OT: JDM Vans??

[Mikej]

Rollover ratings? Yikes! I lived in Japan for a year, max speed limit was 50 kph on the freeway, not sure I’d want to use one In the US.

[JAGI410]

Originally Posted by mcfarton

The thing that always gets me about older vehicles that are not old enough to be a classic is the smell. The use of cheap materials and crap glue on the inside has an smell. Most of them have gotten wet inside and also have an element of mold/mildew.

Fair point, and I've read that a lot of these Japanese imports have a heavy tobacco smoke smell too.

[likebikes]

Originally Posted by Mikej

Rollover ratings? Yikes! I lived in Japan for a year, max speed limit was 50 kph on the freeway, not sure I’d want to use one In the US.

50kph on the highway? so like 30mph?

is that a joke?

[R3awak3n]

lol. There is a lot of mis information on this thread. I can totally say that this is a bike forum and not a JDM van forum.

Highway speed in japan is 100km/h I think, which equals to a bout 60mph. The Delica van I posted does about 65mph, probably do more but most happy at 60-65mph so it would be fine on american highways, of course merging will suck but once going it would be fine. Newer delicas can do a bit more and they have more power and are safer and easier to drive in the US.

[merlinmurph]

Here's a good story on a Delica.

[SlowPokePete]

There's a Delica parked at Coffee Moto Machine in Hudson, NY a lot.

SPP

[R3awak3n]

Originally Posted by SlowPokePete

There's a Delica parked at Coffee Moto Machine in Hudson, NY a lot.

SPP

yeah I have see it there a bunch of times, on that parking lot to the left of it

[SlowPokePete]

Originally Posted by R3awak3n

yeah I have see it there a bunch of times, on that parking lot to the left of it

Exactly.

I took a pic of it last time I was there, too lazy to get my phone and put it of Flick'r lol.

SPP

[mattsbeers]

I happen to be the owner of two JDM vans and would love to answer any questions. I have a kei van (Honda Acty) which is super fun and gets lots of looks but not "practical" for anything over 40ish mph. DO not attempt to take on the freeway! The speed limit in Japan is about 55mph, most vehicles have a courtesy chime that goes off at 90kph.

You want a Delica but not the one in the posts. You want a later L400 with either the 2.8 turbo diesel or the v6. They are bigger and can actually do 70mph without your foot flat to the floor. I imported my 1996 Delica Space Gear from Vancouver. They could import them to Canada after 15 years and there are lots of them in Canada and lots of support.

If you buy from a dealer the paper work is easy.

Happy to answer any questions!

[R3awak3n]

Originally Posted by mattsbeers

I happen to be the owner of two JDM vans and would love to answer any questions. I have a kei van (Honda Acty) which is super fun and gets lots of looks but not "practical" for anything over 40ish mph. DO not attempt to take on the freeway! The speed limit in Japan is about 55mph, most vehicles have a courtesy chime that goes off at 90kph.

You want a Delica but not the one in the posts. You want a later L400 with either the 2.8 turbo diesel or the v6. They are bigger and can actually do 70mph without your foot flat to the floor. I imported my 1996 Delica Space Gear from Vancouver. They could import them to Canada after 15 years and there are lots of them in Canada and lots of support.

If you buy from a dealer the paper work is easy.

Happy to answer any questions!

yeah the space gear is a better van at every single aspect but one, looks... it looks like a mini van. While the L300 was a pretty special looking van, the l400 is not. However, what I say is, if you actually want to use the van, the l400 is the one to get, if you want to have a cute van to use here and there, then the l300 is just cooler.

also the acty is my new obession. I have been looking.

[mattsbeers]

also the acty is my new obession. I have been looking.

I had that last summer I drove a few Kei trucks but at 6'2'' I was too tall to fit. I have the Van version of that truck and it is very roomy.

The L400 Delica has more of a presence in person.

[R3awak3n]

Originally Posted by mattsbeers

I had that last summer I drove a few Kei trucks but at 6'2'' I was too tall to fit. I have the Van version of that truck and it is very roomy.

The L400 Delica has more of a presence in person.

Ill be honest, never seen one in person. I have seen countless L300 and they are definitely cool. Id probably take a 400 over a 300 because I would actually want to use.

[truth]

Have you considered a Chevy Astro/GMC Safari?

I have an AWD astro and while it lacks luxury it's been reliable and parts are dirt cheap when something breaks.

[Pumablk]

I clicked thinking this was going to be a thread about shoes. Live and learn, I guess.

On a more serious note, I remember seeing these vans and trucks when visiting family in Trinidad. Very cool, indeed.

[72gmc]

I like the idea of an Acty that’s repainted and fitted with new wheels and tires. My kid says 20+ coats of sparkle paint, a la a low rider at a car show, should do just fine.