Considering purchase - advice appreciated

[Miloki]

I've been looking at the Delicas for a few months now, but didn't really expect to be buying one because they're all so far away - I'm in the Maritimes. Well, now there's one for sale out here (a 1992) so I'm doing some serious research and now I have reservations. Hopefully some of you can answer my questions...

Do most vehicles arrive in good condition? I've read a lot about the Japanese inspections and how well the vehicles are looked after - so if it's a recent import is it likely to be a safe buy?

What do dealers usually do to the vehicles - I see headlights, running lights, markers, is there anything else that I should expect to be done to it?

Damn those headlights are expensive! How often do they need to be replaced? And is that high price typical of what you have to pay for parts?

I don't have high expectations for power from a diesel - right now I'm driving a 1.6l Jetta diesel - but somebody mentioned only being able to get up to 80km on the highway with passengers; there's a lot of hills out here - just how gutless are these things?

Highway miles are easier on a vehicle than city miles - I've been told that driving in Japan is more 'city miles' - low speed, lots of starting and stopping - so how many miles are these diesel engines good for once they get over here? I mean, I can find VWs that have the 1.6l diesel in them with 500k+ - what sort of kms are people seeing on these 2.5l diesels?

I saw a comment by a UK owner about having seen 2 of them on their sides - are they easy to tip, susceptible to wind? (we get some nasty wind gusts out here)

I'm having a heck of a time finding reviews of Delica (like what Edmunds or Consumer Guide does) - anyone have links to critics' reviews of the 1992 Delica?

Any advice that anyone has to share about evaluating a Delica for purchase will be much appreciated!

Thanks,
Valerie

[quadzilla]

Valerie - you will find answers to many of your questions by searching this site. A few things, though:

1. If the vehicle is arriving from Japan, replace the air filter, oil filter, timing belts, pullies, etc, and all belts, for that matter. There is a post that lists all of the recommended maintenance that should be done when you receive the vehicle.
http://www.delica.ca/forum/fresh-of-the ... iming+belt

2. While these vehicles are not rocket ships, they can do over 100 kph fully loaded - at least mine can. And by fully-loaded, I mean kids, in-laws, and wife. All seats filled. You definitely won't be winning any races in these things.

3. I can't answer your question regarding headlight replacement. Likely similar to other cars.

4. Provided the motor is well maintained, you should be able to exceed 500K. Most of the vans from Japan have low km's because of the prohibitive inspection process they have over there.

5. Search this forum for crashes - just recently a member had the misfortune of rolling over. Very little damage. Because of their shape and height, the wind does blow them around, but their weight (2000 - 2200 kg) keeps them anchored to the ground.

Other than that I suggest you pour yourself a glass of whatever makes you comfortable and read this forum like a book. There is a lot of information here and with time, all of your questions will be answered.

Good Luck.

[delicat]

Valerie,

To add on quadzilla's great reply (don't you already love this helpful site!)

Once you've got proper headlights the replacement would only consist of the bulbs (normal price) or if they get a rock chip then you're out of luck but that goes with many newer vehicles as well.

Being in the Maritimes may be extra work to get parts/service but a good diesel specialist would have no problems to work on these beast. As for parts here in BC they are abundant so you could easily get them shipped to you. It's not that bad, really! (I've done it on my VW buses for years!) But agreed with quadzilla, the initial service is the most important one and will save you lot's of headache down the road.

80km/h? Maybe a manual with strong headwind but the automatic can easily go 120km/h (I drive mine at 90-100 and she loves it)

Again, the best review for these vehicles will be right here or on some of the links from this site (UK and Aussi sites)

So good luck, having a Delica your way would be more work then here but then you'd be the only one to brag about it!

David

[quadzilla]

Hey! I have a manual !

[delicat]

You forgot the 2nd part, with strong head wind...
(I had a good laugh on my 1st road trip across Canada. I never knew by old VW bus could go so fast while traveling East in Alberta. Coming back was another story! )

[Miloki]

Thanks!

I've already spent many hours browsing these forums (probably way too many hours - way past my bedtime! LOL)

The more I see and read, the more I want one - now I'm just hoping that this one checks out okay.

Valerie

[TardisDeli]

Hi Valerie, The absolutely one thing I would suggest because you are not surrounded by a choice of experienced Delica mechanics, buy from a reputable DEALER who will give you a warranty (I've seen advertisements here for 3 month Powertrain and up to one year with extra insurance purchased). If you buy privately (ie someone just importing them and doing the basics then selling them quick for the profit) you wont have any comeback if something goes bad in 3 weeks time.

Yes, we can give you heaps of advice, you can post photos or video the wierd noise onto Youtube for us to help diagnose, but nothing beats an experienced Delica mechanic. We had a Delica Spa Service done and Butch just could touch each bit of the underneath and say yup that feels good, no that feels too loose we'd better check -- amazing.

Otherwise, read the dozens of hours of posts here and teach yourself, so you can guide a mechanic.

So, having given you my monetary warnings, now I give you my feelings. Buy a Delica. They are such fun, and so practical. I use mine for commuting -- excellent view, no blindspots (I added a second outside mirror as I am 5'5" so I could see down the left side), feels SOOO safe and stable, very stable in winds as fairly heavy (way more stable than my Toyota Echo Yaris which just gets hurled around on windy bridges). And we camp / ski / boat / outdoors things on weekends, so it is so practical (see my posting under "Sleeping in a Delica" for pictures of us in Camp Mode even in winter here). And off-road use, just goes anywhere, just drive slowly thru the bad stuff and its like a little tank. Amazing storage space, just helped friends move today. And then the COOL factor. But you can't just dash into the grocery store, you have to chat on the way in and on the way out as people see you with your wow vehicle. My worst problem: Not very good for picking up hitchhikers, they just can't figure out where to get in.

So, hunt for a real cheap fare out here, we'll pick you up at the airport, organize a couch, get a local meet, and you can drive our deli-pets.

Cheers, Christine.

[Miloki]

Thanks Christine!

I think I will buy from a dealer.
At first, I was just looking at Delicas and telling myself "one day" because I wasn't planning on spending so much on a vehicle (I'm a grad student, so not exactly rolling in money, to put it mildly).
Then I saw one advertised out here on the east coast - no travelling costs - so did some serious research.
Well, I went to look at it, drove it, and decided 2 things:
1. I HAVE to have a Delica! LOL
2. I have to buy from a dealer.

If I'm going to put that much money into a vehicle, I can't afford to take chances - I want one that I know hasn't been in a major accident, that I know has been thoroughly checked and serviced, and that I know the seller will stand behind.

What the heck, it's been a couple of years since I've driven across Canada, why not do it again for old times' sake? [groaning at the thought]