Is it normal/a good idea?

[jessef]

To be honest, I don't see anything special in that ad that warrants a sight-unseen 2k deposit.

check water leaking from outside van
check all safety and compliance for a road and registration

The wording in their ad is a bit odd.

They 'check' but do they 'fix' ?

Also the tires in the pictures are not north american.

You want to be absolutely certain that the JDM you buy is 100% compliant (ie.

E-code headlights
DOT tires
3rd brake light
daytime driving lights
all signals/bulbs work properly

The 'custom lift' they say looks to be the same height as a normal/stock Delica unless the pictures are distorted.

I'd have to look at it myself.

At 11,900 + taxes, you're paying average cost at a dealer, meaning you have a lot to choose from if you take a look around.

I would only buy from the following local dealers in order of preference :

Mardy @ Amazing Auto (Richmond/Lower mainland) http://www.amazingautoimports.com/phpwcms/
Glenn or 5-star @ Coombs Auto (Coombs/Vancouver Island) http://fivestarautosales.ca
Noel @ Enviroimports (Victoria/Vancouver Island) http://www.enviroimports.com/
Japanoid (New Westminster/Lower mainland) http://www.japanoid.com/

I would buy from these four because I trust them.

I wouldn't buy from any other dealers because I've dealt with the one's I listed above in previous transactions and consider myself to be a good judge of character and have excellent business sense.

My opinions may vary from others on this forum, but so far after owning 2 Pajero's, 3 Delica's in the past 4 years and dealing with parts/service, I believe my opinions to be well grounded.

With that said, if none on my list has what I am looking for, I would venture on my own and see what there is to offer.

Craigslist is a good place as well :

http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/searc ... maxAsk=max

The average cost for a Delica in good condition these days ranges from 9-11k.

If you're paying 12k+, either it's a unique/custom Delica or it's a stock Delica in excellent shape (running gear).

Hope this helps
Jesse

[FlyingBarney]

....for an importer to ask for a deposit to be transfered directly to their bank account to hold a deli? There was a bit of a language barrier, but I think that's the gist of what I'm being asked to do. I want to come to Van next week to buy a deli, and was asked for a $ 2000 deposit to hold it.

When I was buying mine (a couple of months ago) and doing some research, I had the following:

- terra2imports were asking for $1000 deposit
- japanoid were asking for $3000
- Mardy was asking $1500

Simon

[Erebus]

It looks to me like the photos are all taken in Japan. The sale post is only 2 weeks old. So, is it in Japan or here? I also notice that the front rims are very dirty, I would suspect brake dust. It it hasn't even had a basic wash for the photo shoot, makes me wonder what kind of attention it got from owner and/or the MK's people.

Also, the ad gives it as "1992/4 super exceed" So, is it a 92 or a 94? Or aren't they sure, even though it is sitting on their lot.

I wouldn't give them a deposit. As everyone has posted, there are lots to chose from. If that one is still on the lot, so be it. If not, so be it.

Just my two cents worth.

[mararmeisto]

It is here at the importer/dealer. I'm in Alberta, and won't be able to fly to Van until next week, which is why they want the deposit (I think, as I said, a bit of a language barrier). Just wondering if anyone els has been asked for a cash deposit to hold a vehicle?

If it's sitting there on the lot, I wouldn't front a deposit - at least not a couple thousand dollars' worth. Most NA dealers will hold a vehicle for you, might even request a deposit, but would never ask for a couple thousand dollars.

As the others write, there are plenty of Delicas floating about in the mix now, if he doesn't have that one when you pull into Vancouver, he'll have another one.

[Jonny5ive]

Speaking from both the customer's perspective and a sales perspective, a deposit is not unusual.

I don't sell cars but I do sell Kayaks (among other fairly high end products) and I do require a deposit to:
A) Hold the item until you are able to come by and pick it up (ultimately it's based on a desire to purchase) and...
B) We are ordering something special/unique or something that requires moving beyond our current inventory.

However, if this was a used product I would be sure to let the customer know the history and particulars of the product they were interested in as honestly and accurately as I could, and with full expectations that they could decide not to buy and I would fully return their deposit. (This is based on integrity from both parties).

When it came to my Delica I gave a $1500 deposit sight unseen. I did this based on a dealer that was, and still is, highly recommended (Mardy). In the end I knew that what he was ordering outside of his inventory, and it seemed like the Delica I was dreaming of.

I knew that I made a commitment to him and I trusted that he made the same commitment back.
I would NEVER give out a deposit for a used vehicle to someone that didn't have such high ratings as Mardy. Although there are many other dealers listed on this forum that I would also trust.

In the end I ended up with a great machine, as expected. Great transaction and money well spent. A feel good purchase.

As Mardy puts it... "I'll always tell you the truth, after all it's just a car"... (insert Mardy's awesome positive laugh here).