Todd H. wrote:

>So, the verdict for me, with current incentives: Toyota Sienna. The
>superior reliability rating is very influential for me as someone who
>keeps cars a long time, their current "free money for 4 years"
>financing sounds great to me especialy when the stock market is
>currently in a historic shitter, the treatment we've received at this
>Toyota dealer has been unbefrigginlievable, and this dealer's support
>of a charitable cause near and dear to our hearts (and is related to
>their willingness to do overnight test drive for us) has garnered huge
>good will and karma for us as a bonus to the issues above.
>
>Comments welcome--hope this roundup is useful for others. They both
>are great minivans, and I just wish I could put the suspension,
>steering, and 2nd row seat layout of the Honda into the Sienna!

As a convert to Toyotas I will agree that you have made a good
decision. The Honda minivans are fine vehicles and actually I even
prefer their looks but there are more things about Toyotas in general
that appeal to me.

About 3-4 years ago we rented a new Toyota minivan to take to the Outer
Banks for a week. It was the second generation Sienna design. We were
very impressed with the vehicle in general and made lots of jokes about
the ten or so cupholders we found in it. The ride, power, quietness,
thoughtful ergonomic details, quality of interior controls, etc. made
an impression upon us.

Up until that point neither one of us wanted a minivan but now we were
hooked. Upon return from vacation I started shopping for a previous
design model and ended up getting a 2000 Sienna, this is after test
driving the neighbor's new Honda Odyssey. Since discovering Toyotas
about fifteen years ago I haven't been able to ignore the sense of
isolation from road/wind/engine noise and quality of interior features.
Unfortunately my 1997 Camry appears to have skimped on some of those
things yet it is still a quality vehicle below the shortcomings.