V6 24v Elegance buying tips / advice

[HMG1K]

I'm off to Preswick this weekend to look at a Galant V6-24v Elegance saloon - a 2003 '52' plate, manual, leather, in Black - at the Bridgend Mitsubishi dealership (on AutoTrader) - so I'd appreciate any advice on what to look out for - weak spots etc...

I've driven a VR4 - so know what to expect from a turbo'd 2.5... and expecting a leap from my current 8 valve 2.0 GLSi Galant.

It's one owner from new, 49,000... Dealer is so obliging and will do a full service and belts & tentioners... year warranty, new MOT... all without me asking! Compared to the hassle the Weston super Mare dealer was!

Thank you in advance
philip

[AncientOfMu]

I'm off to Preswick this weekend to look at a Galant V6-24v Elegance saloon - a 2003 '52' plate, manual, leather, in Black - at the Bridgend Mitsubishi dealership (on AutoTrader) - so I'd appreciate any advice on what to look out for - weak spots etc...

It's one owner from new, 49,000... Dealer is so obliging and will do a full service and belts & tentioners... year warranty, new MOT... all without me asking! Compared to the hassle the Weston super Mare was!

Thank you in advance
philip

tbh i dont think there is anything specific you should look for just general used car stuff.

imho it aint worth 6k though. but i guess thats what you get buying from a main dealer.

If it was my money i would go for a slightly older higher mileage one and get it a hell of a lot cheaper.

And if you are looking to spend 6k, why not get a facelift VR? maybe ive missed one of your posts somewhere but I thought you wanted a VR?.

[Johnny_Cashed]

£6k sounds high to me - my 03 2.5V6 Elegance saloon was only £6300 a year ago, on 60k miles, three new tyres, service, years warranty on all parts, in perfect condition.

[bradc]

It isn't worth 6k, but it does have all of the right option boxes ticked. Just get a VR-4 instead

[HMG1K]

Thanks guys...

I was after a VR4 - would love one, a facelift - but its the running costs and fuel that's swaying me the other way at the moment...

I've got the car down to £5.5k... plus I'm getting £400 (after haggling) for my 180k mile 1990 Galant which isn't worth buttons to anyone except me cos it's been a faithful car since I bought it with 10k on the clock... So the V6 Galant for £5,100.

[ANTHONY]

sounds good to me. the car IS worth it its just the car market that all wrong now if that was a Vectra , Mondao or BMW then it would be a lot more. but if your happy with the car and the deal their offering thats the most important thing

[ritch_w]

is it this car?
http://atsearch.autotrader.co.uk/msl...ch_full=SEARCH

if it is - i recommend this dealership knowing ths guys well and having bought tons of cars from them

[HMG1K]

is it this car?
http://atsearch.autotrader.co.uk/msl...ch_full=SEARCH

if it is - i recommend this dealership knowing ths guys well and having bought tons of cars from them

That's the one! I'm dealing with Gordon Brirrell there... Simply a wonderful guy to talk to, down to earth...

As I said in an earlier post on this thread he said they'd do a full service and tensioners & belts before releasing the car. He admited there are 2 very small and slight dings in the doors and told me they will pay to have those pushed out and looking perfect again - without me asking...

Thanks Ritch for your feedback... much appreciated!

[miller]

To be honest with you the difference in running costs between the V6 and VR4 are probably minimal. I bought a n/a GTO as i was scared of the running costs of a TT GTO. In the end i spent as much as any other TT owner on maintenance and running costs. Only difference was two turbos.

Just a thought, for £5k you are looking at top end VR4's and early facelift models.


Mike

[Kieran]

To be honest with you the difference in running costs between the V6 and VR4 are probably minimal

Unfortunately, the VR-4 is *much* more expensive to run. The V6 needs a fettle every 9K and will average around 28mpg combined. They're also not bad on insurance.

When I upgraded to my VR-4 I very quickly realised that I coudn't afford to run it as my daily commuter car - On paper the difference between 21mpg and 27/28 (what I got from the V6 Sport I had) doesn't sound like much. In reality it was cripplingly expensive!

Nick Mann (another serial Galant owner) commented that the V6 is 2/3 the fun of a VR-4, but 1/2 the costs!

