Mitsubishi == Japanese Pontiac.

in short, avoid.

Only read the first page, but my wife just HAD to have an Ecclipse.  It sucks.  Ironically we picked it up, new, on 9/11/'01--with an AR-15 laid across the seat of my truck.  It drives for crap, is very noisy, and has had a number of nickel-dime problems that each cost $2-300.  The dealer's service department mgr. recommends against buying them.  Unless things change, we will NOT buy anything again that is not Honda or Toyota.  Even my wife now agrees (though she still loves the car)--obviously much too late.  

Edit:  Gas mileage just SUCKS--especially for a little POS car with a 4-banger--roughly 20 mpg highway!

Three Toyota family here.

I wouldn't buy a Mitsubishi if someone else were paying for it.

I'd buy another Toyota instead.

There's a reason why Toyota is the top rated foreign auto maker, and they didn't get to be the no. 2 auto company in the WORLD by making a lot of mistakes!   (Only General Motors is bigger.  Toyota passed Ford recently for the no. 2 slot.)

I had a Mitsubish once.  It was a total POS.  I never regretted buying a car so much in my life.  I got SCREWED.

CJ

Quoted: Quoted: While the Tiburon may be $6000 cheaper at the base, what are you getting for that $6000?  If you buy a RSX Type S, you get every option you can possibly imagine standard.  There are no options, it's all already there.  Cruise control, power everything, 6 disc Bose stereo system, moon roof, leather, ABS brakes, and probably more stuff I can't think of off the top of my head.  All that and a 6 speed, short throw tansmission hooked up to a 2.0L 210 horsepower non-turbo motor that get's 23/31 mpg and does 0-60 in 6.9 seconds and the quarter mile in 15 flat.  The RSX is is just a better car, that's all there is to it, much more bang for your buck.  Even if you don't get the RSX, just don't  the Tiburon.  How about this for you, in a head to head to head comparison, the Tiburon ranked 4th behind the Eclipse and Celica (tied for 2nd) and the RSX (1st) and the only one it beat out was the New Beetle Turbo from VW.  You'll probably find the article interesting if these are the cars you're shopping for, it's here My Tiburon, lets see, I got cruise control, power everything, could have gotten a moon roof but I'm too tall for it, leather...  almost everything you just mentioned in the RSX.    $6000 more for a 6 disc head unit and ABS?     0-60 in 7.1, runs the quarter in 15.4 I beleive.  That $6000 put into a Tiburon and it will EAT an RSX.  With an intake and headers, the Tiburon will edge out an RSX type R.   Hell, for $200, put just an intake on the Tiburon, and it's pretty much faster than the base RSX, even with the Type S and probably even with the Type R.  Plus better torque... Horsepower is nothing without torque.    The only area that the RSX might do better is 80mph+ where the little four banger's high rev HP resides.     Oh, and I payed $18,000 for mine, so that's what, $8000 less?   So you're really not getting much more 'bang for your buck' for the extra $8000, now are you?

Hope you dump it right after your warranty expires.......

BTW, your negotiated price is an unfair comparison to a list price.  Find someone who bought an RSX Type-S and ask what they paid.  I believe when we picked up the MDX he saw me sitting in one and offered it to me for $22,500.....or something like that.....

I asked if he meant the CL I was looking at?  

Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: "BMW:  From the same folks who brought you Omaha Beach" yup, I dont like them either .. BUT!    they went and bought Chrysler, and I drive Jeeps! so I cannot get away from them! Duh, that was Mercedes that bougth Chrysler.

I think he meant the Germans in general terms.....

Quoted: ...or even the Saab 92x.

A rebadged WRX..........nice.

Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: ...or even the Saab 92x. A rebadged WRX..........nice. Subaru is now building Saabs?

It's the GM connection.......look at the pics side by side.......WRX wagon and 92X wagon.......

Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: ...or even the Saab 92x. A rebadged WRX..........nice. Subaru is now building Saabs?   It's the GM connection.......look at the pics side by side.......WRX wagon and 92X wagon....... www.fast-autos.net/saab/92x.jpg www.hill-kleerup.org/blog/images/subaru_wrx-wgn.jpg It might just be the angle of the second pic, but it looks like the A pillar is not the same angle... otherwise, they are pretty dang similar...    I'd probably take either, really.  I just have a place in my heart for Saab, since I used to have a 900 Turbo, and I have Swedish blood in me.

Trust me........it's the same car......

