Nissan Elgrand/Toyota Estima etc

[Richtea1970]

Ive been looking at vans/mpvs for a day van type set up. I have a large dog and often the Mrs and I go for a day out somewhere and it would be nice to be able to come back to the van for a sit down/refresh before heading out walking again.

The Elgrands look like really good spec/value for money.

Anyone got/had one? Anything I'd need to know/check/pitfalls of running one?

I see that quite a few sacrifice the rear seats for a kitchen type set up which I may well do.

[ZX10R NIN]

Give these guys a shout I'v always found them helpful when sourcing these.

https://www.countycarsstrood.co.uk/

[Richtea1970]

ZX10R NIN said:

Give these guys a shout I'v always found them helpful when sourcing these.

https://www.countycarsstrood.co.uk/

Thanks, I'll take a look.

Have you had one?

[ZX10R NIN]

I've supplied a number of Elgrand/Alphards the majority of which I've bought through County Cars.

[Challo]

Richtea1970 said:

Ive been looking at vans/mpvs for a day van type set up. I have a large dog and often the Mrs and I go for a day out somewhere and it would be nice to be able to come back to the van for a sit down/refresh before heading out walking again.

The Elgrands look like really good spec/value for money.

Anyone got/had one? Anything I'd need to know/check/pitfalls of running one?

I see that quite a few sacrifice the rear seats for a kitchen type set up which I may well do.

We are in the same situation and looking to get a van later in the year. If you like the Elgrand, also look at the Elysion from Honda, and the Toyota Alphard. They are the large JDM vans, but also there is a smaller size JDM van Honda Stepwagon, Nissan Serena, and Toyota Voxy. All vans are 7 or 8 seater and popular in terms of imports. Quite a few places offering van conversions if you want to camp or just make a cuppa.

Lots of FB groups worth joining which have lots of info and vans for sale.

[Mikee19]

I am also interested in these.

What's are they like on petrol?
Is there much market for them, trouble selling later?

With all this ULEZ stuff I feel uneasy putting £15/20k into a diesel transporter.

[Challo]

Mikee19 said:

I am also interested in these.

What's are they like on petrol?
Is there much market for them, trouble selling later?

With all this ULEZ stuff I feel uneasy putting £15/20k into a diesel transporter.

The smaller Stepwagon etc will be pretty good on fuel. The larger Elgrand (2.5 or 3.5) and Alphard (2.4 or 3.0) won’t be great on fuel. I think round town they reckon low 20’s but much better on a run.

[Richtea1970]

Challo said:

We are in the same situation and looking to get a van later in the year. If you like the Elgrand, also look at the Elysion from Honda, and the Toyota Alphard. They are the large JDM vans, but also there is a smaller size JDM van Honda Stepwagon, Nissan Serena, and Toyota Voxy. All vans are 7 or 8 seater and popular in terms of imports. Quite a few places offering van conversions if you want to camp or just make a cuppa.

Lots of FB groups worth joining which have lots of info and vans for sale.

I will do any conversion myself but they certainly seem to be good value for money at the moment compared to over priced Vivaro's and Transporters. The thing that worries me is the reliability and subsequent parts availability.
I'll have a look at the FB groups also, any you'd particularly recommend?

[Shrek595]

I have the 3.5l E51 and absolutely love it. I like driving it (seems like a big 2CV) and it is comfertable with fantastic space when used as a van for the tip run etc. We occasionaly have the full 8 seats in use for short runs too. It's not our only car and fuel consumption is about 22mpg I think. If this one fails I would definately go out and buy another.

[MC Bodge]

Those JDM vans do look good.

What was the reason that they were not imported oficially into the EU/UK? Large petrol engines being unpopular for tax reasons?

[mbwoy84]

I've got an E51 Elgrand Rider S 3.5. Had it about 4/5 months now and it's an awesome bit of kit IMO.

[Challo]

Richtea1970 said:

I will do any conversion myself but they certainly seem to be good value for money at the moment compared to over priced Vivaro's and Transporters. The thing that worries me is the reliability and subsequent parts availability.
I'll have a look at the FB groups also, any you'd particularly recommend?

Main ones would be:

Toyota Alphard & Vellfire Club
Honda Stepwagon Owners Club
The Nissan Elgrand Club

really friendly and lots of good information. They also have buy/sell pages as well.

[Richtea1970]

Challo said:

Main ones would be:

Toyota Alphard & Vellfire Club
Honda Stepwagon Owners Club
The Nissan Elgrand Club

really friendly and lots of good information. They also have buy/sell pages as well.

Thanks, I'll take a look.

Good to hear others are enjoying them too,

[campionissimo]

I'd add the Mitsubishi Delica D5 to that list. Superb wagon, with 4wd capability too.

But go in eyes open, and check insurance premiums before committing to a purchase.

I nearly bought a Mitsubishi Delica D5 last week, but when I checked insurance, my cheapest quote was £2100. I only pay £750 for my BMW 325d touring. (2 years no claims, 5 claims (2 at fault)



Are they universally expensive to insure, or was I being played.........

[mikeyr]

Worth checking out the Bongo/Freda too - cheaper in general than the vans you've listed I think!