New owner, first impressions.

[IdahoDoug]

So, I have been driving the Van Wagon for two days as a daily driver just for fun. I have another cab-forward van which is a VW Vanagon. This Van Wagon is about a 7/8 scale size of the VW and drives like a MUCH smaller vehicle with none of the ponderous feel I expected. It feels much more responsive in power and the steering is far quicker. Brakes also feel stronger and more effective. I'm really impressed.

The Mitsubishi also seems notably quieter - especially on the freeway. I drove it around with the battery door off for a few days until I got the battery replaced as I had to keep it on a charger and use another battery on the floor. So I assumed it was going to be a bit noisy with the engine under the seats, but not true. I suspect the Mitsubishi's 4 speed transmission is much more advanced as it seems quicker reacting, and the extra gear plus overdrive give the impression of refinement as well. The Vanagon's engine is quieter by quite a bit since its both under the floor, AND clear at the back. But on the freeway the Vanagon is crazy loud with wind noise around the front end.

The Mitsu slider door is amazing. It works like a little jewel - light and positive opening and closing. The Mitsubishi's rear hatch takes some getting used to. It is so tall, I have about chinned myself with it lifting it up and suddenly having to take a step back. I went to the dump the first day to drop off some oil and was amazed that it weighs almost exactly what the larger Vanagon does - 3620. Outward visibility on it is really nice with all that vertical glass. I will have to get some curtains made. We sleep in the Vanagon all the time - its rear seat folds into a bed that is 50% larger than the Mitsubishi.

The dash controls are also a generation ahead of the Vanagon. Everything seems better organized, the levers and switches are more quality feeling, and their materials seem to have handled the test of time better even though both vans are the same age.

The ride quality is definitely rougher on the MItsubishi. It bounces and jars where the Vanagon literally glides down the road. The Vanagon also seems huge inside and I can walk directly from the driver's seat into the back - a big bonus at times.

Overall, I'm pretty impressed with the Mitsubishi. It was remarkably easy to do the baseline tuneup, fluid changes and filter changes. Wow - that air filter and assembly are commercial grade. Thick steel filter frame with nice seals and a huge filter media surface. I changed the spark plugs in about 8 minutes. Noted the fuel filter is a piece of cake. Oil change was great - things are nicely placed and I slid under without a lift of any kind. Grease fittings were nice to find on the lower ball joints, was hoping they were also on the drive shaft, but alas.. Pretty cool little rig.

Doug

[philmeup1]

I've always loved those things. As a kid, I would spot the odd one here in Ontario and just assumed it came from some foreign country and not the US. I even had a dream the other night that I was buying one (insert how lame is my life right now) here.... And I really would like one. But I have a killer Delica L300 with all the options. So it's better as just a dream.

I love the fact that Mitsubishi did this, although it's a little out there. But that's what's so cool about it all in the first place... I'm sure there's not many out there.

I've owned tons of VW Busses too. These are just better....

I've bern following your posts. Glad to hear you're on the road:)

Cheers, Phil

[IdahoDoug]

Thanks, Phil. When I was young, single and owned a string of sports cars, if someone told me that one day I'd be lusting after odd little strange looking foreign vans - I'd have laughed it off. But there is something so addicting about cruising around in a little box. And the rest of the world has caught on too, as I get more thumbs up and smiles driving these things than I ever did in the then-cool cars. I had a Syncro Vanagon I sold a few years ago as well. Cheers!

Doug

[IdahoDoug]

And could someone tell me how to fill the washer fluid? Its a black reservoir in the right front footwell attached to the wall. I could not pour anything into it as the dash interferes. Does it come out for filling? I removed the one obvious Phillips screw but that seemed to do nothing. Finally, I borrowed my wife's special watering can and carefully rinsed it, but on the road that's not going to be a solution. Help?

[Mazdax605]

The windshield washer bottle does pull out to allow for you to fill it. It is usually stuck in there pretty good from sitting for a long time. Just pull on it really hard, and it will slide out. If you can't get it out like I struggled with on my 1990 LS I had a few years ago, you can use a funnel.

[IdahoDoug]

Do you remove the screw first? I did, then pried hard enough to distort the plastic in the upward direction and yanked rearward, as well as directly away from the wall. What direction does it release?

[teamtestbot]

Good to hear your appraisal. I think we'll never see this level of overkill engineering in a passenger car again, personally. It's basically a small box truck hiding under a van body.

I personally am a fan of the invulnerable Federal bumper. That's how I park these days with snowbanks half-frozen everywhere - plow into it haphazardly and slice out your own parking spot to the envy of new, shiny fragile-bumper car owners everywhere. The turn circle also cannot be beat.

It also spins about an axis roughly behind where the engine doghouse ends when you try to do snow donuts, FYI.

The window washer bottle slides directly back (towards you and the base of the passenger seat). It does get stuck, but pulling from its back ought to release it. There should not be any screws removed.

[IdahoDoug]

Thanks. I will get more aggressive with the washer bottle next time I fill it. Drove it on the freeway for a couple hours today. Keeps up with traffic nicely at 75. The VW likes 70. I am hoping I can find a right tail light, by the way - in case anyone knows where I might get one. There is a guy on ebay who wants around $75 including shipping, and I usually get things like this for $12 at my local pick and pulls. So I'm having a hard time with that price.

[Yokohama]

Thanks. I will get more aggressive with the washer bottle next time I fill it. Drove it on the freeway for a couple hours today. Keeps up with traffic nicely at 75. The VW likes 70. I am hoping I can find a right tail light, by the way - in case anyone knows where I might get one. There is a guy on ebay who wants around $75 including shipping, and I usually get things like this for $12 at my local pick and pulls. So I'm having a hard time with that price.

I believe the one at my local salvage is still there. I can get that part for you, and then give you a price (shipped).

[IdahoDoug]

Thanks - at your convenience. If its OK with you, now that I've been driving it for a week I have a few little things I've noted. And I cannot find a parts van in my area. Can I PM you my "hope" list?

Regards,
Doug

[IdahoDoug]

Got 20.87mpg on my last tank. Tire pressures maxed, synthetic oil, fresh tuneup.

[teamtestbot]

That's pretty good. If I'm tripping by myself on highways not in a hurry, I've gotten around 22. Trips with friends average around 20, and if it's heavily loaded with equipment also I managed 17mpg to Detroit from Boston (and back) once... Ouch.

However around the city I tend to hammer it everywhere in 1/2 and so by long term estimate it is something dismal like 13-14.... The extremely tall first gear makes it more nimble than most people suspect.

[IdahoDoug]

Yeah, I will look forward to updating my MPG. The around town suffers because of the weight. Mine weighs 3620 with my 170lbs aboard - the same as my much larger Vanagon. Interesting about your driving style. Now that I have this vehicle down a bit, I notice that I am driving it around town like it is a sporty car. It is a pretty sporty handler at low speeds. Freeway speeds it is predictably nervous - an 88 inch wheelbase on a tall vehicle will do that, heh.

[IdahoDoug]

Yokohama,

Just checking in to see if you've had time to check on the parts Van. I'm enjoying daily driving it but the broken lens looks kinda shabby and I'm hoping to have a bit more pride in it. Heh, definitely a vehicle that's gotten under my skin - and fun to drive!

Thanks,
Doug

[philmeup1]

Hey Doug, if you get a chance, post some pictures. I'd love to see it.

Cheers, Phil