My wife and I have a deposit on a Toyota Sienna XSE AWD for $49.5k OTD price. We like the MPG potential in city and AWD for snow (we live in the Denver area). Placed the order in April of '23 and are being told there's still 9 months left, so July/August of '24. Our son was born a few days ago, and our current vehicles are my 2019 Tacoma 4dr short bed (current vehicle of choice for transporting kid, has a softopper canvas cover so things can go in the back and be protected from the elements) and my wife's 2000 Corolla. We can make it with the current setup, but it isn't ideal.

We can buy a used Honda Odyssey for $41.6k OTD. It's a 2023 EX-L trim with 7.4k on the odo. Part of me says I should get a bigger discount on a used vehicle, the other says inventory and supply is still wonky on lower volume vehicles like vans. It does have the Honda Certified used warranty, so 6 years and 92k left on powertrain. I'm ok losing AWD and hybrid to save some money. It doesn't seem like many of the EX-L trims are out on lots new, and we think the added features of the next step up are a waste of money for us.

Is this an OK deal on the used Odyssey? I think it's unlikely to get a bargain on a new or very lightly used van currently, but will happily wait on the Sienna to avoid getting hosed.

We aren't really interested in 3 row crossovers or giant SUVs.

Make due with the Tacoma

Get the Sienna

We've been a minivan family, know a lot of big families with minivans, and I've seen plenty of comments on the AB about minivans. All of them seem to reinforce that the Odyssey of the last decade and a half is just not up to Honda's reputation.

If I had to buy one today, I'd go Toyota. But we've owned several Chryslers, and so has my company, and they're not bad vehicles either with probably some of the best reliability you can get from FCA.

We have a 2019 Odyssey Elite. We've not had any issues with it in 75 thousand miles.

I'd want the AWD in Denver

If you want AWD, you can't even look at the Odyssey...not even talking about the AC sucking and the new VTEC issues on the latest generation.

If you decide you don't care about AWD, go look at a Kia Carnival. The EX trim should be right at 41, and the SX 44 or so. The Denver area dealers usually have them in stock lately. Traditional V6 without the new fuel economy BS and 100k mile warranty.

As a long- time fan of Honda and a former Odyssey owner who would buy a minivan again, don't get the Odyssey.

Had a 2018 Odyssey

I would wait for the Sienna

We reached out to dealership here in Texas when we saw a Sienna that we liked in their inventory. Of course it was already taken, but they had a deposit for $500 to take there next Sienna from the two they would receive in the next month. We were interested in an XSE in blueprint paint with the allotment they received a white XSE so close enough for us. We were able to get a Sienna within a month.

I would check with dealers to see if this is an option may be even try dealers outside of Colorado.

BenTheGoodAg said:

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We've been a minivan family, know a lot of big families with minivans, and I've seen plenty of comments on the AB about minivans. All of them seem to reinforce that the Odyssey of the last decade and a half is just not up to Honda's reputation.

If I had to buy one today, I'd go Toyota. But we've owned several Chryslers, and so has my company, and they're not bad vehicles either with probably some of the best reliability you can get from FCA.

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Interesting you brought up the Chrysler, i considered them at one time, with the v6 awd if I remember right.

My brother in law recently purchased a 3 year old Honda with 50k for $30,000. I was shocked to hear that a used minivan would be worth that much. I checked autotrader to compare the prices of Honda, Toyota, and Chrysler minivans. This is an average of the 25 closest vans to me, looking at 2020 year model and low miles.

Honda - $34,099
Toyota - $33,872
Dodge/Chrysler - $21,872

Of the 3 Dodge caravans I owned, the 2001 went 350k miles and I spent around $2,500 on repairs. The 2009 went 292k miles and I again spent around $2,500 on repairs. The 2016 was totaled recently and had 200k miles on it. I only had 2 repairs on it, an oil cooler and a thermostat for a total of $200.

There is no way that the total cost of ownership is going to be lower if you are looking at buying a used minivan. The premium for the Hondas and Toyotas are just way too high.

Look at the carfax. Honda has been doing a lot of rental/fleet sales the last few years.

I live in Denver too, wait for the AWD. Unless you are always on freshly plowed roads or live out on the east side where it's flat, you will be much happier with AWD. Sure you can probably be OK with FWD and good tires but there are plenty of times you see FWD cars spinning the way to the top of an hill. If you want some entertainment, go car watching on Floyd Hill next time it snows.

We drove to SLC Thanksgiving of 2020, the morning after a storm. I saw at least 10 cars wrecked on the side of the road, by the time we made Georgetown, 1 upside down. I also broke my collarbone into 4 pieces mountain biking the trails at Floyd

We're going wait for the Sienna.

Look online for a used on or check Carvana. I know they've gotten a bad rap, but several posters here have had good dealings with Carvana recently.

18-months for a order is ridiculous. I can't believe they haven't gotten an allocation in that amount of time you could switch out for the one you ordered instead of waiting so long. Dealers typically know a several months in advance what's coming to their dealership. Or even other dealers in there network and switch out a color/model with the other dealership so you get what you want.

I got my 22 Lexus this way. I wanted a specific color/interior/options and the salesmen just checked weekly at their allocations, found one going to another dealer in their network and worked out a trade. It took about 4-months.

Transit Trail?

1agswitchin4lanes said:

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Transit Trail?

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My wife is very understanding of all the hobbies (hunting, dirt bikes, mountain bikes) I enjoy. I think buying an adventure van "for her" might be a bridge too far.

Subaru Ascent instead.

longeryak said:

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Subaru Ascent instead.

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If I completely ignored all the reasons we want a minivan in the first place, still no.