Faults:

SRS light needed resetting twice ($30 NZD x2).

Exhaust needed holes welded up 3 times, probably needs replacing. ($50 NZD x3)

Left front wheel bearing started to make a slight droning noise, needs replacing ($70 NZD 2nd hand).

Left rear shock and lower arm bushing needed replacing ($60 and $30 NZD respectively), although this was likely caused by me hitting a curb too hard.

General Comments:

This car has been a pleasure to own and drive.

The interior is spacious, comfortable, and it feels very nice, especially for a car of its year. It looks and feels more like an early 2000's car than a car made in the mid 90's.

The boot/trunk is surprisingly big.

The handling is very good, and the front turns in and grips well.

Although the standard suspension setup is a bit on the soft side for comfort, and is designed to produce mild and predictable under steer when pushed, the natural handling characteristic of the car is actually extremely neutral and very well balanced.

The standard wheels were 15" steel (195/60/R15). When I upgraded only the front wheels to 16" alloys, the under steer characteristic was eliminated and turn in became very sharp and grippy, even resulting in some mild over steer when thrown into a corner hard enough.

The engine is not "sports car fast" but it is strong. I rarely have a problem of not enough power; perhaps trying to pass quickly up a steep hill or something.

Being a GDI engine (the first production car in the world with direct injection) it is extremely good on fuel.

It was designed to run at its best on Japanese 110 octane fuel. Here in NZ we generally have 91, 95/96 and 98. I have heard that if it's run on less than 91 or so octane, carbon deposits on the injectors can possibly become an issue, so I run mine on 95 and it seems to run great.

Similar to a sports car, using the right kind of oil and changing it often is important to keep it running well, and I've heard to possibly prevent noisy lifters from developing.

The fuel economy is astonishing. Thanks to being direct injection, compared to a similar 1.8 litre, this car is 40% more efficient, it has 20% more power and torque while also using 20% less fuel (150hp and 18.2kg*m torque compared to a Primera's SR18DE 1.8 with 125hp and 16kg*m and 5.3L per 100k fuel consumption compared to the lighter Primera's 7.1L).

Driving on an open road with a lot of hills and bends, I achieved 5.5 litres per 100k without driving in a conservative manner. We regularly get more than 700kms to its 64 litre tank, and it is possible to get more than 1,100kms per tank on the open road.

Cars technical specs: http://specs.cars-directory.net/mitsubishi/galant/1.8_VX_8423.html

I would recommend this car to anyone looking for a 4 door sedan similar to a BMW 3 series, Audi A4, Nissan Primera, Subaru Legacy, etc.

Faults:

No faults found in the first 5000km of driving. The car has done a number of km's around town on the open road and up ski-field access roads without a problem! I would give it a 10/10 for reliability, but I don't want to jinx it.

General Comments:

I work in the Motor industry so have had experience with other turbo performance cars (Subaru GT's & WRX's, Mitsubishi VR4's & GSR's, Toyota GT-T's, Nissan Skyline & Silvia turbos) and find this to be one of the best.

It has fantastic performance and is great to drive.

These cars look very sporty and are just a little bit different to everything else.

I find the lift-back very handy as it gives you heaps of room, enough for a bicycle or two.

The GT SPORTS is a very thirsty car, but you can't expect to get performance out, if you don't put petrol in.

Here is an example of consumption..

43Litres 248km = 17L/100km,16.6mile/gal

30Litres 260km = 18L/100km,15.7mile/gal

52Litres 305km = 17L/100km,16.6mile/gal

54Litres 420km = 12L/100km,23.5mile/gal

27Litres 232km = 11L/100km,25.7mile/gal

54Litres 418km = 13L/100km,21.7mile/gal

28Litres 225km = 12L/100km,23.5mile/gal

23Litres 214km = 10L/100km,28.2mile/gal

54Litres 379km = 14L/100km,20.2mile/gal

51Litres 354km = 14L/100km,20.2mile/gal

AVERAGE CONSUMPTION

= 13.8L/100km,21.2mile/gal.

Do not buy one of these cars and then complain about the fuel consumption, you have been warned!

I am very happy with my car and do not regret the decision to buy a Mitsubishi Galant GT Sports at all.

Faults:

ABS/ASC Brake System Recall - 3 years after it was announced in Japan.

Fuel Solenoid Fault and replaced.

General Comments:

This car uses the EVO V/VI chassis and drive-train, which includes Active-Yaw-Control.

This is a complex car and requires careful and regular maintenance. However as with any 300+ hp car; this should be expected. Service every 6 months/10,000 miles and change the oil every 3,0000 miles, and you will have minimal problems.

If you are going to get this car, replace the wheels/tyres with Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3 and 17" alloys. This will really make the car perform as it should. i.e. the technology will then work properly, without the TCL always kicking in sapping you of power.