The Sienna lasted 37 months, the lease ended, and we replaced her with a RAV4. The children are big enough that the large and not particularly economical minivan (average 15 mpg and four brake jobs over 45,000 miles) is now replaced with a smaller but more economical SUV. So far we've averaged 23 mpg over 6500 miles including a trip to the beach. We were able to fit the kids and all of our stuff inside with room to spare. One cool feature of the RAV4 is an optional 3rd row seat. There isn't much room in the 3rd row, but children and youth of varying sized have sat back there on numerous outings and we've not heard a complaint. A replacement for the minivan was going to cost $32,000, so the RAVS $24,000 sticker was more palatable to our already stretched family budget. I'm still driving the Silverado and it continues to serve me well. I've averaged 18 mpg and have had to replace the transmission (warranty) and I've had trouble with the brakes. I'm beginning to think that the brake problems are not really brake problems but coming to terms with moving from the relative flatlands of Louisiana to the southern end of the Appalachians (I do live in the shadow of "Shades Mountain") of north central Alabama. I'll occasionally kick tires but the Silverado still holds more practical appeal than anything else I've considered. Plus, I'm always hauling stuff around. Right now there is an exercise bike in the back and later today I'll probably take a load of furniture to Goodwill Industries.
