new member from Haliburton, Ontario

[Elanzer]

Hello-
I'm new! I also unwittingly posted this note in another area of the forum, before getting to introductions.

I'm in the market for a Delica (I think), but I'm not an enthusiast (yet), nor a mechanic, and I have concerns about maintaining a vehicle where parts & labour may be difficult to get.

Can any existing owners dispel my concerns. Is finding parts difficult and what about a mechanics? Will Mitsubishi dealers in Ontario/Canada repair these JDM if I'm able to source parts?

I believe the Delica would fit my lifestyle, but I'm not capable of engine maintenance myself. I guess the real question is whether you have to be handy and committed to your own repairs with this vans or can the local mechanic who understands 1990s era Japanese imports work on Delicas just as easily.

Thanks, I appreciate any comment.

elanzer

[Manitoba deli]

Hi there, and welcome, while I can't direct you to a mechanic where you live, most parts are easily obtained. Lots of them are the same as used on other mitsubishi vehicles, if you use the search on this site you will probably find the exact part # you are looking for. Any parts I haven't been able to find, I've got from Paul at Pacific JDM Parts,(he can be found in the parts section of this forum) I think he has most all of the mechanical parts for a Delica in stock, and he ships them out fast. I usually get them 3 days later here in Manitoba.

Jason

[Elanzer]

Thanks for you response Jason:
Do you do your own service/repairs or have you found someone in Manitoba that can do all maintenance for you?

[Manitoba deli]

I'm a diesel mechanic, so I import, service, and sell the Delicas. If you can find a mechanic, I have the service manual on CD and I could send you a copy if you need.

Jason

[Mbryant]

Hey my family and I lived in Haliburton for the last 20 years and we just moved to Bracebridge a month ago.

I bought a Delica about two months ago and I love it.

I have not had any repair issues yet but if I do there is a mechanic in Gravenhurst who did the safety and has been doing the oil changes for the past year. I talked to him about an upcoming oil change and he said I just have to make an appointment so he can have the filter shipped in.

I think the main piece about owning a Delica is realizing that any repairs will potentially take more time and more money than your average vehicle.

If you are in Bracebridge and would like to see a delica up close pm me here.

Michael

[Elanzer]

Hello everyone who responded to my questions about servicing the Delica in Ontario. Thank you for all of your responses. Jason, I may take you up on the disc. And, Michael, thanks, I may take you up on the offer also: what year and model do you have?

Best,

Greg

[nvanadm]

My wife and I just moved BACK to Ontario from North Vancouver (I know...terrible).

The main thing you want to look at is buying from a reputable dealer. We bought ours (an L300...the one WITH character) from Mardy (MardyDelica) about 15 months ago and have not had ANY problems! He does everything you could imagine when he imports them and you have piece of mind thereafter.

I still buy all my parts from him (oil, fuel, air filters etc). Shipping costs are worth it. Just as one example, NAPA charges around $55 for an oil filter....he charges $18 for genuine Japanese. I found an import garage in Woodstock that does my maintenance, but I think any diesel mechanic would do if they aren't scared. You can get your oil changed anywhere as long as you bring your own filter.

Good luck on your search! Hopefully we can chalk another one up for the Onterribles.

[Mbryant]

Hey Greg I have a white 93 Exceed with a Crystal Lite Roof.

[Elanzer]

nvanadm:
Hey life aint so bad in Ontario - I moved from BC to get here! Thanks for the tips. I'm gaining more confidence about the practicality of owning one off these machines. I'm all for reputable dealers and am willing to pay for piece of mind that the vehicle isn't going to cost me thousand in repairs directly after purchase (been there done that!).

I live an hour from Peterborough, so there should be someone there who could work on diesels. What about a good VW mechanic, so you think they might be inclined to work on a diesel Mitsubishi? I know a private VW shop with a good rep.

All roads point towards a 1994 L400 Spacegear Super Exceed at this point. I hear the late model 1994s are the ones to get if one has a choice.

Is anyone familiar with these yet since they're new on the market in Canada this year?

Best,
greg

[loki]

nvanadm:
Hey life aint so bad in Ontario - I moved from BC to get here! Thanks for the tips. I'm gaining more confidence about the practicality of owning one off these machines. I'm all for reputable dealers and am willing to pay for piece of mind that the vehicle isn't going to cost me thousand in repairs directly after purchase (been there done that!).

I live an hour from Peterborough, so there should be someone there who could work on diesels. What about a good VW mechanic, so you think they might be inclined to work on a diesel Mitsubishi? I know a private VW shop with a good rep.

All roads point towards a 1994 L400 Spacegear Super Exceed at this point. I hear the late model 1994s are the ones to get if one has a choice.

Is anyone familiar with these yet since they're new on the market in Canada this year?

Best,
greg

often VW shops are a really good place to get work done, I think most here though tend to be on the expensive side.