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I Saved £6,000 Importing a Toyota Alphard (The Honest Truth): long term review, pros & cons.

High Octane Hero

17,854 views

Join me for a drive to Stansted Airport in my 2012 Toyota Alphard (3.5L V6 4WD) as I share the honest truth about owning and importing a JDM vehicle in the UK. I’m opening a can of worms regarding the British obsession with "low mileage" imports, explaining why I actually preferred a higher mileage example, and breaking down exactly how much money I saved by importing it privately rather than going through a dealer.

I also cover the real-world figures you need to know, including actual fuel economy, why I chose the V6 over the hybrid, and how the 4WD system handles British roads. Plus, I talk about the few things that genuinely annoy me, from the xenon headlights to the quirk of the Japanese cruise control cap.

00:00 - Intro & Purpose
01:27 - Mileage Myths
04:13 - Odometer Fraud
08:13 - Importing vs. Dealers
11:13 - Cost Breakdown
15:43 - Fuel Economy
18:17 Engine Choice
21:52 - 4WD Benefits
26:23 - Common Issues
28:16 - Headlight Problems
31:53 - Auto High Beams
36:50 - Cruise Control & Speed Limiter
40:02 - Interior Gripes
45:24 - Security Feature Dislike
48:58 - Spec Guide

20 Comments

@ColumbusDixon 2 months ago

Can you imagine being a USian watching this? Makes me smile. Especially after entertaining a couple of Californians yesterday in the UK. ;) Love&luck.

@jochem1986 2 months ago

Thanks for this cracking video! I bought myself a 2013 Vellfire 3.5Z G-Edition, sight unseen, in Japan, to be shipped to the Netherlands. It does have the fixed armrest chairs on the second row, but it's fabric upholstery rather than leather. But it is 68000 km, from a reputable dealer, so I'm hoping for a good example. I hope the European individual type approval process will go smoothly and cheaply 😅

@ColumbusDixon 2 months ago

Holy bejebus! I’m not into motors but I wish I was a car nerd enjoying this. Fab vid mate.

@lloydthomas780 8 months ago

Great video thanks man! Really helpful

@prophetfrightonkaonga6723 8 months ago

Very educative video❤❤❤

@MM-nikku 8 months ago

Really lovely content mate, useful information with good appreciation of Japanese family car. Alphard, Vellfire, Estima with 3.5 2GR engine really will last forever. Really glad there’s individuals who truely understand Toyota’s philosophy of creating a reliable, durable and obtainable cars. The idea of how Japanese creating cars is just different to all Europeans. Fab video and explanation 🫡

@joshelmo4691 3 months ago

Agree with you too on high mileage - our 2005 XC90 ; and we had 2, went to 299,000kms and was like the day we got them at 90,000kms 5 years earlier. Serviced well, driven well and they will last. Only reason we sold them was we wanted bigger room and that's when we decided on JDMs. Our first; and we still have it, is a 2007 Elgrand HWS had 89,000kms and 5 years later Ellie is now 240,000kms. It is being used as a spare and storage of stuff we don't have room in our shed! We bought our 2009 Alphard 15 months ago with 56,000kms and she's now 98,900kms.

@grumpydog9304 9 months ago

The lights in the console can be made dimmer by wiring in a resistor to drop the voltage, or you might be able to get lower wattage lamps. The auto unlocking and locking of the doors can be programmed in via the door lock switch and the gear shift position, check the info in an owner's manual for your model

@Adam-oy1vp 2 months ago

Had a mitsubishi 2.5 delica super exceed. By Far it was the best vehicle we ever had

@pierrecaruso7981 3 months ago

Pleased the camera was watching the road lol

@hughdunit 8 months ago

the CVT issues are the AH10 Model, apparently

@bradleydarkes5031 9 months ago

Keep up the good videos. These are really useful for UK buyers. I’m interested to see an update after the shudder fix

@worldhello1234 7 months ago (edited)

5:03 Especially the Prius+ on the market are sold at relatively high prices with 200,000 miles. You get the JDM version Prius Alpha with less than 200,000km for 2 grand less. It might be worth it.
6:59 It is common sense, too that JDM cars drive a lot less miles in the same model year than UK cars for several reasons. Why would you pay a premium for a crazy low mileage Prius if it is more important that it has been properly maintained and used, so the battery is healthy?
19:50 it is a hybrid, so the electric motor combined with the 2.4 and 4WD is adequate, made for ease of use and fuel economy, not high performance.
20:10 The fact is it is not underpowered, unless towing large trailers is your main use case.

@90stennisasian 7 months ago

actually, Asian car culture is quite different. People need to carry their extended family around. So Majority are private buyers. there are also a massive amount of people who does the Taxi thing as well. You will see these things everywhere in Asia.

@Roo-u6l 6 months ago

So much sense people. I won’t sell topper product called a warranty over standard stat rights included. I tell people. Don’t waste your money on warranty products.

@edrickmacabeo 9 months ago

Hey. Im too early to comment.. i actually be able to bring home one by early january (purchase at 60,000km odo), and im excited.

@stevekitt52 8 months ago

I have a 2008 2.4 ,which was a direct import by specialists.54K on the clock .Fantastic family vehicle and I love driving it. The only issue was the original head unit giving up the ghost, but got a digital replacement and an Xtrons monitor for the roof and the size of the vehicle meant it was pretty straightforward to install.

@isaillis 1 month ago

I had one for 7 yrs 2007 first series , done 250000kms
This is the real 7 seater vs othe so called 7 seater where u hv to sweeze into the bk.
The one with cap seats is the one to o look for 2.4 good enough. U can do all maintainace yrself easy. Only drawback fuel economy not as great bc of the conventional gearbox not cvt. But the catch is the box will last for ever as long as u change the fluids every 39 K again easy.
All people movers from the rest of the world CANNOT match.
I now hv an Estima which is better in someways ( seat config) but cvt. I discover if one change the fluid often ( more troublesome) n not thrash it should last benefit is a lot better fuel economy
Best cars from Toyota before n around 2010!