V6-24 Replacement

[AncientOfMu]

The wifes V6 is starting to get a bit long in the tooth now.

Done 130000 miles, mechanically seems excellent but shes starting to rust to bits.

Been thinking about replacing it.

Criteria

Preferably another Mitsi Galant Estate. Seriously looking at importing but dont want a VR4.

Would like as new as possible i.e. 1999/2000 but similar fuel economy to the V6.


What are my options Legnum/Galant wise???

Whos an expert on the models? I presume I should be avoiding the Jap GDI models...

Cheers

Don

[HMG1K]

Morning!

Yep, avoid the GDIs - I know other members on here would say otherwise and it's all down to personal opinion - but seeings we now know that GDI engines are not the future, as Mitsubishi had us believe at the time, I'd go for another V6. As you know its a 2.4 GDI Vs a 2.5 V6 - so go for the grunt, the extra power on tap, and it's a car you know.

The way prices are at the moment, you can get a very decent late 2002/03 V6 model with low miles (50 > 80k) for around £2,500 to £3,000 (and that's without negotiation, so maybe a bit cheaper), with the 'soft' VR4 styling and the leather.

[AncientOfMu]

Morning!

Yep, avoid the GDIs - I know other members on here would say otherwise and it's all down to personal opinion - but seeings we now know that GDI engines are not the future, as Mitsubishi had us believe at the time, I'd go for another V6. As you know its a 2.4 GDI Vs a 2.5 V6 - so go for the grunt, the extra power on tap, and it's a car you know.

The way prices are at the moment, you can get a very decent late 2002/03 V6 model with low miles (50 > 80k) for around £2,500 to £3,000 (and that's without negotiation, so maybe a bit cheaper), with the 'soft' VR4 styling and the leather.

I really would like to actuallya void the UK V6's as I dont like the later leather for one and also my experience of UK Galants/Legnums is they ALL suffer from bad rust.

Also if I import I can get a VERY low mileage example.

[Scanny]

my old S reg GLS didnt have any rust unlike the V reg GDi i now have which has some bubbling round the arches. like any car, its luck!

[HMG1K]

I really would like to actuallya void the UK V6's as I dont like the later leather for one.

You could always sell / swap out the newer leather for the older comfy thick black leather? I'm sure you'd get a taker for the newver version leather interior!

[bradc]

You can only get V6's in Japan in prefacelift Legnums, ie an ST or ST-R. Fortunately they are available in 4wd which is something you can't get UK new.

If you want a newer car, ie a facelift then you'll have to have a GDI 4 cylinder unless you get a VR-4, or of course a UK 2wd V6

[Rambaud]

I have had my GDI for over 2 years, and it's coming up to 145,000 miles. No rust except where the bodywork has been damaged and I have not got round to repairing it (less than the size of a couple of 10p pieces).

However, you need to make certain the previous owners have used the right petrol and good oil - and not always driven it like a nun.

I would not buy another GDI unless I was certain of its history.

If I cannnot find a Legnum or VR-4, then I will keep my GDI for the time being. The fuel economy is very reassuring, especially since the oil price seems to be on the increase.

[ritch_w]

this is a very good question, other than another Galant, what other car from 2004 onwards can replace the V6 Galant and provide a similar driving experience, road presence and "wow" factor? (A V6 Mondeo or vectra is not the answer!!!)

[bradc]

H6 3.0 6 speed manual Subaru Legacy with Bilsteins

[Nick Mann]

I know, it's a UK sport with late style leather, but there is a nice black V6 estate on ebay at the moment. Black isn't my first choice, but i did make me think of you!

[I-S]

Think brad might be onto something there...

However, the problem with newer cars is tax. Anything up to X reg will be £185 to tax. Newer than that and you start looking at CO2, and the 3.0 legacy will cost you over £400 to tax! Even later 2.0 galants are liable to end up at over £300 (but the government delayed the retroactive taxing).

That was one thing that swayed me toward the accord - it falls in a lower CO2 bracket, that is currently £215 and will only go up to £270.

Another one that you could achieve that with is the Legacy 2.5i, which also just falls in the same bracket.

[bradc]

Yeah had forgotten about that, stupid government over there.

For me to replace the ST-R over here a Legacy wagon is the only thing that makes sense