hobbit

Hi all, Many thanks for all the information that's come my way from everybody, it's all been a great help, but sadly it looks like I won't be joining the Owner's club. Yes, I was aware that the ones I've been looking at were Welcab equipped, that's the main reason I was looking at Alphards, I have a need to get an elderly, movement limited person in and out and a partner who can drive without the steering wheel rubbing, but it would seem that the combination of equipment that I want isn't available in my price range and although I enjoyed the half hour test drive I had, I can't justify buying a vehicle that isn't capable of being driven by half the drivers in the household and, at the moment, I don't seem able to find a car that's right, with the Welcab equipment and the adjustable steering reach, let alone in my price band. That doesn't mean there's not one out there, just I haven't found it. But while waiting for the Unicorn to appear it's going to be touring the local car lots to see what's available that can be driven by both of us and has the possibility of fitting something like the Welcab seat. This may take a while.... In the meantime thank you again to all who responded, Colin.

To be honest I have no idea on which gen it is, I don't know if I'm allowed to send a link on here but I'll try it and maybe you can tell me what it really is I'm looking at as although I have 2016 for registration I can't find a manufacture year. https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202305026932657?sort=price-asc&make=Toyota&model=Alphard&page=4&advertising-location=at_cars&fromsra

Thanks for the reply. Seat remount was a last resort idea, and as you say there are other considerations. I have my eye on a car I'm interested in, got the electric seat I need, well spec'd and hybrid too, and it's claiming to have both rake and reach adjustment, but you've now planted the worm of doubt as to if it actually has. Cheers LOL. The vehicle is over 200 miles away, so not something to pop round the corner and see, so I'm trying to find out everything I can on here and if it's worth getting in contact and starting talks. One other idea has been floated - a smaller diameter wheel would also solve the problem, although I suspect we'd loose some or all of the controls. Has anyone done this? Cheers, Colin.

Hi all, I suspect this should go into a sub-category but I've no idea where. I found a base level Alphard in the area and it's so nearly what is wanted. Trying it out has raised one deal-killing question though - my partner is large due to a hernia and when the driver's seat was moved fully back they were just rubbing on the steering wheel. The car we tried had the basic "tilt" mechanism only, no telescopic, so if a bit of extra distance towards the dash could be coaxed out of it we'd be fine. Another possibility could be remount the seat an inch or so back, but I have no idea if that is possible. Does anyone out there have experience of both types of column and the wheel positioning and can tell me roughly how much plus and minus from the non-telescopic version? Again, thank you in advance for the help, Colin.

Hiya all, As the header says I'm thinking of buying an Alphard, but I (we) really need to actually see one first and as there's going to be two drivers if we can both drive it. Is there anyone out there in the Cardigan area (sa43) who owns one and would be happy for us to have a look at it and play with the driver's seat? Thanks in advance, Colin.