BCrunner78
New member
So the wife wants to trade the 4runner for the new sienna OMG?! I will admit though it has been difficult getting kids in n out and travelling etc. Any thoughts on the new sienna?
trade in 4runner for sienna ltd. awd?
- Thread starter BCrunner78
- Start date
Register to hide this ad
Who wears the pants in your household?
Just kidding..
What kind of difficulties are you having in terms of getting the kids in and out or traveling?
With the exception of maybe the ground clearence being an issue Im really having a hard time imagining what kind of problems youd be having with the kids. I have a coworker with a 4th gen 4runner and she has no problems with a 5 year old and a 2 year old in her 4runner.
Just kidding..
What kind of difficulties are you having in terms of getting the kids in and out or traveling?
With the exception of maybe the ground clearence being an issue Im really having a hard time imagining what kind of problems youd be having with the kids. I have a coworker with a 4th gen 4runner and she has no problems with a 5 year old and a 2 year old in her 4runner.
004Gunner
New member
AWD is no substitute for 4WD. Not sure what region your in but if you have snow the change from a 4WD SUV to an AWD minivan will be drastic. You also sit much lower in a minivan which can be a disadvantage in traffic. If you want easier access, car-like ride, more cargo room, and more interior versatility, then a minivan is a great choice. Consumer Reports rated the FWD V6 Sienna the best, close 2nd was the AWD Sienna.
Maritimer
New member
I'll never own a minivan. My wife's friend, who is in Canada with her two sons while her husband works in the Middle East, has a Sienna, and it's so white-bread. Then she has the nerve to ask why I need a big vehicle like the Runner for a small family (my four versus her three), and to criticize my gas mileage (16-17 versus her 17). If you need more seating and space get a real vehicle like the Sequoia or the Land Cruiser.
eskimochaos
Banned
Minivan drivers are the worst on the road.
Observe and see for yourself.
On topic, they cannot even be compared in anyway shape or form
Observe and see for yourself.
On topic, they cannot even be compared in anyway shape or form
jacal
New member
couple things here: 1) 4runner v. mini van and 2) trade in for a new vehicle.
1) New sienna is very nice. There is no argument that the minivan is the best way to haul around lots of people, most of the time. You didn't mention how many kids and what age. The younger and closer in age the more reason to check out the van. Personally I have my Runner and a 08 honda oddy. We have a 4 year old girl and 2 year old twin boys. We have 1 seat in the middle row, and the full 3rd row in place. This gives a big area to walk into the van, close the door and get organized (diapers, food, get out of the elements, we even carry a potty along just in case for the older one, etc). Also our layout separates the kids so they cannot reach each other. Then come the kids' friends, you will have lots of quality seating in the van, no comparo to the suv. We frequently pull over and walk around inside the van...this is a great feature that no suv can match. Note, that van is BIG! make no mistake, make sure your wife will want to drive that large of a vehicle, or at least get used to driving it.
2) trade in. I assume you have had the suv for a while. I personally would not want to "loose" the depreciation you have already had on it. I would also not want to pay top dollar right now for a new van, and then again have the depreciation start on that vehicle.
The Runner is a unique vehicle that is great in many ways. If you tow, have lots of inclement weather, camp or have a remote cottage and 3 or less kids, you could stay with the runner for a while longer. You can then get the sienna used if you still want that. However, 3 or more kids, depending on the driving and what else you do (ferry around family, or kids' friends) the van might be a better choice.
Why does the wife want to trade? what are her reasons?
J
1) New sienna is very nice. There is no argument that the minivan is the best way to haul around lots of people, most of the time. You didn't mention how many kids and what age. The younger and closer in age the more reason to check out the van. Personally I have my Runner and a 08 honda oddy. We have a 4 year old girl and 2 year old twin boys. We have 1 seat in the middle row, and the full 3rd row in place. This gives a big area to walk into the van, close the door and get organized (diapers, food, get out of the elements, we even carry a potty along just in case for the older one, etc). Also our layout separates the kids so they cannot reach each other. Then come the kids' friends, you will have lots of quality seating in the van, no comparo to the suv. We frequently pull over and walk around inside the van...this is a great feature that no suv can match. Note, that van is BIG! make no mistake, make sure your wife will want to drive that large of a vehicle, or at least get used to driving it.
