Opinion on Delicas

1
Hi there,

I hope you are all well out there, Syncronistas. Long time since I posted but I do read and follow - just caught up in daily realities of work, travel etc.

I know this is close to sacrilege in this forum, but I just wondered whether anyone would care to share their opinion on the Mitsubishi Delica as a campervan. I must stress this is not for us, but for my brother who is looking for a compact touring vehicle that can go off-road. I think he thinks Syncros are too much hassle for him as he's not into mechanical things, which is a fair enough call. Ours is still going strong - about to head out of town for a Labour Day long weekend camping in the Strathbogie Ranges, in fact.

Thanks,

Francesca Coles
0431 195453 | 9489 2774
2
Hi Francesca, We've hired them twice as 'Wicked' vans in Central Australia and around Kakadu. (I won't print what was painted on the back!!) Very capable off the bitumen, plenty of grunt, air conditioning and 2.7L Diesel. I thought they had good ground clearance. They seem a bit narrow, and we were warned they are top heavy, and could roll. Not as roomy as the T3, but I guess it's how they are set up. The ones we had were for 2 people, and the mattress was a permanent fixture behind the front seats. Behind the mattress was about 500mm of storage to the tailgate. They were cozy. I've never seen one with a pop top. Hope this helps your brother.--------------------------------------------
On Thu, 5/3/15, Francesca Coles fcoles6@gmail.com [Syncro_T3_Australia] <Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com> wrote:

Subject: [Syncro_T3_Australia] Opinion on Delicas
To: "Syncro_T3_Australia" <Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com>
Received: Thursday, 5 March, 2015, 5:32 PM












Hi there,
I hope you are all well out there,
Syncronistas. Long time since I posted but I do read and
follow - just caught up in daily realities of work, travel
etc.
I know this is
close to sacrilege in this forum, but I just wondered
whether anyone would care to share their opinion on the
Mitsubishi Delica as a campervan. I must stress this is not
for us, but for my brother who is looking for a compact
touring vehicle that can go off-road. I think he thinks
Syncros are too much hassle for him as he's not into
mechanical things, which is a fair enough call. Ours is
still going strong - about to head out of town for a Labour
Day long weekend camping in the Strathbogie Ranges, in
fact.
Thanks,
Francesca
Colesfcoles6@gmail.com0431
195453 | 9489 2774











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3
Hi Francesca, To be blunt I am not a big fan. I have a customer who had one till it got smashed (did not fair well in small accident). If he doesn't what the hassle of an old syncro he wont be doing much better with a high milage "cheaper end of the market" Delica. If he spends closer to 20k on a low milage one he will fair better. What's his circumstance re kids and how serious an off roader does he want? Greg
 
From: "Francesca Coles fcoles6@gmail.com [Syncro_T3_Australia]" <Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com>
To: Syncro_T3_Australia <Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Thursday, 5 March 2015, 17:32
Subject: [Syncro_T3_Australia] Opinion on Delicas

 
Hi there,

I hope you are all well out there, Syncronistas. Long time since I posted but I do read and follow - just caught up in daily realities of work, travel etc. 

I know this is close to sacrilege in this forum, but I just wondered whether anyone would care to share their opinion on the Mitsubishi Delica as a campervan. I must stress this is not for us, but for my brother who is looking for a compact touring vehicle that can go off-road. I think he thinks Syncros are too much hassle for him as he's not into mechanical things, which is a fair enough call. Ours is still going strong - about to head out of town for a Labour Day long weekend camping in the Strathbogie Ranges, in fact. 

Thanks,
   
Francesca Coles
0431 195453 | 9489 2774


4
Hi Greg,

Thanks for your opinion. He's not a serious off-roader - just wants the option of heading to more out-of-the-way places. His kids are all grown up, so it's just him and his wife for weekends away plus a potential roam around Australia when work allows. He is looking at a Japanese import with low mileage converted to a camper once imported here. They seem narrow and top-heavy to me and Tony reckons he's heard that they overheat easily as made for Japanese conditions. Surely not a patch on a Syncro...
5
Thanks Gerald too. Sounds like it was fine for a hired holiday vehicle. The reality of owning one might be different. 
6
Well not having kids and not doing serious off roading negates two off the big negatives, interior space and ground clearance. Other negatives to consider :
The diesel ones I have driven (older) were very sluggish.
Its a Mitsubishi! Easily the worst offering from Japan, actually the only bad offering from Japan!
Positives: There is nothing else in the 4wd camper market other than these.
Which seem to be getting crazy money and still have poor ground clearance. Than again they are a Toyota and will live forever.
If he has his heart set on a modern 4x4 camper than he is barking up the right tree, I would just make sure he has thought about other options such as camper trailers and roof top tents before pulling the trigger. Greg
 
From: "fcoles6@gmail.com [Syncro_T3_Australia]" <Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com>
To: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Friday, 6 March 2015, 17:55
Subject: Re: [Syncro_T3_Australia] Opinion on Delicas

 
Hi Greg,

Thanks for your opinion. He's not a serious off-roader - just wants the option of heading to more out-of-the-way places. His kids are all grown up, so it's just him and his wife for weekends away plus a potential roam around Australia when work allows. He is looking at a Japanese import with low mileage converted to a camper once imported here. They seem narrow and top-heavy to me and Tony reckons he's heard that they overheat easily as made for Japanese conditions. Surely not a patch on a Syncro...


7
Thanks Greg. Our other car is a Toyota and they simply can't be beat for reliability and longevity, but those Hiaces don't look tempting. He's thinking about rooftop tents etc., but there you lose on ease of set-up. It's always a compromise! We'll be sticking with our Syncro. Hope all is well with Alice and the kids.
8

I have not owned a Delica, but have two friends that have owned Delica's long term (one is on their second Delica). From their experiences I think they are great cars.

The third generation ones (similar age to T3's), just like the Syncro are a little sluggish, and are a little harsh in the suspension, and getting very old.

The fourth and fifth generation ones were much nicer cars, and very well spec'd. Being newer than a T3, they are not prone parts failing due to age and hard to source parts like a Syncro. When I have put a tape measure inside each along side the Syncro, they differences are not major. The biggest difference is the floor to ceiling in the middle of the bus. The Delica's loose a little in height, but have a flat floor, so depends on your use which is better. The Delica is also available in short and long wheel base.

For off road performance, just like VW's they have gotten "softer" in the newer models. That being said they are more capable than T4/T5 Syncro/4motion.

They also have the advantage of multi modes (super select), 2WD/AWD/4WD, high/low etc. They are very capable 4WD's. Sure the 5th generation lacks ground clearance compared to a Syncro, but upgrades to suspension/tires and bumpers to improve approach/departure are cheaper and easier to source if your that way inclined (even diff locks)

From what I have seen the are cheaper to purchase and cheaper to own, and compared to a stock standard Syncro they do fine off road if your not pushing things to the limit.


All that said, the imports are older cars also, and there are a few known issues. Diesels do not like our fuels which is costly to replace seals and service. In the fourth generation they did have some head issues also. The petrols (V6) is the same as local Mitsu's, plenty of power and reliable.  I wasn't aware of any over heating issues?

With imports, there have been a few shonky dealers winding speedo's back, or patching up damaged ones.


I'd recommend getting on the Delica forum, should get plenty of help finding what they need.


Richard

9
Hi Richard,

Sorry for the slow response, but thanks for sharing your opinion on Delicas. Could be that they would suit my brother's need/interests quite well. He's semi-interested in a Syncro but rightly says they are hard to find for sale these days.
10

Your Welcome, just passing on what two good friends have experienced.

Richard