Alphard or something else?

[wordchild]

just started the process of looking for something to haul our expanding family around. requirements are;

1)can seat 4/5 adults/teenagers in some comfort plus space for child seat

2)decent luggage space/ bike racks also a plus

3)we will have a driver but something not too boring for the times (eg wkends away) when I have to drive it myself

4)price less of an issue than finding the right vehicle.

Would be grateful for any thoughts.

[anon210]

A normal SUV, style Fortuner, Pajero Sport or MU-X should respond to your requirements... And would be much more fun than the van.

[linguini]

a honda stepwgn spada?

[wordchild]

A normal SUV, style Fortuner, Pajero Sport or MU-X should respond to your requirements... And would be much more fun than the van. alt=biggrin.png width=20 height=20>

thanks, been thinking that myself but comfort is a big issue for my wife and with a couple of hulking teenage boys and a couple of other more recent arrivals the 3d row seats need to be serious not just an afterthought

[sjonburi]

If price is less of an issue then I would go for the Alphard 2.4V or HV. 3.5 is probably overkill.

Cheaper but with even more space, you could consider the Hyundai Grand Starex (Vip or Premium) for about THB 1.9 Mln.

https://www.hyundai-motor.co.th/prod_car_detail.php?car_model_id=7

[VocalNeal]

Hyundai H1 seems to be the van de jour currently in Thailand. Something about a tax dodge to do with importing with X number of seats then converting to less.

If you are looking at Alphards see how many H1's there are in comparison.

Although to be honest my first reaction to the question Alphard or something else? Was a frontal lobotomy.

Edited November 28, 2013 by VocalNeal

[ignis]

The new JP version. Honda Odyssey ? car like to drive 2.5 million baht, air bags + side air bags + air bags curtains. that is a million less than the Alpard Van

[Woodsie888]

A normal SUV, style Fortuner, Pajero Sport or MU-X should respond to your requirements... And would be much more fun than the van. alt=biggrin.png width=20 height=20>

thanks, been thinking that myself but comfort is a big issue for my wife and with a couple of hulking teenage boys and a couple of other more recent arrivals the 3d row seats need to be serious not just an afterthought

VW Caravelle BiTurbo

[ignis]

A normal SUV, style Fortuner, Pajero Sport or MU-X should respond to your requirements... And would be much more fun than the van. alt=biggrin.png width=20 height=20>

thanks, been thinking that myself but comfort is a big issue for my wife and with a couple of hulking teenage boys and a couple of other more recent arrivals the 3d row seats need to be serious not just an afterthought

VW Caravelle BiTurbo

Yes there nice but still a Van + the price, the base model is 3.3 million.... the V class Mercedes Benz Vito is 2.9 million......... somehow saying I have a Mercedes sound better that I have a VW..

+ Have the 5 electric reclining arm chairs fitted in the back would still be cheaper..

Edited November 28, 2013 by ignis

[eaustev]

Hyundai H1 seems to be the van de jour currently in Thailand. Something about a tax dodge to do with importing with X number of seats then converting to less.

If you are looking at Alphards see how many H1's there are in comparison.

Although to be honest my first reaction to the question Alphard or something else? Was a frontal lobotomy.

Beyond the captain's chairs the accommodation in the H1 VIP models is pretty poor and not so spacious, so if carrying a fair few people around it may not keep everybody happy. Two in comfort, and the rest make their own arrangements!!

[IMHO]

The new JP version. Honda Odyssey ? car like to drive 2.5 million baht, air bags + side air bags + air bags curtains. that is a million less than the Alpard Van

Yep, the new Odyssey is the closest competitor to the Alphard, and has the comfiest rear seats if you're going to have a driver. Prices are 2.75M and 2.95M for the new model launched yesterday.

Edited November 28, 2013 by IMHO

[Woodsie888]

A normal SUV, style Fortuner, Pajero Sport or MU-X should respond to your requirements... And would be much more fun than the van. alt=biggrin.png width=20 height=20>

thanks, been thinking that myself but comfort is a big issue for my wife and with a couple of hulking teenage boys and a couple of other more recent arrivals the 3d row seats need to be serious not just an afterthought

VW Caravelle BiTurbo

Yes there nice but still a Van + the price, the base model is 3.3 million.... the V class Mercedes Benz Vito is 2.9 million......... somehow saying I have a Mercedes sound better that I have a VW..

+ Have the 5 electric reclining arm chairs fitted in the back would still be cheaper..

HM has a VW. Most Thais looking for a van aspire to the same. The VW Bi Turbo is a nicer engine than that fitted to the 110CDI in my opinion. As far as the rear fit out goes they are equal as they are done locally.

[wordchild]

The new JP version. Honda Odyssey ? car like to drive 2.5 million baht, air bags + side air bags + air bags curtains. that is a million less than the Alpard Van

Yep, the new Odyssey is the closest competitor to the Alphard, and has the comfiest rear seats if you're going to have a driver. Prices are 2.75M and 2.95M for the new model launched yesterday.

i believe they have a car show on at Impact is that where it was launched? was thinking of going to take a look.

[eaustev]

The new JP version. Honda Odyssey ? car like to drive 2.5 million baht, air bags + side air bags + air bags curtains. that is a million less than the Alpard Van

Yep, the new Odyssey is the closest competitor to the Alphard, and has the comfiest rear seats if you're going to have a driver. Prices are 2.75M and 2.95M for the new model launched yesterday.

i believe they have a car show on at Impact is that where it was launched? was thinking of going to take a look.

I think the Motor Expo starts today and runs until December 10th. While you are there you could also look at the Kia Sorrento or Carnival. As long as you live in Bangkok where you can get service they may at least be worth looking at.