Thoughts on hybrids?

[xenon]

I’ve been thinking minivan for a while.

The time has finally come to pull the trigger - it’s down to the Toyota Sienna and Honda Odyssey.

The Odyssey is a regular V6, the new Sienna is hybrid-only now. The Odyssey is 280hp and the Sienna 245 (net of the electric motors and 4-banger gas engine). EPA mpg estimate of 22, 36 respectively.

In terms of driving - both are good off the line (electric motor torque), but Sienna will struggle on fast passing and uphill highways (on a relative basis). From what I hear, the new Sienna platform handles better though.

I’m thinking about this one for the long haul. Any thoughts?

[jon-nyc]

Friends with each have been happy with them.

I’d probably make the choice over interior features and comfort.

Wife has a hybrid they’re fine.

[Loki]

If it’s about money it’s still not worth it.

[Mik]

I drove an Odyssey for 14 years with nothing but maintenance. Nothing. I still regret having sold it. Highly recommend.

[Axtremus]

Got an Odyssey myself. The Sienna was also on my final short list over a decade ago when I chose the Odyssey. I have been happy with the Odyssey, but I also have nothing against the Sienna. You’ll be fine with either one. Good luck.

[89th]

I plan on getting an Odyssey in the next year or two.

[Axtremus]

As for the hybrid vs. non-hybrid question, factor in one out-of warranty hybrid battery replacement if you’re thkinkng “long haul.” Life expectancy of the hybrid battery is somewhere between 5 and 7 years.

[xenon]

Test drove both today. Went with the Toyota

Was heavily leaning Odyssey before the drives.

[George K]

@xenon said in Thoughts on hybrids?:

Test drove both today. Went with the Toyota
Was heavily leaning Odyssey before the drives.

What changed your mind?

[Mik]

You could not go wrong with those candidates.

[xenon]

@george-k said in Thoughts on hybrids?:

@xenon said in Thoughts on hybrids?:

Test drove both today. Went with the Toyota
Was heavily leaning Odyssey before the drives.

What changed your mind?

It drove like a car (in a good way). I thought the Honda would be a lot better in term of pickup, but the hybrid system has a nice response from stop (the Odyssey can dig much deeper though). And the inner and outer fit/finish just felt much much more modern.

The 50% better fuel mileage was a bonus. Ended up paying $5k more than a similarly specced Odyssey though.

[Doctor Phibes]

Taking ownership of ones first mini-van is part of the hell that announces the fact that you're approaching middle age.

Whilst, like erectile disfunction, it may be unavoidable, I see no reason to celebrate it, or even to tell anybody else about it.

Dressing the discussion up as being about 'buying a hybrid' is just a distraction from the dreadful truth.

I apologize for my bluntness, but somebody needed to say it.

(Doctor Phibes - recovering former Sienna owner)

[George K]

@doctor-phibes said in Thoughts on hybrids?:

recovering

As if...

[Mik]

A real man is not defined by what car he drives. His wife will tell him that.

[brenda]

@mik said in Thoughts on hybrids?:

A real man is not defined by what car he drives. His wife will tell him that.

Exactly. She will have a far more detailed definition to provide.

[xenon]

@doctor-phibes hahahahah

[Mik]

@brenda said in Thoughts on hybrids?:

@mik said in Thoughts on hybrids?:

A real man is not defined by what car he drives. His wife will tell him that.

Exactly. She will have a far more detailed definition to provide.

Isn’t that the truth.

[LuFins Dad]

@xenon

[Doctor Phibes]

@mik said in Thoughts on hybrids?:

A real man is not defined by what car he drives. His wife will tell him that.

Right after she tells him to go buy "us" a loser-cruiser.

[jon-nyc]

I have avoided and will continue to avoid the minivan.

I rode in a Sienna almost every weekend for 3 years and it seemed like a fine car. My buddy had one and we had boys the same age and would take them out Saturdays