Recommendations on dealers?

[Miloki]

Okay, I test drove a Delica and now I have to have one!

My biggest problem is that I'm in Nova Scotia, so my options are limited to (1) flying out to BC, buying a Delica and driving it back or (2) buying one from afar and having it shipped to me by rail.

In either case, but particularly in the second scenario!, I want to be sure that I am dealing with a reputable dealer who will stand behind the vehicle. I would very much like to hear people's recommendations and experiences, both good and bad - privately, if you prefer. (I have already gone through the forum threads that I could find which dealt with this).

Oh - in particular, I've been looking at some websites and have seen a few at Tyee and Maximum Overdrive that caught my attention, so any comments on those dealers would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!
Valerie

[delicat]

Valerie,

Here's the post I was previously referring to although it's only for the Island:
http://www.delica.ca/forum/north-island ... light=tyee

Happy hunting!

[vanjuggler]

I really want to drive across our great country, but I don't want to drive back. :) I was thinking that sometime I should buy a delica (I live in Vancouver), and then find a buyer on the east coast to sell it to.... Hmmm...

[nishby]

Hey Miloki, did you end up driving a Delica home from BC?

I'm in Ontario and thinking of doing the same, but I'm not sure what the implications are for crossing 5 provinces with an unregistered vehicle. Are there provisions for this? Is there a grace period to switch the registration from BC?

Any tips would be appreciated.

Cheers.

[ccautos]

I work alongside Five Star Autos in Parksville preparing and selling Delicas. Shipping out to eastern provinces has been fairly easy using rail transport and the most recent vehicle I shipped was a Mark VII Jaguar that cost $1150 from Vancouver to Toronto.

[Green1]

but I'm not sure what the implications are for crossing 5 provinces with an unregistered vehicle. Are there provisions for this? Is there a grace period to switch the registration from BC?

there are 2 ways of doing this... in both cases the first step is the same: talk to your insurance company and insure the new vehicle.
for the second step you have 2 choices:
1) if you have an existing vehicle that you are selling, junking, permanently parking, etc. you can simply take your license plates with you, and put them on the new vehicle. You then have 2 weeks to get home and register the new vehicle.
2) the alternative is to talk to your local registries office, or the BC registries, either one can issue you an "in transit" permit that would allow you to drive the vehicle home.

[TardisDeli]

Hi Nishby, Welcome. I am Christine, I organize many of the local get-togethers.

In addition to Green1's excellent post, please ensure that you insure it properly. Check with your local agent for the province you reside in, and do NOT try to cheap out and do it "semi" legally, someone did that last summer and got in a fender bender and insurance was voided (so they basically had to leave the vehicle with a local dealer to sell for parts -- definitely lost value).

In case Miloki doesnt see your post (I haven't seen her online in a while), she bought privately in Alberta but got some other delica owners to thoroughly check it out, and several others helped her via email to assess the photos and information, and I think she also got the CAA inspection. She lived in Alberta so was able to register it there, then drove it across Canada to her new home, so all was insured legally. I wouldnt risk driving an unknown Delica such a long distance unless I had good mechanical knowledge, and basic tools, as its previous life is unknown. They are beautiful machines, but you don't know what problems the neglect of the previous owner may cause.

I can recommend 4 dealers based on the feedback from the dozens of owners I have met. They are all trusted (as you can see from a search of the website of others posts), can be trusted to prepare the vehicles thoroughly which is much more than just the minimum "requirements" of Transport Canada, and all have fair prices, and are experienced at shipping across Canada. The trusted names are Glen of CC Autos (he is a mechanic who already posted to you, and mentioned the dealer he recommends), MardyDelica of Amazing Autos, Shogo of Japanoid, and Wayne of Crushers (he isnt active here, but he moved to Ontario from Alberta recently, so I don't have his new contact info). I do not recommend any private dealers, or craigs list, as you have no guarantees and may just waste your money.

On the other hand, if you want to wait till warmer weather, then visit Vancouver (welcome to stay in our spare room), we will organize local meet ups so you can talk to dozens of owners, and can visit the various dealers. Then drive home in a relaxed pace and enjoy the ride.

Above all, read this delica site, and start learning. They aren't just a car, they are a lifestyle (actually its a cult, cuz where else do total strangers go camping together and actually enjoy it).

Cheers, Christine.

[nishby]

Thanks for all the advice guys. Much appreciated. By the way...that's a sweet looking van Glen. I think I want yours!