Buying a Delica

[johnarlene]

We are looking a buying a Delica van. Our Jeep unlimited is great for off road but we need to sleep indoors now. Active seniors. The VW seems ok but not overly dependable for where we go. The Delica seems like it would fit, off road and 4 wheel drive with affordability diesel. My questions are who are reputable mechanics in BC, what do you folks think of their off road depandability and what is the real mpg range.
When I say off road it is that we travel remote logging roads and often and camp for a week or two. We even manage to find beachs to travel.
MPG is important since we also go for drives south for one or more months. On a basic Pension.
Thanks for any advice.
johnarlene

[Firesong]

11 - 14l per 100km in the L400 give or take some. No problems messing around off road or beach front. No serious rock climbing though. Lots of power (L400 only)

[Tojo]

Hi John and Arlene,

I too used to own a 1990 Westy. Great vehicle, nice layout, waaaay too much maintenance required. Vanagon syndrome, replaced heads twice, ECU blown, air flow meter, transaxle blown 3rd to 4th gear, blown ring and pinion etc...Still like the pop-top though.

I currently have an L300 and an L400. Best of both worlds. Might have to sell one though.

L400 Long wheel base, a bit heavier, 2.8L motor so 13-14L/100 kms but much better cruising on the flats, cruises easily at 110 kms/hr, lots of room inside, front engine more conventional mini-van styling.

L300 Short wheel base, 2.5L motor, 11-12L/100 kms, mine cruises comfortably at 95 kms/hr but you can push them harder but watch the heat, slower on the hills, really rugged off-road, this is the original boxy Delica and I still like the utilitarian looks and the cabover Westy feel.

Shops: CVI (Richmond), Amazing Auto (Richmond), Rising Sun (New West), Coombs (Van Isle.), RJD (North Van) and there are others. Parts from Rocky Mountain Imports or the above (not RJD).

Good luck!