Had a local friend with a MT element. I drove it every excuse I could get. So much fun driving stick on the windy roads in my hood.
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Had a local friend with a MT element. I drove it every excuse I could get. So much fun driving stick on the windy roads in my hood.
You'll have a tough time finding a minivan worth buying at $7k, 5 is almost definitely a no go. You might get lucky and find an 09-10 Chrysler or Dodge with the surprisingly reliable 3.8 or Toyota that's getting tired that really just needs a refresh. I think that the "just jump in and go" price is still closer to the $12k that it's been since early 2022.
Semi-related... A buddy of mine from back in the day is the author of a new children's book... our kids seem to like it! Selfless promo for a friend - check it out:
MEGAVAN. https://www.amazon.com/Megavan-Mark-.../dp/1643436872
Took 10 months but finally came in. I had to drive 3 hours to PA to pick it up.
Attachment 458884
Since we were there (with a van), we grabbed a table and chairs from my SIL. Lots of room even with the middle seats in place.
Attachment 458885
Attachment 458886
Only complaint so far is that Toyota’s proprietary app + CarPlay is not as convenient and intuitive as Apple CarPlay by itself as installed in my Subaru. Hopefully I figure it out- haven’t had a chance to read the manual and play with it too much yet.
Looks like it will be sufficient for an overnight here and there- might have diagonal it. Luckily I’m under 6 feet. Any taller and it would be out of the question without the airbag bypass/ middle seat removal
Attachment 458888
On the drive home, I got about 36 mpg. I’m not sure I approve of all this data being available while driving. Some people might let themselves be distracted by it.
Attachment 458890
RE: Sienna, 2.5 4 cyl or 3.5 6 cyl?
3.5 all the way. It's a super reliable engine. The 4 banger gets you no real fuel savings if you live in the mountains and is pretty underpowered for a modern car especially if the rig is loaded up.Quote:
Originally Posted by Bunion 2020
I think they’re all 2.5 now. Some are FWD and some AWD (like mine) but my understanding is that they’re all the hybrid
Was doing a little bro talk with a buddy on my card the other night who happens to be a career valet. I asked him what the most unreliable car over his last 2 decades of knowing all types was. No hesitation he said yota hybrid mini vans. I was super bummed because I really want one.
Sure, whatever.
The “yota” hybrid minivan has been out since 2021. So in 2 decades it’s the most unreliable car.
Sure, whatever. Your buddy is a moron who doesn’t understand statistical evidence.
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He drives a Tacoma.Quote:
Originally Posted by plugboots
You definitely want to get your sense of car reliability from someone who drives them for 2 minutes before parking it.
Supposedly getting our sienna this month - we'll see.. it's been traveling by rail to WA for the last few weeks which seems nuts to me. A bit of a fugly looking car but it ticks all of our practical boxes. Nice to see how much space you get when the middle seats are scooted up.
+1.Quote:
Originally Posted by plugboots
A valet as an indicator of reliability? Claiming a minivan with that has been out for <2 years is the least reliable? When it's the same fucking drivetrain that has been powering rav4s and highlanders for several years prior to rave reviews across the board leading to stupid wait times? GTFO.
Yeah -- I was assuming Bunion was referring to early Gen 3 where both 4 cyl gas and 6 cyl gas were a thing.Quote:
Originally Posted by Brownski
I think you forgot about the part of the Rav4 being the best selling vehicle in the world.
Toyota is doing just fine. And their minivans are dope as shit. Have you seen a modern Alphard? Add the Toyota Racing Department (TRD) package and you'e got a 100K first class cruiser that happens to rip shit up.
All that said-- in light of this thread's title-- I drive a Honda StepWgn. It's a tiny AWD 1.5L 16v V-TEC with a Turbo and a paddle shifting CVT. It's like 3 power settings in one motor. Unfortunately not available stateside.
It burns very little fuel going to the supermarket while on the ECO setting... because half the motor is working. (It's a V-TEC, meaning 8 valves aren't even operating.)
Turn off the ECO setting and appreciate decent daily starts. Above 2000rpm the other 8 valves open and begin firing. It's like doubling your motor.
