| Author |
Message |
    
Bklyngirl
Citizen
Username: Bklyngirl
Post Number: 69
Registered: 10-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 24, 2006 - 9:44 am: | 
|
About 1 month ago, I began my search for a new minivan and I posted a thread asking Sienna and Odyssey owners to share any good/bad experiences they've had with their respective vans. Here's an update on my search:
I recently purchased the Sienna LE AWD from Rte 22 Toyota for, what I think, was a very good price. I took the advice of a MOL and used CarsDirect's offer
to counter-offer other offers. Rte 22 Toyota matched CarsDirect low price and they weren't rude to me at all.
At the suggestion of another MOL, I initially contacted Caldwell Toyota for my new van. They, in fact, were rude and obnoxious, just as I'd been warned, and they were the only dealership that wouldn't provide any details about the van over the phone.
Thank you all for your advice and recommendations.
bklyngirl |
Pdg
Citizen
Username: Pdg
Post Number: 924
Registered: 5-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, May 25, 2006 - 12:33 pm: |
|
So, were we right? Do you just love the Sienna?
(I own a 2005 that I bought from a Wisconsin Toyota dealer (Wilde Toyota) b/c at the time NJ/NY/CT/PA dealers weren't interested in my business - everything was close to list. It was cheaper to fly and drive 800 miles back to NJ, if you can believe it!) |
melicious
Citizen
Username: Melicious
Post Number: 450
Registered: 6-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, May 25, 2006 - 1:13 pm: |
|
Welcome to the club!!
Wanna drag for pink slips??!!
I got a cat head and flames magnet to make me feel less "van-ish." It really cushions the blow - and so do my leather seats!!!
http://www.magnetamerica.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id= 392
http://www.magnetamerica.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=71&pro ducts_id=342
Pdg - I cannot believe your story - too funny!
How did you decide on Wisconsin?
|
Bklyngirl
Citizen
Username: Bklyngirl
Post Number: 75
Registered: 10-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, May 25, 2006 - 1:36 pm: |
|
Yes, you were right. I love my Sienna!
melicious: I'm ready when you are. :o)
bklyngirl |
Tom Reingold
Supporter
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 14457
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, May 25, 2006 - 2:14 pm: |
|
I wanted the best deal possible on a Toyota minivan, so I found the best price in Guatemala. It's a grey market car, and the odometer and speedometer display kilometers rather than miles. We had a heck of an adventure driving through the entire country of Mexico, but it was totally worth it. Getting the car registered legally took a lot of footwork. I'm thinking of going back to Guatemala to get the van retrofitted with a third axle. Wouldn't it be cool to have six-wheel-drive?
http://www.toyota.com.gt/principal.php
|
Alleygater
Citizen
Username: Alleygater
Post Number: 2137
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, May 25, 2006 - 4:09 pm: |
|
How did you determine that Guatemala was the cheapest? And how much did you end up saving??? |
Tom Reingold
Supporter
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 14464
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, May 25, 2006 - 6:24 pm: |
|
Actually, I could have gotten it cheaper in Kamchatka (in Siberia) but they told me the van might not make it over the polar ice in the Bering Strait. My wife talked me out of the idea of trying. You have to make compromises in life.
|
Pdg
Citizen
Username: Pdg
Post Number: 928
Registered: 5-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, May 25, 2006 - 7:20 pm: |
|
Call me crazy, but we saved almost 2 grand after plane ticket and motel cost.
Long story short, I bought the top of the line Sienna w/awd in June 2004 (XLE Ltd AWD w/trim #2). 14 months later, I was rear-ended by a guy in a company van while getting on Rt 78 East off the Parkway so that I could turn around and get on Rt 78 West to go home.
I decided to go through the other guy's insurance so my rental would be fully covered vs. the piddly $35/day credit my stupid insurance gave me (yes, I actually need a minivan and don't think anyone who owns one doesn't, so why won't insurance cover the cost of a stupid minivan rental - grrr).
