Alphard Help and Opinion appreciated

[Dat Guy]

Hello, 

 

I’m writing from Ontario Canada and I’m hoping to get some opinions from this communities members on a purchase I’m considering. Over the next 16months (approx), I will be working as a courier delivering for an Amazon affiliated company. There has been incentives extended to me if I were to purchase an environmentally friendly vehicle. What this means, is if I show up with an EV or hybrid van, I will get a priority route selection (my own route). This could mean as much as 500/700km less driving/week, 15hrs less/week, while being paid about the same amount per day as I’m currently receiving. It’s a big deal. Regardless of this van and it’s potential purchase, I’m having to put a winter vehicle on the road this winter. To get anything remotely reliable, and pass a vehicle inspection, you will need to spend 3.5-4K on a vehicle in Canada. I have found a 2004 Toyota Alphard Hybrid for a listed sale price of 8.5k. It has 178,000km. I’ve crawled underneath it, and it’s as clean as you could expect from a van of this age and km’s. No dash lites and drives great. I feel I might be able to negotiate approx 1000$ off his posted sales price… purchasing for 7.5k. This means that for only spending 3-3.5k extra on a vehicle purchase, I could significantly improve my quality of life.
 

Over the next 16month, I would drive approx 50–60k km’s. This would put the van at 240,000km near the end of my time.  I should also mention that I would be selecting a route that would be in a town… meaning that it would be mostly stop-and-go, in city driving with very little time spent with vehicle exceeding 50km/hr. So, the bulk use/wear would be placed on the electric system (I’m under the impression that this vans hybrid uses the electric motor at low speeds and the gas at hwy speeds).

To me, this seems like a decision I should move forward with. But, I’m not really in a position to get burned with a silly purchase. I thought I’d run this by members of this forum who are more familiar with this van reliability and get your opinion. Is there something I’m overlooking. I have some understanding of the costs and hassles in the event if it’s hybrid system breaking, but even if this were to happen, it still seems like this purchase would be not be irresponsible. What do you all think? 

 

[Rojie]

18 minutes ago, Dat Guy said:

Hello, 

 

I’m writing from Ontario Canada and I’m hoping to get some opinions from this communities members on a purchase I’m considering. Over the next 16months (approx), I will be working as a courier delivering for an Amazon affiliated company. There has been incentives extended to me if I were to purchase an environmentally friendly vehicle. What this means, is if I show up with an EV or hybrid van, I will get a priority route selection (my own route). This could mean as much as 500/700km less driving/week, 15hrs less/week, while being paid about the same amount per day as I’m currently receiving. It’s a big deal. Regardless of this van and it’s potential purchase, I’m having to put a winter vehicle on the road this winter. To get anything remotely reliable, and pass a vehicle inspection, you will need to spend 3.5-4K on a vehicle in Canada. I have found a 2004 Toyota Alphard Hybrid for a listed sale price of 8.5k. It has 178,000km. I’ve crawled underneath it, and it’s as clean as you could expect from a van of this age and km’s. No dash lites and drives great. I feel I might be able to negotiate approx 1000$ off his posted sales price… purchasing for 7.5k. This means that for only spending 3-3.5k extra on a vehicle purchase, I could significantly improve my quality of life.
 

Over the next 16month, I would drive approx 50–60k km’s. This would put the van at 240,000km near the end of my time.  I should also mention that I would be selecting a route that would be in a town… meaning that it would be mostly stop-and-go, in city driving with very little time spent with vehicle exceeding 50km/hr. So, the bulk use/wear would be placed on the electric system (I’m under the impression that this vans hybrid uses the electric motor at low speeds and the gas at hwy speeds).

To me, this seems like a decision I should move forward with. But, I’m not really in a position to get burned with a silly purchase. I thought I’d run this by members of this forum who are more familiar with this van reliability and get your opinion. Is there something I’m overlooking. I have some understanding of the costs and hassles in the event if it’s hybrid system breaking, but even if this were to happen, it still seems like this purchase would be not be irresponsible. What do you all think? 

 

 

Hello Brandon,

 

Welcome to the Forum.

 

Most people "in the know" tend to advise against buying the early Hybrids.

Batteries being the usual issue.

Battery repairers are scarce in the UK, let alone Canada.

 

You are lucky as this topic is covered within this forum.

So you have lots of reading to do !

 

One of our members recently imported a complete set of batteries, had them fitted, and is very happy with the result

 

EXCEPT FOR THE PRICE. About 9k UKL !

 

I'll try and find his thread / topic and advise.

 

Michael Brown, and his posting is very recent

 

[Dat Guy]

👍

[Michael Brown]

Your brave, yes at around 10mph the batteries run the Alphard, ideal if you are in a Q of traffic. Occasionally the engine will kick in to either run the vehicle or charge the batteries up. For an Alphard of that age you will have to expect things wear out as I found out earlier this year after breaking down twice and having to have Alfie ferried home via the RAC on a transporter twice, each time a reference was made to the Inverter packing up. 2nd time I broke down I had the Inverter replaced with a brand new one imported from Japan at an eye watering £5,200. including VAT and delivery plus fitting and setting up. I look at it as an investment in Alfie's future. I have had nearly 6 months trouble free since installation and hope it will last at least 10 years. I had speciallists electronics help from a guy called Peter Holland.

 

So good luck with yours when you get it and start looking out for a car electrics expert and someone to service it for you, just in case. Not all car garages work on Hybrids

Edited December 7, 2023 by Michael Brown
spelling

[Montecrist0]

Hi Brandon, given the mileage and age of the vehicle and that a breakdown would cost you work, I would advise going for a van that could be easily repaired and parts obtained and fitted in Canada. Alphards are a fantastic vehicle but so difficult and expensive to diagnose and repair if faulty. Is the Toyota RAV sold there, would that be big enough?

Also, without knowing the market there, 8.5K seems rather high. One other thing to be wary of, as these vehicles are so well finished, beware of clocking.

GOOD LUCK! 🚐