I’m not sure. We have a 14 odyssey with zero problems… though prior Honda ATs were known to fail. I’m not sure anyone really knows about the Kia vans from that era. We didn’t like it. Lots of flash but not as great underneath.Both are hot garbage and no better than what you have, probably worse.
In the timeframe/age OP is talking about it not sure. Amongst friends those with siennas in this age range have had all sorts of issues and failures. And frankly the ergonoicst and design of The controls was poor.Simple solution:
Limp this van for a little while, and just get the Toyota (certified or new) You won;t be disappointed.
Wait, you’re implying that a pentastar van is worse than the older engines models??!? Dubious.If you don't think the 62te is a garbage transmission then you sir are poorly informed. This generation of van is pretty disappointing honestly. The older dodge cans with the 3.3/3.8 were way better in my opinion. Nothing was over dramatic it was completely honest .
Our local transmission shop said these transmissions usually start eating the torque converter between 80-100k miles and it contaminates the internal sensors and filter and eventually it self destructs.
If you hate it, you hate it, there is that.We have a 13 dodge Grand caravan. Anyone who knows much about these knows they have their fair share of flaws.
Ours has 123,000 miles on it. The transmission is starting to act up I imagine it'll likely need to replaced in the next 6 month or so. Seems pretty typical for the 62TE. A new trans from dodge is about $3800 plus labor. It would cost me about $5,000 to have the transmission replaced. Would you throw this kind of money at it? Has hail damage and needs front struts soon. Other than that the driver seat is broken down which is annoying and the power seat fuse blows a lot. We haven't had the all to common oil filter / cooler housing fail yet but seems like they all do eventually. Other than that it runs ok. I'm considering selling it as is and maybe spending $10k cash on a used van or do I put the 5k in this one and keep it? I'm not a huge fan of this van but want to make the best decision over all. My wife and I both drive cars to work and we split taking the kids to school and babysitter. We have five kids total. So we only use the van on weekends most of the time when we're all going somewhere together. This is why I don't want to buy a new van and have to finance something. They're a lot of money I'd rather buy a decent used van that's capable of doing weekends and family trip and things of that nature. Maybe a Kia Sedona or Honda Odyssey? Sienna would be great but they seem to very expensive even used. What do you guys think?
Now you're digging your heels in with advice contrary to what you've already decided. Who cares what a bunch of lunks online think? Do what you want.If you don't think the 62te is a garbage transmission then you sir are poorly informed. This generation of van is pretty disappointing honestly. The older dodge cans with the 3.3/3.8 were way better in my opinion. Nothing was over dramatic it was completely honest .
I say that if you have maintained the rest of the vehicle, and you have tryed something to remediate the "failing transmission" such as change filter and fluid in pan.........then It might be worth fixing. Perhaps so lucas transmission fix also may help.We have a 13 dodge Grand caravan. Anyone who knows much about these knows they have their fair share of flaws.
Ours has 123,000 miles on it. The transmission is starting to act up I imagine it'll likely need to replaced in the next 6 month or so. Seems pretty typical for the 62TE. A new trans from dodge is about $3800 plus labor. It would cost me about $5,000 to have the transmission replaced. Would you throw this kind of money at it? Has hail damage and needs front struts soon. Other than that the driver seat is broken down which is annoying and the power seat fuse blows a lot. We haven't had the all to common oil filter / cooler housing fail yet but seems like they all do eventually. Other than that it runs ok. I'm considering selling it as is and maybe spending $10k cash on a used van or do I put the 5k in this one and keep it? I'm not a huge fan of this van but want to make the best decision over all. My wife and I both drive cars to work and we split taking the kids to school and babysitter. We have five kids total. So we only use the van on weekends most of the time when we're all going somewhere together. This is why I don't want to buy a new van and have to finance something. They're a lot of money I'd rather buy a decent used van that's capable of doing weekends and family trip and things of that nature. Maybe a Kia Sedona or Honda Odyssey? Sienna would be great but they seem to very expensive even used. What do you guys think?
A minivan is a far more efficient way of moving people and stuff around if you're not towing anything. The size of your kids has nothing to do with it.Get an full size SUV, your kids wont be kids forever
I’m not sure. We have a 14 odyssey with zero problems… though prior Honda ATs were known to fail. I’m not sure anyone really knows about the Kia vans from that era. We didn’t like it. Lots of flash but not as great underneath.
In the timeframe/age OP is talking about it not sure. Amongst friends those with siennas in this age range have had all sorts of issues and failures. And frankly the ergonoicst and design of The controls was poor.
