Faults:

Nothing.

General Comments:

Unless one can afford a stable of cars, compromises must be made. The 2000 Mistubishi GT seemed like the ideal compromise car for me. One year and 30,000 miles have proven me correct.

With the only modification being cold air induction, I have never had a car that offered performance, economy, reliabilty, versatility, comfort and beauty in a combination to match this car.

When I first bought it, I took an 1,800 mile vacation trip. I averaged 32 m.p.g. As an outside sales rep., I average about 1,200 miles per month plus personal/pleasure driving. In this year, my average fuel economy is 27 mpg. The interior is very comfortable with enough adjustment to make it so for just about anyone. The backseat folds completely flat for surprisingly generous cargo space.

Reliability is astonishing.

Handling is very good. Were it not for considerable torque steer from a standing start, it would be great. Thick windshield columns make outward vision less than ideal, but that's why God gave us a movable head and neck.

One important tip. Get the best and stickiest tires you can afford. Otherwise, the very wide tires can be hazardous on wet roads.

Would I buy another? At the rate this one is going, I'll be able to leave it to someone in my will, and I'm only 61 and very healthy.

Faults:

The day after I purchased the car the light / signal switch on the steering column went bad and drained my battery. Had to tow the car home. I found out later that there was a recall for that switch. The dealer replaced the switch the same day with no additional problem.

About 1,000 miles before ending the warranty which was at 60,000 miles the air conditioner went bad; the condenser was replaced under warranty immediately.

At about 120,000 miles the air conditioner is starting to fail again. A technician says it is probably a leak on one of the hoses.

The RS does not bring normally a spoiler on the trunk door; but the dealer installed one as an addition when new. The problem is the gas lifts on the RS are different from the ones on the GT or GS which bring the spoiler from factory. That provoked that the gas lifts fail to lift the door after about 70,000 miles. So I replaced with gas lifts from the GS/GT which fit perfectly and resolve the problem. This is not a problem from Mitsubishi, but from the dealer installing something not engineered for this model.

Other parts have been replaced, but have been minor and I suppose are due to normal wear.

No major problem on the motor other than what I find it consumes too much oil (1 quart every 2,000-2,500 miles). I've been told that is normal with Mitsubishi.

General Comments:

Back seats are uncomfortable.

Blind spot because of front window left post when taking curves.

Trade in cost is very poor. I bought the car in Puerto Rico for $21K in year 2000 and this year, a Mitsubishi dealer offered $3.5K in order to trade in for a 2006 Eclipse.

Overall, I love the car. After 6 years it still turns heads. I love the looks on the new Eclipse and haven't purchased it because of economical reasons.

Faults:

A hard starter sometimes.

Shifter is sometimes very reluctant to downshift.

Horrible turning radius, can barely pull out of a parking spot in one pass.

General Comments:

The car is very quick for a four banger, and pulls very good in third or fourth.

However it's pretty lifeless until about

about 3,000 RPM.

The shifting is excellent, with clean short throws.

The overall look inside and out is very clean, and turns many heads.

The ergonomics are very good, except for lacking a telescoping wheel, and the placement of the drink cup holders.

This car does satisfy my need for speed all the time. Especially its exhilarating exhaust, which I could compare to a detuned rice burner.