1997 Mitsubishi Galant RS 4-cylinder from North America

Summary:

I LOVE it!

Faults:

I have no complaints, nothing has gone wrong with this car.

General Comments:

We bought this car when we were flat broke; went to the dealer because we desperately needed a car, and basically asked for the "littlest, cheapie model". We were given a lot demo with 12000 miles on it. We've been running it for 9 years now, and for the first 5 (while we were paying) we didn't even do so much as an oil change. Once we paid it off, we realized we'd better take care of it so we change the oil regularly now. My husband wants to buy a new car just because we can afford it now, but I want to keep this one since it is so quick, fuel efficient, and reliable. He won't fix anything on it now, so when I have the oil changed, I ask the shop guys to "look around and find anything wrong" for preventive maintenance. They never find anything. The only thing I have to do now is change the tires when they need it, and every couple of years, have the brakes done. I cannot believe how cheap this car has been for us. I don't know if I'd buy another, because I think we got the opposite of a lemon, because its been great, but other owners never seem to have as high opinion as I do. If I knew it would be as reliable, I'd buy another.

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

Review Date: 3rd January, 2007

5th Feb 2007, 15:30

Let me get this straight. You didn't change the oil for five years!!! That sounds impossible to me. How can that possibly be true?

15th Mar 2007, 21:25

They just topped off the oil, my father did it with his 95 mercury minivan when he was running it into the ground with 166000 miles. The car had a mitsu engine and it ran great without the oil being changed for something like 18 months, didn't hurt the car a bit. Of course I don't suggest it and it was only done because the car wasn't worth much money.

In reply to 15th Mar 2007, 21:25

17th Jan 2012, 16:15

"Didn't hurt the car one bit"

How do you know? Are you a professional mechanic? Or maybe the car told you so? "Nah, that's OK, I don't need oil! I'm Japanese!"

You need to specify that it didn't harm the vehicle TO YOUR KNOWLEDGE. Most people can get away with yearly oil changes, but more than that is excessive. I'm a professional aircraft mechanic, ask me how I know.

1997 Mitsubishi Galant ES 2.4 from North America

Summary:

A lemon..

Faults:

Transmission jerk from 1st to 2nd and 2nd to 3rd gear. So called "Fuzzy logic adaptive" shifting way too annoying. Transmission started to fail, according to Mitsu Dealer (below 100Kmiles).

Ball joint replaced (very expensive as they come with control arms!) and then broke!!!

Ignition key problem, no start when cold.

Check engine light ON and idle surging. Replaced idle control motor from dealer... way expensive!!! wow... then broke within a month. Replaced under warranty...

Check engine light on for radiator sensor!!! Radiator started to lose coolant!!! Nothing on the floor though!!!

Annoying rattle from different corners. Sluggish acceleration (May be because of transmission issue).

General Comments:

Expecting Honda or Toyota equivalent reliability from this Japanese manufacturer. But turned out as unreliable as American cars!!! (Found out Mitsu had joint research with Chrysler. Maybe rather then improving, the later dragged down reliability of former!!!)

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 28th November, 2006

2nd Dec 2006, 07:07

You can't expect guarenteed reliability from a car just because it's Japanese. The foreign manufacturers are just as capable of making a "lemon" as our domestic guys are. I'd say look your next car over real good before you buy. Take it home as a "demo" for a couple days if possible (like a test-drive, but longer and it'll give you a much better idea of the car). Don't buy a car based solely on its "reputation".. True my '89 Accord has had the stereotypical Honda reliability (over 200k miles and no major repairs or rebuilds). But the same could be said for my father's Hyundai and my sister's Chevy. Doesn't matter who makes a car, if its been neglected by the previous owner or poorly designed from the get-go (Mitsubishi's transmissions?) it's gonna cost you no matter what. Research, Research, Research.

5th Dec 2006, 21:46

Very true, and very good advice!