Jesse's new ride the 'White Elephant'

[psilosin]

Have you ever been to the White Elephant in Spokane, WA...haven't been there in ~20 years but man that was the coolest place for camping/hunting/fishing gear when I was a kid. Name of your Safari is making me think of it...

[CREGAN]

Summary:
Delica = VW. Poor reliability, expensive parts, owners brag about repairs at trendy culty repair shop like it was a special occasion

Owning both I would have to agree with you. BUT along this often bumpy road we call Delica/VW ownership there are alot of good times to be had with great people, not to mention some great stares and parking lot conversation.

On the VW front, I don't like to go to trendy repair shops to have something to brag about. I brag about the fixing I can do with a roll of duct/muffler tape, wire, and lots of swearing.

I have started planting the seeds in my wife/bankers head about owning a Safari someday, but she can't seem to get over the fact that Jesse's new ride looks like a mobsters hurst. I envision it as a 4wd version of Ecto 1 (Ghostbusters car) though. Sweet.

Craig

[thedjjack]

Not sure about the repairs on the Delica???

Bought mine from a member on here (who might have not been the nicest too it). Did all the maintenance needed belts, timing, rad, hoses, and have not done anything since? Almost 2 years later....Sorry that does not = VW.

It is a 2.5L diesel so yes you need to drive it like a small diesel NOT a gas motor.

The drivetrain is very Japanese (tough). It is a 1/2 ton drive train not a 1 ton like the Safari.

Yes the Safari is way tougher built but it is oranges to apples.

[konadog]

I had a 71 VW in the early 90's and am now 4 years into my L-300 and I have had way - WAY - less issues. Nothing serious and I have never had to leave it dead on the side of the road like I did with my VW, a number of times. I don't have a boot full of spare parts on board either. Not putting VW's down - they are what they are. Same with delicas. Sure there are lots of tougher, more able 4x4's out there - that's not what the delicas are. Personally I see mine as a Japanese made 4x4 bus - exactly the vehicle I wished I had when I tore the motor mount outta that old VW going through a water-bar on a mountain road. I've found my 300 very capable within it's limits as well as reasonably reliable. I think I paid a fair price and have done well on maintenance costs and inconvenience, so far anyway...

[jessef]

I had a love&hate relationship with all my VW buses.

The L300 was all love.

L400 was more modern and cushy but the L300 was always the 'rugged and unique' buggy for me.

Safari is a whole other class. Plus it's not a van so there really is no comparison. The thing we were comparing was the costs on average.

VW's.. arg.. money pigs !

[tonydca]

I had a 71 VW in the early 90's and am now 4 years into my L-300 and I have had way - WAY - less issues. Nothing serious and I have never had to leave it dead on the side of the road like I did with my VW, a number of times. I don't have a boot full of spare parts on board either. Not putting VW's down - they are what they are. Same with delicas. Sure there are lots of tougher, more able 4x4's out there - that's not what the delicas are. Personally I see mine as a Japanese made 4x4 bus - exactly the vehicle I wished I had when I tore the motor mount outta that old VW going through a water-bar on a mountain road. I've found my 300 very capable within it's limits as well as reasonably reliable. I think I paid a fair price and have done well on maintenance costs and inconvenience, so far anyway...

I feel the same about my L400 (not having had the joy of VW ownership tho'...)

Most of what I have changed out is either normal maintenance or else it is the gradual upgrade of parts with perished plastic/rubber after 15 years.

The van has never left me stranded, instead it has what the military calls a "graceful degradation of performance"; it gently lets you know when something is slowly going out of adjustment, rather than letting an engine ECU have a stroke and stop you dead in your tracks.

I label it as a "minivan for people who need a minivan but don't want a minivan".

[jessef]

In a perfect world, I would mimic Jay Leno's system and keep every one of the Mitsu's I've touched and JDM's but alas, it's not in the cards unless Mr.LottoMax is feeling generous one of these days.

I don't think anyone is questioning the reliability of the L300/L400's. It's the comparison between a vehicle (Safari) that has a mechanical reliability parts that outlast a conventional 4wd like the L300/L400's.

Example. When I import any L300/L400, everyone has required brakes, balljoints, tierods, CV (repack/new boots), some wheel bearings. That alone I usually dump in close to $2k when I'm done it all. The suspension system on the L300/L400 front end is IFS and has many serviceable and consumable parts that cost $ to maintain vs. the Safari that has a solid axle with monster tie rods the size of your fist, bearings the size of your left bum cheek that the likelyhood of replacing is next to nil in 10+ years.

That's the difference. One has parts that 99.9% require immediate replacing fresh off the boat and regular 1-2year replacing while the other's similar part is built to last not 1 year but 10 years. Add up the cost to maintain both and the Safari ends up being less costly for it's reliability and serviceability (being how easy it is to work on).

Of course there are exceptions, the main one's being you guys that bought an L300/L400 that has already had all of that stuff done to it and the wrinkles ironed out before it was handed to you as opposed to the fresh new owner who needs to inject that dough. Those are the one's I was referring to earlier. Fresh off the boat L400 vs Safari average dollar invested to be similar mech spec sitting at your door.

[Pajero]

Jesse,

I agree with you after doing some research on the safari myself,

I do have one question, and that is why do none of the local importers have one instock, are they just too heavy duty to appeal to the masses? not enough of them on the market?

Joe

[jessef]

Both.

People (and most importers) don't know what they are and the one's that do already own one.

For every one good Safari 94-96, there are hundreds of L400's at auction.

[jessef]

There is one kickass Safari up for sale locally with a unique color and immaculate record history. http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/van/c ... 35227.html

[Pajero]

Looks pretty clean for a 1990....think I would like to get one with a turbo though....but looks good and its here....wonder why he is selling it

[nxski]

...at the end of the day we will all go out with our L300,L400,Surfs, and even safaris and have a good time and share stories that it thats what I think this site is all about. correct me if I'm wrong moderators

I'd say that's spot on! I know I've had a great time with all of the above and more at meets and trips. Back to the op, that is a nice looking vehicle as is but I'm sure it will look even better with Jesse's personal touches.

Now Check out the Nissan in this video...


or

[Pajero]

I deleted what originally said and sorry for getting off topic I'll just bite my tongue.

Congrats again and thanks for sharing your new ride jfarsang! and your 1st hand experiance with the Safari's

[jessef]

Mark, I've always enjoyed going through the top notch vehicles you sell. Will still be referring you to others like I have in the past. You do pop into this forum at the oddest times and lay it on thick.

1A was an oops. I meant to reference a different one. Good eye. 3A and 4A were both sold to friends of mine in Calgary under negotiation. They got lucky as well. Cheap for what it's worth. I also use Nissan FAST software to get the accurate model/spec/paint/engine codes ~ from the horse's mouth. Nissan EPC is the double check.

I'm just sharing my recent JDM acquisition and my experiences with the Safari in a Canadian environment along with it's reliability and serviceability 'locally'.

[fmande]

I like the GQ model Nissans Patrol(what they are called here).They are very popular here in Oz and are quite reasonable in price.
I personally like the Ti model which is our top of the range.
They are a very versitle vehicle and are great for towing and driving(good seating position).
I didn't find they were more comfortable than the Delica but the were very good just the same.
Good choice mate and the mods you can do are endless.
I used to drive a Ford Maverick which is just a rebadged Patrol.
Funny I have just started look at getting another one.
Well done,
If you want some links to the Australian sites that specialise in them just let me know,