Running a Japanese import (e.g. Alphard) as a daily
Discussion
Hi all, for a long time now I've liked the idea of a minivan as a cheapish family car and keep coming back to Toyota Alphards - particularly the 2008-on 3.5 version with 4wd. The amount of space, kit, versatility and quality you get for the money is really impressive IMO. It wouldn't be a daily daily driver but it wouldn't be laid up for months on end either - it'll be used often enough to keep things ticking over but do few enough miles that I could live with the poor fuel economy. Say 5-7k miles p.a. The only possible fly in the ointment is that you can obviously only get them as a Japanese import, which would be a step in the dark for me.
So before I do too much research into the various specs you can get the question I have is this: is it feasible to run one of these as a daily(ish) car without being an 'enthusiast' as such - i.e. if you're not willing to faff about with stuff like changing head units that only work in Japanese or sourcing hard-to-find parts from the internet? If I just want to treat it like my current family car - doing nothing with it other than driving it, checking the oil and tyres now and again and booking it in for a service/MOT once per year? I get the impression from a few owners forums that there is inevitably a degree of getting 'hands-on' to running an import, but then I suppose that if there are people that just drive them and nothing else then they're a lot less likely to be on forums...
...and while I'm here I may as well ask people to tell me anything and everything they know about Mk2 Alphards (or similar stuff like Elgrands etc, but I really do think it'll be the Toyota I go for).
Cheers!
So before I do too much research into the various specs you can get the question I have is this: is it feasible to run one of these as a daily(ish) car without being an 'enthusiast' as such - i.e. if you're not willing to faff about with stuff like changing head units that only work in Japanese or sourcing hard-to-find parts from the internet? If I just want to treat it like my current family car - doing nothing with it other than driving it, checking the oil and tyres now and again and booking it in for a service/MOT once per year? I get the impression from a few owners forums that there is inevitably a degree of getting 'hands-on' to running an import, but then I suppose that if there are people that just drive them and nothing else then they're a lot less likely to be on forums...
...and while I'm here I may as well ask people to tell me anything and everything they know about Mk2 Alphards (or similar stuff like Elgrands etc, but I really do think it'll be the Toyota I go for).
Cheers!
Enthusiast groups are essential to running cars like this and a strong community should be a plus when selecting a Japanese import imo
Getting your hands dirty is part and parcel unless you have a local specialist, I don't think running a car of this age day-to-day and not expect regular maintenance and repairs is entirely feasible , you will find many garages want nothing to do with imports
Getting your hands dirty is part and parcel unless you have a local specialist, I don't think running a car of this age day-to-day and not expect regular maintenance and repairs is entirely feasible , you will find many garages want nothing to do with imports
Most important bit is buying a good one.
Clocking isn't as bad as it once was, but I'd still recommend a Bimta check that tells you the mileage of the car when it last went through a Japanese auction. (most go through the auctions)
Many of the supposed grade 4 cars are simply not grade 4, too easy to screenshot/alter a condition/grade sheet. So inspect the car yourself.
There's a few dealers bringing in damaged cars and repairing them so be aware.
Parts issues shouldn't be a problem with Alphards, quite a few on Ebay.
Lovely, lovely, cars if you get a good one.
Underseal it if you plan to keep a while.
Not sure if it's changed recently but from memory the post 2006 cars are better for London zones? Anyone update that for me?
Clocking isn't as bad as it once was, but I'd still recommend a Bimta check that tells you the mileage of the car when it last went through a Japanese auction. (most go through the auctions)
Many of the supposed grade 4 cars are simply not grade 4, too easy to screenshot/alter a condition/grade sheet. So inspect the car yourself.
There's a few dealers bringing in damaged cars and repairing them so be aware.
Parts issues shouldn't be a problem with Alphards, quite a few on Ebay.
Lovely, lovely, cars if you get a good one.
Underseal it if you plan to keep a while.
Not sure if it's changed recently but from memory the post 2006 cars are better for London zones? Anyone update that for me?
Thanks for the replies so far. I would definitely buy one that's already in the country, been undersealed etc and looks like a good 'un in the flesh - I'm in no hurry so can wait as long as possible for the right one to show up. ULEZ is no concern but I don't see why the later ones wouldn't be compliant - AIUI they're the same engine as in quite a few UK-spec Lexus models.