.....but if you don't-------

Saab 92X

We've told you how Subaru will soon help spawn Saab's new entry model and shown you illustrations of it as well. Above is a shot of the real thing, and it looks exactly like what it is: an Impreza wagon with a Saabified front clip. The 9-2X Linear will be offered in 165-horsepower, naturally aspirated form, stemming from the Impreza 2.5 RS. Subaru's wildly popular WRX begets the turbocharged, 227-horsepower 9-2X Aero. Both will offer the choice of a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission. Revised taillights and wheel treatments complement the new sheetmetal, and the interior gets the alumalook treatment and other materials upgrades. The 9-2X will be served in all-wheel-drive wagon form only. Unabashed badge engineering though it is, it works. This car allows Saab entry into price points it hasn't been able to compete in for years and gives the brand something to replace the hatchback body style lost with the redesign of the 93. It even looks right. No, the ignition key isn't on the console, but who cares? The best news is that there's a tankerload of aftermarket performance hardware already available for this platform--doesn't a 400-horse Saab sportwagon sound cool?

Quoted: I'm also considering the Mazda 6 - may just have to test drive a few.

How many years has the Mazda 6 been out?  You might give it another year or two......

They look nice though.

Good luck --- my vote is still for an used CERTIFIED Acura.

Soon as I saw Shivan post, I stopped reading waiting on the inevitable US vs Shivan threads so will answer you the best I can fresh up.

Most of the cars offered in the US are made in Normal IL which was a joint venture plant with Chrysler.  Many of the same engines are used in Chrysler products still and many of them were US designed by Chrysler to include the pentium head 2L four.

Their automatic transmissions like all US overdrive transmission have a limited life due to the flat bearing overdrive concept, however their standards like US standard transmissions are about as reliable as they come.

The engines have a wide range in both power and durability and very dependent on which engine you get.  The 2L is actually one fine little four, very reliable with fair power.  The 2.4L 6 is probably the weakest engine package in both reliability and power issues. The motor is noted for making an annoying whinning noise. It's power band for the most part is a tad too high mated to an automatic transmission making it weak.  A standard transmission makes it a tad better but still IMHO underpowered.  Their top engine the 3.0L V6 is an Japanese built 200 hp engine with 200 ft/lbs of torque which is 10lbs more torque than it's Dodge US made counterpart.  Mitzubishi has greatly improved both the performance and reliability of this engine since it was first introduced as a mere 160hp plain jane.  Mated with the five speed manual transmission, it provides better than average performance 0-60 mph and exceptional performance at higher speeds.

In general, all of their cars drive like the typical Japanese car however offer a bit more spartan interiors not on the fancy frilly list for sure.  The US made seats are comfortable for long hauls and many offer lombard support via simple lever rather than a fiddle with forever set up.  Their dashes are plain but functional, however their stereo options are excellent with a 5 CD standard and CD, Cassette, premium stereo and Alpine speakers.  Their cars are obviously marketed towards the younger market.

The Lancer pretty much rides, drives, and feels like typical Japanese entry level car with tight steering and alot of road feel at low speeds.  Surprizingly though the little car smooths out nicely at highway speeds and is better than average in comfort.  I personally think this was luck on their part rather than design.  Because of this highway smooth out I actually like the little Lancer a tad better than it's other import US made counterparts, however I must stress the enterior is not a attractive as say a Honda.

The Galant IMHO is a Toyota Camry in drive and feel with the same spartan interior.  The car has almost a GM feel which floats and body sway in curves that's not good.  Typical family car and not exceptional.

The Eclipse is a fun car with decent handling, fair ride, and with the 3L package quick.  The automatic with joy stick control is fun but takes away from the engine performance alot. It's light weight which helps in performance and cornering is a hinderance in highway speeds for the ride doesn't change that much, however the intent here I guess was to give it that sportscar feel.  The variable steering is a joy at highway speeds making a long ride far more relaxing and highway maneauverabilty excellent.  The performance of the car drops greatly with the other engine options which takes a fair performer to the mediocre.  The car features double wichbone suspension and front and rear sways which is better than average for cornering.

The 10 year 100,000 mile warrantee is like most and a marketing ploy.  IMHO would be a good thing on the automatics all engines except the 3L which is all Japanese if and only if you plan to keep the car for 100,000 miles.  Standard transmission 2L and 3L, you will most likely never see the warrantee needed, however probably a good 50% chance on the 2.4L.  

In general, I feel they are comperable to many of the mainstream US made imports however with more effort on the drive train than enterior.  With the exception of the Eclipse, they are definately not image cars but practical.

Tj

Quoted: Soon as I saw Shivan post, I stopped reading waiting on the inevitable US vs Shivan threads so will answer you the best I can fresh up.

Of course. Luckily I can hold off all the patented bullshit long enough for posts like yours to mean something.

Thanks for the insight on Mitsu cars....

I haven't read the other responses so if I am repeating... oh well...

I have a 1995 Mitsubishi Gallant that I like a lot.  Most passengers comment on how quick it is for a little 4-door.  The suspension is awesome.  Rides like a sports car, very similar to the Celica GT my brother had - only faster.

In 9.5 years and 80K+ miles I've replace brakes, spark plugs, oil filters, and a harmonic balancer (rubber seperated from hub).  That's it, and I don't exactly follow the scheduled maintenance plan...  I abuse the hell out of it really...