I hear that white ones are good. But red ones go faster.

i hear the 2.4L hiaces are pretty much the go with best bang for buck.
i'm also thinking of getting one to so more info would be nice.

I recently bought a SWB 96 Mitsubishi Delica for $10K.

My 245 cm board fits in the back but the nose sticks between the front two seats. I think the LWB model is around 30 cms longer in the back. However I live in the city and it would be much more of a pain parking the longer van.

Delicas are nice vans. Very comfortable inside with lots of mod cons. Having a proper 4WD system gives them a bit of flexibility on camping trips.

A great thing about mine is the window tint. Its a white car with reflective tint. Its very difficult to see inside, even at night. Inside you have great visibility all around.

I am uncertain of VW reliability. I would not say often, but I sometimes see broken down VW vans on the side of the row, two in the last month. I hear VW parts are expensive and difficult to obtain too.

I have a Toyota Hiace long wheel base diesel,and regularly carry 3.1metre (10ft) surfboard in back, have carried 11ft but that needs to lay up on front seat one end.Reliability is fantastic ,spares are easily obtained and there are lots around in wreckers for bits and pieces.I owned several older Kombis over the last 20 years(one was my only vehicle for 18 years) ,they too were very reliable, but parts and people who can carry out VW repairs are less plentiful ,and you don't have the access to vehicles in wreckers with VW that you do with Toyota .The diesel engine is very economical but when a major repair is necessary can be very expensive ,I think best scenario Toyota petrol ,VW only if you have the real desire for a less common van and the extra cash to afford to be different.

toyota hiace or mitsubishi express LWB. See white van thread ,general section.

Mobydisc said...

I recently bought a SWB 96 Mitsubishi Delica for $10K.

My 245 cm board fits in the back but the nose sticks between the front two seats. I think the LWB model is around 30 cms longer in the back. However I live in the city and it would be much more of a pain parking the longer van.

Delicas are nice vans. Very comfortable inside with lots of mod cons. Having a proper 4WD system gives them a bit of flexibility on camping trips.

A great thing about mine is the window tint. Its a white car with reflective tint. Its very difficult to see inside, even at night. Inside you have great visibility all around.

I am uncertain of VW reliability. I would not say often, but I sometimes see broken down VW vans on the side of the row, two in the last month. I hear VW parts are expensive and difficult to obtain too.

Too right! I would have gone for the long wheel base myself (had I done some homework) 30cms is a fair bit when you realise it covers not only your board but the masts as well.... Go the muppet bus!

Want to make sure you get to water before wind dies?

Get one of these vans...

http://videos.streetfire.net/video/53a3e56a-adef-4122-b822-99b300d95d08.htm

Oh the joys of acquiring and fitting out a van, I had and old Bedford with a V8 on straight gas, it was sweet, quick and economical. Suggest a LWB van, heaps of room for trips away.

Vans don't have to be slow either.......Slowboat has/had? an L300 I think but not as fast as one of these...

L300 with stock like wheels and hubcaps 10.83 sec 122mph 1/4mile



L300 complete with roof rack/conduit for that quick plumbing job around the corner, drag tyres on 9.66 138mph 1/4mile



Or how about an old Hiace they still go really well, this ones on straight LPG/turbo, street tyres great for that quick dash down the coast after work.
9.9 sec at 138 mph

aus301 said...
And at one stage Robbie Bolger had a rocket powered Hiace, I think it would get pretty hot in that one though, and not a great deal of room left for gear after the rocket was fitted.

If it's the one I'm thinking of, it was a turbofan engine from a MiG. The van showed up at a couple of V8 races, and did a run down the straight.

Acceleration looked pretty ordinary, but top speed was pretty good The rumour mill said that he's since gotten the engine tuned by some air force guys and it performs a lot better now...

hmm its a tough one, as i live in the uk haha, vw quality is very very good if you can get get a caravelle with a vr6 engine in it your laughing, lwb will get your gear in no problem, the lwb transporter t4 is best really for your gear and the 2.5tdi has enough poke aswell, on the other hand hiace will go and go, drive into the sea unload your gear when the sea goes back out drive it away, blow it up and it will carry on, whatever you decide lwb is the best idea,
hope i helped, any other questions feel free to ask (i know my vans)
matt

i own a little mid wheel base 1998 hiace. i swear by it!! my 240 board fits length ways perfect! has heaps of grunt and pick up... and its true!! vans do awsome burnouts! no weight in back means less friction! have just installed a split level floor. i will post some pics but its definatly the way to go!

all the best, chris

Is that typical of the age and style of cars that are still on the road in New Zealand????????

westozwind said...

I love this van.
4x4 pajero underneath on LWB L400 starwagon van.

All the fruit. 2 air cons, electric windows, cruise control, great seats with arm rests.

and you can fit all this in!


You know you want one

Oooohhh Yeah. Van porn! Love it............

There are plenty of Delica's on the road now (here in WA) and I have a good mechanic that has not had a problem so far.
Plenty of add on bits too.

Parts
delicaparts.com.au/

Parts and Bling
www.delicashop.com/
www.delicashopwa.com/

More info
www.delicaclub.com/

What about those new Hyundai ILoads,? They look ok....anyone got one??