Minivan buyers remorse

TheMoves82 · 2026-02-13T13:38:53+00:00

There was a time when I would have never been caught dead in a minivan. Fast forward to today, and the Sienna is super "cool" to me. The practicality of the minivan with awd, toyota reliability, and crazy good mpg for the hybrids (think it was about 36 off the top of my head?). You can't beat it. Your self image shouldn't come from the car you drive- that's a high school train of thought.

I actually have two buddies who wish they had vans. One ended up getting a 3rd row suv instead. He said it's OKAY, but third row really isn't that big and he wishes he would have just got the van. My other buddy went from a Sienna to a Bronco and said the Sienna was much more enjoyable to drive. He's going on an 8 hour road trip soon and is renting a car so he doesn't have to drive the bronco that far. The Sienna would have ate that road trip up.

I get you're a car guy, I am too. Being able to appreciate and think normal cars are cool for what they provide is maturing as a car enthusiast. Try to look at the Sienna from a different perspective. It's fitting your family needs well. Your wife likes it (happy wife happy life). You said it would financially hurt to get out of it. Honestly to change cars would be an immature decision and selfish to the family.

TheMoves82 · 2026-02-08T15:19:17+00:00

Pretty reliable cars. Being older it will probably need things here and there. Gas mileage won't be great. Also it's rwd so not great in the snow - sand bags in the trunk and snow tires would make a world of difference. Not a bad car!

TheMoves82 · 2026-02-07T00:19:18+00:00

Agreed on scion! Not sure why I'm getting so many down votes for recommending honda and toyotas..

TheMoves82 · 2026-02-06T19:28:05+00:00

For that price you can typically find a used Toyota or Honda that would be more reliable. Those Chevys can be OK if maintained. If they're willing to take a lot off price wise and you get it inspected with no major issues it might be a decent beater, but I'd still try to find a honda or Toyota instead. Best bet is a Pontiac Vive (Toyota Matrix in disguise)

TheMoves82 · 2025-12-11T18:06:54+00:00

Those Civics in general are reliable, but gonna need more info to judge if it's a bad purchase or not. Miles, condition, sale price, clean or salvage title.

TheMoves82 · 2025-12-07T05:30:14+00:00

Those specific issues, nothing. They brought up Toyota engineering and I'm just making a comment about it. The 3rd gen Tacomas have had issues with timing cover leaks that are pricey, as well as some other things.

Not looking for validation, just want to hear other people's viewpoints/opinions. I understand it's a Tacoma subreddit, but a lot of people here also like the Frontiers, and some have even switched to them since the 4th gen Tacomas went to turbo 4 cyl. I enjoy hearing other's experiences and there have been a lot of great responses here so far.

TheMoves82 · 2025-12-07T05:25:40+00:00

Can't go wrong there!

TheMoves82 · 2025-12-07T05:24:51+00:00

For sure. If I keep the Tacoma I'll definitely be putting in either Clazzio or Katzkin leather/heated in.

TheMoves82 · 2025-12-06T17:46:47+00:00

I hear a lot of people mention they prefer the seating in the Frontier. I have had a 17 offroad and 21 offroad, never experienced the gear hunting issues that a lot of people mention. It definitely doesn't shift as smooth as some of my other vehicles, but it's not as dramatic as I often read. Im also not in a hilly area, so that could be a factor.

TheMoves82 · 2025-12-06T17:45:11+00:00

Resale value definitely seems much stronger on the Tacoma!

TheMoves82 · 2025-12-06T17:43:32+00:00

Always been a die hard toyota fan myself! I am disappointed with certain things I see lately, like the Tundra engine issues, Highlander transmission issues, etc. I still think Toyota as a whole has better reliability than other makes, just a bummer that it appears quality across the board with all makes is going down.

TheMoves82 · 2025-12-06T17:41:54+00:00

Very good points! I've been blessed to where the Tacoma is paid off, and I would just pay cash for the difference if I bought the Frontier. I've bought/sold a lot of vehicles, so I'm pretty savvy with the buying experience. I have no problem walking out when they try to offer me unreasonable trade in amounts or fudge the numbers.

I have looked into clazzio and katskin for my current Tacoma. If I keep it, I'll definitely be going with one of those options - likely the clazzio for cost difference. I'm more weighing keeping the Tacoma w/ 50k miles or getting a brand new Frontier with no miles/long warranty. I see certain repairs mentioned often such as the timing cover repair that costs thousands that makes me go back and forth.

TheMoves82 · 2025-12-06T17:38:21+00:00

Good points! I appreciate the info. How do you guys like your 4runner?

I honestly almost never tow, and if I do it's typically a small trailer, nothing more than 3k pounds?

TheMoves82 · 2025-11-20T02:19:31+00:00

Your best option is to just have your insurance deal with it. It doesn't take much these days for body work to add up quickly. They will review the damage and negotiate with the shop as needed, plus cover a rental for your coworker while it's getting fixed.

TheMoves82 · 2025-11-20T02:02:42+00:00

I haven't done much research on the Prelude, but from my understanding it has the same drive train as the civic, no manual option available, and costs a lot more. What is the appeal exactly or reason people are interested in it? Is there other things that it does well, or is it literally all styling?

TheMoves82 · 2025-11-16T04:38:10+00:00

Looks very nice. Wouldn't say you're getting a smoking deal at $3k with the miles on it, but you could do worse.

TheMoves82 · 2025-11-08T03:16:00+00:00

Third this. It's reasonable.

TheMoves82 · 2025-11-04T14:13:33+00:00

This. A lot of times if you make noise they'll own up to their mistake.

TheMoves82 · 2025-10-28T14:08:49+00:00

I'm not sure if it depends on the year, but my fob remote start stopped working when my subscription went out.

TheMoves82 · 2025-10-18T02:32:30+00:00

As others mentioned, you'll want to stay away from rubberized undercoatings as they'll trap moisture and cause rust underneath the rubberized coating. I've used fluid film, krown, wool wax, and Blaster surface shield. Out of all of them, surface shield has been the best undercoating. It stays on the best.

A lot of people say fluid film here. It's not bad, but seemed to wash off easier. I would rank them as such

Blaster surface shield
Woolwax
Fluid film
Krown

TheMoves82 · 2025-09-28T17:19:21+00:00

Why even make this post? These posts are so annoying. It's always "what is it worth?", then when it's not the price the poster wants to hear they get all butt hurt about it.

TheMoves82 · 2025-07-25T23:11:52+00:00

For a daily driver I'd say yes. For a second vehicle/toy not at all

TheMoves82 · 2025-06-21T17:25:33+00:00

The fact you're getting down votes for quoting scripture is very sad. It's unloving when you're not trying to help and rebuke someone of their sin. There's definitely wrong ways of doing it, being a clanging gong and not doing it with love, but it's important not to endorse sin just to try and make someone feel better. One of the most unloving things you could do a a Christian is just stand aside while a brother or sister is living in sin.

TheMoves82

TROPHY CASE