Life after the L300?

[glenn]

Ok, this is more of an observation, than an actual question but: Why can't production vehicles be anywhere near as cool as the pre-production prototypes and concept cars?

Case in point, the mid 90's era D:5 concept vehicle.

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There is nothing outrageously impractical, or hard to mass produce about it. It had clean, simple lines, and was rugged looking. It would be different than anything else on the road.

But come on, what happened to this vision when it was translated to production? I know, I know, realities of the existing production facilities, safety regulations, blah blah, . . . sigh . . . yawn . . . what was I talking about? Hey look, a mini van.

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Seriously, as my L300 ages, I think I have to move on. The later L300's are more utilitarian than the pre 93 models - no crystal lite roofs, etc. I know this is offensive to L400 drivers, but it just doesn't achieve that same iconic level of design that the L 300's do. Like the pre 76 unimogs - iconic. I know the mechanicals are modernized, it has more power, etc - but I just don't love it. I want to, but it's just way too conservative. It's interesting to me that some of the most enthusiastic L300 owners have moved on to non-delicas.

Now that I have offended most of the L400 owners - does anyone drive any new mitsubishi products? I know that the dealers in BC are asses towards us, but I'm always a little curious about the lack of non-delica mitsubishi discussion on the forum (with the exception of the pajeros and stradas, of course)

I'm going to hang onto my beloved L300 for a while, but, when I was last washing it a tear welled up in my eye and dropped right onto an emerging rust bubble.

[nxski]

I may also offend some l400 owners but I like the D5 more than the L400's. Maybe they're moving in the right direction!? Also, Hyundai and Kia still make the flat fronted l300 with a different body. Thoughts on these ones?
In terms of new vehicles I'd sy they've done a good job with the Evo X

[thelazygreenfox]

Glenn
I didn't miss the humour in you post but you forgot to mention the 5 months you drove a mini van while your L300 was in the shop.

All vehicles are just 4 wheels to get you from A-B and back again. No vehicle is perfect, you have to accept the failings of the one you drive, pay for the repairs or ignore what's wrong with it.

Have fun with what you're given. One day you'll be able to change, it's difficult but you'll be able to do it. Ha Ha

My gasser has 4 wheel disc brakes and an improved cooling system. It always climbs the Coquihalla connector without overheating.

I don't need a 400K km vehicle and it's still is a unique ugly duckling. Suits my needs every day.

Wayne
TLGF

[glenn]

I didn't miss the humour in you post but you forgot to mention the 5 months you drove a mini van while your L300 was in the shop.

Touche - Wayne, you're always good for dose of the unemotional, pragmatic perspective! And I mean that in the best way.

[psilosin]

I think about that too Glenn. 10 years from now what will I be driving?

In my mind the golden age of japanese design was the 80's-early90's...but definately more so the mid to late 80's with the sharp body lines and wild paint/decal options...so many cars from that period get me all up on the jazz. Some of my favorites from the 80's...Hilux Surf Gen1, Pajero Gen1, Townace, Skyline, Honda City, Nissan Pao, Landcruiser(s), Tercel 4WD Wagon, etc etc etc.

Then the 90's hit..wah wah waaaaaaah...and now there is really only a handful of vehicles that interest me frolm that period...liek teh Delica L300 (projector headlights are not as cool though...) and L400, Hilux Surf Gen2+3, Landcruiser80...almost zero sedan type vehicles. I also think that vehicles peaked in the balance of usefull cool features vs features that make a vehicle too complicated to maintain and repair in the early 90's.

Once we get to the 2000's my interest in vehicles is little more than the 4Runner and Tacoma. Is there a more dull vehicle in existance than a late 90's/early 2000's Toyota Corolla...my goodness just standing by one I feel labotimized. 2005+ I don't like 4Runners and Tacomas either. Good thing is I am not really ever tempted to buy a new car and get stuck in payments of $1000+/month for 5 years for something. However I almost go into a coma from fits of strategizing how I can convince the wife to think its a good idea to get another vehicle and where I could park it every time I see a sweet rust free 80's Tercel 4WD for sale for a whoppin' $700. lol. If I lived on acreage I would likely have an 80's Japanese Car Museum.

Here's hoping your L300 lasts you a long time still.

[nxski]

I'd say sports cars are still enticing these days and the styling is better than the 80's/90's. 4x4's definitely peaked in that era though.

