Delica lifespan

[Rural]

So I'm curious about how long folk expect their Delicas to last before needing to be retired. From reading the posts, it seems like a lot of folk are replacing their Delicas on an almost yearly basis. (This is probably just because many of the folk here are buying to sell.)

I like to get the average monthly cost of a vehicle well under $500 before I start thinking about a replacement. (For an educating surprise, take the time to figure out the monthly cost of your vehicle. You'd be surprised how small a factor fuel is and how large a factor depreciation and insurance can be. You might also come to understand why I was a bike commuter for 7 of the last 10 years.) Assuming that I buy a Delica and aim to drive it until it can only be sold for scrap, I'm going to want at least three years out of it. Four years would actually be pretty good. Five would fill me with pride.

Is this an unrealistic expectation? Are there many 1991 Delica's buzzing around the coast?

Perhaps a more useful line of inquiry would be: What's the oldest Delica still alive and kicking here on the forum and how has it been driven since arriving in North America? Is it's maintenance cost getting hard to stand?

My sincere apologies for bringing economics up.

[Mr. Flibble]

I think some people are retiring their Deli's due to mechanical failure (in a few cases) and many others are retiring them to move up to the "Shiny" L400. But then again, people on this board are also enthusiasts of JDM cars, and just like importing new toys as well.

I don't expect to get rid of my L400 when I get it soon for at least 10 years from now.

[Artacoma]

Bought my 91 for 10g just over 3 years ago ,it's still a few years from recycling, I've put on over 100km.

[thedjjack]

I think mine was an early import. 1989 with 170,000km on it (guessing imported with 70,000km). I am the second Cdn owner. I just bought it put about $750.00 in new parts (no labour charges as I do my own work) into it right away. I see it as the same as any other 4x4, maintenance is higher due to 2 drive axles, 2 drive shafts, CVs, U-Joints, transfer case, bigger tires and ... Lifespan depends on how you drive it and how you keep it up and little bit of luck.

A delica is no different then any other truck. The BIG difference is if you need a major part such as a transmission or engine they are not as common as Ford 150 pickup. Harder to find means more money and/or more time looking.

I have it since there is nothing in North America that comes close to its features and these are features I wanted.

[FalcoColumbarius]

Not sure which year Shaun's is... either an 86 or an 88. but there are a few older ones around ~ Docsavage's, I think is an 88, going by the headlamps just guessing, I'm sure they can tell you.

I am one of those guys who bought a Delica to keep a Delica.

I first heard about the Delica at a guy's place. He was mentioning in passing about this funky right hand drive unit that people are bringing in from Japan for really cheap (by Canadian standards) and low mileage, almost brand new, apart from being 15 or 16 years old. One day I was driving along in me Voyager when he called me on my cel ~ telling me that his mate and his Delica were at his place ~ would I like to stop by and have a look, so I did. I pulled up beside this white, seemingly narrow wagon in his driveway, got out and had a look. All whilst the time he was propounding the finer details of this vehicle, I kept looking back and forth between the Delica and my Voyager, wondering how I have managed to stay alive. When you put a Plymouth Voyager next to a Mitsubishi Delica, the Voyager looks like it is made of Coke tins. I did a fair amount of research into the Delica and I was looking for the faults, but any I found were trivial.

One day my brother, God bless his soul, who by this time knew about my quest for a Delica, called me to let me know that he had met this guy who was selling a Delica, gave me his number and off I went. This guy had a little Deli-farm going and pointed me to this Black over Silver P25W Chamonix GLX, with green pearl in the clear coat. It was Love at first sight. 61,000 kliks. This wagon was everything that I wanted.

I have changed most of the rubber on the vehicle. It is a diesel so you have to change the oil, ideally at 5,000kms. Think of the Delica like its your ship. She will require work to be done, including maintenance, But if you look after her, she will look after you and after two years of driving her, and driving her hard ~ I see no reason why I need to buy another vehicle. Be sure to do the fluids and keep her clean and you will be an happy camper.


















Falco.

[kb&2dogs]

Our baby blue deli is an 89, purchased for 10k, had it 3 years. The only issues we have had have been due to incompetent mechanical work. Since we`ve entrusted the work to someone who knows what they`re doing, (thanks CC) we`re pleased as can be with it!

[marsgal42]

I took delivery of Gumdrop in September 2007, with 97,000 km on the odometer. It's been 2 1/2 years, and she's coming up on 140,000, still going strong.

Ask me again in 5 years. I've pencilled in August 2017 as Gumdrop's farewell trip http://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/SEgoogle/S ... oogle.html, or possibly the inauguration of Gumdrop 2 (L400? D:5?). Or just keep driving her until she falls apart. Lots of things could happen in the interim.

...laura

[jessef]

You can get 40 years out of a Delica or any vehicle for that matter depending on where/how it's driven and maintained.

Although I love the question, it's really a loaded one.

Out of the thousands of vehicles you can buy, Delica's fall into the average category for maintenance/reliability/serviceability.

[Rural]

[...]
Although I love the question, it's really a loaded one.
[...]

If, by "loaded", you mean "an honest search for information to help with a gut check", I'm happy to agree with you.

Thanks to everybody who has answered. It's heartening to know that there are plenty of 4+ year old (ie. actually 19+ years old thanks to that snarky Chris guy ) Delicas purring around.

Gut check passed. Next week I can call a couple of reputable dealers and check out some options. Then I can schedule a trip to the coast to coincide with any interesting new arrivals becoming ready to go. Nice.

[chris]

It's heartening to know that there are plenty of 4+ year old Delicas purring around.

I dream of the day 4 year old Delica's are driving around!

[after oil]

a very good friend of mine owns what i am pretty sure has been in canada longer than any other deli still on the road. it used to be BCDelica's golden exceed with crystalites. it was the third delica ever imported, as legend has it. its an '89 i think. it been driven hard, filled with families, camping, long trips, rough driveway etc etc. it could use a tuneup, but otherwise everything is pretty good on it. its been on WVO for many thousands of km too!

[username]

i have a 91 and it has been extremely reliable, in 4.5 years and 50,000km the only thing that has gone is the alterntor. just did a return trip from bc to manitoba with eight passengers and 500 pounds of gear without a problem. this machine seems to be built to be abused.

[jessef]

The body and drivetrain can be abused and is built tough. Just needs regular maintenance like a normal vehicle - brakes/suspension/fluids/tuneup...

Friend of mine owns a D50 pickup which has the same diesel engine, transmission, transfercase, you get the idea ....

690,000 km's and it's still going strong. Only had the top end rebuilt.

It's 38 years old.

[josh]

The body and drivetrain can be abused and is built tough. Just needs regular maintenance like a normal vehicle - brakes/suspension/fluids/tuneup...

Friend of mine owns a D50 pickup which has the same diesel engine, transmission, transfercase, you get the idea ....

690,000 km's and it's still going strong. Only had the top end rebuilt.

It's 38 years old.

Thats funny that he has had a D50 for 38yrs... if memory serves me correct, wasn't their first year of production in 1979? Although 31yrs is still impressive. lol.

Josh.

[jessef]

I meant 28

It's an 82'