Hey guys,
I am trying to possibly import an odd-ball Japanese vehicle from Canada into the US, and I am not sure I will be able to fly out there to put eyes on it myself, but I trust the seller mostly. I would love to have someone look at the vehicle for me however, and I was wondering if there was any of our Canadian friends up that way that could take a look at it for me? If you can help out reply here, or PM me.
Thanks,
Chris
That's a very un-grassroots place to live 
but I remember at least one member is from there, from the "friggin' Canadians" thread.
I think transmaro is out that way
Actually, Vancouver Isl;and would be a nice place to live. Lot's of older British cars still around and Japanese market imports, too.
DeadSkunk wrote: Actually, Vancouver Isl;and would be a nice place to live. Lot's of older British cars still around and Japanese market imports, too.
Monaco would also be nice. But also not grassroots
I'm on the mainland.
People don't realise that you're not supposed to live on the island, it's only there to stop the tsunami.
It's like a third-world country. There's a ferry that costs nearly $100.00 each way, as a result everyone on the island is inbred.
Vancouver Island is our Florida. It's Gods waiting room over there.
Do you know anyone who I could trust out there to look at the vehicle for me? By the way I am typing this while on a ferry from martha's vineyard.
Chris
I might know a couple folks over there but they're not friends, more like business contacts.
You'd probably have to shell out some cash to get them to do it.
Depending on the car, it might be worthwhile though.
Send me a PM and I can give you some information.
Shawn
Do you need just someone to look at the car, it's there, runs, drives, confirms registration, ect. Or do you need someone who knows cars go though it?
Either way, but mostly I just need another set of eyes on it for me. It's awful far away.
I would be happy to if it wasn't on the island. But as you now know, it is a long expensive undertaking to get over there from the mainland.
One more time. Anyone in that area willing to help me out?
I think the problem is, there aren't any members on Vancouver Island.
SkinnyG is in BC but is a few hours drive from the coast.
I'm in Langley, about an hour from the ferry terminal, plus the 1.5 hour boat ride to the island plus ferry fees and gas.
I'll do it for you but I'll need my expenses covered.
There are plenty of racers on the island but I don't think many are members here.
Google maps says I'm six and a half hours from Victoria International Airport. Not something I'm willing to commit to.
What kind of car is it? Maybe I can find you a club with members over there. Unless someone lives there you will not get them to make the trip. And bear in mind it's not a small island. You really need someone in the right part of the island. Where is it?
My wife is from Victoria.
I'm afraid all my inlaws up that way are the "stick the key in, twist until it makes the right kind of noise, find "D" and off we go" types....
Fortunatly, I won't be forced to visit any time soon. Sorry.
Don't get me wrong, it's beutiful country up there...just way to many inbred militant hippies.
bearmtnmartin wrote: What kind of car is it? Maybe I can find you a club with members over there. Unless someone lives there you will not get them to make the trip. And bear in mind it's not a small island. You really need someone in the right part of the island. Where is it?
Coombs, BC. The vehicle in question is a Japanese spec Mitsubishi Delica 4wd diesel minivan.
Those things are strangely popular in BC. I will see what I can do.
I happen to have a cousin in Parksville just down the road. If you like I will have him suggest a reputable shop to have to owner drive it to. Then you can discuss a fee over the phone and pay for an inspection with a credit card.
One way to do it would be to pay for a BC provincial MVI. That would set you back about $125.00 and be very thorough.
Mazdax605 wrote: Coombs, BC. The vehicle in question is a Japanese spec Mitsubishi Delica 4wd diesel minivan.
A hippie van in hippie central!
You can't find one closer to you?
Those things are all over the place up here.
I'm over in West Vancouver, so can't be of any help, but the suggestion of the inspection for $125 is a good one. That, along with some good pictures, should allow you to assess condition.
FWIW, I see quite a few RHD Japanese cars here and almost all are in quite good condition - I believe the Japanese rules don't allow rusty or damaged cars to be licensed.
wspohn wrote: FWIW, I see quite a few RHD Japanese cars here and almost all are in quite good condition - I believe the Japanese rules don't allow rusty or damaged cars to be licensed.
I'll support this statement. We see a handful of these Canadian import vehicles in the NW US (with Canadian plates still, usually) and while on road trips into Canada and they're usually in very good shape for their age. I've never seen an imported one that was ratty.
I love the Delicas, and I've been eyeballing them quite a bit as they enter the magic 25 year old mark. I saw a particularly cool "Crystal Lite" 4x4 diesel RHD one a while back here in Portland, but the RHD part would make regular use kind of a PITA. Unfortunately, these particular types of Japanese built vehicles in that era are a heck of a lot harder to find in LHD from what I've seen. I've often wondered how hard it would be to convert to LHD with US-sold vans, but never enough to actually research it. I have enough projects as-is. 
If you don't find somebody who can check it out for you for free and can't figure something out with a local, let us know. I've got a good friend on Lopez Island (very close US island) that is a gearhead and has a lot of free time. I'm sure he'd go check it out if you covered his gas and ferry ticket. Sounds like you've got a handful of options, let us know what you figure out.
Bryce
Emailed a client who likes those trucks in the volkswagon variety. Here's what he said about them:
A little bit. I do know that the cheap ones right off the boat are not necessarily a great deal. They're old enough to usually need a (if I recall correctly) head gasket job and new engine bay rubber (hoses etc) which is not cheap. If you're thinking of one, get one that's had this done already, even though it'll cost more. Definitely join a forum and spend a quality evening or six reading up.
Parts are Japanese, thus expensive, but available. They're nice vehicles once the wear parts have been brought up to snuff.
Sounds like they have head issues perhaps.
My first contact with home market Japanese cars was in Vancouver back in about 1970. The local Lotus dealer was also selling Honda S800s and such and had brought in a Honda commercial vehicle as a parts truck. It had a flat bed at the back, with a short side around it and a motorcycle engine in the 3-400 cc range. Very light, and it would wind to 13,000 rpm (I had a ride in it when I was thinking about buying a Cortina Mk 2 from them). Would be a hoot to own!
Shortly before that I bought my first and only Japanese car, a 1968 Toyota Corolla - darned good little car, although the shocks were good for 10,000 at most.
Delica = Space Pig!
Comes in a distant second to the Hilux Surf.
RHD Diesel 4Runner? Yes please.
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