I want a Delica. But could I stand it?

[canadrian]

I'm sure I could be quite verbose, but I'm keeping the following as short and sweet as I can. (Really.) I just hope I don't come across as brusque - that's not the intention.

I really want a Delica. Pretty-much everything about it makes it my ideal vehicle. I'm sure I don't have to reiterate all the amazing benefits to folks like yourselves, but primarily I love that Delicas are spacious, compact (no real wasted space), fuel-efficient, rugged. One could carry lots of passengers or cargo, but the van isn't the size of a dirigible and it doesn't eat fuel like a glutton. And very importantly, it's 4WD - no more getting stuck in snow in Canadian winters, and no more getting stuck in mud when out camping. Buuuut...

1. Financing is almost impossible
I don't have the liquid cash to buy a Delica outright, and the bank seems reticent. Car dealerships are usually eager to give you financing because they make a profit on the interest as well as the commission, but no importers I can find will offer financing. And I don't really want to pay 30% per annum to some loan shark like Citifinancial.

2. I hate cars
I mean, in a way I really do. I don't like fixing things, tweaking things, or customizing things. Up until now I have bought a car from a dealership, driven the car without knowing or caring how most of it worked, and if something's not right, I take it to the dealership and say "Fix the damn thing. What's wrong? How the heck should I know? It stalls while idling. Fix it." That's how my parents did it, that's how my sister does it, and that's how I do it - a whole family quite content to own a vehicle, drive a vehicle, and never ever have to learn how to take a vehicle apart into its constituent parts and put it together again. I can top up my windshield fluid and coolant, and I'm sure I could learn how to change oil or a filter though I've never done it. I figured out how to change the head lights and tail lights in my car and I was immensely proud, but I didn't enjoy the process. I only had to look up the part numbers in the manual, go to Canadian Tire, buy them, and follow the instructions to change them. But I don't like taking apart my car, and especially not when it's cramped and greasy.

So what I'm getting at is this: I love the idea of a Delica - if it was easy to obtain, and always worked and never broke, it's a fantastic idea. But by the sounds of these forums, importing and compliance are a pain, and stuff is always breaking. I've read about leaks and wet carpets, engine troubles or random conk-outs, issues with the "water pump" (whatever that is), and lists and lists of things I've never heard of that need to be changed and repaired and replaced at different intervals. Are the parts available locally? Are they inexpensive? Will local mechanics know how to obtain and fit replacement parts? The answer to all of these seems to be "no."

Given my style of car ownership, (i.e. "hello Dealer X, the manual says I'm due for Maintenance 4. Do whatever it is that you do."), would you say it's just an extremely bad idea for me to go to the hassle and expense of importing my theoretically ideal vehicle? Am I going to have endless headaches with broken and aging components that no one - least of all me - have any clue how to find or fix? Is this thing going to require endless tweaking, tuning, and repairs, at the cost of thousands of dollars and my sanity?

If you answered "yes", can you recommend any locally-available alternative vehicle that is similar to a Delica but will be less of a headache? Looking for:
- spacious but compact
- fuel efficient
- 4WD (ok, AWD will do...)
- sturdy/reliable (i.e. not known to fall apart after a couple years)

Again, thanks for your eyes and your time. I've just been agonizing about this for roughly three years, and I just want to go "yes, of course go for the vehicle you want," or "no, that's insanity, go back to the land of fluffy bunnies."

[konadog]

Where do you live? If you get bus that has been properly refit since arriving from Japan you're usually in good shape reliability-wise. And get acquainted with a solid deli mechanic for the wrenching bit - I just got back from a 250km. round trip to ccautos today - fixed my seized brake callipers, put in new tranny mounts, greased all the points and had a general sniff over - all stuff a competent DIY guy could do, but I suck with wrenches and the guys at ccautos know their stuff. I'd be lying if I said these buses aren't without their quirks and pitfalls, but we've had minimal issues in the year plus and 25,000kms we've been running ours. If Hazel were to die in a crash tomorrow we'd be looking to replace her with another delica - and, like Hazel, she's be off to ccautos straight away for a proper going over.
Ultimately only you can decide whether a delica is right for you - We sure love ours

[fexlboi]

Where do you live?

He is from Edmonton ;)

Well, first I would say if you don't have the money to buy a Delica, then don't buy it. Buying stuff on credit is never a good thing.
Second a Delica is not a fuel efficient car. Better then a lot of the cars on the streets in this country, but far away from efficient.

[jessef]

To be honest if you are looking for something close to the Delica, I would push you into one of the following :

1- Chevrolet Astro AWD van. Buy one for 2-3,000. Put in 4-5,000 new engine, drivetrain,etc.. so you'd have a brand new vehicle essentially.

2- VW syncro AWD van. Buy one for 4,000. Put in 5,000 either a 2.0 Bostig Zetec engine or Subaru 2.0 engine... so you'd have a nice VW without the headaches.

You'll be thousands ahead of a stock, common Delica with the two options above.

