Appealing to Calgary owners

[Maluaka]

Hi folks,

After lots of research and consideration my wife and I have come to the conclusion that an L400 would be a great second vehicle. We love our Mazda 3 and we have an 04 civic which does the trick for my commute to work, but something a bit more versatile would fit the bill. We ski, cycle, backpack and make several trips a year into BC and out to the island. We are finding the cars to be a bit restrictive and these vans seem like the way to go!

I have looked at hundreds of pictures online but would really love to see an L400 in the flesh. I am 6'5" and am curious about fit, not just in the driver seat but elsewhere in the van. Would I be able to sleep in the back in a pinch? It is hard to get an idea of scale by just seeing pictures.

My appeal is this: would any of you Calgary owners be willing to meet me somewhere so that I might have a poke around your van? I would be delighted to treat you to lunch in exchange! I live in Rocky Ridge (N.W.) but am more than willing to meet anywhere in town depending where you live.

Thanks!

Dustin.

Edit: I should note that I have Wed,Thrs,Fri,Sat off most weeks (I work 13 hour shifts) so if any of those days work for you.....

[Mr. Flibble]

I am not in Calgary, so I can't bring mine over for you to try. I am 6'2" and have no problem in my L400. Some other forum members here are taller than I, and they drive the L400 just fine. As for sleeping room, I fit an inflatable Queen air mattress in the back of mine with ease. I tried a double originally, but it was too small for the back of my van. Both the SWB and the LWB will take a Queen bed air mattress in the back, but the LWB will have 2 feet of extra space for more gear storage if you choose.

[Maluaka]

Hmm, thats longer than I thought they were! Thanks for the reply! So is that with the captains chairs removed or just pushed up against the front seats?

BTW Mr. F, we just got back from our annual trip to Victoria a few days ago. Three more years in cowtown and then we will be making the journey west to your neighborhood for good!

[jaggedfish]

Hey Maluaka,
Welcome, firstly! I have an L300 low-roof and am 6'-2". No issues with getting into mine. I understand you are looking for a 400 and, if anything, I would say they are larger inside than the 300's. With the seats all laid out in mine (it's an 8-seater, so has the jump seat), the bed surface is amazingly big and you can get a queen mattress in there easily with room to spare in length - an extra 2 feet easily to the back of the front seats.

Last time someone wanted to see one we had a Deli meet so he could compare the different versions... 300's, 400 LWB and 400 SWB.

I am a new resident to Calgary (from coastal BC) myself. I am in town for the next week then will be spending 2 weeks at my place on the Sunshine Coast on vacation then back again... perhaps it's time for another get-together and a good excuse too!

Cheers!
Ian

[Maluaka]

Thanks for the reply Jaggedfish,

Aha, I've got it now, the mattress goes on top of all the flat folded seats. It would have to be a nice thick air mattress I would guess as the L400 seats look pretty lumpy when folded flat.

Have a great trip! I haven't been to the sunshine coast in about 10 years now but I remember really liking it.

[zenautoworks]

Hi folks,

After lots of research and consideration my wife and I have come to the conclusion that an L400 would be a great second vehicle. We love our Mazda 3 and we have an 04 civic which does the trick for my commute to work, but something a bit more versatile would fit the bill. We ski, cycle, backpack and make several trips a year into BC and out to the island. We are finding the cars to be a bit restrictive and these vans seem like the way to go!

I have looked at hundreds of pictures online but would really love to see an L400 in the flesh. I am 6'5" and am curious about fit, not just in the driver seat but elsewhere in the van. Would I be able to sleep in the back in a pinch? It is hard to get an idea of scale by just seeing pictures.

My appeal is this: would any of you Calgary owners be willing to meet me somewhere so that I might have a poke around your van? I would be delighted to treat you to lunch in exchange! I live in Rocky Ridge (N.W.) but am more than willing to meet anywhere in town depending where you live.

Thanks!

Dustin.

Edit: I should note that I have Wed,Thrs,Fri,Sat off most weeks (I work 13 hour shifts) so if any of those days work for you.....

Hi Dustin,

I have a couple L400 in Calgary that you might like to look at ... both are short short wheelbase, one is 5SPD and one is Auto.

Both are sold now and I'm just storing them for the customers.

You can definitely head down to our showroom and have a look anytime 10am-4pm Mon-Sat. The location is:
4303, 9th Street SE Calgary.

or your can link to a google map from my website
http://www.zenautoworks.ca/indoor-showroom.html

I have a couple vehicles in the indoor showroom and a few more out on the paved lot.

Best to call ahead if you would like to meet me there as I'm usually out and about. (403 618 3506)

Cheers,

Sean

[Maluaka]

Thanks Sean! Just left you a message.

I was actually just looking at your website today. Lots of great Delica photos on your old archived site.

One of the things that had me worried about these vans was a potential lack of familiarity and support, especially on a local level. However, after lurking around this forum for a few days I am feeling very encouraged by how friendly and supportive everyone is.

I am glad that there seems to be a very good knowledge base on this forum and that there are getting to be enough Delicas around that parts shouldn't be too hard to come by.

Looking forward to having a real look at one!

(Hijacking my own thread warning) - Does anyone have any experience with a standard trans L400? I didn't even realize there was such an animal. There doesn't seem to be any recurring issues with the automatics on this forum so reliability with the autos doesn't seem like a problem (any arguments?). I like the Idea of a standard as they are all I have ever owned, however I worry a bit about the apparent dearth of them in the country as far as if I need a clutch or if the standard trans were to pack up.

One final question for you all: Is it pronounced Del-i-ca or Del-ee-ca. Reminds me of the Toyota Celica where everyone says it differently.

[Erebus]

One final question for you all: Is it pronounced Del-i-ca or Del-ee-ca. Reminds me of the Toyota Celica where everyone says it differently.

Your choice. Some, like TardisDeli, incorrectly pronounce it Del-ee-ca, while I pronounce it correctly as DEL-ik-ah.

Green1 (who's name is mud at the moment) is about 6'3", and drives an L400, after selling his L300. He's currently driving south from Inuvik, sleeping in his Deli. So you shouldn't have any problem.

If you want to see an L300 high-roof CrystalLite, I have one and will gladly meet you to show it off. I'm not working for the summer, so available pretty much anytime (except this weekend!). Just PM me.

[Maluaka]

Thanks for the offer Erebus, but I think I am leaning towards the L400. I like the looks of the 300 but that L400 interior is just too nice. Plus it's going to be hard enough trying to explain to family and friends why I bought a 15 year old van with the steering wheel on the wrong side.....

I already have an angle for the inlaws "but its perfect for carting around your future grandkids" (which don't exist yet much to their constant disappointment).

At least my wife and my dad think they are really cool.....

[Erebus]

Thanks for the offer Erebus, but I think I am leaning towards the L400. I like the looks of the 300 but that L400 interior is just too nice. Plus it's going to be hard enough trying to explain to family and friends why I bought a 15 year old van with the steering wheel on the wrong side.....

I already have an angle for the inlaws "but its perfect for carting around your future grandkids" (which don't exist yet much to their constant disappointment).

At least my wife and my dad think they are really cool.....

I always answer, "the wheel's not on the wrong side, it's on the right side."

Mention to family and friends that new car dealers are trying desperately to get these 15 year old vehicles banned, so they must be better than new vehicles.

[madmazda]

Well now that I'm bact in town and back to work (sorry Erebus for the non fix of your bathroom ) I might be able to meet as well so you can see the difference between Erebus's l300 and my l400; I as well Cycle, ski, climb, moto trials, dh mtn bike, camp etc..... etc....etc..... so figure it out yea