Over one month after the accident, the car was declared a total loss since they decided they couldn't repair the electronic rear hatch without air/water leaks. This was after a month of renting a minivan. Their insurance gave me feeble offers for a settlement, and I cried (really sobbed - it was a stressful period in my life) since it was nowhere near enough to buy me another van as loaded as mine, and the insurance guy - who was located in Wisconsin - told me he'd try to get me a local WI comp to show my local dealers. Noone around here wanted to compete and they all said I should buy a plane ticket if that deal was real, so...
We were still out of pocket about 5 grand which pisses me off, but the car did it's job and I had not a scratch, ache or pain after the accident so I really can't complain.
PS. Did everyone know that insurance will fully cover replacement of all car seats and booster seats that were in a vehicle that was in an accident that was more than a fender bender? |
Tom Reingold
Supporter
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 14468
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, May 25, 2006 - 7:26 pm: |
|
I'm not saying you're crazy. I'm saying you're a wimp for not going to farther abroad for a better deal.
OK, if that was the best deal for you, then fine. My Guatemala story came to me last time you posted your story, and I was glad for the opportunity to post it finally. Let me have some fun, OK?
Six wheel drive indeed.
|
Pdg
Citizen
Username: Pdg
Post Number: 929
Registered: 5-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, May 25, 2006 - 10:41 pm: |
|
Ummm, but you were kidding... right? (I'm so confused )
and sorry you had to "hear" my story twice |
Bklyngirl
Citizen
Username: Bklyngirl
Post Number: 78
Registered: 10-2005
| | Posted on Friday, May 26, 2006 - 8:16 am: |
|
Tom:
Are you serious? You went to Guatemala to purchase a car and drove it back to the U.S., because that was cheaper to do than buying a car here? You're a brave and lucky man.
My family's from El Salvador and I've visited El Salvador, as well as its neighboring countries, Honduras and Guatemala, all of my life. I can tell you from personal experience that driving through those countries through Mexico and into the US is extremely dangerous. Very few people make it through without some sort of horrible, traumatizing experience. I'm glad you enjoyed your trip, but I wouldn't do that again if I were you.
Talking specifically about Central America for a moment, in recent years, the crime rate has skyrocketed due in part to the infestation of gangs (La Mara, 51, etc.) El Salvador has always had it's share of problems due to poverty, corrupt gov't and the civil war that plagued that beautiful tiny country since the late 70's through the late 90's. Unfortunatley, nothing has hurt that part of the world more than the gang violence. It's simply out of control.
bklyngirl
|
Alleygater
Citizen
Username: Alleygater
Post Number: 2143
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Friday, May 26, 2006 - 10:23 am: |
|
I finally figured out 2 posts ago that Tom was making a funny. Good one.
I knew he didn't own a minivan, but that weird little part of my brain was wondering if I could combine a world tour with our intended car purchase. |
Bklyngirl
Citizen
Username: Bklyngirl
Post Number: 79
Registered: 10-2005
| | Posted on Friday, May 26, 2006 - 11:12 am: |
|
The whole thing sounded weird to me, too, but I had to make sure.
bklyngirl |
Virtual It Girl
Citizen
Username: Shh
Post Number: 4503
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, May 26, 2006 - 10:32 pm: |
|
Don't laugh. Friends of ours who drive Saabs told us they considered, in the past, going to...Sweden...wherever they make them...and having it shipped abroad. Supposedly the company at one time would pay your airfare and hotel if you went there to purchase one. You even get to use it instead of a rental car once your're there! |
Alleygater
Citizen
Username: Alleygater
Post Number: 2149
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Monday, May 29, 2006 - 9:52 pm: |
|
My aunt did that with her Saab. She enjoyed the experience. Just a few years ago. |
Tom Reingold
Supporter
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 14519
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Monday, May 29, 2006 - 10:54 pm: |
|
I bet Sweden doesn't have as many bandidos as Guatemala and Mexico do.
|
Bob K
Supporter
Username: Bobk
Post Number: 11652
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 30, 2006 - 4:44 am: |
|
Most of the European manufactueres have a European delivery program. Saab, Volvo and Mercedes used to make a big deal about it. At one time you could take delivery, drive around Europe and the tarrif to bring it into the US would be lower because it was a used car. Don't know if this is still the case. |
Closed: New threads not accepted on this page