2002 Mitsubishi Galant ES 3.0L V-6 from North America
Summary:
This is the most reliable car I've ever owned, and for the longest time
Faults:
There is little that has gone wrong with the car that wouldn't go wrong with most other cars of its age. I have had to replace the valve cover gaskets three times, but I attribute this to the mechanics and that they were aftermarket parts. The third time, they were replaced at a Mitsubishi dealer, and there has been no leakage since.
The only other thing was the turn signal stalk cracked, which is something I have never experienced on any car I've owned. But, it was in Florida, and car interiors are like ovens in the summertime. About 3 years ago, I purchased a set of factory wheels, as the wheel covers kept cracking, and one of them kept falling off. Although the new wheels are from a newer Galant, I get lots of compliments on them.
General Comments:
Having sold cars for a major used car chain, I got to see firsthand which vehicles had the most and least complaints. I researched many sources for what vehicles were reliable, and what issues they had. My two final choices were a 2000 Honda Accord, which had 64K miles on it in 2009, and the Mitsubishi Galant, which had 32K miles on it, and was the one I purchased.
I like the way the car handles, and the 3.0L V-6 packs quite a punch, so the car has absolutely no problem getting out of its own way. There is a slight amount of body lean, but after replacing all four struts, and the rear springs, it is vastly improved.
The manufacturer recommends 91 or higher octane, and it seems to perform better, but 87 is acceptable.
I would say that after nearly 11 years of ownership, I am a satisfied customer, and that Mitsubishi is first on my list when the time comes to replace it.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 27th March, 2020
1st Apr 2020, 01:43
The clunking sound you heard is most likely the motor and/or transmission mounts. If that's the case, and you decide to replace them, I strongly recommend Mitsubishi factory part replacements.