Toyota Alphard - anyone got one?
Discussion
Hello
Looking at Toyota Alphard as a mountain bike transporter and to use as an occasional campervan (without conversion). I like the idea of folding the seats and putting mattress topper on and having an instant campervan.
2.4 engine appeals due to relative simplicity and chain driven however have read many people prefer the V6 and later face-lift model with 5 speed gearbox.
Currently do all my own servicing so not afraid of getting stuck in fixing bits but they seem to be very reliable on the whole.
Would be interested to hear from any owners!
Cheers
Looking at Toyota Alphard as a mountain bike transporter and to use as an occasional campervan (without conversion). I like the idea of folding the seats and putting mattress topper on and having an instant campervan.
2.4 engine appeals due to relative simplicity and chain driven however have read many people prefer the V6 and later face-lift model with 5 speed gearbox.
Currently do all my own servicing so not afraid of getting stuck in fixing bits but they seem to be very reliable on the whole.
Would be interested to hear from any owners!
Cheers
Thanks for your reply. I am leaning more towards the V6 due to similar MPG as the 2.4 but more power and refinement. I understand the face-lift models have a 5spd gearbox too.
Good to know parts are readily available too. The V6 would need cambelt and waterpump doing if not evidenced already in service history.
Thinking of engaging an agent to import one also. Jap Auto Agent seems highly recommended.
Good to know parts are readily available too. The V6 would need cambelt and waterpump doing if not evidenced already in service history.
Thinking of engaging an agent to import one also. Jap Auto Agent seems highly recommended.
No personal experience but had 2 good friends who had Alphards and El Grands. The Toyota is top in terms of quality of build and finish.
He had the V6 one and he loved it, only thing is in any form, they're horrendous on fuel so that needs to be taken into account. I'd buy a UK landed car rather than import but if you do import there's lots of cheaper importers out there than Torque GT (who are good btw) with access to the same stock
He had the V6 one and he loved it, only thing is in any form, they're horrendous on fuel so that needs to be taken into account. I'd buy a UK landed car rather than import but if you do import there's lots of cheaper importers out there than Torque GT (who are good btw) with access to the same stock
The Alphard is a lovely car. Definitely go for the v6 if you will be doing motorway driving. The facelift v6 is a better bet as it has a 5 speed auto rather than 4 speed. You can tell the difference from the rear lights.
Ideally go for an MZ-G edition (if you are looking at a mk1 Alphard) as it is the top of the range model. Some of the top spec ones have stuff like 360 degree cameras etc. They also look better with the factory fit aero, although there are a few different versions of the aero!
Ideally go for an MZ-G edition (if you are looking at a mk1 Alphard) as it is the top of the range model. Some of the top spec ones have stuff like 360 degree cameras etc. They also look better with the factory fit aero, although there are a few different versions of the aero!
Thanks all! I am also looking at Elgrands. Interesting that the Toyota seems better built. At my price point (£5-6k) the Elgrand seems better value as 5spd as standard and no cam belt to factor in, although do need to factor in rear cat work but that seems cheap from what I have read. Some for sale already have this done....
Fuel not a massive issue as won't be daily driving / commuting!
Have looked at beforward.jp but I think these are just dealer forecourt cars rather than auction vetted? Open to a private sale here too from previous owners. I have joined Facebook groups for both Alphard and Elgrand and they are extremely useful.
Fuel not a massive issue as won't be daily driving / commuting!
Have looked at beforward.jp but I think these are just dealer forecourt cars rather than auction vetted? Open to a private sale here too from previous owners. I have joined Facebook groups for both Alphard and Elgrand and they are extremely useful.
My parents had the 2nd-gen Previa which is closely related. In that I felt the 2.4 AT drivetrain was fine, fit for purpose certainly when not heavily loaded. However the Alphard looks to be getting on for 20% heavier so I guess the V6 is probably the way to go unless you're happy to travel at a more relaxed pace.
They didn't have much trouble with the Previa, main issue was when the dealership replaced the battery with an undersized one causing it to go flat every week for a while. Oh, and my mum driving it into a flood and destroying the engine. But nothing you can really blame the car for, as reliable as you would expect a Toyota to be.
