I'm looking at Delicas and live in Vancouver, BC and am trying to figure out if it makes more sense to buy a used on locally or import one from Japan. Ideally i'd like one that's great on fuel and easy to camp out of with lots of space and drive down logging roads. A friend of mine might buy one too so we could potentially share the shipping and she has friends in Japan who could help us find a vehicle.
Is it worthwhile to import or are we better off just looking on craig's list?
Thanks.
Better to import from Japan or buy local? British Columbia
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bluebuck
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Profister
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Re: Better to import from Japan or buy local? British Colum
It is always better to use 'search' on this forum to get an answer you are looking for; there is a ton of info on the subject already. 
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jessef
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Re: Better to import from Japan or buy local? British Colum
One of the three will apply to you in order from 1 to 3 :
1. If your friend in Japan can find good one's then you answered you're own question.
2. I'm you're mechanically inclined and know the mechanics/engine of a Delica, then look in the used market
3. If you're not sure of what to look for(mechanically), go to a reputable dealer and ask a lot of questions until you're happy.
As for buying local vs. buying in Japan
That's up to you. Lots of against/for for both.
For the cost of the average L300 here in BC, it is not worth it from a dollar standpoint to import yourself unless you are looking for a very specific model that is not for sale here already.
There are so many L300's in BC on the market that you can pick and choose what you like.
The best part is if you buy from a well known delica.ca member or someone who is honest and has owned their L300 for some time, all of the quirks have been ironed out and you don't have to worry about then (usually) compared to getting a new one fresh from Japan and having to put in thousands of dollars (that is normal) to make it drive the way it should without any surprises.
Other than that, search on this forum and take the time to read.
Asking a question like this that has been asked many times over in the past few years and is answered in the same way over and over can get tedious.
Hope you find a nice one !
1. If your friend in Japan can find good one's then you answered you're own question.
2. I'm you're mechanically inclined and know the mechanics/engine of a Delica, then look in the used market
3. If you're not sure of what to look for(mechanically), go to a reputable dealer and ask a lot of questions until you're happy.
As for buying local vs. buying in Japan
That's up to you. Lots of against/for for both.
For the cost of the average L300 here in BC, it is not worth it from a dollar standpoint to import yourself unless you are looking for a very specific model that is not for sale here already.
There are so many L300's in BC on the market that you can pick and choose what you like.
The best part is if you buy from a well known delica.ca member or someone who is honest and has owned their L300 for some time, all of the quirks have been ironed out and you don't have to worry about then (usually) compared to getting a new one fresh from Japan and having to put in thousands of dollars (that is normal) to make it drive the way it should without any surprises.
Other than that, search on this forum and take the time to read.
Asking a question like this that has been asked many times over in the past few years and is answered in the same way over and over can get tedious.
Hope you find a nice one !