Deciding between Pilot/Sienna

[Tim-SF]

Hi!

We currently have a 2000 Sienna that we looking to trade in for. We have a 5 Y/O and an infant.

If it is a van we are looking for an 8 passenger because I want to be able to fit 3 passengers in the second row. Basically, 2 car seats and the spouse in the second row on long trips so spouse can help the kids with any items without turning around from the passenger seat.

Ideally we are thinking Regent in the passenger and Martathon in the middle would be the likely scenario in the next few years. That leaves one of the passenger side empty for the spouse and if picking up another child the empty seat is quick to put in a 3rd child seat.

However, I am assuming once we end up with 2 regents (say 3 years from now) that all goes out the window since you couldn't possible sit 3 like that.

Is there anything I am not thinking about? We are deciding with the Pilot and Sienna (though now including Oddysey thanks to someone else' thread I just read).

It looks like the Pilot would be easier to drive since it is a bit smaller, and would have AWD function for snow trips. The benefit of a Sienna would be easier access to the 3rd row if two car seats are installed and there are more than 4 passengers. The van would also have more overall cargo space.

Thanks,
Tim

 

[twokidstwodogs]

We have an 05 Odyssey with the Plus One seat. I'm not sure that seat is ideal for an adult sitting there for any length of time. It's doable, but you'd be better off with an 8 passenger Sienna, if that's something you're going to be doing often. The extra seat is much more usable, though I don't think you can store it in the floor the way you can store the Odyssey's.

Isn't it possible to get an AWD Sienna? I thought that was an option. (I will tell you, though, that we drove through a blizzard in our FWD Odyssey and it did extremely well. I was impressed, even as someone who's been driving Subarus for the past eight years.)

 

[Tim-SF]

We have an 05 Odyssey with the Plus One seat. I'm not sure that seat is ideal for an adult sitting there for any length of time. It's doable, but you'd be better off with an 8 passenger Sienna, if that's something you're going to be doing often. The extra seat is much more usable, though I don't think you can store it in the floor the way you can store the Odyssey's.

Isn't it possible to get an AWD Sienna? I thought that was an option. (I will tell you, though, that we drove through a blizzard in our FWD Odyssey and it did extremely well. I was impressed, even as someone who's been driving Subarus for the past eight years.)

The AWD Sienna does not come with 8 passenger, otherwise I'd just get that and it have everything except maybe a bit bigger for every day driving then I'd like.

I asked the sales guy yesterday he spent a few minutes looking in his brochure until I told him don't worry, I'll look it up online when I get home.

 

[lynsgirl]

I have an 8 passenger Sienna and I have had, in a couple of different configurations, 2 Regents and a Marathon in the second row. 2 Regents and an adult is absolutely easily doable. Here's one picture, although I've had it set up slightly differently, as well.

It's late and I'm off to bed, but if you have any other questions, ask away. I'm not the only one with an 8 passenger Sienna and I don't think I'm the only one who my van .

 

[TXDani]

I just traded in my 2005 Sienna Limited for a Acura MDX(basically a Pilot) a couple months ago. There are pluses to both vehicles and somedays I do miss my van but I LOVE the MDX !! We have three kids so a van is probably even more of a "must" for us than it would be for you with only two kids. The limited Sienna only comes in a 7 passanger so I always had to have at least one kid in the third row which I didn't like...and neither did that kid . But the MDX works great because I still have the versatility of a 7 pasanger vehicle but I can configure it how I want and I still have a lot of cargo room with all three kids on board. I think it really comes down to what type of person you are and what type of vehicle turns you on. A van is nice and a van does the job but for me the van just wasn't for me, nor my husband. Also the MDX can fit a Regent and a MA/DC/BV side by side and leave plenty of room for another adult in the back seat. The great thing is that you really can't go wrong with either choice!!! Good luck!

 

[teekadog]

Hi, Tim, I'm car shopping as well!

Originally we were just looking at vehicles w/3 rows of seats, but we quickly zeroed in on vans, excluding those 3-row SUVs. Our reasoning was that we are buying a van to be a people hauler, and want one vehicle that will hold a large group of people. I love the idea of an SUV, but that 3rd row just didn't seem "every day" useable to me. We are looking at an 8-pass Sienna, with an Odyssey a close second.

If you are just planning on having two kids, maybe 3, I'd say go with the Pilot. It has more of the features you want, and will please your family more as the kids get bigger. Your wife can sit quite comfortably in the 2nd row now, and from your post it doesn't sound like you plan on using the 3rd row very often.

In summation, we are choosing a van over an SUV because we plan on using the 3rd row just as much as the 2nd. If that were not the case, we would be getting an SUV.

Happy shopping!

 

[lovinwaves]

First off, I own a 2005 Honda Odyssey EX-L

Wow, that's a toughy Tim. I was just telling my husband the other day "Do you think we really needed to buy this van, I mean we only have 2 kids?" He made a really good response..... "Honey, the van gets good gas mileage (better than any other minivan on the market), and SAFETY."

