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Dear all

I need advice from experienced owners and mechanics. Between Toyota Sienna 2004–2007, which model year is the best in terms of reliability, engine durability, and maintenance cost?

Please I need advice from experienced owners and mechanics.

Between Toyota Sienna 2004, 2005, 2006, and 2007, which is the best in terms of engine durability, fuel economy, and maintenance cost?

I understand that 2004–2006 use the 3.3L V6 engine, while 2007 introduced the 3.5L engine.

Which year would you recommend and what common faults should I inspect before buying one?

3.3L is timing belt while 3.5L is timing chain. If belt snaps interference engine you go hear am, but timing chain will last the lifetime of the vehicle as long as your maintenance is top notch.

3.3L is cast iron with aluminum top while 3.5L is all aluminum. If both engines overheat, the 3.5L will most definitely have more internal damage.

3.5L engine is more fuel economical than the 3.3L engine.

I will pick the 3.5L because of the timing chain and it's fuel economy over the 3.3L.provided both vehicles are in same condition.

nurey:
3.3L is timing belt while 3.5L is timing chain. If belt snaps interference engine you go hear am, but timing chain will last the lifetime of the vehicle as long as your maintenance is top notch.

3.3L is cast iron with aluminum top while 3.5L is all aluminum. If both engines overheat, the 3.5L will most definitely have more internal damage.

3.5L engine is more fuel economical than the 3.3L engine.

I will pick the 3.5L because of the timing chain and it's fuel economy over the 3.3L.provided both vehicles are in same condition.

The 3.5L 2gr engine in a Toyota Sienna 2004 - 2008 isn't as fuel economical as its 3.3L 3mz counterpart.

Conner44:
The 3.5L 2gr engine in a Toyota Sienna 2004 - 2008 isn't as fuel economical as its 3.3L 3mz counterpart.

It's only in Nigeria that the 3MZ has a better fuel economy than @2GR, while in reality the 2GR is either better or on par for the sienna

Thanks for your contribution sir.

So I'll narrow my search to 2007/2008.

nurey:
It's only in Nigeria that the 3MZ has a better fuel economy than @2GR, while in reality the 2GR is either better or on par for the sienna

yomisabere:
Dear all

I need advice from experienced owners and mechanics. Between Toyota Sienna 2004–2007, which model year is the best in terms of reliability, engine durability, and maintenance cost?

You might find this helpful. Good luck 🤞

https://www.nairaland.com/4801198/advice-needed-sienna-2gr-engine

nurey:
It's only in Nigeria that the 3MZ has a better fuel economy than @2GR, while in reality the 2GR is either better or on par for the sienna

I'm speaking from experience bro. The 3mz in the Toyota Sienna 04-08 is more fuel economical than its 2gr counterpart.

This is from driving interstate to and from the south east daily using either of both Sienna configurations. So yeah, you might say IN NIGERIA the saying is correct and I'd advise you to tailor your responses to these type of questions using the NIGERIAN FACTOR

A lot of people complain about the gearbox issues and shaft stuff.

Should the Op be worried about these?

baylord77:
A lot of people complain about the gearbox issues and shaft stuff.

Should the Op be worried about these?

So I’ll explain before and after purchase
Before purchase
- Transmission fluid should be inspected before purchase if it dark or smells burnt that’s a red flag
- scan vehicle for transmission related codes
- check that vehicle runs through all the gear’s
seamlessly

After purchase
Assuming all the above checks out
- constantly monitoring transmission fluid level and color, If getting darker it should be replaced with the original recommended fluid following the right procedure
- for the shaft, most times contamination caused by external factors like dirt causes issues with gearbox later on so the work should be done in a very neat environment

Thank you. I found this very helpful.

Louiscars:
So I’ll explain before and after purchase
Before purchase
- Transmission fluid should be inspected before purchase if it dark or smells burnt that’s a red flag
- scan vehicle for transmission related codes
- check that vehicle runs through all the gear’s
seamlessly

After purchase
Assuming all the above checks out
- constantly monitoring transmission fluid level and color, If getting darker it should be replaced with the original recommended fluid following the right procedure
- for the shaft, most times contamination caused by external factors like dirt causes issues with gearbox later on so the work should be done in a very neat environment

baylord77:
Thank you. I found this very helpful.

You’re welcome sir

yomisabere:
Dear all

I need advice from experienced owners and mechanics. Between Toyota Sienna 2004–2007, which model year is the best in terms of reliability, engine durability, and maintenance cost?

Go for the 2008 model. It come with the 2gr engine which is very fuel efficient.
Also it comes with metal oil and water lines.
All it requires, is just regular maintenance.

Conner44:
I'm speaking from experience bro. The 3mz in the Toyota Sienna 04-08 is more fuel economical than its 2gr counterpart.

This is from driving interstate to and from the south east daily using either of both Sienna configurations. So yeah, you might say IN NIGERIA the saying is correct and I'd advise you to tailor your responses to these type of questions using the NIGERIAN FACTOR

What is the Engine size for both?

erico2k2:
What is the Engine size for both?

3MZ is 3.0L

2GR is 3.5L

Conner44:
3MZ is 3.0L

2GR is 3.5L

3MZ isn't a 3.0L but 3.3L engine

Conner44:
3MZ is 3.0L

2GR is 3.5L

the smaller Engine is more fuel efficient.

nurey:
3MZ isn't a 3.0L but 3.3L engine

Yes this is correct 💯😁

I don't own a Sienna .... but a Camry. My advice is don't make fuel consumption a priority....there is not that much difference in fuel consumption between the two engine types . If you're going to be making long trips ...carrying loads ... driving a lot on routes with a lot of uphills .... get the one with the bigger engine ...the 3.5 ...you will need the power. If you would be travelling on relatively flat roads ...not hauling lots of heavy loads ...then I suggest you go for the smaller capacity engine. As one said above ...consider the Nigerian factor ...it is consistently hot ... another said the engine is cast iron and .... has timing belt instead of timing chain. The cast iron is good at absorbing heat ...better than aluminum of the other engine. If the timing belt gets cut ...your engine is safe ..just belt replacement. If the timing chain in the newer engine cuts....there will be serious damage to the engine. Then what? ...just sharing my reasoning.

Originalsly:
I don't own a Sienna .... but a Camry. My advice is don't make fuel consumption a priority....there is not that much difference in fuel consumption between the two engine types . If you're going to be making long trips ...carrying loads ... driving a lot on routes with a lot of uphills .... get the one with the bigger engine ...the 3.5 ...you will need the power. If you would be travelling on relatively flat roads ...not hauling lots of heavy loads ...then I suggest you go for the smaller capacity engine. As one said above ...consider the Nigerian factor ...it is consistently hot ... another said the engine is cast iron and .... has timing belt instead of timing chain. The cast iron is good at absorbing heat ...better than aluminum of the other engine. If the timing belt gets cut ...your engine is safe ..just belt replacement. If the timing chain in the newer engine cuts....there will be serious damage to the engine. Then what? ...just sharing my reasoning.

In your years of experience you don hear say timing chain cut?

If timing belt cut your 3.3L 3MZ go suffer catastrophic internal damage.

O

nurey:
In your years of experience you don hear say timing chain cut?

If timing belt cut your 3.3L 3MZ go suffer catastrophic internal damage.

Cut..break.... and like mine ...belt worn. I heard other things too ....but I'm not going to say! But from my years of driving experience ... I'll defend my take on making engine capacity a deciding factor based on use of the vehicle....and terrain. My other stuff .... just fluff !