Greetings Inark, Thankyou for your valuable information. I did visit SSV in Oakleigh and they do have quite a number of Elgrands for sale. We were given great service but my partner and I both felt that the Salesman (Whos name I shall not state here) that we spoke to, didn't give us information that was 100% accurate regarding the number of seats that could be registered as you have mentioned in your post. It was through other forums that my partner realised that although there are 7 seats, not all seats can be used according to the laws in VIC.
So from my understanding from all that I have read is that the vehicle has to be complianced as a 7 seater for all the seats to be in use or the seat belts will be removed from the seats that may be physically in the vehicle but cannot be used (Hope this makes sense).
We have read that some people have purchased Elgrands in NSW as a 7 seater but when registering in VIC had problems registering as a 7 seater and therefore cannot use the extra seats if the vehicle was complianced as a 5 seater;-(
I have been speaking to a Dealership in NSW who is willing to bring in an import with all the MODS that we want and then onsell it to us with a 12 month warranty but we are not sure anymore who to trust in terms of getting 100% accurate information.
One last thing I'd like to mention, We wanted the middle row of seats to be rear facing and have the baby capsule to sit on one seat and a toddler seat to be on the other so that they can face the two older children aged 10 and 8 in the other row, but was advised by the salesman at SSV that it is illegal to have the seats rear facing in Victoria.
So now the partner and I are put off the Elgrand and are looking at purchasing a new 2010 Toyota Kluger drive away for $38,000 with 3 yrs warranty.
Thanks again for your reply and all the best to you and other Elgrand owners, we still really like all the luxuries it has to offer but don't want the headaches;-) Cheers Suzie
