automatic vs standard, and rust proofing

[notezbngreen]

Hi there, I'm new to all this. I am going to be traveling out to Vancouver Island from Ontario to purchase my first Delica. I was out there a few weeks ago and test drove one at Five Star Auto. They have a number in stock an I'm just wondering if I should go for the stanard or automatic. I like the idea of the standard but I hear that can have a negative affect on mileage.

Is there anything else I should be aware of?

Thanks for the help. I can't wait to pick one up!

Gord

[39Ronin]

I have owned both, I don't suffer any loss fuel economy from my manual. I have 30x9.5 tires, that helps a little, I average 10km per liter. I guess if I were to drive over 100 km all the time then maybe I would see a slight decline in my mileage, but otherwise it depends on your driving habits.

[jessef]

Personal preference.

Just like with the Montero's. The auto transmission's are pretty much bullet proof. Manual's are okay but not as robust as the auto's from my experience.

I wanted manual but the gearing is much lower so your running higher RPM's on the highway which can be reduced by larger tires.

It's a trade off. I prefer auto for the Delica but standard in most other vehicles.

[dfnder]

Interesting, I am in the proccess of looking for a manual transmission through auction in Japan. Seems there are a lot less manuals are available and hearing that some known manual shifters prefer the auto I may jump for an automatic after all.

Anyone else have any insights?

[robinimpey]

My Brother who is a tranny mechanic in New Zealand says the autos are a great tranmission and probably less issues with them than the standard tranny and clutch. I think that's quite backwards in the world of transmissions.

[notezbngreen]

Thanks very much for the info guys! Sorry for not looking hard enough through the archieves. I found a ton of really useful info. After a lot of deliberation, I decided on a 1993 Jasper high roof with auto trans. from Maximum Overdrive. Going to fly out next week then drive it back to Ontario...can't wait! Here is another question. As this is a 15 year old vehical, and I am going to be driving it back here in the east...where they use salt on the roads, has anyone got input on this electronic rust inhibitors, or should i just have it oiled, or both???

[Erebus]

I am going to be driving it back here in the east...where they use salt on the roads, has anyone got input on this electronic rust inhibitors, or should i just have it oiled, or both???

Congrats on joining the Deli community. I lived in Montreal until 1997, so I know about the salt issue. I've had (15-20 years ago) good results with Zeibart. Nowadays, I think the underbody oil spray works pretty well. Just get it done every year or two by a place that knows what they are doing. One Subaru I had, the Zeibart guys forgot to do one door. They caught it at the first annual inspection, but 6 years later, that door had rust when the rest didn't. Coincidence?

I haven't done it on the Delica, but if I was moving back east I would.