So based on that, I would imagine a well looked after Alphard would be a very good choice.
Edit - or you could downgrade to a Previa, would probably do the same job and potentially quite a lot cheaper. Not as JDM cool though.
They didn't have much trouble with the Previa, main issue was when the dealership replaced the battery with an undersized one causing it to go flat every week for a while. Oh, and my mum driving it into a flood and destroying the engine. But nothing you can really blame the car for, as reliable as you would expect a Toyota to be.
So based on that, I would imagine a well looked after Alphard would be a very good choice.
Edit - or you could downgrade to a Previa, would probably do the same job and potentially quite a lot cheaper. Not as JDM cool though.
Edited by samoht on Saturday 6th June 20:26
Thanks again all, you have definitely given me plenty to consider. I don't think i could be bothered with the faff of importing one myself and would rather purchase something that has been inspected or is in the UK already.
The Alphard facelift v6 seems slightly more expensive and less about than the Elgrand, plus i think I prefer the look of the Elgrand and the forums/owners club seems more active so probably easier to sort any issues if they crop up and source parts etc.
The Alphard facelift v6 seems slightly more expensive and less about than the Elgrand, plus i think I prefer the look of the Elgrand and the forums/owners club seems more active so probably easier to sort any issues if they crop up and source parts etc.
Been considering a JDM van myself and out of all of them I think I prefer the Honda Elysion. Don't think it's as big as the others and the seat folding system isn't as practical though. Comes in a 2.4, 3.0 that shuts one bank of cylinders off when cruising or a 3.5 out if the Legend.
For my needs I think I'd be better off with an Odyssey or a mk2 stream
For my needs I think I'd be better off with an Odyssey or a mk2 stream
Ive not had an alphard but had a few elgrands
Im currently selling my recently imported supercharged honda stepwagon which is a nice compromise.
Ive got a few friends who have import companies and i know one has a few nice alphards if you fancy a fresh import or some pointers feel free to pm me
Im currently selling my recently imported supercharged honda stepwagon which is a nice compromise.
Ive got a few friends who have import companies and i know one has a few nice alphards if you fancy a fresh import or some pointers feel free to pm me
I've put a deposit down on an '05 facelift Alphard! It's the "V" model, 6 seats, 3.0l V6 with bodykit.
It'll take a few weeks to register it for the UK. The dealer said that he'll service, MOT and "waxoil" it. I'm not sure if that includes a cambelt change but I'm going to ask him to to do this if it doesn't. He said that the sat-nav is still in Japanese, which I can live with.
The headlamps could do with a polish and clear-coat.
The interior reminds me of a MK2 Lexus RX300, which is no bad thing in my view.
It'll take a few weeks to register it for the UK. The dealer said that he'll service, MOT and "waxoil" it. I'm not sure if that includes a cambelt change but I'm going to ask him to to do this if it doesn't. He said that the sat-nav is still in Japanese, which I can live with.
The headlamps could do with a polish and clear-coat.
The interior reminds me of a MK2 Lexus RX300, which is no bad thing in my view.
That looks great, will polish up nicely too I think. What's the mileage? Engine appears to be non-interference https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0o-TXIWVHwg and 90k belt interval (150k kms) but may as well do it I guess as it's likely on its original from 15 yrs ago.
samoht said:
That looks great, will polish up nicely too I think. What's the mileage? Engine appears to be non-interference https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0o-TXIWVHwg and 90k belt interval (150k kms) but may as well do it I guess as it's likely on its original from 15 yrs ago.
Thank you for giving me the reassurance that a timing belt slip or break won't wreck the engine. Very informative.Ive had 11 elgrands and use an old one for work.
Ive a friend who has an import company and has bid on a few of the newer 3.5l ones for me . No luck yet.
I know if another reliable importer whos got 2 nice ones . Think theyre the 3l ones. Let me know if youd like some info.
Oh and be very careful if you go the beforward route
Ive a friend who has an import company and has bid on a few of the newer 3.5l ones for me . No luck yet.
I know if another reliable importer whos got 2 nice ones . Think theyre the 3l ones. Let me know if youd like some info.
Oh and be very careful if you go the beforward route
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