I'm often accused of "extolling the virtues" of any Mitsubishi we get here to test. It's true, I have a twisted sort of loyalty to this brand. I've been driving Mitsubishis -- though not by choice -- for over 15 years starting with a 1989 Dodge Raider (a rebadged Montero) which was loaned to me and then finally given to me by a friend. The thing was a box on wheels with all the refinement of a sidewalk but I'll say one thing about it -- it never gave up...
But this morning I came out and found the above pictured 2007 Mitsubishi Outlander waiting to take me to work. This small SUV is actually very attractive and the interior -- holy cow! -- I think it looks great! But under the skin, deep in its DNA, is the feeling of the earlier Mitsus I used to drive. Torquey engines on the low end, unrefined but honest and hard working at higher revs. The ride is firm and the brakes are a little grabby until warmed up. Quirky and with personality despite all attempt to make it as generic as a Toyota, the Outlander is an echo of my past.
Is the ultimate test of a vehicle which one can pack in the most features? Or is it the results of a tally sheet with ratings from 1 to 10 and a total that outdoes the competitors? That might hold true for Edmunds and Inside Line drivers. But for car owners in the rest of the country, who get hand-me-downs, or buy based on looks, or get a good deal or fall into the clutches of an aggressive car salesman, we often wind up with less than perfect choices. Then, our judgement of the car we drive is more simple. Did it get us to work and back most of the time? Was it always in the shop draining our wallets? Did it give more paint that it received in fender benders? If we rated Mitsubishis on that scale I'd have to say they are, well, pretty good. Let's face it, some decisions we make in life can't be explained with mere reasons. Alll you can say is, "There's a story behind this... But I don't have time to go into it now."
Philip Reed, Edmunds Consumer Advice Editor
skierx420 says:
03:22 PM, 06/12/07
Speaking of Dodge Raiders from 1989 I had one! Ok it was my dads but I drove it. And I drove his 87 before that. I wonder if there are any of those things still running out there?
stingray454 says:
07:25 AM, 06/13/07
All the ones I've seen had major rust cancer. I think most of them have rusted away and are no longer. I'm sure there are a few in the desert southwest though where the rust won't get them.
psychogun says:
07:45 AM, 06/13/07
stingray454, you are spot on. Phoenix seems to be a hot spot for older Mitsubishi models. I see Raiders porbably once to twice a month. I also see late 80's and early 90's Galants (including the 1987 Sigma), as well as first generation Diamantes on a near weekly basis.
I've even seen old Colt models and Tredia's from the early 80's once in a while.
mwc993 says:
01:28 AM, 06/15/07
Well, I never have owned a Dodge Raider, but I did purchase this Outlander a few weeks ago, and love it. The one thing I can't comment on is the Nav system. I didn't pot for it, but so far I am very pleased with the rest of the car. I did notice that the 4 wheel drive takes a few seconds before fully locking in too.