Delica hunt is on.

[Aztec Nomad]

Hello Delica owners,
I am new to the forum and have recently made a firm descision to purchase a Delica. The only problem is I live in Ontario and getting to B.C. when there's a van at a good price to buy is hard to do. Also there's not very many to choose from around my area. My question is, and I hope I don't step on any toes when I say this, are there ways to import "personally" from Japan to Ontario. I realize people need to make money to pay for the life they have, but I have a hard time to fork out over $10,000 from a respectable importer, for a van you can buy for under $4k in Japan. Is that just the price it is for importing or can you do it cheaper if you do all the leg work yourself. Thanks in advance.
Adam

[after oil]

my experience has been that its about $2000-$3000 cheaper to import yourself. however if you buy a van thats been imported and serviced by experienced delica mechanics in BC, youll have less headaches, and perhaps spend less in the long run...

[Aztec Nomad]

Thanks for the reply.
The maintenance is not much of an issue for me. Would it be more difficult to import because of where I live? Does it have to meet a certain standard before it can leave B.C. or can I get some sort of a temporary permit to travel back to Ontario?
Adam

[Aztec Nomad]

Hey,
Just another question. Is there anybody who could recommend a dealer in Japan that I could deal with?
Adam

[Adam]

I bought a L400 through Brave Auto with very good results. I also have a couple of friends that bought a Pajero and a L300 through Brave Auto abd they were happy with condition of the vehicles. Keep in mind you are going to need to spend ~$1000 for import fees/GST/Duty and $3,000-$5,000 for compliance work, new tires, and general repairs to get the van road worthy once it is landed.

[Delicafan]

I bought a L400 through Brave Auto with very good results. I also have a couple of friends that bought a Pajero and a L300 through Brave Auto abd they were happy with condition of the vehicles. Keep in mind you are going to need to spend ~$1000 for import fees/GST/Duty and $3,000-$5,000 for compliance work, new tires, and general repairs to get the van road worthy once it is landed.

3-5K ?? That's a bit much..... Find the right one and it's really not bad at all. Most of the vehicles come from Japan in great shape and have already had regular maintenance done to them.

[Adam]

I guess it depends on how much maintenance you think is necessary. Here's an example of some of my L400 costs, that includes:

• 4 new tires: $850
  DRL module: $100
  Oil Change: $70
  Air & Fuel Filters: $85
  E-coded headlights:$800
  New Water Pump: $200
  New Rad: $400
  Labour: $500
  GST/PST: $300
  
  Total: $3305.00

That doesn't even include the Inner/Outer tie rod ends, upper & lower ball joints, sway bar links and various bushing I'm getting done, for an additional $1,200.

I'm not trying to scare anyone off of importing directly from Japan, but they should have a good idea of the additional costs they could face once landed. With an accurate idea of these costs they can better judge whether it is worth the wait and possible savings of importing versus purchasing off a reputable dealer in BC.

[aclarker]

I just recently imported an l400 petrol. To get it road worthy for the -40 degrees we get in Calgary I spent way too much. New battery, block heater, all new fluids, etc. be prepared to spend $1400 initially that's if you need to pay for labor. Now it needs sway bar mounts repaired, new belts, tuned up, water pump, timing belt, u joint, steering boots. The list continues... This being said I have put the money aside to account for this as I did buy a 15 year old van...

Zen Auto was my importer and Sean purchased the Van for me from Brave Auto. Sean just recently told me that there is some slim pickens for good clean L400's in Japan. If it were me and If I were to do it again. I would still use Zen and Brave. Looks like Brave Auto is the Guy to go to..

[robinimpey]

I imported myself through the Yokohama Trading Company then my son got a Pajero through them and then my brother a Delica. All have been better vehicles than we had expected. I would import again to save the $$$ and I found it an enjoyable and not overly complicated process. If you're planning on driving it half way across the country I would book it into one of the very reputable garages on the coast (Amazing Auto, CVI, CC Autos) and give it a good once over to make sure you're ready for that kind of trip. Plan a couple of extra days and some extra money to replace water pump, bushings, belts, all fluids, etc. etc. etc. After that you should be good for many kms with little to no issues. If you want the contact information of the person I worked with just let me know.

Good luck in your search.

[wetcoast]

Hello Delica owners,
I am new to the forum and have recently made a firm descision to purchase a Delica. The only problem is I live in Ontario and getting to B.C. when there's a van at a good price to buy is hard to do. Also there's not very many to choose from around my area. My question is, and I hope I don't step on any toes when I say this, are there ways to import "personally" from Japan to Ontario. I realize people need to make money to pay for the life they have, but I have a hard time to fork out over $10,000 from a respectable importer, for a van you can buy for under $4k in Japan. Is that just the price it is for importing or can you do it cheaper if you do all the leg work yourself. Thanks in advance.
Adam

Hate to break it to you but the days of the $4k van are over. The auction has all but dried up and private sellers in Japan want top dollar. Anything under 150km is getting hard to find. Sellers in Canada are selling Delicas that are already inspected (insurable) starting at $6k. Think about it.

[dah_hunter]

Importing your self from japan can be fun, also you then get the satisfaction of knowing that your the first owner in Canada..
however there are a lot of little things, and driving from BC to ON in an untested Van could be risky.. however A little adventure is worth the risk sometimes but thats a personal thing..

as for Insurance. you can get temp insurance from ICBC that will cover you on the drive home that wouldn't be an issue..

for Importing i recommend Brave Auto.. I personalty deal with him all the time for 90% of my cars. and he wont steer you wrong..


Getting a Van thats already in BC in good as well though.. there are a lot of trusted local sources.. or you could find on on Craiglist in BC thats in good shape.. do your homework, find out who to trust.. and it could save you some money because the Van would be already up to BC standards which are stricter then ON..

Bottem line both are good options.. Balls in your Court..


After thought..
a $4000 Van in Japan is easy to find. however that Van cost only..
+$1500 Fees in Japan
+$1500 Shipping (Estimated Container)
+$1500 Brokering

Thats $8500 right there.. Food for thought.

[Manitoba deli]

Please let me know who will ship a container for $1500, My van was shipped ro-ro in August, and was $2100 for a LWB l400, This was considerably cheaper than the quote for a 20ft container. Maybe I'm using the wrong shipping company.

Jason

[Green1]

all depends how many vehicles share the container...

[Manitoba deli]

20 ft container-$3000 1 delica fits
40 ft container-$5600 2 delicas fit
any size container-$1500 ? please find me one.
These were the prices I was quoted in July/09 by a company called Panelpina, who regularly ships me mini trucks (7 per container), and these were the prices for a regular height container. the high containers I use for the mini trucks are slightly more costly. If I could be saving a few thousand dollars on shipping, let me know, that would sure increase my profit margin.
Thanks
Jason