I am going to look at one tomorrow. I am probably going to buy it.

How are they power wise? I know gas mileage is the same for the 4 cyl and the V6, but the problem is I want a 2012, not 2013. Also, there are very few 2012's out there right now and I am doing pretty good to find a base model 2012 as it is.

Is it really that bad? Van would be mostly for commuting (highway) and occasional around town. We have 4 kids, so thats why we are going with the Sienna. Thoughts? Things I should be concerned with?

Thanks!

EDIT: Also, it'd be replacing a 2004 Sienna CE, if that helps any.

Don't worry about what we think about it....if you like it, and if it has enough power for you then go with it. Since it is a 2012, you better be getting an awesome deal on it.

But....since you asked

For me...vehicles have only been getting heavier because of all the safety requirments and when you start adding up the weight of the van plus cargo (people and gear)....puts a good deal of strain on that 4 banger. The V6, is almost bulletproof...extremely solid engine with a reliable drivetrain. Check reliability ratings of 4 cylinder version of the Sienna and go from there. Don't get me wrong Toyota makes some of the most reliable 4 cylinder engines in the industry but when you are asking it to move all that weight around all the time....dunno...I would not be comfortable with it

 

I had a 4 cylinder Previa, I'm pretty sure I know about underpowered. :lol:

I'm going to check it out today, so we will see. I'm pretty confident it will be OK, but if not I can always get a 2013 V6, right?

As for an awesome deal, MSRP is just over $26,300 and my OTD price is $24,400. Is that a good deal?

 

I had a 4 cylinder Previa, I'm pretty sure I know about underpowered. :lol:

I'm going to check it out today, so we will see. I'm pretty confident it will be OK, but if not I can always get a 2013 V6, right?

As for an awesome deal, MSRP is just over $26,300 and my OTD price is $24,400. Is that a good deal?

Sounds like a decent OTD price!

 

I think it is overpriced. Right now, fitzmall has a base 2013 v6 for 26,100... So I'd push your dealer to drop their price another grand at least.

That said, it's a good deal if you are comfy with the price and are really desiring a 2012 over a 2013.


Sent from my iPhone5

 

Here's a review of a 2011 4 cyl Sienna:

http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/minivans-vans/112_0912_2011_toyota_sienna_le_test/?ti=v2

 

Well, I picked it up today. So for the time being I have two Toyota vans. Drove it the 70 or so miles home from the dealer and I am pretty pleased with the 4 cyl. Its not nearly as bad as I thought it would be. Thanks all.

 

Well, I picked it up today. So for the time being I have two Toyota vans. Drove it the 70 or so miles home from the dealer and I am pretty pleased with the 4 cyl. Its not nearly as bad as I thought it would be. Thanks all.

Congrats!!

 

Thanks. I really like it.

Here's a couple photos:

 

nice color. raining there too? :lol:

 

Yep. Non stop the past two days LOL.

 

My neighbor has a 4 baggers Sienna. They just took a trip from SoCal to Houston, TX. 2 adults 3 teenagers. Didn't hear them complain about under power.

 

Good to know, albeit a bit late since I already bought it.

Thanks, though. I appreciate the input. So far I really like it and for what I do with the van the four cylinder is adequate. No complaints thus far.

 

4-cly is king or road... 6-cly is queen with fancy dress...

I got 2011 4-cly LE with backup camera, center console (paid extra $4k) for it but like it. I took it for 4500 miles trip from Dallas, TX to San Fran/LA/GC.

I found it to be very sufficient power to get on road and maintain 64-75 MPH. I can push it around 90 if road conditions allows. I am 99.9% certain that 4-cly gets at least 3 to 4 MPG better then 6-cly.

I would buy another 4-cly again.

 

Thanks for the input, jm. I was almost in Texas purchasing this one, whereabouts are you in TX?

 

I am in DFW area. Note that I flew to Birmingham AL and took ride to Tuscaloosa to pickup my 4-cly LE. As no 4-cly LE in 500 miles range of DFW area...

 

Keep us posted on your MPG with the 4 cyl

 

MPG is about 23 combined. More city than highway (probably 70/30) but I imagine on the highway it'll improve some.

