Toyota Sequoia owners...

[mommy-medic]

Give me the pros and cons! I am leaning VERY heavily towards getting a used one- somewhere between 2001 (how many latch anchors/top tethers in an 01?) and a 2006, depending on mileage and cost. Please- give me the good the bad and the in between. (Car seat installs as well!) Thanks so much.

[Heather98012]

My dh has an '01. I do love it, but I'm trying to get him to trade it in. It has 165k miles on it, & we're starting to need to do some repairs. Nothing crazy, but seeing as how there are deals out there now, I'm thinking maybe it's better to just get him a new ride. He doesn't want to though, 'cause he loves it that much!

I wish it had captain's chairs in the second row. Getting to the third row is ok with only one seat, but if we had another one, it would be a PITA. As far as tethers, I'd have to look. I don't drive it daily, so I don't remember. I can check if you don't get more info sooner.

Honestly, it really is a nice ride. We got it about 2 months after they hit the showroom floor, & we've loved it. Never had a problem with it at all (aside from some stuff cropping up now)!

[mommy-medic]

Thanks so much. What types o fissues are you having with it now if I may ask? (just curious)

[lodonal65]

My SIL has one and it's nice.
However, it has a really bad rollover rating and usually doesn't come standard with 3rd row side curtain airbags.

I looked at them before I decided on the Pilot.

[Heather98012]

Mostly just normal stuff for a vehicle with 165k miles on it. It was running kind of rough & stalled a few times, so we took it in. They can't duplicate it but gave us an estimate of what they think needs to be done & that's anywhere from 1-2k. Mind you, that's including a tune up which is like $600, so some of it is just standard maintainance stuff.

Then last Friday the check engine light came on during dh's commute home. So yesterday it was back in & again, they can't figure out the issue, but have a guess. It was either $200 to try & repair it or $1400 to order new parts (I don't even know what it was, TBH). So, dh had it repaired.

We love it, but it's just that if we need to do the bigger repairs, that's about $3400 total & with his mileage on it, Kelly Blue Book says it's worth about $5200 in trade in & around $7500-8000 private sale. I just don't know I want to put $3400 towards a car with a ton of miles on it.

It actually gets decent gas mileage considering how big it is. DH averages about 18 mpg, mixed city/highway miles. But, he drives a LOT, so we're also looking at a car with better MPG. That alone would offset some of the expense of a new car.

If it didn't need the possibility of work, we wouldn't trade it in. Heck, we may still keep it. We :love: it. Pretty easy car seat installs, too (although we haven't tried a ton in there). If you aren't too worried about MPG, or if 18 MPG is acceptable to you (don't know what else you're looking at) & you can find a good deal, I'd go for it! We'd buy another one in a heartbeat (we're just being way more frugal at the moment with the economy & all & need a newer ride w/ lower miles on it due to the miles my DH drives!). When we bought it new, we were looking at Tahoes, Expeditions, etc. & the Sequoia just blew them away. It's that nice of a ride, IMO.

[Heather98012]

Weird...my posting showed up twice...sorry.

[Gypsy]

I'm curious why you aren't getting another Sienna?

[mommy-medic]

I LOVED my Sienna, BUT did have numerous times when I would sigh wistfully and reminisce of my *youth* waving goodbye. I honestly can't get over the "mommy" stigma of the minivan. Don't get me wrong, it was a GREAT choice, and I *cough* may*cough* go back to another sienna (especially for the navigation system and dvd- those were "luxury" add ons that were WELL worth it! I was also paying over $800 a month for it- and with DH in jail for 3 weeks now (and consequently unemployed, the 5 grand a month in child support I was ordered is pointless). I can only finance enough vehicle to pay about 12-15k, and the sienna was 40k. I realize I could get a used or scaled down sienna, but I used to have a highlander and really regret trading it in for the sienna. (Also don't want to do 3 across in a standard highlander, and the 7 passenger highlander is pretty crowded).

I am torn, honestly, but am leaning more toward the SUV than another minivan.

[Heather98012]

Ok, so considering your reasons, I think you'll be very happy with a Sequoia. It looks good, drives great, is fantastic in snow, heavy rain, etc. You'll have more than enough room for hauling people & stuff & look pretty cool doing it. If you can find a good used one, I say go for it!

(Oh, but just make sure your seats install well...which I know you'll do!)

[Brendan's Mom]

We have a 2005 sequoia with captains chairs in the second row. We love it, but if I did it over I would get a bench in the second row. I would like the extra seating for one additional child since I now have 3 kids and take other kids with me frequently.

Pros:
Easy to drive
Great in snow and rain
Spacious for all passengers
3rd row allows 3 carseats (depending on size of seat)
Reliable
Most seats are easy to install!!

Cons:
Trunk space is limited, but any SUV with a 3rd row it will be limited.
Lacks 3rd row airbags

I have latch and tether sites in both my captains chairs (second row)
In the 3rd row I have one latch site and two anchors.

My captains chairs I have minimal issues with installing seats with either belt or anchor. The only seat I have some problem is the regent SBP. It can be done, but is tricky. Other seats I have installed are SS1, Roundabout, Marathon, nautilus, radian.

Third row...the radian is currently latched, because a tight fit is tough in that position. All other seats were easy in the 3rd row.

We truely love our car and if I needed to replace it today I would get another sequoia....I would love the new model because of the 3rd row airbags!!!

[Pixels]

LATCH manual says 01-04s have full LATCH in 2nd row driver's and center, 3rd row passenger side. Top tether anchors (no lower anchors) for 2nd row passengers, 3rd row driver's.

05-06 with a bench seat are the same as 01-04; 05-06 with separate 2nd row seats have full LATCH in the two 2nd row seats and 3rd row passenger side. 3rd row driver's side has top tether anchor only.

[mommy-medic]

Thanks so very much!!! Waiting to hear from insurance company as to wethere my van is actually totaled or not (fingers crossed, lol). I want a sequoia! (and my payments would be lowered by over 50%!)

[Jeanum]

Piggybacking here with some additional info. because the '09 LATCH manual also lists info. for the Sequoia's '07 and '08 model years that could be helpful if you're considering those model years (or if any lurkers shopping for a Sequoia happen upon this thread). :) The '07 Sequoia's info. is the same as the '05-06 models listed above by Pixels. The '08 has 3 full sets of LATCH in the second row, all of which may be used simultaneously to install 3 carseats, and tether anchors on the back of the seat. The '08 model's third row has a tether anchor only in the center spot on the back of the seat, and there are no lower LATCH anchors or outboard tether anchors in the third row. I don't see a listing for an '09 model so that would be one to double check out at the dealership if need be in case it's different from the '08.

[mommy-medic]

Thanks so much. Gonna have to cancel my plans on the sequoia though. Gonna just be too much for me. Off to look at the highlander....