n00b looking for some info

[dangerfantastic]

I am just about convinced I will be buying an L300 super exceed from silk road imports, and driving it home to calgary next week, before I do, I would like to ask the community a couple questions before I take the plunge. Mainly I would like to know what, in your experience is roughly the yearly maintenance costs of one of these vehicles. I know this is a loaded question, so I will let you know I will be doing oil/filter changes myself, and as I get more experience, I will take on more of the routine maintenance tasks (fluids/tunes) myself. Also is there a maintenance schedule to follow other than oil changes every 5k and those standard sorts of stuff?

[jessef]

If you are driving it home from Vancouver to Calgary, be sure to get the standard service done before you leave :

Tires DOT/new
Shocks replace if needed (99.999% of JDM's do need it eventhough dealers say otherwise)

Absolute must :

oil/fuel/air filter
front/rear diff/transfercase/transmission/engine oils replaced
Timing belt / tensioner / pulley replaced with new
Water pump / thermostat / hoses replaced with new
Brakes checked and replace if needed (usually shoes in the back/pads in the front and rotors)
batteries - ones from Japan are garbage unless proven they are within their lifecycle

Check and replace if necessary :

turbo for leaks
alternator for charging
Wheel bearings
tie rods
balljoints
swaybar links
driveshaft ujoints

If the absolute must stuff was not done or cannot be proven to be done, do not buy it. Having any one or combination of things go when you're driving up the Coq can result in a blown engine. It happens at least a dozen times a year and you see it posted frequently.

Other than those things, routine maintenance, oil changes and standard driveline service is the norm. Cost varies a lot depending on where you get the servicing done.

Some people spend $1,000 a year on service while others have up to $4-5,000 depending on what is done/what is broken.

Realistically, if you do the standard preventative long-term maintenance (as mentioned above), then your annual costs will amount to oil/fluid changes, filters and other consumables such as brakes, bearings, seals, suspension components, etc... like any other vehicles.

[dangerfantastic]

that is some fantastic info, I will definitely make these inquiries before I make the sale....

[madmazda]

yes good info jesse as always.... Damn I'm glad your still here but once you get your maxi van not mini van back to Calgary all of us will point you in the right direction on what you should do as far as maintenance etc.... etc

[thedjjack]

Make an appointment with CVI for an independent inspection prior to purchase.....

Do all the listed things and drive it like a diesel and not a gas car...You cannot hold the accelerator to the floor and go up hill. It will blow up. Once the Diesel does not increase speed more fuel only makes more heat...

[naterade]

I bought my van in Calgary in August last year, so I am not the original Canadian owner. The van had been maintained very well.

During a west coast visit in February, CVI did some maintenance and repairs, ran me around $1300

Other than that I have changed the oil, so maintenance has been reasonable so far.

I plan to take another trip west this winter for continued maintenance - gonna trust the experts to look after her

[dangerfantastic]

i just spoke to my insurer (meloche monex) and they said they would cover me, but only for PL/PD, is there any insurers that folks here use that will provide collision?

[Jungle Jon]

i just spoke to my insurer (meloche monex) and they said they would cover me, but only for PL/PD, is there any insurers that folks here use that will provide collision?

http://www.delica.ca/forum/insurance-in ... +Insurance

[dangerfantastic]

i just spoke to my insurer (meloche monex) and they said they would cover me, but only for PL/PD, is there any insurers that folks here use that will provide collision?

http://www.delica.ca/forum/insurance-in ... +Insurance

awesome, and sorry for the post in the wrong forum, I will learn!