But... need to pass that old farmer guy? Holy balls, the turbo kicks in on top of all 16 valves.
The 0-100k/hr (0-60) are nothing worth speaking of.
The 40-100k/hr (30-60) will make you grateful that it's AWD and the entire vehicle is sticking to the ground. Because it fucking shreds.
Never did I anticipate a minivan that shreds... and then shuts it down. That paddle-shifting CVT can go low at a trigger. I can descend from my ski resort, a 30 minute drive, and never touch the brakes.
By far the most comfortable vehicle I have ever driven. Which just makes me wonder what an AUDI minivan would be like.
Attachment 458904
Put the steering wheel on the right (correct ;) ) side and send one please. Thanks.
Why can't we have nice things in the US???
I was, shopping used.Quote:
Originally Posted by doebedoe
https://youtu.be/awY1MRlMKMcQuote:
Originally Posted by MakersTeleMark
If you want even more disappointment, look up the Lexus LM.Quote:
Originally Posted by riser4
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When are used vehicle pricing going to drop? Crazy what theyre asking for used siennas w 100k miles. Car lots are full w new vehicles
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It is crazy. My Sienna was the only one on the lot when we picked it up yesterday but there were some Tundras and at least one Tacoma. More of the SUVs and crossovers there though. Side note: because of the chip shortage, we came home with only one FOB. They promised to send another one eventually but can’t tell us when.Quote:
Originally Posted by grinch
At least styling wise that beats their Element boxy no style at all they offered.Quote:
Originally Posted by gaijin
This changes everythingQuote:
Originally Posted by MakersTeleMark
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2 wordsQuote:
Originally Posted by riser4
Chicken tax
Same for my sister. One fob and it took 8 months to get the 2nd.Quote:
Originally Posted by Brownski
Im seeing lots of rav4's and tacos. Only a few sienna's and odyssey's and they want big $. Gone are the days when the mommy wagons were a bargain. I guess they look so much better now. Most everything i see has lots of miles on it. People love to drive just to drive
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I thought that was just Europe and just light trucks and cargo Vans, hence the reason Turkey ships over Transit Connect vans with seats, then the interiors get ripped out and trashed.Quote:
Originally Posted by XXX-er
That’s why the Subaru Brat had rear seatsQuote:
Originally Posted by XXX-er
I don't remember rear seats in the Volkswagen Rabbit pickup "trucks".Quote:
Originally Posted by johnnyg82
I think that they didn't need them because they were made in PA.
That explains a lot about the VW Rabbit.Quote:
Originally Posted by gravitylover
2005 Sienna. I traded my 996 for it when my kids were born.
Now my ex wife’s husband drives it as a beater. And the 993 is worth double.
Life’s a trip.
^couldnt have happened to better people
Must be why the price of eggs has gone up also... :) ;) :DQuote:
Originally Posted by XXX-er
So far so good. I got some load bars and my kayak rack mounted up. The work platform is a key bit of gear. I may try swapping it for a four foot step ladder though.
Attachment 459783
The lack of a rear bumper is going to annoy me.
Damn I need a roof rack.
Yup. I have fucked around with foam blocks and all kinds of ad hoc car-topping solutions and nothing beats a good permanently installed roof rack. I think I’m also gonna need to install a receiver hitch.Quote:
Originally Posted by gravitylover
Hitch clearance on the older Sienna's sucks. Do they make an OEM one for yours that uses a different "bumper" aka rear end plastic piece so it can be up higher? I know they make one for my Highlander.Quote:
Originally Posted by Brownski
Found this blurb doing a great job as to why my Honda Minivan shreds--
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tSCuRXnfLuI&t=368s
It's a minivan. With a VTEC. With a Turbo. With multiple chip settings (Eco and non... which does beg the request for a new chip of 7 settings.)
With a stock paddle-shifting CVT for the downhill. (of seven gear ratios.).
You can stop now. :DQuote:
Originally Posted by gaijin
Heh, i have a dent in the top of my vans rear hatch from not giving it enough clearance with kayaks on the top.Quote:
Originally Posted by Brownski