150 km's a day...am I crazy?

[fozzie]

So I've just started a program at BCIT burnaby and drive there from Squamish. It is 75 k's each way, 5 days a week for the next 6 months.If anyone doesn't know the Squamish-Burnaby trip has 3 pretty big hills both ways. Does anyone think that that drive is pushing my van too hard.

I've had my Deli for almost 3 years and have put about 80,000k's on her and am now at 160,000. So she's pretty used to getting driven alot.Lots of highway, up to Whistler or to the city. Never had any real problems mechanically.

I've had the IP done, Delitune,good batteries, new alternator, belts all good and religious regular service. I plan on getting a pyrometer put in asap 'cause I understand the importance of watching my temp.

I know there are more economical options but we aren't in the position to buy a new car and don't want to get stuck buying a crappy used car.

So, i guess I'm wondering if anyone else out there puts there vans through this kind of daily grind.

What are my concerns here?

Any thoughts?

[Luna-Sea]

Hey,
Got some new rad hoses,water pump and rad in your list of maintenance items?
Seem to be the one of the two biggest threats to our little 4D56 engines.(overheating and the timing belts.)
How heavily loaded is your van?

If everything is in order mechanically,75km x 2 is a good jaunt for your van in my opinion.
If you check the owners manual ,you can figure what maintenance to expect beyond the regular
oil and filters ect.
You might want to think about changing out the major fluids (tranny,brake,rear and front diff ect.) periodically too.
(way larger intervals than oil of course)

Unless you got a super cheap little gas sippy cup car (suzuki swift and the like),might as well cruise in style no?

Right On!

[jessef]

no concerns

buy a pyro gauge and change your driving to suit

I've done whistler to van back and forth 3-4 times a week in our L300 3 years ago. no issues.

[BCDelica]

Not at all, but do you like driving that route that much?

That will be almost 20 days of your time spent driving at the cost of a couple thousand dollars of diesel in just six months. Have you looked for short term, week day accommodation near BCIT? The Delica can handle the stress, with the recommendations above, can you?

Cheers

[nxski]

Not at all, but do you like driving that route that much?

That will be almost 20 days of your time spent driving at the cost of a couple thousand dollars of diesel in just six months. Have you looked for short term, week day accommodation near BCIT? The Delica can handle the stress, with the recommendations above, can you?

Cheers

I'll second that, I took a 2 year course there and it wasn't uncommon to be at school from 7:00am-3:00am especially first term. I would seriously consider renting a place in rez or a basement suite for $500/month. Even if you don't stay there every night at least you'll have a place to stay when you're pulling late nights. The work load is about twice what it is at most schools and you can have up to 12 courses per term, pretty crazy stuff!

[FalcoColumbarius]

A mate of mine teaches there. His class starts at 07:00. At the first class he informs his students that it is in fact not a classroom but a ship. The ship leaves the dock at 07hrs. If you arrive at 07:01 you have missed the boat. I'd take Nxski's advice and find a cheap basement suite, or a room even... you will be going through fewer oil changes as well as using less expensive diesel. Plus you get more time to study in the evenings!

Falco.

[BCDelica]

I'll second that, I took a 2 year course there and it wasn't uncommon to be at school from 7:00am-3:00am especially first term. I would seriously consider renting a place in rez or a basement suite for $500/month. Even if you don't stay there every night at least you'll have a place to stay when you're pulling late nights. The work load is about twice what it is at most schools and you can have up to 12 courses per term, pretty crazy stuff!

Ditto, I was at BCIT 86 to 88 (Were you there around that time Nxski? ), then went on to UBC and found myself with so much more free time.

Second that too about class times at BCIT, one teacher locked his door at 7:01 and would not open it for late students, even if they pleaded their case through the door. So Falco indicates little has changed.

Fozzie the only reason I could see for commuting everyday would be if you had kids at home. Or a partner you can't stand to be away from, but don't worry; that passes. Have you contacted the BCIT offices, bet they could point you towards something

[Super Exceeded]

I've got an empty room to let (Cheap) in South Surrey. May save a lot of driving time.

[RichD]

- Bus service to BCIT is very busy and vulnerable to poorly planned dips. Access from the south is a pain in the ass to say the least. East-west might well be better. Note the current cost of transit in Vancouver.

- Parking and fuel costs add up so weigh those against accommodations.

- If you want a pied-a-terre in the area, find yourself somewhere to lay your head within walking or cycling distance. Burnaby rentals are cheap and parking on the street is free.

- Driving time is not studying time. Or sleeping time.

That said, if above is not an option:

- Of course you can daily drive your Delica from Squamish. Its all highway driving. Your van will love it. The drive up is not difficult at all; the Cut is probably the worst hill but it is short.

- GET A PYRO. PM me; I have several on hand right now and time for installs. I can come to Squamish.

- With all that driving you can cut your fuel costs and maintenance by making the recommended upgrade to the exhaust system - a 2-1/4" pipe and 4" resonator.

- If you are really motivated consider a veggie conversion.

If you are broke, option #3:

- carpool!

[fozzie]

Thanks everyone lots of good advice and kind offers.

I don't mind the drive that much really. It only takes about an hour to get in and I come home at 2:00.People driving from Langley probably take that long.

I do have 2 little kids to come home to so renting really isn't in the cards. I'm sure I'll do some urban camping in the van near school and I also have some good friends not too far, so I got those options.

I have looked into some carpooling options but nothing has come of it yet. And I have conscidered the veggie conversion, but without a garage at home, filtering, storage and such kinda make it a little tricky I think.

Having said all that, if anyone knows of a sweet little economical car, let me know.

Thanks again everyone,

Matt

[nxski]

Having said all that, if anyone knows of a sweet little economical car, let me know.

The Scion IQ

[thedjjack]

1991-1997 Ford Escort...Mazda built car (regular ones have the 1.9L or 2.0L Ford motor..ok...the GT has the 1.8L Mazda twin cam motor 130+HP, all wheel disks and better suspension fun litle car)

great on gas and cost nothing on Craigslist...also all motor are non-interference so you can let the timing belt go on them and no motor damage...


http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/bnc/c ... 02417.html

[jessef]

To cut your costs down, consider running wvo.

There's a few suppliers in Squamish and Vancouver.