What is the difference between a car broker and a concierge?

While traditional brokers are often incentivized by dealerships through kickbacks, Car Buying Buddy is a concierge service that works exclusively for you. Howard brings professional advocacy to your side, using dealer invoice data and a private network to find the best deal with your interests as the sole priority.

How much does Howard's service cost and when do I pay?

We charge a transparent $295 flat fee. Importantly, you only pay if you decide to buy the car Howard negotiated for you. The dealer network search and initial price quotes are always 100% free, ensuring a risk-free experience for our clients.

How much can I realistically save on a new vehicle?

On average, our clients save over $4,000 off the MSRP. Savings depend on the specific make, model, and market availability, but Howard's deep understanding of dealer margins and inventory levels guarantees you receive the absolute best price available.

What brands do you work with and do you handle used cars?

We specialize exclusively in new vehicles across all dealer brands, including Toyota, Subaru, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz. Please note that we do not work with used cars, nor do we provide services for Tesla or Rivian models at this time.

Do I have to live in the Bay Area to use Car Buying Buddy?

While Howard is based in Milpitas, CA, our concierge services are available to remote clients across California and nationwide. The entire negotiation process is seamlessly handled via phone and email, allowing you to secure a premium deal from anywhere.

Toyota Sienna vs. Honda Odyssey: What Bay Area Families Should Expect When Shopping in 2026

Howard

5 days ago

4 min read

Quick answer: The 2026 Toyota Sienna is the more efficient minivan (hybrid-only, about 35–36 mpg combined) but the harder one to buy, with low supply and occasional dealer markups. The 2026 Honda Odyssey uses more fuel (a V6 rated 22 mpg combined) but is far easier to find and gives Bay Area buyers real negotiating room.

Last updated September 23, 2026 · By Howard, founder of Car Buying Buddy (Milpitas, CA)

Key takeaways

The Toyota Sienna had about 22 days of supply in California in September 2026 (CarEdge); expect MSRP at best.
The Honda Odyssey had more than 13,500 new listings nationally, averaging about 60 days on market, with a median asking price around $45,187 (CarWhere, August 2026).
Consumer Reports lists the 2026 Odyssey at $42,795–$51,695 and the 2026 Sienna at $40,820–$58,210.
At 12,000 miles a year, the Sienna uses about 200 fewer gallons of gas than the Odyssey.

What is it like shopping for a Sienna vs. an Odyssey?

Toyota Sienna: CarEdge's September 2026 data shows about 22 days of supply in California. In practice that can mean deposits, waitlists, trims "in transit," and occasional "market adjustments" or pre-installed packages. See Toyota Sienna dealer markups in the Bay Area.

Honda Odyssey: CarWhere's August 2026 snapshot counted more than 13,500 new Odysseys listed nationally, averaging about 60 days on market. More inventory sitting longer means dealers are more willing to deal, especially near model-year changeover.

How do the Toyota Sienna and Honda Odyssey compare?

2026 Toyota Sienna	2026 Honda Odyssey
Powertrain	Hybrid, 245 hp	3.5L V6, 280 hp
Combined mpg	About 35–36	22
All-wheel drive	Available	Not available (FWD only)
Seating	7 or 8, depending on trim	Up to 8
Price range (Consumer Reports)	$40,820–$58,210	$42,795–$51,695
Supply	About 22 days in California	13,500+ listings, ~60 days on market

Sources: Consumer Reports, TrueCar Sienna specs, EPA Odyssey fuel economy.

How much gas does the Sienna save over the Odyssey?

At 12,000 miles a year, the Odyssey uses roughly 545 gallons and the Sienna roughly 340 — about 200 gallons a year difference. Multiply that by your local gas price to see your yearly savings. Over five or more years it adds up, but only if you don't give it back in a markup up front.

Which minivan should you choose?

Choose the Toyota Sienna if fuel savings and AWD matter, you drive a lot of miles, and you'll flex on trim or color to buy at MSRP.
Choose the Honda Odyssey if you want to buy soon, value a smooth V6 and 8-passenger seating, and want room to negotiate below sticker.
Deciding between a minivan and an SUV? See the Grand Highlander vs. Palisade Hybrid comparison.

How does Car Buying Buddy help minivan buyers?

Car Buying Buddy has recently closed deals on both a Toyota Sienna and a Honda Odyssey for Bay Area families. For the Sienna, the work is finding the right unit across multiple Northern California dealers at MSRP without add-ons. For the Odyssey, it's pushing the price below sticker and cleaning up the paperwork. Either way, you get the out-the-door price in writing before you visit. Have a trade-in? Keep it out of the conversation until the price is set.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Toyota Sienna or Honda Odyssey easier to buy in the Bay Area? The Honda Odyssey, by a wide margin. The Toyota Sienna had about 22 days of supply in California in September 2026 (CarEdge), while the Odyssey had more than 13,500 new listings nationally averaging about 60 days on market in August 2026 (CarWhere).

How much gas does the Toyota Sienna save compared with the Honda Odyssey? The 2026 Toyota Sienna hybrid is rated about 35 to 36 mpg combined; the 2026 Honda Odyssey V6 is rated 22 mpg combined. At 12,000 miles a year, the Sienna uses roughly 200 fewer gallons of gas per year.

Does the 2026 Honda Odyssey have all-wheel drive or a hybrid option? No. The 2026 Honda Odyssey is front-wheel drive with a gas V6. The 2026 Toyota Sienna is hybrid-only and offers all-wheel drive.

Can you negotiate on a Toyota Sienna in the Bay Area? Usually there is little room on price, and some dealers add markups or packages. The realistic goal is MSRP with no add-ons, found by getting written quotes from several dealers at once.

About the author

Howard is the founder of Car Buying Buddy, a flat-fee new-car buying concierge based in Milpitas, California, with 19+ years of vehicle-buying experience. He negotiates new-car deals across the Bay Area dealer network on the buyer's behalf for a flat $295, charged only if the client buys. Car Buying Buddy takes no commissions or kickbacks from dealers.

Sources: market data reflects the September 2026 sources linked in this article. Supply and pricing change month to month; Car Buying Buddy re-checks live inventory on every client search.