2003 Mitsubishi Galant ES review from North America

Only have had the car for a few months now... A few nagging issues.

First noticeable; the rear defroster when ON, statics out the radio. Just a wiring problem there...

More nagging... the AC when on leaks on the passenger side, and is fairly noisy for a newer car.

The key also sometimes has trouble coming out the ignition slot, which can really be irritating since it's the factory made key.

This car overall has been the best purchase my girlfriend has ever made in terms of cars. She's been riding in the unreliable and not so refined GM mobiles, and I've finally been able to persuade her to cross over the Japanese ways.

Since she couldn't afford a Toyota or Honda, we took a chance on a Mitsubishi this time around. This car reminds me of the 2000 Toyota Camry in the way it rides, handles, and accelerates. The 2.4L is more than adequate for someone in the suburbs who has an equal balance of stop n go and freeway driving. The engine will never become rambunctious unless you floor the automatic transmission that shifts for maximum power and downshifts when appropriate.

Gas mileage really could have been better, and definitely isn't as good as the Toyota and Honda 4 bangers, but isn't BAD at all.

Inside the car, the front seats are more than comfortable in a durable cloth material. The side door panels are a mixture of plastic and cloth as well, which feels appropriate for the car.

The dislikes come elsewhere... The center dash where the radio and climate controls are located the silver plastic lining is faded and chipped (before the car was purchased).

The dimming light for the AC and rear defroster seems very DIM during the day.

The top of the dashboard itself creates an awful glare at times into the windshield.

All buttons and dashboard pieces itself feel well constructed and well fitted, unlike GM cars we've had in the past.

Another gripe is for a car of this size, the rear seat has very minimal leg and toe space if the front seats are half way set back. It's by no means a compact car space in the back, but it just seems like it should have been more for being mid sized.

Theres no dome light in the center, and only in the front. Since this car is used with 2 occupants in the back a lot of the time, it's difficult to see anything towards the back, as the front dome light really only illuminates what's in the front ONLY.

Overall, as this car what priced right on the second hand market, I can't complain much, even though some things about it seem disappointing. A few steps back from Honda and Toyota IMO, but a lot of steps forward from the usual domestic product.