1980 Mitsubishi Scorpion GH 2.6L Astron

Summary:

Cheap sports car for the first car buyer :-)

Faults:

Bought second hand for $200.

Has a lot of rust around the bottoms of the doors and in the rear passenger side wheel well.

Screwy electronics, broken fuel light, etc.

Pool of oil in the air filter.

Gets into third and doesn't change down automatically.

Unresponsive transmission.

Busted rear shocks.

General Comments:

I'm currently doing this car up, hence the problems it has. Despite the problems listed, I believe it has potential to be a really sweet little cruiser :-)

It has a good body shape and I find it to be a generally smart looking car.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 7th March, 2001

27th Mar 2001, 05:36

I've got a GJ Scorpion and the only thing to rebuild is the gearbox (manual) and body as it has rust as well. If you have a strange vibration my suggestion is to get the tail shaft balanced with new unies and it will feel like a new car. I done it and the thing is better than my mothers brand new Accent. 315,000 km.

25th Feb 2002, 15:44

I have a 1979 2.0L 5 Speed I bought recently in Adelaide, The paint's a bit chalky and the clutch is about to pack it in. But what do you expect for $600?

Body and motor are excellent and it goes like no other 2 litre I've driven. Also have an '81 2.6 L 5 speed that for some unknown reason deprived #1 bearing of oil, seized and spun the bearing, wrecked the crank and then let go. My local mechanic informs me that the imported 2.6 is not the same as the Sigma (local) motor and will be difficult to replace. Any comments?

2nd Mar 2006, 20:50

I have a 1979 GE Chrysler Scorpion convertible which can be seen at freewebs.com/scorpionhome. It's been one of the most reliable vehicles I have ever owned. I also have a SEL Mercedes, but I'd rather drive the Scorpion any day... except rainy ones :) Lucky for me here in Adelaide South Australia, it's mostly hot and sunny.

Anyone considering a Scorpion, can find very good examples that have been looked after over the years for less than $AU 2000.00.

1979 Mitsubishi Scorpion GH 2.6 n/a petrol

Summary:

Quick, but not too quick

Faults:

Had to replace the motor (easier and cheaper than rebuilding) as I wrecked the rings, it was using heaps of oil and had low compression.

Slight rust in the bottom of the front guards.

A few other minor problems that were generally because I done something stupid.

General Comments:

Easy to get parts for as everything is interchangeable with standard Sigma parts, only problem I have is it is impossible to buy a service manual for it in Australia.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 6th December, 2000

1st Feb 2001, 07:08

I bought a Scorpion two and a half years ago and I resprayed it and did little things to it, but it still has a stock engine. I think it is the best car because I thought that it would just be a normal Sigma, but it isn't.

Performance in this car is good for stock because I had a drag with my mates 12A RX7, I was level from first, then in second and third he started pulling away, but from then onwards I stayed on his door.

My engine is in bad need of a rebuild, but it kills all stock 6 cylinder Commodores from the age of VC through to VK (not fuel injected), so keep doing more things on Scorpions because I can't find any web sites on them.

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