Test drove L300 and L400 the same day, my impression...

[delicat]

Hello from Australia!

I'm here on my honeymoon for a nice 3 months and couldn't resist the urge to test drive and compare both Delica's, L300 and L400.

I know it will take a few years before we can get the L400 and from the pictures you may not even like it as it seems to look more like a family minivan (on testosterones...) but, keep with me. Also, l still don't own my Delica (waiting for the '93 to become available), so I'm not yet bias and if one of the vehicle wasn't driving to it's best I may not have a past experience to compare with but I'm quite acquainted with vehicles to know if they need a tune up or not...

The L300 is the one we can all buy right now in Vancouver and seems like next year would be their last year ('93)

The L400 is the next generation of Delica from '94 on. They have the serie 1 ('94 to '96) and the serie 2 ('97 and up). And they still have all the trim models (Exceed, super Exceed, Chamonix...) I could be wrong with the dates but should be fairly close. Still 4x4, some with regular fuel but mostly Diesel. Some have the long wheel base but mostly the regular wheel base. Serie 1 and 2 are very similar and both share the same 2.8L diesel/intercooled engine but the 2 has electronic fuel injection, ABS, airbags, no big bushbar in the front, more the molded type... and gets an extra 25 km / tank or so. The remaining is almost identical between the two series.

I first drove the L400. (1995) First off, they look much better in real life then on the pictures. As I said, the pictures gave me the impression that they look like a regular minivan but a little beefed up. Once l stood by one, that impression went in the garbage. They are no minivan by any means. They are still as odd and beautiful looking as the L300, just different. They had one raised up and it scared me! (almost).

The cargo area is very similar to the L300 but the seats have a much better configuration. The middle seats: the bottom folds up against the back rest and the seat moves fully forwards against the rear of the front seats. Both of them do that as well as swiveling. They also back up right against the rear seat to create a roomy area behind the front seat. Then the back seats open up flat and can be lifted against the side wall to clear the rear area. As an example, you could fully compress the middle passenger's side against the front seat and fold the passenger's rear seat against the wall to get room for 4 (2 front and middle/back driver's side) and fully free the rear passenger's side to put bikes, surf boards, beer...

The front seats: you're no longer seating on the engine and you feel a little taller/higher than the L300 (surprised?). Love that feeling of being able to see above everyone. You get a little less vibration from the engine as it sits in front of you instead of underneath. Leg room is decent but not as good as the L300. Your legs will be more stretch out forward than at 90* like in the L300. A draw back that l can see on the L400 is that access to the engine may be a pain at times since the hood is very short but oil change and all are no problems, easily accessible.

Handling. L400; very surprising for such a (narrow and) tall vehicle. Has a regular and sport mode for the damping on the suspension. It handles very nice on regular driving. (what l mean is that I wasn't alloyed to take if off road!) The L300 handles differently because you're sitting on the front wheel. It has a better turning radius than the L400 and it really feels more like a truck than the later model. And it's a little more subject to side winds.

Engine: L400 is much stronger, big difference. Turbo seems to get in life at lower RPM and pulling way up. I'm no expert but just my impression. Speed of 120km are no problem at all, very relax to drive to that speed if that's your style. I like 100km/h...

The L300 that l drove was not as good of a shape as l would have liked. It needed TLC and a good tune up. But it still ran decent (175 000km, no rust...) It is a tractor compared to the L400. Had to keep the O/D off in the city to keep up with traffic but the worst was getting from 50-60km/h to Hwy speed. Took for ever compared to the L400. But guess what, l still loved it!
Just got to be patient.

At the end of the day, l'm still going to buy the L300 but once the L400 become available I may think about them as well. The L300 has a lot more style (just like an old VW beetle is way nicer than the new ones). The L300 gives you the impression that it's a lot tougher than the later model, not sure if it is but feels like it!

The garage I went to didn't really import the '94 model, probably 'cause it was the first year and could have had more faults? They did a great job on prepping those vehicles though. Even removed all interior roof linings to pressure wash them, 'cause as they said, every Japaneses seem to be smokers and the vehicle stinks...

Now, hopefully l'll have a bunch of you to contradict me or prove me wrong... that way we will all educate ourself and at the end of the day we'll all know a little more on these great vehicles.

And realistically, when can l expect to have a '93 in my driveway?

Cheers,
David

[Adrock]

And realistically, when can l expect to have a '93 in my driveway?

today. but good luck insuring it haha.

technically, the model year 93s should be legal to drive here very soon, because they were manufactured slightly before january 1993. It all depends on the date on or near the seatbelt as far as I know... You're not too far off as far as I know, unless the importers listing their vehicles are going by this date already and not the model year, in which case january 08.

[delicat]

Good to know.

I'm due back to Vancouver mid December so by the time I locate what l'm looking for it should all work out.

Since you own a Delica, do you agree with me when l said they are very slow to get to Hwy speed or did l just drive a very sub-standard one? Or anyone else reading this for that matter.

Thanks
David

[Adrock]

i'm sure i would think it slow if I were comparing 2 vehicles in that respect, but I don't find it unbearable by any stretch. Doesn't sound like a delica to "not have enough power in the city" I have a 5 speed so maybe its different, but although acceleration is not the greatest, I think it has plenty of power to spare as far as just being a total beefcake. Took my deli up some steep stuff today. it was dry so it was no problem.... believe me. plenty of power when you really need it. Its not a skyline, or a smart car, but maybe I just don't mind it. It probably is pretty sluggish compared to most vehicles. I'd say with your experience it definitely wasnt as good as it could be, but its all personal opinion.

[BCDelica]

Thanks for the info David, cool.

But what are you doing spending time on the computer during your honeymoon?

[delicat]

Thanks for the info David, cool.

But what are you doing spending time on the computer during your honeymoon?

Funny guy! As l said l'm here on my honeymoon for 3 months... you would think l could use a break once in a while!

Any of you has done a search to see what the L400 look like? l'd be curious to know what Delica owner (and hardcore ones) think of the next generation of Delica?

[Adrock]

looks tame, but I haven't seen one in person. I hear they are much less beefy. Even heard of frames cracking and things like that. bruce (mystery machine) owns one and didn't have much good to say about it, epecially compared to the L300. I'd like to drive one one day, but I don't think i'll everbe in a rush to own one.

[delicat]

They are apparently built on the same frame as the Pajero which is quite a capable 4x4. It's interesting to check them out in action on Youtube, they do get extreme as well... But as l said earlier, they are much more civilized than the L300 and loose a bit of the virility aspect!!!

[Erebus]

The UK Delica site http://www.mdocuk.co.uk/forums/ has lots of photos of the L400.

One issue about doing compliance on an L400 is that no one has done it yet. Are LHD headlight available? That's the biggest question. All the other stuff, lighting, reflectors, etc. are pretty easy.

Other than that, I'd love to do a side-by-side.