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advice for calgary buyer

Posted: Thu Sep 25, 2008 1:16 pm
by coaxial
Hi guys,

Some friends of mine (they just joined actually under the name "Swellica") in Alberta will be buying a Delica soon, most likely from Vancouver, just looking for a bit of feedback on this one in particular. It looks good to me :) I haven't been keeping up lately so I don't know of this dealer but he seems good.

Thanks in advance guys!! 8-)

http://www.nkautoimporters.com/stock/20 ... w64314.asp

Josh

Re: advice for calgary buyer

Posted: Thu Sep 25, 2008 3:05 pm
by bae146
coaxial wrote:Hi guys,

Some friends of mine (they just joined actually under the name "Swellica") in Alberta will be buying a Delica soon, most likely from Vancouver, just looking for a bit of feedback on this one in particular. It looks good to me :) I haven't been keeping up lately so I don't know of this dealer but he seems good.

Thanks in advance guys!! 8-)

http://www.nkautoimporters.com/stock/20 ... w64314.asp

Josh
When you are buying make sure you are comparing apples to apples. Does this dealership do any servicing, ie timing belts, oil seals, water pump? Most dealerships will provide you with a vehicle that is compliant and able to be registered, but not all service them to the same extent. Get some prices from a couple of dealers, and ask what kind of mechanical service they do before you buy the vehicle. Some dealers go through the vehicle with a fine toothed comb and some do as little as possible. Enjoy the process of purchasing, relax don't get to attached to a particular vehicle. Buy what suits you for the price you are willing to pay.

Re: advice for calgary buyer

Posted: Thu Sep 25, 2008 3:38 pm
by quadzilla
I have not heard of NK Auto importers, so no feed back there. Ask to see photos of the roof. This looks like a high roof, no crystal lite windows, but I would want to see up top just the same. From the outside it looks to be in good condition, and the interior looks OK, too. If you are unable to view the vehicle in person, ask for photos of the motor and the underneath of the vehicle as well - this way you can make the call if you want to go an view the vehicle at all. bae146 makes a good point - ask what the price includes. At this price, my guess is that all compliance will be done, but that's it. All of the necessary extras, like timing belt, rad flush. shocks, brakes etc. etc. will not have been, meaning you will need to pay the extra $$ to have it done, which can vary depending on how much work is needed. Don't fret, though, Coombs Country Autos or CVI have good reputations for bringing these vehicles up to snuff. Lots of vans out there to choose from, so shop around and ask a lot of questions. If you want peace of mind, buy a van that has had all of the work done to it - you will pay a little more, but you will be buying a van that is ready to roll.

Re: advice for calgary buyer

Posted: Thu Sep 25, 2008 6:20 pm
by JMK
Hmmm, I really get nervous when I see a business using a hotmail address. If they have their own domain, why does the email address not go to that domain?

I see they have it listed on Kijiji and in there they also say they are "JDM Wholesale and retail". I recall those are the guys that sometimes were mistaken for the infamous Robinson's of "JDM Wholesale", but in fact are different.

They are probably legit then.

BTW, I have the exact same model, with lower km's (82,000). It cost me $7,600.00 from Japan. Since I aquired it in January, I have probably invested at least antoher $6,000.00 in it in support of the following:

- install recirculating inline heater
- Install 2 yellow top spiral cell batteries
- new glow plugs
- install manual glow plug activator switch to use when ECU fails.
- clean fuel injectors
- rebuild fuel injectors (when above did not help much)
- rebuild ECU (All early 90's Mitsubishu ECU capacitors were a faulty build and fail after as little as 6 years)
- new timing belt and all other belts ( did your dealer do this? If not, YOU MUST)
- New Nokian Vativa tires
- change shocks to ProComp ES9000's
- change all fluids and filters
- remove radiator and professionally pressure flush
- new thermostat
- new water pump
- new seals
- new suspension bushings
- replace all bulbs except headlights with LED's
- replace headlight bulbs with high intensity bulbs
- install 2 sets of Yakima roof racks, roof basket and Yakima POD (built extensions and bars myself at work).
- Install LED clearance lights and 4 backup flood lights on roof basket
- Install side flood light
- Install trailer hitch and hitch basket
- install backup camera
- install new stereo
- install 1700 W inverter.
- install (ongoing) remote start system
- install used Grant steering wheel bought on eBay (and conversion kit from NAPA).

Next week:
- get timing done dynamically
- fix problem with side of rear leaf spring rubbing on shackle.

