Mitsubishi Gallant 2.5 V6 24 Tiptronic Automatic

I love to own the Mitsubishi Gallant 2.5 V6 24 Tiptronic Automatic.

I loved to spend money on this car, initially.

But eventually spending this money all the time becomes a little tiring to say the least.

The car isn't classed as 'unreliable' but it has its weaknesses for sure. Its well built generally, has solid surfaces in and out, leather, a mean look, its rare, and it can be fast when pushed, the only real bad thing I'd have to say about it is that the information given to drivers is a mess and the reliability of SOME parts is questionable.

Examples for you. They use automatic transmission fluid that NEEDS to be purchased from Mitsubishi alone. This is still not up to the job, so you must purchase Amsoil synthetic to make it last 25k - without any of this your Auto box could be dead within 10k - but again, not always!

Another issue, is servicing - up to £1k every 54k major service, 9k for oil and filters. And thats if the car makes it to the 54k interval!

The thing is, as I said, its not unreliable - it starts first time, every time, sounds smooth, drives well, it just has niggles that burrow so deep into your pocket if you're not a mechanic, it starts to chaff!

Example of costs: Amsoil Autofluid and flush £190 (needed as soon as you buy!), Cam belt and water pump (includes coolant change) =£300 Spark plugs =£150

I've also had this knocking noise coming from the steering column or thereabouts. Two track rod ends and steering rack end later, the mechanic still can't find the cause, and many others with this car get it too. It just seems to wear parts around the 100k mark, which is when the 54k service is due too! Ouch.

Scares of new steering racks (£1200) and new auto gearboxes (£1000-1500) loom over you every year - it may not happen, but it might, if it keeps up the little failures then fine, but if something big goes I'm afraid its value in monetary terms means this good car heads for the skip, well before its old, outdated and rusty!

Overall, I do like this car, I just wish it was consistent with its failures, then we could prevent them when it gets older. Goodness know what it will be like at 200k, maybe I will have slowly replaced the whole car bit by bit and will be ready to go another 200k!

Bought my 2001 Elegance estate car at 6 months old. Had seen cars like it and wanted one. I found it and bought it. 2 weeks after buying it its value had dropped significantly but I still loved it. I now use it for work and cover some 40,000 miles a year, it was expensive trying to keep up with the 9000 mile services. Its out of warranty now and have found a service at 20,000 miles is fine.

I like the other reviewers have the 17" alloys fitted although when I bought the car it was fitted with 15" wheels. The road noise is terrible on dunlops I now run on Toyos ther great and quiet when new only noisy when they get down to their limit. The one thing that bugs me about the car and it has been in the garage and had head technicians and the like look at it for is the vibration through the steering. For a car of its calliber this shouldnt be there. It also eats brake disks like there made of butter and replacing them costs an arm and a leg. And yet I still love it...WHY ??? Anyone that wants to own a really great looking estate car should buy one BUT be prepared to be let down by a few things.

I have had this Mitsubishi Gallant 2.5 V6 24 Tiptronic Automatic Estate car for 3 years, I bought it when it was 9 months old, saving £5,000. Depreciations is massive!

This car has everthing I ever wanted from a car.

Unfortunately it also has what I dont want, noise from the tyres and an uncompfortable ride.

The seats are also rubbish. They must be designed for a very light person as I am sitting on the frame at 14 stone.

The dealers are pompous and robotic. Some of the mechanics know what they're doing. Parts are very expensive and the warranty has huge holes in it.

The car is reasonably reliable. Apart from changing the Dunlops at 15,000 miles due to unbearable droning, only the lambda sensor has failed. I have got through loads of bulbs. All the rear bulbs blew when I went over a pot hole!

The three high level stop lamps are unbelievably expensive. Condensation in a front fog light was cured by drilling a couple of small holes at the perimeter.

From the moment of first starting the Mitsubishi Gallant 2.5 V6 24 Tiptronic Automatic up you instantly get a feeling of quality. The engine is so quite at idle I thought that it had stopped! The fully adjustable electric, leather seats are comfotable without being armchairish..

Taking the wooden gear knob and dropping it into drive has the feel of a Lexus and the leather and wood rimmed steering wheel reinforces this. I guarantee that the first time you accelerate away this car will knock your socks off. This huge Estate car simply flies. Gearchanges as smooth as a Mercedes this car glides along. With the option of driving this car manually using the Tiptronic gearbox changes it from a smooth powerfull Limo. to a grunting performing beast. The fully functional climate control makes this a pleasure to be in. The only drawback is the some what excessive road noise, although after a few times if driving this becomes less noticeable.