2008 Nissan Elgrand: The Oppositelock Review

"Aya, Almost Has A Cosmo With Toyota Engine Owned by a BMW." (aya-yu) 01/24/2015 at 17:01 • Filed to: Review, Oppo Review, JDM

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100

Today, our friend Kat has been driven a car that you can't drive. Now it's my turn to drive a van that you can't drive!* It's my daily moving apparatus called Nissan Elgrand.

*Except if you live in Japan, Hong Kong, China, South Korea, Australia, and Southeast Asia, you can drive/have one of this. Heck, you might even have one of these.

The Elgrand was Nissan's foray to the upmarket tall minivan class. In Japan, this so-called luxury minivan is really common, there's also the Toyota Alphard, Toyota Vellfire, and the now discontinued Honda Elysion. This particular model is kinda intersting, since it's shared the same platform and engine as the Nissan 350z/Infiniti G35. So, it's should be good, right?

(Full Disclosure: Nissan wants me to drive the elgrand so much that they make somebody sell one of these for a very cheap price and make me couldn't resist to buy that car. Nissan also give some engine tuning and replaced the old suspension with the new one after i give some monies to them. Thank you Nissan!)

Sometimes i don't really understand why people hate minivans. I mean, the Elgrand is not made for somebody who has given up in driving anymore. It's for people who want to travel everywhere in comfort. Or i should say, people who want to transport their family in comfort.

This Elgrand is also one of the last of RWD big van from Nissan. After this Elgrand, they start to make Elgrand boring by sharing lots of things with some USDM minivan called the Nissan Quest, and switch into FWD. So, how does it then?

Exterior: 7/10

I kinda think the Elgrand is rather handsome looking, despite it's only box on wheels. It won't win any design award, but it's certainly prettier than most of the minivan that you see on the road. And oh, it's painted midnight purple, which help the design aspect.

Interior: 8/10

The Elgrand has one of the best interior materials i ever seen in a Minivan. Everything you touch is soft leather and wood or soft plastic, although some the buttons feels rather cheap, like buttons for traction control.

Plus it has a rather clever middle row seat. You can use it as a seat, or you can use it as a storage bin..

Or even cupholders. But the problem is, that makes it's rather hard to access the third row seat because there's that small seat/cupholder thing, so you have to move the middle row forward to get there.

In the back there's quite a big of room, although that makes the boot pathetically small for a car this big. So you have to fold the third row seat if you need bigger room. So 8 i think is rather fair score.

Acceleration: 7/10

This car is powered by a 3.5l V6 VQ35DE, which is the same engine that you get from a Nissan 350z. Despite it's detuned to only 240 hp and coupled with a 5-speed automatic, it still could accelerate to 60mph in 6.5 second. That is faster than the Toyobaru twins!

So power is not really an issue. If you want to go faster, you can equip the car with AWD and you'll accelerate to 60 in less than 6 seconds. That is really fast for a car this big.

But fast acceleration is hindered by a low top-speed, which is electronically limited at 112mph. But i guess the kids will be screaming and vomiting if you go any faster.

Braking: 7/10

The brakes feels mushy and rather strong. And that's a problem because this car weighs about 1.8 tonnes, and the center of gravity is higher than the Burj Khalifa, braking from high speed is rather scary. But thanks to little wonder of technology like anti-lock brakes, brake assist, electronic brake-force distribution, and skid and traction controls, brakes are rather good.

Ride: 8/10

Ohhhhhh the ride in this car is really good. The seats are really thick, the suspension has been tuned for comfort not for setting the best time in the Nurburgring, and the chassis also feels softer than the 350z. The ride is so comfortable that if you carry some kids in it, they'll fall asleep easily, Especially when the captain chair and it's legs are extended. to made some kind of bed. You don't want to drive it, but you'll really love riding in it.

