L300 vs. L400

[FalcoColumbarius]

The JPNZ manual refers to the L300 as being 2,200 kg.

[paddyb]

I like the looks for the L300 *way* better but I'm starting to lean toward the L400 as it seems much more family friendly - smoother ride, safer (Engine in front, Airbags, ABS, SuperSelect drivetrain w/ AWD mode, proper shoulder belts for a carseat) and better interior (swivel captains chairs, walkway from cockpit to back).

However, I'm not sure of the fuel economy of the L400(SWB) relative to the L300.

Both late model vehicles in Taiwan have the same 2.4L petrol engine but the L400 looks a bit bigger and perhaps heavier - should I expect much of a fuel economy difference between the two vehicles (assuming both have stock tires etc.)?

Does anyone on here have any experience with the petrol L400? Is it underpowered? What fuel economy would you say you have?
Or if no one has any experience - how would you expect the 2.4L Petrol to perform vs. the 2.8L Turbo? Would you guess it gets the same fuel economy but less power because it's underpowered or would you expect better economy because it's a smaller, lighter engine?
Feel free to speculate...

Anyway, the L400's already seem to run $2-3000 more up front than a comparable L300 so if the fuel economy is much worse on top of that I might just have to make do with a StarWagon!

Someone help me with my decision!

[Details Monster]

Here is my two cents... I have owned an L300 for 2 years. I checked out an L400 yesterday because I was seriously considering 'switching'. I liked the L400 but I did not 'love' or like it enough to think it was worth the extra cash it will cost me to switch. If I didn't already have an L300 it would be a tough decision. I think the L400 is a safer vehicle (driver sits behind engine, AWD, some have air bags); I like the look of the L300 better; especially the interior; there is something too 'roundy' and 'plasticy' about the L400 interior for my tastes. Here are a few other details that have not already been mentioned in this thread:
- the headlights are really hard to get and EXPENSIVE (i.e., $1200 a pair; not sure that you can buy just one); so, some type of rock guard is absolutely necessary; this may be a big concern if you drive a lot on gravel roads.
- fluids are easier to check on the L400 since access the engine from an exterior hood verses lifting the passenger seat; this may seem minor but it is a pain with the L300 especially if you keep the captain seats facing the rear and have kids sitting in them most of the time when you are filling up.
- I think the L400 has less interior noise which would be nice for long trips; it is definitely quieter than my L300 which has a lot of wind noise at highway speeds.

The bottom line is I think it will boil down to personal preference and you need to test drive both vehicles to be able to make a decision.

[jessef]

However, I'm not sure of the fuel economy of the L400(SWB) relative to the L300.

Average L300 2.5 fuel economy - 10-11L/100km

Average L400 2.8 fuel economy - 11-12L/100km

[FalcoColumbarius]

There is more than one "fuel economy" thread on this site. However, this is the Official fuel economy thread and it comes with links to the other threads courtesy of jfarsang, somewhere down the first page. It also has different fuel experiences with different vehicles ~ something you might find useful... smiles.

Falco.

[fexlboi]

The JPNZ manual refers to the L300 as being 2,200 kg.

Went on the truck weight last week. 2080kg. Tank full. One person. Camping gear.
I think the numbers are way off in the manual or maybe referring to the Gross vehicle weight

[FalcoColumbarius]

The JPNZ manual refers to the L300 as being 2,200 kg.

Went on the truck weight last week. 2080kg. Tank full. One person. Camping gear.
I think the numbers are way off in the manual or maybe referring to the Gross vehicle weight

That is interesting. Went on a scale, tank empty, minimal cargo, one person: 2,350kg. The only thing that would have added weight would be the cargo unit and that is around 50 or 60 lbs. When I weighed her it was before I put the added leaf in the rear suspension, before the I got the chains... I think it was even before I got the gopher grille made.

Falco.

[pajerry]

I have not yet owned a delica (notice the not yet), but I think if I had a family and used it daily, or close to, I would need a L400 simply based on the 2.8L. Its bloody ugly though...

I have driven with a couple L300's, and they're gutless on the HWY. You better have weeks or months to make your trip, because you will spend 20% more time in the slow lane :) Going less than 100km./hr on a slight incline driving by pyro is not acceptable IMHO. I'd hate to have to merge in a short merge lane that you're not familiar with in a L300. (I know, nobody buys deli's for the speed, but it should have some balls without stressing it)

If I lived in small town BC, I'd take the L300 simply because it is easy to find vans that are well maintained in good shape that have already had all the work done by previous Canadian owners, and that makes my life easier. IMHO there is nothing worse than the first few months of scrutinizing every creak, squeek, smell etc. Also parts for the 2.5L seem to be easier to source making maintenance and repairs a little more reasonable.

Great thread though!

