Is it better to buy a Alphard from a dealer or…

[Martylaa]

Morning all, I’ve just discovered the Alphard Campers. After going round a couple of local places and seeing prices (seem to be around £25-£30k).  I’m now wondering if it’s better to source my own Toyota Alphard then find a reputable company to convert it for me.

 

I may be a bit clueless here but say I managed to snag a good Alphard for around £10k imported, then roughly would I be looking at another £5-£10k for the conversion? Basically pop up top, nice greyish interior with a wider bed and swivel passenger chair?

 

Looking forward to hearing some feedback.

[Rojie]

3 hours ago, Martylaa said:

Morning all, I’ve just discovered the Alphard Campers. After going round a couple of local places and seeing prices (seem to be around £25-£30k).  I’m now wondering if it’s better to source my own Toyota Alphard then find a reputable company to convert it for me.

 

I may be a bit clueless here but say I managed to snag a good Alphard for around £10k imported, then roughly would I be looking at another £5-£10k for the conversion? Basically pop up top, nice greyish interior with a wider bed and swivel passenger chair?

 

Looking forward to hearing some feedback.

 

Hello Martin,

 

Welcome to the Forum.

 

I respectfully suggest you do some more research on conversions, and their cost.

 

Firstly you need to decide what type of conversion best suits your needs.

What equipment will it need, bed, fridge, cooker, sink, toilet, etc. etc. Pop Top alone will be £4k or more.

 

Some convertors are better than others. Many only work on vans they source themselves.

The better ones tend, unsurprisingly, to charge more, and many are registered for VAT.

Don't forget to budget for the VAT !

 

The better convertors, that will work on your van tend to be very busy, so enquire about conversion leadtimes.

Sourcing parts has become more difficult this last year or so too.

 

There are many members who have imported their own vans.

Hopefully, some will respond to your thread.

 

Good luck with your search.

[Martylaa]

12 minutes ago, Rojie said:

 

Hello Martin,

 

Welcome to the Forum.

 

I respectfully suggest you do some more research on conversions, and their cost.

 

Firstly you need to decide what type of conversion best suits your needs.

What equipment will it need, bed, fridge, cooker, sink, toilet, etc. etc. Pop Top alone will be £4k or more.

 

Some convertors are better than others. Many only work on vans they source themselves.

The better ones tend, unsurprisingly, to charge more, and many are registered for VAT.

Don't forget to budget for the VAT !

 

The better convertors, that will work on your van tend to be very busy, so enquire about conversion leadtimes.

Sourcing parts has become more difficult this last year or so too.

 

There are many members who have imported their own vans.

Hopefully, some will respond to your thread.

 

Good luck with your search.

 

Yes thanks for the advice and I will of course do some more detailed research, managed to speak to a company near me and they recommend around £17k for a conversion alone, their work is very good and I know someone who had a camper converted by them and they were very happy.

[MayaLuna]

Hi Martin, I've just joined this forum and am thinking the same as yourself. I'm currently weighing up all the pros and cons of buying Alphards already in the UK or importing from Japan. As well as which model to import as there seem to be some models which are more accepted to convert and others which are harder to find companies to do the conversion and I would imagine to also find suitable flat packs for. Interested to know where you're at with your journey?

[Rojie]

5 hours ago, MayaLuna said:

Hi Martin, I've just joined this forum and am thinking the same as yourself. I'm currently weighing up all the pros and cons of buying Alphards already in the UK or importing from Japan. As well as which model to import as there seem to be some models which are more accepted to convert and others which are harder to find companies to do the conversion and I would imagine to also find suitable flat packs for. Interested to know where you're at with your journey?

 

Hello Stephen,

 

Welcome to the Forum.

 

To my knowledge there are not many flatpack options available.

I cannot comment on your recent model, but there is a vendor in North Devon for flatpacks for previous versions.

[Alphard Club]

On 8/27/2022 at 3:08 PM, Martylaa said:

 

Yes thanks for the advice and I will of course do some more detailed research, managed to speak to a company near me and they recommend around £17k for a conversion alone, their work is very good and I know someone who had a camper converted by them and they were very happy.