Handling: 6/10

The handling, despite it's an RWD it won't powerslide no matter how hard you try. It's rather understeery in fact, thanks to it's heavy weight and soft suspension. Let me put it this way: this car drove like an Infiniti G35 with extra few hundred kilos strapped on it's roof. Like that.

Gearbox: 6/10

It's an auto. That's might be a really bad mark for all of you. But it's also has something called Manual Shift, which basically let you shift by your own. But the problem is, the manual shift is a bit slow to respond to any input. And also, Nissan says shifting your own gear increases the wear on your gearbox, so i let it in Auto all the time. But the shifts is smooth, which is good.

Audio: 7/10

You know how the Nissan VQ35DE sounds like, don't you?

The Elgrand sounds the same, except a little bit more muted. So the engine Noise isn't really audible. But the 9-speakers Bose Audio system is pretty good. Unless you're a huge Audiophiles then you don't really have to replace the Elgrand's stock sound system.

If you give nissan more monies they will give you a Bose Wireless Headphone that you can used it if you want to hear a song but don't want the driver to hear your songs. But the wireless headphone on my Elgrand is missing :(

Toys: 9/10

Elgrand has ALL the toys you ever need in a Minivan.

Dual Sunroof? Checked. Tv? We got 2. Electric Curtains? Hell yes. Electric Sliding doors? of course! Cameras? we have 4, two mounted on the rearview mirror, one front, and one at the back. Cruise control? Yep, a Radar-guided cruise control.

You even got two remotes, 1 to control the media players, and one to control the other toys like cutains, sunroof, ac, etc. It's pretty amazing for a Minivan. The only problems is it only has RCA Jack instead of the HDMI. Not bad, but i wish i got a HDMI as well.

Value: 8/10

In Indonesia, when this car was new, it retails for a reasonable 85k USD, thanks to some massive import tax. Seriously half of this was Import tax.

But, in used market an example like mine will cost you about 20-28k USD, depending on the kilometerage. So i tend to say this car is rather good value, especially if you live in Japan, where i think the Japanese MSRP for my car was about 5 Million JPY, or about 42k USD.

Veridict.

Elgrand is a proof that Minivan could be awesome. It's a rear-wheel drive, full of gadgets, suprisingly quick, and good value. I kinda torn down either i should sell the car again or keep it as a DD, but for now it's my DD. And i love it.

Total Score: 73/100

Engine: 3.5L V6 VQ35DE

Power: 240 hp, 246lb-ft of torque.

Transmission: 5 speed automatic with manual override

0-60 Time: 6.6 seconds

Top Speed: 112mph (Electronically Limited)

Drivetrain: Rear-wheel drive

Curb Weight: 3600 pounds

Seating: 6-8 adults.

MPG: 13.4 MPG (City), 22.8MPG (Highway), 14.8 MPG (Combined)

MSRP (in Indonesia): $70,090 base; Approx. $85000 as tested

Long Live the Longdoor > Aya, Almost Has A Cosmo With Toyota Engine Owned by a BMW. 01/24/2015 at 17:35

2

Wow, this thing is pretty awesome! You had me at electric curtains... ELECTRIC CURTAINS!!!

Aya, Almost Has A Cosmo With Toyota Engine Owned by a BMW. > Long Live the Longdoor 01/24/2015 at 17:37

5

Not just electric curtains, it's Remotely-Operated Electric Curtains!

Hahayoustupidludditeshutupandgohandcrankyourmodeltalready > Aya, Almost Has A Cosmo With Toyota Engine Owned by a BMW. 01/24/2015 at 17:40

1

Nice car(well, van), nice review. Is it really just 3600 pounds? That seems very light.

Aya, Almost Has A Cosmo With Toyota Engine Owned by a BMW. > Hahayoustupidludditeshutupandgohandcrankyourmodeltalready 01/24/2015 at 17:42

2

1800 kilos, yeah. That's what's written in the manual book.

