Japanese import Toyota alphard

[taxi paul]

Well due to new long term foster kids my 7 seater ain't big enough, no boot for a start. So went looking at the usual suspects . Ford tourneo , Hyundai i800, Mercedes Vito, vw transporter. Having had a tourneo and a Hyundai before and hating the Hyundai. I veered toward a tourneo, vws so expensive. Anyway wife sees a Toyota alphard , like estima and granvia just a bit newer model. One has 2.4 petrol and the other has a 3.0 petrol, has fitted to the Lexus. I believe the 2.4 can have HGF issues so the 3.0 is the better. My main point is has anyone any experience of imports with regard to parts , fault code reading ETC. I would rather go with a ford or Mercedes Vito but the enemy loves this Toyota import. Also what are the Vito like cos never had one. Thanks for any experiences you may be able to offer

[Uncle Jimmy]

I own a JDM Toyota which is a mixed bag. The pros are that it's reliable, has no corrosion despite being 20 years old and the build quality makes a VW look like a rabbit hutch!

The cons are that parts are beginning to become an issue as there are very few like mine now left, plus it was a low volume car anyway. An Alphard is a newer, more complex car than my Levin too. Having said that it will share a lot of parts with other Toyotas.

Wouldn't go near a Vito, certainly the earlier ones rusted like a 70s Fiat and the interior plastics were abysmal. Fords are dull. Hell buy the Alphard and be different!

[spartacus]

What he said. We had an Estima, it did suffer from the hgf issues that the 2.2d is known for but other than that it felt bullet proof. Everything worked and carried on working. Any parts were available from the local stealer, just give them the chassis number and off you go. Even at 15 years old there was never any trouble getting parts.

[taxi paul]

Yes the one I looked at was 10 yrs Il and immaculate. The 2.4 has a chain and the 3.0 has a timing belt. I shall call into a Toyota dealer and have a word with parts department and see how they fare. It was the warning light issue that bothers me. I will see my local garage and see if he can do the codes etc. You are right though they are different and look fairly well put together.

[Dave_Q]

Not had one myself but I've been looking into Vitos recently.

 

The newer shape one got the rust issues mainly sorted after about 2005, they're loads cheaper than the equivalent vw and available with up to 9 seats and varying amounts of luggage room depending on length.

 

Reliability wise I think not bad, based on the number of ex taxis for sale with 250k+ on them. The engines do suffer from injector seal leaks which are charmingly called black death, after the carbon build up you get from driving with them leaking. You really need to take the engine covers and possibly inlet off to see if any of this is going on.

 

The Japanese stuff tends to be SUPA VALUE, but I hope you're not doing many miles as a 3.0 pez in a big van is gonna hurt.

[wuvvum]

Hang on, this is Autoshite.  If you have too many kids to move around, this is all you'll ever need.

 

 

Reliable, cheap to run and good parts availability - what more could you want?

[Supernaut]

Hang on, this is Autoshite.  If you have too many kids to move around, this is all you'll ever need.

 

 

Reliable, cheap to run and good parts availability - what more could you want?

Some of them also have XUDs!11!!ONE!11!!!1ELEVEN!!!

[taxi paul]

Ha ha . Sorry I couldnt stretch to that lovely LDV . I don't own a pair of sandels or pants made from hemp. Besides its probably got a wood burning stove in the corner.

[Asimo]

 Alphard better than Vito for drifting - 

[Dave_Q]

If the vito is like our works sprinters they have supa keen traction control that can't be turned off.

[Pillock]

There's a way of rigging the traction control so it can't be disabled - sometimes as simple as unplugging the switch. Hire firms do it a lot so they don't get their RWD vans back banana-shaped after lending them to someone who is used to a 1000cc Micra.

[willswitchengage]

The current generation are everywhere in Japan - seems to have totally nailed the market. They're mostly hybrids too, and I find it looks more like a Lexus than anything else:

 

[taxi paul]

Thanks for the advice of everyone. A bit more homework needed. I like them because of the petrol I only do short journeys these days and diesels and DPF 'S don't like them. Its not so much the everyday parts that give me doubts . Its things like a body panel or wheel that if you cant find a breaker can be about a two month wait , according to the salesman yesterday. I did ring my insurer today and they have passed it to the specialist department ( or the charge you lots extra department) as it should be known.

