UPDATE: Ford Flex vs. Minivan....FIGHT! Hail the victor...Sienna SE

[ShawnD1]

It doesn't. It jumps around a lot from 2-6 on the highway cause its a crappy toyota automatic tranny

lol'ed

 

[vi edit]

Here's a pic of the new steed in the stable

http://v6stqa.bay.livefilestore.com...iWjD-j0LCi6BoVz2JiPuCkbMLwB/Photo1.jpg?psid=1

It's been friggen cold out so I don't have any better ones.

And much to other peoples amazement the transmission stays in a single gear just fine without hunting

Oh, and just one weekend was enough to remind me why sliding doors rule. Getting my daughter out of her seat in tight parking spots was a dream come true vs. the old swing out doors. Oh how I've missed them.

 

[ShawnD1]

And much to other peoples amazement the transmission stays in a single gear just fine without hunting

ruh roh, that's bad. Gear hunting makes the transmission last longer. Next time buy a bmw with 8 or 9 gears.

Did you get insurance quotes before buying? How much would the Flex cost to insure compared to the Sienna?

 

[vi edit]

Did you get insurance quotes before buying? How much would the Flex cost to insure compared to the Sienna?

$50 more a year than the sienna.

 

[ponyo]

Here's a pic of the new steed in the stable

http://v6stqa.bay.livefilestore.com...iWjD-j0LCi6BoVz2JiPuCkbMLwB/Photo1.jpg?psid=1

It's been friggen cold out so I don't have any better ones.

And much to other peoples amazement the transmission stays in a single gear just fine without hunting

Oh, and just one weekend was enough to remind me why sliding doors rule. Getting my daughter out of her seat in tight parking spots was a dream come true vs. the old swing out doors. Oh how I've missed them.

That's a good looking minivan. Congrats. Minivan also rule for roadtrips and vacations. Passengers appreciate the space and comfort on a long drive.

 

[JeffreyLebowski]

I've been reading up on the door issues with both prior and current gen Sienna's. Yikes! Tons of owners have reported issues with the power doors failing and getting stuck open...struts dying on the rear hatch and having it slam shut on them after trying to lift up, ect. Not cool. And exactly what I feared about having some tiny little electric motor trying to open a close some enormous & heavy door several times a day...several dozen times a week...4 weeks a month...12 months a year.

Plus there are weld issues on the old one making for horrible noises at best...malfunctioning doors at worst. All usually failing right outside of warranty. And if you are out of warranty it's an $800-$1800 tab.

I found a dealer that sells Toyota Platinum extended warranties no questions asked for almost 50% off. 7 years, 100k is like $650. Might have to bite on that if we go through with the purchase.

I just wish you had the choice of not ordering the power shit and just had a decent functioning slider on it's own on any trim.

Be careful with that warranty. It's 50% off because it doesn't cover everything.
We found that out with ours. MFGer emissions warrnty is 80K miles. Extended warranty doesn't cover it at all. Guess what we've changed 3 times now on our 06 Sienna with 86K miles. o2 sensors. They seem to go out every 30-40K miles from others experience. We have a higher failure rate.
An o2 sensor can be had for around $100 and only takes minutes to install. A Toyota dealer is going to charge you anywhere from $800-$1800 to do it. The dealer we talked to said the error code was either the o2 OR cat, and that they just replaced both. However the cat is integrated with the exhaust manifold so you get to buy ALL of it when the $100 o2 sensor fails.
Just for your piece of mind here's a break down of all our services:
Drove off lot, Check engine light came on. Rear o2 sensor/bad reading from cat. -New o2/Cat/Exhaust manifold -covered by warranty.
Drivers seatbelt height adjuster stuck. - Replaced unit.
Passenger sliding door closed on it's own almost taking my childs arm off. - Replaced wiring harness and sensors.
o2 sensor failure. - replaced.
Rear hatch struts failed. Hatch falls on my GF's head - replaced after me raising hell in the showroom.
Drivers door panel fell off. - replaced door panel.
Paint on roof begins peeling off. Told it isn't covered under any warranty.
Power stearing pump leaks. Unit replaced. under warranty. Toyota tried to charge me $80 for the fluid to fill up the new unit. Told them to blow me, I'll walk to auto zone and buy the fluid for $4 and do it myself in their parking lot. The filled it "no charge".
o2 sensor fails again. Outside of warranty and extended warranty doesn't cover emmisions systems. - I buy part and replace it.
windshield weather strip cracks. replace on my own dime.

 

[desy]

Ouch Ive done really nothing to my 01 windstar other than maint
Couple things, changed brake calipers after pad change? some BS about that being normal because the design doesn't allow compression. . . Needed modification to fuel filter holder because of placement on firewall, not normal. Is needing a wheel bearing after about 120K miles normal?

 

[kornphlake]

^ sounds a lot like my experience with a top rated Toyota Sienna. I've posted the details before and won't get into it again. The emissions system is a joke, guess what happens when you replace the cat/header/muffler assy and 02 sensor and the SES code doesn't go away? You replace the ECU, there's no warranty on that repair either... It will be a long time until I buy another Toyota, unless it's a 90's model. I really believe I'm the sucker that has the bad luck, lots of people have very few problems with toyotas, everybody else in my family drives a Toyota and none have had any problems like I had, none drove a Sienna though. What's sad is even with the problems the Sienna has, it's still the best mini-van on the market, or should I say the least bad.