Regarding garages I'm quite fortunate in that there are a lot of small independent operations near me that will deal with anything and everything from a Fiesta to a Fendt combine to a Fireblade - one of the benefits of living way out in the sticks! The chap I usually take my cars to just down the road takes the view that if his spanners work on it then he can fix it - so I'm not too concerned about being able to maintain/fix it. On parts availability I got the impression that a lot of consumables are common across other Toyota/Lexus models and as Alphards aren't that rare I should only have to hit ebay for stuff I'd need if I'd been really unfortunate (e.g. bodywork, light clusters, sunroof bits etc), but please do say if I'm being unduly optimistic there.
Regarding garages I'm quite fortunate in that there are a lot of small independent operations near me that will deal with anything and everything from a Fiesta to a Fendt combine to a Fireblade - one of the benefits of living way out in the sticks! The chap I usually take my cars to just down the road takes the view that if his spanners work on it then he can fix it - so I'm not too concerned about being able to maintain/fix it. On parts availability I got the impression that a lot of consumables are common across other Toyota/Lexus models and as Alphards aren't that rare I should only have to hit ebay for stuff I'd need if I'd been really unfortunate (e.g. bodywork, light clusters, sunroof bits etc), but please do say if I'm being unduly optimistic there.
Roger Irrelevant said:
Thanks for the replies so far. I would definitely buy one that's already in the country, been undersealed etc and looks like a good 'un in the flesh - I'm in no hurry so can wait as long as possible for the right one to show up. ULEZ is no concern but I don't see why the later ones wouldn't be compliant - AIUI they're the same engine as in quite a few UK-spec Lexus models.
Don’t be fooled into thinking that just because the engine seems the same as the one in a UK car it will have the same emissions type approval. A car sold in Japan will not have the same type approval as a UK sold one.
I do recall reading that some (all?) imports are deemed ULEZ compliant as the lack of any emissions data means they slip through the net on the ULEZ system, worth checking though if this is important to you.
No need to be afraid about buying an Alphard.
Many import specialists have them and they are becoming quite popular.
Most will prep them with English nav systems etc. before selling them as it makes them more attractive.
If you are worried about fuel economy, get the hybrid version.
My dad ran one for about a year, and got around 30 to 35mpg around town in one.
Absolutely lovely car it was.
Only a 2005, but had nose cameras which turned on automatically when you stopped so you could see out the junction, reversing camera, electric sliding doors and boot lid.
Many import specialists have them and they are becoming quite popular.
Most will prep them with English nav systems etc. before selling them as it makes them more attractive.
If you are worried about fuel economy, get the hybrid version.
My dad ran one for about a year, and got around 30 to 35mpg around town in one.
Absolutely lovely car it was.
Only a 2005, but had nose cameras which turned on automatically when you stopped so you could see out the junction, reversing camera, electric sliding doors and boot lid.
I have had a couple of the older Regius/Granvia Toyotas in the past
Most mechanical parts are shared with other vehicles in the Toyota range, so a lot of things like brake discs, suspension parts and engine parts will be common with other Toyota UK models.
Body panels, interior trim and glass wont be, but I never had any problem sourcing second hand parts.
Economy wise they were never great, however they will give you a lot more if you stick to 60/65 rather than 70/75
Mine were both reliable, 1 starter motor failure which was able to be sourced from Toyota the next day.
Check they have been under sealed
Insurance shouldnt be an issue
I regret selling mine and keep looking at the Alphards but I think the Estimas look great too, also consider the Honda Stepwagon
All really good value for money compared to the usual knackered VW/Vito day vans
Most mechanical parts are shared with other vehicles in the Toyota range, so a lot of things like brake discs, suspension parts and engine parts will be common with other Toyota UK models.
Body panels, interior trim and glass wont be, but I never had any problem sourcing second hand parts.
Economy wise they were never great, however they will give you a lot more if you stick to 60/65 rather than 70/75
Mine were both reliable, 1 starter motor failure which was able to be sourced from Toyota the next day.
Check they have been under sealed
Insurance shouldnt be an issue
I regret selling mine and keep looking at the Alphards but I think the Estimas look great too, also consider the Honda Stepwagon
All really good value for money compared to the usual knackered VW/Vito day vans
I had a Japanese import as my only car from 2007 to 2019. No real issues tbh, there are people around who can mend them & get the parts. Insurance cost a bit more, road tax will be a bit less nowadays. Make sure it's been undersealed as they do rust once they're here.
ULEZ entry is granted from 2006 on for imports.
Alphards and the closely related Estimas are common enough I think. If you have already identified a nearby garage that you trust who's up for maintaining one, then I think you're sorted tbh.
There is a really good owners club on fb with lots of great information. These guys seem to be the go to folks for imports http://newacrecars.com/
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