Sienna SE over Highlander?
Rookie
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 71
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From: NH
This. I helped multiple people move and even fit a 90" couch in there! Be it my daughter rock band and all their equipment to camping, landscape materials, washer & dryer, fridge, bikes and a ton of other "stuff". The Sienna stepped up and handled it. I miss it or might be the memories of it. Just eight very important years in the kids life revolved around that vehicle. I had four kids in that when purchased and had to be bullet proof. It was. So it was PERFECT. Now my youngest newborn was in that for a year and getting her in & out was a cinch. The seating was the perfect height for the baby seat. Now all the kids are grown except our now 7 year old and the RX is the perfect fit. Funny how things work out like that.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 69,226
Likes: 4,222
From: Maryland
Seriously guys...if you have kids you should get the minivan. I'm the last person that would want to buy something that doesn't do it for me as an enthusiast, but when they are young and you have so much crap to take everywhere...the minivan is a godsend. I have said it multiple times...its probably one of the best overall purchases I have ever made. It makes packing and traveling so much easier, getting them in and out so much easier...gotta have it. Its only for a few years, and then once they are ambulatory and can get themselves in and out, you can always go back to an SUV.
Another thing thats good, I kind of like having a family vehicle I don't really care about. The Jeep i loved and was worried about keeping it clean and serviced and well cared for...if my wife told me tomorrow she drug a parking pylon down the side of the van...as long as the sliding door still worked I wouldn't care LOL. Because kids DO destroy a car, it helps.
Another thing thats good, I kind of like having a family vehicle I don't really care about. The Jeep i loved and was worried about keeping it clean and serviced and well cared for...if my wife told me tomorrow she drug a parking pylon down the side of the van...as long as the sliding door still worked I wouldn't care LOL. Because kids DO destroy a car, it helps.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 94,702
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From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
Lexus Champion
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 13,296
Likes: 1,904
From: WA
No offense, but I've never understood the "kids destroy cars" comments. What do you guys allow your kids to do in your cars??? 
The worst I ever have to do is clean fingerprints off windows and vacuum up some cracker crumbs.
The worst I ever have to do is clean fingerprints off windows and vacuum up some cracker crumbs.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 69,226
Likes: 4,222
From: Maryland
Nobody takes better care of their cars than I do, but the realities of traveling around with a baby or a kid (or in my case, two babies) is that the car is filled with toys, stuff, strollers, carseats, etc. We don't plan on letting ours eat in the car if we can help it. As someone who has always driven a perfectly clean, orderly, vacuumed car day in and day out...its an adjustment for me lets put it that way LOL.
My wife is not that way about cars, but I have always taken care of our car she drives that way. With the van, I can't just take it and get it washed regularly, maintained perfectly, etc without leaving her really without a vehicle to drive the kids around in.
Having the van be more of an appliance to me is a relief, if they were riding around all the time and I was as **** as I am about my car, or I was about her Jeeps before the van it would be a significant drag on my life.
My wife is not that way about cars, but I have always taken care of our car she drives that way. With the van, I can't just take it and get it washed regularly, maintained perfectly, etc without leaving her really without a vehicle to drive the kids around in.
Having the van be more of an appliance to me is a relief, if they were riding around all the time and I was as **** as I am about my car, or I was about her Jeeps before the van it would be a significant drag on my life.
Rookie
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 71
Likes: 1
From: NH
^^^^ Haha I find that funny because I am another one that feels the same as you guys when it comes to our cars. Mine is washed regularly, vacuumed and dusted a the time. I don't really allow anyone to eat in the car and I always have cleaning wipes on hand for any kind of a mess. My wife thinks I'm crazy but hey I'm just that passionate about my cars. Her on the other hand looks like she lives in her car lol.
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Lexus Champion
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,841
Likes: 74
From: FL
So the wife says she wants to move forward with the Highlander with the captain seats but I feel like she may regret the decision later with the Highlander's space compared to the Sienna. We also looked at the Pilot and MDX but they definitely had less space the the Highlander and the fact that they did not offer captain seats would render the 3rd row useless with 2 baby seats.
I don't get ppl hating on minivan styling, personally I think minivan looks cool and functional at the same time! And the space, my van has second row captain seats, so it's very easy to just walk to the third row, and last time on our trip to Los Angeles, my wife put a yoga mat on the floor and pillow at the end, she was able to stretch and slept for good 3 hours.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 7,864
Likes: 0
From: Massachusetts
So the wife says she wants to move forward with the Highlander with the captain seats but I feel like she may regret the decision later with the Highlander's space compared to the Sienna. We also looked at the Pilot and MDX but they definitely had less space the the Highlander and the fact that they did not offer captain seats would render the 3rd row useless with 2 baby seats.
Question is how much space do you really need. I think a minivan serves those with more than 2 kids. A Highlander could still serve a family of 5 well, but a minivan would certainly make things more comfortable.
Being in a northern climate makes the decision easier. Many of us want AWD. And unfortunately Toyota stopped making AWD Sienna's. For you guys in FL or southern CA, you don't need the AWD.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 69,226
Likes: 4,222
From: Maryland
Who told you Toyota stopped making Sienna's with AWD? Still on the website...
It's not just about space, it's about the ease of loading kids with the sliding doors. It's also about space with the third row in place, that's a huge difference between a crossover and a minivan.
It's not just about space, it's about the ease of loading kids with the sliding doors. It's also about space with the third row in place, that's a huge difference between a crossover and a minivan.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 7,864
Likes: 0
From: Massachusetts
Who told you Toyota stopped making Sienna's with AWD? Still on the website...
It's not just about space, it's about the ease of loading kids with the sliding doors. It's also about space with the third row in place, that's a huge difference between a crossover and a minivan.
It's not just about space, it's about the ease of loading kids with the sliding doors. It's also about space with the third row in place, that's a huge difference between a crossover and a minivan.
I don't see how it's that difficult getting kids in the 2nd row of a Highlander. An NBA player would get in with ease. The Highlander's middle row and doors are just like the fronts. Granted the 3rd row is more for the occasional extra passengers. That's why I say if you have only 2 kids I think the Highlander is a great choice. And sometimes that ground clearance can come in handy. Lot's of people just don't want a minivan. A lot of it is the stigma which may be unwarranted but it's there. I'm not a minivan hater but I just think crossovers are a great alternative that gets most people's needs met.
Last edited by -J-P-L-; Oct 5, 2015 at 05:03 AM.
