Considering a 95 or newer.

[jandm9002]

I originally liked the look of the Delicas a few years back when a good friend bought a 1990. He has enjoyed it for the last 7 years or so. I am liking the looks of the newer, say '95 and up models. To be blunt, his sucks on the highway, and it was horrible going up the hill to Manning Park out here on the west coast of Canada. I am guessing that the turbo cooling issues have been resolved with the intercooler. How are these for cruising on the highway. Of course I'm not expecting it to be a Mercedes AmG coupe or anything, but there does tend to be a fair bit of highway in order to get to adventures. I don't see any reason why a 2.8 l motor can't cruise along nicely with the right gearing set up. Any and all opinions are greatly appreciated.

[FalcoColumbarius]

I'll bite. I find that 105-110 is the ideal cruising speed without using up excess diesel. Climbing up the Coke is around 70KPH in third gear out of the snow shed. On a straight and level highway, like Van to Hope ~ around eleven and a half to twelve kilometres per litre (36 MPG Imp). My wagon is a '92 P25W (low roof Starwagon). What it really comes down to is how you drive and how one's wagon is tuned. I think it's important to remember when you drive that you're driving a diesel and not a gas engine ~ and as much as I get off telling people that I have 86 raging horses under my bonnet ~ it's really more about torque.

I prefer the '92 as she's still got the manual hand throttle and is very simple to work on compared to the newer models, however it's also important to understand that I'm a painter whom has recently gotten into mechanics and not a mechanic, per se.

Hope this helps!

Falco.

[Big-Bird]

I tried the L300. The 2.5L engine felt underpowered compared to the 2.8L in the L400.

The intercooler does offer an advantage to power because it cools the aircharge. It also helps drop exhaust temps faster after a long climb.

The 2.5 is a workhorse but the 2.8 (4M40) is a different motor and makes more power. If the Deli came with the 3.2 (4M41)found in the newer Pajero's that would be even better! But alas that never happened at the production level.

Falco is right, service and driving style will dictate what your Deli can do long term.

[konadog]

I'm with Falco - I like my 92 L-300. I drove a friend's 97 2.8 L-400 and found it over powered... I'm sticking to the slow climbs and the easy starts... Good luck finding the bus the suits you.

[RadarGrrl]

Gotta love the L300 guys, who are passionate about their Starwagons.

I'm just about to come into a '98 L400 t/d and I can't wait to see what I can do with her. I've had diesels before, two monster 7.3L motors in two Ford trucks, and a 1.9L diesel Golf, so the 2.8L t/d engine will be somewhere between these. I already tend to be light on the pedal to coax the best fuel mileage.

[Firesong]

I liked my l300 a lot. It was a low roof. Now that I have a 1998 l400 I no longer worry about overworking the motor. I'm reasonable of course but I'm not waiting for a bad sound to occur.

What I miss is the slightly larger capacity of the l300 over the swb l400. I also like the looks of the front end of the l300. But I wouldn't go back.

[TardisDeli]

I love the sturdiness of the L300, so I put up with its highway and hill hatred. In summer I baby it on hills (leave early in the morning while road is cold, stay in slow land and stare at the pyro temp religiously, ensure tires inflated, never pass anything except a cement truck). Dont like all the computer chips and relays on L400, but they sure are nice on hills and highways.

Had my first L300 for 6 years, and just sold it to someone who will continue to love and baby it. I had my choice of what next to buy, and chose another L300 (1997, with low mileage,but I really miss the manual "choke" knob).

Btw, L300 made into 1997. L400 made from 1994 ish on.

Cheers Christine.

[FalcoColumbarius]

I'm with Falco - I like my 92 L-300. I drove a friend's 97 2.8 L-400 and found it over powered... I'm sticking to the slow climbs and the easy starts... Good luck finding the bus the suits you.

P25Ws rule! Keep on trucking, baby!!

[Firesong]

Slow climbs is one thing but loaded up with two adults, 4 older kids, trailer with canoe, climbing gear, hiking/backpack with food for all for 5-6 days... I know I'll be ok.