08 Mitsubishi Galant (3.8L V6)

[Falcon_LS]

I was wondering if anybody here happened to have any experience with this vehicle. I've driven lots of '07-'08 ES models with the 2.4L and they were very impressive when it came to driveability...but I'm more interested in long term ownership. Unless unfortunate circumstances arise, I keep my cars until they are no longer feasible to keep on the road.

Long story short, I'm in the market at the moment for a second car. I had a '08 Outlander with a 2.4L/6-speed CVT and that was one heck of a car...I was originally intending to opt for a 3.0L version but there's none in stock and they haven't ordered any 2009's equipped with one. I had a look at the Lancer EX GT (or GTS as I think it's called in the US) and that was quite impressive too, albeit a bit on the small side. Then I had a look at a 3-door '09 Pajero (Montero) with a 3.8L V6 and 5-speed tiptronic. It's options are a bit limited, compared to the 5-door version but I know it's a proven vehicle. Price wise, it's $20,000 USD. I put nearly 160,000 miles on mine with no major repairs (other than a rebuilt alternator and valve stem seals) and standard maintenance.

It was a green light for the Pajero until I received a call from the dealer this morning. I was offered a fully loaded 3.8L Galant GTS for a very decent cash price ($19,750). 3.8L MIVEC V6, 5 speed tiptronic, 17" wheels, sunroof, leather seats, parking camera, touch screen, Bluetooth, Rockford Audio...you name it. For 2008, there are some minor changes it seems; new steering wheel (4-spoke same as the one in the Pajero), new tail lights and slightly different headlights. I test drove one, and fell in love with it...quite a different animal from the 4 cylinder versions I've driven. 258 bhp and 258 lb-ft of torque made it a blast to drive.

Up until 2007, Galants were sourced from Japan. 2007 and onwards, they are American built. They're very well put together from what I have seen, but I would love to hear if anybody has experiences with this particular vehicle (doesn't have to be a 2009...I believe the Export '07+ Galant has been sold in the States since 2004) in the long run. Thank you.

 

[soldierman]

Originally Posted By: Falcon_LS

Up until 2007, Galants were sourced from Japan. 2007 and onwards, they are American built. They're very well put together from what I have seen, but I would love to hear if anybody has experiences with this particular vehicle (doesn't have to be a 2009...I believe the Export '07+ Galant has been sold in the States since 2004) in the long run. Thank you.


I was pretty sure my wifes 2002 galant was built in the states so I went out and looked. The VIN tag says MADE IN U.S.A by Mitsubbishi of America.

Anyhow I like mitsu's alot but for ease of working on any car I'd always opt for the I4 because I do my own wrenching. If I didn't I would be more inclined to opt for a V6.

Not knocking the car you are looking at but to me they made a step back with the body styling when they changed it after 02-04. Not exactly sure what year don't see very many around here.

 

[Falcon_LS]

Correction: It IS a 2009 GTS model, not a 2008. They do not have any 2008's left. Went to check it out again to become more "acquainted" with the vehicle. Upon telling them I am ready to pay in cash, the price further dropped to $18,975.

Soldierman, thank you for your input. These are definitely made in the USA as well, they even have stickers on their windows that read "Built with Pride in Normal, IL."

I'm a Mitsu guy myself, which is why I haven't looked at another brand's offerings. I will post a couple of pictures when I download them from my camera.

 

[rg200amp]

Originally Posted By: Falcon_LS
Correction: It IS a 2009 GTS model, not a 2008. They do not have any 2008's left. Went to check it out again to become more "acquainted" with the vehicle. Upon telling them I am ready to pay in cash, the price further dropped to $18,975.

Soldierman, thank you for your input. These are definitely made in the USA as well, they even have stickers on their windows that read "Built with Pride in Normal, IL."

I'm a Mitsu guy myself, which is why I haven't looked at another brand's offerings. I will post a couple of pictures when I download them from my camera.


Pay cash??

I wish I had that kind of bank!!!


Im sure if you play the game right, you can get it for even cheaper.

 

[Falcon_LS]

I always save and pay cash on vehicles. Then keep them for as long as I possibly can. That way, you drive off the lot with no strings attached so to speak. Got a few contacts at the dealer, who actually did say it is possible to get it for less than the salesman's quote.

I'm going to do my homework first and not rush into it though. If I do end up going for the Galant, this is what I'll be going for (the GTS Premium as it's called):

 

[dishdude]

They are sharp looking, nice driving cars. For some reason, they don't sell well in the states. I do think the Galant was produced at the Diamond-Star plant, which is/was a joint venture between Mitsubishi and Chrysler. I think the Eclipse, Sebring/Avenger/Stratus (Coupes only) were produced there also Begining in the 90's.

I used to own a 2001 Stratus Coupe, it was Galant based and it drove nice.

 

[Benzadmiral]

That two-tone interior is very nice; you'd think you were looking at a much pricier car. I like the exterior styling too.

I thought I'd read here somewhere that Mitsubishis' build quality left something to be desired. Was that true on earlier models?

 

[Falcon_LS]

No complaints here as far as build quality goes, and I've been a Mitsubishi owner for 10 years with 2 vehicles.

