Would you buy a new Mitsubishi?

This is a good distillation of the situation that brought me to the point where I'm considering the Mitsubishi.

I've been looking for an AWD vehicle for several months now and have been taking a dual-pronged approach to either find an inexpensive one with high miles and just use it as an inclement weather sacrificial offering or get a newer one with lower mileage and make it the new family road trip car. For anything les than $10K it's a real gamble on old vehicles with questionable service histories, accidents, and nearing150K miles. On the other end a 2015 base RAV4 with 80K miles is still $17-18K (plus 6% tax and other fees) for anything that hasn't been wrecked twice. For 5K more I could drive home a brand new vehicle with a 10 year warranty, no wear, and nobody's old boogers in the upholstery.

I've bought three used cars in the last four years and had relatively good luck with all three. I kinda worry that number four might be the proverbial lemon I've thankfully avoided thus far. Of course this all might be moot if I don't like it or if it's a bait and switch. I will find out tomorrow.

No way I'd buy a 10 year old Rav4 for $17k-$18k when I can get something brand new for $24k.
 
No way I'd buy a 10 year old Rav4 for $17k-$18k when I can get something brand new for $24k.
I’m talking myself into believing I can get it for less than that. The $3500 discount they are advertising turns out to be a factory incentive. My understanding of factory incentives is that Mitsubishi pays the dealer back for those, so the dealer is essentially selling for sticker price at that discount. They might be willing to come down another $2k if I work at it.
 
I’m talking myself into believing I can get it for less than that. The $3500 discount they are advertising turns out to be a factory incentive. My understanding of factory incentives is that Mitsubishi pays the dealer back for those, so the dealer is essentially selling for sticker price at that discount. They might be willing to come down another $2k if I work at it.

Even more of a reason to buy new.
 
Biggest issue for me would be the lack of Dealership support.
Central Ohio (Columbus area) is now down to one.

This can be an issue, even in large metro areas.

As a niche marque, dealers come and go more frequently, and those that are around don't necessarily have much experience working on the cars, or having parts in stock, especially if they're an afterthought part of a larger store.

The vehicles are fine, but the support infrastructure may be lacking. For most, whatever charms they possess may not be able to compensate enough for any practical deficiencies with support.
 
My project has 4 of them under lease right now - and and not uncommon to only have 3 available whilst they are trouble shooting some code …
 
I bought a brand new Outllander Sport SEL fully loaded last year. I like the fact that it is old school with port injection, easy access to the oil filter, CVT fluid changes seem to be ridiculously easy when needed at 30,000 miles. Also it has TWO CVT fluid coolers in it, unlike Nissans equipped with the same Jatco units. One that's cooled by coolant and another one that's cooled by cold air from the lower bumper. That's a big reason why Mitsubishi CVT's don't grenade themselves like Nissan. Add to that an uncluttered dash design with annoying infotainment kept to a minimum, and it's a win for me. It seems like it's tuned for durability versus performance, so 168hp suits me just fine.

Quality of the plastics on the Outlander Sport are leaps and bounds more rigid and durable than most manufacturers use in their cars. Some reviewers here have said their cars have no rattles and squeaks beyond 100k, which doesn't surprise me.

Mitsubishi's AWD systems are rock solid and with proper tires these things go anywhere in snow and ice.

So yes, I'd buy one again if something goes catastrophically wrong with the one I own.
 
Used that logic and bought a new 2014 RAV4 at a dealer an hour away. Toyotas never need warranty work. On the way home from delivery the infotainment head unit died. 2 or 3 trips back and a week with a loaner and it got fixed.

I wouldn't say toyotas never need wwarranty work, they're the recall kings for 1....
 
Well, if it doesn't go through. You can feel free to reach me at '48 hours and a used car' on Facebook. Hope it works and I wish you the best.
I went to look it up on your long term quality site but the Outlander Sport isn't listed.
 
Had to actually go look. I'd never even thought about them, but this is a pretty nice new car for 26k..

https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/inven...29#listing=410835579/NONE/NATIONWIDE_SHIPPING

If you can get it within 500 bucks of that list. But it smells like a leader to me. The car is a no go up here in snow country with only FWD.

from the dealer site:
Price is plus sales tax, license plate, vehicle registration, and EFT registration, destination/ handling, dealer admin fee. Out-of-state buyers are subject to a $299 convenience fee. RC Hill pricing is available to all customers who finance through dealer lenders, credit unions. RC Hill Mitsubishi savings and allowances may expire at any time. Prices are valid on the day of publication
 
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If you can get it within 500 bucks of that list. But it smells like a leader to me. The car is a no go up here in snow country with only FWD.

from the dealer site:
Price is plus sales tax, license plate, vehicle registration, and EFT registration, destination/ handling, dealer admin fee. Out-of-state buyers are subject to a $299 convenience fee. RC Hill pricing is available to all customers who finance through dealer lenders, credit unions. RC Hill Mitsubishi savings and allowances may expire at any time. Prices are valid on the day of publication
That was my rental on Puerto Rico that replaced a Outlander Sport we had for a day and asked for something better, absolutely superior to Sport.
 
I jumped in mine now. I left it sit because I'm breaking in a new car..
It's a very late 2024 in Oak Brown.
Has just over 4k miles on it.
If I take a 16 hr jaunt straight to Florida, no matter what so called superior new rides I have I grab a Mitsubishi....

This year I may take my Accord Hybid to save some gas money. Not a given...

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We all know the Japanese are capable of building high quality stuff en masse, and I see Mitsubishi as a hidden gem here. Just because they're not prevalent doesn’t mean they're unreliable. But YES, the relatively sparse dealer network can be a problem.

I'd absolutely take one over H/K or Nissan (the Chrysler of Japan).

There's a dealer an hour south of me, but I do always wonder if they might just vanish. They hardly advertise and you almost have to go looking for them.

OTOH @Zee09 drives one, so that pulls down the cool factor a couple points. Just don't think about that. And don't tell your friends or they won't want to hang out with you :D
 
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