New (used) car shopping... Sienna, Pathfinder, Sorento?

mimieliza

New member

• Mar 24, 2014

• #1

We are buying a new-to-us car/SUV/van in the next month. Our budget is around $20K. We are looking for something that seats at least 6, but 95% of the time, we will only be seating 4. We need it to last at least 10 years without expensive repairs, ideally. We live in a mountainous, winter-weather kind of place. I can manage with a front-wheel-drive with traction tires, however. Right now, here are some of our options...


2012 Toyota Sienna 2.7L I-4 cyl
28,000 miles
$21K

Pros:
Toyota reliability
Lots of room for passengers and cargo (seats 8 )
Good gas mileage
I like minivans.

Cons:
4 cyl engine
No AWD
Base level trim - missing a few features that we would like (roof rack, tinted windows, center console



2013 Kia Sorento LX V6 AWD
32,000 miles
$21K

Pros:
AWD
Nicer trim level, doesn't feel stripped down
V6 engine
Good gas mileage

Cons:
very limited seating for third row passengers, over all less space
Kia reliability?


2012 Nissan Pathfinder S
36,000 Miles
$23K

Pros:
very spacious interior
4x4
Truck-like, could tow things if we wanted
Nissan reliability (I think this is a pro?)

Cons:
Poor gas mileage
slightly more expensive


Any thoughts from those who own one of these vehicles and/or have installed carseats? I have a booster rider (7.5 years), and a FFing harnessed rider (almost 4).

 

Last edited: Mar 24, 2014

msg221

Well-known member

• Mar 24, 2014

• #2

I had that exact model Kia Sorento except it wasn't AWD. I had it for 14 months and then got rid of it after one experience of the engine just dying on me while I was idling, waiting to turn left into the Kohl's parking lot. I was able to put the car back into park and restart it and it did drive fine after that. I took it to the dealer but they (of course!) could not replicate the problem and said they found nothing with all of their tests and test drive. Meanwhile, when I Googled the problem, I found numerous complaints on the NHTSA web site for the exact same issue! Some people were on the freeway and some people had it happen more than once. It was scary and I just did not have any peace of mind driving it anymore so right around this past Christmas, we traded it for a 2014 Honda Accord EX. I would check the NHTSA web site and you can read all of the complaints on there (including mine!). http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchSafetyIssues

I can't comment on the reliability as I only had it for 14 months. Also, I had the third row in mine and it was too cramped for adults. I also found that the ride wasn't very smooth. My only other complaint was that I wish they had used a nicer fabric for the upholstery. (I didn't have leather). Car seats were easy to install (I have a FR90 and a Graco Argos). Aside from those complaints, I did like it. So much so, that I really, really missed having an SUV. Prior to the Sorento, I had a 2003 Highlander. Well, DH ended up trading his Toyota Tundra in on Friday and got me a Honda CR-V, which I absolutely love and now he is driving the Accord.

 

mimieliza

New member

• Mar 24, 2014

• #3

Thank you! We aren't looking at the CR-V at this point, because no third row. If we decide to give up on the third row, we will look at the Subaru Forester (we already have one - a 2002 - but the newer ones are bigger). I want to test drive the Sorento, and am tempted by it because it has everything we need (even if the third row is teeny) but I am worried about whether a Kia will be as reliable as, say, the Toyota Sienna.

 

mimieliza

New member

• Mar 24, 2014

• #4

OMG, want to scare yourself off of buying any new car EVER? Go read the NHTSA complaints for any vehicle... horrifying!

I haven't even gotten to the Kia yet, but apparently 2012 Siennas can spontaneously burst into flames, crush children in their sliding doors, accelerate uncontrollably, and crash without the seat belts engaging or air bags deploying.

 

msg221

Well-known member

• Mar 24, 2014

• #5

Oh, and another problem that the NHTSA is investigating is that so many people have complained that the sunroof glass just shattered for no reason. Just driving along and next thing they know, the glass is shattering! So you might want to not get a Sorento with a sunroof if you decide on it.

I had never bought a Kia prior to my Sorento and was also concerned about reliability, but I figured with the 10 year, 100k mile warranty, it would be okay. I would have kept my Sorento had I not had the issue with the engine dying. My friend bought her a few months after me but she hasn't had anything like that happen.

I don't know if I want to look at the complaints for CR-V!

 

bubbaray

New member

• Mar 24, 2014

• #6

Actually it's not just Kia with the sunroof issue. Pretty much very car maker is having that issue currently.

 

mimieliza

New member

• Mar 24, 2014

• #7

Oh yes, there was a complaint for the Sienna about the shattering sunroof.