Long Live the Longdoor > Aya, Almost Has A Cosmo With Toyota Engine Owned by a BMW. 01/24/2015 at 18:31

0

What!? That's even better! My mom had an old GMC Vandura van that had manual curtains and I was enamoured with that; this is just awesome!

Off to the internet to see the stipulations of importing or recreating this in Canada...

The Compromiser > Aya, Almost Has A Cosmo With Toyota Engine Owned by a BMW. 01/24/2015 at 19:02

17

This thing has wings??? Awsome! Flying van of the future.

 V8 Rustler > Aya, Almost Has A Cosmo With Toyota Engine Owned by a BMW. 01/24/2015 at 19:24

2

The handling, despite it's an RWD it won't powerslide no matter how hard you try

Bummer.

So the Ford Aerostar is still the king of the Jalop mini vans. RWD, Space Shuttle-inspired design, Manuel and V6.

Aya, Almost Has A Cosmo With Toyota Engine Owned by a BMW. >  V8 Rustler 01/24/2015 at 19:42

8

King of Minivans is Mercedes-Benz R63 AMG. Fact.

DasWauto > Hahayoustupidludditeshutupandgohandcrankyourmodeltalready 01/24/2015 at 22:02

1

1800 kilos is closer to 4000lbs, which I would say is to be expected.

Hahayoustupidludditeshutupandgohandcrankyourmodeltalready > DasWauto 01/25/2015 at 09:47

0

Yes, its weight being listed as 3600 pounds surprised me. 4000 makes more sense.

DasWauto > Hahayoustupidludditeshutupandgohandcrankyourmodeltalready 01/25/2015 at 14:43

1

Just lost in translation. I think he just multiplied 1800 by 2, instead of 2.2 lbs/kg.

Hahayoustupidludditeshutupandgohandcrankyourmodeltalready > DasWauto 01/25/2015 at 17:41

0

Yes, that's what I assumed too.

E. Julius > Aya, Almost Has A Cosmo With Toyota Engine Owned by a BMW. 01/26/2015 at 04:28

0

Surprised by how cool this thing is. I love the dash, it looks like a space ship. The only thing I disagree on is your evaluation of the exterior. 3/10 if you ask me, but it's a matter of individual taste.

WiscoProud > Aya, Almost Has A Cosmo With Toyota Engine Owned by a BMW. 01/26/2015 at 11:03

3

That is about as nice of a minivan that I have ever seen. Why can't we get this in the states? Dammit.

BrtStlnd > Aya, Almost Has A Cosmo With Toyota Engine Owned by a BMW. 01/26/2015 at 11:04

5

This is a brilliantly executed vehicle/luxury studio apartment.

Grant Leavitt > Aya, Almost Has A Cosmo With Toyota Engine Owned by a BMW. 01/26/2015 at 11:04

0

Those headlights doe... think the hyperblue is a nice touch and makes it look as if the headlights are bisected.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Aya, Almost Has A Cosmo With Toyota Engine Owned by a BMW. 01/26/2015 at 11:06

1

Congrats on the front page! OppoBlog effect. =)

http://oppositeblog.kinja.com/

55_mercury > Aya, Almost Has A Cosmo With Toyota Engine Owned by a BMW. 01/26/2015 at 11:07

0

0-60 Time: 6.6 seconds

Is that KPH or MPH? If that's MPH then that is actually pretty fucking fast!

Dest > Aya, Almost Has A Cosmo With Toyota Engine Owned by a BMW. 01/26/2015 at 11:07

0

Does this really share a platform with the Z? lol.

Grant Leavitt > WiscoProud 01/26/2015 at 11:09

0

Cuz nobody wants to buy a $50k minivan... and no-one wants to sit a black leather that's been sitting in the sun while you're shopping for an exhaust kit for your skyline.

BKCO > Aya, Almost Has A Cosmo With Toyota Engine Owned by a BMW. 01/26/2015 at 11:10

0

Thank you for sharing! When I lived in Hong Kong these and the Toyota Alphard/Vellfire ruled the streets. It's amazing the amount of luxury these they pack into these. 360 degree camera in 2008?? I can't think of a vehicle that even offered that in the United States back then.

