1997 Mitsubishi Triton 4wd Dual Cab GX review from Australia and New Zealand
"Good value for money performer that should be the market leader in its class"
What things have gone wrong with the car?
Wiper motor earth has worked loose twice.
A rock got into the timing belt cover and damaged the dwell angle sensor tab which eventually wore out causing the engine to cease running. Big job, but done under warranty. I would classify this as bad luck. Incident occurred about 3000k after I bought it.
General comments?
Great truck, as the add says, "bigger than the other bugger!" More power, tray space and interior room than the Hilux. The Navara may come close, but the Triton is building a better name.
V6 goes like the clappers. Chews about the same juice as a 4.2lt diesel Cruiser on average. 14-16lt per 100km. 18 - 20mpg
Needs a taller overdirve. This would reduce fuel costs - engine does about 3000rpm at 100kph, that was with both 9R tyres and 10R's.
Handles great at speed on the open road. Appears to be a Pajero ute (same running gear?). Motor has alternator down low where Pajero is nice and high. No probs yet there, but I haven't driven into as many big a puddles in this as I used to with my modified Suzy Sierras.
Good hiding space for gear behind rear seat. Seats are good on long distance trips.
Wife loves driving it, does not feel nearly as uncontrolable as 2wd hilux dual cabs she had at work and heaps more power.
Have adjusted (raised front) torsion bars twice and reset rear springs once, though they are due again. I consider this normal maintenance and wish others did too. I hate utes that can't carry a load. Most "one tonne utes" sag like hell when they get about 6 or 700 kg in them. I have driven the Triton twice with about 700kg (railway sleepers). She was just starting to sag. Brakes remained great and handled fine.
I have not replaced anything on the truck other than as required by maintenance schedule - 15000 km interval if you are game!.
Recommended reviews
| 1998 - Triton GX 3.0litre V6 24valve Really honest and useful utility vehicle, but it needs some updating to stay ahead of the pack |
| Good First Car |
| Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? | Yes |
| Year of manufacture | 1997 |
| First year of ownership | 1998 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2002 |
| Engine and transmission | 3.0 V6 Manual |
| Performance marks | 9 / 10 |
| Reliability marks | 8 / 10 |
| Comfort marks | 8 / 10 |
| Dealer Service marks | 7 / 10 |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 7 / 10 |
| Overall marks (average of all marks) | |
| Distance when acquired | 53000 kilometres |
| Most recent distance | 104000 kilometres |
| Previous car | Suzuki Vitara |
| Date of Entry | 4th June, 2002 |