First time buyer advice

[Wirish]

Hi,

 

im 90% certain I want a 2.4l Aphard 2008. 8 seater. I have 2 lingering questions - what are the running costs like I’m trying to get a handle on fuel efficiency. And secondly on the second row I believe I can get 3 child seats (kids are 6,4 and due Oct) but am I right. Test drive one the other day and loved it. 
 

Thanks in advance. 

[Liam]

Insurance isn't cheap most I've ever paid for a car and my mpg over 20 months ownership is 18.53 average. Low of 13.44 and high of 30.33. The only bad point of this car so far is the running cost but I wouldn't sell it lol

[Wirish]

Thanks Liam, appreciate the time, 18 is a lot lower than I was anticipating. But the space the vehicle gives is hard to beat 

[Rojie]

15 minutes ago, Wirish said:

Thanks Liam, appreciate the time, 18 is a lot lower than I was anticipating. But the space the vehicle gives is hard to beat 

 

18 sounds very low to me.

 

There is a Megathread on this Forum where many owners have reported the mileages they have achieved.

 

Certainly worth a read.

 

[Wirish]

Thanks I’ll seek that out. 

[Trx]

Must admit I have never got less than 20 mpg but then again I dont dash.

[kev1839]

Fuel costs all depend on driving style and how you use the vehicle , longer runs will raise that figure . I do a lot of shorter urban runs so my average mpg is around 20-22 . As for insurance,again that's a person specific thing . I use Lifesure and not for the first time . I consider £225 fully comprehensive for the year pretty good .

[Liam]

My car does a lot of short hops on the school run so mpg is always lower then most. On a run it's 24-30. But winter and school run can see 15-18. Mines used everyday so mpg can be all over the place. I think a lot on here have campers so there mpg will always look better because it's not used for short trips 

[Rojie]

2 hours ago, kev1839 said:

Fuel costs all depend on driving style and how you use the vehicle , longer runs will raise that figure . I do a lot of shorter urban runs so my average mpg is around 20-22 . As for insurance,again that's a person specific thing . I use Lifesure and not for the first time . I consider £225 fully comprehensive for the year pretty good .

 

I think 225pa is excellent; but, I expect, your location helps.

[Richard Neale]

Hi

I have a 2003 2.4 Hybrid with 86K miles and if driven sensibly it easily exceeds 30mpg and on long runs 40+mpg. If you drive it hard and or on lots of short runs then the fuel economy will certainly take a hit. It is a very comfortable vehicle to drive and travel in, we were fortunate enough to have a choice of 3 vehicles to use, the Alphard, a Toyota Auris Hybrid and Mazda MX5 RF. For longer runs our choice is always the Alphard as it is so much more comfortable on motorways, especially with the elevated driving position. It has two ISO fixings in the first row of back seats and none in the rear most, so we can accommodate our 2 young grandchildren.  (I suspect the 2008 model is the same.) It may be possible to fit an adapter from behind the centre seat to provide the ISO fixing points, but you would need to satisfy yourself that this would provide the level of anchorage needed for the safety of your child.

I hope this helps.

[Wirish]

5 hours ago, Richard Neale said:

Hi

I have a 2003 2.4 Hybrid with 86K miles and if driven sensibly it easily exceeds 30mpg and on long runs 40+mpg. If you drive it hard and or on lots of short runs then the fuel economy will certainly take a hit. It is a very comfortable vehicle to drive and travel in, we were fortunate enough to have a choice of 3 vehicles to use, the Alphard, a Toyota Auris Hybrid and Mazda MX5 RF. For longer runs our choice is always the Alphard as it is so much more comfortable on motorways, especially with the elevated driving position. It has two ISO fixings in the first row of back seats and none in the rear most, so we can accommodate our 2 young grandchildren.  (I suspect the 2008 model is the same.) It may be possible to fit an adapter from behind the centre seat to provide the ISO fixing points, but you would need to satisfy yourself that this would provide the level of anchorage needed for the safety of your child.

I hope this helps.

Hi thanks Richard really helpful. 

[Wirish]

So been to see it again and almost purchased but I’m still unsure about 3 child seats on middle row - I couldn’t see how to securely fix a child seat - would really appreciate someone putting my mind at rest. Very thing else about the vehicle is perfect and I really want to buy. Thanks

[Rojie]

1 hour ago, Wirish said:

So been to see it again and almost purchased but I’m still unsure about 3 child seats on middle row - I couldn’t see how to securely fix a child seat - would really appreciate someone putting my mind at rest. Very thing else about the vehicle is perfect and I really want to buy. Thanks

 

Hello Huw,

 

I have a different model so cannot help you there, but ..

 

Why didn't you check for ISOFIX child seat latches on this second visit ?

Why didn't you ask the vendor ?

 

So, will you have a Gen 1 or Gen 2 vehicle ?

2008 was the changeover year.

 

I assume you have a Gen 1 version.

My answer only refers to the Gen 1 vehicle.

