Used 1998 Toyota Sienna Consumer Reviews
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pazeredo, 06/22/2012
1998 Toyota Sienna LE 3dr Minivan
11 of 12 people found this review helpful
Shortly after we bought this car the transmission died. We replaced it with another sienna tranny, then that died. So we got another one, and by 170,000 miles it was on its way out, refusing to leave 1st gear until 40mph. As other users have stated, the exterior door handles break off. Our interior handles (backseats) died around 170,000 miles, so I rigged up the trunk to open from the inside. The window motors died by 100,000 miles, and the radio and AC died around the same time. The engine only had about 4 of the 6 cylinders working when it finally died. Despite all of these things, the car held up in my family for 13 years and 4 different drivers, and with care, treated us well.
Solid but not spectacular
Jose, 12/28/2009
1998 Toyota Sienna XLE 4dr Minivan
6 of 6 people found this review helpful
Bought this van from elderly lady with 97k. Leather seats were cracked and ripped. Sliding door handles were loose or broken. Stereo buttons were missing as well. Door hinge hardware partially removed (large sized lady). Drivetrain was in excellent condition. Quiet but underpowered v6 (in my opinion) and smooth shifting transmission made driving pleasant. Seats were comfortable (except for rear bench seats). Well designed interior, though a bit cramped. I had to replace window motors and a/c condenser and brakes. Tire pressure monitor/sensor drove me nuts! Don't get me started on rattling doors and those darn dash rattles/squeaks!
Keeps on tickin'
toyotavan lover, 10/27/2010
1998 Toyota Sienna XLE 4dr Minivan
6 of 6 people found this review helpful
Bought this van brand new in 1998 while pregnant with my second child. Now 2 kids more have been raised with this van, and it continues to run on the original engine. Very few repairs other than things you expect, like shock/struts replaced. Kept up with oil changes and maintenance and it has been the most reliable thing I have ever owned. Once again, as others, have replaced those darn door handles x all four over the years. Just bought a brand new 2011 sienna, but couldn't give up this one.
Exteriors
Rick, 08/17/2009
1998 Toyota Sienna XLE 4dr Minivan
5 of 5 people found this review helpful
The Sienna leaves a lot to be desired in the exterior construction - namely door handles that break off. I have had 3 door handles basically disintegrate on this vehicle. They literally break off the door. Poor design and or weak materials. I have never in my life owned a car with door handles that break apart. This is a definite design flaw which they should correct.
Long live my car!
amrippy, 02/06/2013
1998 Toyota Sienna LE 3dr Minivan
8 of 9 people found this review helpful
My mom bought this car new and I inherited it at 16. I keep saying I'll get a new car when it dies - but it just won't die! The sliding doors stopped working almost immediately (5 years). One won't open at all and the other child locks itself every time it closes. I had them fixed once, but that only lasted about a year before they quit again. At about the 10 year mark, my AC went out. After that things have started to fall apart slowly. I've replaced the battery twice in the last 4 years, had to have a new radiator put in, had an oxygen sensor go out, the thermometer broke, and my armrest regularly breaks. For a 15 year old car though, she's sure still kickin (almost 200,000 miles now)!
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