[HMG1K]

To be honest with you the difference in running costs between the V6 and VR4 are probably minimal. I bought a n/a GTO as i was scared of the running costs of a TT GTO. In the end i spent as much as any other TT owner on maintenance and running costs. Only difference was two turbos.

Just a thought, for £5k you are looking at top end VR4's and early facelift models.


Mike

Thanks you for the info Mike - I thought it was saving in the fuel costs (getting more MPG for my pound) and not having the 4.5k oil & changes fluid changes (although I always do my oil and filter every 3k)

[Nick Mann]

As Kieran said, if you are looking at Mitsy dealer servicing, then the VR4 is nearly double the money to run, compared to the VR4. I could easily get 30 plus mpg in both V6's I have owned, but struggle to get over 20 in the VR4. VR4 servicing is more than twice the cost of V6, parts are often more complicated and more expensive and insurance is more. Plus things like tyres cost more and wear quicker.

The running costs aren't quite double, but don't expect it to be much less!

I would imagine this amount will reduce as the cars get older, as more parts will need replacing - suspension etc will not be twice the price.

[ritch_w]

big difference between running a v6 and a vr4.....

[ritch_w]

That's the one! I'm dealing with Gordon Brirrell there... Simply a wonderful guy to talk to, down to earth...

As I said in an earlier post on this thread he said they'd do a full service and tensioners & belts before releasing the car. He admited there are 2 very small and slight dings in the doors and told me they will pay to have those pushed out and looking perfect again - without me asking...

Thanks Ritch for your feedback... much appreciated!

Gordons a decent bloke - you'll be alright!

If I had known they had that car i'd be very very tempted to get it for it myself!!! Right spec, colour & manual - and good for 30 - 35mpg too! In fact let me know if u dont go for it
Is the private plate staying with the car too?

[scc]

I find the alloys on these V6's are easily buckled. I've had to pay a an expense to get a new set. Id drive up to around 80+ to see if there are any shakes in the steering etc.

Also the leather seats in the later models are not as good as the older V624 models. The later ones feel cheaper in comparison and they slide a lot more.

The original suspension makes the handling a bit skittish at times. Try punching out of a roundabout and you may feel a rolly rolly feeling to it also.

Perhaps not so much on the manuals, but the auto versions seem to have this bouncy feel when the car is in neutral.

Brakes are not so good on these cars.


Cheers,
scc

[HMG1K]

Gordons a decent bloke - you'll be alright!

If I had known they had that car i'd be very very tempted to get it for it myself!!! Right spec, colour & manual - and good for 30 - 35mpg too! In fact let me know if u dont go for it
Is the private plate staying with the car too?

That's good to know about Gordon! Thank you!

The plate's been transfered off the car by its last owner so now sits on a '52' plate...

Will keep you posted - the big fly up from London to Glasgow is this Sunday!

[HMG1K]

I find the alloys on these V6's are easily buckled. I've had to pay a an expense to get a new set. Id drive up to around 80+ to see if there are any shakes in the steering etc.

Also the leather seats in the later models are not as good as the older V624 models. The later ones feel cheaper in comparison and they slide a lot more.

The original suspension makes the handling a bit skittish at times. Try punching out of a roundabout and you may feel a rolly rolly feeling to it also.

Perhaps not so much on the manuals, but the auto versions seem to have this bouncy feel when the car is in neutral.

Brakes are not so good on these cars.


Cheers,
scc

Thanks for all the tips - really appreciate it! I know what you mean about the alloys - I haven't driven one with those on but they don't look 'substantial' from the photos!

I'll try out your tips too!

[ritch_w]

best thing to do with the suspension is change the springs over to eibach - totally eradicated the choppy harshness at low speeds and reduced body roll on the v6 eleagance / sport i had

[Kieran]

best thing to do with the suspension is change the springs over to eibach - totally eradicated the choppy harshness at low speeds and reduced body roll on the v6 eleagance / sport i had

Agree. I went with H&R springs on my V6. They were firmer than the Eibachs and not progressive, however they were still a HUGE improvement on standard. One of the best modifications to the Later V6 Sport/Elegance that money can buy I think.

[HMG1K]

Ritch has been over to see the car - feedback is she's excellent and is being kept inside away from the weather round there!

He's got second refusal - so between us, that V6 is going to a good home one way or another!