listy Posted October 15, 2017 Share Posted October 15, 2017 The time has almost come for a new daily family wagon, and due to my lifestyle in the outdoors I'd like something comfortable yet spacious for kit, surfboards, sleeping etc. I was looking at vans and converting them, but they are just a bit too basic and wallowy to drive. Que the Alphard and El Grand. Both are luxury MPVs with fold flat/removable seats. The Alphard 2.4 inline 4 or a 3 V6 FWD/AWD Better fuel economy Better looking Nicer interior The El Grand 3 V6 FWD/AWD More powerful More gadgets There are other comparisons but they are nit picky things for me I won't bore you with. What I don't know is what they are like to live with. Has anyone got any experience with either one? I'm properly torn and 50/50 on which one to go for so any personal reviews and experiences would be helpful. TIA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drift_bear Posted October 15, 2017 Share Posted October 15, 2017 Ask Ellis, he has just got an elgrand Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ellis Posted October 15, 2017 Share Posted October 15, 2017 Looked at both and a mate has a 3.0 litre Alphard. The Elgrand (E51) has either a 2.5 or 3.5 litre V6 (from the 350Z) and comes in 2WD (rear wheel) or 4WD flavours. Alphard is front wheel drive. The Elgrand tends to be far better equipped inside with more gadgets etc. Be aware that items like the in-built Japanese sat-nav etc won’t work over here. You’ll need range extenders for the radio too to get beyond 90mhz! Also, the Elgrand has 4 cats - being a V6 - and there can be an issue where the first cats disintegrate and the internals block cat 2 thus causing catastrophic back pressure and engine death. Best bet is either find one where the 2nd cats have been decored or removed - not a difficult job to do anyway. Nice 5 speed tiptronic box. I chose the Elgrand due to the engine, RWD, better specced and bigger interior - it’s huge! Will easily seat 7 with space for luggage too. There’s a strong following for the Alphard and Elgrand and, like the Supra, a great owners club with advice for parts and tips etc. The Elgrand likes to warp front brake discs and kill wheel bearings but parts prices are reasonable and the forum has its own version of Chris Wilson (Brian Willoughby)! Feel free to ask anything about the Elgrand! Plus have a look at my The New Porsche thread for pics! Plus, if you buy an Elgrand, never, ever, ever call it an Ellie!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ellis Posted October 15, 2017 Share Posted October 15, 2017 And I absolutely love this thing. It’s great to drive, is so incredibly confy, eats journeys with ease, drinks fuel at the same rate as the Supra, is nicely rapid, can be played with engine-wise and has become my daily drive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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