Why shouldn't an L300 last for a very long time? I still see perfectly restored vehicles from the beginning of the 20th century driving around

[psilosin]

None of the sports cars coming out of Japan entice me. I might like them more in 10-20 years once visions of Fast and the Furious have faded from memory.

Some of the sport cars coming out of Europe are amazing though. If I had the cash I'd definately buy that new Mercedes retro gullwing coupe and drive off into the sunset...

[nxski]

Evo X, GTR, Rx7 are my favorite sports cars and all come from Japan, after that would be the Pagani Zonda F roadster I base my decision on the best bang for your buck and I like the appearance as well. In terms of styling alone, the Italians are hard to beat.

[glenn]

For me, the only sports car I really desire is the Lotus elise/exige. It's amazing how much speed they squeeze out of a little 4 cylinder toyota engine - at par with some of the best supercars. I love their mantra of high performance via light weight. And those cars are very basic inside, no expensive, temperamental electronic gadgets. And they get decent gas mileage to boot.

My Brother just bought a 2008 C class Mercedes - nice car, to be sure. But I laugh because all the high tech electronics are already on the verge of being obsolete. My wife's smartphone has more functionality than his car electronics now - plus she can take it all with her when she leaves the car.

And just to be argumentative, I would be a lot more excited about a 70+ mpg multi-passenger , sub $20,000 car, than a $150 000 - $2 000 000 super-car with as much as 900 horsepower. To me, it's kind of like using a dump truck to carry your groceries home from Costco. I'll bet the vast majority of these cars never see a track, they basically just run around town at an idle. Both are engineering marvels, but one is a very exclusive toy for the rich, the other could change the world.

[nxski]

For me, the only sports car I really desire is the Lotus elise/exige. It's amazing how much speed they squeeze out of a little 4 cylinder toyota engine - at par with some of the best supercars. I love their mantra of high performance via light weight. And those cars are very basic inside, no expensive, temperamental electronic gadgets. And they get decent gas mileage to boot.

My Brother just bought a 2008 C class Mercedes - nice car, to be sure. But I laugh because all the high tech electronics are already on the verge of being obsolete. My wife's smartphone has more functionality than his car electronics now - plus she can take it all with her when she leaves the car.

And just to be argumentative, I would be a lot more excited about a 70+ mpg multi-passenger , sub $20,000 car, than a $150 000 - $2 000 000 super-car with as much as 900 horsepower. To me, it's kind of like using a dump truck to carry your groceries home from Costco. I'll bet the vast majority of these cars never see a track, they basically just run around town at an idle. Both are engineering marvels, but one is a very exclusive toy for the rich, the other could change the world.

Oooohhhh, good point about the Lotus'. You could also go with a Caterham or an Arial Atom, both would give you lots of performance as well as fuel economy. Not so practical though.

How about a Honda Clarity? You might have to move to California though

[thedjjack]

Arial Atom, ..... Not so practical though.

Arial Atom is totally Practical in my books!!!!

[nxski]

Arial Atom, ..... Not so practical though.

Arial Atom is totally Practical in my books!!!!

I suppose it depends on what you're looking for.
Not the best for picking up your furniture at IKEA though.

[Artacoma]

I'm spending big bucks on flares and spoiler etc. just to get my L400 looking half as cool as my L 300 was but um what was my point ...... hmmmmm ... oh ya eat my dust suckas ...... horsepower wins

[thedjjack]

Who needs furniture I own an Arial Atom...to busy losing my licence!

My ears would be on the back of my head because I was smiling so much!!!

I am sure you could fit a roof rack!

[mararmeisto]

Now that I have offended most of the L400 owners - does anyone drive any new mitsubishi products? I know that the dealers in BC are asses towards us, but I'm always a little curious about the lack of non-delica mitsubishi discussion on the forum (with the exception of the pajeros and stradas, of course).

So, I had a '91 L300 and now I've got a newer '94 Pajero...

Okay, but seriously, I would have to agree with you about how something that looks particularly rad and cool as a prototype NEVER seems to make it to market (except that ridiculous pickup truck that Chevy came out with a couple years ago for all the baby boomer males who couldn't afford to have built their own hot rod back in the day).

Still, post-L300, I love my Pajero and I bought it specifically because of its looks (I know, I'm shallow). I do like the new Pajeros too, especially the Evo. Another van? Not an L400. Maybe a D:5 when they come available, but by then I won't need one.