Re: advice for calgary buyer

Posted: Fri Sep 26, 2008 9:12 am
by dfnder
I have been thinking about LED lights as well. Where did you source your lights from and do you have any advice regarding switching to LED's? When my Deli arrives I was thinking of getting LED's mounted for the compliance side lights.

Re: advice for calgary buyer

Posted: Fri Sep 26, 2008 9:36 am
by Schwa
I just picked up some 1157 (dual filament) red LED bulbs for brake lights from Princess auto - on sale for $2.99 each (reg. $6.99)... They also have the white 1156 bulbs on sale for $6.99 (reg $9.99) but still seems a little pricey.

Re: advice for calgary buyer

Posted: Fri Sep 26, 2008 9:53 am
by JMK
The brake light is the most important. Studies have shown that at 110km/hr the LED brake light can result in the following vehicles being able to stop up to something like 60M quicker. WHen I installed my LED's I left the old on on the other side and had my spouse hit the brake. You can see a noticable difference in the time it takes them to come on.

I do not like the quality of the lights they sell in Princess Auto, the ones I bought there I didn't install. However, for something as important as brake lights (and tail lights), I went with the higher intensity 3W single element type bulb that costs something like $30.00 each.

I purchased from Superbright LED's in the USA but got ripped off on the shipping so I would not buy from them again. In the past I used a guy in Australia and the service was great, and shipping was cheap. Problem was his bulbs cost a bit more, and the selection is not as wide, but getting better over the past year. Here's a link to his eBay store:
http://search.ebay.ca/_W0QQfgtpZ1QQfrpp ... aCAQ3a1124

His name is Nick and I've corresponded with him a fair bit, he's a very knowledgable and helpful guy, seems real nice, and as he is in AUS, he's familiar with the Delica's and their requirements.

Edit: Just a note, I don't think LED's are legit for compliance purposes as yet. And 'side lights'? In Alberta you just need to place the $2.00 amber and red stick-on reflectors on.

Re: advice for calgary buyer

Posted: Fri Sep 26, 2008 11:38 am
by kb&2dogs
It says in their ads that all of their vehicles are "....in great condition"! What more would anyone need to know??? :o :shock:

Re: advice for calgary buyer

Posted: Fri Sep 26, 2008 12:57 pm
by swellica
thanks Josh and everyone for your advice, I have purchased the deli and can't wait to get behind the wheel. Any advice on mechanics in Alberta?

Thanks again!

Re: advice for calgary buyer

Posted: Sat Sep 27, 2008 7:49 am
by poohbear
JMK wrote:The brake light is the most important. Studies have shown that at 110km/hr the LED brake light can result in the following vehicles being able to stop up to something like 60M quicker. WHen I installed my LED's I left the old on on the other side and had my spouse hit the brake. You can see a noticable difference in the time it takes them to come on.

I do not like the quality of the lights they sell in Princess Auto, the ones I bought there I didn't install. However, for something as important as brake lights (and tail lights), I went with the higher intensity 3W single element type bulb that costs something like $30.00 each.

I purchased from Superbright LED's in the USA but got ripped off on the shipping so I would not buy from them again. In the past I used a guy in Australia and the service was great, and shipping was cheap. Problem was his bulbs cost a bit more, and the selection is not as wide, but getting better over the past year. Here's a link to his eBay store:
http://search.ebay.ca/_W0QQfgtpZ1QQfrpp ... aCAQ3a1124

His name is Nick and I've corresponded with him a fair bit, he's a very knowledgable and helpful guy, seems real nice, and as he is in AUS, he's familiar with the Delica's and their requirements.

Edit: Just a note, I don't think LED's are legit for compliance purposes as yet. And 'side lights'? In Alberta you just need to place the $2.00 amber and red stick-on reflectors on.
Hi all,

Thanks for the recommendation John, and here's a link to our store which you can view the categories in a better view: http://stores.ebay.com.au/BioLiving-Beauty

Or our website for more info :)
http://www.bl-led.com.au/
Image

If you guys have any questions regarding bulb replacements or just LED lighting, let me know and I can help you guys out.

Cheers

Re: advice for calgary buyer

Posted: Sat Sep 27, 2008 4:04 pm
by JMK
No problem Nick,

Now to give you a hard time: I sent you a request for pricing on the following last May 14th, and a reminder on Aug 09, but I never did hear back from you. Maybe now would be the time to put together a package of the following lights and offer it to everyone on the forum that may be interested at a good price:

Dashboard Lights

Qty: 6 (Green) T10's 194
and:
mini wedge T5 (74-G) :
- 1 blue
- 7 amber
- 8 red
- 4 green

License Plate:
- Qty: 2 White small top with 1156 bayonet base.