Seeing My Childhood Minivan on Bring a Trailer Was Unexpected
Bring a Trailer (BaT) is known for its diverse listings, from pristine classics to somewhat obscure vehicles. But nothing quite hit home like seeing a first-generation Toyota Sienna on the auction site. It brought back a flood of memories.
I’ve spent countless miles in a facelifted first-gen Sienna. My family owned one, and now, here’s one up for auction, sparking a strange mix of feelings. This 2003 Toyota Sienna CE is certainly worthy of the BaT spotlight. These minivans usually get used hard, so a 65,000-mile example is a rare find, even with some cosmetic imperfections like a ding on the front passenger door. Though the $12,500 hammer price seemed a bit rich.
Living in Colorado or Montana likely helped preserve the underbody. Beneath, the exhaust system showed some corrosion, but the rest looked good—a stark contrast to the rust-prone vehicles of the Northeast. Even the steel spare wheel looked good. This particular Sienna CE is painted Denim Blue, a slightly unusual color that looks great on the van. Its blue instrument cluster dials give you a hint of what the 200-horsepower three-liter quad-cam 1MZ-FE V6 engine and four-speed automatic transmission can do.
The interior is also a blast of the past. The seats are upholstered in a checked velour that’s quite comfortable, and the Sienna was known as a place where quite a few arguments occurred, and maybe not this one in particular, because the carpet doesn’t look like a Jackson Pollock painting, but still. Sitting in this Sienna is a uniquely nostalgic experience. I remember the removable seats, the blank buttons on the lower dashboard, the pop-out vent window handles, the smooth purr of the engine, and that massive windscreen. I also remember how frustrating our Sienna could be, thanks to never-ending emissions system issues and a few knock sensors.
Nostalgia is a funny thing; you can’t control what feelings it triggers. It’s strange seeing this specific model Sienna on BaT, but I’m sure it will bring someone a lot of joy. That’s what this hobby is all about, isn’t it? You don’t have to understand why someone likes a particular car. It’s all about enjoyment. Let people celebrate the memories they have, because those memories are uniquely their own.
