1982 Mitsubishi L300 1.6 petrol from Norway
Summary:
Disposable van
Faults:
To my knowledge, nothing.
But at a low 155k km, the engine had low compression on all cylinders and barely ran and was then scrapped. The problem was probably that it was an oil burner. We used to top up the engine with oil while driving from a 5L jug just for laughs, since the engine was placed under the center seat. We even had a heavy duty glove for the operation, the "oil glove" we called it.
When the van was scrapped it was totally falling apart; it had rust holes in the inner fenders that sprayed dirt into the compartment that we covered with duct tape.
General Comments:
My employers van. Bought second hand for pocket money since it burnt oil. Probably not the car's fault, don't think it ever was serviced. Just added oil. Really slow and under powered even when empty. A genuine disposable van. No point in spending any money on repairs, it was anyhow falling apart. But: Always started. Never left us stranded.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 23rd September, 2025
5th Nov 2009, 00:41
My parents had an L300 (I never knew that's what it was called) and it is still my favorite van/car/vehicle to this day. Since there were so few of them it really is a joy to hear that other North American families enjoyed the 'ugly van'
When I was little my siblings and I argued over the 'turn around seats' (the captains chairs) which conveniently had a stretchy belt and a more firm belt.
I often wonder if the L300 was the inspiration for Chrysler putting the swivel captains chairs in their new van.
I cried when my parents L300 died.