2) trade in. I assume you have had the suv for a while. I personally would not want to "loose" the depreciation you have already had on it. I would also not want to pay top dollar right now for a new van, and then again have the depreciation start on that vehicle.
The Runner is a unique vehicle that is great in many ways. If you tow, have lots of inclement weather, camp or have a remote cottage and 3 or less kids, you could stay with the runner for a while longer. You can then get the sienna used if you still want that. However, 3 or more kids, depending on the driving and what else you do (ferry around family, or kids' friends) the van might be a better choice.
Why does the wife want to trade? what are her reasons?
J
Thai
Elite Member
Quite a generalization, isn't it?? I like to think that i am a pretty good driver....
034RUNNER
New member
^I completely agree.
How many kids do you have that you're having a hard time? I imagine that along with kids comes lots of stuff, but considering a minivan is a hard pill to swallow. I am a female and I swear I will never own a minivan even if I have a kid (or, dare I even imagine it, multiple kids). A bigger SUV should do the trick.
Maritimer
New member
The Sequoia is great compared to the Sienna except on cargo space with a full passenger count. I'd get a roof box for that extra crap in that case.
I can appreciate your situation. I have a 2004 Sienna and a 2008 4runner, 3rd row model. We have 4 kids so trips in the 4runner are very tight. A mini van is a good option for more room but you are giving up some towing ability and snow weather handling. If you are considering a mini van, defiantly check out an all wheel drive model. The 2 wheel drive models tend to slide and slip in the snow.
To tell you the truth our Sienna is a piece of junk. We have had loads of troubles with it. I am not sure if Toyota has done a better job on their new models but there 2004 - 2006 were real lemons. Just do some internet searches and you will find lots of complains. In the next year or two we will get out of the Sienna and into something like a Suburban. I don’t care much for Chevy, but for a large family you really can’t beat a Suburban for room and power.
To tell you the truth our Sienna is a piece of junk. We have had loads of troubles with it. I am not sure if Toyota has done a better job on their new models but there 2004 - 2006 were real lemons. Just do some internet searches and you will find lots of complains. In the next year or two we will get out of the Sienna and into something like a Suburban. I don’t care much for Chevy, but for a large family you really can’t beat a Suburban for room and power.
BCrunner78
New member
Geeesh, some people here are pretty harsh. Maybe we will reconsider. How many people here have tried going on a trip - with stroller etc and lots of stuff. The sienna has much more space. Yes it is comparing apples to oranges. The 4runner has been good, but times change, I see this as a time where we need a van. Later on, I will revert back to a 4runner. There are benefits to both, but right now I need the space, fuel mileage etc. I will say though that the 4runner was very well built (2007) in japan. The new ones are built in the States.
We've got an '06 Sienna, an '07 4R (and a '10 Prius)
The Sienna has tons more room, and is more versitile for carrying stuff/people.
The 4R tows the boat.
They get comparable mileage back and forth to work.
I prefer driving the 4R. Mrs B prefers the van.
Different strokes for different folks.
The Sienna has tons more room, and is more versitile for carrying stuff/people.
The 4R tows the boat.
They get comparable mileage back and forth to work.
I prefer driving the 4R. Mrs B prefers the van.
Different strokes for different folks.
gm350reratliff
New member
I hope the wife and I never have to go down the mini-van road. If we had to I think I would pick the honda oddy over the sienna. I hate to admit it but the honda almost looks acceptable. Before that though, we would probably get a sequoia or a suburban.
03_4x4Runner
Senior Member
The new issue of Motor Trend has a mini van comparison and the Sienna won it over the Honda and Chrysler. As much as I hate to admit it mini vans are very handy to have around for hauling cargo and kids. Much easier access and cargo carrying capabilities than a midsize suv.
