that an Ody in your avatar? I can't tell. I'm the worst at identifying vehicles.

:ROTFLMAO: Yep. That's your van sweety LOL!

[Kleine hexe]

:ROTFLMAO: Yep. That's your van sweety LOL!


Thought so but wanted to make sure. :o