Originally Posted By: BrianWC
I've got a friend who's had an 80's vintage 2-door Dodge Raider (Mitsu Pajero) for at least 10 years. He loves the thing to death. But when we lived together, it was nothing for him to have the whole [censored] engine disassembled on the living room floor. I'm sorry, but just about any car can be made to last indefinately when you replace everything in it. It becomes a question of whether you want to. That, to me, does not make a car great.
I understand your point, however, I have yet to replace anything major on mine.
So far, it's always been routine maintenance. If the original valve guides have lasted 150,000 miles and nearly 10 years, I have nothing to complain about. I can get away simply by replacing the valve seals to solve my problem (1 litre every 4,500 km on synthetic), but I like going the extra mile. I'm even voluntarily replacing the valves, despite being told there is no requirement to do so. This truck's been great to me, and I've even made a trip from Kuwait to the UK and back with it, covering all sorts of terrain.
A bit of luck comes into play as well, I would imagine, but I maintain my cars a lot more than the average driver - which I reckon has something to do with it as well. Below is one of my posts from another thread titled 'How used is your car/truck?'
Originally Posted By: Falcon_LS
2000 Mitsubishi Pajero/Montero
3.0L V6 with ActivTrak
Use:
Daily driver - covers approximately 150-180 km (94-113 miles) of highway driving on a daily basis
I'm crazy about maintenance. I use a maintenance dose of MMO at every fill up, when tire pressures are also checked and adjusted to 44 PSI cold. Air filter is replaced every 5,000 km (3,000 miles) due to the excessively dusty environment. Oil/filter gets changed with GP IV synthetic and ARX maintenance dose every 15,000 km at the very least (going to push M1 0W-40 to 12,500 miles with UOA next). Tires get rotated (cross or back to front depending on interval) and rebalanced every 10,000 km (6,250 miles), when the undercarriage is also lubed. OEM copper plugs are changed every 25,000 km (16,000 miles). Coolant (70/30 with distilled H2O and IAT), transfer case oil (80W-90 GL-4), differential fluid (80W-90 GL-5), brake fluid (DOT 3), power steering fluid (Mercon V) and fuel filter is changed every 40,000 km (25,000 miles). ATF (SP-III) is flushed through cooler lines at 40,000 km (25,000 miles) also, along with a new screen filter and gasket assembly.
Timing belt and tensioner gets replaced with an OEM every 90,000 km (56,250 miles) alongside seals/gaskets and OEM PCV valve. OEM radiator hoses, thermostat and radiator cap are replaced at the same interval. Water pump is replaced every second timing belt change, alongside distributor rotor/cap and plug wires.
The OEM brake pads generally last about 55-60,000 km (35-38,000 miles) on average, and the rotors are skimmed every second pad change. Suspension/steering receives a thorough inspection every 100,000 km (60,000 miles), although Shock absorbers I generally replace with OEMs every 200,000 km (125,000 miles). I also tend to replace tie rod ends at the same interval. 275,000 km (171,875 miles) and still counting on original drivetrain.
Engine is washed on a daily basis. Truck gets washed (undercarriage included) and interior detailed once a week. Paintwork is detailed once every 3 months, regardless of mileage. Once a year, a full interior detailing is done (seats, carpet, etc. washed, headliner/plastics, etc. cleaned with glass cleaner). The Galant will be treated no different once I take delivery.
I tried to avoid traffic, dirt roads, mud, etc. as much as possible.
And I haven't just owned one - I've own quite a few Mitsubishis and I've been very pleased with them. I'm not one for dissing and I'm don't mean this in the wrong way, I'm trying to be fair. But prior to my oldest Mitsubishi, I've always had GM B-bodies. The drivetrains were great, even though the transmission failed on one of my Caprices at 350,000 km (220,000 miles) of highway driving. But the build quality was terrible. The things I've had issues with; countless door handles, sunvisors, cracking dashboard, window motors, motor antenna, power locks, squeaks from everywhere, main seal leaks, AC compressor failures. All these items are factory on my Pajero, never been touched. When I compare and contrast, yes the engine is prone to bad valve guides but it isn't that difficult to solve, compared to what I've had to go through with my B-bodies...especially when the bottom end of this particular engine is indestructible.
I know this is comparing apples and oranges...but what I'm trying to say is bad experiences can eventually get to you. I, for one, would never consider another GM car again. But I can understand why somebody would feel the same way about Mitsubishi, if they've been bitten badly by one. As long as Mitsubishi continues to build quality cars like they do now, which keep on improving, I will continue buying them. From your signature, I reckon it's been the same for you and Hondas.