Advice needed: Which Alphard should I choose

[justin_n]

Hi, 

 

I'm new to the forum and would like to know which Alphard variant I should be trying to find. 

 

Which is the most reliable and best fuel consumption. There is the 2.4, 3.0 and which generation before 2009 or after 2009? 90% of the time this will be used as a family car doing short runs.

 

My budget is max £10k. I am looking for a comfy 7 seater Toyota.

 

 

 

Also I previously owned a Hilux 3.0d4d auto. Does an Alphard have similar reliability?

 

 

thank you

[Rojie]

4 hours ago, justin_n said:

Hi, 

 

I'm new to the forum and would like to know which Alphard variant I should be trying to find. 

 

Which is the most reliable and best fuel consumption. There is the 2.4, 3.0 and which generation before 2009 or after 2009? 90% of the time this will be used as a family car doing short runs.

 

My budget is max £10k. I am looking for a comfy 7 seater Toyota.

 

 

 

Also I previously owned a Hilux 3.0d4d auto. Does an Alphard have similar reliability?

 

 

thank you

 

Hi Justin,

 

Welcome to the Forum.

 

What is known as the Gen 1 ran from 2003 to July 2008, with a facelifted upgrade in 2005.

Several cosmetic changes were implemented. The gearbox of the 3 litre was increased from 4 to 5 speeds.

I think the 2.4 remained 4 speed.

 

Gen 2 from 2008 to 2015 is a very similar vehicle but with different body panels, seats and larger engines.

I believe there was a facelift in 2011.

 

Seven seaters are available in both models.

 

There are not many Gen 3 vehicles around yet, so my comments do not refer to that model.

 

Being a Toyota, all Alphards and Vellfires, imho, are equally reliable. Whether that is better, or worst, than a Hilux I have no idea !

 

At your budget you should have a large choice of Gen 1 vans, and some early Gen 2 ones too (just).

There are all petrol, no diesels. Quiet and vibration free (almost).

 

I feel sure you'll receive many other opinions from experienced users.

 

Good Luck.

 

 

The only concern some owners have about the 3 litre V6 is the cams are belt driven. The other engines are chain driven

 

 

[dezufo]

As Rojie has stated above, although the 3.0L has a cam belt the engine is a non interference so if the belt should go west there will be no damage to valves/piston heads. Fuel consumption depends on your driving style and there is very little difference between the 2.4 or 3.0 but as a family car doing short runs the 2.4L would better suited

[sumogogg]

Sorry to revive an old thread but I am in a similiar quandry to OP. I was considering a gen 1 Alphard, but I would like to get a really good one, and the cost for that seems to be around 10 - 12K. However - to get an early gen 2 Alphard/Vellfire doesnt seem to cost that much more. As the gen 1 ended production 16 years ago, 10 - 12k seems to me to be lot of money for an older model car that is quite expensive to run?

 

So - I am wondering if I should be investing in a Gen 2 over a Gen 1 ? Is the Gen 2 considered better or worse overall? Are people starting to migrate over to the gen 2 over time? For me the only key downside to a gen 2 seems to be that the seats are not as flexible - specifically that the middle seats are not rotatable. Any other thoughts on the gen 2 vs gen 1, other downsides/upsides to either version? 

 

Just to compare with Nissan - its interesting that the E51 Elgrand is still popular, but the next gen E52 it seems is not as popular, as it is more car based than MPV. But the gen 2 Alphard/Vellfire is still similar to gen 1 and still an MPV. 

 

[Lou]

Hi,

 

I was in similar position at some point.

Few questions to answer.

 

Are you fussy about the vehicle age? Yes Then go to Gen 2, if not proceed to Gen 1 face lift 3.0(5 speed gearbox) unless doing short runs then 2,4 gen 1 any year you like.

 

If you get Gen 2 go for 3.5 (6 sp auto gearbox)unless you really use van on short distance in the city.

2.4 gen 2 has CVT gearbox which is something that some people complain about. 

 

Best advice is to go for the nearest dealer and have a drive in each to compare.

 

Cheers 

Lukasz 

[sumogogg]

2 hours ago, Lou said:

Hi,

 

I was in similar position at some point.

Few questions to answer.

 

Are you fussy about the vehicle age? Yes Then go to Gen 2, if not proceed to Gen 1 face lift 3.0(5 speed gearbox) unless doing short runs then 2,4 gen 1 any year you like.

 

If you get Gen 2 go for 3.5 (6 sp auto gearbox)unless you really use van on short distance in the city.

2.4 gen 2 has CVT gearbox which is something that some people complain about. 

 

Best advice is to go for the nearest dealer and have a drive in each to compare.

 

Cheers 

Lukasz 

Thanks - I wasn't aware of that with the CVT. It would be used more for weekends/day van/day trip type use - occasional short trips. I don't mind too much on age - though the Gen 2 defintely looks more 'modern' whereas the Gen 1 is starting to have an older looking design (not that it really matters too much). I would be happy with either Gen 1 or 2 - I was just a bit put off by the high prices that seem to exist for these old cars, even for a basic model, and wondered if a Gen 2 might be a better long term option as it should (in theory) hold value better being a newer model. 

 

The big Gen 2 downside for me is I really wanted those rotatable middle seats 🙂

[sumogogg]

Also another Gen 2 question I can't seem to find an answer to - in the 8 seater (middle row bench) version - can the middle and rear seats fold flat to be an 'almost' bed like it can in the Gen 1 ?