I need a vehicle to commute back and forth to my job every two week, and also haul my four kids in car seats around when I’m home and my wife is at work. I have a Supercab (not crew cab) 2013 F-150 that I’m trying to do an even trade with. I’m looking at a 2005 Toyota Sequoia with 147k miles, and a 2010 Honda Odyssey with 139k. Both are sticker priced at $10,995. I haven’t physically looked at either yet. Just wondering which would be more reliable assuming they’re both in good condition? Only planning to get two years max out of it. Not worried so much about gas mileage at this point.
Owned two Sequoias both SR5 (2005 and 2006) to get the cloth seats and three Odyssey's (2007 and two 2008's) two with cloth seats and one with leather. Both have their annoying issues especially when you consider what they cost. I've also owned two Sienna's 2001 and 2008.
The Sequoia had the better ride, but was a real gas hog. Not my idea of a commuter. But, when you loaded with 5 to 6 people and their gear it still went down the road like it was empty. Never had a power train issue with either one. Did have the tailgate latch issue and the security computer issue.
The Odyssey had a nice ride and good power but the 4 to 6 cylinder switch was annoying driving by yourself and even worse when loaded. Bought one of those VCM eliminators and it ran on 6 cylinders all the time. Fast unit. Better mpg than the Sequoia. Unfortunately when you loaded it with 5 to 6 people and their gear the get up and go you used to enjoy got up went. It also tended to wallow around a little when loaded. The version with cloth seats rode better than the version with leather seats. The Two of the Odysseys developed the same transmission problems at just over 125K. Started by clicking at fast idle, then did it all the time then... I'll never own another Honda, the Pilot and the Ridgeline have the same issues. Honda supposedly fixed this in 2007 but I'm not sure if they really did. Just look at all the Odyssey's on CL or FB any day of the week.
The 2001 Sienna was the better of the two Sienna's. Drove it all the time. Basically a V6 Camry. Fast, great commuter and very good gas mileage. Never had any power train issues. Did have to replace the rear wheel bearing assemblies on both sides once. The 2008 was a great unit as well. But we preferred the 2001.
I'm driving a 2006 Matrix XR AWD and 2007 Matrix XR FWD at the moment.
Good luck.
Thank you for all the info. This helps a great deal in my decision making. May even hold off a little longer to find a good sienna. I work offshore in the Gulf of Mexico, two weeks on and two weeks off, so my commute is only twice a month and 90% of that is highway miles. We do currently have a 2017 Odyssey, It has about 90k miles. Hopefully they fixed those problems. But we’re looking hard at getting a Ford Transit Passenger van for my wife. Car seats take up so much room.
I would say sequoia if you want something with more power that will run forever and you can pull stuff with but the gas mileage sucks. Has a ton of room. I have a 2004 sequoia and love it has 230000 miles on it. If you get the sequoia the make sure you change the timing belt every 90000 miles don't go over if you can help it.
My sister had an odyssey and it never seemed to have very much power and the engine blew at 150000. No trailer hitch and lots of electronic stuff that eventually breaks.
Just depends on what you are looking for.
I was leaning that way, mainly because Toyota’s seem to have a better resale, but now that you mention it, it would be nice to still be able to do truck stuff.
I have both a 2003 sequoia and 2010 Odyssey. If you can deal with the gas mileage I would say the Sequoia. They will go forever. Will last longer with less issues than the Odyssey. Our Odyssey has been ok. Gets better gas mileage for sure. But I do prefer to drive the Sequoia.
Another Sienna Sienna would be best of reliability and gas mileage. 😁 Good Luck!
