i need help with the big decision

[peted]

My wife and i are in need of a van. The delica is a unique vehicle and definatly does not look like the typical soccer mom mini van. We currently have a 2004 pacifica ( i realy dislike it) So my question to you is. In retrospect with all of the expence of reparing and ownership what do you think i should do? Keep the pacifica or buy a unique vehicle? How do you go though drive throughs? How expensive is the cost of ownership? Do you have dificulty rapping your head around being on the wrong side of the center line?. Are they good for kids 3 of them in car seats?..... I have the odd felling someone is going to ask so . we live close to edmonton alberta
Thank you
I appriacte all imput

[borealtransition]

I just bought a delica and love it. Of course I would recommend it but I cannot compare it to a Pacifica as I do not know them. I have already had to make repairs but it is expected for a 15 year old vehicle. There has not been any major repairs yet so the repair price has been low. But if you are used to new shiney cars then this may not be for you. Drive-throughs are great! The passenger has to do all the work - I just have to drive. Driving the rhd is no problem and kinda fun. I would also imagine this would be ideal for lots of kids. We'll see how it does during these Canadian winters though.

[Adam]

All three of my kids are still in car seats, they are 9, 7 and 3, so two of the car seats are booster seats, and only one has the tether anchor. I've installed an anchor bolt both for the rear bench seat and for one of the mid-row captains chairs so I can have some seating arrangement options. I had to look at a few Delicas before I found one with sholder straps in the mid-row seating, it looks like became standard in the 1991 models, but don't quote me on that. I upgraded from a 1995 GMC Safari to a 1991 Delica and I've cut my fuel bill in half. I'm in the midst of installing a WVO system, so hopefully I can ween myself off dino-fuel almost entirely in the next few months.

I though adapting to RHD would be a issue for my wife and I, but both of us had no problem at all, takes a day or 2 to get used to where all the mirrors are, but once you do the visibility is excellent. We both prefer driving the Delica over the Safari.

As for cost of ownership, I've only owned it for 3 months or so, and Coombs Country Autos has done an excellent job of fixing any minor issues under warranty. WHen I say minor issues, I mean minor. All I've had done to date is get the AC recharged, the injection pump timing reset, and the oil changed. The change was a bit of a shock in terms of cost, $70 from Great CDN Oil Change. However, considering the Delica takes 6.5 litres of oil and the filters are $35-$45 I wouldn't save too much changing the oil myself.

[chris&ahlye]

Sounds like a great upgrade, the versatility of the delicas seems incredible, we are just waiting for ours, it should pass through inspections later this week,
I have driven my friends (thanks Kuan!!) a few times before and absolutely love the feel of the Delica.
As for the drive through issue, buying a delica could be a great excuse to stop buying fast food!!!LOL
Great family vans, awesome options for fuel economy...
Good luck with your decision

[Adrock]

no regrets. Do it and do it now. You won't be disappointed.

[Schwa]

... and with the way things are going if you end up not liking it, just wait a few months and sell it for a profit! lol.

[EnviroImports.com]

Hi, your not on the wrong side of the center line, your butt is only about 24 inches further over to one side. but its not like you drive on the other side of the road when you have a delica, I find it takes a couple hours to get use to the steering wheel on the other side. the bigest problem that takes a day or two to get used to the signals on the other side. It may be for you , it may not be. but how many other vehicles are actually going up in value once you buy them? see if you can meet up with some one and ask them about their experiences and some one might even let you drive one , but not in heavy traffic for your first time.