[Erebus]

Based on lots of time in Green1s L300 and L400, and lots of time in my own L300 ...

I find the front passenger seat:
L300 has less leg room, more foot room.

2nd row captain's chairs:
L300 more comfortable

3rd row bench:
L300 more comfortable

For example, at car rallies, doing radio net control with Green1, we are stationary, and I sit in the middle of the 3rd row, regardless of which of the 3 vehicles we used. The rally can last up to 10 hours. I prefer either L300 over the L400.

Long road trips, have spent only a couple of hours in the L400's 2nd row captain's chairs, compared to up to 12 hours in L300. Prefer L300.

Front passenger: Many hours in L300, 1 round trip 10 hours each way in L400. Prefer the L300, but not a huge difference. Find the lack of foot room more bothersome than the lack of leg room.

Yes, I do like the walkthrough of the L400.

But that's just me.

[thelazybrownfox]

Erebus
Good comments. I've owned thelazybrownfox for 2 yrs and only ridden in the passenger seat and the rear once. Delicas are for patient people, if you're in a hurry buy a motorcycle. They are definitely a life style change but great vehicles to camp in.

The Fox has a high non crystal roof, loads of rear headroom and a direct vent rear propane heater , great at -10 C. The Captains chairs and the bench seat have head rests, seat belts and shoulder harnesses too.

I searched for 6 months to find an L300 with HR, SH, SB for safety, and a high non C roof with 52" head room for camping (with seats removed). If you have kids and rear passengers the SH and HR are a must. Captains chairs are a bonus. Custom all round curtains in the rear give me complete privacy.

Great camping and fishing vehicle too. Mine has a complete wrap around bug screen with the tail gate up enclosing my table (extends from the trailer hitch), chairs and cooking equipement.

Check all the L300 and L400s as they all vary in their options. Even the Exceeds can have many options not in the more lavish delicas.

I bought an L400 last week and I'm not sure if I like it, it's boring to drive . Time for a decision.... Hmm?
Have fun
Wayne

[Green1]

Based on lots of time in Green1s L300 and L400, and lots of time in my own L300 ...

I find the front passenger seat:
L300 has less leg room, more foot room.

2nd row captain's chairs:
L300 more comfortable

3rd row bench:
L300 more comfortable

For example, at car rallies, doing radio net control with Green1, we are stationary, and I sit in the middle of the 3rd row, regardless of which of the 3 vehicles we used. The rally can last up to 10 hours. I prefer either L300 over the L400.

Long road trips, have spent only a couple of hours in the L400's 2nd row captain's chairs, compared to up to 12 hours in L300. Prefer L300.

Front passenger: Many hours in L300, 1 round trip 10 hours each way in L400. Prefer the L300, but not a huge difference. Find the lack of foot room more bothersome than the lack of leg room.

And here is one of those places we disagree, I find the L400 more comfortable in every seat than the L300. I haven't spend any length of time sitting on the rear bench, but I have spent long periods in the front seats, and middle row seats, in both the L300 and L400, and I find the L400 to be nicer in all of those cases.

This weekend I spent a day in Erebus' L300, and I had forgotten how little room there is for the front passenger in those things compared to the L400, I also found the middle row captain's chairs much less comfortable than on the L300. The one thing I would suspect though is that the middle of the rear bench wouldn't be as comfortable due to the split seat, however if you sit to one side it should be ok.

The only part of the seats I preferred in the L300 was the headrests, they seemed nicer than the L400 ones.

[Erebus]

This weekend I spent a day in Erebus' L300, and I had forgotten how little room there is for the front passenger in those things compared to the L400, I also found the middle row captain's chairs much less comfortable than on the L300.

Umm, did you mean 2nd row is less comfortable in the L300 or less comfortable in the L400?

Keep in mind you were sitting sideways, with your head hitting the curtain rail, you should ignore that detail when comparing comfort.

I've discovered I like lots more lumbar support than most people, and more than most vehicle seats can deliver.

[Green1]

This weekend I spent a day in Erebus' L300, and I had forgotten how little room there is for the front passenger in those things compared to the L400, I also found the middle row captain's chairs much less comfortable than on the L300.

Umm, did you mean 2nd row is less comfortable in the L300 or less comfortable in the L400?
sorry, I meant the 2nd row in the L300 is less comfortable than on the L400.

Keep in mind you were sitting sideways, with your head hitting the curtain rail, you should ignore that detail when comparing comfort.

That is one of the major points I find when doing our usual rally setup, however even beyond that, I think the L400 seats are more comfortable (I re-compared today while doing some mods to mine)

I've discovered I like lots more lumbar support than most people, and more than most vehicle seats can deliver.

I don't see much difference in that department between the 2... and on the driver's seat both have adjustable support.