lack of VSC

[ssfa]

I'm considering buying an used 8 passengers Sienna. As my understanding, the VSC is a standard on 2008 models or later (Canada model). And my wife like the power sliding door which can only be found on a LE, not CE. So my target now has been narrowed down to a 2008 (or later) LE 8 passengers Sienna. This makes thing really inconvenient.

Does the VSD (and TRAC) really matter? There are a few 2007 LE 8 seats Sienna for sell, but not 2008 for now. Thanks in advance.

By the way, there are tons of used car dealers out there but it seems they never tell the truth. It's pretty scary to buy a car from them. Go for a Toyota Certified used vehicle should be a better idea... Am I right???

[grandpapa]

Well I am in Seattle (pretty much the same weather condition) and used to have Sienna LE AWD. VSC was a standard feature on the AWD so I can't say much.

But on our 06 Avalon Limited, VSC is standard and we hated it! The problem is when drive on snow your wheel spin and as soon as it happens, the VSC kicks in and start to slow thing down. When driving in snow (light, not deep) your car need the power to move out of the snow and VSC really stopping you to do that.

Near our house, there is a slop we need to go up in order to get to the main road. My 97 Camry without VSC has no trouble as long as I keep the gas stable enough (not too much power). On the Avalon, the car will slow down (in the middle of the slop!!!) and with all the beep, beep, beep from VSC warning, it took much longer to get out.

On newer model, Toyota finally have VSC button so you can DISABLE that feature. I would not care about VSC at all.

As for Toyota Certified, it usually cost $1000-$1500 more compare to non certified. It's personal thing but I can tell you a few years old car shouldn't have too many problems to begin with. I rather use that extra money to get an even "newer" car instead of certified but that just me.

I do suggest you to buy car from 'bigger' dealerships instead of just some auto brokers on the street. Just think about where the van comes from, bigger dealership usually takes used car from trade instead of getting it from aution. I have bough 3 cars in the last 9 months (all Toyota) and I got them from Lexus and Nissan dealership

[ssfa]

Thanks a lot! Good to know that the VSC doesn't work very well for everyone. Maybe I shouldn't care about it this much.


And thanks for the suggestion. It's my first time trying to buy a used car. I'll definitely go to a 'bigger dealership'.

[grandpapa]

Originally Posted by ssfa

Thanks a lot! Good to know that the VSC doesn't work very well for everyone. Maybe I shouldn't care about it this much.


And thanks for the suggestion. It's my first time trying to buy a used car. I'll definitely go to a 'bigger dealership'.

I buy cars often and I can tell you this:
NEW car, you pretty much know what to expect and how much you will pay since a lot of info out there and you can search how much people are actually paying. Dealer really not making a lot of profit from new car sales.

USED car, more difficult. Often time wants you to believe KBB price. Do your homework, go online and check out what car is listed for and how long it has been listed. Never go with KBB, if you do, only pay close to KBB trade in or private sale price depends on option.

You have the money so you are in control, not the dealer. If you find what you like, I think paying a bit more is reasonble but don't overpay

As for the Sienna, I would pick LE over CE. power door comes in nice with kids and the darker windows works much better than clear windows (on CE). One last feature is the powered real quarter windows, you can open it from the driver side, it help venting and you will love it

[typesix]

Originally Posted by grandpapa

But on our 06 Avalon Limited, VSC is standard and we hated it! The problem is when drive on snow your wheel spin and as soon as it happens, the VSC kicks in and start to slow thing down. When driving in snow (light, not deep) your car need the power to move out of the snow and VSC really stopping you to do that.

You are confusing VSC with TRAC. It is Traction Control that is performing the action you describe. VSC will activate the brakes if VSC senses that the car is going out of control, say around a curve, and will attempt to brake the car in a way to safely continue to follow the road.

[arabianobsession]

^+1
Luckily, with the Trac off button, you can turn off the VSC too

Although.....my VSC doesn't turn on much, even when I'm drifting

[jdub3767]

I bought a 2007 8-passenger LE with VSC/Trac Control new from the dealer (rare) - had to be shipped in from a dealer in Virginia. This was a must have after near accidents from hydroplaning on the highway in heavy rain. I also think it has helped me in the snow - but agree with an earlier poster that it takes over and slows you down when I could do better on my own - but thats what the overide button is for.