Nice writeup overall!

Nibby > Aya, Almost Has A Cosmo With Toyota Engine Owned by a BMW. 01/26/2015 at 11:10

1

holy fuck, I want this now

WiscoProud > Grant Leavitt 01/26/2015 at 11:13

5

Several minivans are already encroaching on $50k when fully loaded. Most vehicles come with leather, so that's nothing new either.

It would just be nice to have something that wasn't bland.

Arrivederci > Aya, Almost Has A Cosmo With Toyota Engine Owned by a BMW. 01/26/2015 at 11:15

0

This car is powered by a 3.5l V6 VQ35DE, which is the same engine that you get from a Nissan 350z. Despite it's detuned to only 240 hp and coupled with a 5-speed automatic, it still could accelerate to 60mph in 6.5 second. That is faster than the Toyobaru twins!

So power is not really an issue. If you want to go faster, you can equip the car with AWD and you'll accelerate to 60 in less than 6 seconds. That is really fast for a car this big.

But fast acceleration is hindered by a low top-speed, which is electronically limited at 112mph. But i guess the kids will be screaming and vomiting if you go any faster.

Sorry to say, but you're full of it. This video shows that it's 8.8 seconds to 100kph. There is no way a 240hp van weighing over 4000 lbs , not the 3600 you claim. No way that thing can out accelerate a Honda Fit , much less a 200hp 2700lb sports car .

That doesn't mean it isn't a kickass RWD van with VQ power, but your claims are absurd.

C-Ki > Aya, Almost Has A Cosmo With Toyota Engine Owned by a BMW. 01/26/2015 at 11:20

1

You won me with the picture of the carvernous interior, the words RWD, and DD...

SexY.

... oh and the curtains too, the curtains! And think of the possibilities by going AWD...

The rear is not that pretty, so the more appropriate score should be 69/100

Aya, Almost Has A Cosmo With Toyota Engine Owned by a BMW. > WiscoProud 01/26/2015 at 11:32

0

You get the newer version of this car in the states, as a Nissan Quest.

Aya, Almost Has A Cosmo With Toyota Engine Owned by a BMW. > Dest 01/26/2015 at 11:34

1

yeeeeeees. Nissan is weird.

kvetcha > Aya, Almost Has A Cosmo With Toyota Engine Owned by a BMW. 01/26/2015 at 11:35

0

I love this vehicle category. Every time I saw an Elgrand or Alphard or Vellfire in Japan I thought "WHY NOT US".

They're absurd and great and I wish I wish I wish.

Lars Vargas was hoping 2020 would be quieter > Aya, Almost Has A Cosmo With Toyota Engine Owned by a BMW. 01/26/2015 at 11:42

2

I have no idea what this button does, but I want the exact same thing in my next car.

WiscoProud > Aya, Almost Has A Cosmo With Toyota Engine Owned by a BMW. 01/26/2015 at 11:42

0

Sad. I liked the rear wheel drive version.

Aya, Almost Has A Cosmo With Toyota Engine Owned by a BMW. > BrtStlnd 01/26/2015 at 11:44

1

I would live here. Seriously.

Aya, Almost Has A Cosmo With Toyota Engine Owned by a BMW. > Arrivederci 01/26/2015 at 11:44

0

Not really.

Aya, Almost Has A Cosmo With Toyota Engine Owned by a BMW. > 55_mercury 01/26/2015 at 11:45

0

MPH!

The gearing in this car is pretty low.

Arrivederci > Aya, Almost Has A Cosmo With Toyota Engine Owned by a BMW. 01/26/2015 at 11:48

0

Is that van stock? From using my stopwatch, that's still over seven seconds. Faster than a Fit, but slower than a Toyobaru. Care to refute the curb weight? Any other false claims?

