Gen 3 vs Gen 2? any proud Gen 3 owners?

[Teekay]

Guys any proud Gen 3 owners who can share there experience?

 

Gen 3 vs Gen 2, we can read up specs differences but what is the "wise man speak" on this? How these two compare? Is it worth saving up for Gen 3? Sometimes older models are even better. 

 

It might be less likely but any proud owners or first hand experience of Lexus version of Alphard? I'm asking for too much here ☺️

[Rojie]

57 minutes ago, Teekay said:

Guys any proud Gen 3 owners who can share there experience?

 

Gen 3 vs Gen 2, we can read up specs differences but what is the "wise man speak" on this? How these two compare? Is it worth saving up for Gen 3? Sometimes older models are even better. 

 

It might be less likely but any proud owners or first hand experience of Lexus version of Alphard? I'm asking for too much here ☺️

 

Hasn't the Lexus just been announced ?

It will certainly be too pricey for me.

Will it be officially imported to the UK ?

 

[Teekay]

48 minutes ago, Rojie said:

 

Hasn't the Lexus just been announced ?

It will certainly be too pricey for me.

Will it be officially imported to the UK ?

 

Indeed only couple of years back. It is highly unlikely someone in this group has LM 350 or LM 300h but not assuming 

 

I'll be over the top if can grab a 2015 Alphard model.. Let's see. I'm thinking rather save stretch and buy once this..

[Rojie]

4 hours ago, Teekay said:

Indeed only couple of years back. It is highly unlikely someone in this group has LM 350 or LM 300h but not assuming 

 

I'll be over the top if can grab a 2015 Alphard model.. Let's see. I'm thinking rather save stretch and buy once this..

 

There's a dealer near Heathrow that tends to import the later models of Alphards and other JDM (including European made vehicles)

Send me a PM if you need to know.

[Teekay]

8 minutes ago, Rojie said:

 

There's a dealer near Heathrow that tends to import the later models of Alphards and other JDM (including European made vehicles)

Send me a PM if you need to know.

Thanks but looking at the paperwork, taxes and prices I'm thinking I'm also unlikely to go for such a new vehicle. 10-12 years old is the sweet spot it seems 👍

[Rojie]

2 hours ago, Teekay said:

Thanks but looking at the paperwork, taxes and prices I'm thinking I'm also unlikely to go for such a new vehicle. 10-12 years old is the sweet spot it seems 👍

 

Ten years old (or more) is what most of us do.

Plenty of choice too.

[Teekay]

I keep wondering how can we increase membership of this forum..

[Rojie]

5 minutes ago, Teekay said:

I keep wondering how can we increase membership of this forum..

 

Hi again,

 

The membership is increasing steadily; especially as the importation of Alphard seems to be booming.

They are, as most of us know, very good value.

The prime purpose of the Forum is self help, and mutual help.

The Forum is not a commercial site, and does not promote itself (yet, at least).

 

As the Handbooks published by Toyota are all in Japanese there is a real need for mutual help.

Google translate can be used on the Toyota Handbooks, but it is extremely tedious; and the manuals are so, so comprehensive.

Just understanding the head unit can be a major challenge for all new owners, including me. 

Their are no English language Maintenance Manuals available (yet).

Chris.ac is very adept at searching out maintenance information from Russia, Malaysia and other territories where Alphards are sold by Toyota.

 

I would strongly advise ALL members, new and 'older', to purchase the appropriate English language Owners Manual by JPNZ via ebay.

They are about £25 each.

 

I am assured I will be one of the first to know when Maintenance Manuals by JPNZ are available.

 

Thanks for your thoughts on growing the membership, all suggestions considered !

 

As a footnote, I'll try and find out what the membership actually is.

 

[Teekay]

16 minutes ago, Rojie said:

 

Hi again,

 

The membership is increasing steadily; especially as the importation of Alphard seems to be booming.

They are, as most of us know, very good value.

The prime purpose of the Forum is self help, and mutual help.

The Forum is not a commercial site, and does not promote itself (yet, at least).

 

As the Handbooks published by Toyota are all in Japanese there is a real need for mutual help.

Google translate can be used on the Toyota Handbooks, but it is extremely tedious; and the manuals are so, so comprehensive.

