Looking at a 94 Space gear Super Exceed today

[unclejemima]

Hi guys, new to the forum,

Selling my Honda Element (only has 4 seats) to buy a Mitsu Delica as we have another kid on the way.

Its a 1994 Delica Spacegear Super Exceed with 60,000km. 2.8L Diesel with auto trans.

This looks like a great vehicle, super clean and low km. He is asking $13,500 but I'm sure we can get that down.

I will take photos today for everyone to check out.

Am I smart to get rid of a 2008 Honda Element with only 20,000km and get this Delica? From what I've heard, if properly maintained, I should be able to get many trouble free km out of the Delica so I don't think I will be making a sacrifice for reliability (as my wife is worried about) going from a near brand new vehicle to a used JDM. I'm just worried that it will be very hard to get parts to find a mechanic to work on it.

What sort of city/highway mpg can I expect with the 2.8L?

Towing capacity (lbs)

Thanks all for the advice. I will post photos today for everyone to view.

[Swervygirl]

We recently (2mths ago) got a L400. We had the same worries, hard to find parts, where to find a good mechanic, ect. We found the good mechanic, and his job is to find the parts so that part is taken care of
For us it was hard to go from a 2002 vehicle to a 1995! Our L400 is also in excellent condition and came with 74,000 km's. We had a couple of little bugs, those got ironed out and we are THRILLED with this van!
We are getting about 500km's per fill.

Good luck with you decision, we are certainly glad we took the plunge!

Lori and Chris

[jessef]

$13,500 is very high.

Where are you located ?

If you are local, I would be happy to look one over for you as a second opinion if you are interested.

If you are paying over $13,000 for an L400, you should be receiving something above average like a royal exceed with mech work or one similar to mine below.



As an example, I sold mine for that price range.

This should give you a good basis on what you are getting for what you are paying for.

Here's the list of things on it/what's been done since it touched Canadian soil:

Mechanical :

-Timing chain/tensioner replaced
-Valve cover gasket/halfmoon seals/cone seals replaced
-glow plugs replaced / busbar replaced with 4 to 1 wire system
-Coolant expansion bottle replaced / system flushed
-Waterpump replaced
-Alternator rewound/diodes replaced
-Fuel / Oil / Transmission filters replaced
-15w40 Rotella Synthetic engine oil 
-Dex Transmission fluid flush/change
-Differential front/rear/transfer case fluids changed

-front hubs repacked/adjusted
-front / rear brake pads replaced 2 weeks ago
-rotors machined 

-major front suspension work :
-both left/right inner and outer tierods replaced / boots replaced
-both left/right CV axles removed re&re / cleaned / new boots installed
-Steering boot replaced
-lower control arm front and rear / left and right (all) bushings replaced
-both left / right sides upper and lower balljoints replaced

Custom work :

- Modified front bushbar additional upper bar with euro/3 offroad spot lights
- Aluminum sump/underguard plate
- Black headlight unique covers 
- Headlight lens protective 3M rock chip covers
- 2" suspension lift installed including new Procomp 9000 series shocks
- 31x10.5x15 Goodyear Duratrac AllTerrain (snowflake symbol) installed @ 98%
- 2.75" High flow side exhaust muffler / installed
- Terzo aluminum ladder adjusted to suit low roof L400
- 3 gauge pod (stock) replaced with the following gauges :
- Pyrometer (EGT - Exhaust Gas Temperature) Autometer gauge
- Oil Pressure gauge 
- Boost gauge

- passenger seat captain's chair rotates 360 degrees opening up the entire floorplan of the L400*

*This opens up a large space while still seating all the occupants.

[unclejemima]

Thank you kindly for the posts, very good info.

I'm sure the price can be ironed out. Sounds like $10k is more about where it should be.

I found out it actually has 76,000km (digital odo). If all is in working order, is the timing chain not good until 150,000km or is it good preventative maintenance to do it this early?

What is the difference between the super and royale exceed?

I plan on doing the coolant bottle and valve cover fix. Sounds like this is a pretty easy thing to do.

Any idea on the towing capacity for the L400?

Here is a few vids from the vendor for your viewing pleasure...

http://azada.smugmug.com/Cars/Mitsubish ... obppg-A-LB
http://azada.smugmug.com/Cars/Mitsubish ... obppg-A-LB

[jessef]

Royal exceeds only come in long wheel base.

This white one is a basic short wheel base.

Some important things are missing on the van that is required for an out of province inspection pass. I would be wary buying a vehicle that was 'passed' yet doesn't actually have all the passing requirements.

If you bought this (the way it is in pics/video) and got pulled over by police, you can be fined and/or forced to take it off the road until the proper compliance work has been completed and passes a proper inspection.

With regards to mileage, there is not one single trustworthy source for the exception of the original owner that can prove the mileage to be accurate. Therefore, be wary as well.

There are many threads about what to look for when purchasing a Delica.

If I am paying 10,000 or more for a short wheelbase model, I would expect the following to have been done once in canada :

replace shocks, brakes, coolant expansion bottle, flush coolant system, new waterpump, timing, tuning, battery, injector servicing, etc ...

In my honest opinion, I would pass on this one at that price unless it is exactly what you are looking for and all of the standard (should be standard) mechanical work has been done to it and that it doesn't rattle ans knock (suspension balljoints/tierods/control arm bushings) and is clean.

You can do so much better for the dollar value buying from a trusted dealer like Mardy at Amazing Auto or Coombs Auto.