A good, reliable Delica that's had a good going over (everything done) will run you between 12-15k. Ask the people who have had most all possible work done to them. I'm right on the money, pardon the pun.

[konadog]

Where do you live?

He is from Edmonton ;)

Well, he is now, but he wasn't when I posted my reply!

[canadrian]

Where do you live?

He is from Edmonton ;)

Yeah, Edmonton. (You sure found me quick on Twitter, fexlboi.) Which worries me a little since most of the Delica-experienced mechanics seem to be in BC.

I would say if you don't have the money to buy a Delica, then don't buy it. Buying stuff on credit is never a good thing.

...? I don't think anyone I've met has ever bought a car outright, except for maybe their first $500 beater in high school... Who can buy a car in cash? Sorry, that's just crazy talk. ;)

A good, reliable Delica that's had a good going over (everything done) will run you between 12-15k.

Thanks for the suggested alternatives, though I wouldn't have the first clue how/where to get a new engine and drivetrain installed. Though I imagine I could ask someone.

So you're saying a Delica such as this one would basically have its cost DOUBLED before I could drive it??

[canadrian]

He is from Edmonton ;)

Well, he is now, but he wasn't when I posted my reply!

Yeah sorry about that. I joined a long time ago but never got around to filling out my profile until just now. :) I think fexlboi got my location when he tracked me down on Twitter.

[BCDelica]

2- VW syncro AWD van. Buy one for 4,000. Put in 5,000 either a 2.0 Bostig Zetec engine or Subaru 2.0 engine... so you'd have a nice VW without the headaches.

We don't know the same Syncro owners at all; not that they are horribly worse than a comparable vehicle but the cost of repairs are very high. Because of that Syncro's are quite cheap here in Thailand, almost a 1/5 cheaper used than a comparable 'beloved' Toyota van.

Awd Astro/Safari vans are very thirsty, but otherwise there great - many a Delica owner was a past Safari/Astro owner.

Who needs the land of fluffy bunnies when you have the Delica owner forum?

[impalator]

It's a hate / love relationship...

Love the van, hate when it breaks and hate the money I have to pay to get it fixed...

With that said... aside from the initial headache of breaking down on our tour into a nice long summer weekend (which resulted in virtually every part from the cooling system as well as the cylinder head and some other stuff needing to be replaced) the van has really been good.

Since all that major stuff had been done (and I did hate the Van and myself quite a bit when that happened) the Van has been running well and performs very satisfactory.

I was lucky in that I had a full 6 Months or 5'000km powertrain warranty on mine... so financially that breakdown didn't ruin me (as I am actually a guy who paid the vehicle in full upon picking it up....)

If you buy one, make sure that the cooling system stuff is all done. And if you can score a 6 or more month warranty on the engine, you should be fairly safe.

I have now started with all kinds of modifications on mine- Stuff removed, other stuff mounted, stuff improved etc... not exactly a cheap hobby - but I'm having fun....

I have also learned quite a bit from reading on the forum and talking to Delica People that I meet.

But for repair I always worry that I could break more than I fix - and that's why I am like you: I go to the mechanic and say: Something seems wrong... explain the symptoms and wait for the guy to figure things out....

That's my little story and I'm sticking to it....

Can't help you with the decision though... gotta figure that out for yourself...

Cheers and good luck,
Chris

[jwfchase]

So you're saying a Delica such as this one would basically have its cost DOUBLED before I could drive it??

Depends on what you actually end up with once it gets here. This is an importer, as such they help you bring in a vehicle but make no guarantees about what you wind up with- as opposed to dealing with a reputable dealer who has already serviced any issues that the van had arrived with, along with doing a lot of basic preventative maintenance. Either way- the $ will still be a challenge!

[canadrian]

See it's that money/compliance/repairs thing. Part of the reason I'm looking at this again, is my Escort needs a new radiator, new rear springs, transmission flush, and a bunch of other random maintenance. I've been told I'm looking at at least a couple grand for the works, and I'm going, "the Red Book says the damn car is only worth $750-$1500. Why would I flush a couple grand down it? Time to get the Delica."

Now if I buy a $8000 Delica, have to immediately spend another few grand to make it compliant, and then every few months I'm replacing chunks of it that are falling away like bits of wet cake, how have I gotten ahead? Add on top of that, I can't exactly walk into a Mitsubishi dealership, and drive out with a 2003 used Delica in perfect repair and a manufacturer's warranty... and that's my dilemma.

On the one hand, in theory, every feature if this vehicle is exactly the a feature I think every vehicle should have. The Delica is pretty-much the perfect all-purpose vehicle. And there's nothing like it. No "poor man's Delica" that I could just walk into a dealership and buy. On the other hand, it's looking like the entire process of obtaining and owning a Delica could be my very own non-stop personal hell. It's really a crisis of faith going on here.

[FalcoColumbarius]

Canadrian, Keep an eye out for mini-meets in Alberta. I believe they are usually in Calgary but perhaps you could manage that. It will be there that you will meet Delicas and their drivers, who will tell you all the reasons they have one; issues they have, or have had with them; you get to walk around them, and so on.

