Thinking about getting a Delica in Taiwan

[paddyb]

Hey y'all.

I'm living in Taiwan for awhile and thinking about getting a 4wd Delica (with manual transmission) as they are very common here.

I have some questions - here's the rundown.

1. a local mechanic told me the L300 is great but he doesn't like the L400, couldnt quite get at why due to language difficulties. What are the main differences?

2. The L300's were produced here until 2005 but after 2000 they seem to be the 2.4L petrol variant. These might be easier to find in good condition - how is the fuel economy compared to the 2.5L diesel?

3. What is the onroad stability and handling like on these things? They look a bit topheavy!

4. Anything in particular you want to share about owning a Delica?

Anyway, I've had a big hard-on for these vans ever since I moved here a couple years ago...I appreciate any feedback you might give me!

[Green1]

1. a local mechanic told me the L300 is great but he doesn't like the L400, couldnt quite get at why due to language difficulties. What are the main differences?

in brief, the differences are "everything" about the only things the 2 share are the name plate and the sheer awesomeness of the vehicle ;)
basically it's a different engine, body, and chasis. even the things that "seem" the same are engineered different (simple example, the roof blinds look the same, but actually work on a different principle, same with the inclinometer, looks similar, works on a completely different principle)
The longer I have hte L400, the more I realize how little it has in common with the L300, it was a complete ground up re-design.

2. The L300's were produced here until 2005 but after 2000 they seem to be the 2.4L petrol variant. These might be easier to find in good condition - how is the fuel economy compared to the 2.5L diesel?

worldwide after about 1995 the L300s started loosing their high end features, you can still find L300s built today, but they are very stripped down models. the petrol engines are not as efficient as the diesel, but they are much more powerful (the diesel in the L300 is quite under-powered)

3. What is the onroad stability and handling like on these things? They look a bit topheavy!

These things are not sports cars, I don't recommend sharp corners at 110kph... that said, they actually have a very low centre of gravity, I've seen pictures of the inclinometer reading beyond 45 degrees and the vehicle is still upright, that said, my personal tollerance isn't that high, I know I'd chicken out long before the vehicle topples over.

4. Anything in particular you want to share about owning a Delica?

Amazing vehicles, a real joy to drive, and I've loved every moment. It's hard to wipe the grin off your face once you get one!

[paddyb]

Thanks for the info, Green1!

There was a thread on here about fuel economy but everyone seemed to have the diesel. Does anyone have experience with the petrol engine or at least have a good estimate on what to expect (8-10 km/l?) as far as fuel economy on the 2.4L?

[Green1]

a couple members have petrol vans... Josh and Docsavage come to mind

docsavage reports "about the same" fuel economy in diesel as petrol, he says petrol is 12-13L/100km (I got 11L/100km on my diesel L300)

[jrman]

Sad to report that Doc Savage (James) informed us during his visit to North Van that Josh has sold his rig. Not sure if the new owner haunts this site or not.

[marsgal42]

that said, they actually have a very low centre of gravity, I've seen pictures of the inclinometer reading beyond 45 degrees and the vehicle is still upright, that said, my personal tollerance isn't that high, I know I'd chicken out long before the vehicle topples over.

I remember seeing a TV program a while ago about Range Rovers and they mentioned that most people panic when the vehicle is tilted over more than about 30 degrees. I'd probably be pretty nervous by then too.

45 degrees of bank in the air is another matter (whee! ), probably because g is pointing in the right direction and you're not so aware of the bank.

...laura

[josh]

Thanks for the info, Green1!

There was a thread on here about fuel economy but everyone seemed to have the diesel. Does anyone have experience with the petrol engine or at least have a good estimate on what to expect (8-10 km/l?) as far as fuel economy on the 2.4L?

First of all, point blank, Green1 is wrong according to everything both Doc and I have experienced. The petrol version gets easily the same fuel consumption... and in fact I would go further and say I was getting the same mileage on a tank and yet averaging 20km/hr faster when driving (which would suggest that if I slowed down I could achieve better mileage). I invite anyone else who actually has owned a petrol to chime in.

Diesels are usually known for better fuel economy, but in this vehicle it is a false claim (as far as my experience has been). Also, the petrol is far more powerful. I loved my petrol Delica way more than the Diesels Delicas that I have put close to 100,000km on...

just my two cents. Get the petrol, you'll love it.

Josh.

[Green1]

First of all, point blank, Green1 is wrong according to everything both Doc and I have experienced. The petrol version gets easily the same fuel consumption...

The only numbers I had to go on were the ones Docsavage reported, which were worse fuel economy than I was getting on my diesel, if you have better comparative numbers, please share them.

[josh]

First of all, point blank, Green1 is wrong according to everything both Doc and I have experienced. The petrol version gets easily the same fuel consumption...

The only numbers I had to go on were the ones Docsavage reported, which were worse fuel economy than I was getting on my diesel, if you have better comparative numbers, please share them.

Doc runs 33's... thats why his mileage was worse than your L300. Still better than his diesel. And enough power to cruise with those 33's.

Mine with Diesel, 31" M/T's and a roof top tent, was 12L/100km at its best... But with the petrol, 31" M/T's and RTT, I was getting 12L/100km at it's worst (this was the exact same van, just the engine changed). I also drove much faster and harder with the petrol, as I had a lot more power.

[paddyb]

Good to know about the petrol...now I can limit my search to 2000-2005 model years.

A couple other other questions -

Is there any way to put shoulder-strap seatbelts in back anywhere? My son's car seat is supposed to use that type of seatbelt but it's not the end of the world if we do have them (our 97 Honda City doesn't have them either).

Also, what are the main differences between the L300 and L400 from an owner's perspective (it seems like a lot of you on here have had both).

Anyway, thanks for all the info.

[luckydad]

[quote][/quote]

"Good to know about the petrol...now I can limit my search to 2000-2005 model years."


I guess you do not know that you could only import vehicles that are 15 years old to the month of arriving in Canada. For now, it is 1995 and older!

[Green1]

I guess you do not know that you could only import vehicles that are 15 years old to the month of arriving in Canada. For now, it is 1995 and older!

Good point, but likely irrelevant...

I'm living in Taiwan for awhile and thinking about getting a 4wd Delica (with manual transmission) as they are very common here.

As long as he's in Taiwan he doesn't need to worry about Canada's protectionist rules.

[luckydad]

Opps! I should have qualified that. I should have added "if you want to bring it back later."

[paddyb]

Yes, I will be buying and using one in Taiwan. The local Mitsubishi company (CMC) has been building them here for over 20 years so I don't have to import it and parts are cheap. Delicas -especially the L300 - are pretty much THE mountain vehicle here (along with the Suzuki Jimny/Escudo/Vitara et al.) - you can see them everywhere outside of Taipei.

Anyway, still trying to decide between the L300 and L400. The L400's here have very nice interiors and the L300's are ultra-utilitarian. But the L400 looks heavier and costs a few grand more for a comparable year. However, what I'd really like is some info on the differences in handling and road noise. The L300's look like they bob and weave as they go down the road while the L400's seem a bit smoother. I guess I'll just have to test drive both but any feedback would be appreciated.

[docsavage]

On my last big road trip where I finally kept track of the mileage (GPS):

Total Distance: 2925 km
Gas consumed: 342.3 litres
Fuel Economy: 11.7 l/100km or 24.14 mpg (imperial gallons)

I am running 33's with a 5 speed. I tend to stay around the speed limit and don't push hard. This number appears to be very consistent. This figure is for 95% highway miles. I don't spend enough time in urban areas to get a fuel economy calculated.