Hi I'm a new member waiting excitedly for our Delica

[mama lou]

Hi everybody this is a great site, glad to have found it. I hope i'm doing this right i'm not the best at computer stuff. Anyway i have a few questions: I just read in someones posting that the 4x4 can't be used on pavement is this true? i live in the kootenays where road conditions can get pretty crazy and i hope to be able to use 4x4 on the roads. Also i have been getting lots of flak from non delica owners about the right hand drive, and how dangerous it is? i haven't been too worried about it should i be? I'll leave it at that for now, thanks all !

[Green1]

I just read in someones posting that the 4x4 can't be used on pavement is this true? i live in the kootenays where road conditions can get pretty crazy and i hope to be able to use 4x4 on the roads.

The 4x4 doesn't have a centre differential, and as a result should never be used on dry asphalt as it will cause excessive tire wear and they also claim it could damage the 4x4 system... basically though, if the conditions warrant 4x4 then it isn't a problem, it's only when you have 4x4 on on dry road that you cause issues, if the roads are lousy then it won't do any harm.

Also i have been getting lots of flak from non delica owners about the right hand drive, and how dangerous it is? i haven't been too worried about it should i be? I'll leave it at that for now, thanks all !

RHD is no more dangerous than LHD, studies worldwide have shown that there is no difference in collisions for RHD vs LHD, the only dissenting opinion is that of ICBC who recently published an extremely flawed study claiming 40% higher collision rate for RHD, for information about that study and how flawed it is, see the International Vehicle Owners Association of Canada web site at http://www.15years.ca many people find RHD to actually be safer than LHD as the driver doesn't need to step in to traffic to get in to the vehicle, the driver has a better view of pedestrians and cyclists who might intrude on to the roadway, the driver can better gauge how far they are from parked cars to allow more room for oncoming traffic on narrow roads and for parallel parking...
Add to all that the amazing visibility you get from a Delica, and I can confidently state that driving the Delica I'm in a much better position to see and avoid problems than in any LHD vehicle I've ever driven.

[niekt]

Hi Mama Lou,

Welcome to the club.

[MardyDelica]

You just have to get used of it, it depend on how anybody drive, i am driving a delica for 3 1/2 years without any single accident. its just so nice & comfortable to drive this off road looking diesel 4x4 mini Van,
you will be surprise when you have this Delica, Nice & fun to drive,
hope this help.
Cheers :
Mardy

[DelicaMark]

I have had mine for about 2 months now and I would agree with what the others have said. The only time that I have had an issue with visibilty is performing a left hand turn. This is only an issue if you have a larger vehicle also turning left on the opposite side of the intersection. In this case I just wait until it is clear to proceed. I also have found the vision a little limiting performing a right hand turn if there is someone in the passenger seat. Again this is only an issue if I "cheat" and start to turn the corner before I stop and look. If I pull straight up to the stop line and look and then turn it is not an issue.

Like Mardy said it just takes a little adjustment period and then you are good to go. I am sure that there are as many issues visibilty-wise driving a LHD vehicle as there are with a RHD vehicle. With the LHD drive vehicle you are just used to the visibilty issues where with the RHD's you have to learn again...which will take you about a day or two.

If you are a tragic driver to begin with you will likely continue being a tragic driver in a RHD!

In closing I wished that I bought mine years ago.

-Mark