Mitsubishi: the brand and the local dealers - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

Eddie Bronze · 07-04-2006, 10:05 PM

I am currently debating the possibility and weighing the options of getting a new vehicle. The car I have now has nothing wrong with it, but it's been with me 6 years and it's time for a change. I've been warned by many a wise man to never keep a vehicle for more than 5 years and I've more than exceeded that, so the time has come.

So looking at all the fancy sports cars on the market (I've never had one), and trying to establish the affordable ones from the "more-money-than-brains" ones, one in particular has caught my eye and it has a Mitsubishi logo on it.

So in talking to friends, getting opinions and checking insurance rates and all the other "fun" stuff of making the decision, I've neglected a great resource. CP.

So I'm here to ask CalgaryPuckers a few questions. First and foremost, do any of you have (or had in the past) dealings with the local Mitsubishi dealerships? From looking, I only see two, Hyatt and Platinum. Is one better than the other in terms of service and customer care/support? Maybe they are both good, maybe they both have bad reputations? I honestly have no idea.

Also, any general comments from those of you who have experience with owning a Mitsubishi or have friends/family who have one, specifically the Eclipse, is welcomed. I hear the price to replace parts is very high. What I'd like to know is, do they have to be replaced often? Are there any general defects or deficiencies this model/make are known for? Also, I see a ton of options you can go with, are they worth it for the price they come at? Any other random thoughts are welcomed.

Cheers!

calf · 07-04-2006, 10:17 PM

a good friend of mine owns a Lancer and absolutely adores it...almost too much. I haven't gone behind the wheel, but it seems like a great vehicle, and I'm sure the other ones are good.

as for the dealerships - same friend bought from one, but continually deals with the other because the one he bought from sucks. I have no clue which one is which, but I'll check it out for you.

NSFL · 07-04-2006, 10:24 PM

When I got my outlander I dealt with platinum. We've continued to go to them. The service guy there is great. In my opinion they're very well made cars with a smaller price tag than brands such as Toyota. And I absolutely love my car, but I don't know about any of the littler cars.

Bend it like Bourgeois · 07-05-2006, 12:10 AM

i used to have a lot of car dealer clients - a notorious group for late payment and generally being a pain in the ass etc.

The guys at platinum were very good to deal with.

May not mean a damn thing when it comes to buying from them, but people tend to have habits, good or bad.

For what its worth.

STeeLy · 07-05-2006, 12:27 AM

My family used to own a mitsubishi back in Hong Kong... If the quality of the vehicles there is the same as it is here, then I would definitely recommend it... They can last you so damn long... that car stayed running for like 12 years... with a minor tune up, and it stays running... definitely good stuff these Japanese make.

Tower · 07-05-2006, 01:59 AM

If they ask for $40,000 (example) offer 37,500. You should end up at 38,000 and 40.00 per month less in your end cost.

Hack&Lube · 07-05-2006, 04:09 AM

I rode in an new eclipse for a few minutes the other day. Felt great but that's all I can offer, I didn't actually drive it. The stock racing style seats were a nice touch. The automatic car has the tiptronic feature where you can shift up and down manually if you want to.

TheyCallMeBruce · 07-05-2006, 10:04 AM

I test drove the eclipes recently (I'm looking for a new car too). And the manual GT is a beast. Fast, agile, and smooth. No wind noise. Corners like a demon. It's awesome.

Antithesis · 07-05-2006, 12:19 PM

My friend owned one (an Eclipse) in the early 90s range and bought a new one a couple years ago. He obviously swears by them and it certainly is a fun car to drive, but that's all I can offer.

My stepfather teaches the AST program at SAIT and he says they're OK cars but says that if something goes wrong with the car, it goes disastrously wrong, FWIW.

RedMan12 · 07-05-2006, 03:00 PM

My father in law is a manager at a car plant that makes Mazada and Mitsubishi car parts in Japan. The factory is very strict and if a part is even off a fraction of a milimeter they throw it out. They take alot of pride in making good quality parts.

Eddie Bronze · 07-05-2006, 07:37 PM

One of the biggest obstacles for me in making the decision is the fact that I don't have anywhere to put the car I have now when I buy, so I have an alternate vehicle for winter driving. I'm not concerned about "keeping it on the road" as I'm a careful driver and I'm not buying it for the 263hp

but more for the look.

It's sexy. Driving a car like that in the winter and getting gravel tossed against it is shameful and I feel I should be punished for such an act.

shane_c · 07-06-2006, 08:46 AM

I haven't been in one but they certainly look nice. And any of the reviews I've read on them have been pretty good.

Eddie Bronze · 07-08-2006, 03:21 PM

I bought it.

Antithesis · 07-08-2006, 03:37 PM

And? Details!

Eddie Bronze · 07-08-2006, 03:56 PM

lol

I'm not sure what to say. I don't have it yet, they only had one Black one in the city and it's a GT, so I have to wait for it to be shipped here. I'm getting the GS, not the 263-hp GT, but the difference allows me to get the sun and sound option and automatic transmission which is nice for someone who does 99% city driving. Not to mention the fuel I'll save on with rising prices at the pump. The sound options are pretty awesome, Rockford Fosgate 6-disc MP3 changer with 9 speakers and 10-inch sub.

The '06's are all sold out and there's not much left of the '07's according to the guys I talked to. He said if I waited much longer I'd be waiting until this time next year to get an '08 and they're probably giving me twice what my car is actually worth on trade-in.

I took one for a test-drive. The car is incredibly responsive. The sporttronic sequential shift allows for auto and manual shifting so you can blow by someone with one click of a button. The only downside to sitting in that car is there is a terrible blind spot over your left shoulder so that will take some getting used to.

Bobblehead · 07-08-2006, 04:12 PM

Congtats on the new wheels.

And DO NOT look at car prices for a few months. No matter how long I look for a vehicle, the week after I finally get one I'll see something bettter for less and feel buyers remorse.

We were driving by the Platinum dealership earlier today, and my wife was drooling over the thought of getting an eclipse. Just like she has for the last 3 years.

Eddie Bronze · 07-08-2006, 11:21 PM

Thanks Bobblehead.

I'll definitely be taking your advice and avoiding looking at the prices. I've already been advised by my sister, the insurance agent, about insuring it against depreciation and some other random things.

I'd also like to say that I have about 6 or 7 people to really thank for this. That would be the group of girls who've turned me down over the past few years. If it wasn't for their great decision making, I wouldn't be able to do this. Instead of spending my money on you, I'm spending it on myself. So yeah, thanks gals!

I-Hate-Hulse · 07-09-2006, 12:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eddie Bronze

It's sexy. Driving a car like that in the winter and getting gravel tossed against it is shameful and I feel I should be punished for such an act.

I disagree - it's a car, not a museum piece. Drive it like it's meant to be driven. With our minimal snowfall of recent years it hasn't been that bad to cars.

Just get snow tires!

Eddie Bronze · 07-09-2006, 01:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by I-Hate-Hulse

I disagree - it's a car, not a museum piece. Drive it like it's meant to be driven. With our minimal snowfall of recent years it hasn't been that bad to cars.

Just get snow tires!

Good points, well taken. They are offering me a chance to buy Paint Protection and Rust Protection warranties for $469. Every year for the life of the warranty I can take it back and have them re-done for free.

I-Hate-Hulse · 07-09-2006, 01:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eddie Bronze

Good points, well taken. They are offering me a chance to buy Paint Protection and Rust Protection warranties for $469. Every year for the life of the warranty I can take it back and have them re-done for free.

That's been discussed in every new car thread in CP - common consensus - thery're gimmicky and of not real benefit - to be avoided