Just understanding the head unit can be a major challenge for all new owners, including me. 

Their are no English language Maintenance Manuals available (yet).

Chris.ac is very adept at searching out maintenance information from Russia, Malaysia and other territories where Alphards are sold by Toyota.

 

I would strongly advise ALL members, new and 'older', to purchase the appropriate English language Owners Manual by JPNZ via ebay.

They are about £25 each.

 

I am assured I will be one of the first to know when Maintenance Manuals by JPNZ are available.

 

Thanks for your thoughts on growing the membership, all suggestions considered !

 

As a footnote, I'll try and find out what the membership actually is.

 

Who is running the forum actually? Are there admins who can answer such questions? Also do they moderate? Don't mean anything..just curious 

[Rojie]

1 hour ago, Teekay said:

Who is running the forum actually? Are there admins who can answer such questions? Also do they moderate? Don't mean anything.  .just curious 

 

My view is, it is the Membership that is running the Forum.

 

The owner is Alphard Club.

He is assisted by two Moderators

MonsterS and myself (fairly recently).

 

We do Moderate, censor, delete, edit and take other actions; such as (trying) to keep threads focused on topic.

The 'free style' of this Forum can make that quite a challenge.

 

On membership, there have been over 750 New Introductions.

There were about 500 when I joined last June.

So reasonable growth, imho, considering the relative rarity of Alphies and Vellies.

My guess is we have many more members who, to date, have chosen not to formally introduce themselves.

 

I will try to discover the number of (active) members; that is not to say I will disclose it !

I even have to censor myself sometimes !

 

As this Forum is not for Commercial purposes, that is my normal area of Moderation, and that is very infrequently.

 

Thanks for your interests, and those of all other members.

 

Happy Advanturing,  Rojie.

[kinging]

Going back to the post, I have driven a Gen3 Alphard when holiday in Japan.
In my opinion it is much more modern and refined then Gen2, you get better chassis, seats, technologies, looks (personal), etc...
The only downside is the cost, I think they start from £30000 in the UK, where a decent late year low milage Gen2 maybe around £20000.
If your budge allows then get Gen3, otherwise Gen2 is still very good.
If you search TM Trading which I think have a London showroom, you can probably have a look around and get test drive, etc... and experience yourself. They should have a few Gen3 Alphard/Vellfire.

[Teekay]

3 hours ago, kinging said:

Going back to the post, I have driven a Gen3 Alphard when holiday in Japan.
In my opinion it is much more modern and refined then Gen2, you get better chassis, seats, technologies, looks (personal), etc...
The only downside is the cost, I think they start from £30000 in the UK, where a decent late year low milage Gen2 maybe around £20000.
If your budge allows then get Gen3, otherwise Gen2 is still very good.
If you search TM Trading which I think have a London showroom, you can probably have a look around and get test drive, etc... and experience yourself. They should have a few Gen3 Alphard/Vellfire.

TM trading seemed like genuine and large seller. Might be worth stopping by.

 

"Crystal Ball" question - with recession / slow down heading our way, is it possible we might be drop in prices in coming months / post summer months

[Rojie]

On 5/9/2022 at 1:29 PM, Teekay said:

TM trading seemed like genuine and large seller. Might be worth stopping by.

 

"Crystal Ball" question - with recession / slow down heading our way, is it possible we might be drop in prices in coming months / post summer months

 

Price drop ? Imho, no.

 

I believe we will see price pressure as more and more discover how good these vehicles are; a true luxury MPV.

 

 

If petrol prices go horrendous, that, imho, could depress prices by lowering demand.

 

[Guyver]

In my opinion, if you have the cash, go for Alphard SC 2020 above (main reason the radio), less cash, 2018-2019, even less 2015 - 2017. All 2015 to 2022 rides the same. if you want to go for the 20 series, then go for the Vellfire. You can't really feel the 100cc difference (2.5 Vs 2.4), but psychologically you will have that nagging feeling (for me anyway). But which ever one you choose, remember this car is a people mover, not a sports car. don't expect the same performance as your sedan car. Once you accept that, this car is an excellent car to drive, my only regret is that i will never be able to sit in the pilot seat as I am always the driver.