Faults:

Water temp. runs too high when doing city driving. Otherwise OK.

Intercooler is needed.

Valve steam seals.

O2 sensor error code always on the ECU, as most early Mitsubishi's have lazy O2 sensors (won't work until the engine is warm).

General Comments:

It's got good power for the money.

I have standard suspension, and it still handles very well through the mountains.

Easy to upgrade parts from other Mitsubishi's.

Very strong bottom end, as I run between 15 and 20 PSI everyday.

Gearbox is very durable.

And these guys will always help anyone out as they did me: www.cordiapower.com

Faults:

Bad connections stop rear window wiper working.

Tail light seals leaked.

Coolant thermostat was stuck open causing motor to not heat up properly.

Sometimes stalls on roundabouts or at lights (carburettor problem)

Also wear-and-tear items, such as:

* CV boots split.

* Leaky rear brake cylinders.

* Brakes were noisy, disks and drums needed machining.

*shock absorbers should have been done before I bumped into someone.

* Your average perished rubber vacuum tubes, failed one-way valve, plug leads etc.

General Comments:

I've had no problems with this car apart from what you'd expect from a 15-year-old vehicle. It had been owned by some old people and not driven or maintained much, leading to maintenance-related niggles, but no mechanical failures. It is finally starting to sound a bit unhealthy after two years of intensive and varied use.

The car always starts (best when cold), sometimes sputters and lurches until warm, but then drives quite smoothly and quietly. It is set up as a comfortable, cruisy town car and its 3 speed automatic doesn't suit motorways or fast driving very well.

I like the low, relaxed driving position, however the large steering wheel and annoying pedal positioning mean I have to keep my right foot on an angle when driving. The car has light, slow power steering, electric windows and mirrors, quiet ventilation, deep carpet and velour upholstery - everything a man of the 80s would need to zip along in comfort and style.

The Cordia's split-folding rear seat folds flat and the car can store more than you'd expect. You could even sleep in the car. There are funny adjustable air scoops in the B-pillars to direct air to the rear passengers. The rear wiper fluid reservoir refills itself from the rain (not deliberate?). Ten points to Mitsubishi for thinking most things out well (except moving of the front seats for rear access), for making the car pleasant to use and for not fitting any beepy chimes or restricting the owner's actions.

The handling of the car is reasonable, and the car isn't powerful enough for torque steer to be much of a problem. When several people were in the car, it was bouncy and hard to control at speed (worn suspension?).

The automatic wasn't that smooth when cold or when you're driving slowly, but get the fluid changed and use a bit more accelerator and it improves. The engine needs more than 3 speeds though, because there's no suitable gear for going up a hill at 50~60kph. Thanks to doing 3300rpm on the motorway, the Cordia got 10L/100km regardless of driving conditions. It required high octane petrol.

The engine makes a nice silvery whine when you push it, and the transmission downshifts melodramatically. Just be careful of fading the brakes because they seem to fade rather completely!

A great first car, but nobody cares about them now so the only good place to find parts is at a wreckers.

Faults:

Nothing major has gone wrong or broken down on the car yet.

Exhaust manifold is currently cracked, but car is still drives fine.

CV joints make some noise when turning hard, may need to be replaced soon.

General Comments:

The Cordia Turbo is an excellent little car, especially for teenagers with less than $5000 to spend on a car, but want something with a turbo.

Responds very well to easy modifications such as bigger exhaust system, blow off valve, intercooler, ect.

The AC version (86 to 88) do have a smaller turbo and run on unleaded petrol therefore less power than the AA/AB versions.

But they are a better build quality overall, better interior, better paint, and some mechanical differences.

I personally prefer the smaller turbo as it kicks in sooner and is better for city traffic driving.

Recently included in Motor Magazines "10 greatest turbo cars ever"