On a few occassions over the past couple of months I've seen something called a Mitsubishi Delica, SpaceGear knocking around my area.
It's a 1994 smart looking MPV. A bit like the Liteace but higher. Anyone know anything about them? Not that I fancy one, just curious.
- (#7421) Ian Dunse, 2 Jan 04 06:49
I have seen several on my travels. According to an ad I saw in the local Auto Trader They are 4x4's and have 3litre turbo diesel engines, or something ridiculously huge like that. Imagine them as Aces on steroids!
- (#7421) Al Bickley, 2 Jan 04 06:53
You mean an engine that responds when you put your foot down on the accelerator? What a fascinating concept ;-)
So anyone know what toys they come with?
- (#7421) Ian Dunse, 2 Jan 04 07:02
Yep 2.6, 3 or 3.6 litre TD, same as Pejero engines, full Jap spec as per Townace plus real high ground clearance. Some come with almost tractor size wheels (can you get the tyres in the UK?), ideal for jetski/boat/yacht owners. Seen one that was special sand edition with high air ducts etc..
- (#7421) Clive (Bristol), 2 Jan 04 07:08
hmmm sounds interesting. maybe we could persuade dave bright to add one to his fleet and bring it along to a jam for our perusal? :-)
- (#7421) Ian Dunse, 2 Jan 04 07:11
Interesting thought Ian. I saw a similar MPV at the end of my road last summer, and it was a jap imported Ford! So there are plenty of variants around. What put me off the Delicia when we were looking for the ace, was the higher price and the lack of www.delicious-answers.com
- (#7421) dave Bright (Bournemouth), 2 Jan 04 07:33
Hello Ian
I have checked these out in Perth Lately. The Delcias are a van on a pajero platform with a 2.8 litre 4 cylinder turbo with intercooler. Very nice units indeed with a lot of additional luxuries. At the moment though these are easily twice the price of the masteraces.
- (#7421) neil, 2 Jan 04 08:42
Expensive you say? That'll do for me - end of thread!
- (#7421) Ian Dunse, 2 Jan 04 08:46
There are a lot of these in my area. They usually have bullbars on the front. I think they are ugly vehicles and I gather that bullbars generally push up insurance premiums so I guess insuring a Delica is more of an issue than it is for an 'Ace.
- (#7421) Dave (Sussex), 2 Jan 04 11:52
I looked at one of these (90s variety). - 2.8TD.
Interested.....until I noticed that rear seats did not turn round (shock/horror!)
- (#7421) chris turner, 2 Jan 04 12:16
bear in mind that most of the delicas are 1994 upwards & this contributes to the higher price, most of us have 1989-91 townies. there are a lot of "unusual" japanese mpv's arriving, my local garage has delica, townace, lucida & (nissan mpv types), also here in Liverpool there is a trade auction for these vehicles, directly imported,it is by the container base. Ian, i believe they go for about £800 upwards they have a web site & i will try & find it
- (#7421) john, 5 Jan 04 03:49
Hey don't go to any trouble. I'm not in the market for a replacement for my Townace. I just happened to have seen one of these knocking around and wondered how they compared in terms of spec.
- (#7421) Ian Dunse, 5 Jan 04 05:13
John, I would be interested in more info on the Liverpool container auctions if you can provide it - is that £800+ per container?? - is the buyer liable for the import taxes etc.
- (#7421) chris turner, 8 Jan 04 09:11
There are lots of these auctions all over the country. What the exporters seem to is, book and pay for space in advance, and if there is space remaining, they shove in a few containers of extra vans, cars etc straight from the auctions. When they dock here, they off load them and auction them off on the dock side. There is one of these at Southampton docks, I believe on dock gate 10. But its finding out when and exactly where they are. And there are two things you need before you are allowed to bid. One is cash to pay for any successful bid, and the other is a transporter to remove it.
- (#7421) dave Bright (Bournemouth), 8 Jan 04 10:11