What minivan should I get - Sienna or Odyssey or___???

organic_mama · May 13, 2007

I am going to sell off my 2004 Expedition and get a used minivan around the same year or a bit newer, but definately not new. I only will have about $20K to spend and I would like to get a fully loaded van.

I am interested in:
Toyota Sienna
and
Honda Odyssey

They are ranked continually the best on Consumer reports. Does anyone have any advice for why I should pick one of the other?
Also, does anyone know if a carseat can go on and be latched to that little middle seat in the second row. The seat that you can pick up and literally move to a closer position right up behind the front to seats??? That would be such a nice thing if I can!

lovinwaves · May 13, 2007

Here are some threads where the Odyssey and Sienna have already been discussed. You should find some of your answers here:

http://www.car-seat.org/showthread.php?t=16338&highlight=odyssey

http://www.car-seat.org/showthread.php?t=16214&highlight=odyssey

http://www.car-seat.org/showthread.php?t=10352&highlight=odyssey

http://www.car-seat.org/showthread.php?t=9631&highlight=odyssey

http://www.car-seat.org/showthread.php?t=9255&highlight=odyssey

organic_mama · May 13, 2007

Wow thanks so much! Sorry still new on here...getting use to thanks...but thank you very kindly for your help!

I those threads does anyone mention the middle seat in the second row?

lovinwaves · May 13, 2007

organic_mama said:
Wow thanks so much! Sorry still new on here...getting use to thanks...but thank you very kindly for your help!

I those threads does anyone mention the middle seat in the second row?

Yes, I believe several of them do.

If those threads don't answer your questions please let me know

Don't want you to leave without getting your questions answered :thumbsup:

Several member on this Forum have Odysseys..and also Sienna's

Patriot201 · May 13, 2007

I don't think you can go wrong with either of those vehicles. They are both solidly great vehicles.

I am a HUGE Honda fan, with Toyota being my #2 favorite, so I don't think I will be much help. Sorry!

I do offer moral support, though. Best of luck to you!

lovinwaves · May 13, 2007

^^yeah that! You can't go wrong with either...

joolsplus3 · May 13, 2007

I'd skip the 2005 Odyssey...it's the only one that ONLY has one top tether in the third row... up till 2004 you can add 2 more back there, and 2006 has three, but 2005 has one, can't add more. (Sorry, didn't read too much of the other posts, but I just wanted to toss that tidbit out there

)

sirrahn · May 13, 2007

organic_mama said:
Also, does anyone know if a carseat can go on and be latched to that little middle seat in the second row. The seat that you can pick up and literally move to a closer position right up behind the front to seats??? That would be such a nice thing if I can!

Only the Sienna has the middle seat that can be moved all the way up to the front seats. It has an integrated shoulder belt (doesn't come way down from the ceiling) and full LATCH attachments for a car seat. The center seat in the Ody is just a small jump seat...no tether or LATCH and it's much narrower. HTH!

Jeanum · May 13, 2007

:yeahthat:

Just wanted to add the '04 and newer 8-passenger Sienna models have the "front and center" second row seat feature. 7-passenger models don't, but 7-passenger models do have the capability to move the second row passenger side captain's chair over to the center, effectively making it a second row center seat. The passenger side second row captain's chair can also be moved to the second row center position in the Odyssey.

Have fun van shopping.

lynsgirl · May 13, 2007

As mentioned above, the "front and center" seat in the 2nd row of the 8 passenger Sienna has lower anchors, a top tether anchor and a seat-integrated seat belt. I've installed an infant seat, a FF Marathon and a Regent on that seat and done 3-across with 2 Regents and a RF MA, with the Regent on that seat. I can't really think of any seat that *wouldn't* work on there, size-wise. Happy van shopping! I love my van and I think you really won't go wrong with either the Odyssey or Sienna.

twokidstwodogs · May 13, 2007

We have an 05 Odyssey, which we love. (We have only two kids, one of whom is in a booster, so the lack of extra top tethers in the third row doesn't bother us.) But some friends of ours just bought a Kia Sedona over an Odyssey. They brought it over when they were test driving it, and we compared them side-by-side. The Odyssey had a few more bells and whistles, but not many. And the Sedona does better on www.informedforlife.org. My friend is pregnant with her third, so she will have one in the third row. She really liked the better rear impact scores on the Sedona.

So check out the Sedona too, if you haven't already.

Edited to add: Sorry--you mentioned a used car. I don't know what an 06 Sedona sells for, but it's probably less than an 05 Odyssey, or even an 04 Sienna.

mom2acrew · May 13, 2007

This thread is perfect for me!

We are trying to decide what to get in addition to the Suburban for the 5 kids. I'm thinking I would like to go back to a minivan and DH take the Suburban.

Chameleon · May 13, 2007

I just wanted to say that I have an 05 Sienna 8 seater, and I love it! We used the front and center for my DS when he was a baby. I don't move it up anymore, but I love everything else about it.

lovinwaves · May 13, 2007

sirrahn said:
Only the Sienna has the middle seat that can be moved all the way up to the front seats.

But...You can also slide the passenger side captain's chair to the middle position in the Odyssey and slide it forward as well. It may not come up as far, but it is still possible to have a captain's chair centered with the option to slide forward and backward

TXDani · May 14, 2007

Choosing between the Sienna and the Oddy is a tough decision for sure!! They are both great vans and offer some great things. In my opinion it comes down to what you are looking for...more luxury or more sporty-ness. When we were van shopping we went with the Sienna (limited) because it offered options that the Honda was not availble with. We got the Sienna for the xenon headlights (huge deal maker for us they are so much nicer then traditional headlights), laser cruise, wood grain interior accents...oh and I liked the way the rear captains chairs folded in the Sienna better then the Oddy. And the 1 top tether was so not cool with me...:thumbsdown:
They both have a very different ride...one is tight and sporty(the Oddy) and the other is a nice, softy...almost lofty ride.
Good luck with your decision and try not to think about it too much!

tchrgrrl · May 14, 2007

twokidstwodogs said:
We have an 05 Odyssey, which we love. (We have only two kids, one of whom is in a booster, so the lack of extra top tethers in the third row doesn't bother us.) But some friends of ours just bought a Kia Sedona over an Odyssey. They brought it over when they were test driving it, and we compared them side-by-side. The Odyssey had a few more bells and whistles, but not many. And the Sedona does better on www.informedforlife.org. My friend is pregnant with her third, so she will have one in the third row. She really liked the better rear impact scores on the Sedona.

So check out the Sedona too, if you haven't already.

Edited to add: Sorry--you mentioned a used car. I don't know what an 06 Sedona sells for, but it's probably less than an 05 Odyssey, or even an 04 Sienna.

:thumbsup: I had a new 2006 Odyssey and after a major accident I replaced it with a new 2006 Kia Sedona - for $10k less. It is very likely you could find a new Sedona for $20k.

sirrahn · May 14, 2007

lovinwaves said:
But...You can also slide the passenger side captain's chair to the middle position in the Odyssey and slide it forward as well. It may not come up as far, but it is still possible to have a captain's chair centered with the option to slide forward and backward

I said "all the way up to the front seats".

lovinwaves · May 14, 2007

sirrahn said:
I said "all the way up to the front seats".

Yes, I see what you said, I was just adding to what you said

sirrahn · May 14, 2007

lovinwaves said:
Yes, I see what you said, I was just adding to what you said

OK...it read like you were correcting

teekadog · May 14, 2007

You could get a new Hyundai Entourage / Kia Sedona for your price range. I'd recommend that.

What minivan should I get - Sienna or Odyssey or___???

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