If you had it to do over again, what would you do different?

[Elbrad]

I was going to put "differently", but I ran out of characters.

So, what would you have done differently? Would you have bought a 300 or a 400? Gas or diesel? Crystal light roof?

When I bought Boba, I bought him privately through a fellow on the mainland. I looked it over, but not knowing what I was looking for in regards to compliance, I got suckered. Mind you, the guy before me got suckered too, he just didn't know it. The compliance papers were forged by a company that is now shut down.

Boba needed NA headlights, so I bought a used set through Malahat Auto Wreckers. Both had shorts in them, MAW wouldn't make good on them, so I ponied up the money again and bought them through Coombs. They still work great.

If I could go back in time, I'd spend the extra couple of bucks and buy from Coombs Country Auto, or through Five Star Auto Sales. I like dealing with Glen and Graham, and they've treated me fantastically, so my next ride will be purchased directly from them.

[nxski]

I would have paid more and bought a perfect van before starting modifying but I would have bought the same one. My dad told me that a young person deservs a van with a few dents in it but now that I want it looking perfect it's going to cost more to get it that way than simplying buying a good one to begin with. Oh well, it really isn't that big of a deal but something I would have done differently nonetheless.

[mararmeisto]

I'm not sure that I would have done things differently because we went through Coombs and Five Star Auto for the Delica Star Wagon, and then Coombs again for the SWB Pajero, and then Coombs again for the second SWB Pajero we have now. We had done a lot of research before we bought, so we had a pretty good idea of what we were doing.

That being said, I wish the Tritons didn't cost so much (and really start getting powerful enough until 2006) because I'd have one of those right now and I wouldn't be thinking of getting out of the RHDs for a Toyota Tacoma. But I'm just day-dreaming...

[dfnder]

I think I would have held out for a standard. After I move on from my Delica I am never going to drive an auto again... unless I loose an arm :)

[konadog]

Not me - I was very happy with the deal I got from the now defunct Bonsai Motors - Derek was a real pleasure to deal with. After I bought my base model L-300 from him I took it straight to CCA who've been taking care of me ever since. I heaps happy with the deal I got from Derek and have a great relationship with all the lads at CCA - I wouldn't change a thing...

[tonydca]

300s and 400s are both nice vehicles, but for me personally I'm still glad 3 years in that I chose the L400:

http://www.delica.ca/forum/new-delica-h ... tml#p73451

The only thing that could be better for me now is that the parkade where I used to live was quite low-roofed and space-restrictive, requiring me to get a SWB lo-roof Exceed model.

But if I had been living where I do now, with a taller, wider parkade, I'd have probably sprung for a LWB Royal Exceed with Crystal Roof and all the bells and whistles.

However now that I have my van pretty much the way I like it, there's limited incentive for me to "trade up". Better the devil you know...

But as things are, nothing I really would change. The van was in great shape from Japan, Mardy was good, and post-sales service has been pretty smooth sailing. I'm still amazed at the places it will go and the stuff I can do with it.

[FalcoColumbarius]

It all came together for me, like magic. My brother knew I was obsessing on these wagons and when he was paying a phone bill one day he had the presence of mind to ask the guy with the for sale sign on his Delica for a card. As I looked for the wagon of my dreams ~ I began to get particular with what I wanted, even to the paint job, P25W model, Winter package, &c., and somehow it all came together. One thing I did do was spend a hundred bucks to have the wagon looked over by a mechanic: Oil on the timing belt because the oil seal had not been changed and was leaking. Cost to replace was eight hundred bucks so I negotiated that into the price. I was very happy with the guy who sold the Miss Lil' Bitchi to me and the way it all transpired ~ I don't think I would change a thing, either.

Originally I wanted a manual transmission but I have to say that I am glad it turned out to be an automatic for two reasons: One, the fuel economy is way better, 100 KPH on a manual is 3,000RPM, on an automatic it's 2,600RPM. Secondly, when I am off road it is good to have a foot to balance on when at odd angles and shifting, steering, gearing, braking... I was trained to clutch when shifting when I learned how to drive and on the road it brings one closer to the machine but having said that.... I don't really miss it. In fact I can still pretend to clutch if I really miss it, with the footrest an' all (footrest is excellent for keeping time with the tunes, too).

Falco.

[naterade]

The only regret I have is passing that sanding truck on the highway in the winter of 2010, that was actually spreading pea gravel, not sand, which effectlively littered the entire front of my van with little pea gravel-sized paint chips.....

Otherwise, I got a great van with just a couple very minor problems, that has served me very very well since I got it two years ago.

[Feds]

I'm not quite a year in, but I think I wouldn't get a royal next time. The screen takes up tonnes of real estate on the dash, as does the box in the trunk, and neither of them do anything cool enough to justify their existence.

The LWB is great, and I'm glad I got it. I love the crystal light roof, and the sunroof. The royal exceed dash I could do without (and will change out eventually).

[yojimbo]

I would have got one with a cool box.

[Big-Bird]

While I am quite happy with my L400 but my one regret is I didn't get one with factory wheel flares. Always intended on lifting mine a few inches but trying to get flares after the fact is ridiculous expensive or just plain rare.

Still the price on my Spacegear made it very attractive. I used CVI for a complete tuneup weeks before I picked it up, glad I had the work done like Injector Pump, Valve adjustment and a few other key items by a tech who knows the Mitsu engines.

Research...research...research! Know what you are getting into for any JDM purchase.

[Firesong]

Im still debating the whole manual transmission I have vs an automatic one.
Although I think it's easy pulling a small trailer but who knows..

I did get a decent van though.

FS

[Aciled]

I definitely like my L400 SWB over an L300. Im not exactly a small person. The L400 is much roomier and bettsr comfort. Christine if you are reading this( nothing personal)

I would have purchased it from Mardy because for 10,900.00 I know I wouldn' have the amount of rust that I got (90 % was paid
by the seller ) Mardy would have also replaced the following which I have since paid: radiator/water pump/coolant expansion bottle/two batteries/alternator

[Aciled]

And four shooks.

[dfnder]

Oh... I definitely would have purchased more cowbell !!!!!!!!!