Octavian > Grant Leavitt 01/26/2015 at 11:49

0

A loaded Sienna is $50k+

Octavian > C-Ki 01/26/2015 at 11:50

0

69/100 would dragon

Octavian > Grant Leavitt 01/26/2015 at 11:51

0

They put those headlights in the new Titan.

MozzaShnipes > Aya, Almost Has A Cosmo With Toyota Engine Owned by a BMW. 01/26/2015 at 11:53

0

I have a Tomica version of the Elgrand! I want to continue searching for the other vans... I played with the Elgrand for a fair amount of time in Enthusia too! Why can't we get vans in GT6 or (more) in Forza and such?

The Crazy Kanuck; RIP Oppositelock > Aya, Almost Has A Cosmo With Toyota Engine Owned by a BMW. 01/26/2015 at 11:54

0

So if it shares an engine with g37\350z you can put a super charger on it.

detailer4u > Aya, Almost Has A Cosmo With Toyota Engine Owned by a BMW. 01/26/2015 at 11:59

0

I hate to admit but I really like this beast. Would make a great "Let'sgoBrosvan" for road trips to the track.

Grant Leavitt > Octavian 01/26/2015 at 12:04

0

OK, I meant base price... As options and whatnot can vary the price.

pantaloonfan > Aya, Almost Has A Cosmo With Toyota Engine Owned by a BMW. 01/26/2015 at 12:07

0

I drove the American market version of the Fiat Ducato from Dodge (new Ram cargo van) and it was seriously, seriously awesome. The Euro market vans (and I guess the Asia market ones as well) all seem way more interesting and far cooler than what we are usually given/saddled with.

TomGBDA > Aya, Almost Has A Cosmo With Toyota Engine Owned by a BMW. 01/26/2015 at 12:09

1

And where I'm from (Bermuda) they're the most kick-ass taxis!

Octavian > Grant Leavitt 01/26/2015 at 12:10

0

The article states that this minivan is a loaded model and stickered for around $42k. I would imagine the price for a base model is much less.

MrToppo > Arrivederci 01/26/2015 at 12:18

1

Going by the "3.5L SC" in the title of the video he posted, I'll have a guess and say it's supercharged. There's no way you're moving 4500 pounds of Elgrand to 60 MPH in under 7 or even 8 seconds with merely 240 horsepower.

X-cchannel-M > Aya, Almost Has A Cosmo With Toyota Engine Owned by a BMW. 01/26/2015 at 12:25

0

Rear drive, VQ35.. in a van? There is too much win here!

tobythesandwich > Aya, Almost Has A Cosmo With Toyota Engine Owned by a BMW. 01/26/2015 at 12:38

1

This looks so much like a B15 Sentra steering wheel lol

Arrivederci > MrToppo 01/26/2015 at 12:55

1

Zackly. It's a cool van nonetheless, but El Grande Maestro doesn't need to be spreading false information about it.

Kinja'd Again > Aya, Almost Has A Cosmo With Toyota Engine Owned by a BMW. 01/26/2015 at 13:12

0

This got a better score than a Mini Cooper S?????

BRB, I am quitting life.

Brickman > Aya, Almost Has A Cosmo With Toyota Engine Owned by a BMW. 01/26/2015 at 13:18

0

If this was offered in the US, people would really want more vans. So much legroom. Makes my caravan look like a subcompact.

ktonl > WiscoProud 01/26/2015 at 13:18

0

Search up the Toyota Veilfire.

AntiLag > Aya, Almost Has A Cosmo With Toyota Engine Owned by a BMW. 01/26/2015 at 13:23

0

I enjoyed reading this, enjoyed the insight, and found it very interesting, but man.... You gotta proofread these things before you post them.

KaBoomBOX > Aya, Almost Has A Cosmo With Toyota Engine Owned by a BMW. 01/26/2015 at 13:39

0

"Today, our friend Kat has been driven a car that you can't drive."

