Routes to Delica ownership

[Rural]

So there a few different routes to owning a Delica: Buy off a dealer's lot, import through a dealer/importer, import yourself, and buy an already landed and "used" Delica.

If I lived in or very near Vancouver, I'd probably find importing myself more attractive, but I'm in central Alberta. I'll probably end up flying into Vancouver, picking up a Delica, driving it around Vancouver for a day or so to try to shake out obvious bugs, and then driving it home.

My impression is that most of the folk around here pick out something when it's in Japan, then have it imported through a reputable dealer. Or they tell the dealer what they are looking for and he finds it for them. Am I correct?

Either way, it seems like a good option if you'd like something specific (ie. a gas 1995 L400 Exceed) and have to have it in good running order for a long drive home.

[jessef]

http://www.delica.ca/forum/potential-ne ... =importing

http://www.delica.ca/forum/buying-from- ... ght=buying

[Rural]

Ya. I'd read those threads when I started the topic. They didn't really answer my question. Just to be clear, I'm especially curious about the importing through a dealer option (if it is an option). My impression is that that's the way the bulk of folk go here, but I might be getting the wrong idea.

[jessef]

There's not much to know.

Most people prefer to try out the goods before they buy.

Others try to save buy importing themselves. This can work for you or against you financially and give headaches.

prior to 2 years ago most people bought from dealers or imported themselves.

Nowadays, there are established dealers that can import a specific model for you. You put down a deposit (ranging from 1-5k), request what you're looking for and let them do the looking and work.

Importing yourself is more risky now than it used to be because vehicle prices, shipping costs have all risen exponentially over the past 5-6 years since importing JDM's became popular.

Those threads pretty much cover what you asked.

If you want to try and save some cash, import yourself. If you don't have a trustworthy inspector in Japan working for you, then you have a 50/50 change of getting a nice vehicle or a lemon and stand to loose your 5-10k investment as a pile of scrap metal (it's happened).

If you want the best bang for you buck and safest JDM buying experience, either buy one in canadian stock from a dealer or have an importer bring one in for you.

So long as the dealer/importer has a good reputation (look in the dealer feedback thread), there really is no difference buying a JDM when it's in Canada or one that's waiting in Japan.

A good, reputable dealer will take your deposit (which is fully refundable if the vehicle doesn't meet their standards) and once the vehicle lands, they will do all the compliance work and mechanical work. Then it goes to you.

The degree of compliance and mechanical work GREATLY varies from one dealer/importer to another. I cannot stress this point enough. There is a very distinguishable difference between a dealer who really takes care of the vehicle mechanically compared to one who just does the 'average' stuff to get it to pass inspection.

Your questions and concerns are asked and thought about by almost every would-be or new JDM owner, meaning it's most definitely been discussed many times over in this forum.

The most common thing I've seen in the past 6 years of owning JDM's, are people who think they are getting a good deal buying cheap and most (not all) end up putting more $'s into their rig than they ever imagined, often more than if they would have bought one with a good mechanical history.

All in all, just go with what you feel is right.

[Rural]

Ok. That answers my question. Please note that the only question I asked was whether my impression that most people import through a reputable dealer (ie. choose their Delica while it's still in demand). Really, I did search for this and read the threads recommended before asking the question.

Funnily enough, the dealer rating thread confirmed my suspicion. Hadn't read that one when I started the topic.

And thanks for the other insights jfarsang. Every bit helps.

[...]
Nowadays, there are established dealers that can import a specific model for you. You put down a deposit (ranging from 1-5k), request what you're looking for and let them do the looking and work.
[...]
Those threads pretty much cover what you asked.
[...]

[loki]

the best way is to by my van :)

[jessef]

I can't believe it's still for sale.