2002 Mitsubishi Diamante LS from North America - Comments

Replaced rotors at 24,000 Miles.

CV Joint needs to be replaced.

Overall, my experience with this car has been positive. It looks good, handles well, and has plenty of power. My one complaint is the car seems to rev too high during hard acceleration. I know of another Diamante owner and he made the same comment.

Though I am generally happy with this car, my research into this vehicle has given me some evidence of reviewer bias when it comes to Japanese cars. The generally excellent reviews on the Diamante referred to the excellent performance, handling, amenities and so on. My wife has a 1999 Mercury Grand Marquis and that car received mediocre reviews from the automotive press. However, in the opinion of this reviewer and someone who has driven both cars regularly, in almost every category, the Marquis is a better car. It is more comfortable, has nearly as much power as the Diamante, has traction control which the Diamante does not, a much better tuned transmission, and a host of other nice little features such as a compass that the Diamante lacks. The only category that the Diamante might win out is handling, but that is not by much. The point is, if you are considering buying this car or any Japanese cars, read the reviews from the automotive press with a small dose of skepticism. They are certainly good cars, but, I think the declared differences in quality and performance between the Japanese cars and others is sometimes exaggerated.

The Diamante was built and designed in Australia (Mitsubishi Magna). Some were also manufactured in Japan, but the American export models are Australian.

I totally agree with your comment about reviewer bias when it comes to Japanese-made cars. We have owned several very good Japanese makes, including Mazda, Toyota, and Mitsubishi, but we have also had some excellent American cars, especially Ford products, which did not get fantastic reviews, but have been great vehicles. For example, my 1997 Ford Expedition has gone 150 miles with nothing, but regular maintenance and one new alternator. My husband's Crown Vic went 160K+ miles and was a dandy until a huge deer jumped in his path, practically totalling the vehicle. We were glad that he was not driving a little Toyota or Mazda when that happened!

It makes you wonder why australian design and made diamantes are the ones that have problems, not the japanese, hmmmm;|

If you dislike Australia just say it. Don't hide behind their cars. It's either this, or you have no idea what you are talking about.

No traction control? My LS has it.

I just bought a Diamante. There is a few questions I have.

1.-no matter how I drive the car I only get 18-19 miles to the gallon. Why?? I know this is a big car, but I thought they get like 18-26. What can I do to increase my gas mileage?

2.-Do you have to use Premium gas? I do off and on, but do I have to?

3.-Everybody has heater core problems and their windows fog up on the passenger side, but my windows are fogging up on the driver side front window and nothing is leaking on the floor. They seem to fog really easy in cooler weather.

This may sound ridiculous, but it really works.

When your windows fog up turn on the heater AND the A/C. This should make the fog clear up with haste.

Also, to the comment about Japanese cars getting higher reviews than domestic cars: These may be slightly exaggerated, but everyone knows that a Japanese car is typically a better buy (I don't know about Mitsubishis, but I have heard horror stories about them)

I too have the same problem. My window on my driver's side fogs up very easy. As well as only getting around the upper teens for gas mileage. Also, what is an average price for a timing chain for Diamante? Mine has around 70,000 miles, and would it be wise to replace or wait? Is there any suggestions for these problems?

This is in regard to the comment that "everybody knows the Japanese cars are a better buy". This is a textbook example of the bias referred to in the original review. I would agree that the Japanese cars are generally more dependable and higher quality. However, I would maintain that the disparity between the two is not as great as you are led to believe by the automotive press and popular opinion. I too have had many fine, reliable American cars especially from Ford. As far Japanese cars being a better buy, maybe new and I am only saying maybe for some models. Have you looked at the reliability ratings on Nissans lately. That company seems to be slipping badly on this scale. Mitsubishi also is not on par with it's bretheren such as Toyota and Honda which are primarily responsible for the Japanese stellar reputation in regards to reliability.

On the used market, the smart consumer can take advantage of the bias against American cars and pick up some good buys especially if you know which ones are reliable. Ford's rear wheel drive vehicles are known to be quite reliable for example.

In regard to gas mileage for the Diamante, it is disappointing. My wife's full size Crown Vic gets 4MPG better on the highway and she doesn't have to use premium. Power between the two is not that much different. Someone else commented that their Diamante LS has traction control. I have an LS and mine doesn't. Might have been an option.

*In regards to the better gas mileage comment.

The diamante reccomends premium fuel of 91-93 octane. It's a high compression engine, and lower octane will ignite at the wrong time of the engine cycle, and you will foul up the motor. Use premium EVERY time. Also cheap gas companies and no-name gasoline will destroy your engine and mileage. An old rule- If you can't afford the gas, then you can't afford the car.

The LS does not have traction control. I have a VRX which does have traction control.

I am not sure why during the winter when I have the fan or defog on at 65 degrees, seems as though the heater is on. The only way I could get the car temperature to warm is to turn the air conditioner on.

However, during the summer months it all works fine.

My LS does have traction control.

I have got no idea why some of you are arguing about Japanese vs. American cars. The Diamante was designed in Australia and all of the Diamantes in the US have been imported from Australia! All Diamantes exported to the remainder of the world were built in Japan, the Australian design remained unchanged.

I do not own a Diamante, but do like the car as well as considering purchasing the vehicle. I do agree that you can pick up american car bargains due to quick depreciation. The main argument seems to be australian manufacturing and united states manufacturing, but the primary complaint on the post is due the the HVAC system. This would be considered a design flaw for which I am afraid I would have to blame the japanese (Maybe the Australians were responsible for the design which may or may not included the HVAC system, but either way the guys in Tokyo had to give it the thumbs up). I do thing both US and Japanese manufacturers are superior to European cars from a reliability standpoint. But GM/Ford/Chrysler really have their work cut out for them to earn customers back.