What was the one last one you had rebuilt? One of the 3 or 4 speed units?I must be out of touch on transmission rebuild costs.
Yes I would say by 2003 or so that generation was figured out the 41te was a better transmission and the engines have less issues. The interiors were also better built. Not nicer looking but better quality materials. The 3.6 isn't a bad engine but in 2013 they still ate rocker arms which can be a big bill! The oil cooler is $1000 shop bill as well and the transmissions seem to fail pretty early. The interior quality is also pretty poor. The plastics around the lower seat the door, handle chrome peels and cuts your hand, the window regulators "chatter" when rolling up or down. The quality is just not there.Wait, you’re implying that a pentastar van is worse than the older engines models??!? Dubious.
A little maintenance on fluids would let you know if it was contaminated. If early enough, could a TC be done preemptively and not ruin the rest?
Why not downsize to two vehicles (instead of three) and use the extra cash towards a better van.I'm not a huge fan of this van but want to make the best decision over all. My wife and I both drive cars to work and we split taking the kids to school and babysitter. We have five kids total. So we only use the van on weekends most of the time when we're all going somewhere together.
Oh OK, then drive the mini until the wheels fall off, and get you another one. It really comes down to whether YOU think the minivan is worth to fix or buy another that you like more.............I will give an example......A minivan is a far more efficient way of moving people and stuff around if you're not towing anything. The size of your kids has nothing to do with it.
Before you call me a hater, I drive a full size SUV, they use a lot of fuel. When fuel got near $5 a gallon it sat at home a lot. Prices are much better now but still, I can get upper 20s driving around the suburbs in my wife's car if driven conservatively or I can get 14 in my large SUV. If I drive the Navi aggressively, mileage drops to about 12.
Why not downsize to two vehicles (instead of three) and use the extra cash towards a better van.
You'll save on repairs, insurance etc.
30-40 years ago, the average American family would have ONE vehicle...that's it.
Regardless of the number of children in the family.
My wife would love an SUV I'm not against them. My reasoning for predominantly searching for a van is they are much more affordable. They definitely cannot do all the things an SUV can but I don't have a need for towing or any of that I just need a practical family hauler that's why I have mostly only considered a minivan. That being said my wife showed me a suburban this morning it was an 05. 150,000 miles and looked immaculate. No rust which was hard to believe. Maintenance records the whole 9 yards. They are asking $9k. That was and is pretty tempting!Oh OK, then drive the mini until the wheels fall off, and get you another one. It really comes down to whether YOU think the minivan is worth to fix or buy another that you like more.............I will give an example......
About 9 years ago, I was in the market for a 3\4 ton Suburban. I found what would be probably in the top 1% in condition, a 99 K2500 7.4 4x4 SLT. At the time, used cars were not as ridiculous as they are now......anyway I paid about 5000 over book for the truck becasue of its condition, records, and the like.......did I screw myself with paying a higher price? Well, at the time, a new one (2014) in the same trim was about $60000 and had a few creature comforts that my dinosaur GMT400 burb did not have, but a sixth of the price..........I still have the Burb to this day, and will likely never sell it, runs like a top, an without most of the BS in todays trucks. Did I get a good deal, or make the right choice, maybe.
If efficiency is the name of the game, and the size of the passengers dont matter, trade in the minivan and get a civic. If comfort and space plus efficiency is the name of the game............who knows.
Assuming the van is in good working order, and you OWN it, I suppose the "efficiency" has more to do with cost of operation than MPG.........bunch to decide. All and all, the Japanese makers you mentioned in your OP are "better" as far a reviews are concerned, but that is subjective I suppose.
The total cost I think is what efficiency is, not just the MPG. Is it worht buying a new van for 50K if you own the one you are in? NO! You can buy a bunch of gas for 50k..................sorry this might not be what you are looking for, but just my 2 cents.
Also not hating on minivan ownership, though I think that they have a niche and to me are about worthless in the grand scheme of things.
SHHHHHHHHHHH............................an 05 in good condition for 9k, I would jump on that just like, well ..........you know..........My wife would love an SUV I'm not against them. My reasoning for predominantly searching for a van is they are much more affordable. They definitely cannot do all the things an SUV can but I don't have a need for towing or any of that I just need a practical family hauler that's why I have mostly only considered a minivan. That being said my wife showed me a suburban this morning it was an 05. 150,000 miles and looked immaculate. No rust which was hard to believe. Maintenance records the whole 9 yards. They are asking $9k. That was and is pretty tempting!
30-40 years ago, the average American family would have ONE vehicle...that's it.
Regardless of the number of children in the family.