One reason you might want one is the support group (hello, my name is Falco and.... um...... I drive a Delica). Another reason would be getting around, especially off road, but there are other vehicles to choose from. Delicas are not like other cars where you don't have to do anything to them, other than the odd oil change ~ Delicas require maintenance, but if you look after your Delica ~ she will look after you.

Take a look in member trips and see where Delicas have taken their humans. Also read up on some of the things in Delica Wiki (on the forum page under "Delica Canada Technical"), especially the "To Do List". This ought to give you an idea of what might need to be done. Some of those things are an absolute must, some might be a good idea in the future. Read the technical downloads like the engine manual, or front suspension manual, get familiar with the vehicle.

In my opinion, this is the best vehicle I have owned. I feel confident taking her into the bush, but I know that when I get out of the bush that I ought to have a look at her to see how things are.

Good luck!

Falco.

[konadog]

Now if I buy a $8000 Delica, have to immediately spend another few grand to make it compliant, and then every few months I'm replacing chunks of it that are falling away like bits of wet cake, how have I gotten ahead? Add on top of that, I can't exactly walk into a Mitsubishi dealership, and drive out with a 2003 used Delica in perfect repair and a manufacturer's warranty... and that's my dilemma.

Not "compliant", but rather "road-worthy". Compliant means it has been made legal with day time running lights, front side ambers, dot tires, and maybe a few more little things. What is not required but still NEEDS to be done is a mechanical refit - new rad, hoses, seals, timing and drive belts, water pump, repack the wheel bearings, and more. This will run from between about 2 k to as much as 5. Don't forget, to the Japanese who owned these they are now pretty much worthless, worn out junk that they may have neglected for years before happily to fobbing them off for a under a thousand bucks. We bought ours from an importer who tried to do the refit, but we took it to ccautos anyway and happily and expectantly spent another 2 grand straight off. Since then we have spent easy a couple of thousand more upgrading things like leaking window rubber, limp rear hatch struts, worn motor and tranny mounts; I still have a wish list too... Still, the delica is my all time dream vehicle and I want to be driving one as long as I can

[jessef]

See it's that money/compliance/repairs thing. Part of the reason I'm looking at this again, is my Escort needs a new radiator, new rear springs, transmission flush, and a bunch of other random maintenance. I've been told I'm looking at at least a couple grand for the works, and I'm going, "the Red Book says the damn car is only worth $750-$1500. Why would I flush a couple grand down it? Time to get the Delica."

Now if I buy a $8000 Delica, have to immediately spend another few grand to make it compliant, and then every few months I'm replacing chunks of it that are falling away like bits of wet cake, how have I gotten ahead? Add on top of that, I can't exactly walk into a Mitsubishi dealership, and drive out with a 2003 used Delica in perfect repair and a manufacturer's warranty... and that's my dilemma.

On the one hand, in theory, every feature if this vehicle is exactly the a feature I think every vehicle should have. The Delica is pretty-much the perfect all-purpose vehicle. And there's nothing like it. No "poor man's Delica" that I could just walk into a dealership and buy. On the other hand, it's looking like the entire process of obtaining and owning a Delica could be my very own non-stop personal hell. It's really a crisis of faith going on here.

Your perception of maintenance vs. the cost of a vehicle is a bit skewed.

You can buy a $1,000 20 year old vehicle that will run 5 years with minimal maintenance compared to a 2 year old $20,000 vehicle that will need three times as much maintenance as the 20 year old vehicle.

Vehicles are vehicles. New or old. They all need maintenance. Some are great, while others are lemons.

Keep that in mind.

The gist I'm getting from your posts is that you are looking for a vehicle that, after purchased, requires little maintenance.

If that is what you are looking for, then buy a Toyota Tercel or Corolla.

When you buy a vehicle like a Delica, you can expect to put in normal $500-1,000 a year maintenance or $2,000 - 3,000 if you get a lemon.

They are like any vehicle.

Good luck.

And I don't recommend to get financing for a used vehicle.

Yes, save and you get pay for a Delica in cash.

Most people I know who own vehicles do not owe money for them.

[TardisDeli]

I love my Deli, and the forum helps with maintenance issues. Just buy from a reputable person who is well respected on here, not a "backyard importer" with no history.

But Jaz (who is on this forum as they originally wanted a Delica) visiting from Australia bought an older Toyota 4 runner, because they couldnt justify paying so much as a Delica. Their vehicle is just barely long enough to sleep in, and goes 4 by 4ing with us on camping trips, but has all the wasted space of a front mounted engine. They paid $2500.-- ish ( i think) but it has lots of rust along the bottom. ...but they have to hang out with the Delica Community to be Truly Cool...

Contact the Calgary guys (erebus, green1, white mule, jungle jon) they all know each other and could arrange a Deli Meat for you to crawl in and listen to them (bring munchies for the bribe.

Cheeers, Christine.