I would shop around a bit more. I converted a vehicle twice the size and the materials were 6-7k so i cannot see labour being 10k

Fridge £600

Awning £600
Seating Foam and Faux Leather £600 (big 3 man seats x 2)

Electrics inc batteries £500
Woodwork by joiner £3k inc materials using vohringer & Poplar (done professionally)

Flooring £100
Gas box and bottle £200

Sink £120

Lots of nicknacks

 

A lot of these prices would apply to you but the woodwork i had done is both sides of van. You would have a lot less woodwork

 

If you want a pop top then these are probably in the region of 3k fitted.

A lot of these converters will overprice to match up with the current market. 

[Alphard Club]

6 hours ago, MayaLuna said:

Hi Martin, I've just joined this forum and am thinking the same as yourself. I'm currently weighing up all the pros and cons of buying Alphards already in the UK or importing from Japan. As well as which model to import as there seem to be some models which are more accepted to convert and others which are harder to find companies to do the conversion and I would imagine to also find suitable flat packs for. Interested to know where you're at with your journey?

 

Hi Stephen.. another local member.

I see people some peole would only buy from a dealer with a fresh import.

I recently sold an alphard with bags of history but when i bought the car as a fresh import it had no history. I would rather buy an alphard that has a few years MOT history and service history, that way you know the car is good as it has had a few years history behind it.

Trick is, if your gut feeling is bad, then walk away.

Also make sure the last think you check is the vx report, this will show you all the past recalls, inspections, when it was auctioned (they auction used cars a lot) and you can see the car condition reports everytime it gets auctioned, which will show the last auction before it came over. that way you can really check to see if it has had any damage.

Do some research on these reports as they use code numbers on each blemish which tells you the depeth of the damage. Its complex but very informative.

Don't be scared off with them, very good car indeed, just need to make sure you get the right one. 

One last thing, Usually as soon as imports come to this country, within 6 months rubbers start to fail because the roads here are shocking here compared to Japans roads. A used UK Alphard would show this up and more than likely already had these replaced. i.e Rear Axle Bushes, Droplinks, Wishbone bushes, steering rack bush. Both cars I had needed some of these after 6 months. Not the cars fault but our roads and A lot of Alphards would have original bushes. Rear Axle Bushes are always the first.

 

see my guide here: 

 

 

 

[Rojie]

I agree entirely with Steve.

17k is a lot for a conversion.

 

Of course, it depends on your specification, although some convertors adopt the attitude of 'this is what we do. take it or leave it".

 

One thing to consider is the compromise between an experienced convertor with a significant financial turnover and therefore legally compelled to charge you VAT; hence, effectively a 20 percent surcharge, or a qualified carpenter / electrician that will not be obliged to levy VAT.

 

The latter may not have the experience, and competence you will need !

 

I located such a rare, talented craftsman, who, unfortunately no longer undertakes conversions.

I could provide you with the details, privately, on the understanding that he will almost certainly decline your business.

Were he to agree to undertake your work I expect you would save 50 percent of a 17k budget.

 

A key decision is pop top or not; as they are expensive. My guess would be 5k minimum !

[Alphard Club]

3 minutes ago, Rojie said:

I agree entirely with Steve.

17k is a lot for a conversion.

 

Of course, it depends on your specification, although some convertors adopt the attitude of 'this is what we do. take it or leave it".

 

One thing to consider is the compromise between an experienced convertor with a significant financial turnover and therefore legally compelled to charge you VAT; hence, effectively a 20 percent surcharge, or a qualified carpenter / electrician that will not be obliged to levy VAT.

 

The latter may not have the experience, and competence you will need !

 

I located such a rare, talented craftsman, who, unfortunately no longer undertakes conversions.

I could provide you with the details, privately, on the understanding that he will almost certainly decline your business.

Were he to agree to undertake your work I expect you would save 50 percent of a 17k budget.

 

A key decision is pop top or not; as they are expensive. My guess would be 5k minimum !

 

Agree with roger on the 20%

 

A good carpenter with a plan in his hand and decent lightweight materials and fittings could do the job and if its cash in hand do it for the right price.

 

If you want a converter then shop around and play the game to get best deal.