Toyota Alphard Camper - BOUGHT & EXCITED -

[mid_gen]

OWNER UPDATES NEARLY 2 YEARS LATER

Well just to give some updates on the Alphard Campervan. It's bee perfect, it's been spot on reliable although I will say that I did spend money on every single main bush being replaced underneath as no matter what you do, it's a 2007 and there's only so long rubber will last... I then Lanoguarded the whole thing like my 350Z/SRT8... so I at least know it's going to last. It's getting circa 25 miles to the gallon which considering the weight and the 3.0 V6 engine, I reckon that's perfectly fine. Nothing has broken or failed... and I'll be away on the first trip of the year this late May bank holiday and then using it a lot. I didn't use much over winter, I wanted to do some snowy winter campsites but didn't get around to it... which is a shame, but will be making an effort this winter!!!

Anyone looking at Alphards, just buy it... but be aware you WILL need to changes bushings out on older models if they've not already been done. Engine and gearbox wise, spot on!

Sold my 2004 camper a few months ago, that I owned for 3 years total. Put 30k miles on it.

Only issue in that time was the starter motor which sized up, which was a £100 part and a half hour job to replace.

20 years old and not a spot of rust on it. Lovely to drive. 29mpg at 60 on the motorway. Only reason I sold is that I have a long commute now.

If I could sack off the commute and/or get driveway space for an extra motor I would buy another in a heartbeat. It totally converted me to Toyota, they are just so much better engineered than other brands.

 

[pugheaven]

Sold my 2004 camper a few months ago, that I owned for 3 years total. Put 30k miles on it.

Only issue in that time was the starter motor which sized up, which was a £100 part and a half hour job to replace.

20 years old and not a spot of rust on it. Lovely to drive. 29mpg at 60 on the motorway. Only reason I sold is that I have a long commute now.

If I could sack off the commute and/or get driveway space for an extra motor I would buy another in a heartbeat. It totally converted me to Toyota, they are just so much better engineered than other brands.

Yep agreed nothing touches a Toyota or a Lexus product... the fanboys for German cars can say what they want, if you want pure reliability you go Japanese it's simple.

 

[pugheaven]

What a *******... fixing and respraying the whole bumper next week... but hey, don't forget to unhook your hook up electric cable before driving off the drive or this happens...

 

[Yaayuh!]

ah man. I bet that's a big hit to your pride. It happens, we're not perfect.

 

[Diddums]

Bummer, that sucks dude

Should be a fairly easy fix though, just looks like some plastic bits.

 

[sparton_SPA]

Not much of a camping person - but absolutely love this. Some retro vibes I get from the styling as well.
The interior fit out is special - really nice.

Read the last page and got the sinking feeling ... now you will never make that mistake again, but ouch.
Hope it doesn't cost too much to fix!

 

[Maundie]

Aaah dude that sucks, I do wonder if people have done this with an electric car as well. driven off while it's still plugged in, would be a costly error I guess

 

[m4rmite]

Aaah dude that sucks, I do wonder if people have done this with an electric car as well. driven off while it's still plugged in, would be a costly error I guess

Mine won't let me drive off when plugged in.

 

[Yaayuh!]

Aaah dude that sucks, I do wonder if people have done this with an electric car as well. driven off while it's still plugged in, would be a costly error I guess

I don't think it's possible.

 

[dlockers]

I don't think it's possible.

I made a post about it a while back - I "almost" did it in my Pug (or at least I was testing if it was possible).

Can't remember what I did, but the handbrake was definitely disengaged - perhaps not in gear/drive tho.

 

[pugheaven]

ah man. I bet that's a big hit to your pride. It happens, we're not perfect.

Bummer, that sucks dude

Should be a fairly easy fix though, just looks like some plastic bits.

Not much of a camping person - but absolutely love this. Some retro vibes I get from the styling as well.
The interior fit out is special - really nice.

Read the last page and got the sinking feeling ... now you will never make that mistake again, but ouch.
Hope it doesn't cost too much to fix!

Aaah dude that sucks, I do wonder if people have done this with an electric car as well. driven off while it's still plugged in, would be a costly error I guess

Mine won't let me drive off when plugged in.

I made a post about it a while back - I "almost" did it in my Pug (or at least I was testing if it was possible).

Can't remember what I did, but the handbrake was definitely disengaged - perhaps not in gear/drive tho.

Yeah well guys I was absolutely raging after I did it... but like people say **** happens... so, it's going in for full respray and fix on bumper, stapled, plastic welding etc... plus I'm getting a new grille as I think that the front grilles on these age them a little... £400 rips all in so... will be done in next couple of weeks... so annoying though literally thrown money away hahaha

 

[nlel1975]

Yeah well guys I was absolutely raging after I did it... but like people say **** happens...

Yeah £344.12 to repair my undertrays and £120 for a S.M.A.R.T repair to my bumper. Not to mention my service plan. Can’t really complain about the S.M.A.R.T repair it was 50% off.

 

[dlockers]

Yeah £344.12 to repair my undertrays and £120 for a S.M.A.R.T repair to my bumper. Not to mention my service plan. Can’t really complain about the S.M.A.R.T repair it was 50% off.

I think you are confusing harddrive S.M.A.R.T with a "smart repair"

 

[nlel1975]

I think you are confusing harddrive S.M.A.R.T with a "smart repair"

S.M.A.R.T also stands for Small Medium Area Repair Technique when it comes to bodywork repairs.

 

[ci_newman]

This thread bump is optimal timing as I'm looking to buy an Alphard camper towards the end of the season.

I've been researching for a while but the market is full of scammers or chancers wanting too much money for old rope.

 

[pugheaven]

This thread bump is optimal timing as I'm looking to buy an Alphard camper towards the end of the season.

I've been researching for a while but the market is full of scammers or chancers wanting too much money for old rope.

I'll keep an eye out for you some really gorgeous ones come up recently... what's your spec and price (or PM me) and I'll keep an eye out mate. Year, cost, conversion, colour, engine etc... I know a fair few

 

[ci_newman]

I'll keep an eye out for you some really gorgeous ones come up recently... what's your spec and price (or PM me) and I'll keep an eye out mate. Year, cost, conversion, colour, engine etc... I know a fair few

I'm a simple man, side conversion, pop top and a 3.0 v6

[Edit] and after re-reading your thread, a FL model so it can have cruise