Any comments of the Mitsubishi Delica

Isn't "Mitsubishi" Japanese for " Soon to be ceasing forward motion due to explosion of all moving parts"???

Or maybe it's Nip for "Look at me, I don't have ANY self respect!"

Then again, I think that maybe it's South Australian Govt. for "Please, please, please don't close our Chrysler factory!!"

Anything called a "Delica" has to be of doubtful provenance :D

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Originally Posted by Christopha

Isn't "Mitsubishi" Japanese for "Soon to be ceasing forward motion due to explosion of all moving parts

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Actually, it translates into english as "Three Diamonds" (hence the logo) but having owned one i like your translation better. it seems to more accurately describe the product

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Originally Posted by Iain

My 80 series Landcrusher GXL Wagon (petrol) returns 23 litres per 100 km, which is about 12 mpg in the old language, if thats any help, a troopy is a bit less I believe.
I think you can add 50% to that figure for diesel.
I have never been overly impressed with Bits of Mishi, bit too plasticky and flimsy, but could suit your needs if you don't need something too rugged.

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Iain, I said driven "sensibly". You can get 25+ mpg out of a DI Diesel Troopy if you're not too heavy on the throttle. Trust me, I've done the figures.:D

Don't take this the wrong way but I can never figure out why anyone would buy a big 4WD with a petrol engine nowadays. I've had two of them in the past when diesel wasn't an option. Great on the beach, plenty of power but absolute fuel gutsers. Not much better on the black stuff either.

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Originally Posted by keith53

Iain, I said driven "sensibly". You can get 25+ mpg out of a DI Diesel Troopy if you're not too heavy on the throttle. Trust me, I've done the figures.:D .

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thats nice Keith, but what about when it breaks down. cost me nearly $10,000 for an exchange diesel 4 cylinder 2.8 ltr engine about 8 years ago, shudder to think how much it would be now.

HI Toolin

IMO you really need to make a list of what you want the vehicle to do.

What type of 4wdriving do you intend to do?

Do you need low range? Do you need 4wd?

Are you comfortable taking a hit on resale because its an import?

If you are after a people mover that can go onto unformed roads without fear of losing traction, then the delica would suit that role and is a lot of car for a reasonable amount of money. You will get fleeced at resale, particularly if you trade as they will use the grey status against you.

If its a diesel then make sure that you have the engine checked by a diesel specialist. They will run tests on the cooling fluid to see if there are any contaminants from cracks in the heads.

Another alternative to the delica could be a nineties VW transporter synchro that are holding value well and should not lose as much in the long run.

good luck

dazzler

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Originally Posted by doug the slug

thats nice Keith, but what about when it breaks down. cost me nearly $10,000 for an exchange diesel 4 cylinder 2.8 ltr engine about 8 years ago, shudder to think how much it would be now.

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Hey doug

guess what. Toyota halved thier prices on 2.8 engines in 2002. Long blocks for $4500:o

dirty buggers

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Originally Posted by keith53

Iain, I said driven "sensibly". You can get 25+ mpg out of a DI Diesel Troopy if you're not too heavy on the throttle. Trust me, I've done the figures.:D

Don't take this the wrong way but I can never figure out why anyone would buy a big 4WD with a petrol engine nowadays. I've had two of them in the past when diesel wasn't an option. Great on the beach, plenty of power but absolute fuel gutsers. Not much better on the black stuff either.

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I thought the troopy had a lower ratio diff to the wagon, same as the tray tops.
I bought a petrol for a number of reasons, more power initially, better acceleration, Toyota because it is a full time 4WD which equates to far superior handling and the sheer weight for towing my extended horse float and two bloody big thoroughbreds around all over the countryside.
When I am in economy mode I drive a Toyota Startled or daughters Foulcan wagon.
It frightens me to see what people will tow, unsafely, with the family Commode or Foulcan, just not up for it, and I don't want to buy a truck with the huge rego fees.
Plus it is pleasant to drive and affordable on LPG, with oil injection to the upper cylinder.

Mat,
I had a petrol Mitsuishi Express Van (4wd, 2.4L EFI) until recently and it was good for the work I was doing when I bought it, (Maintenance carpentry and a few kitchen installs) Fuel consumption was absolutely atrocious, because it is, after all shaped like a brick and over 2M tall. The 4wd vans are all short wheelbase and you won't fit a full sheet of ply in it. If you fit roof racks you'll find that they cause stress cracking in the gutter area which leads to rust. The diesel will give better fuel economy, but I doubt it will be great. My 2.8L TD Rodeo returns about 9kms per litre but has about half the frontal area to push through the air.

As others have pointed out parts may be a problem for the "grey" imports. You'll find that the dealers/distributors for the "real" imports may be extremely unhelpful in supplying parts. Just because an import vehicle looks the same as other vehicles here is no garuantee that they are the same mechanically. I've had a look underneath a Delica of the same vintage and bodyshape as my van and found that it had two small fuel tanks connected in series and in a completely different location to the tank in my van. I've got a friend in the auto parts industry and he's given me some interesting tales of woe about some of the imports. Like the 2.8L diesel in the Surf has the same block as the local Hilux - but a completley different and non-interchangeable clinder head, different mainfolds, injector, fuel and water pumps.

Personally I wouldn't buy a grey import unless I knew for a fact that I could get parts, and for the right price. Good luck in your vehicle hunt Mat, and BTW did you ever get the "Dog and Lemon Guide"?

Mick