- Hi my brother is looking for a newer toyota sienna & I wanted to know if it is safe to buy the 2017 with the new 8 speed vs the 2016 with the older 6 speed
I'd go 6 speed automatic but like Yaser said there is a TSB but 2017 was the first year so I personally would avoid it.
8 Speeds are fine now. There is a TSB that seems to fix the issues the early 8 speed transmissions ones had.
I don't know if you meant after they were repaired but he is talking about the 2017, the first year of it.
The TSB is for that model year. It is a software update that resolved the issues. He can call up a Toyota dealer and ask if the one has received the service or not.
So the 2018 doesn't have the TSB issues?
THe TSB is not an issue. It is a. Technical service which Toyota offers for free to fix the issues. You can call up any Toyota dealer and providing the VIN# and they tell you if it is needed or not. I think the 2018 model years are fine from the factory.
For that generation Sienna (2011-2020), the 6-speed was used from MY 2011-2016 while the 8-speed was used MY 2017-2020. I usually recommend getting a vehicle a few years in after a change has been implemented to have the kinks worked out. Since he is choosing between a 2016 with 6-speed (which is 6th year with that transmission) vs 2017 with 8-speed (first year with that transmission), then I would definitely recommend getting the 2016 Sienna. If you plan to keep for a very long time, the 6-speed should be better (less complex since 2 less gears).
I agree with Karem. The less complicated it is, the less there is to go wrong. These 8 and 10 speed automatic transmissions may get better gas mileage and give you a smoother ride, but they are complicated beyond being practical. That's why I always go for the manual trans.
