"new" or "used"

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obeygravity
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"new" or "used"

Post by obeygravity »

Getting closer to eventually getting an L400. That having been said....do I buy from a dealer or from a private sale? I know that the dealers will probably chime in and tell me all the reasons why I should buy from them, and people trying to privately sell will give me all their reasons why I should buy theirs. I know that from the dealer I may get a warrenty and I may well even get that special new car smell (and obviously the neato feeling of being the first NA owner). Of course with a "used" ride I might get all the little gremlins already dealt with and all of common mods done. I may also get someone elses lemon. But I might save a couple grand. Any thoughts? What was your experience?
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nxski
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Re: "new" or "used"

Post by nxski »

I bought my L300 when they were selling for $12,000 from dealer and about $8000 on Craigslist but I waited patiently and found one for $4000. With a few minor repairs it was as good as any of the $8000 ones I saw. Personally I would go used, after all, once they're over here those added shipping fee's mean nothing.
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CREGAN
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Re: "new" or "used"

Post by CREGAN »

I think that it depends entirely on the private seller. It may have been a lemon, but if it was someone known around here then the delica obsession has probably caused them to weed out all the gremlins (or most of them- we can never seem to get rid of them all 8-) ). By saving a few thousand you will have the money to fix the next gremlin that pops up.

That being said, I have nothing against a dealer sale. I bought through a dealer and some of the gremlins were sorted out by them. There have also been many unforseen gremlins that popped up, and I have to say that the warranty is kind of only worth the paper it is printed on. I know that now through experience. But dealers are mostly very thorough in going through these rigs and try their best to weed out the most common problems.

Oh yeah, and about the new car smell- unless that smell is like a wet dog covered in cigarettes and wearing oily coveralls- you don't want it anyways.

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Elbrad
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Re: "new" or "used"

Post by Elbrad »

Trust me when I tell you to go through a reputable dealer.

I bought my L300 from a private seller, got stuck with a ride that needed a lot of love. I didn't know what to look for, and had to replace the headlights because they were still the original Japanese ones. When I took the passenger seat out to replace the thermostat, I found that the AC vent line to the rear vents was missing.

The dealers know what to replace. From brake lines to rads, shocks, lights and everything else. Buying from one of the top sellers will ensure you have a top-of-the-line ride, ready to go wherever you want!
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Re: "new" or "used"

Post by thedjjack »

If you are not mechanical take dealer or private delica to independent service shop for a check out...

I bought mine used but I am mechanical so I knew what I was buying and put $1000.00 in parts right away to make it right...
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Re: "new" or "used"

Post by glenn »

I paid $908 for my L400 at auction in Japan. After shipping it here, etc, I am still thousands ahead for all the mechanical preventative work, no matter how serious it gets.
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Re: "new" or "used"

Post by obeygravity »

I bought a Sprinter Carib from one of the reputable dealer 5 years ago and had to replace the engine in the first year. I know that sometimes things slip through all the inspections. That is why im sort of leaning towards used. A years worth of driving in my mind is likely to shake out bugs like a good inspection never can. Still interested in your thoughts. What should scare me away from any specific used rig?
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Re: "new" or "used"

Post by delichris »

If you are worried about getting a lemon from a private seller, have it checked out by a reputable shop like CVI in Richmond.
Just saw your location. your in Revelstoke? If you buy locally shop around for a mechanic that is comfortable with these machines. Some will shy away from them but they are really pretty basic as far as mechanics goes. A JDM shop will know what to look for so there are no surpises.
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Re: "new" or "used"

Post by psilosin »

No point buying from a dealer in the Vancouver area if you live in Revelstoke. The warranties they provide (Lubrico) are completely useless so no more protection than buying private.

I bought my L400 from one of the main Delica dealers and I sure as hell wouldn't do that again. Why pay a premium to be disrespected and lied to.

Up to this purchase I had always just imported my own. Next purchase I will either do that again or buy private from a forum member (usually listed on Delica Trader).
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Re: "new" or "used"

Post by Artacoma »

I too have been disappointed with dealer warranties , they wore me down till it wasn't worth the effort to continue to try to get them to respond.

But then I may be a bit biased because I get my new 97 LWB L400 next week and my 95 Super Exceed SWB L400 will be for sale soon and I really think you should buy it.
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Re: "new" or "used"

Post by CREGAN »

Artacoma wrote:I too have been disappointed with dealer warranties , they wore me down till it wasn't worth the effort to continue to try to get them to respond.

But then I may be a bit biased because I get my new 97 LWB L400 next week and my 95 Super Exceed SWB L400 will be for sale soon and I really think you should buy it.
See- that is what I am talking about! Artacoma has been here for ages and has probably worked out many of the bugs. If he hasn't then he would be able to tell you which ones still exist. Same goes for Psilosin. Many bugs worked out on that one, and he can tell you which ones are left. These are rigs I would go for because they have put time and effort into them.

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Re: "new" or "used"

Post by 403delica »

I bought from coombs and loved the experience. I worked in auto motives for just under 10 years and lost faith in it... they restored it! yah this sounds like a born again ad but I really enjoyed dealing with them lol. Most genuine people i have met! i also bought from them cus I'm lazy and don't want to fix things anymore lol
:-)
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