1997 Mitsubishi Legnum st gdi from Australia and New Zealand - Comments

Torque convertor in auto transmission. This is a common problem. $1000 to fix.

Blown head, needed total rebuild. $2500.

Terrible example of a car. maybe I just got the worst one.

However very economical, and a bit peppy. a good looking wagon.

Have the same except manual. Nothing but problems, the most UN-reliable car I have ever owned. Gearbox, hydraulics associated with clutch, Lifters, even the clock on the dash. Is economical to run as long as you don't take into account the breakdowns. Currently about 140K.

Hi there, my Legnum 1800 Tiptronic I bought at 98,000kms, has now done 184,000kms, and has given me no problems mechanically at all. She's been sweet, but what's not so sweet is the power.

Last of all the 1800 is more reliable than the V6 twin turbo. The turbos crap out on them, smoke like hell, and the tiptronic 5 trans loses its reverse and drive gears, as the Diamantes have the same problem.

The 1800 too has a crap box, but my trans has given no trouble at all.

Apart from that, they are mean wagons and are a hundred times more reliable than the crappy car called a Subaru.

Cheers to all that own a Mitsubishi Legnum. Legnums go hard; love them to bits.

Bought a ST GDI 1.8 S/W Tiptronic 144k on the clock. Was an impulse buy for $2500 (NZD). 3 weeks down the track have had my mechanic look it over as there is a shudder @ 50-60km and 80-90km. Something to do with the transmission. Have read a few blogs and problem appears to be common in this model...bugger...approx. $1000 to fix. Not so good a buy after all. Hopefully once it's fixed she'll be fine. Apart from that it's a nice ride. Nice on the road, comfortable, plenty of room for the kids and heaps of room in the boot for the dog. Lacks power on hills but is pretty economical @ 550km per tank ($80).

I have one of these. A 1.8 manual. About to click over 330,000 k's. Runs fine. Perfect example of a reliable car in my opinion. Doesn't like a cold start, and has a slight misfire every now and then, but understandable for the k's. Handles fine. Gear box barely crunches.

Got a 98 Legnum 24 GDI. Purchased at 74K. Nice ride when it works.

Rocker covers, sandwich plate, 2 coils all needed replacing and still burns oil.

Transmission seems fine, which is a pleasant surprise. As well as other work needing done, I've spent close to 3K on this car in one year of owning it. I've spent more money on this car than every other car I've owned combined (Nissan Langley, Subaru Leone, Impreza and Ford Escort). And that's including all regular servicing of those cars.

One amusing thing I find about this car is the digital clock doesn't work, which I'm told is a common problem amongst Legnums and Galants which makes me think: If Mitsi couldn't get a simple digital clock to work, what's wrong with the rest of the car?

I had my 97 Legnum in NZ for 6 years. Never missed a beat. So economical and only complain is lack of power. I am a motor vehicle importer from Japan and still love this car so much and don't want to sell it. So hope to keep it for next 5 years. Trick with these cars are to put octane 95 or 98. If you do put in 91, you will ruin the engine..

Don't buy one. Had it three weeks and it cost me an alternator and an automatic gearbox. Got so fed up I went out and traded it in for a 'boring 'Toyota and I love it, it works, it's cheap to run and doesn't let me down. Forget buying a Mitsi!