T-Badge head to head

[IMm29]

Hey Folks,

I'm back with another comparo. But before I begin, thanks for chiming in on my previous thread:
http://tsikot.com/forums/car-compari...purpose-92091/

The factors for this comparo have remained primarily the same:

My Mom is selling her 2005 Tribute V6 to upgrade into something in the 7-seater range as:
- She has the occasional weekend driver duties for my grandfolks and their entourage and baggage. So that would be herself, and sometimes my dad, both her parents, personal nurse, and male valet/alalay, 2 wheelchairs and what have you. These are mainly in-city drives. Though of course this would be useful in out of town trips to Tagaytay, etc.
- She has some weekday driver duties for our kids, too. So that's herself, a 4 and 2 year old, 2 yayas, and accompanying stuff.
- Grandfolks cannot climb anything higher than the current gen Kia Carnival, which they rarely have access to on the weekend anyways. Innova and Tribute are actually a challenging climb for them already. No, they will not resort to the ergonomic chair that converts into a wheelchair that slides in and out of the car at the touch of a button. At least not yet.

The choices for the Mom-mobile have evolved though. And they've gotten expensive. Don't ask me about the budget part, I've long tried to come up with a cheaper alternative, to no avail.

From what was a Previa vs. similar options, it's now become a T-badge only battle between:
A) Previa Q - P2.580M
B) Alphard 2.4L - P2.97M
C) Alphard 3.5L - P3.16M
*Prices quoted do not include the pearl white color. Malas sila sa puti, kaya they're avoiding it.

So the questions would be:
1) Which of the 3 Toyotas would best serve the factors mentioned above?
2) Would the Alphard luggage space behind the 3rd row be spacious enough to take in the wheelchairs? I know, an actual test fit would answer this question, but until I get both wheelchairs to a dealer with a unit, I'll have to rely on anyone's personal experience on the luggage space.
3) Any real world (PHDM) figures on the FC between the 2.4L and 3.5L Alphard for reference?
4) Maintenance-wise, any big difference in maintaining the 3 options?

Parang gusto kong ibigay yung GS + ergonomic wheelchair apparatus/kit for two to push for Option C. Hahaha! I'm pretty biased toward the Previa since it's not that much harder to learn to drive due to its size, but as mentioned, it takes longer to order, is tighter inside, and is pretty expensive for what it offers. The Alphard is not cheaper, but it goes all out, so there's no in-between.

Some exclusions:
Much as the Carnival LWB and T&C are viable options for the new price range, their not being Toyotas took them out of the running.

Hiring another driver to pilot another LWB, for example, though cheaper and more flexible, has proven to be an impracticable option at this point.

Fayt!

[niky]

Too long since I drove a Previa. Can't comment on economy, anymore. Not much worse than the Camry, from what I recall.

The Alphard, in my experience and from relatives who own them (already two in our family... crazy) is more economical than an SUV and is decent to good on the highway. 10 km/l is easy if you're just cruising, if you really try, kaya pang mag-12-14 km/l (boring nga lang). In the city, whatever you'd expect of a V6 SUV, that's what you'll get. Slightly better, actually, because it's just FWD.

[dct]

much much worth it ang alphard kaysa previa. siguradong magustuhan nila yan specially the ride

[IMm29]

Too long since I drove a Previa. Can't comment on economy, anymore. Not much worse than the Camry, from what I recall.

The Alphard, in my experience and from relatives who own them (already two in our family... crazy) is more economical than an SUV and is decent to good on the highway. 10 km/l is easy if you're just cruising, if you really try, kaya pang mag-12-14 km/l (boring nga lang). In the city, whatever you'd expect of a V6 SUV, that's what you'll get. Slightly better, actually, because it's just FWD.

Well that's a helluva lot better than the Tribute. Kinda makes my GS insecure. Hehehe! Sarap pang pormahan ng 20s! Stop! Hehehe! Sorry, got carried away by the idea. Thanks Niky.

much much worth it ang alphard kaysa previa. siguradong magustuhan nila yan specially the ride

Thanks. From the pix on autoindustriya and kotse, the Alphard does have that much space vs the Previa that's got a lower ceiling.

Alphard




Previa

[GTi]

If you have the money and do not mind the gas mileage, then get the Alphard V6. Being included in the JPEPA discount, it is more bang for your buck as compared to the 2.4L's. And then again, the 2.4L's give only slightly better FC but with a big difference in the performance department.

I'd leave the Previa alone as it is definitely too small for your purposes. I doubt you will be able to put much else besides the wheelchairs if all the seats are up.

[niky]

Do note... My highway driving is with a light foot. Drive like hell for leather and you can expect 8s or 7s. bad trip lang, 180 kmh speed limiter. Andami pang ibubuga ng makina sana... Hehehe.