 

According to my copy of the JPNZ Owners Manual (every Gen 1 owner should have one) both the eight seater and the seven seater have ISOFIX child seat latches.

 

However, it appears that only the outer middle seats have the latches in the eight seater.

 

You really need to physically check the vehicle you hope to purchase

 

Take an ISOFIX child seat with you and observe it being fitted in all three middle seats.

 

Good Luck.

[Wirish]

3 minutes ago, Rojie said:

 

Hello Huw,

 

I have a different model so cannot help you there, but ..

 

Why didn't you check for ISOFIX child seat latches on this second visit ?

Why didn't you ask the vendor ?

 

So, will you have a Gen 1 or Gen 2 vehicle ?

2008 was the changeover year.

 

I assume you have a Gen 1 version.

My answer only refers to the Gen 1 vehicle.

 

According to my copy of the JPNZ Owners Manual (every Gen 1 owner should have one) both the eight seater and the seven seater have ISOFIX child seat latches.

 

However, it appears that only the outer middle seats have the latches in the eight seater.

 

You really need to physically check the vehicle you hope to purchase

 

Take an ISOFIX child seat with you and observe it being fitted in all three middle seats.

 

Good Luck.

I did check as that’s sensible and asked the vendor who is checking out and getting back to me; but thought I’d double check here too. The middle seat only has a lap belt rather than 3 point seatbelt. That carries issues and was wondering if existing owners had thoughts or ideas. I’m rubbish at cars so asking a daft question I know. It’s is Gen 1 version. 
 

Both the 2 outer seats both have isofix. 

[Rojie]

17 hours ago, Wirish said:

I did check as that’s sensible and asked the vendor who is checking out and getting back to me; but thought I’d double check here too. The middle seat only has a lap belt rather than 3 point seatbelt. That carries issues and was wondering if existing owners had thoughts or ideas. I’m rubbish at cars so asking a daft question I know. It’s is Gen 1 version. 
 

Both the 2 outer seats both have isofix. 

 

So I think you have the seats that can be reversed.

A one seat amd a one and a half judging by your comments re the lap belt.

I didn't think the Gen 2 comes with 8 seats but wasn't sure myself!

 

Lap belts are legal, but, imho, a bit iffy in an accident; but way better than no belt.

 

You luck in making your decision.

 

Happy Alpharding.

[pipsyp]

Have a 2008 2.4 that's had a rear kitchen and pop top conversion.  Retains the 3 seat 2nd row so still a full 5 seater.

 

Just drove it from the South Coast to North Yorkshire, loaded it did about 28 up, 27 on return, both ways plenty of stop start traffic.  I think 30 is possible with a light right foot and the right sort of run but I think high 20's is very good for a heavy 2.4 NA auto petrol.  It's not wonderful A to B though, I daily mine a fair bit and the previous tank which was mostly commuting to work and bumbling about came in at about 19 which is a bit heavy.  They definitely prefer a decent run.

 

I'm not anti Hybrid, but I personally wouldn't want one as whilst the tech was clever for the time it's not that wonderful now and adds quite a bit of complexity to a vehicle which (being a bit of an obscure Jap Import) can be quite challenging to fix when needed anyway.  The V6's are nice and I think I'd appreciate their extra go/effortless nature but the 2.4 is all the engine an Alphard needs IMHO.

 

I concur with others as well, to tax is good as it's a fixed amount being an import (215 a year, being over a 2.0 I think) but insurance is challenging.  Mines worse as it's a camper conversion so limits options that bit more but they definitely seem to be a harder, more expensive car to insure regardless of your age, driving history etc.  I don't think some insurers/underwriters will even touch them......I think it's in part down to them being challenging to repair if they ever end up in a fender bender!

 

 

Edited August 13, 2023 by pipsyp

[Wirish]

Thanks for all the advice and info. Have put deposit down today. Cheers guys. 

[pipsyp]

Just noted your point on the 3 child seats.  Not to burst the bubble but do be aware that the middle seat in the 2nd row only has a lap belt, not a 3 point harness so it really is no good for a child seat or high back booster.

 

The two main seats either side have full 3 point harnesses and they also have ISOFIX capability (just been out and checked)

[Wirish]

1 hour ago, pipsyp said:

Just noted your point on the 3 child seats.  Not to burst the bubble but do be aware that the middle seat in the 2nd row only has a lap belt, not a 3 point harness so it really is no good for a child seat or high back booster.

 

The two main seats either side have full 3 point harnesses and they also have ISOFIX capability (just been out and checked)

Hiya, thanks for checking - have been out to check and spoken to dealer. We can put third in the third row and when we need boot space have an adult in lap seat belt middle seat and eldest up front. 

[pipsyp]

Yeah the lap belt thing is workable in most circumstances.  I have three kids, though two of them no longer need boosters but one of them will sit in the front and myself or the wife will take the lap belt.  Guess it's a bit of a shame Toyota didn't engineer a third 3 point belt into the physical seat, also I'd have forgone the armrest for another headrest but it is what it is 👍