Sent from my iPhone using Car-Seat.Org

 

tl01

New member

• Mar 24, 2014

• #8

Lots of cars do have the roof shattering issue... even the CRV.

I had a car that had a window shatter... I am convinced it happened bc the car had low profile (stock) tires and we we hit a bad pothole... It was the windows closest to the tire... It was a station wagon and the window was right above the tire. I think the impact with the pot hole stressed it and then about a week later it just shattered. I wonder if having a glass sunroof takes a lot of the forces of the car shifting and maybe that makes it vulnerable.

Have you considered looking at the Kia Sedona if you are considering a minivan? You should be able to get a newer one with your budget? You could almost get a 2014 Sedona for your budget. I think you could negotiate the base model down to at least 23k... And that would come with a long warranty.

 

Last edited: Mar 24, 2014

msg221

Well-known member

• Mar 24, 2014

• #9

I may never use my sunroof in my CR-V or the Accord. I just can't imagine how scary it would be to be driving along and have that thing shatter!

 

tl01

New member

• Mar 24, 2014

• #10

msg221 said:

I may never use my sunroof in my CR-V or the Accord. I just can't imagine how scary it would be to be driving along and have that thing shatter!

Click to expand...

The ones I read didn't say the sunroofs were open... I'm sure there are forces on the glass when it is closed. The body of a car flexes all the time... And the glass heats and contracts a lot too. Fwiw... My cars have had glass sunroofs for years... Like almost 20 years and I've never had an issue. Neither have any of my relatives cars. The glass shouldn't cut you... It just might make a mess. My sunroof has a cover between me and the sunroof when it isn't in use. Honestly... it is the least of my worries when driving.

 

bubbaray

New member

• Mar 25, 2014

• #11

The sunroof issue is that the glass isn't tempered like the windshield glass, so it is sharp and in shards when it shatters. The problem is when the sunroof is closed and it happens at random.

 

TechnoGranola

Forum Ambassador

• Mar 25, 2014

• #12

As far as I know, the majority of sunroof glass is tempered. The remainder is laminated glass like in a front windshield. Laminated glass sunroofs or side windows are usually only in the bigger end brands since it's more expensive.

Neither break into shards. The both crumble, but laminated crumbles and stays with the lamination so doesn't get all over you and the car like tempered. You can still be cut by the crumbles as they are sharp little buggers.

 

mimieliza

New member

• Mar 25, 2014

• #13

Don't worry, I'm not getting a sunroof.

The Sedona is on our list as a second-tier option if we end up having to get something cheaper. I have one now (a 2003) and my husband hates it. But we could get a 2012 for $16k.

We are most likely buying from Hertz.

 

tl01

New member

• Mar 25, 2014

• #14

bubbaray said:

The sunroof issue is that the glass isn't tempered like the windshield glass, so it is sharp and in shards when it shatters. The problem is when the sunroof is closed and it happens at random.

Click to expand...

I didn't know it cuts but that's good to know. We had a bunch of car windows shot out with BB guns where I lived when I was a kid. Some bratty kid was angry about seeing nice cars and he was targeting the same brand of cars every night while the cars were parked outside. We lost three windows in about two weeks but I didn't purposefully touch the glass but I didn't get cut either.

 

TechnoGranola

Forum Ambassador

• Mar 25, 2014

• #15

tl01 said:

I didn't know it cuts but that's good to know.

Click to expand...

Except what you quoted isn't inaccurate. Sunroof glass is either tempered the same as side car windows, or laminated like a front windshield. (Note that some vehicles also have laminated side windows).

Tempered class can cut you, because the crumbles still have sharp edges, but much safer than shards. You're likely to get tiny cuts as opposed to severing a vein.

If anyone wants to take a look, there should be printing somewhere on the window or sunroof, usually in the corner that tells you if it's tempered or laminated.

 

tl01

New member

• Mar 25, 2014

• #16

FWIW... I had a Sienna... a 2012. I only had it for about a year. I hated it with a fiery passion. It had issues. I bought it new and Toyota did try to fix the issues and when they couldn't they then told me the issues were normal... even though I have their service papers that said the issues were not normal. It was in the shop for at least 30 days during that year I'm guessing. I had Toyota corporate involved and it was just such a mess. Our Honda dealers and Honda corporate have been much more responsive to issues with my various odysseys.

 

CarSafetyGuy

New member

• Mar 27, 2014

• #17

The current generation Sienna is a vehicle I'd wholeheartedly recommend, and I'm in the business of saving lives. ESC, 4000 lbs, full side airbag coverage, and good front, side, and roof scores? The only thing I wish it had was a small frontal offset score, but that's coming soon. I'd recommend it wholeheartedly over almost any vehicle, and easily over the other two you listed.