19th Aug 2007, 03:46

Hi all, we own a 1997 VR4 twin turbo Legnum. We've had the car for 4 years travelled all over the North Island. Yes the fuel cost are higher, but the power is incredible and apart from normal service, the car runs great.

Wairarapa family

1st Sep 2007, 04:01

I own a Legnum ST Gdi.

I just had the Gdi pump filter replaced ($60 cost) and it has made a lot of difference to the running and starting of the car.

I have always been able to get around 700km from one tank of 98 octane fuel, and I consider this to be great.

It drives fairly well, and as for the no power complaints, yeah, compared to a twin turbo car maybe, but as far as normal cars go, it's fine.

24th Oct 2007, 05:33

Hi, I'm in England and have just bought a Legnum STR 4wd estate (import) - it seems a bit thirsty - is this normal? Nice looking car, but I seem to be getting similar fuel consumption to my previous Audi A8!!

30th Jan 2008, 23:47

I've had 2 legnums both having huge problems mainly with incorrect mileage so things were breaking that shouldn't have been.

I don't think I will ever own a Mitsubishi again.

And watch for the first digit on the odometer going funny could be a sign.

1st Apr 2008, 23:34

Hi guys, Just a recommendation:Don't buy a GDI engine car. You will always have a problem with the carbon build up. The best choice is the VR4,much quicker and reliable then the GDI. I have the 1.8 ST GDI Legnum, and having problem with the intake carbon build up all the time.

15th Apr 2008, 02:40

I have a 1997 2.5 V6 I have owned it for 18 months and have had no problems at all. On a trip I can get 650km from a tank of gas. I use 91 octane. Excellent wagon.

23rd Jun 2008, 17:28

I have a 2000 Legnum 2.4 4x4. It's a piece, have had it since November, and had nothing but problems.

I have had problem with the electronic lifters, had them fixed 3-4 months ago and the same noises are starting to come back, and if anybody can help me with this, my Legnum seems to almost chug along when it's cold, and every so often in traffic, it's like it hesitates for a second, but a lot???

31st Jul 2008, 02:07

I have a Mitsubishi Legnum. I'm having a few problems but it's a nice car.

I get about 450 to a tank. I had a Peugeot before and got 1200 k's to a 60 litre tank; talk about awesome.. but it works for me! It just needs a name now.

16th Oct 2008, 16:23

I have just bought a 1997 Legnum ST-R. It has been lowered on 18 inch mags.

When I first got it, I thought it was very smooth, but now I've got used to driving it and am now noticing a lot of rattles!! Really annoying me. Could this be because I have loose panels in the cabin, or are Legnums just like that?

Does anyone know the signs of the transmission going? I can hear like a short clunk when I'm still and change from reverse into drive.. or is this normal in being a 4WD?

As for the fuel consumption, I notice if I drive with a heavy foot, I can almost see my fuel gauge go down, but if I drive smoothly and on the open road, it is veeeeeeery good on fuel.. actually better than my previous 1990 Celica.

29th Dec 2008, 18:20

I own a 1997 Legnum GDI 1800 wagon, and get 32mpg driving to work daily, and that's only doing 30kms a day, 5 days a week.

It isn't a rocket ship, but it goes well, but have had some drama with the brakes; the left hand side caught fire. I had the rotors replaced, pads done and 6 months later it's done the same thing again. Does anyone know if this is a fault with these wagons thanks. Also I run on 91 octane with no problems at all.

19th Jan 2009, 14:49

I've owned 3 Legnums and think they are one of the better looking & well spec'd, but higher maintenance wagons available.

The GDI's love 98 octane (not a Biofuel mix). You can run them on 91 but fuel economy & performance suffers greatly and you can hear the engine "pinking" up a hill which isn't so good for it. They were designed for 100 octane.

I had 2 1.8 GDI Legnums. The first was highly modified with pod filter, lowered all round, 17" rims, new bodykit, big bore exhaust and had been thrashed. It ended up being a fantastic car, completely reliable and returning 700km per tank. It was not fast, but gave adequate performance.

The second 1.8 GDI was well cared for but has had more problems such as noisy tappets, running rich and a surging idle. I get 600km to a tank even driving nicely on a long run. It also has worse performance. The gearboxes in both were good, quite smooth after a transmission flush.

The 2L V6 4WD was much faster and significantly smoother to drive. It handled better and was much more fun to drive.

However the economy was disgraceful. I sometimes got less than 400km to a tank around town. For that economy I might as well drive a Subaru GT twin-turbo or a VR4.

I thought being the 2L instead of the 2.5L it might be OK on gas, but no.

8th Jun 2009, 20:15

Hi, I've randomly come into this blog, was wondering if anyone knows where to get a Owners Manual for SD GDI 1997?

Thanks for the above comments, I had no idea the wagon was supposed to run on 98.

29th Jul 2009, 14:36

I have been using my 97 Legnum GDI for 6 years here in NZ. Has done 85k now. Never missed a beat. It does lack power on the hills, but since I started using octane 95 or 98, it is running pretty sweet. Secret to GDI engine is high octane fuel.

Slight issue I have is the idling is not great. It doesn't idle smoothly. Still a great car, gives 600Km/50L. I import cars from Japan as a part time business and had so many chances to flick this car, but I am loving the look, interior, reliability and economy of this car. Have been to most of the Ski fields North and Sth Island with no major issues, but too low for club field roads (lot of rocks will destroy the bottom cover, if you drive fast like I did). Highly recommended car, but trick is to use high octane fuel.