 

[01rangerxl]

The Galant looks like a very nice car for $19K, but a 3-door Montero would be pretty sweet.

 

[soldierman]

Originally Posted By: Benzadmiral
That two-tone interior is very nice; you'd think you were looking at a much pricier car. I like the exterior styling too.

I thought I'd read here somewhere that Mitsubishis' build quality left something to be desired. Was that true on earlier models?


The only real problem I've got with mine (the 91)is the drivers is worn out pretty bad. I've looked in junk yards (years ago) and most cars I found had 200,000-300,000 miles and worn out drivers seats too.

My wifes 02 has so far been pretty much flawless. I think the only thing that failed so far was an o2 sensor at about 70,000.

Add. I think the rear has been redone recently I like the look from the back. But still like the front of the 02 era better.

 

[crinkles]

i came very close to buying a 380 which is the Aus equivalent of a galant. they used to make them in Adelaide South Australia but got shut down, they are now no longer sold.

i was taken by the price mostly for a 3.8L, 5 speed being the same as a camry 4 cyl auto.

only problem was headspace was limited - hit the front lining where the roof meets the windshield.

 

[Falcon_LS]

Crinkles, I read quite a bit about the 380 when it came up in related searches. This Galant replaced the Australian Mitsubishi Magna here, when it went out of production. That was an impressive car as well, shame they no longer make them. Wish a manual transaxle was an option on our Galants though...it was on the older ones, but not on the current one.

 

[CivicFan]

My first car was a Lancer and I liked its quality and the comfort. The only objection I had were a couple of rattling plastic compartment pieces - nothing that a dab of silicone could not fix.

I am puzzled as to why Mitsubishis don't sell well in the US.

 

[asiancivicmaniac]

I have never stepped foot inside the generation of Galant that you're asking about, but my aunt has a 2003 Galant. I think that one feels cheap and poorly built inside. Her dash has already cracked into several pieces. Some of the materials feel like they came from an economy car. Granted that she doesn't put up a sunshade or anything but my dad's Ford built Nissan Quest is three years older and gets treated the same way and there aren't any cracked or blistering plastic.

Of course, that price does sound like a lot of car for the money.

 

[Falcon_LS]

The last generation Galant was sourced from Japan in this market, and they were very decent vehicles with very decent build quality. Cannot comment on the American built ones of that era, however.

I remember the Eclipse, built at the same plant, had quality issues as well (specifically the paint)...supposedly these issues were addressed. That said, the quality on this one looks like the rest of the range, which are sourced from Japan.

 

[soldierman]

Originally Posted By: asiancivicmaniac
I have never stepped foot inside the generation of Galant that you're asking about, but my aunt has a 2003 Galant. I think that one feels cheap and poorly built inside. Her dash has already cracked into several pieces. Some of the materials feel like they came from an economy car. Granted that she doesn't put up a sunshade or anything but my dad's Ford built Nissan Quest is three years older and gets treated the same way and there aren't any cracked or blistering plastic.

Of course, that price does sound like a lot of car for the money.


I've been so happy with ours (the 02) that I had forgotten about a couple of cracks in the panel up near the defroster vents. But I bought it as a repo that was 2 yr old and my price was well less than half what it retailed for when new.

 

[moklock]

That style of Galant, sold since '04 here in the US, does seem like a pretty good car. I'm not a huge Mitsu fan myself but have especally liked this generation of Galant, especally in ES or GTS trim.

Mitsu at least here in the U.S. also covers it with 5yr./60,000 mi. "bumper to bumper" and 10yr./100,000 mi. powertrain warranties so I would think it is made pretty decent to keep their warranty costs down as well.

They are not great sellers here though for some reason, and the 2.4L DE models are heavily sold to rental fleets, but that does allow deals to be had on them as well.

 

[Cutehumor]

I had a 92 Mirage with 135K miles that I sold in 07. Pretty solid car, previous owner changed headgasket once but that was it. I had a rear main seal leak which I believe was from a car accident. other than that, car was solid. oil, trans fluid, starter, oxygen sensor, brake pads, tires. nothing major really. Galants are good vehicles I believe. They don't sell well here in U.S.A because of Mitsubishi made the planes in WW 2?

 

[Falcon_LS]

If people were so concerned with WWII, I don't think they would be buying Camry's, etc. either to be honest.

OTOH, I personally like the fact that this Galant is American-built. It works to my advantage in two ways. One is that should any part be expensive locally, I can order it online and wouldn't have to worry about compatibility as I sometimes have to with my truck.

Secondly I'm picking it up cheap, thanks to people's stupid way of thinking here. Because it isn't built in Japan, they think quality isn't up to par, when everything except stuff like the sheet metal, glass, horn, battery and exhaust is sourced from Japan. And they only know this through the window sticker. The Nissan Altima, OTOH, is built in Tennessee. Yet because people don't know that, it sells like hot cakes as they think it's "built in Japan".

If American-built cars are so bad, I find it amusing that people pay top dollar for GM products.

 

[mstrjon32]

If you haven't noticed, many people are idiots. They believe what they're told to believe.