[Pete in Denver]

Brand new to this forum and doing some research before I buy a 3rd gen. I am the current owner of a beater 2nd gen - basically a backup car - and a one time owner of a manual transmission Previa!
I'm looking to buy an AWD, maybe 2014-2016, and I'd like to have it set up for trips to the snowy mountains in the winter and decent handling and looks in the summer. I will put snow tires on the stock wheels and get some good looking 19s with all season tires for summer. I'll probably go for the same wheel and tire size as the SE but with less offset so they are closer to flush with the fender. I'll figure that out later.

My question for now is related to ride height. My research tells me that the AWD models ride a bit higher than the FWD models and the Se rides a little lower. Is there any system out there that would let me ride at stock height (high) in the winter then lower than stock (maybe a little lower than the SE) for summer? I am nervous about airbags. I'd like a simpler route. I know there are adjustable kits out there, but I think they go from low to lower. I want to go from high (stock AWD height) to slightly low. I would only change the setup once a year and would swap wheels at the same time.

Any ideas?

Thanks!

 

[klausc]

The ground clearance is 6.5" for FWD and 6.6" for AWD. Not much of a difference. The SE is a bit lower at 6.2", but that is mostly due to stiffer springs. I don't think changing the ride height by less than 1/2 inch is worth any amount of money. The Sienna is already a snow plow in a 6 inch snow fall.

 

[Pete in Denver]

Hey, thanks for the reply. I think you are right. It would be nice to have the SE's tighter handling but for 1/2 inch of drop it is not worth the money - unless I have to replace springs anyway and that is unlikely. I will probably stick with stock for a while and see how it does in the winter. I still wish there was a coilover system out there that could be adjusted from higher-than-stock to lower-than-stock!

 

[CKav8r]

Hey, thanks for the reply. I think you are right. It would be nice to have the SE's tighter handling but for 1/2 inch of drop it is not worth the money - unless I have to replace springs anyway and that is unlikely. I will probably stick with stock for a while and see how it does in the winter. I still wish there was a coilover system out there that could be adjusted from higher-than-stock to lower-than-stock!

I'm sure there is a coilover system, but $$$$$$. You can do almost anything with a blank check!
I have a 2013 AWD XLE, with a set of 17" Blizzaks. It's great in the snow!