Mitsubishi Delica 4 WD People Movers

Duh · Guru

Mitsubishi Delica 4 WD People Movers

Yuglamron · Guru

When I was looking for an RV I looked at the Delica and was quite impressed with the vehicle. I was told by one mechanic to spend a couple of hundred dollars over and above to renew all the water hoses because a lot of Japanese vehicles will have spent long times just sat in traffic jams idling. He reckoned they were a good vehicle and didn't understand why Mitsibishi never imported them here from new.

I decided it was a little small for me but there are quite a few on the road and they are well equiped and comfortable. One of the ones I looked at had the full 4x4 set up ,winches long range tanks the whole shebang.$22K on road. Seemed reasonable.

Duh · Guru

Thanks for the feedback and tips Yuglamron, they looked good to me too, I like the pull out step (electric?) too to aid entry/exit.

I suspect these must have come from a Jap tourist hire fleet or similar.

I agree, I don't know why Oz couldn't have stocked these either, I'll bet all the bells and whistles wouldn't have come with them though unless you paid extra.

grahamg · Senior Member

The backpacker van rentals "Wicked" hire these vans out. We hired one for 7 days, thu very worn and tired I liked it. 4WD and diesel , a little bit small

Happywanderer · The Master

They look great Duh. I'm sure the Delica is what my sister in NZ has got for carting her 5 dogs to shows.
They are good prices, thats about the amount I want to save up for the right replacement

Duh · Guru

Thanks for the feedback Graham, I didn't know Wicked were using them. They would be ok for someone wanting a small campervan (subject to some conversion, take out rear seats etc) with offroad potential.

My first home converted campervan was a Mitsubishi Star Wagon people mover, served me well for a solo trip around Oz.

I like the look of them HW, worth considering and checking out if there are any dealers who sell them in your part of the state.

Duh · Guru

The mob in WA who import these also import parts, new and 2nd hand and do repairs as well, and as they specialize in them I think it would be reasonably easy to get parts/repairs here near Perth.

See this link for new Delica parts and scroll down further for used parts for them, see;

http://www.westcitycommercials.com.au/parts.htm

Not saying that they may not be able to provide some parts off the shelf, but I think they would be able to obtain them. I have seen some Delica's that appear to be canibalised in their rear yard, so maybe that is how they source some.

-- Edited by Duh on Friday 8th of March 2013 01:41:41 AM

Sheba · Guru

I was looking at them before I bought the Hi-ace. The thing that put me off them, [apart from the fact that at that time they were all Japanese Imports,] was the fact that they are so narrow. Looked to me like they'd be easy to roll.

The Hi-ace sits better on the road for me.

Cheers,

Sheba.

Duh · Guru

That's true, they do look narrow and are set high, maybe to "fit" Japanese narrow streets???

elliemike · Guru

A bloke I work with has one. He goes on the Beach through the Sand Dunes, Bush roads, etc. He loves it. I was only asking him about it's performance last week. He said the Chassis, Engine, and Drive Train are the same as the Pajero.

I suggest looking into the "The Delica Owners Forums" get a feel for whats being talked about them.

Regards

Mike

Duh · Guru

Thanks Mike, I didn't know there was one, will look it up!

smile

justcruisin01 · Guru

Check the availability of parts, particually panels & grills/lights.

They had one in the panel shop where I worked was there for mths due to no parts.

JC.

Sheba · Guru

justcruisin01 wrote:
Check the availability of parts, particually panels & grills/lights.
They had one in the panel shop where I worked was there for mths due to no parts.
JC.

That's what I meant about them being Jap. Imports. My Car-dealer friend advised me never to buy a Jap. Import, as You have a hell of a job getting parts for them, whatever make you get.

Cheers,

Sheba.

BruceQ · Newbie

We owned one many years ago - but the body was the same as mitsubishi so we could get glass and parts if necessary.
New models seem to be very different to everything else in Oz.

The vehicle drove well but it blew a bit of black smoke when we bought it and this became a LOT of black smoke over time. Eventually had to replace the fuel pump and injectors.

Duh · Guru

Welcome to the forum Bruce, I think I will steer clear of them, was wondering what they were like, visually they look good smile

Beth54 · Guru

When I was looking for a vehicle my son suggested the Delica. He also said it's a Pajero underneath. He liked the 4WD factor, as everyone else in the family has a 4WD, and I keep missing out on beach camping etc. cry

Happywanderer · The Master

NZ import a lot of Jap vehicles. They also have spare parts outlets set up to accommodate the imports. Its quite common to have a Jap import over there. Maybe they should do the same here.

Beth54 · Guru

Happywanderer wrote:
NZ import a lot of Jap vehicles. They also have spare parts outlets set up to accommodate the imports. Its quite common to have a Jap import over there. Maybe they should do the same here.

I remember that when I was visiting NZ Marj. There were a lot more sports cars too.

Sheba · Guru

It's not just Jap Vehicles girls. The Jap imports I'm talking about, are vehicles that are brought into this country second-hand. They are manufactured to Japanese regulations, and have to be changed when they arrive here, to comply with Australian standards, before they can be registered and driven here. That's why there used to be such a problem with spare parts.

Don't know if the situation has changed recently.

Cheers,

Sheba.

Beth54 · Guru

Sheba wrote:
It's not just Jap Vehicles girls. The Jap imports I'm talking about, are vehicles that are brought into this country second-hand. They are manufactured to Japanese regulations, and have to be changed when they arrive here, to comply with Australian standards, before they can be registered and driven here. That's why there used to be such a problem with spare parts.
Don't know if the situation has changed recently.
Cheers,
Sheba.

Yes, that's right Sheba. And I think I was told somewhere along the line that parts aren't so much of a problem these days, as there's so many imports now. Don't quote me though. biggrin

Happywanderer · The Master

I'm talking about 2nd hand too Sheba. Very low mileage late model vehicles. I know heaps of NZrs who have bought them and been very pleased with their purchase.
When NZ first started importing them and couldn't get spare parts there was a bit of an uproar till someone with a brain started up a supply outlet for spares.

justcruisin01 · Guru

Happywanderer wrote:
NZ import a lot of Jap vehicles. They also have spare parts outlets set up to accommodate the imports. Its quite common to have a Jap import over there. Maybe they should do the same here.

Thats been done, years ago we had these import motors that were supposed to be the same, yeh right, chalk & cheese.

I fitted a few of these & then said no more, had to strip both down& swap too many external parts as none of the fuel systems, electrics etc fitted.

They were a night mare.

JC.

Sheba · Guru

Beth54 wrote:
And I think I was told somewhere along the line that parts aren't so much of a problem these days, as there's so many imports now. Don't quote me though.

So I just did. biggrin biggrin biggrin . You might be right Beth, but for me, I would still steer clear of them. Knowing my luck, I'd get a Lemon.

Cheers,

Sheba.