Delica a reliable vehicle?

tlrider · Post by **tlrider** » Fri Sep 25, 2009 1:33 pm

Hi! My wife and I are seriously considering replacing our primary vehicle (a 2005 Toyota Matrix) with a '94 Delica Chamonix.

The Matrix has been a great car and very reliable, but we love the Delica for it's size, 4WD, and cool factor. However, we're concerned that owning and maintaining a Delica as our primary vehicle will create a lot of stress and added expense for us.

We understand that owning a 15 year old vehicle can come with some challenges, and we have a decent risk tolerance, but since this will be our primary vehicle and used by my wife for work (her territory includes North Vancouver, the Sunshine Coast, Squamish, Whistler and Pemberton), we want to make sure the risk is worth the reward.

I also understand that part of the fun of owning a Delica is working on it and modifying it, but my mechanical skills are limited to basic maintenance (but I'm willing to learn more), so I want to make sure I can handle most (if not all) of the issues that can occur with a Delica.

So... I come to you all, hat in hand, for some advice.

Thanks in advance for your help.

Regards,

Scott :)

marsgal42 · Post by **marsgal42** » Fri Sep 25, 2009 2:01 pm

If your standard of reliability is that of a new Toyota, a Delica will disappoint you.

They are excellent vehicles for their age, but modern vehicles are more reliable. If reliability is your key requirement, you need to look elsewhere.

...laura

quadzilla · Post by **quadzilla** » Fri Sep 25, 2009 2:37 pm

We have both a matrix (2007) and a 1992 exceed. Since owning the Delica, I have put > 60,000 km on it (less than 2 years). Once all of the required service was done (see elsewhere on this site), the Delica has been very reliable, but like Laura says, they aren't without their quirks. That said, a well-serviced, properly maintained Delica can be a very reliable vehicle, but don't expect to treat your Delica with the same out-of-mind care that you can get away with with your Matrix.

If you will be using the Delica for a regular driver, and it sounds like it will be driven a lot, you will need two things - a good mechanic and a considerable amount of patience. Sometimes, things can go wrong that take some time to fix. Given the paucity of good Delica mechanics means that if you are broken down far from home, it may be a challenge to get the van moving again.

My $0.02.

Happy Trails...

Profister · Post by **Profister** » Fri Sep 25, 2009 3:31 pm

I believe this question should go here:
http://www.delica.ca/forum/are-delica-s ... light=crap

Firesong · Post by **Firesong** » Fri Sep 25, 2009 4:37 pm

My 2 cents

We (wife and I) got our delica in February.
Replaced the VW and a Saturn with it.
We have another car as well for my wife.

Honestly it's a quirky beast. Runs great, excellent
fuel mileage but if you have an issue it isn't as easy
to diagnose unless you don't mind searching the
internet, for a good mechanic etc.

I wanted something I could drive in the winter,
snow, ice, water, icefishing, drag a boat through
trails.. to do it all. Plus handle 4 kids and 2 adults.
I haven't been let down. But
I have also had to do some fun wrenching on it
myself. If you have a second vehicle go for it.
If it's the primary I wouldn't.

My wife still doesn't feel comfortable (yet) driving it.
I would love our second vehicle to be a 4 door pajero :)
Maybe sometime.

James aka firesong

konadog · Post by **konadog** » Fri Sep 25, 2009 4:51 pm

I'll update what I said in the post Profister linked too by saying we are now at 30,000km with no serious or unreasonable problems. Our bus has not been especially quirky and has not yet let us down. It's not likely gonna happen anytime soon, but I would for sure buy another... And it is our only ride and we use it for work - It's the backbone of our livelihood.

Adrock · Post by **Adrock** » Fri Sep 25, 2009 5:11 pm

Here are the details of my repair history in the almost 3 years I have owned my wonderful vehicle

Purchase mileage: 89 000km
Repairs in order of completion:
Replace bushings with poly ones, problem caused by time
Rebuild injection pump with new seals, problem again caused by time
Replace power window motor, it just crapped out, probably from lack of constant use.
Replace alternator, these things happen, at 18 years old can't really complain.
Replace brakes with 2 piston calipers, old brakes failed, most likely my fault they got to that point.
Needs tie rod ends, just old once again.

Current mileage 168 000

As far as actual repair work required, it has been a dream to own.

I have not once been stranded by it, and I have been many places you would not want to be stranded.

With all that said 15 years is a long time. I got lucky I guess, some people don't get as lucky. My thoughts are that driving wise you can't really do much to hurt these things. The real problems come from improper maintenance. Not having enough oil, having excessively dirty oil, dirty air filter (or worse, lets dirt through), dirty fuel filter (or much worse, lets anything through) can all cause catastrophic failures which in the diesel world tend to set you back roughly twice as many dollars. Although with Butch at CVI taking care of the majority of us the prices are very reasonable and easily comparable to any other mechanic in town.

Realistically, just do it. If down time is the biggest concern get it looked over thoroughly before it is your only vehicle. Once everything as been brought up to working order and you keep on top of things there will be no problems.

Theres only so much that can go wrong with a car, and much of it is preventable.

jrman · Post by **jrman** » Fri Sep 25, 2009 6:50 pm

I've had a mix of expenses - both maintenance & upgrades for fun!
I've also gone long periods without problems - and fixed many things that some other people might just learn to live with (at a cost of course). So to give a single answer is quite difficult since (as Marsgal so wisely points out) - everyone's standard is different.
But - when I factor in all the benefits v.s. the "quirks" - I'm still tickled with my deli after 2.5 years and about 71,000 Km!
Last Nov 2008 - I had a bad month, leaky axle seal + IP pump + thermostat - it's coming up one year and that was my last bill!
I'm sending her into Butch & Edwin while on a business trip in early Oct since I figure the brakes better need looking at after 71K and no issues...yet! Oh, and I'm sure I'll find some other things I want them to do too....like that twin piston calipre...sweet!

Just buy one...you know you want to! What's life without a little risk?????

patty · Post by **patty** » Sat Sep 26, 2009 10:11 am

all depends on the vehicle, there are lemons out there.

tlrider · Post by **tlrider** » Mon Sep 28, 2009 9:19 am

Hey Everybody!

Thanks for the information, advice, and support.

Scott :)

bosc · Post by **bosc** » Mon Sep 28, 2009 10:14 am

I am a family of 1 +dog and i still have 2 vehicles. I don't recommend making the Delica your primary vehicle.
My spare car (92'mazda sedan) is cheap and costs are more than paid for with the fuel savings.
It takes twice the fuel to drive the Deli. Short trips not for diesel. Why go to town in a 4x4?

Also, I love this van but the cool factor? i don't feel it exists anymore. There are 4 Vans on my Island of 5000 folks. Its just not that unusual anymore.

Good Luck

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