Help Me!

Issues relating to the purchasing, importing, and inspection of JDM vehicles in Canada

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Ryan
Posts: 4
Joined: Mon Jul 17, 2006 2:27 pm
Member's Photo Album: http://www.delica.ca/Photos/
Location: Newfoundland

Help Me!

Post by Ryan »

Hi,

Great to see a CDN version of this forum up and running! I've known that 4WD, diesel vans have been manufactured for a long-time but just accepted that they weren't available in Canada....until I recently became aware that importing is an option (and now I'm in the market for one). I'm a little "out of touch" with the whole import thing going on throughout western Canada being situated on the far east coast. I've contacted a couple importers such as Outbackimports.ca and LuxuryImports.ca regarding van options, cost, shipping options etc. but I would really appreciate some help in sourcing a Delica from a reputable/trustworthy dealer. I'm actually not sure at this point if there's pro's/con's of owning a Delica vs. a Toyota Hiace either. Anyway, if anyone out there has some words of wisdom regarding the whole issue, it would be very much appreciated.

Cheers,
Ryan
St. John's, Newfoundland
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BCDelica
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Vehicle: WVO Powered Tuk Tuk
Location: Central Van Isle
Location: Somewhere with plenty of sun

Post by BCDelica »

Hi Ryan,

Lost1 on the Delica UK is out in Quebec and has been sort of happy with his Delica in Eastern Winters. I have heard some fantastic things about Wayne at Luxury Imports, the way he preps his vehicle is top notch, he also has answered some silly questions I've had via email. I have ordered through samurai garage and been very happy, though he ships to the west coast.

When I bought Marks Delica, or should I say when my wife fell in love and had to have it, I did some quick web research. The three things that stood out the most at that time is that parts are more common worldwide for the Delica's, the whole power train is more Robust, and the Toyota's are underpowered. Of course don't think the Delica is going to fly up mountain highways, with all five of are family and luggage we did only 80 Km/hr on the Coquihalla Hwy, not bad for 4 cylinder van.

We love ours.

Ciao,

Kevin
Image Call me BCDelica-less
Green1
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Post by Green1 »

I too am in the process of attempting to locate/import a vehicle, and my experience with importers so far isn't good...

I have heard great things about luxuryimports, and they responded promptly to my emails with lots of information, they do stand behind what they sell, and for that you pay a premium... how much is that worth? I dunno, for me I couldn't justify the price difference (we were talking almost DOUBLE the price of other importers... and I simply can't afford a $16,000 deli, especially when others are going for $8,000-10,000 and honestly, the $8,000 ones look to be nicer vehicles than the $16,000 one luxury imports pointed out ) that said, they are the only ones so far that have made dealing with them easy, and they are the only ones offering any form of warranty (1 year)
I attempted to contact VI imports, and they never replied to my emails...
I also attempted to contact Exceed imports, and they never replied to my emails...
I am currently attempting to contact Import Concern, and they are very slow at replying to emails (almost a week for the first email, we're on day 3 of the second one so far...)

at this point I'm convinced I want a Delica, I'm just not sure how to GET one!
delicanuck
Posts: 144
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Location: North Vancouver B.C. Canada

I don't work for these guys, Really!

Post by delicanuck »

I bought my deli for $9600 in great shape with a 1 year warrantee, (upgradable to 3, I think). I got it from Abbotsford Japan Auto. They don't have a Deli in stock today but I'm sure they will have. Am I the only person who's ever found these guys? Has anyone else ever bought anything from them? They do service, they have parts and apparently its all my little secret. OK. Mine and yours. OK Mine and yours and the other forum members... OK. Well, just the people on the web then.
Brett,
89 Exceed,
There are really only 10 kinds of people in the world;
Those who understand binary and those who don't.
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SnowSlide
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Location: Vancouver, B.C.

Post by SnowSlide »

I went out to Abbotsford Japan Auto and looked at the Delica that you bought delicanuck. It was in great shape, and the guy there certainly knew his stuff. I would definitely go to him for parts and service... actually, I should say I WILL go to him, as I just bought a Delica from Samurai Garage. It won't get here for another couple months, though...
Ryan
Posts: 4
Joined: Mon Jul 17, 2006 2:27 pm
Member's Photo Album: http://www.delica.ca/Photos/
Location: Newfoundland

Post by Ryan »

Hey Guys,

Been away for a week and now need to get to the bottom of this. Would someone mind clarifying the process for me for dealing with someone like Samurai Garage vs. Luxury Imports (or Abbotsford Japan Auto for that matter). I just don't have it straight in my mind how the process works where I can't actually be there in person for when a van arrives and goes through customs etc., and the inspection process i.e. does it get a BC inspection first or can I have it shipped to Newfoundland for inspection here. Again, any help much appreciated.
Cheers,
Ryan
delicanuck
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Location: North Vancouver B.C. Canada

Well if you like driving anyway....

Post by delicanuck »

Hi Ryan,
I bought mine from a dealer. He had already bought the car at auction in japan, had it shipped over, done the few modifications that were required and had it inspected. For me it was like walking onto any other car lot. It seems like the supply of Delicas is getting a bit slim. I spent a while on some waiting lists before I found my Deli. They are getting popular and so, getting bought up. Also, the newer models have a molded headlight that doesn't pass inspection. I'm working on that. If you were thinking of importing one for yourself or want to understand the process better, you could look here:
http://www.terra2imports.ca/download/im ... Canada.pdf
I think there are some official government docs on the topic too but I haven't found them. I can't tell for sure but I think Terra2 is in North Vancouver and they list a few Delis. Look here:
http://www.terra2imports.ca/
Gee. If you are coming as far as Cowgary anyways, find the one you want in Vancouver, get one of us to go look at it. If it looks good, come out, buy it, drive around here for a while and then drive it home.
Brett,
89 Exceed,
There are really only 10 kinds of people in the world;
Those who understand binary and those who don't.
hutch
Posts: 18
Joined: Thu Aug 24, 2006 1:51 pm

looking for a van?

Post by hutch »

Just got back from Saskatchewan in my Hilux pick-up and saw a Hiace on the side of the road with a "for sale" sign in the windscreen. No idea of price etc. It was near Salmon Arm incase someone goes by there again.
Otherwise, I have a friend in Japan who's exporting for me if someone wants his email address. Also sells parts. He's Canadian and a mechanic so good to correspond with for us mechanic-types out there.
Cheers,
Hutch
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