2004 Mitsubishi Airtrek 2.0 turbo
Summary:
It's an Evolution 7.5 GTA in a bigger body!
Faults:
Cracked turbo manifold at barely 70000 km - replaced and costs a bomb. Cheaper or almost equal in having a custom banana manifold.
Failed air flow sensor at 90000 km - replaced and costs a bomb. Has been running fine until now.
Clogged fuel filter at 75000 km - replaced twice, could be caused by the quality of petrol we have in Malaysia.
Failed actuators (when bought at 60000 km), leading to the need to install a manual boost controller, which then leads to over boost, which damaged a few valves in the process. Had a top overhaul, and running fine until now.
General Comments:
It is a quick car, behaves very well on the road due to its engine output and the 4WD nature of the car.
Maintenance is quite on the high side, considering the car is used mostly for long distance journeys above 300 km and weekend trips. Parts are available easily, but costs are much higher than my Nissan.
Somehow runs smoother the longer distance you travel.
Requires that it's run only on RON 97 and above.
Fuel consumption gets much better for long distance/highways and very bad in stop-go traffic, perhaps due to its cruising nature of the semi auto gearbox (5-speed shiftronic). A full tank of 60-litre will give me 500 km for long distance, but only 350 km for mixed driving.
Cruising is smooth, and handling at high speed is superb. Had the speed limiter removed, and can easily climb to a top speed of 200 and beyond - effortless.
RPM at 100 km/h is 1800, and 170 km/h is around 3400.
Function over style - love the interior and its accessories e.g. cup holders, storage area, climate control, luggage space, flexibility of the seats to be folded down and adjusted to the maximum, amongst others.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know
Review Date: 10th March, 2011
11th Oct 2016, 00:01
If you fit a stabiliser bar across the engine bay, be aware that this will obscure the chassis number. So for the Japanese Shaken, remove it and then refit after you pass the Shaken inspection.
Jack, the Japan Alps Brit.
21st Feb 2012, 12:45
Hello, if your turbo wastegate actuator was faulty, a boost controller of any type is going to be irrelevant (all you can do is increase boost, not lower it from standard), so I'm not surprised if it was 'overboosting'. A boost controller can only operate a fully functioning actuator. If the wastegate is faulty, it won't fully open (or at all) to let out excess boost - no matter what you attach to it. So if anyone else has this problem, just get a second hand actuator and replace it. Easy job.