1996 Mitsubishi Libero X 4wd 1.8L petrol from Australia and New Zealand
Summary:
An excellent bargain for the money
Faults:
I have had no major problems with the car except the front passenger automatic window relay stuffed out.
General Comments:
The car has masses of room for a small wagon with plenty of up and go when the foot goes down.
It climbs hills like a goat, but that's what the 4wd is for.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 17th November, 2003
3rd Sep 2006, 02:31
I've got one. It's been pretty reliable and very versatile - but it's got the "rusty roof" problem that seems to be all too common among Mitsubishi vehicles made during the early to mid 90s. The combination of all-wheel drive and slightly higher ground clearance is ideal for the road conditions commonly found in New Zealand (IE, complete crap outside of the main centres).
The four wheel drive system is very handy. I've taken mine out to the Red Rocks seal colony on Wellington's south coast (further progress was prevented by the rock formation known locally as "Hell's Gate"). I've also used it to pull a bogged down late model Commodore out of some mud! The Commodore owner was grateful (and suitably embarrassed) after being 'saved' by my cheap Mitsi.
The rusty roof means that I'm going to have to replace it soon, and I'm currently looking for a Subaru Legacy Grand Wagon (I'm sold on the non-SUV 4x4 station wagon concept).
18th Mar 2006, 19:32
Funny how your mileage has gone backwards. Probably after it's already been wound back in Japan before it was shipped over. I had one of these for about 3 years, the "G" model 1995 as a company runabout in New Zealand (used Jap import straight off the boat)and it was the worst car I have ever had the misfortune of driving. 3 speed auto to a 1.5L carby engine with the aircon on didn't make for spirited driving. It had no rev counter and at 100kph it made your ears ring from the noise. But then you could always turn on the radio, a one speaker (on the passenger side) AM only no cassette job. Also had major front suspension issues at "50,000" k's causing it to fail warranty-of-fitness checks, twice. The auto could never make it's mind up what gear to be in at below 50kph. On the plus side it did have front power windows for some reason.
I used to look at the 4wd 1.8L turbo versions going past me (often) and would always wonder that MMC could make cars for their own market in such widely varying spec levels.