Hi All,

 

Been toying with the idea of buying a low mileage 2006-2008 3.0 litre Alphard as a partial replacement for our ageing Subaru Outback - I know that many of these vehicles have had a previously cosseted lifestyle, but given that those in my range are already 15 or 16 years old what should be a realistic future life expectancy based on other owner experiences here? (I'm thinking about degradation of anything rubber such as fuel/brake lines/suspension parts, breakdown of plastic components, bodywork corrosion etc).  Don't want to be spending £10-11k for potentially only a few years of use.

Ours is 2007. We only had it a year - so not much help! We certainly wouldn't swap back to a 'normal' car

I've just recently got a 2007 3.0 Alphard.  Which now sits along two 3.0 Outbacks.  Fair question you ask but if you're considering whole life costs,  a good 15 year old alphard will be in much nicer condition than most UK used cars at the £10k price point, especially given current prices.  Things will inevitably fail but it is easier to keep a mint car good than deal with your typical used and abused car. Lastly, a 10 series alphard is possibly the best equipped vehicle available without being too overloaded with all the unreliable  electronic rubbish of moderns.

Personal view! 

 

As a bonus the Alphard is less than half the road tax of the Outback. 

 

15 hours ago, Iain Chapman said:

Hi All,

 

Been toying with the idea of buying a low mileage 2006-2008 3.0 litre Alphard as a partial replacement for our ageing Subaru Outback - I know that many of these vehicles have had a previously cosseted lifestyle, but given that those in my range are already 15 or 16 years old what should be a realistic future life expectancy based on other owner experiences here? (I'm thinking about degradation of anything rubber such as fuel/brake lines/suspension parts, breakdown of plastic components, bodywork corrosion etc).  Don't want to be spending £10-11k for potentially only a few years of use.

 

Hi Iain,

 

Welcome to the Forum.

 

As the Alphie was introduced in 2002, there are none over 20 years old to use as a reference.

So if you do buy a 2006 or 2008 it won't be that long before it is 20 years old !

Isn't the Outback a Rough Roader, as opposed to an Off Roader.

Imho, the Aphie is a road car, not for any off road surfaces except camp sites and grassy hard shoulders.

 

Good luck with your hunt, and consider undersealing for protection as JDM vehicles do not need it.