Rating Reviewed by: Bill Gerstenmaier(Unregistered User)
Review Date September 20, 1999
Overall Rating 4 of 5
Value Rating 5 of 5
Used product for More than 2 years
Visitors rate this review 4.50 of 5,
2.00 votes
Review 1 of 102
Year / Model Reviewed: pre 1997 Mitsubishi Diamante Wagon
Summary: (pre 1997 Model) - I think this model (the wagon) is Mitsubishi's knock-off of an Audi. Bought it from a dealer in Md. It was coming off a Budget Renta-a-Car leaase, so I got it for $15K w/13K miles and drivetrain warranty until 2001! Strong engine, solid car, luxurious for it's class. Very few made (in Australia, no less!) so not high on car-thieves' list, thus low insurance. Strangely, the front brake rotors have had to be retrimmed twice and need it again; they keep warping (may be an overtightening from an earlier servicing and so just this car) Needed a new battery last year and new fuel pump 3/99. Otherwise, a great car and great value! Too bad they stopped making the wagon.
Strengths: Reliable, comfortable, solid
Weaknesses: Brakes, fuel pump, electric windows
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Summary: On the night of July 6, 2004, I purchased a 2003 Mitsubishi Diamante LS with 12,000 miles. It is black with tan leather interior. The car is in immaculate condition. It possesses almost every conceivable luxury, sunroof, automatic climate control, heated seats, traction control, outside temperature, wood, leather, CD player, antilock brakes, rear seat center arm rest, garage door opener, power driver and passenger seats, seat memory…
The features that I was looking for in a new car (ranked in order of importance):
1. Quiet, rattle free, luxury interior.
2. Smooth, powerful, quiet 6-cylinder engine.
3. Attractive body.
4. Good vehicle quality, inexpensive to repair.
5. 1-2 year old car with low mileage for approximately $20,000.
As I drove to work this morning, I marveled at the quite interior and smooth ride. While I am a smooth, conservative driver, I could not help testing the Diamante’s power. To borrow a term coined by Rolls Royce engineers, this car possesses “waftability”, that is, strong, silent, graceful acceleration. As I merged onto the highway, the anxious Benz that was crowding my bumper faded in the rear view mirror.
The engine seems smoother than some of the other cars that I considered, including Acura, BMW, and Audi. The other engines were loud and buzzy in comparison. While the Nissan Maxima possessed a very smooth and potent V6, ultimately the Maxima’s stark, plain, sporty interior could not compete with the Diamante’s more upscale, civilized cabin. I really love the wood accents in the Diamante. The Audi has by far the nicest interior of any car in this luxury class. However, like the other cars in this class (Lexus, Infinity, BMW, Mercedes, Audi-A4, Volkswagon-Passat), the Audi was priced several thousand dollars more than the 1-year old Diamante. Ultimately, I paid $18,000 for the Diamante, which was about $6,000 less than my other serious consideration, a 2002 Audi A4 Quattro with 40K. While I liked the A4’s interior and exterior styling far more, the Audi’s expensive repair costs and significantly higher price made the Diamante an easy choice.
I read every Diamante review that I could find from individuals and auto magazines. The reviews by owners were very helpful with regard to how much of a bargain this car is on the used car market. I can’t believe they cost less than some Accords, Camrys, and Maximas. The Diamante is undoubtedly a superior vehicle. A couple of the auto magazine reviews gave me some apprehension regarding the Diamante’s performance. In particular, they mentioned body roll while cornering and nose-dive under hard braking. My concerns were quickly dispelled after driving the Diamante. I drove around an exit ramp at a high rate of speed and felt virtually no body-lean. Additionally, I braked relatively hard at a traffic light and did not experience nose-dive. Unless you drive your Diamante like some maniac working for an automotive magazine, the car handles very satisfyingly. In fact, the handling is far superior to my old, sporty, two-door coupe.
The most important aspect of car for me is comfortable seating in a quite rattle free interior that is well appointed with wood/leather. I found the interior to be very quiet, with very good insulation from road noise. There are no rattles in this car. The seating is adequately comfortable for my 6 foot 3 inch body.
In respect for the Diamante’s Australian origin, my first musical experience had to be an Australian musician. Admittedly, my collection of Aussie music on CD is quite limited to only “Men at Work”, “Frente”, and “ABBA”. I choose the 1996 Men At Word song “Down Under”. I had a huge smile as I sang the following words during my first morning commute:
Traveling in a fried-out combie
On a hippie trail, head full of zombie
I met a strange lady, she made me nervous
She took me in and gave me breakfast
And she said,
"Do you come from a land down under?
Where women glow and men plunder?
Can't you hear, can't you hear the thunder?
You better run, you better take cover
I can’t wait for my ride home, enjoying some “Frente” in my luxury sedan. Perhaps I may even be tempted to experience more “waftability”.
Summary: After only driving Hondas for the last 15 years I am thrilled with the Diamante. Fast, quiet, power everything, smooth and looks good. Never heard of it before and I was a little apprehensive. After driving the vehicle to work for a week I would not give it up. Not a good buy new but a great car for the money if you can pick one up used.
Strengths: used price, power, size, looks
Weaknesses: handling, although this is a 4400 pound vehicle.
Similar Products Used: civic, oddy
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Summary: This is the first foreign vehicle I have ever owned and I am very pleased. I bought this car new, knowing full well that it had high depreciation. However, I didn't have to pay anything down and had no payments or interest for a year. In addition, I got the car wholesale because I am a Costco member. Wow, driving a car free for a year...can't beat that! I drive 50 miles a day between Seattle and Tacoma and this car performs flawlessly. Performance is fast, transmission is smooth, passing is a breeze, the gas mileage averages 25mpg, the ride is smooth, handling is just fine for a large car, the radio is incredible, the seats comfortable and the tires now have over 54,000 miles and still some tread left.
Strengths: Not too many of these are on the road, so it's nice owning a car that not everyone else drives. I like driving a rare car. The seats are very comfortable and have every possible setting. The radio is superb, you can't possible hit the highest audio level! This car is quick, smooth and responsive, but also luxurious. The climate control system is one of the best on a car that I have owned. The heater, air and defroster work so fast. I like the cockpit seating area and it's European feel. The car is very stylish and looks like a pseudo-BMW. Great deal from the dealer.
Weaknesses: There are a few things that annoy me, but they're minor. When I got the car, it only had the capability of inserting 1 CD. It took a while to get used to the tilt wheel tilting down (as American cars tilt up), but I got used to it. The window lip is rather high so it's difficult to dangle your arm on the window sill when the window is down. There's no passthrough between the backseat and the trunk. It would have been nice to have a trip computer as an option. Definately, the low resale value is the biggest negative, but the deal I got negated the low resale value.
Similar Products Used: AMC Gremlin (hate to admit), Chevy Monte Carlo, Pontiac Grand Prix and 6000-STE, Olds Tornado and Cadillac Fleetwood
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Summary: This car is great. Fast, solid, lots of room, power options, crashes well, looks good, used price is great. I was worried about buying a mitsubishi product but this has turned out really well. I was sorry to see mitsubishis parent co. gave up this model for the charger.
Strengths: fast, reliable, low purchase price. run into by a f-150, no injuries. although the phoenix area body shop did a crummy job repairing the car and charged the insurance co. for work they didnt complete. i have rubbed out most of the paint drip marks and i kick the rocker panel back into place every now and then.
Weaknesses: strange a/c controls, but the a/c is very cold.
Similar Products Used: honda mini van (wife and I fight over who gets stuck driving it)
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