[twosmoke300]

05 on vitos are still rusty shitters . Had a 06 one in a few months ago where there was nothing left of the rear x member and the abs modulator was held on by the pipes . Not the first welding it's had either . Loads of scabby 07/08 ones down here .

Go Toyota !

[wuvvum]

The current generation are everywhere in Japan - seems to have totally nailed the market. They're mostly hybrids too, and I find it looks more like a Lexus than anything else:

 

Fuck me that is ugly.

[KruJoe]

You need to have a word with Andy_CMS... see if he can sort you out with something like this...

 

[taxi paul]

Just to update. Bought a Toyota hiace regius in the end. Its a 2.7 petrol auto. R reg so 18 years old and not a spot of rust and immaculate interior. Stayed away from the alphard due to the ground clearance with all the front and side skirts. Mustn't have speed bumps in Japan. Paintwork is a bit flat. Quite a common thing on imports due to sun and air pollution apparently. Clay bar or polisher to make nicer. Never had an auto so still swinging my left hand looking for gear lever.

[tooSavvy]

.... Never had an auto so still swinging my left hand looking for gear lever.

... hmmm ... tuck your "itchy clutch foot" out of the way too!!

 

TS

[BorniteIdentity]

Just to update. Bought a Toyota hiace regius in the end. Its a 2.7 petrol auto. R reg so 18 years old and not a spot of rust and immaculate interior. Stayed away from the alphard due to the ground clearance with all the front and side skirts. Mustn't have speed bumps in Japan. Paintwork is a bit flat. Quite a common thing on imports due to sun and air pollution apparently. Clay bar or polisher to make nicer. Never had an auto so still swinging my left hand looking for gear lever.

Well in.

 

I have a 96 Granvia (tiny bit larger than yours) and it's not given a moment's proper bother in 2 years.

 

Enjoy.

[djimbob]

you have done good Sir, Jap imports are generally bombproof, and are just plain better than what we get over here!

 

Aso you are a Shiter now so need have no fear of mechanical failure, in fact one must embrace it to fully live the life of a forumite

[PiperCub]

Not that Toyota were ever the worst offenders but are the main stealers less pissy about grey imports these days?

 

My local Mazda dealer used to get all sniffy about parts for my Eunos (until in a bad mood one day I snapped back at him pointing out the obvious) a few years back. 

[djimbob]

Not that Toyota were ever the worst offenders but are the main stealers less pissy about grey imports these days?

 

My local Mazda dealer used to get all sniffy about parts for my Eunos (until in a bad mood one day I snapped back at him pointing out the obvious) a few years back. 

 

yep they are all rather pissy in my experience, but there are specialists out there, and ebay, so just go with the nice people who appreciate your custom on the rare occasion something breaks

[PiperCub]

^^ That's what I do! 

[BorniteIdentity]

Toyota have been great with mine when it comes to parts. I'd never let them have it for service, so nothing to report on that front.

 

If the OP is anywhere near Hertfordshire o can recommend the best specialist ever. Family business, all Toyota trained and very very good.

[taxi paul]

Thanks all. I am up in Merseyside. I got mine from a garage in Wigan called Wheelquick. He came recommended and I could see why. Nice fellas who import them and then re sell. When you go to look none are undersealed , so you can properly check before they do it. He tild me they have no problem with parts, new or second hand. He did say the only time you may have a wait is if a wndow gets broken . They would have to source a second hand one or wait for a new one. Top garage and the lads who you deal with are honest . It was them who pointed out that the alphard is a bit close to the floor and for what I want it for it may get broken . They could have easily just took my money and smiled. I have only had it a week but it is fantastic and great for what I want. It isn't has wide has the Granvia so a bit easier to park in a space. I am also a bit converted to the auto box has well. Makes life a lot easier. I can see my modern Mazda and rover 75 going sooner or later and some other shite auto taking there place. On a runaround basis of course, my missy seems to agree to this plan.