1988 Mitsubishi Galant GLX 1.8L 5 spd from Australia and New Zealand

Summary:

A deceptively innocent looking car

Faults:

When I brought the Gallant, the front windscreen had a crack in it, and the left CV joint was past it. Nothing that was expensive to repair. I haven't had the car long enough for there to be any problems.

General Comments:

The Gallant has been nothing, but pure driving pleasure.

The suspension is soft, but manageable.

The clutch is a dream and is spring loaded in exactly the right place- even an auto driving american could manage it.

It looks deceptively innocent and bland, I could be going 30kms over the speed limit, and police officers don't even look twice.

I can't tell you what 0-100 is, but it is a zippy car for a sedan.

Only complaint would be that the second gear lacks grunt when cornering, and I sometimes have to change into 1st.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 20th May, 2003

20th May 2007, 23:38

I agree with everything ya sayed beside for the part with your 2nd gear to 1st thing, I've gone around corner in 3rd on a normal town corner (sometimes in 4th) and on a 180 turn around in 2nd... had no prombs at all with the gears...

So not sure what type of corner you are going around?

31st Dec 2008, 07:08

This Galant series is my favorite, I bought it 5th hand (5th owner).

It kicks as new, sleek design, no or minimal rusts, interior is still perfect except the dashboard, which I have to cover it with dashield.

I did engine overhaul twice in 3 years with no major mods. I'm not a racer, but I feel like one when I drive this machine. On the road, I go toe to toe with later models of Honda, Toyota and other Japanese cars driven by race enthusiasts, and I take the best laugh at the end of the road.

My consolation for losing is I'm driving a 20 year old car, against 2004 and up models. Well, winning is a lot more conquering.

Rey, Philippines.

1988 Mitsubishi Galant S from North America

Summary:

One of the true failures in Japanese engineering

Faults:

Electronic Suspension system failed. $4,000 to fix. (I elected to skip this)

Leaky rack and pinion. Over $1000 to fix. (I elected to skip this also)

Engine suddenly began leaking oil and seized up within a few miles of this revelation. This was the end of my experience with this vehicle.

General Comments:

For what it was, the Gallant was a very comfortable, very sporty little vehicle.

Unfortunately, the mid-80's Gallants had a fatal flaw - the "Electronic Control Suspension". This great idea (user-selectable suspension modes) had a notorious habit of failing, dropping the entire suspension to the ground, with the result being that the car acted as though it had no shocks whatsoever, and inevitably failing inspection, with the only answer being to replace it with a mechanical suspension at an absolutely prohibitive cost.

If you find one of these, make sure the E.C.S. has already been replaced, or stay far, far away!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 9th January, 2003

6th Jun 2003, 18:03

I would not want to subscribe to the inferred opinion that the Electronic Controlled Suspension is a wasted invention.

Perhaps it is a bit clumsy on a Mitsubishi Gallant, but I feel it is still a comfort worth having.

Improving on this technology is not a bad idea after all.

A basic understanding of its working is imperative for all users though. I may not be a qualified auto mechanic. In fact, I do not qualify for anything better than a Mitsubishi enthusiast, but I would want to share this little knowledge on the functioning of an Electronic Controlled Suspension.

An air pump supplies silica-dried air to a compressor, which compresses the air and sends to the suspensions via a set of valves.

However, the pump, compressor, valves and shock absorber air inlets are controlled by an electronic "brain", which the driver can manipulate from the dashboard.

If we all understand these, and the added fact that one bad shock can made the whole bunch spoil, we should be better able to tolerate this great invention, and appreciate the comfort, versatility and maneuverability it offers.

I use an Electronic Controlled Suspension equipped Gallant. My Electronic Controlled Suspension is presently out of other, but I would give in everything (almost everything) to have it back in shape.

Julius.

1988 Mitsubishi Galant GLSI 2.0 from UK and Ireland

Summary:

A very reliable but slightly bland car

Faults:

Alternator (twice).

Exhaust.

Brake discs worn @ 80,000 miles.

General Comments:

OK, so most people think this is a bit of a boring car, but to me it has been fantastically reliable albeit for the points above.

The body is still in amazing condition - almost perfect paintwork with just one tiny spot of rust under the rear bumper; the wheel arches are like new.

It is even more impressive when compared to cars from Ford, Vauxhall (GM) and Rover of the same year, and they are rotting in all sorts of places.

The engine is almost as sweet as when I first bought it, and the interior is almost like new. The car is left out at night and always starts easily.

The downside is the suspension is not that great, and the engine lacks a bit of power. Parts are a little expensive especially the exhaust.

All in all I would definitely rate the Galant; it just shows how well the Japanese can build reliable long-lasting cars.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 25th October, 2000