If you look at the informed for life website you will see the Odyssey and probably the Sienna are high on the list. The Odyssey and Sienna are extremely heavy and large, so that also helps with the safety aspect.

I truely miss my Toyota 4 Runner, but the van has been very pratical for us, without compromising the wonderful driving experience I lust for in a vehicle.

I can easily sit in between the captains chairs in the second row, but I would not recommend it, since the headrest, well um..hits me in the middle of the back. If your wife is short however, that middle seat might work fine for her.

If you are going to be sitting back there with the kids often then the Sienna may work better for you guys. I sat back there more when DS was a baby but now I don't.

As far as snow the Odyssey handles fine, the AWD Sienna was very tempting: however the price was not :thumbsdown:

This is my suggestion and what DH and I always do before buying a car:

1. Don't rush the decision. Research, Research, Research.
2. Take home both car brochures and compare each and every feature. Which car comes with what? Which car doesn't come with this? What features are important to me?
3. Take each car for a good couple hours or longer WITHOUT a dealer tagging along. Also, take one car to the other dealership so you can compare each car along side each other.
4. Which vehicle comes with more standard safety features?
5. DRIVE, DRIVE, DRIVE. Take it on the highway, take it through the city. Park with it, parrallel park with it. Back it up. Floor it, stop suddenly with it.. which feels better. Which handles better, which has more up and go..

Good luck with your decision. Please let me know if you have anymore questions regarding the Odyssey. CPSDarren has done some incredible reviews on his Odyssey, and whole purchasing process.

In my opinion, you won't go wrong with either the Sienna, Pilot, or Odyssey. They are all INCREDIBLE Machines.

Oh, and one more thing. You had mentioned you had read another thread. If you type Sienna or Honda Odyssey in the search bar, you will find MANY threads on each members recommedations, and personal experiences with these vehicles.

 

[teekadog]

Actually, in the 2007 rankings, Pilot scored higher than Sienna (though lower than Odyssey).

 

[Tim-SF]

Thanks everyone. Just went back for a second look at both and the wife took both for a drive back to back (Pilot & Sienna). We'll compare Sienna/Odyssey if we start leaning towards Sienna.

We had the baby with us so we threw the infant car seat for the test drive then put in the Regent and Marathon to check the fit and both did well (which wasn't a surprise based on all the feedback and pictures.

Everything was as everyone has been saying so that made things much more efficient.

She still doesn't like the truckish feel of the Pilot and the Sienna did prove bigger than what she liked. So we may try a few more SUVs since the smaller vans don't have 3 rows in the middle.

Might have to try out the MDX though even base model was more than what we were thinking.

 

[lovinwaves]

Thanks everyone. Just went back for a second look at both and the wife took both for a drive back to back (Pilot & Sienna). We'll compare Sienna/Odyssey if we start leaning towards Sienna.

We had the baby with us so we threw the infant car seat for the test drive then put in the Regent and Marathon to check the fit and both did well (which wasn't a surprise based on all the feedback and pictures.

Everything was as everyone has been saying so that made things much more efficient.

She still doesn't like the truckish feel of the Pilot and the Sienna did prove bigger than what she liked. So we may try a few more SUVs since the smaller vans don't have 3 rows in the middle.

Might have to try out the MDX though even base model was more than what we were thinking.

Ok, so on the "truckish feel" is that the suspension or handling, or the sitting up high she didn't like?

She may like the MDX or RDX better. Also look at the Highland Hybrid, and Lexus RX's. Those are all on car like frames, so the ride is going to be better, and not so truckish feeling.

I also wanted to add that the turn radius on the Odyssey is incredible. It always impressed people when I whip in parking spots, or pull a U'ey.

The Odyssey is just a tad smaller than the Sienna. The feel is going to be totally different as well.

 

[Tim-SF]

Ok, so on the "truckish feel" is that the suspension or handling, or the sitting up high she didn't like?

She may like the MDX or RDX better. Also look at the Highland Hybrid, and Lexus RX's. Those are all on car like frames, so the ride is going to be better, and not so truckish feeling.

I also wanted to add that the turn radius on the Odyssey is incredible. It always impressed people when I whip in parking spots, or pull a U'ey.

The Odyssey is just a tad smaller than the Sienna. The feel is going to be totally different as well.

She doesn't like the suspensions - feeling all the bumps. Highlander is too small and the Lexus is only 5 passengers. Yeah, were being picky!!!

 

[TXDani]

Ok, one suggestion...if you don't want to pay for the MDX...DO NOT DRIVE ONE!! Haha, because if you drive it, you will buy it.
The MDX does not have an ounce of truck-like feel and is much, much more sports sedan oriented than most other SUV's on the market.

 

[teekadog]

Last week we test drove the Sienna, the Entourage, and the Odyssey, in that order. The Sienna felt very big and floaty. Like our Camry filled with helium LOL! With the Entourage you could feel the road, and that was good and bad. The Odyssey was definitely the best drive, all the good and bad of the 1st two drives, none of the negatives. If the Odyssey had better seating, we'd get that in a heartbeat. The Sienna drives like a big car, but well, it IS a big car, and that's what we want in the end.