Thai
Elite Member
There is no comparison b/w any SUV and a minivan when it comes to access, room, people carrying (+ gears), and relatively good fuel economy for all that room. Sequoia or Sub? Not even close. Yeah, i hate to be in the 3rd row seat on a SUV in a rear end collision!! :nono:
The new Sienna is very nice...i have a 2008 Sienna Limited with every option except AWD. AWD systems in the Sienna are not known to be all that great...at least, from the stories that i read. I love my Sienna...and my kids (and wife) love it too. If the kids act up, then my wife just goes to the 3rd row and feeds them or act as "judge." You simply can't move around in any SUVs. 3rd row seating in the Sienna has as much legroom as the 2nd row! The sliding doors make for big access (2nd and 3rd row without having to flip the seat) without needing big parking space. And with 2 bulky baby seats, how are people gonna get to the 3rd row in a SUV??? No problem with my Sienna!
And yeah, i traded in my G-wagen instead of the Sienna...it is THAT valuable to my family!
Last edited:
Ridger
New member
I just went from a Dodge Caravan to the 4Runner and vans are extremely great with kids. I love this 4Runner and there is no way I'm giving it up, but I really liked the van as well. There is certainly a lot more space in a van for all the "gear" that kids need. Especially around the front and 2nd row seats. My wife and I have quickly learned that we will have to adjust to making the best out of the lesser space we have now where we had amble space before.
Another big plus with a van is sliding doors verses, hinged. The first thing I did with my 4Runner was "lock" the rear door safety latches so the kids cannot open the doors themselves to ensure they don't swing a door open when we stop and hit a parked car next to us. No worries with that in the van... plus much easier to get the kids in and out.
Not sure what you have for a 4Runner but don't expect a huge difference in fuel mileage. We got 18.5mpg in ours... that is basically what the V6 4Runner gets (perhaps a newer Sienna will be better then our 02 Caravan). But our van had a surprising amount of power (more so then the newer caravan's - even though the engines were the same size?) Ours was a FWD and very good in snow (we used winter tires too).
A van is a very smart option for a young family. My kids are now 3 and 5 and the 4Runner is a much more doable option now. My 3yr old daughter is still in a forward facing car seat, and it is VERY hard to get her in and out of that seat, not to mention trying to buckle her in. I was using the shoulder belt, but switched back to the 5-pt harness because it was too hard to do reach around the seat to buckle it.
Thankfully it will only be a couple more months before she too switches to a "booster" seat like my 5yr boy is in... which makes it much easier.
Keep in mind... most people that put down vans... don't have young kids so don't have a clue what their talking about. Nothing wrong with a van whatsoever... it will be a much different "feel" then the 4Runner, but with young kids... is very nice.
Another big plus with a van is sliding doors verses, hinged. The first thing I did with my 4Runner was "lock" the rear door safety latches so the kids cannot open the doors themselves to ensure they don't swing a door open when we stop and hit a parked car next to us. No worries with that in the van... plus much easier to get the kids in and out.
Not sure what you have for a 4Runner but don't expect a huge difference in fuel mileage. We got 18.5mpg in ours... that is basically what the V6 4Runner gets (perhaps a newer Sienna will be better then our 02 Caravan). But our van had a surprising amount of power (more so then the newer caravan's - even though the engines were the same size?) Ours was a FWD and very good in snow (we used winter tires too).
A van is a very smart option for a young family. My kids are now 3 and 5 and the 4Runner is a much more doable option now. My 3yr old daughter is still in a forward facing car seat, and it is VERY hard to get her in and out of that seat, not to mention trying to buckle her in. I was using the shoulder belt, but switched back to the 5-pt harness because it was too hard to do reach around the seat to buckle it.
Thankfully it will only be a couple more months before she too switches to a "booster" seat like my 5yr boy is in... which makes it much easier.
Keep in mind... most people that put down vans... don't have young kids so don't have a clue what their talking about. Nothing wrong with a van whatsoever... it will be a much different "feel" then the 4Runner, but with young kids... is very nice.
Koz
New member
The drivetrain of the Sienna is what makes the difference from the Honda (the Chrysler should not be compared to these vehicles). The 3.5, 6 speed AWD is exceptional.
The perfect minivan would be the Toyota body/mechanicals and the Honda interior.
Koz
Similar threads