Really, which has been drove Kat?

Futura1000 > Dest 01/26/2015 at 13:55

0

Its the FM platform and Nissan/Infiniti has used it for everything! The Z, G35, FX, EX, M35. They just stretch it out to different lenghts. I had no idea they used it in a van though. pretty neat.

Zimmezumm > Aya, Almost Has A Cosmo With Toyota Engine Owned by a BMW. 01/26/2015 at 14:09

0

The Nissan Elgrand E51 is simply the best car in the world. We also have them available here in the UK as grey imports.

Don't get me wrong but it would have been even better to feature an XL edition with cream interior, it looks even more spacious and comfy.

Enjoy every mile in your Ellie!

bluebearbank > Aya, Almost Has A Cosmo With Toyota Engine Owned by a BMW. 01/26/2015 at 14:13

0

I see some switches and displays are in Japanese. Is it common in Indonesia? Or is this a special demo car?

GTDC > Aya, Almost Has A Cosmo With Toyota Engine Owned by a BMW. 01/26/2015 at 14:18

0

Believe it or not, these cars aren't even used for kids. Many businessmen have private driver who ferry them around in an Elgrand or Toyota Alphard. They're marketed as "business vehicles."

RMudkips > Aya, Almost Has A Cosmo With Toyota Engine Owned by a BMW. 01/26/2015 at 14:19

0

O.O

RMudkips > Aya, Almost Has A Cosmo With Toyota Engine Owned by a BMW. 01/26/2015 at 14:21

5

pls

MrToppo > Aya, Almost Has A Cosmo With Toyota Engine Owned by a BMW. 01/26/2015 at 14:24

0

This is more like it.

That's a stock Elgrand 3.5, and it accelerates to 60 in just under 10 seconds. 0-60 in six and a half second (or faster) is not possible for 2 tonnes of stock Elgrand.

Tohru > Aya, Almost Has A Cosmo With Toyota Engine Owned by a BMW. 01/26/2015 at 14:33

1

Let me put it this way: this car drove like an Infiniti G35 with extra few hundred kilos strapped on it's roof.

Which is funny, because I've driven a G35 and it weighs the same as that van.

theflipimage > Aya, Almost Has A Cosmo With Toyota Engine Owned by a BMW. 01/26/2015 at 14:34

0

the problem in america? minivans were always marketed as a car to shuttle kids around, hence the soccer mom stigma.

vans in japan? vehicle to transport people, in as space-efficient a box as possible. note no pretense to cater to the playskool crowd there.

Tohru > WiscoProud 01/26/2015 at 14:34

0

Come to uppermidwest.kinja.com. Sconnies welcome!

HideyoshiJP > Aya, Almost Has A Cosmo With Toyota Engine Owned by a BMW. 01/26/2015 at 14:51

0

As observed by yours truly, this is great for housewives to watch variety TV shows while waiting at traffic lights.

Aya, Almost Has A Cosmo With Toyota Engine Owned by a BMW. > Tohru 01/26/2015 at 15:00

0

But the center of gravity is lower on the G35.

Aya, Almost Has A Cosmo With Toyota Engine Owned by a BMW. > Lars Vargas was hoping 2020 would be quieter 01/26/2015 at 15:00

1

Which one?

Carwings?

Aya, Almost Has A Cosmo With Toyota Engine Owned by a BMW. > BKCO 01/26/2015 at 15:03

0

I think the only car (outside the Elgrand) i've ever driven with these 360 degrees camera is a W221 S-Class.

Aya, Almost Has A Cosmo With Toyota Engine Owned by a BMW. > TomGBDA 01/26/2015 at 15:03

0

Holy sheeeeeeeeeeeeeeet

Aya, Almost Has A Cosmo With Toyota Engine Owned by a BMW. > MozzaShnipes 01/26/2015 at 15:04

0

The last GT with vans are GT4 with JDM Honda Oddysey, which is sad :(

Aya, Almost Has A Cosmo With Toyota Engine Owned by a BMW. > bluebearbank 01/26/2015 at 15:05

0

Well, the Elgrands in Indonesia are imported straight from Japan, so it's all JDM.