Being picky is good! There are LOTS of cars out there to look at.

 

[Lys]

She doesn't like the suspensions - feeling all the bumps. Highlander is too small and the Lexus is only 5 passengers. Yeah, were being picky!!!

She must have drove a bad Pilot then!
I just traded my Odyssey for a Pilot because I hated the suspension on the Ody! It had a lot of "road noise" when driving on the highway.
Also, the first time my mom ever rode in my Pilot, her first comment was how smooth the ride was. Even more so than her Accord

 

[southpawboston]

She must have drove a bad Pilot then!
I just traded my Odyssey for a Pilot because I hated the suspension on the Ody! It had a lot of "road noise" when driving on the highway.
Also, the first time my mom ever rode in my Pilot, her first comment was how smooth the ride was. Even more so than her Accord

there's a lot of confusion about what constitutes a "smooth" or "bumpy" ride. also, road noise is an altogether different problem. the odyssies are known for transmitting a lot of road noise. in fact, a lot of hondas are notorious for road noise. my MIL's 05 CRV is noisier on the highway (road noise and also wind noise) than my old hyundai elantra which cost about half as much...

generally speaking, a car with a very "stiff" suspension will feel bumpy on rough roads but silky smooth on smooth roads. a car with a "soft" suspension will soak up a lot of big bumps, making them feel minimal, but will not ride silky smooth and will be floaty or jittery on the highway. MIL's CRV is does a great job making really rough, choppy pavement feel smooth, but on a smooth highway, it's only so-so smooth. does that make sense? on the other hand, my mazda3 is very stiff, and going over bumps you definitely feel them, but when the car is on a smooth highway, it feels like you are riding on glass... you barely feel the car is in motion.

also in general, japanese cars aren't the best at making really smooth suspensions for all different road surfaces... the german cars are best at that. drive any BMW, audi, or volkswagen and you'll know what i mean.

 

[jen_nah]

Have you looked at the GMC Acadia/Saturn Outlook? It has 3 rows of seating and the 3rd row is easily accessable. Got the same gas mileage as the Sienna/Ody. Has ample cargo area. I installed a Regent using the long belt path & MA in the one we had for the weekend.

It rode & handled like a dream. Rides like a sedan so not bumpy like the Pilot at all (my best friend owns one and rides just like my Tahoe- like a truck). It was very luxerious inside (like the Acura/Lexus) but for a lot less $$$.

 

[TXDani]

I think the Acadia/Outlook is such a good looking car! That definitly would have been something I looked at if they were out when I bought my car. Or maybe they were and I just hadn't seen one yet...but yes, that is a nice looking car!

 

[smurf]

also in general, japanese cars aren't the best at making really smooth suspensions for all different road surfaces... the german cars are best at that. drive any BMW, audi, or volkswagen and you'll know what i mean.

How I wish the Toureg could sit more than 5 and not guzzle gas *sigh*
How I wish the Q7 was a tad cheaper *sigh*

That being said, the MDX is definitely an option for us but we haven't tried it yet. We've never owned anything not German and everyone is telling us to brace ourselves for a change (what kind of change? good, bad, ugly? )

 

[lovinwaves]

How I wish the Toureg could sit more than 5 and not guzzle gas *sigh*
How I wish the Q7 was a tad cheaper *sigh*

That being said, the MDX is definitely an option for us but we haven't tried it yet. We've never owned anything not German and everyone is telling us to brace ourselves for a change (what kind of change? good, bad, ugly? )

The feeling, engineering, and driving is all going to be different. I don't think it is so much of a jump going from say VW to Honda, as it would be VW to GM/Ford.

I always like to say...German cars are "tight". Tight in every sense that is. From driving, to how the door shuts, the controls, the handling, the suspension, etc...

 

[TXDani]

How I wish the Toureg could sit more than 5 and not guzzle gas *sigh*
How I wish the Q7 was a tad cheaper *sigh*
QUOTE]

I used to work for VW and the Touareg was such a piece of garbage. That dang car didn't get all it's problems worked out for a couple model years. Ughh.
I grew up in a European car family. My mom never owned anything other then BMW's except for her one Volvo. So I grew up thinking that is all I would want to drive as well. But I changed my mind after getting a BMW 540 wagon. I will never buy a BMW again...well I *would* by a M6 but that's a whole different story and I'll never have that kind of money for a car anyway. The other European car I owned was a Saab 9-5 Aero wagon which was a good car driving wise (fun factor was superb!) but reliability was an issue. I also owned a VW Jetta (in high school) and a VW Passat which had their problems but nothing too extravagant. Japanese car wise I have had an Infiniti QX4, Toyota Sienna, Nissan Titan (hubbys), and the current Acura MDX. Sure they might not be quite as fun to drive (MDX and Titan excluded since they are for sure!!) but they have a better ride, way better fit and finish, and I feel better about their reliability then I did with any European car I owned.
That said I would not hesitate to buy myself a new S-Class MB tomorrow if my funds allowed, but being that I can't afford to turn over my cars when they get that "European worn out look" after a year, I will stick with Jap cars for now.