fence sitting in Cranbrook

[smaug]

Howdy,

'Been following this site for a long while, in case a Delica landed in my lap. As luck would have it, a good friend of mine and delica owner just swung a hint of a screaming good deal for a L300 at me. But I need convincing...

I currently drive a JDM Subaru wagon with a 2L turbo. Drinks premium at about 11L/100km (highway, MUCH less city). It's a blast to drive, but not to fill up. I've also spent $2k replacing things that degrade on a 1991 vehicle (even with only 50k on the odo). Kids love it, wife likes it, carries most of our stuff but none of our friends and not very far into the woods either.
...but damn it's fun to pass a BMW SUV at 180km/h in the snow!

So here are the points that I need convincing on.

First - has anyone had experience getting parts and service for these uncommon vehicles in/near Cranbrook?
...and how much of a PITA was it?

Second - will I save money on fuel and maintenance? Can anyone quote me the frequency and cost on an oil change? Average yearly expenses? Other things that are known to 'go'?

Third - cold starting experiences? My buddy is in Vancouver - easy weather and loads of experienced mechanics.

Fourth - diesel smell makes my wife ill. Is this especially bad, or not usually an issue?

Fifth - L300 or L400? The great deal is on the L300, and while I'm certain that it is a great vehicle, I am drawn to the bigger engine and the surprisingly compelling bodywork on the L400. Style preferences aside, how much more would you want to pay for the newer bodystyle and features?
Am I being shallow for not wanting the inspector gadget mobile, or is the L400 worth looking for (although it will cost almost twice as much as the 'deal' delica)
also note: generally good advice to stay away from the first year of a major model revamp -no matter what the vehicle.
Conversely, the final year for a product model is generally the one with the fewest bugs in it.

Lastly - why would I want a Delica vs a 7 passenger Pajero? Aren't they the same chassis & transmission? Must be nearly the same size inside and out...

I've read plenty of great advice, friendly conversation and knowledgeable posts on this site. Looking forward to some lucid advice and the odd amusing rant.

Cheers!

[delicat]

Hi and welcome to this forum!

Loads of questions, a few answers here...

First, if you love driving 180kmh in the snow then the Delica is probably not for you, especially the 300. It's a slow vehicle. The 400 will be faster by a good margin but it's still a slow vehicle.

Also you won't save on fuel, it will be at the least 12 L\100k.

Price, 300 or 400 should be the same unless you have a screaming deal on any of the 2 styles. 400 vs Pajero? Taller for sure, longer?

Diesel smell won't be an issue unless you stick your face in the exhaust pipe at start up.

An oil change (done by yourself) will cost you about $60 or more if synthetic oil (6.5L of oil + filter) and they're good for 5000k. Other servicings are typical to any vehicles. You can get most servicing items anywhere and can order a bunch of what you can get (shipped from Vancouver or Island...) So oil every 5000k, tranny oil and fuel filter 20000k... timing belt 80000k and so on. Just make sure that which ever vehicle you buy you get it fully serviced and complied.

Starting in cold is only ok, get synthetic oil and if you get a block heater then you'll be good. Search some of the winter saga that happened last winter in Alberta, should be somewhere on this forum...

Good luck with your other questions...

[Luck768]

That is fast 180kmh.,that is really fast.,My highest is 150kmh and I am to that speed.,



_________________
Furnace Filter

[Green1]

Also you won't save on fuel, it will be at the least 12 L\100k.

While 11-12L/100km is correct, it's also diesel rather than premium, so you won't save on number of litres, but you may well save on dollars per fill.

It won't do 180, but it will do 80 when nobody else can get out of their parking stalls, and not only drive around all the stuck vehicles, but have enough power left over to pull them out of their mess.

Diesel smell... it's much better than gasoline! but even if you don't believe me, you shouldn't be smelling it while in the vehicle and moving, and you can always try biodiesel which smells more like french fries than like diesel.

The Delica vs the Pajero, The delica is much larger inside, and about the same or slightly smaller outside (this is due to not having the hood sticking out front)

[smaug]

This is great advice, thanks for all the replies.

I should point out that '180km/h in the snow' is just a passing speed, I don't typically fly that low!!

My first western car was an '84 Volvo wagon, which moved about as quickly as a Delica. Having driven a bunch near the Alber-duh border I actually find that it is much safer to match traffic speed rather than having a twit in a Humscalade feel he has to pass me on the double yellow (this would happen to me 2 or 3 times a week while I lived in Lake Louise!).

Also, passing with power is safer. The Subaru gets around a tractor/trailer in about 5 seconds.

Another safety concern in the Kootenays is game on the road. That Delica bush bar doesn't look like it would help much if I hit an elk even at 80km/h. Saw a test-crash of a mitsu van on youtube (can't find the link). It was brutal!

What is braking distance on these vehicles?
I test drove a 'cruiser once and was horrified at how quickly the Stop signs came up!

So given these thoughts, the LWB Pajero with a 2.8 TD is making me go hmmmm -interior space vs crumple zone. The Pajero that 39Ronin is selling gives me a very big HMMMM!
http://www.delica.ca/forum/91-fully-srv ... -4204.html

The Delica's are very cool vans, and I would gladly have bought one back when I road tripped every weekend and slept in my car!

Cheers!