Aya, Almost Has A Cosmo With Toyota Engine Owned by a BMW. > GTDC 01/26/2015 at 15:06

0

I've ever driven the Alphard, and i have to say, the handling is worse, but far more comfortable.

Still, i would transport my kids with this.

Lars Vargas was hoping 2020 would be quieter > Aya, Almost Has A Cosmo With Toyota Engine Owned by a BMW. 01/26/2015 at 15:32

1

Yeah, "CARWINGS". I should have been more specific since Kinja's thumbnails aren't. :)

What are carwings?

Manic Otti > Aya, Almost Has A Cosmo With Toyota Engine Owned by a BMW. 01/26/2015 at 16:05

0

It's better looking than that god awful festival of ugliness they call the NV passenger. No wonder taxi drivers revolted when they tried to make it the only New York approved cab.

Aya, Almost Has A Cosmo With Toyota Engine Owned by a BMW. > Lars Vargas was hoping 2020 would be quieter 01/26/2015 at 16:13

3

To be brutally honest, i have no idea since Carwings is not supported in Indonesia. But Wikipedia says that, it's a fancy satnav.

Aya, Almost Has A Cosmo With Toyota Engine Owned by a BMW. > Manic Otti 01/26/2015 at 16:19

0

Well, we also got the NV200, called the Evalia in Indonesia, and i have to say it's rather ugly.

It's dirt cheap though, less than 10 grand.

Takuro Spirit > Aya, Almost Has A Cosmo With Toyota Engine Owned by a BMW. 01/26/2015 at 16:21

1

These are backwards.

TeamFJ > Aya, Almost Has A Cosmo With Toyota Engine Owned by a BMW. 01/26/2015 at 16:50

0

Oh man, I wasn't expecting this rear end with the rest of it looking that clean! It looks very, very confused.

I Do It For Miatas, NC Owner >  V8 Rustler 01/26/2015 at 17:36

3

Try the Toyota Previa. RWD, mid engined, supercharged, manual minivan. In brown.

TerraTech > Aya, Almost Has A Cosmo With Toyota Engine Owned by a BMW. 01/26/2015 at 17:49

0

Would love to see a source for those acceleration numbers. Tried to verify them and of course could not. They are wrong, by about 2 seconds. The thing does about 8.2 s to 60 tops. 6.5s is ridiculous and below 6 is just stupid.

cberg > Aya, Almost Has A Cosmo With Toyota Engine Owned by a BMW. 01/26/2015 at 18:08

0

That thing is faster to 62 than old Saab 900SE! Gamecube compatible no less! I miss the hell out of my Nissan Prairie!

Lars Vargas was hoping 2020 would be quieter > Aya, Almost Has A Cosmo With Toyota Engine Owned by a BMW. 01/26/2015 at 18:32

1

Thanks for looking that up (since I was too lazy). I just thought is was cool because of the name, but also that everything else was non-roman characters.

Nisman > Aya, Almost Has A Cosmo With Toyota Engine Owned by a BMW. 01/26/2015 at 18:32

0

Why is the AWD model faster? Didn't see an answer in the comments. Sorry if it has already been asked.

Steve in Manhattan > Aya, Almost Has A Cosmo With Toyota Engine Owned by a BMW. 01/26/2015 at 19:18

0

Wonder if it would sell in US America?

Tohru > Aya, Almost Has A Cosmo With Toyota Engine Owned by a BMW. 01/26/2015 at 19:26

1

only cause it's got a fat boring butt.

Amoore100 > I Do It For Miatas, NC Owner 01/26/2015 at 19:38

3

Obviously.

