2001 Mitsubishi Diamante LS from North America - Comments

Rotors tend to prematurely warp under great driving conditions about every 20k miles. About $150 per rotor X 4 not incl new pads and labor.

Infamous Heater Core problem. Tends to happen with a lot of Diamantes and is EXPENSIVE. You have more of a chance of this problem happening to you, than not happening. When this problem happens, you MUST fix it. Antifreeze will leak into the car all over the front passenger side rug and affixiate you. There is 2 ways to fix this. Prices for this job range between $800-$1400 parts and labor.

Due to the Heater Core problem, antifreeze may drip down on the computer. Because of this, my computer is partly fried, and the heat intermittenly shuts on & off around every 40 min. To replace the computer I think it's $1500 w/o labor.

Wipers sometimes don't return to fully down position after shutting off.

6 Cd changer is malfunctioning and not useable. Its OK, because the radio unit also has a single CD slot.

I'm not here to complain about this car. I'm here to give an honest review with a "real world" opinion, and not a pessimistic hate blog about this car. All cars have problems, some common, some unlikely.

The 2000-2001 Diamantes are the flagship of MItsubishi. As with any flagship type car, parts, and repair are expensive, and labor is usually intense. Operating costs are more expensive. If you can afford to buy the car, but don't want to use the reccommended 93 octane, and you do your oil changes too far apart because its expensive, then don't buy the car, because in reality if you can't keep up with it, then you can't afford it. If you cheap out on the car, don't complain when it cheaps out on you.

According to reviews, the Diamante is highly under-rated. I drove both Diamantes, BMW's and some Mercedes. In most cases, the Diamante was better than lower model BMW's and similar to lower model Mercedes.

If you want to buy a Diamante, you better be prepared for this...

1) Put the reccomended 93 octane gas in. This will save your motor life in the long term. Besides, why a car company tell you to put the most expensive gas in it if it didn't need it. Wouldn't that be bad marketing? It's a high compression motor.

2) You heater core may go. This requires 6 hours of labor, and removal of the dash. If the heater core is not bad, you may be able to just replace the leaky orings for about $800. If the heatercore unit is replaced, it will be more expensive. Depending on the honesty of your dealership, they may tell you to replace the whole heatercore when it only needs oring replacement.

3) I do major highway driving. I get about 315 miles to the tankfull. I think it's a 16-18 gal tank.

4) Brake rotors tend to warp very early causing pulsating petal.

This is a very comfortable car, for reasonable operating costs. However when maintennance arrives, costs go up. Despite few problems, I would buy this car again.

There's a quick fix for heater core problem that seems to be working: $5 for Stop-leak tablets from GM dealership (has to be GM!!!). 50/50 shot but it's worth it: $5 vs $800 to fix it, mine has been holding on for the last 1.5 years.

Rotors are not the problem, people's driving habits are. I had my rotors for 92K now and no problem, resurfaced once. I am on my second set of pads (replaced at @60K), third set of tires (replaced @30k, 60k, new set has about 50% thread left with 92K on the car).

Gas mileage is bad, I get 16mpg/city, 21mpg/hwy. I don't put premium in my car anymore and I don't notice any difference.

I would suggest doing your tranny flushes every 30K for sure, and timing belt every 90K.

I would not buy another Diamante, although I'm VERY pleased with mine except for the fact that it depreciates so fast. Your best bet would be to find a low mileage older Diamante in good condition for about $4k-$5k and you're set. Good luck!

2001 Diamante: My overall opinion is very poor, and it's a car that Mits will not stand behind.

30k - heater core O ring failed after 5 years and one month, $1.49 O ring and $700 labor. Not covered out of warranty.

50k - Rust, not covered. Had to live with it.

61k - Transmission failed, no help from Mits, $2,500 out of warranty.

62k - TCL light and anti lock brake light on, $600-$700 out of warranty.

60k - timing belt and maintenance done, around $1,100.

These cars should have been recalled for the heater core and transmission problems.

You do the math. This car is a HUGE disappointment. I'm ready to give the American car makers a try again. I can't afford to get rid of the car now......

I agree with the poor rotors. I do mostly highway driving and easy braking. The OEM rotors do warp well before their time.

My heater core o-rings leaked also. I think 8 out of 10 Diamantes will do this (about $800) and should've been a class action suit. The rear passenger speed sensor is also a common problem ($600 and should also be a recall).

My climate control also has a fluctuating heat temp problem (I think it's an electrical glitch).

The problem with these Diamantes is that there is virtually no aftermarket parts for these cars regarding other than basic maintenance. There is no competition to lower prices.

You need to put the recommended premium gas in this car and any other cars that recommend it!! You may or may not notice a difference for a while, but long term you will have major carbon buildup and engine breakdown.