Clairasday Posted February 25 Posted February 25 Hello all, I am new to this forum but really enjoying reading up on Alphards! I would really appreciate any help and advice I can get! I am looking to buy an Alphard. Bit of background - I wanted to buy one six months ago but ended up being persuaded to buy a Vauxhall Combo life with less than 20K miles on it....was trying to be sensible and responsible as, for my job, I need to transport kids and wheelchairs/ equipment and I though the Combo would be good for that. However, I hate driving the Combo more than anything I have ever driven. Then, the less than four year old Combo broke down on a long journey last week. So...the Combo is going ( at a huge financial loss) and I plan on getting an Alphard. Apart from the good looks ( they are lovely!) I would really like to be able to camp in the car - I had an unconverted Bongo which was my favourite ever car. I know I am on the right track with an Alphard - but can anyone help with the following questions please? 1) Do all Alphards have rear seats that fold flat to make a bed ( I know it is not likely to be comfortable, sleeping on the flattened Bongo seats was like sleeping on rocks but it was worth it) 2) My Budget ( thanks to the Combo) is not big - I would like something post 2008 but am I being unrealistic? Im hoping for something with equipment to entertain the kids - music via my phone would do but a working DVD would be very useful - how much something with these features likely to cost? 3) What should I avoid buying ( hybrids seem to be less recommended?) 4) I need the car to be ULEZ compliant - which ones are not likely to be? 5) I would appreciate any recommendations for dealers to look at and any to avoid! I am based in Scotland but I am willing to travel to a dealer with a good reputation that other members have found trustworthy. 6) Is RAC/AA pre-sale check worth it for the Alphard given that it is an import? Sorry to ask so many questions - forgive me if any of them are eye rollingly stupid. I am honestly traumatised by the experience with the Combo with the dealer and Vauxhall both saying that its fault is 'wear and tear' and nothing to do with them despite the very low milage. Thanks in advance!!
Rojie Posted February 25 Posted February 25 36 minutes ago, Clairasday said: Hello all, I am new to this forum but really enjoying reading up on Alphards! I would really appreciate any help and advice I can get! I am looking to buy an Alphard. Bit of background - I wanted to buy one six months ago but ended up being persuaded to buy a Vauxhall Combo life with less than 20K miles on it....was trying to be sensible and responsible as, for my job, I need to transport kids and wheelchairs/ equipment and I though the Combo would be good for that. However, I hate driving the Combo more than anything I have ever driven. Then, the less than four year old Combo broke down on a long journey last week. So...the Combo is going ( at a huge financial loss) and I plan on getting an Alphard. Apart from the good looks ( they are lovely!) I would really like to be able to camp in the car - I had an unconverted Bongo which was my favourite ever car. I know I am on the right track with an Alphard - but can anyone help with the following questions please? 1) Do all Alphards have rear seats that fold flat to make a bed ( I know it is not likely to be comfortable, sleeping on the flattened Bongo seats was like sleeping on rocks but it was worth it) 2) My Budget ( thanks to the Combo) is not big - I would like something post 2008 but am I being unrealistic? Im hoping for something with equipment to entertain the kids - music via my phone would do but a working DVD would be very useful - how much something with these features likely to cost? 3) What should I avoid buying ( hybrids seem to be less recommended?) 4) I need the car to be ULEZ compliant - which ones are not likely to be? 5) I would appreciate any recommendations for dealers to look at and any to avoid! I am based in Scotland but I am willing to travel to a dealer with a good reputation that other members have found trustworthy. 6) Is RAC/AA pre-sale check worth it for the Alphard given that it is an import? Sorry to ask so many questions - forgive me if any of them are eye rollingly stupid. I am honestly traumatised by the experience with the Combo with the dealer and Vauxhall both saying that its fault is 'wear and tear' and nothing to do with them despite the very low milage. Thanks in advance!! Hello Clair, Welcome to the Forum.
Rojie Posted February 26 Posted February 26 On 2/25/2025 at 9:19 PM, Clairasday said: Hello all, I am new to this forum but really enjoying reading up on Alphards! I would really appreciate any help and advice I can get! I am looking to buy an Alphard. Bit of background - I wanted to buy one six months ago but ended up being persuaded to buy a Vauxhall Combo life with less than 20K miles on it....was trying to be sensible and responsible as, for my job, I need to transport kids and wheelchairs/ equipment and I though the Combo would be good for that. However, I hate driving the Combo more than anything I have ever driven. Then, the less than four year old Combo broke down on a long journey last week. So...the Combo is going ( at a huge financial loss) and I plan on getting an Alphard. Apart from the good looks ( they are lovely!) I would really like to be able to camp in the car - I had an unconverted Bongo which was my favourite ever car. I know I am on the right track with an Alphard - but can anyone help with the following questions please? 1) Do all Alphards have rear seats that fold flat to make a bed ( I know it is not likely to be comfortable, sleeping on the flattened Bongo seats was like sleeping on rocks but it was worth it) 2) My Budget ( thanks to the Combo) is not big - I would like something post 2008 but am I being unrealistic? Im hoping for something with equipment to entertain the kids - music via my phone would do but a working DVD would be very useful - how much something with these features likely to cost? 3) What should I avoid buying ( hybrids seem to be less recommended?) 4) I need the car to be ULEZ compliant - which ones are not likely to be? 5) I would appreciate any recommendations for dealers to look at and any to avoid! I am based in Scotland but I am willing to travel to a dealer with a good reputation that other members have found trustworthy. 6) Is RAC/AA pre-sale check worth it for the Alphard given that it is an import? Sorry to ask so many questions - forgive me if any of them are eye rollingly stupid. I am honestly traumatised by the experience with the Combo with the dealer and Vauxhall both saying that its fault is 'wear and tear' and nothing to do with them despite the very low milage. Thanks in advance!! 1) No. Alphards have three rows of seats. Front, middle and rear. Some Alphards have captains seats in the middle row, some have a bulky fixed armrest structure which, I imagine, will impede sleeping significantly, The rear seats will fold flat, or are moveable to sit alongside the rear sides. Many Alphards are able to accommodate a double air bed. 2) You do not mention a budget. Post 2008 (known as a Gen 2) seems a good choice (beware the Captains seats where the armrests are fixed). Some have middle seat entertainment to the roof; be cautious if electing to change the head unit. Many work well, some don't. 3) Hybrids can be very expensive to rectify, but reports regarding the Gen 2 versions are much better then the earlier models. 4) A 2008 will be ULEZ compliant. You can check the registration on Transport for London website. 6) Personally, I would recommend a report by the AA or RAC. I had one, very thorough. They are not cheap, and will detect many potential issues. Even if no issues are found it is very reassuring. Also ensure you are given a copy of the Auction Certificate BEFORE you place a deposit or pay in full. 7) Ensure your purchase is undersealed 1
Clairasday Posted February 26 Author Posted February 26 HI Thank you so much for your help - very much appreciated. I don't have a huge budget - I was really hoping to spend less than 13K but I have been looking at the Alphards at Castle prestige ( which is MILES away from where I live in Scotland). They have been recommended to me and having looked at their website they seem to be pretty sound? I made such a terrible mistake with my last car purchase that I really am now very anxious to buy anything. That said, I have experience (through having owned a Bongo) that some cars are money pits but its ok because they are just a joy to drive and own despite their upkeep. Your help is much appreciated and I have added it to my 'research' note book. Thanks again!!
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