March 25, 2021
Dear Scotty,
First, let me sincerely Thank You for your website and for all the videos you’ve posted on YouTube! I do my best to follow them daily as much as I can. Your honesty and sincerity are exceptional qualities in the world today!
I am wondering what you think of a 2018 Honda Odyssey EX-L minivan from AutoNation or Chapman Honda in Tucson, Az. I am also considering a 2017 Toyota Sienna Limited Premium (from CarMax) or 2018 Toyota Sienna XLE from Desert Toyota of Tucson. I know CarMax isn’t the best source for the vehicle, but all the used Minivans are really hard to find in Tucson. Which is the better minivan Honda or Toyota?
The 2017 Sienna Limited Premium is advertised with 19,000 miles on the odometer is going for about $29,000 and the 2018 Sienna XLE is advertised with about 34,000 miles on the odometer and selling for about $32000. I have heard that the Odyssey’s might have automatic transmission problems and suffer from some electrical problems too.
The Sienna’s seem to have similar automatic transmission problems with their 8 speed transmission (whining, and rough shifting), have oil leaking problems by the timing chain cover, and are plagued with cooling leak problems as well as electrical problems (their power doors). The 2018 Toyota vehicle is a CPO vehicle offered from Desert Toyota of Tucson, AZ. I will have a local mechanic inspect whichever vehicle before I buy it.
I am a disabled 68 year old who has to have a Bruno Lift installed in the back of the van to lift a 378 lb., power wheelchair into the back of the van. I will be using what’s left of my 401K to put $9,000 or $10,000 down on the one of the vans. I hope to keep my monthly payment as close to $400 as possible. This is the last of my savings so before I buy anything I would like your advice. I hope to keep this vehicle for the next 20 years, if I live that long.
I’m sorry this is so long, any advice you can give me is deeply appreciated. Thank you and May God Bless You!
Sincerely,
Bob815c
Bhen01953@gmail.com
The Sienna lasts longer than the Odyssey. You should get a 2016 or older model of the Sienna to avoid the 8 speed automatic which had problems. The Odyssey has transmission problems in a lot of its years, 2018 included, and its hard to keep track of.
My family has a 2014 Odyssey, no problems until now. I have to say the Odyssey is more practical than the Sienna and better to drive, but the Sienna would be more reliable by far and be more comfort oriented.
Make sure to have a mechanic check whatever you plan to buy to make sure its in good shape.
I just read the part that you want to keep it for 20 years. No way is a 2018 Odyssey going to last 20 years, and my honest opinion is that it would be a waste to spend tens of thousands of dollars on a first year Odyssey with infamous transmission problems.
Also, I would feel bad for you to pay 30 grand on a 2018 Sienna, where models couple model years earlier go for almost half and would last longer.
The Siennas are more reliable than the Odysseys typically. As @Kerem mentioned, avoid the 8 speeds that come from 2017 and newer. Also avoid the new generation Siennas since it has a new powertrain. My dad had a 2007 Honda Odyssey. He had problems with the transmission. One time, my dad and I replaced the sensor where you can't open the fuel door which makes the left slide door unable to open. The Hondas are practical and they are very comfortable to drive. And they have comfortable seats too. I would choose the Siennas for reliability and I choose the Odysseys for decent deals, the way they drive, and comfort.
For longevity you can't beat the Sienna. 400k - 500k is possible with good maintenance.
Since you plan to keep for 20+ years you only have one choice: the Toyota Sienna, but as Kerem said get the 2016 or earlier model years that don’t have the 8-speed automatic transmission. Also, that Honda Odyssey you mentioned has the 3.5L V6 engine which has cylinder deactivation (or what Honda calls VCM) and over time can potentially wear out/damage your engine. Plus the engine is direct injection only and therefore susceptible to carbon buildup on the back of the intake valves over time - more maintenance and cost you don’t need. Additionally, it has the ZF 9-speed AT and for longevity like you need stick to fewer transmission gears (all else being equal the less the gears the less complex and usually fewer, if any, issues). Stick to MY2016 or earlier Toyota Sienna which has none of the shortcomings of the Honda Odyssey I listed.
Honda Odyssey has so many problems (From automatic transmission to AC, ...). I would stick to Sienna. In my opinion, Sienna is the gold standard of minivans.
You might want to look into Toyota's Wheelchair Mobility solutions
https://www.toyotamobility.com/mobility-solutions/wheelchair-accessible
