AutobahnSHO FOUND a new Minivan!!! (page3)

[AutobahnSHO]

Just talked with the insurance co.
They valued the Sienna at $12000. (We would pay $8k.)
-8 person seating is a pretty big plus, I don't believe ANY other minivan has that feature.

Sedonas just are NOT big enough for us. Even with half the rear bench out we wouldn't be able to carry the stuff we carried in the Grand Caravan.

[hotrodalex]

Make sure you check out that bumper very well, especially around the headlights and where it meets up with the fender. My Mazda had the front repainted before I bought it and is now peeling around the lights.

How does that second bench work? Is the middle removable?

[ifcar]

BIG UPDATE:

Found a 2004 Toyota with 122,470miles. JUST UNDER $8000. It's really a six-yr old van.
-Looked inside and it's the right size for the SHO(less) family.
-Has EIGHT seats (two removable, back bench splits and folds into the floor.)
-DVD player w/ wireless headphones!!
-Very clean exterior, didn't look too close at interior YET because
-they're replacing the timing belt and waterpump (no charge) right now.

We go back to drive it this afternoon.
I'm a little bit worried because this van bluebooks for much more. Suggested retail is $11600, Excellent private party is $9450, Good private party is $8775. This dealer charges $300 for processing paperwork.

I ran CARFAX and it comes up totally clean except for "window work" TWICE. The salesman said he just got it in as a tradein for a 2010 van. "If you run the carfax you might see they hit a deer a while back- they replaced and painted the front bumper."

SO- do we go for it?? 

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?ct=u&car_id=265112165&dealer_id=1043645&car_year=2004&rdm=1247675263485&model=SIENNA&num_records=25&systime=&make2=&highlightFirstMakeModel=&start_year=2003&keywordsfyc=&keywordsrep=&engine=&certified=&body_code=0&fuel=&awsp=false&search_type=used&distance=25&marketZipError=false&search_lang=en&showZipError=y&make=TOYOTA&keywords_display=&color=&page_location=findacar%3A%3Aispsearchform&min_price=&drive=&default_sort=priceDESC&seller_type=b&max_mileage=&style_flag=1&sort_type=priceDESC&address=30813&advanced=&end_year=2005&doors=&transmission=&max_price=&cardist=8&standard=false

Notice that the front bumper is still broken and that it only seems to have three hubcaps, none factory stock.

Also, it really looks as though the front bumper is a cheap imitation of the OEM; the lower grille shape seems to be different:



vs



I like this generation of Sienna, but this particular car seems troublesome. There's a reason it's relatively inexpensive.

[AutobahnSHO]

We picked up the Toyota Sienna for $7995 including all dealer fees.
(Tax exempt in Utah thanks to Military service.)

Supposedly this was really cheap because they put it online before doing the "certification inspection." They didn't realize it needed a timing belt, rear brakes, and waterpump.
-I didn't have a DVD so didn't check that until we got home, it's not working right now. (I'll have to figure that out or take it somewheres...) It does have a line in, so the portable will have to power it for now.
-It's got your typical dings and scratches.
-Missing foglights and/or fog light covers. Looks like they took them out to repaint the front and never put them back on. The front bumper cover IS slightly damaged. I don't care about plastic cosmetics though.
-I need to put a hitch on for the bike rack.

I'm VERY IMPRESSED with this used car dealership. (Milton Ruben in Augusta, GA.)
They threw on (matching) cheapie wheel covers, offered a "free detail" on saturday, and to re-inspect the front brakes and fix, if necessary. They make a squeak/grind upon stopping. (modulation feels fine and the van stops great.)
-No haggling over ANYTHING.
-OFFERING to do the extra stuff for us.

The van itself is a serious upgrade over our old caravan: seats for 8 but the back bench splits and folds into the floor. (Can't get that on a pre-sto n go van.) The middle seats 3 but I will probably leave the middle middle seat in the garage, unless needed. Stereo controls on the stering wheel. Cupholders, console between the front seats, luggage rack, plenty of power outlets all over, perfect fitting floor mats (dirty!) Power rear windows AND power rear vents (far back.)
-Drives well, power to spare, NOT noisy. Might just be that I'm driving an over-power-steered truck the last week, but it seems very connected. I put it hard into a few corners and it felt responsive and under control.

Although miles are kinda high, the payment ($110/month x60months, we'll make double payments after my pending promotion,) are totally doable.

I think this is the perfect vehicle for our family right now. 

[AutobahnSHO]

See pics at the bottom of this set:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/13591918@N07/sets/72157605957969519/

[Cookie Monster]

Congrats!

Though you should take off the hubcaps.

[The Pirate]

Congrats!  My folks have an '05 or '06 Sienna, and it's a great minivan.  I find the steering to be light and vague (compared to my Mazda), but it's nice to drive otherwise.  It has a great engine.  Hope ya enjoy it!

[Eye of the Tiger]

Congratulations. My dad has an '05 Sienna AWD loaded with blah blah blah, and I have driven it quite a bit. For a minivan, it's pretty nice, and it's definitely better than any Caravan.

I still think you would have had a nice SHO for $3000.

[Cookie Monster]

Congrats!  My folks have an '05 or '06 Sienna, and it's a great minivan.  I find the steering to be light and vague (compared to my Mazda), but it's nice to drive otherwise.  It has a great engine.  Hope ya enjoy it!

Yeah, it's not a bad van to drive at all (I've driven my friend's van).