 

You already did it, don't think you'll be sorry. Check out my August post " Trip Summary". It's about road trips in my 4 cyl. Also check out "Let's hear it for the 4 cylinder Sienna", December 2010, by 2toyotaman, which is me in a name I forgot when I got back into forum activity this year.

 

Update, I am seeing about 24 MPG with mixed city/highway driving. The van has just over 2000 miles on it right now. So far, no issues. I did get my Weathertech floor liners installed and have a dash mat on the way. Tint is going on soon. Next step is gonna be some SE tails, but I can't afford that right now. I like the look of the clear on the silver body.

 

Congrats! It sucks that Toyota does not offer simple features like window tint in base models in southern states...

Can you share your purchase experience?

 

My purchase experience was quite good. I got a quote from USAA's car buying service. The dealer I ended up buying from was not the one who provided the quote, but a different one. Anyway, I called them up, forwarded the email I received with a price quote to the internet manager and told him "If you can match or beat this deal, I'll be there today to buy the van. I already have my loan pre-approved through my credit union."

He called back about an hour later and told me to come on down.

I got there, and the finance manager asked me what my rate was, and wanted to know if I would let him try and beat it. He did, and I ended up going through Chase for the financing. I got 5.9% for 72 months, and the $1000 rebate. No trade, very easy clean deal. I ended up paying a hair over $24k OTD. Sticker was $26,305.

 

Still love it, almost two months later.

 

Any Oil Consumption on your I4 Sienna?



Do you check engine oil level time to time and before an oil change? Any oil consumption? Just curious if the 2.7L I4 is trouble free. A nice looking mini-van.

 

I only have 3000 miles on the van, and with the synthetic its not due for an oil change till 10,000. It'll be a while.

 

I only have 3000 miles on the van, and with the synthetic its not due for an oil change till 10,000. It'll be a while.

That was NOT my question. Do you check your oil level using the oil dip stick? My 07 I4 Camry was 1 quart low when I changed the first oil at 3000 miles. I am sure you don't have an issue but it is a good habit to check for the oil level to watch its oil consumption behavior since the Toyota specification allows 1 qt every 1200 miles.

 

My 4-cly did need oil change at first 5K miles as oil may have been bit low. With oil change dealer added a some addictive or oil sealer. I can't think of name but I have posted the sealer in my other posts.

Hopefully three+ oil changes in 15K should have addressed now. I checked dip stick and it seems to be ok now.

 

My 4-cly did need oil change at first 5K miles as oil may have been bit low. With oil change dealer added a some addictive or oil sealer. I can't think of name but I have posted the sealer in my other posts.

Hopefully three+ oil changes in 15K should have addressed now. I checked dip stick and it seems to be ok now.

That is my #1 worry about I4 in Sienna, since the car is heavy and I4 has to work extra hard to maintain the speed or handle the load. Just keep an eye on the oil level and watch it between oil changes. 2.7L is a big I4 but just does not have the torque at lower RPM. I had 98 Honda Odyssey with I4, but the minivan (or super stationwagon) was slightly heavier than an accord so I4 did not work too hard. You seem like a smart car owner - it does not hurt to check your engine oil and other fluids once in a while before you have a bigger problem.

 

Well, I am thinking 1998 and older Oddys had smaller engine for it's body and I seen some 90 Oddys filled with 7+ passengers on the roads (lately amigos).

I would think that Toyota engineers have utilized all information from their worldwide sales and support on variety of models that utilizes 4-cly engine. I am very confident that Toyota designed 2.7L engine that can handle such a tasks.

 

Weight Difference

Well, I am thinking 1998 and older Oddys had smaller engine for it's body and I seen some 90 Oddys filled with 7+ passengers on the roads (lately amigos).

I would think that Toyota engineers have utilized all information from their worldwide sales and support on variety of models that utilizes 4-cly engine. I am very confident that Toyota designed 2.7L engine that can handle such a tasks.

The vehicle weight for 98 Odyssey (2.3L) is 3450 pounds and the weight for 12 Sienna I4 (2.7L) is 4275 pounds. 800 pounds difference is a lot.