1999 Mitsubishi Carisma GLX 1.8 petrol

Summary:

Dull but I liked it

Faults:

Mostly wear and tear, no problems. Kept serviced on time, the car never let me down.

General Comments:

One of my first cars in one of my first jobs, I liked this Carisma, very 1990's simple and reliable.

Japanese grey plastic interior. Comfortable, but not a nice place to be all day on long journeys.

1.8 petrol engine did a solid 38 mpg no matter how I drove, and I drove fast in my younger and dumber days. The car had an old man image, but I didn't care, it was good enough for me.

Not bad looking in silver.

If Mitsubishi put a bit more effort into style and driving fun with this car, it would been the perfect car. But as dependable family run about you cannot beat it. I sold in back in 2006 due to circumstances at the time, but would like to have kept it. You do not see many anymore, but they stopped making them years ago.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 7th May, 2026

1999 Mitsubishi Carisma GLX 1.8 petrol GDI

Summary:

Dull, boring efficient and mundane... rush out and buy one why don't you?

Faults:

Nothing of any significance really. I have applied faithfull servicing and use the best rather than budget parts.

General Comments:

This is as reliable as Night follows Day. I find the car was heavily discounted from new and that continued into the second hand value.

Pick one of these up, in good condition for Mini money. The Carisma has absolutely no Charisma whatsoever, and can only have been named with a twist of irony from its parentage, which it surprised me to find is... HOLLAND and not the land of the rising sun.

It does most things well, but I find the visibility is bloody awful... especially when reversing. You can damage the rear bumper at incredibly low speeds.

All in all a good mode of transport for little cash. The GDI is petrol and remarkably frugal for a 16v twin cam... You can cane it and it still delivers a smooth and quiet ride with few fuel pump stops.

Perhaps if Mitsubishi were looking to introduce a new model they could call it the STAID or the SENSIBLE... They already have the makings and underpinnings with the CARISMA (even the spellings naff)

As always drive carefully and remember - you're not the only one on the road.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 30th December, 2006

1999 Mitsubishi Carisma GDI SE 1.9 GDI

Summary:

Amazingly cheap and reliable

Faults:

Nothing has gone wrong with this car in over 200k!!!

Only consumable parts have been replaced including brakes, a clutch (at about 160k) and two exhausts.

For the person who is worried about the GDI being a bit noisy (especially at start up)... mine has been a bit rattly since 50k ish. Its been so long now I've forgotten!

General Comments:

Just amazing reliability. Check out the Warranty Direct ratings for an early (Mk 1) Carisma - must be the lowest score ever surely.

Bizarrely enough the only thing it doesn't have is charisma.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 9th May, 2006

1999 Mitsubishi Carisma GDI 1.8

Summary:

A good looking vehicle, but concerned I have bought a bad one

Faults:

My carisma has done only 56000 but sounds very noisy when started from cold. Dealer states this is not a problem, but I have concerns.

General Comments:

The vehicle seems slow going up hills needing to drop down into third on inclines that on my previous vehicle would shoot up in fourth.

Dealer states this is due to gearing of vehicle.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 23rd December, 2005

30th Dec 2006, 10:31

It appears that you can get a noisy petrol engined one, one that sounds more like a diesel, or a church mouse quiet one. Not sure of any long term problems from owning any... the fact that this is common knowledge around this engine should give you some confidence.

Uphill performance should be good.. There's almost 130BHP on tap.

Mine flies and is the church mouse type (Good service history probably helps here!!!) though 5th is definitely more like an overdrive.

1999 Mitsubishi Carisma GDI SE 1.8 petrol

Summary:

An excellent car for the money

Faults:

I received a letter from the local main dealer, requesting the car be returned for a free inspection and repair to the rear brake shoes, as a fault had been found with one type. The shoes were replaced free of charge.

No other faults at all.

General Comments:

The car is very responsive and economical for it's size.

There aren't nay manuals available for servicing the car, making some tasks a dealer only option.

The Avon tires that are normally fitted are not to be recommended in the wet. In the dry, they are excellent.

A few irritating squeaks are the only real niggle with the car.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 6th October, 2003