Deli Dream Dead for California

NickS said:
I recently got my van registered in California. Just wanted to put what I did for people for future reference
1. Bought my van from delicausa.com. I researched importing one from Canada or Japan and a direct import into California from another country is nearly impossible. Even though getting it already titled and imported may cost a little more. The piece of mind of a sound vehicle was worth. Since They do a thorough inspection.
2. Had them(Delica USA) set me up with temporary in transit plates. They referred me to Pacific Coast Auto out of Oceanside and to contact Emily. I I thought ok, maybe.
3. After they shipped it. I called my local Statefarm agent. Who we have our other policies with. Told her what it was, that it had a short vin and wouldnt show up in her system, etc. She said ok. I had my proof of insurance within the hour.
4. Checked around for closer vin verifiers in my area. After researching that since it does have a short vin that that is the way to go. Also anything I could do to not go the DMV. None of them seemed to really no anything and would send me straight to the CHP.
5. I decided to call Emily at Pacific Coast Auto. Some people on some forums said she was rude. I found her to be nice, hilarious but also kinda of a stern bad ass. She told me the cost, which included paying taxes to CA (which I thought about lying about my bill of sale, but wanted no hiccups) Told me to send her all my paperwork and fill out a power of attorney form so she could sign for me. Allowing me to never drive the 5 hours to Oceanside. She said she has registered about 30 Delis 2 of which had to go to CHP for vin verification and inspection. I asked why that was, sounds like a luck of the draw sort of things. Mine however made 3 that had to go CHP.
6. CHP. After receiving that news I thought I was fucked. The CHP in Ventura does not take appointments. First come first serve Tuesday and Thursday starting at 7am. I got there at 7:30. I read the office opened at 8. But turns out they start Vin/Inspection stuff early. There were 3 people ahead of me. I waited a hour and half. The line grew quite a bit in that time. I had all the appropriate paperwork back from Emily. The officer asked who had prepared it because I guess there were things that were good to have filled out on hand. I drove to the back area. Popped "the hood" and went back out front to wait another 45 minutes. Officer Thomas came back up front gave me the paperwork all signed and I was on my way!!
7.Sent it back to Emily. 3 days later I had my plates and registration. Never once went to the DMV. Worth every penny. Deli dream in California is alive for me!
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Hello, do you have contact no. for Emily in Pacific Coast Auto? I tried to google it but I can't find their website.
 
Officially owned my Delica over 1 year in CA and happy to have my registration renewed without any problems.
 
Can you share the process of getting your van registered in California for Delica owners or people who wants to purchase one of this
 
fermiench said:
Can you share the process of getting your van registered in California for Delica owners or people who wants to purchase one of this
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I write about my experience in the first page of this thread. If you have a specific question let me know and I’d be happy to answer.
 
fermiench said:
Can you share the process of getting your van registered in California for Delica owners or people who wants to purchase one of this
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I listed every step of my process earlier in the thread.

Ask for Emily

Pacific Choice Auto Registration & Insurance
(800) 840-CHOICE (2464)

Our Oceanside Office:
602 Mission Ave
Oceanside, CA 92054
 
Kyre said:
Officially owned my Delica over 1 year in CA and happy to have my registration renewed without any problems.
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You said that you bought your van in Delicausa.com , do you have any seepage of oil around the engine bay ? Mine has a little seepage, hopefully they can take care of that.
 
fermiench said:
You said that you bought your van in Delicausa.com , do you have any seepage of oil around the engine bay ? Mine has a little seepage, hopefully they can take care of that.
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My injection pump started leaking diesel after 3 months and I had a bad transfer case seal that leaked. Also got all my belts and timing belt/water pump done at the same time since it was never done due to low mileage. Got those fixed and no leaks since. This is on a van that only had 80k/km.

Not sure where or how bad you’re leaking oil. Leaking onto the ground or just some oil on the engine when you open the hatch? If you just bought the van I’d say they should help rectify to an extent (leaking oil into the ground) since they say they do a 100 point inspection and things like that should have been caught up front.
 
It doesn't look all that bad actually. These old diesels will seep a bit.

Was it super clean before you got it and now this is what it looks like, or are you just looking now?

You might have a hard time having Delica USA pay for any of that if the van is running great. I'd keep an eye on everything, make sure oil isn't dripping on the ground and enjoy the van.
 
I have the van for a week already and I just got under the van 2 days ag. I like the color of the van and the interior.I'm wondering why they have small engine and under power, I hope I can swap it with a bigger and have higher HP engine, have you done any mods?
 
Kyre said:
Yeah I would try a different DMV, it’s unfortunate you have to deal with CHP now.

That’s the main reason I had my VIN verified through a private verifier. I didn’t need to show any import papers or EPA info and no CHP.

Wonder if you can start the process over, get it verified then go to a different DMV with all paperwork filled?
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Hi, I'm having hard time with Emily at Pscific Choice Auto Registration at this time, she's kinda rude and she told me she had lot of things to do and won't be able to assist me until Monday. She said she has no resources at the moment. She said to stop calling her all the time,lol. I just want to asked what paperworks should I bring to DMV SF and get this done right away. One more question, what is the grace period to get the van registered once it landed to CA?
 
I don't know what Pacific Choice does but the biggest hurdle is VIN verification. I used this company (guys name is Michael) http://www.dmvvinverifier.com/ to verify, then took my paperwork to the DMV and was good to go. They did have questions about smog, but you just have to remind them it's a pre-97 diesel (no smog necessary). Also the VIN is shorter but they can override that especially since all cars pre 1981 in the US didnt have 17 digit vins.

I'd say you're good to go with grace period for registration as long as the PA temp plate is still valid (I believe they give either 30 or 60 days from what I remember?). When you go to the DMV to register, they don't know when you arrived back in SF.
 
So, I only need the application for title and registration,the current title plus the vin verification, right? any paperworks that I need to give to DMV?Do you have Michael Doyle contact no. Vin verifier?
 
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Yeah, you may have to bring the VIN verification paperwork to Michael for him to fill out. You then bring all that paperwork with you to the DMV. His contact info is in the link I sent.
 
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