Time to put BMW Style 65's on.

I had a 2014 Odyssey Touring as a demo for 6 months last year. It is great for hauling people around. Tons of space both in the passenger cabin and rear trunk area. Didn't use the vacuum much at all (I don't have kids though).

It drove nicely. Good power and the transmission was smooth. I found the cylinder deactivation feature on the Touring model was a bit jerky. Something I could see causing problems in the future. Also, the infotainment system was a little bit of a nuisance with the dual screen set-up. The UI was slow and some things really didn't make sense in terms of how the screens are split.

Lastly, make sure you are ok with the size. The Sienna and Odyssey are not only extremely long but also very wide. There is little margin for error when parking them.

Personally, I'd go for the Mazda 5. It's a far more manageable size. It's crazy how MPV's and 1st gen Odysseys were perfectly adequate family vans back in the day. It's like baby stores guilt people into hauling more shit around.

Kev

Those are definitely on the list along with 95s

So after reading this thread, and going to the automall,

I'm leaning towards a 2015 Sienna SE w/ tech pack. It actually looks the most sportiest and decent out of all minivans, as much as I don't enjoy driving minivans.

Still comparing it with the Odyssey, but I don't like the exterior of it.
The Sedona I haven't seen in person yet, so I have to make a trip to Richmond Kia.

Ford didn't have the transit connect in stock yet, but I"m assuming it's similar in size to the Mazda5.

What am I expecting in terms of fuel economy on these ppl movers? $100 per fill up?

The Transit Connect is quite a big larger and taller than then Mazda 5, at least in appearance from what I've seen.

I think the 2015 version of the Toyota Sienna with SE tech package, seems like a great value overall. I had 12 XLE FWD, and I paid around $40,000 before freight/taxes. On a 2015, for just a bit more, you get a few more options (Navi, Push start, Blue-ray, Blind spot monitor and rear cross traffic).

Yes, we were considering an SE with tech package as well, get the navi, rear dvd, push button, 8th seat and led drl's, but no hid's or awd. I actually find the grill of the SE more attractive than the limited.

My wife and I have both test driven the odyssey and sienna. Can't compare an xle limited interior to an odyssey touring interior, Sienna is so much nicer. We are both in agreement on the Sienna, she's happy with an SE, I want awd. Seems there are two blizzard pearl awd's at dealers in the lower mainland right now too.

Early April we will get serious and wind up getting one...

As a service advisor at Canadian Tire... We obviously bring in all cars. Do not get a domestic van! Sienna and Odyssey is the way to go but remember to do your service on time.

The amount of money we make on Caravans repairs and diagnostics... LOL literally facepalm...

Was at Pick n Pull the other day, someone had a lowered Caravan with fake hood scoops on it and tinted tail lights.

Was there any signs of saw dust near the transmission?!

One other note. Becareful with some of these Siennas, some of them are AWD and does not have spare and must use Run-Flat Tires. Just a piece of mind

if anyone is looking for a mini-van, feel free to inbox me as I have a few friends working in Toyota and Honda dealerships who can hook you up with a revscene deal !

I am placing order on this when it comes to Asia later this year

I have a Dodge Grand Caravan, never had any problems.... yet. We did purchase it from a dealer used and the dealer did do a bunch of stuff before we bought it. New bearings in the front, turned rotors (I noticed I worble noise and slight feel of shudder) this is where being a car person pays off because I would have had to pay for that afterwards had I not noticed it. My model has all remote opening doors and I must say that is a fantastic feature. Helps get the kids in and out and generally makes life so much easier! Mine is an 04 so no DVD option but other than that it's got everything I could ask for. Trying to convince the wife to let me put some 18"s on it. I'm still a car guy after all..

Berz out.

What about the ford flex? It's more of a stationwagoney feel plus the turbocharger 6 cylinder is pretty quick.

I like to take my family haulers on light off road. So many of the vehicles in this thread are useless.

its because they are minivans, as the thread was created for. not sure what you were expecting, a minivan to go off road?

Unless you live in the forest, I bet 99.9% of the time, you don't go off road or could do your trail with a minivan.

Just realized the Sienna XLE awd has it's towing capacity reduced from 3500lbs to 1000lbs. Thought it may have been due to the runflat tires, but the LE awd has the same tires but retains the 3500lbs.

Once we get the minivan, I am going to try and get rid of the suv, still need a vehicle to tow the utility trailer, what am I missing here?

Brake size or suspension stiffness maybe? I assume the chassis is the same.

one of the things i researched as well when i was looking at vans:

Why is the towing capacity of the 2015 Sienna XLE AWD down to 1500 LBS ???

if any members here need a hook up on a sienna or odyssey (new or pre-owned), inbox me as I have good friends working in both Toyota and Honda stores :thumbs:

:suspicious::spamarama:

http://s2.quickmeme.com/img/6c/6c8b9...5a70c5e3e0.jpg

Just a little update,

I've posted a deposit for a 2015 Toyota Sienna SE w/ Tech package. Arriving next month!

Trading in my 2014 cx-5, gave me top dollar for it, so couldn't ask for any additional offers on that. Salesman was nice guy, tried to get some extras for me, since the sienna comes with practically everything already.

Good choice! I have 2013 sienna and I love it!