jimcraiguk

@Jimmympv thank you so much for taking the time to write such a detailed response, I can’t tell you how helpful it. Thanks also for sharing the link to a good spec vehicles. This will certainly help narrow down my search. Have a lovely weekend and stay warm! All the very best Jim

Thank you so much @Gamith this is really helpful, and yes rearwards not rewards! I thought I’d caught all the autocorrect’s, my special favourite being the Toyota Hellfire! all the very best Jim

Thanks @Catweazle this is a brilliant review and really helpful.

Hello everyone, I hope all is well? I've recently joined in a bid to learn as much as I can about Vellfires and Alphards. I have a bunch of questions to ask, coming from the perspective of a current and happy Nissan Elgrand owner, who's considering a change. If these questions have been answered before, please excuse me asking them again, I've done a fair bit of searching but if I've missed something please can you post a link to the answer. My Elgrand is the second generation model, the E51, (the boxy one, see attached pic) built in September 2004, and I bought her in 2017 for what I consider a bargain of £6,750, plus £1,300 for LPG installation. Below is its current spec, which I'd like as a minimum, any extras would be icing on the cake. Based on the below is this Vellfire (auto corrected to Hellfire!) or Alphard or even Estima territory, please? 3.5l v6 auto. Although I've read on here that the 2.4l Toyotas run very well so I'm more than happy to drop down engine size 8 seats Middle row can face rewards Reversing camera Auto on lights Side blind. A camera in the passenger mirror so you can see the kerb Dual climate control in the front, rear climate for the rearmost seats Electric sliding passenger door Alloy wheels Twin sunroof Privacy glass Some questions, if you don't mind? Vellfire or Alphard? Based on my Elgrand spec, which versions should I refine my searches to? What models/years/configs to avoid? Is hybrid available on older Vellfires? Are they all ulez compliant, regardless of being hybrid or not? Is the indicator stalk on the left? It's on the right in my Elgrand, they can be swapped if you are suitably skilled/confident (I am neither of these ) Are the buttons and any on screen menus in English? Elgrand buttons have some in English and some in Japanese! The on screen menus can be changed on newer models with a magic box from some guys in Russia. Unfortunately, mine is too old for this. Do the radio's support Apple CarPlay? Does the speedo also indicate mph? The Elgrand was kph and I had a new panel fitted. The odometer is digital and fixed at kph. Are most of the commonly used parts readily available? Any recommended dealers that would be open to part exchange? I live in Surrey and happy to travel for the right car. I bought my Ellie from West Yorkshire. Has anyone used an importer and achieved a happy outcome? I'm easily distracted by shiny things and would welcome your thoughts if this, constitutes good value? Is the criteria of newest model and lowest mileage the most appropriate? Or are high mileage examples likely to run and run? Do some models have twin electric sliding doors? Do some models have a powered tailgate? Thank you so much in advance, a long post as there are always more questions than answers. Happy to have a phone call with someone if it makes life easier. All the very best Jim

Thanks Roger! It's nice to be here.

Hello folks, I'm considering replacing my 2004 Nissan Elgrand E51 with something similar and newer. I'd love to hear from anyone who has done this. I've just started on the journey and currently doing a lot of research. My Elgrand has LPG but this is getting harder and harder to find so I was thinking something hybrid might help reduce the running costs. Is there a link to a table showing the dimensions, capacities, fuel consumption and so on please? This will help me do side-by-side comparisons. From what I've seen so far, it looks like there is no such thing as a standard Alphard/Vellfire spec, which is similar to the Elgrand. If anyone is in the Byfleet area and wouldn't mind me having a nose around your car that would be most welcome. The Estima has also come up on a number of searches and would I ne right in thinking this is a wee bit smaller than the Alphard and Vellfire? Cheers, Jim