But the Elgrand's cool too, I love Elgrands despite their easygoing, not-so-Jalop nature...

minica > Aya, Almost Has A Cosmo With Toyota Engine Owned by a BMW. 01/26/2015 at 19:55

0

28K Aya? seriously? yikes depreciation sure hit hard on the car... any mechanical gremlins to be on the watch out?

i'm rapidly considering this car, since my parents are getting old and i want them to be comfortable on their daily routine..

Phlegminglib > Aya, Almost Has A Cosmo With Toyota Engine Owned by a BMW. 01/26/2015 at 20:19

0

Having been driven around HK and China in both the Nissan and various Toyota Alphards, I want to say the Alphard is a better ride.

drivegooder > Aya, Almost Has A Cosmo With Toyota Engine Owned by a BMW. 01/26/2015 at 20:29

0

Elgrand or Alphard/Vellfire?

ManWithVan > Aya, Almost Has A Cosmo With Toyota Engine Owned by a BMW. 01/26/2015 at 20:41

0

The ride is so comfortable that if you carry some kids in it, they'll fall asleep easily, Especially when the captain chair and it's legs are extended. to made some kind of bed. You don't want to drive it, but you'll really love riding in it.

Was no one checking grammar at all?

SamfaKenessal > Aya, Almost Has A Cosmo With Toyota Engine Owned by a BMW. 01/26/2015 at 23:18

0

Carwings button? I'm listening...

Smoocheese > Aya, Almost Has A Cosmo With Toyota Engine Owned by a BMW. 01/26/2015 at 23:53

0

Hey Aya

Wonder if you would be interested in covering us for your blog+jalopnik?we are soon going to be launching something similar to classic car club manhattan in jakarta and would love to meet up with you.

Let me know if you are interested in meeting up and talking some jalop stuff.

Georado > Aya, Almost Has A Cosmo With Toyota Engine Owned by a BMW. 01/27/2015 at 00:06

0

The seats look sooooo comfortable.

SukhoiRomantic > Aya, Almost Has A Cosmo With Toyota Engine Owned by a BMW. 01/27/2015 at 02:25

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Thanks for this review! I see plenty of grey import Elgrands for sale here in Aus and love the whole luxury van thing. Plus I guess if you are in Indonesia you get to lord it over the plebs in their Toyota Kijangs (which I also like)

GTDC > Aya, Almost Has A Cosmo With Toyota Engine Owned by a BMW. 01/27/2015 at 03:48

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Absolutely everywhere in Hong Kong. About a fifth of the private cars here are mpvs like these with reclining captains' chairs. Quite convenient

GTDC > MozzaShnipes 01/27/2015 at 04:01

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Wow, me too! I also have a Tomica Toyota Alphard, Vellfire, Voxy, and Noah, not to mention the same sort of cars from Nissan, Honda, Mitsubishi, and Mazda. I really love how Tomica makes these sorts of interesting cars. My Vellfire has sliding doors!

Nauraushaun >  V8 Rustler 01/27/2015 at 07:23

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The Mitsubishi Delica would do horrible things to your silly little Ford. Turbo-diesel, increased ride height... Yeah!

mingoesbueno > Aya, Almost Has A Cosmo With Toyota Engine Owned by a BMW. 01/27/2015 at 07:24

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CARWINGS!!!!!

Nauraushaun > Aya, Almost Has A Cosmo With Toyota Engine Owned by a BMW. 01/27/2015 at 07:25

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These were never sold in Australia, but quite a few have been privately imported. They often have something awesome written on the side, like Highway Star. We also get some Mitsubishi Delicas, which often have something awesome written on the side, like Spacegear. Man the Japanese sure know their vans.

 V8 Rustler > I Do It For Miatas, NC Owner 01/27/2015 at 22:27

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Yep, you're right.

Aya, Almost Has A Cosmo With Toyota Engine Owned by a BMW. > drivegooder 02/01/2015 at 11:07

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Elgrand is for a keen driver, while the Alphard/Vellfire is for those who prefer to be driven.