Not another "guy from US that wants a Delica" thread...

[hop]

Well, it's kind of true, as I was born and bred in the US, but there's a twist: I am a Canadian citizen w/ a Canadian permanent address.

I have been scouring this forum for a while now and it seems that the Delica is one of the best vehicles out there for what I want. The only issue is that I live in Washington and/or California most of the time. I do spend a bit of time on Salt Spring Island so I have that going for me (which is nice).

It would not be a stretch to just head across the border and purchase a Delica and register the thing on SS. I've never owned/registered a Cdn. vehicle and don't know the procedures but how hard can it be? My main concern would be finding a place to maintain the thing in the US since I'm fairly certain Mitsu diesels are not the most common engine out here. Unfortunately my mechanical aptitude is not stellar, so doing any major jobs myself is not going to happen.

There are a lot of you that have gone on epic road trips through the US and beyond. Can anyone comment on what it was like trying to find parts/maintenance outside of Canada?

Thanks in advance, and maybe someday I will be a part of the Delica club.

[Green1]

Well, it's kind of true, as I was born and bred in the US, but there's a twist: I am a Canadian citizen w/ a Canadian permanent address.

I have been scouring this forum for a while now and it seems that the Delica is one of the best vehicles out there for what I want. The only issue is that I live in Washington and/or California most of the time. I do spend a bit of time on Salt Spring Island so I have that going for me (which is nice).

It would not be a stretch to just head across the border and purchase a Delica and register the thing on SS. I've never owned/registered a Cdn. vehicle and don't know the procedures but how hard can it be? My main concern would be finding a place to maintain the thing in the US since I'm fairly certain Mitsu diesels are not the most common engine out here. Unfortunately my mechanical aptitude is not stellar, so doing any major jobs myself is not going to happen.

There are a lot of you that have gone on epic road trips through the US and beyond. Can anyone comment on what it was like trying to find parts/maintenance outside of Canada?

Thanks in advance, and maybe someday I will be a part of the Delica club.

I doubt that inside vs outside of Canada makes much difference for maintenance, the bigger issue is proximity to the BC lower mainland and Vancouver Island.
As for mechanical, they are very simple beasts really, and any mechanic who is familiar with diesel, and who doesn't have an unfounded fear of all things different, should have no issue working on it. Generally mechanics familiar with VW diesels have very little trouble with them.
Service manuals are available to download, and parts are available by courier from many of the importers listed on this site.

As for registration, you will need to deal with ICBC to register and insure the vehicle in BC, you should also check with them as to insurance coverage when doing "extended travel outside of the country" so that you aren't in for any nasty surprises if you're in a collision in the US.

[hop]

Currently I'm living about 30km from the border as the crow flies, so that's not an issue. I can be in Kits in ~2h.

My California digs are quite a bit further.

Hmm, I will look into the long-range insurance issue. I guess I'd probably need a BC DL too, huh?

[Green1]

Hmm, I will look into the long-range insurance issue.

likely not an issue, but it's just something you need to ask about

I guess I'd probably need a BC DL too, huh?

I don't have a lot of experience with ICBC (as I live in Alberta) but I suspect that this would most likely be the case.

[hop]

Just got off the phone with ICBC. Apparently it's fine to own/register/insure a car in BC w/ a US license, but they told me to expect major hassles with border crossings. "Yes, it's my car. Yes, I'm a US citizen. No, it's not stolen. Please put down the glove."

[Luna-Sea]

Hey,

I did not really see if you have a preference towards the L300 or L400.
I am a sucker for the L300 myself,but you should come up and drive a few of each around.
I am in Nanaimo on vancouver island you could test drive a few on the island and
mine too (l300s) to see if you are a suitable host for the onset of Delicitis.
Also there is a kickass group of Deli-gates in the vancouver area.If you timed
your visit to a "deli-meet" I am sure you could get a brainful to ponder as well
as a feel for what you might want as well as good advice and possibly snacks.

Right on!

[hop]

Thanks for the info Luna-Sea. I'm kind of torn between the L300 and L400 as each has their own pros and cons. I'm a fan of the Chamonix/Jasper winter packages of the L300 (are they available in L400?) but I like the L400 for the airbag, front engine, switchable 2/4WD, etc. I think a test drive or three is going to be the only way to decide for sure. It sounds like both versions kill it in the snow.

I'd be looking to do a simple camper/weekender mod to the interior to facilitate surf/ski missions.

Sounds like the mileage of both is in the 20-24mpg range, with the L300 autos being the most fuel efficient?

[Green1]

Chamonix/Jasper winter packages of the L300 (are they available in L400?)

yup, you can get the chamonix in both L300 and L400, though I can't remember if the Jasper was made in the L400 or not. As for the winter package, my L300 Super Exceed and L400 Royal Exceed both have the winter package.

Sounds like the mileage of both is in the 20-24mpg range, with the L300 autos being the most fuel efficient?

my L300 averaged 21.5mpg(US) over the 21,000 miles that I kept records for.
my L400 has so far averaged 19.4mpg(US) however I have only had it for 1,500 miles so far, so the accuracy of that is not as high as I might like.

Both are automatic transmissions.

[Erebus]

For maintenance and parts in the US, the L300 was brought into the US in the late '80s, early '90s. But it was a stripped down, 2WD gas version. So parts through Mitsu dealers are not too difficult -- if you have the part number, which this forum can often provide.

Also, the Dodge Ram50 pickup was available back then with a diesel engine, which just happens to be the non-turbo version of the same engine as the L300 Delicas we get here.

For the L400s, they are based on the Montero which was/is plentiful in the US, jfarsang is the expert on that relationship.