Power Kite Forum

Considering a new kite van. Anyone know about L300 Delicas?

Feyd - 14-3-2017 at 04:50 AM

I love our Honda Odyssey. It does 90% of what I want a vehicle to do during our snowkite season. Even being FWD with the tire combo I run it goes through darn near anything in the winter.

My only issue with it is clearance.

So now I'm on the hunt for kite van that is small like the Honda but has 4x4 and clearance. The Mitsubishi Delica L300 is what I have my eye on. It pretty much matches everything I want in a kite rig.

Anyone have any experience with them? They are more common north of the border and elsewhere and i know it's a long shot but just curious if anyone here has some input.

hiaguy - 14-3-2017 at 05:43 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Feyd  
They are more common north of the border and elsewhere and i know it's a long shot but just curious if anyone here has some input.

I have nothing against Mitsubishi (full disclosure: I am a Mazda fanboy), but the Delica never sold in any quantity in Canada; they were imported by fanatics. I would hazard a guess that there are less than 5,000 in the country. A quick search on AutoTrader shows 10 available - and they're all on the west coast.
The reviews for them are reasonably good, but there aren't any newer in Canada than the 2000 model-year. So, feel free, but don't expect easily available parts.
Good luck.

RonH - 14-3-2017 at 06:46 PM

yep,

they are all here in the Vancouver area...

fanatics. that says it all. Good luck getting parts in a timely manner. got to hope you never break down while on a trip

Ron

Unk - 15-3-2017 at 02:32 AM

How about this?

Go anywhere camper

For those serious weekends away when you have got to take everything.
Might just run it by the wife, im sure she will be ok with it if I can find somewhere to part it ;)

abkayak - 15-3-2017 at 05:50 AM

Mitsubishi is the largest owner of drift nets in the world responsible for indescrimanate killing across all the oceans
everyone has there cause...jusayin

John Holgate - 15-3-2017 at 03:12 PM

I think Rob Lukin has a Mitsubishi 4wd van....not sure if it's a Delica or not. Shoot him a pm on XK - he's had it for quite a few years now and will be able to give you his opinion.

indigo_wolf - 16-3-2017 at 12:20 PM

Mayhap a Land Rover Judge Dredd?




Forgive me... I was weak and couldn't resist. :embarrased:

ATB,
Sam

hiaguy - 16-3-2017 at 01:04 PM

Sam, that might just be the first picture post of yours that I've seen without a feline theme.

indigo_wolf - 16-3-2017 at 01:17 PM

Quote: Originally posted by hiaguy  
Sam, that might just be the first picture post of yours that I've seen without a feline theme.


Sadly in the photo, reflections obscure who is riding shotgun. Let's remedy that before people get the wrong idea and things get out of hand. :o



Notice the data gauntlet that allows kitty to assume control of the Dredd in case his human is incapacitated . Also the requisite goggles... in case, the windshield is shot out.

Now, back to our regular scheduled programming.



ATB,
Sam

soliver - 16-3-2017 at 09:57 PM

Honda Element with a Gobi roof rack... boom done.

I swear I'm not biased.

Feyd - 17-3-2017 at 04:53 AM

Before we got the Odyssey we looked at the Element. Nearly perfect except for the size. If Honda made a long wheel base element with sliding doors, I would own one today.

But then it would be a "mini-van" which to many is some type of dirty word. :P



320x240.jpg - 59kB

Feyd - 17-3-2017 at 05:01 AM

The Delica is essentially the same idea. But with more off-road leanings and the ground clearance to be able to get into unplowed parking.

It's small enough to get into anywhere but has the room to carry all of our school gear in the winter while being able to double as a camper.



0-4-24.jpg - 42kB

stetson05 - 17-3-2017 at 01:31 PM

That van looks very capable. I have a friend that has the 3500 Nissan van. It is only rear wheel drive but they have a 4wd option. His van is a monster and goes pretty much where ever he wants. 4wd would only make it better. It might be too big or too much $ for what you are looking for.

ssayre - 17-3-2017 at 02:32 PM

europe gets all the cool stuff.
https://www.volkswagen-vans.co.uk/range/camper-vans-t6

ssayre - 17-3-2017 at 02:34 PM

double

Feyd - 17-3-2017 at 05:09 PM

They do. FWIW, the VW Synchro 4WD vans were made by Mitsubishi. As were the Toyota 4wd vans.

But they aren't spec'd as utilitarian as the Delica branded vans.


Seriously, what more could i ask for ?:P
https://youtu.be/Gxhf4Arbv-c

Bladerunner - 17-3-2017 at 06:06 PM

They must have dumped a shipload of them in B.C.. All right hand drive. They are everywhere. I only worry about parts and service?

If you are going this route include B.C. in your search. Our dollar is pathetic compared to U.S. right now. The boarder shouldn't be too much issue if you buy before they tear up NAFTA.

soliver - 17-3-2017 at 08:31 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Feyd  
The Delica is essentially the same idea. But with more off-road leanings and the ground clearance to be able to get into unplowed parking.

It's small enough to get into anywhere but has the room to carry all of our school gear in the winter while being able to double as a camper.





Aha!,... I see,... That IS pretty cool!... I'm super pleased with my E. My only complaint is that when I really need a work horse, it is hindered by its very light weight payload capacity. But it is AWD, so when those random Ice storms hit ATL, I'm one of the few on the road :D

Here he is all buggy-ed down for JIBE: