eBay gamble on a mouldy coffin with Mitsubishi attached....

[PJA]

Hello all!
I make a habit of buying a car on a whim and then joining up to the relevant forum to pick learned brains about the inevitable faults.

So it would be rude not to introduce myself first.

The story so far is that having been idly searching for Galants for several months, one finally appeared that met our criteria -
1 - An estate
2 - Not silver
3 - Manual
4 - 2.0L

The later 2 preferences were more in relation to economy, but also I prefer meshing cogs into each other and given that I'm a tight wad, service my own vehicles, the simplicty of a 4 pot appeals.

Having tried to buy a couple of Galants that simply did not pan out, I ended up winning the bidding on this beauty -



Bought unseen, but with a reasonably comprehensive description and photos. Seemed a genuine sale and honest vehicle so I handed over the cash and brought it home.

First thing was to pull the horric top box off it. Besides replacing a blowing front exhaust section I have been using it pretty much as is.

The need to fiddle is creeping in though and I shall be seeking advice on a number of jobs in the near future so hopefully the forum is happy to help...

Phil

[TAR]

Hi and welcome to the club. Car looks great. There are a few members who have non-vr4's. I' sure you will get all the advice you need.

[MarkSanne]

Looks quite alright (minus that top box indeed). Welcome to the club. I think 2L are the most unknown territory among these realms though But as the majority or parts is shared between the model range, fire away if you have any questions!

[Bobby~d]

Hi and welcome. Is the engine a 4g94? If so I had one of those in a saloon.

[Nick Mann]

I'm pretty sure the engine is a 4G63. Obviously not the turbo derivative!

Have fun with the car. Manual makes more of an economy difference than the engine size in my experience, but economy has never been my biggest consideration! I have seen a 2.0l with an LPG conversion that was incredibly cheap to run!

The issues most likely to have significant financial impact are the gearbox input shaft bearing and rust around the rear arches and strut tops.

[PJA]

Yes it's a 4g63 under the bonnet. My colleague who is in the process of turbo charging his MK1 MX5 has been trying to persuade me daily that it needs a windmill and that it would be all too easy.
I'm not convinced and for now 135ish bhp is enough (though I suspect it probably falls well short of that now!)

In time I would love a Legnum, but initial cost and insurance (at 23) are not so appealing. Start off with a lowly 2.0L and some day work my way up.

The gear change is my biggest gripe at the moment. It's really rather vague, so I shall need to look into what can be done about that.

I have to say I am properly impressed with the underpinnings on these. Even with the naff tyres it is on, it sticks like sh*t to a blanket, and I can imagine they must be pretty phenomenal with twice the power.

[Nick Mann]

The most difference I'd say is the traction. Off the line and powering through corners. These cars are quite understeery if you throw them in hard, but go in steady and lamp the power in a 4WD turbod version and the smiles really start.

There have been VR2's in the past, I'm sure you could do it without too much trouble!

[elnevio]

The gear lever mechanism may just need replacement bushes, at a guess.

As for the turn in, a very cheap and easy upgrade is to install a front strut brace from a VR-4 and the improvement will be noticeable!

[Adrian Flux Insurance]

Hi,
If you need any help with insurance at all then please feel free to drop me a line.
Regards,
Dan.

[PJA]

Alas you already insure me on this car Dan of the Adrian Fluxings!

And my wife on her Hyundai.

Loyal customers and all that.


ANYWAY!

Just this morning ordering some new wheels. One has their priorities in order.

Did post a thread regards wheel arch panels but can't seem to find it now?