 

[PhoKingGuy]

^ sounds a lot like my experience with a top rated Toyota Sienna. I've posted the details before and won't get into it again. The emissions system is a joke, guess what happens when you replace the cat/header/muffler assy and 02 sensor and the SES code doesn't go away? You replace the ECU, there's no warranty on that repair either... It will be a long time until I buy another Toyota, unless it's a 90's model. I really believe I'm the sucker that has the bad luck, lots of people have very few problems with toyotas, everybody else in my family drives a Toyota and none have had any problems like I had, none drove a Sienna though. What's sad is even with the problems the Sienna has, it's still the best mini-van on the market, or should I say the least bad.

You arent the only one with the sienna boondoggle. My good family friends had the same o2/cat thing, but they ditched it after two repairs as well as their POS 07 Camry at the same time. Picked up a Fusion and a Navigator to replace it, they've already said they wont ever buy Toyotas ever again.

 

[ponyo]

Toyota had problem with O2 sensors in couple of their cars like the Tundra and Sienna during the early and mid '00s. I haven't had to replace it in my Sienna but I had to replace one on my Tundra less than 60k miles and my BIL replaced all four on his Tundra less than 80k miles.

 

[vi edit]

I pretty much beleive that there is no perfectly reliable vehicle. Nearly every maker has some skeleton in their closet that haunts them. There isn't a car brand/model message board out there that doesn't have some patterns or history of failing parts. The only thing you can really do is a risk assesment and if that vehicle is worth it. And if it is then be armed and ready to address it when it happens.

 

[JeffreyLebowski]

My gutless womder Dodge Caravan had less problems than the Toyota. In the 80K-isk miles we had it, we replaced the belt tension pully because it was making a noise. That's it.
If Dodge can make a better product than you, you suck.

I will never own another Toyota vehicle again. This thing has been an absolute train wreck. I've purchased 20 year old vehicles that were more reliable.

 

[KK]

Ouch Ive done really nothing to my 01 windstar other than maint
Couple things, changed brake calipers after pad change? some BS about that being normal because the design doesn't allow compression. . . Needed modification to fuel filter holder because of placement on firewall, not normal. Is needing a wheel bearing after about 120K miles normal?

Our 01 windstar has had the pfe sensor replaced, isolator bolts replaced, instrument cluster, blend door adjuster, catalytic converters, coolant bypass tube, brake master cylinder, and ignition module replaced. everything besides the instrument cluster, cats, and ignition module, i replaced. other than those issues, 175k and going strong, besides the ABS, traction control and parking brake lights that come on periodically. Oh yeah, I replaced the drum brakes this past week, had those babies wore down to the metal, not bad for 175k. She got new shoes and drums now.

 

[IcePickFreak]

I pretty much beleive that there is no perfectly reliable vehicle. Nearly every maker has some skeleton in their closet that haunts them. There isn't a car brand/model message board out there that doesn't have some patterns or history of failing parts. The only thing you can really do is a risk assesment and if that vehicle is worth it. And if it is then be armed and ready to address it when it happens.

This. When you think about how many components are in a vehicle, it's actually surprising that they don't break down more often IMO.

Granted some models are just lemons by design, but there's not one model out there that doesn't have it's issues and/or the dreaded "built on monday morning" examples.

 

[vi edit]

And the most reliable car I ever owned was a VW Passat. Didn't put a dime of non wear items into the thing other than a little bit of coolant every couple thousand from a leak in a hose I never took the time to replace. As others have said almost every major player in the van market has it's share of issues. Honda has power steering and transmission
problems. Kia has power door probs and just isn't polished. Nissan had brake and fit and finish problems. Chrysler still is haunted by transmission problems, doors and overall poor fit and finish. Toyota has door and 02 sensor problems. But at least they are quiet, ride well and have a better thought out interior and looking exterior than the rest.

 

[Doppel]

Good pick!

 

[desy]

I'm downsizing to a Grand Cmax or Mazda 5 next time and there are plenty of TSB's for a 5, doesn't scare me though. . .

 

[vi edit]

I'm downsizing to a Grand Cmax or Mazda 5 next time and there are plenty of TSB's for a 5, doesn't scare me though. . .

Most of them were fairly minor...popping noises in suspension and windshield in cold weather were the main ones. I had the windshield ones in my MZ5. Not the suspension ones though. I think the 06's had a recall for possible fire hazards with the exhaust manifold. That's about it.

 

[vi edit]

Past results are not guarantee for future performance blah blah blah....

But Sienna far bested any other van in JD Power....

http://www.jdpower.com/autos/ratings/dependability-ratings-by-category/minivan/

 

[Sid59]

I'm downsizing to a Grand Cmax or Mazda 5 next time and there are plenty of TSB's for a 5, doesn't scare me though. . .

Grand C-Max is gonna have the nicer options, im guessing. I love our Mazda5.

 

[JeffreyLebowski]

Past results are not guarantee for future performance blah blah blah....

But Sienna far bested any other van in JD Power....

http://www.jdpower.com/autos/ratings/dependability-ratings-by-category/minivan/

JDpower is a joke.
My GF insists on having a van so she can carry the kids around and for some reason she always wants to be the one driving us around when we do stuff with friends.
The next van is going to be a E150 Conversion

 

[rdp6]

Bought a new Flex this evening. LTD with EB engine and the vista roof. Nicest car I have ever been in, aside from going to an auto show.

Loads of good information available at fordflex.net.