Hi everyone
I apologise if this has been covered elsewhere but I could not find a thread on it.
I am hoping to buy a Delta Evo 1 or 2 this spring as my annual mileage will fall to 10,000 (maximum).
However, reading up on the web it seems that ownership is fraught with horror stories.
Having previously run a 120,000 mile Dedra and three Thema Turbos as a family with very few serious issues, this does not tally with my experience of Lancia. Is the Delta a special case?
Could anyone offer an objective view of running a Delta on a regular basis in the UK in terms of costs & reliability? I'd need to rely on the car to some degree, although it would be a second car.
I know there is the old "if you have to ask" adage, but it doesn't really help!
All thoughts, advice and suggestions very much appreciated!
Enjoy your driving!
Tom
Advice before taking the plunge! (Also posted in "general")
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Leo Capaldi
Re: Advice before taking the plunge! (Also posted in "general")
Hello Tom,
An 8V integrale is my every day car. This followed a Thema LS Turbo. After about a week of ownership of the Delta, I thought "What a ridiculous car". The Thema has the same straight line performance and in realistic terms it corners very well. The difference comes when driving in "hooligan mode" on the public highway, or on a circuit. The stiff suspension on an integrale means that (assuming the roads in your area are as bad as mine) the car shakes itself apart. So CV joints and suspension bits do not last long. Wheel rims suffer a lot. Engine and transmission seem to be robust enough and comparable to the equivalent Thema. A friend in Glasgow has just decided to replace his Blue Lagos car with something a bit softer due to the constant battering on pot-holes and the stress of having to drive with eyes straining to spot the bumps in the road surface. Yes the Delta is great fun in the right conditions but I know that for general motoring the Thema is the one. The guys who rave about integrales are usually people who have cars that do low mileages and their previous car was a Golf.
The left hand drive is tolerable but can be a pain, typically if stuck behind a bus or lorry that has stopped in front - without a passenger it can be extremely difficult to see if it is safe to pull out to pass. One develops a technique of holding back quite a distance in these situations and of course that bugs drivers behind you who wonder why you are leaving such a big gap or not pulling out. I live and work in a rural area, but I don't think that I would enjoy the Delta if I was commuting in town.
Sorry to be negative, I have great respect for integrales and for the past 20 years have never been without a Delta.
I would also point out that the integrale attracts a lot of attention and I find myself conscious of not just parking it anywhere. I would happily park a Thema anywhere for long periods.
I find the fuel costs actually better than the Thema but renewal of parts is more frequent so therefore more expensive to own.
My advice would be to find a nice Thema LS Turbo. For me my next daily driver will hopefully be a Lybra SW, and keep the Delta for occasional use.
Leo
An 8V integrale is my every day car. This followed a Thema LS Turbo. After about a week of ownership of the Delta, I thought "What a ridiculous car". The Thema has the same straight line performance and in realistic terms it corners very well. The difference comes when driving in "hooligan mode" on the public highway, or on a circuit. The stiff suspension on an integrale means that (assuming the roads in your area are as bad as mine) the car shakes itself apart. So CV joints and suspension bits do not last long. Wheel rims suffer a lot. Engine and transmission seem to be robust enough and comparable to the equivalent Thema. A friend in Glasgow has just decided to replace his Blue Lagos car with something a bit softer due to the constant battering on pot-holes and the stress of having to drive with eyes straining to spot the bumps in the road surface. Yes the Delta is great fun in the right conditions but I know that for general motoring the Thema is the one. The guys who rave about integrales are usually people who have cars that do low mileages and their previous car was a Golf.
The left hand drive is tolerable but can be a pain, typically if stuck behind a bus or lorry that has stopped in front - without a passenger it can be extremely difficult to see if it is safe to pull out to pass. One develops a technique of holding back quite a distance in these situations and of course that bugs drivers behind you who wonder why you are leaving such a big gap or not pulling out. I live and work in a rural area, but I don't think that I would enjoy the Delta if I was commuting in town.
Sorry to be negative, I have great respect for integrales and for the past 20 years have never been without a Delta.
I would also point out that the integrale attracts a lot of attention and I find myself conscious of not just parking it anywhere. I would happily park a Thema anywhere for long periods.
I find the fuel costs actually better than the Thema but renewal of parts is more frequent so therefore more expensive to own.
My advice would be to find a nice Thema LS Turbo. For me my next daily driver will hopefully be a Lybra SW, and keep the Delta for occasional use.
Leo
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Tom
Re: Advice before taking the plunge! (Also posted in "general")
Leo
Many thanks for this advice - apologies for slow response on my part due to being away for a couple of days.
Looks like the Thema might be a better route - or I might just hang onto my Saab 9-3 and let it carry me about reliably, if a little less inspiringly!
Thanks again
Tom
Many thanks for this advice - apologies for slow response on my part due to being away for a couple of days.
Looks like the Thema might be a better route - or I might just hang onto my Saab 9-3 and let it carry me about reliably, if a little less inspiringly!
Thanks again
Tom
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alan
Re: Advice before taking the plunge! (Also posted in "general")
try a nouva delta hpe hf roomier more practical than grale cheaper to buy second hand equally rapid in most circumstances (except if you always drive lunatic fast on bendy roads) parts easy as most are same as fiat coupe 16v turbo and baffles most young petrol heads in their souped up saxos as they have no idea what on earth it is!!!