Buying a Toyota velfire 2014 Hybrid model.Any advice please

[BentekBen]

Just wondering how the hybrid Toyota velfire in terms of maintenance and fuel consumption.I am looking for a 2014 hybrid model.

[Rojie]

12 hours ago, BentekBen said:

Just wondering how the hybrid Toyota Vellfire in terms of maintenance and fuel consumption. I am looking for a 2014 hybrid model.

 

Hello Benny,

 

Welcome to the Forum.

 

Before making a purchase I would ensure you identify a maintenance operation for service and/or repairs.

[BentekBen]

Sure.I will do.Thank you 

[arthurj]

I have a 2012 hybrid. It does around 30mpg on average. This isn't fantastic, but slightly better than the 3-litre models while having limited 4WD and more power than the 2.4l. I suspect my hybrid battery is partly depleted because I've seen some others get slightly better mpg, so I will need that fixed at some point. I don't really see a lot of difference in town or on long runs. It might even be slightly more efficient in town.

 

My local Stoneacre Toyota will service it and import parts no problem, with the exception of the hybrid systems which they will not touch, because they can't connect their diagnostic computer to the car (they claim). I can't find anyone near me who will, unfortunately. Mechanically the car is very solid, just the usual wear and tear on a car of its age and mileage. Better than my Skoda, certainly. Toyota garages and parts are a bit expensive but the service is OK (except that they won't do diagnostics). I have a local garage that does work on imports for much less than the Toyota garage, but that was hard to find, and I've found that a lot of garages simply won't look at it.

 

Insurance is difficult to find and not cheap. Most places don't have the hybrid on their books, it's always an effort every year. I currently pay about £800/yr with Advance.

 

A lot of drawbacks and it's not a cheap car to run, but I do love it

Edited July 30 by arthurj

[zaphodbb]

Hi, mine is a 2014 MY - I get (driving it carefully) more like 39mpg on a mixed journey of town/fast A-road and Motorway (approx 30 mile round trip) to work & home again.

Mpg is better in town as that's where the Hybrid part comes into it's own. Over 40mpg on a long motorway run (again careful driving).

Local Toyota dealership to me doesn't touch imports, so will book it in with Jemca for major work that I can't do* unless I can find local independent.

 

Insured via Adrian Flux - super expensive so won't use them when it's renewal time. Try Lancaster Insurance - heard good feedback about them.

 

Do check the vehicle very thoroughly - maybe use AA or RAC unless buying from a solid-feedback reseller. Some cars are coming in that have been cosmetically worked on to cover-up significant damage.

 

Do work out what exactly you want as a must-have's option-wise as there are many vehicles to choose from, and by no means are they all the same.

I for-instance wanted the 360 degree cameras, hands-free and 18 speaker (home theatre) options**, this cut down the possible candidates by around 60%.

Don't hesitate to walk away if you think there is a problem unless you know you can fix it - parts are available, but have to be ordered in from Japan so are not too cheap and have a few weeks lead time.   

 

Drive a few so you get a feel for how they run - not everyone likes the CVT gearbox.

 

Small but but worth knowing point if you plan to change the head unit for an android one - the CVT gear change selector assy and centre facia panel is different on the Hybrid's to the non-hybrids: some aftermarket head units come with a whole new facia panel - this will need modifying (cutting/filing) to make it fit (don't ask me how I know this...). 

 

Lots of how-to YouTube videos on these - 'TC's anything Go's' is a good source.

Also check out the 'Car Care Nut'

 

Do be sure to perform the oil service etc at less than the stated intervels if you plan to keep it, and always use genuine filters (not expensive)  

 

Good luck finding the right one for you - they are fantastic vehicles.

 

Oh - BTW, the next iteration (30) Hybrid model has much better fuel economy, but there is a big hike in purchase cost to get hold of one.

 

 *such as the transmission flush/oil change 

** and wish I had looked for one with adaptive cruse control too, but never mind 🙂

 

 

[Alphard Club]

this guide will help on the non-hybrid system, but 90% everything else would be relevant