Is a high mileage Sienna a smart choice?

Hey everyone,

I’m thinking about getting a Sienna because I’ve just found out I’m going to be a dad. :sweat_smile: With a child, two big dogs, and possibly more kids in the future, a van seems like the right choice.

I’m debating whether to trade my wife’s '24 Trax for a newer Sienna or keep the Trax and get an older, high-mileage Sienna for myself. I found a '13 Limited AWD nearby with 207k miles at a trusted local dealer, priced at $9,900. The Carfax is spotless – regular oil changes every 5k miles, and it looks like it’s been well maintained.

Is buying this van a bad idea? My main concerns are:

  1. There’s no record of suspension work in the Carfax, so I’m guessing that’ll need attention soon.

  2. I watched Car Care Nut’s video about the 2GR-FE engine and its potential issues, like the timing cover leaking, water pump problems, and head gasket leaks. None of these show up in the Carfax, but maybe the car’s been so well taken care of that these issues didn’t occur?

I can handle suspension work and the water pump, but the timing cover and head gasket make me nervous since they require engine removal. I’m okay with putting some money into the car if needed.

Could use some advice on whether this is a good move or not. :sweat_smile:

Lots of people drive Siennas with 300,000+ miles. If it’s been well taken care of, I wouldn’t worry too much.

PaulMagnet said:
Lots of people drive Siennas with 300,000+ miles. If it’s been well taken care of, I wouldn’t worry too much.

Thanks for the response! That’s what I was thinking too. I found a few high-mileage Siennas on cars.com that seemed well-maintained, pushing close to 250k miles.

@RadiantRaven
Glad I could help! I work at the plant where they’re built, so I might be a bit biased. There’s a reason why so many Siennas end up as taxis and Ubers – low maintenance costs and reliable if well cared for.

PaulMagnet said:
Lots of people drive Siennas with 300,000+ miles. If it’s been well taken care of, I wouldn’t worry too much.

We bought a 2009 with 192k miles for $4,500 last September. It was Toyota Certified, had a clean Carfax, and solid maintenance records. It just needed a front end alignment and an oil change.

We’ve got a 2015 with 180,000 miles, and it’s still running strong with just regular maintenance. We’ve done some suspension work on it, but nothing too crazy.

Macon said:
We’ve got a 2015 with 180,000 miles, and it’s still running strong with just regular maintenance. We’ve done some suspension work on it, but nothing too crazy.

Thanks for sharing! Seems like the general consensus on these vans is that they’re solid. I’m surprised that the one I’m looking at hasn’t had any suspension work with over 200k miles, but based on its service history, it seems the previous owner took care of it. I’m planning to test drive it after work today.

@RadiantRaven
I think people often underestimate the value of a used car that’s been regularly serviced at the dealership, especially when you’ve got records to show it. We get ours serviced at the dealership too. It might not always be the cheapest, but I like knowing the people working on it, and it’s good for resale value when the time comes.

@Macon
Totally agree. I’m used to high-mileage cars (I currently drive a 20-year-old Pontiac Vibe with 197k miles), but never spent much on them. It looks like Siennas hold their value for a reason.

@RadiantRaven
I think 207,000 miles is a bit much. Personally, I’d look for something a bit lower.

If it’s been properly maintained, mileage shouldn’t be an issue.

Wynn said:
If it’s been properly maintained, mileage shouldn’t be an issue.

:+1::+1::+1:

I’ve got a 2004 with 320k miles, and it’s still going strong. I had to do some suspension work recently, but the engine and transmission are still solid.

Congrats! Just googled the Pontiac Vibe, and honestly, I’d suggest replacing it. But you’re looking at a van with 207k miles – consider the extra miles and the time you’ll spend on repairs. The more you put into maintenance, the more it takes away from your family time and reliable transport.

A newer model might be a better idea.

@Ramirez
Thanks! Great points. I’m just not sure I want to take on another big car payment if I keep the Trax and get a newer van. Also, I really like my Vibe, so parting with it is a bit tough. :cry::joy::joy:

RadiantRaven said:
@Ramirez
Thanks! Great points. I’m just not sure I want to take on another big car payment if I keep the Trax and get a newer van. Also, I really like my Vibe, so parting with it is a bit tough. :cry::joy::joy:

Haha, I googled it and quickly closed the tab as if I had opened something I shouldn’t have. :joy:

But seriously, the 300k+ mileage thing is believable. And I get that you could save money on repairs, but consider how much time you’ll spend on them. If you’ve got hobbies or other things outside of work, they’ll probably be on hold the first year. The last thing you’ll want to do is car repairs.

Trust me, I’ve got 3-year-old twins.

@Ramirez
Haha! What was it like finding out you were having twins? They run in my family, and now people keep joking we’ll have twins too, so I’m lowkey nervous. Taking your comment as a sign to go for the van :sweat_smile: