Lets talk - Mitsubishi Delica Spacegear

[bjp]

I suggest a land rover of some sort

I want to be able to sleep in the back of it and I'm 6'6, 110kg.

The 4WD variants would still have issues getting into your local shopping centre/regular car park so do factor that into buying any vans with 4WD.

That is true and I guess I'm realistic. I've seen plenty of Mitsubishi Starwagon style vans on the beach before however.

what about a nissan el grande?

seems cool

*example*

Not bad, but 4wd? wtf, it has less clearance than a mazda2!!

This also highlights that the delica has low and high range 4wd, the Hiace is AWD only.

I have one in at work atm, an L400. It has a cracked head which is common on 4M40 2.8's. Should only cost about $4k to fix plus a new turbo because the actuator pivot has seized in the exhaust housing(also common) causing the problem to begin with.

And I thought Surfs were crap....

Everything I've read about the delica is negative on the web. I have a mate who swears by his, but he is one of those easily pleased people. They look like ass also, i'm just not convinced on any rivals to rule it out though.

[SprinterSaurus]

There's an article on these in the new 4WD Action magazine out at the moment.

Personally if I got one of these I'd get a petrol one, and that's coming from a Turbo-Diesel Hilux owner haha.

[Gats]

you can be a stunt driver too if you buy a 4wd van

-> http://youtube.com/watch?v=dHRgVvAO8Pw

[Euroboost]

I looked into the Delicas a few years ago, the wife likes them. To be honest alot of the ones in yards a shit heaps. A yard here had 4 of them and all of them needed a couple of grand spent on them, not to mention the interior stripped and steam cleaned to get rid of the bloody cigarette smoke!
That said, they are actually pretty narrow, iirc about 200mm narrower then the Hiace. The highroof vans are about 2.5m tall so outside parking only. Like alot of Mitsubishis they suffer from roof rust.

[TJ]

Im not exactly a keen 4wd man, or into family mover shitters etc, but I get to drive Delicas around a fair bit...

For the money they are pretty damn cool .

My importing friends have sold shitloads, barely any have come back for warranty work.

[Captain_Slow]

Like alot of Mitsubishis they suffer from roof rust.

Gawd. Does Mitsubishi make any non-performance model that isn't a shitbox? Seems like every time there's a Mitsu-related thread they contain dire warnings like these...

[Euroboost]

Yes. My Verada has been perfect, apart from a leaking door seal which was replaced under warranty. Oh and the boot floor squeaks when the pram isn't in there.
To fair to the Delica, apart from the chance of roof rust, if you are willing to pay for a better one, they are good vans. The problem is by the nature of their intended usage they can be prone to problems.

[TonyJZX]

did they use the wrong kind of glue for the roof lining or something?

[Euroboost]

Wrong kind of glue for the roof skin I belive. I understand it's mainly coastal cars that are effected, and even then it's fairly rare from what I've seen. I know at least 1 Delica had the issue and I've heard stories of a couple of EVOs and RVRs suffering. Strangely I haven't seen any AU delivered cars with the issue so I'm not sure what to make of it. Probably bad luck more then anything else.

[Dicko]

I see a few of them around the off beaten tracks up north, couples have them set up as campers. If you can get over the gayness, they're quite practical and reasonably capable as a 4wd.

[bjp]

I've found a place at Virginina (Just Buses & 4wd's) that have a range of Delica's, 2WD Hiace and 4wd Hiace. I'll head down there tomorrow and let everyone know what I think of the vehicles.

[TonyJZX]

just out of interest, the locally sold lancers here also had roof rusting problems

[perthdrivers.txt]

Well someone must be buying these things as theres never any shortage of them being imported by dealers even after all these years

[Euroboost]

They are a damm good vehicle, considering their limitations. They have more room than any other 4wd short of a troopy, yet are just as good off road as a Pajero. Some guys claim they're actually better because they have shorter overhang.

[MAZMAN]

Dad has one, the l400 version, 2.8L diesel turbo, spacegear.
Its not too bad, so far in 4years only the a/c compressor clutch died on it, nothing else.
Its pretty reliable and it doesnt smoke, i think it doesnt look too bad, its like a van on stereoids lol.

I have taken it inside a shopping centre wich states a height limit of 2.4m, and it just makes it.
It accelerates pretty good till 60/80km and then it starts diying off for acceleration, but it will happily get to 110km on freeways and cruise.

Dad uses it to tow his caravan wich is 700kg, without a problem, and i tow my motox bike with it, so i take it off road and it has no problems with it, does it with ease.
When we camp on our bike ride weekends, i use the back section for sleeping(you can move the rear seats sideways for heaps of room) and its great... blanket, pillow and its like a real bed (instead of getting the tent out or sleeping bags).

Every now and again i get a full house in it and we go for a bit of a laugh/cruise through the city.
I think they are popular in England/UK and a fair few people modify them, but here its not as well known.