Hello from the East Kootenays. Not an owner yet but hoping you can all convince me it's a good idea!

[saulgoodman]

Hey everyone. Just a quick introduction to the club. Tried Reddit and was pointed in this direction. I'm in the East Kootenays and giving serious consideration to an L400 but doing my research and would consider another model if it was just right. But curious of a few things:
How far have you guys pushed your vans with winter or other bad weather driving?
How expensive do you find them to drive? Gas, repairs, insurance.
Is the RHD as dangerous as people have said to me in 2 lane highways? (I would consider myself a good driver fyi, no accidents or risky driving)
Do you feel like its is reliable. Have you done a longer trip and was confident it would do just fine?
Am I posting this in the right forum?
-If any of you could answer any of these I'd be very appreciative. I'm not a rich man, I can't just throw money at things. I need to do my homework but I love the idea of having such a versatile vehicle. I have a daily drive (2013 cruze) but it can only gets me places inexpensively on paved roads and not much more. Not the kind of vehicle that really compliments the area I live in.

So hello, and hopefully this is the first of many posts for me.

[thelazygreenfox]

SGM
What do you want Gas or diesel? Are you a competent backyard mechanic? If you want (scottish) cheap you'd better do the mechanical yourself. If not probably you'll need a good gas/diesel mechanic. There's good mechanics in the lower mainland.

L400s are great safe camping vehicles, all wheel 4x4's and fabulous real off road 4x4's. For what a (new) cruze sells for you can own at least 2 L400s. There's lots of long distance travellers with stories on the many Delica sites world wide. Do some research here and at the Aus british etc sites.

I carry boats and dirt bikes. It's my "go to" hunting and fishing all year round and daily/long trip driver (retired). This is my 3rd delica and they've never let me down. Buy it fancy or plain and build what you want in to it.

have fun
MD

[saulgoodman]

Thanks for the reply. I am probably leaning towards a gas engine. I am also pretty mechanically inclined. I'm not afraid to do a little work myself so long as I'm not working on a breakdown every weekend. I don't have a garage, more of just a grass spot beside my house but have a mechanic friend who helps out or at the very least would let me use his garage and tools for a day or two. There is also a JDM mechanic/importer just down the road for those more technical repairs where a professional is needed.

We are still making payments on the Cruze ( and for the next 4 years) but it sits most of the time. I'd be freeing up the monthly payment to put towards a Delica and gain a vehicle I can take the lady and the pooch camping or just bush cruising. But I am concerned in losing a highway ready vehicle to go to Sask to visit family. By no means would this be a deal breaker. I'd just rent the two, maybe 3 times a year I go and still have $ in my pocket from the monthly Cruze payments be freed up. I'd maybe do that to keep the KM low, not because I don't trust it.

This forum seems to have some dated (but still very useful) posts that haven't been used in a long time so thanks for the convincing words. I was expecting maybe to hear something in a month or two. You're doing a fine job selling me on the idea of owning one.

[thelazygreenfox]

The gas L400 is a good hwy cruiser but your cruze prob has better fuel mileage and more suited for a Trans can hwy trip than the deli.
All Delicas lack the highway power of 2016 vehicles but the deli shines in many other ways. I imported mine from J and do all the maintenance myself in my garage, but its a tight fit.
MD

[saulgoodman]

This is all good info. I should stress I am not looking to get something as good on gas as my Cruze. That thing could go forever on a small tank. Not worth keeping it around for long hauls the couple times a year I do them though.
Does the Delica drink the gas like a frat boy at beer pong or does it get some decent L/100km? Again, I know I'm getting a larger vehicle with a larger engine. Just trying to get a ballpark on monthly costs. I don't drive too much because I am in a small town where walking is usually my preferred option when I'm not getting lots of groceries or something. I'm also not the type to lose my mind when gas goes up 5 cents like some of my friends with large F150s.

Either way, thanks for the info. Good to have a dialogue with someone to help me with my nerves. I don't take this kind of stuff lightly and like making informed purchases.