1999 Mitsubishi Diamante review from North America

Traction control - faulty before purchase (130,000), causing car to eat through brakes.

Head gasket blew - 150,000 miles.

Back seats worn badly prior to purchase (negligence of owner)

Starter seized up - 165,000.

A/C condenser seized up - 145,000.

Headliner fell in - first stages upon buying (riding with windows down only increased this)

Stock Infinity stereo CD player - quit reading lightly scratched disk - 140,000.

Fuel economy - (factory tag: 22-27hwy) actual: 22 hwy.

This car handles like a Cadillac. It has soft suspension; great for long highway stretches.

Comes with lots of easy to use and easy to access controls, 6 cup holders, and plenty of room for people riding in the back seats (just as long as you aren't a tall fellow).

My model had seat warmers, although not piping hot, they did adequately well.

The big 3.5L, has plenty of power (I easily out powered many other like import models). The transmission matches the engines torque perfectly, not even having the shift while climbing up and down hills. If not mistaken JDL power gave an award for this experimental transmission of the Diamante this year (don't quote me).

One major downside was, while trying to hide speaker wiring, I was trying to place back a panel that hides the seatbelt system. Too much pressure while putting it back in, caused an explosion in the harness system, which caused the seat belt to lock up. After I realized I couldn't pop my trunk, my gas tank, the antennae wouldn't go up anymore, and also the key less entry failed to work. I never have found the fuse that controlled this, but thanks too many extras the rear antennae help with some radio. Dealership estimates for this and other fixes were outrageous. Found cheap used parts at (www.all-parts.com).

Lastly, access to the back 3 spark plugs for self-maintenance were limited due to the air intake being in the way. This is a costly maintenance repair for less inclined.