[IMm29]

Hehehe! I'm sure opening up that glorious V6 will produce those bad figures. But likewise for sure that would be a wonderful experience

[IMm29]

Anyone know of a dealership with either a Previa and/or Alphard on display? Or kahit not on display but with available units to show, just for inspection purposes?

Have asked Toyota Ortigas (E Rodriguez) and have been to Shaw. No such luck, kahit service unit.

[vinj]

Anyone know of a dealership with either a Previa and/or Alphard on display? Or kahit not on display but with available units to show, just for inspection purposes?

Have asked Toyota Ortigas (E Rodriguez) and have been to Shaw. No such luck, kahit service unit.

For the Previa, bets bet is to go check out a second hand unit. I saw a couple on Sulit and one's located in Mandaluyong. At least you know what to expect a few years from now.

Personally, i'd narrow it down to either Previa 2.4L or the Alphard V6. Previa because of the lower acquisition price. Go all-out na for the 3.5 if you're going Alphard.

[IMm29]

For the Previa, bets bet is to go check out a second hand unit. I saw a couple on Sulit and one's located in Mandaluyong. At least you know what to expect a few years from now.

Well, that's a good point -- find out how it ages thru actual use. Though that's probably the only way to see a unit anyways. 3 months at least ang waiting time for an indent order.

Personally, i'd narrow it down to either Previa 2.4L or the Alphard V6. Previa because of the lower acquisition price. Go all-out na for the 3.5 if you're going Alphard.

Hehehe yeah I figured as much. Sulitin na. Though the Previa is already a big bad bite into the budget, the bite got bigger with the Alphard.

[IMm29]

Took vinj's advice and had a look at sulit. There were quite a few late gen Previas on sale. It appears the space behind the 3rd row can handle 2 folded wheelchairs standing up with some room on the side for some more cargo. Of course it will depend on a final actual fit if my Mom wants to proceed with the purchase, but there's a chance.

What I like about the Previa is that it does not feel as big as the Alphard, and is not as imposing. Perfect, feels psychologically smaller, giving the prospective buyer more confidence that it's not much bigger than the Innova. Saves about 500-600k in the process. Though the 2.45m entry price isn't cheap

[ronw123w124]

Around May last year we were looking for a suitable van to replace my mom's gen1 Expedition ( we didn't want another GS as we already have 2 in the family). We were already decided on the Alphard V6, but then it was not to be because there was a long wait time to get an Alphard, we decided to look elsewhere and ended up getting a gray market Toyota Sienna which in hindsight works better for my parents because of the lower height which makes ingress/egress easier for them. But buying a gray market is not for everyone as most parts needs to be sourced abroad and also you'll have to look for a competent place for servicing needs although these can be done with a little patience.

[GTi]

Open ka pala sa 2nd hand? Tingnan mo to oh! http://www.sulit.com.ph/index.php/vi...ition,7-12,132 Casa maintained and apparently only has 25tkms at 1.2M

[IMm29]

Around May last year we were looking for a suitable van to replace my mom's gen1 Expedition ( we didn't want another GS as we already have 2 in the family). We were already decided on the Alphard V6, but then it was not to be because there was a long wait time to get an Alphard, we decided to look elsewhere and ended up getting a gray market Toyota Sienna which in hindsight works better for my parents because of the lower height which makes ingress/egress easier for them. But buying a gray market is not for everyone as most parts needs to be sourced abroad and also you'll have to look for a competent place for servicing needs although these can be done with a little patience.

That's true, gray market purchases are not for everyone. But I'm personally open to them. Despite the Sienna being a Toyota (the brand which my Mom is biased toward), it's not something a 'T' casa can readily service, which is what's behind her preference for a Toyota. Another con would be the size of the Sienna, which is about that of the Carnival. But I agree, the ride height on the Sienna is perfect for the oldies but goodies.

Open ka pala sa 2nd hand? Tingnan mo to oh! 2009 Toyota Previa Full Option "top of the line" Philippines - 8014003 Casa maintained and apparently only has 25tkms at 1.2M

Actually, I don't think a 2nd hand purchase is an option, especially since we usually keep cars for a pretty long time (7 years and more). It just so happened that I could only find usable pictures in second hand posts.

[IMm29]

Finally was able to talk to the Previa driver in the basement as he was fixing his van. Very accommodating si Manong from JICA. Inabante pa niya yung oto para makita ko yung space sa likod. Inalok pa akong umupo, nahiya lang ako. Hehe!

Anyways, though I wasn't able to bring a tape measure, by my reckoning, 2 wheelchairs will fit in the space behind the 3rd row. It's more spacious than an Innova back there, but not by a whole lot. 1st and 2nd row accommodations are topnotch, with the 3rd row a little bit pinched if the 2nd row is moved real back. This looks to be what I'll be recommending. It does have that posh feel despite not having that many doodads at the back.

[vinj]

So order na? :D

[IMm29]

I wish! Hehehe!

I'd given her my recommendations yesterday, right after I checked the one in the parking out. Sila na bahala magdecide.