[AutobahnSHO]

Congratulations. My dad has an '05 Sienna AWD loaded with blah blah blah, and I have driven it quite a bit. For a minivan, it's pretty nice, and it's definitely better than any Caravan.

I still think you would have had a nice SHO for $3000.

I just saw a guy parking on-base with a green GenII.  Makes me miss them.

That's probably going to be my "gotta have" car as an old guy. I'll restore it and take it to car shows on the weekends...

[The Pirate]

Yeah, it's not a bad van to drive at all (I've driven my friend's van).

I don't like the steering (but that's an irrelevant issue because it's a minivan, and I'm biased because the Proteg? has awesome steering), but otherwise they are great highway cars.  Gets up to 85 mph really easily even with 6 people inside (so I hear, anyway ).

[Cookie Monster]

I don't like the steering (but that's an irrelevant issue because it's a minivan, and I'm biased because the Proteg? has awesome steering), but otherwise they are great highway cars.  Gets up to 85 mph really easily even with 6 people inside (so I hear, anyway ).

My friend got a ticket in his Sienna for 90 in a 65.

[AutobahnSHO]

Congrats!

Though you should take off the hubcaps.

Thanks!
And the steelies are NOT pretty. maybe new wheels someday??

[Cookie Monster]

Thanks!
And the steelies are NOT pretty. maybe new wheels someday??

I did see a Nissan Quest with Mustang GT wheels on it. Maybe you could do that?

[The Pirate]

Thanks!
And the steelies are NOT pretty. maybe new wheels someday??

A friend of mine got alloys for every vehicle he owned.  He had a set of 18" Mille Miglias on his 3rd gen Maxima SE and it looked awesome.  He had a set of BBS look alikes on his Chrysler Town and Country, and had some really nice machined 18" 5-spokes on his Odyssey.  I laughed at first because it's a minivan, but they really did look great with the wheels.

Do it!

[AutobahnSHO]

It's definitely a "someday" thing!

One thing with nice wheels though, is they attract thieves...

[AutobahnSHO]

So I plugged in our "portable headrest" dvd and wired it to the video in on the Yota player, with the wireless headphones-
Pretty cool. Ghetto, but cool. It also transmits to the stereo on FM so you can blast it throughout the whole van.

Since we have THREE childrens though, I just spent $25 on ebay for another headset..

[the Teuton]

Congrats.  I think I have two minivan headphone sets at home that I got from work.

I like the van.  I'd overhaul everything if I were you, fluid- and inspection-wise, but it should be great for your family.

The one we have at work has been thrashed to hell, and I still think it's a better van than the newer Sedonas (as much as I like them).  Enjoy.

[AutobahnSHO]

First thing I do on used vehicles is change the oil/filter and trannyfluid/filter.

I buy them "high-mileage" but (knock on wood!) I haven't had any major engine or transmision problems yet.
(With the exception of the neglected SHO and coming off a curb wrong in the 92 Voyager, thrashing the serpbelt and snapping the tensioner...)

[VTEC_Inside]

Gets up to 85 mph really easily even with 6 people inside (so I hear, anyway ).

My Grandpa had two Odysseys, an '00 and '02... I "heard" that the '02 would go just over 110mph before you backed off due to crosswinds.

Never driven a Sienna though.

[Vinsanity]

It's definitely a "someday" thing!

One thing with nice wheels though, is they attract thieves...

I think most aftermarket wheels come with a lock and/or a specific set of lugs that also have their own "key" (my wheels came with both)

oh, and congrats on the soccer dad ride
seriously, that thing is awesome for road trips.

[VTEC_Inside]

First thing I do on used vehicles is change the oil/filter and trannyfluid/filter.

I buy them "high-mileage" but (knock on wood!) I haven't had any major engine or transmision problems yet.
(With the exception of the neglected SHO and coming off a curb wrong in the 92 Voyager, thrashing the serpbelt and snapping the tensioner...)

Gotta update your sig too :)

[VTEC_Inside]

I think most aftermarket wheels come with a lock and/or a specific set of lugs that also have their own "key" (my wheels came with both)

oh, and congrats on the soccer dad ride
seriously, that thing is awesome for road trips.

It doesn't take much to remove most wheel locks.

[nickdrinkwater]

Congratulations, and I hope it works out for you, inspite of what ifcar and I were trying to tell you

[AutobahnSHO]

I think most aftermarket wheels come with a lock and/or a specific set of lugs that also have their own "key" (my wheels came with both)

oh, and congrats on the soccer dad ride
seriously, that thing is awesome for road trips.

I meant that bling attracts thieves looking to steal from Inside the vehicle too.

[CJ]

Those are very close to the OE Toyota hubcaps. 

[AutobahnSHO]

hubcaps suck anyway. They seriously look cheap but take the eye away from the crappy steelies.

So there's "Tons of doghair!!!!!" (according to the wife,) and the detail guy only works Fridays and Saturdays, so guess who's driving a minivan until saturday?   

I'm just getting used to all the features though, and maybe I'll take a nap in it at lunch.
(My Subie's a/c doesn't run very cold at idle, this thing (and our caravan) are fine.)

[Pommes-T]

Congrats on your new car. Have much fun and many miles with it!

[AutobahnSHO]

Congrats on your new car. Have much fun and many miles with it!

Thanks.

Thanks to EVERYONE who gave input.
I might have disappointed some of ya'll, but hopefully this will work out for the best.

[S204STi]

Congrats Will, on the van and on the pending promotion!  What will that make you?