**JANUARY 2004 REVIEW UPDATE**

*I HAVE NOW LOWERED MY PREVIOUS RATING ON MY 2003 ODYSSEY. THE HEATING & COLLING SYSTEM IS BELOW AVERAGE. IF I CARRY THREE PERSONS OR MORE IN MY VAN, I HAVE TO IMMEDIATELY USE THE DEFROSTER AND REAR PASSENGERS CANNOT CONTROL/ACTIVATE HEATING, ONLY A/C.

*NO AUDIO CONTROLS FOR REAR PASSENGERS.

*ROAD NOISE

*GAS MILEAGE IS ALSO A NEGATIVE. I AM ONLY GETTING AROUND 15MPG IN THE CITY AND HWY.

NEXT VAN WILL BE A 2005 UPDATED ODYSSEY OR A TOYOTA SIENNA!

My wife and I spent over 3 months shopping different makes and models of minivans. We narrowed the search down to 3 models. The Nissan Quest, Honda Odyssey EX-L, and the 2004 Toyota Sienna.

When we previewed the Quest, it was an easy decision to turn down. First, the body style is really unattractive, second, the interior space is a lot like the Mazda MPV, very cramped and a tight fit. Maybe 4 adults and an infant max can fit inside! The salesperson bragged about the unusual dash with the shifter on the dash itself. It was uncomfortable to use and not the best looking design. One positive thing, the seperate sunroof for all your passengers. GREAT FEATURE!! Based on this information, we headed off to Toyota to look at the 04' Sienna.

The 2004 Toyota Sienna is a beautiful minivan. The style is great and it is larger than the Odyssey and Quest on every measurement. The outside bodystyle is gorgeous. It takes away from the practical "boxy" Dodge Caravan look and brings the minivan to a whole new level. The issues that steered me away from the Sienna are important. First, it has a smaller engine than the Odyssey and more horsepower. 230 compared to 240 on the Odyssey. Second, Toyota nickels and dimes you on everything for this van. To get leather with DVD and a 6 disk CD-Changer, the price was well over $35k BEFORE tax and license!!! Thirdly, the possible exploding gas tank issue that Consumer Reports brought up. This has now been corrected, but when I was shopping, it was a major factor.

So we went to Honda. We purchased a 2003 EX-L with DVD, 6-Disc in dash changer and leather for $30,500 out the door. We even got the color we wanted. Things that are great with this van are that both sliding doors open with the INCLUDED keyless entry and are motorized. Keyless entry is extra on some Sienna models and on the Quest. Second, the third row seat that folds into the floor and can sit three kids or two adults comfortably. Lastly, the ride. The Odyssey is as smooth as my 2003 Accord EX-V6. Rides like a car with the benefits of a van!!!

So bottom line, if you want to spend an extra $4k to $8k to get the Sienna for the same features you can get on an Odyssey, go for it. But for the value and the ratings on almost all the consumer websites, go for the Odyssey. Save your money and get a quality minivan!!!
Amount Paid (US$): 30,500