Someone PLEASE satisfy my curiosity

[quadzilla]

I have noticed that many people refer to the 5 spd manuals as rare, very rare, extremely rare, very uncommon, etc.

So - how rare is rare? Are 5 speeds really that uncommon (i.e., were fewer manuals made compared to autos), or are there just more autos being imported? Are there more autos in Japan relative to manuals? Did Mitsubishi make more autos than manuals or were autos just more popular? I have a 5 spd and know a handful of others who do, too. In a recent for sale post the words 'very rare' were in a larger font as if to emphasize the once in a lifetime opportunity some lucky purchaser was going to get. In the same add, the relative rarity of a 5 spd crystal lite with forward sunroof was also emphasized. I have those options, too, so never really considered them to be a rare combo. Maybe I just lucked out and got the rare of the rare

It seems most people on this forum have an automatic - but does this factoid really impart rarity on the manual crowd out there? If manuals were the 'less popular' choice, why was this?


Happy Trails and Happy New Year.

[Spearo]

My guess (sorry) is that it's a van, therefore most buyers would prefer auto, so not many manufactured for the Japanese market. IE: not many standard Sienna's or Caravan's out there I think.
On the other hand, whenever I've lived ot travelled overseas, automatics were rare even for people-movers similar to the Delica. But those were 3rd world environments, not Japan.
HNYear.
Erik

[Green1]

most of the vehicles being imported are the higher spec models, most of the autos are also on the higher spec models (it's an extra "feature") as such, most of the vehicles you see are auto, especially if you want the crystal light roof, or a super exceed, or various other feature combinations.

If you looked at the GLX models you'd probably find more manuals available, but you'd loose many of the high end features.

However unlike the north american manufactuers who bundle all their options in to packages (you want the sunroof? that comes with the auto transmission, cd-player, heated seats, and chrome bumpers... no sunroof? can't get any of those other options either!) It appears that Mitsubishi allowed people to mix and match in whatever way they wanted. As such you can find basically ANY combination out there, it just doesn't mean it will be easy to find.

[marsgal42]

Going by the dealer listings (e.g. Terra2), at most 1 Delica in 10 is a manual.

Only posh ones are worth importing, and high-spec vehicles tend to have automatic transmissions. If you were looking for a beat-up commercial L300 you would have lots more manuals to choose from.

...laura

[FalcoColumbarius]

If you looked at the GLX models you'd probably find more manuals available, but you'd loose many of the high end features.

I have a very rare A/T GLX

[peterh]

I've been around the Deli scene for about 6 years and haven't heard of or seen a maual diesel but I'm sure someone on the Oz forum has a maual V6 (L400). In oz, we get all the models (Jasper, Chamonix, Exceed, Super Exceed, Royal) so I'm pretty sure it's not a model thing and, considering you can get manuals in the equivalent Pajeros, it can't be an engineering issue.

My opinion is ....... (cough) it's a Japanese consumer thing, they just don't buy manuals ??????

Cheers,

[Spearo]

My opinion is ....... (cough) it's a Japanese consumer thing, they just don't buy manuals ??????

Cheers,

My thoughts too. Mitsu would certainly do their marketing research. If people were screaming for standard trans's Mitsu would build them.
Cheers,
Erik

[Green1]

If you looked at the GLX models you'd probably find more manuals available, but you'd loose many of the high end features.

I have a very rare A/T GLX

I didn't say that the manual would outnumber the auto, just that a manual would be more likely on a lower spec vehicle than on a higher spec one.

[mararmeisto]

BAIT

What seems to be even more rare are the ultra-fast, quick-off-the-line, higher-top-speeds-than-the-autos manuals that certain dealers are flogging on this site. Every manual driver I've talked to or read about has been in agreement that their manual transmission van does not go as fast as the autos, but this dealer seems to be getting some from somewhere.

Just an observation.

END BAIT

[FalcoColumbarius]

If you looked at the GLX models you'd probably find more manuals available, but you'd loose many of the high end features.

I have a very rare A/T GLX

I didn't say that the manual would outnumber the auto, just that a manual would be more likely on a lower spec vehicle than on a higher spec one.

I still have a very rare A/T GLX. By the way... what are you insinuating by "lower spec vehicle"?

[mararmeisto]

I still have a very rare A/T GLX. By the way... what are you insinuating by "lower spec vehicle"?

I think he means your suspension has to be adjusted...

[Luna-Sea]

Hey,
I generally try to peek inside the driver's window of any
Deli I see parked if I am on foot.I check the odometer,the sticks for Auto or Manual,trim levels,any apparent mods and of upmost importance cup holder placement.

I have found the Manuals to be definitely less common and
Manual with the full Crystal-Lite package to be seldom scene.
My first Deli was an incarnation of Manual/Crystal-Lite and was
a really sweet van.

What seems to be even more rare are the ultra-fast, quick-off-the-line, higher-top-speeds-than-the-autos manuals that certain dealers are flogging on this site.

uh-yup or so it seems...
It is my understanding that there were 3 different manual trannies
available,most here seem to be the shortest gears...

There is probably a production list somewhere with the stats
of how many Manual Transmissions were actually produced,
I for one would be keen to see it.

Right On!

an aside..

I think he means your suspension has to be adjusted...

http://www.gorancho.com/products/accessories/myride.php
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lnccXcu_KyQ
I think the reasoning behind the wireless controller is to keep drool out of the vehicle when showing it off....

[FalcoColumbarius]

As I said: I have a very rare A/T GLX. By the way, the compressor is not as quiet as they say it is in the vid.

[quadzilla]

I did some searching around for a production list and came up empty, but you are right - there probably is one out there some where.

I like the manual and when and if I go to sell it, I will be sure to advertise the once in a lifetime opportunity for someone to own this really rare, seldom seen manual transmission with crystal lite roof

[peterh]

BAIT

What seems to be even more rare are the ultra-fast, quick-off-the-line, higher-top-speeds-than-the-autos manuals that certain dealers are flogging on this site. Every manual driver I've talked to or read about has been in agreement that their manual transmission van does not go as fast as the autos, but this dealer seems to be getting some from somewhere.

Just an observation.

END BAIT

If I'd had the choice when I bought mine - it would have been the manual - for no good reason except more control when driving (you know, selecting the gear you want instead of one a japanese engineer thinks you should use) and maybe simpler to maintain and fix (god forbid )