Rethinking this...any reason one would *want* to buy the '11 Sienna?

[Kalinky]

I haven't had time to read through the 2011 Sienna thread all the way. Am I correct that is only has 1 TA in the 3rd row? And that the center seat of the middle row 8 passenger is now pretty much a joke? What else is did I miss? Is there any *good* reason one would want an '11 over a '10?

We were thinking about trying to take advantage of 0% financing and buying new now instead of a used '08 or '09. Calling it a wash after paying all the interest on financing a used one. Or maybe leasing one for 3 yrs (interest free payments) and then buying it. I wish the new Sienna was more impressive. I love the new body style, but with only 1 TA in the 3rd row...no way. I'm now trying to find a new 2010 with a 0% financing deal or lease deal. Seems like slim pickins.

We are also considering a 2010 Odyssey now, with 0% or a lease deal.

I have driven an Ody, but have never even driven a Sienna! I need to go test drive, but it's so hard to find time and a babysitter.

 

[Kalinky]

OK. I read through Heather's (awesome) reviews. This is a tough decision. We only have 2 kids now, but it is so nice to be able to carpool with other moms and their kids (who would need TA's) when going to the Zoo or vacations. It sounds like it's SO nice to drive though! Why, Toyota!!?? WHY!!??

 

[BrookeSLP]

Having driven both, I much prefer the Odyssey. :twocents:

 

[Guest]

I'm trying to think of a reason too. BILs are Toyota mechanics so it'd make life a lot easier. But the Sienna sucks compared to the new Ody IMO.

 

[QuassEE]

I wish we could take the interior of the old Sienna and put it into the Odyssey. It would be the perfect car. I have no issue with the lack of tether anchors in the rear, since they're really not as huge an issue as they once were--considering it's easily possible to rear-face children until they're ready for a booster. Chances of having that many children who are forward facing harnessed ?? Not really completely necessary for most families, and compromises can be made in situations where you're needing to transport friends. It's a bigger issue here in Canada, where forward-facing tethers are mandatory and people only rear-face to 1st birthdays...

If you're educated enough to be concerned about tether anchors, you're probably also educated enough not to need them for as long..

But yeah.. it sucks. I had a 2005 Sienna, I have a 2008 Odyssey and I'm not quite sure what 2011 I'll be getting yet.. it's a tough call. But with two kids out of seats in that back row, TAs aren't a big issue for me.

-Nicole.

 

[stayinhomewithmy6]

I want one just because of this [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ql-N3F1FhW4"]YouTube- SWAGGER WAGON[/ame]
Unfortunately, it would never work for us. We need more than 3 TAs so that there are more options for puzzling.

 

[murphydog77]

I *love* the "swagger wagon" ad! I was going to link to my reviews, but I see that you read them already . If you don't need the tether anchors in the 3rd row, the Sienna is great, it's awesome! If you do, well, look elsewhere .

 

[hsjwmom]

In addition to the TA shortage, the lack of LATCH sets bugs me. I prefer LATCH enabled boosters because we stink at remembering to buckle boosters. I wish Toyota would get with the program and either have 3 sets of LATCH across the 3rd row (even if they were the staggered sort where they couldn't all be used at once) OR have two sets- both outboard.

 

[jesster]

I haven't had time to read through the 2011 Sienna thread all the way.

Can someone link me to that thread, please? TIA!

 

[Jeanum]

The longer thread discussing the 2011 Sienna is at http://www.car-seat.org/showthread.php?t=108226 I think I'll bump it up while we're referencing it since it's referred to pretty often.