http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/cto/1106468186.html

What do you guys think? Interesting to me because it's AWD and seems cheap (though 3900 seems pretty high). Is this a timebomb or a find, or just a "meh" vehicle?

4/7/2009 1:25:15 AM

I don't about reliability but I do remember people wanting those.

4/7/2009 4:06:23 AM

its pretty much our first version of an EVO i think it has the same drive line as one of the earlier evos just in a bigger car.

4/7/2009 6:29:29 AM

most DSM parts will work on it, although it is a little tougher to extract the same amount of power than from an Eclipse GSX or Talon TSi. I can't remember why...maybe the intercooler and its routing or something?

4/7/2009 8:31:50 AM

what ever you do, dont EBAY MOD it. do minimal mods. some of the older guys tha are into ricer cars will pay top $ for those things

4/7/2009 9:16:52 AM

I think it's pretty cool...

4/7/2009 3:26:36 PM

a galant vr4 is a dsm in a heavier body. they were imported in low numbers (2000 I believe). they have 4 wheel steering that mostly breaks, and the same shitty drivetrain as an awd dsm. if the car doesn't grind in second, I'd be astounded. that car will not be cheap to own as mitsu QA is pretty shit. they also weigh something stupid like 3400-3800lbs for a car with no airbags.

I should make a caveat that I (and many others) exaserbated these issues by making the car faster. the motor is stout and once you remove the balance shafts (liabilities) they perform handily and cheaply. I would spent the extra 2-3k and get an 02+ high mileage wrx

[Edited on April 7, 2009 at 4:45 PM. Reason : .]

4/7/2009 4:40:04 PM

It's more the novelty of the car to me, than the performance.

If I bought the thing, I would "mod" it at all, unless it was beefing up parts that are prone to failure (4 wheel steering, REALLY?)

Zero interest in performance mods, I have a car for that. As a DD, am I being retarded, should I just wait and drop dime on a much newer cruiser?

4/7/2009 6:57:52 PM

buying a 17 year awd mitsubishi seems like the dumbest DD I've heard of in awhile.

but its only 3900$

4/7/2009 7:00:05 PM

this is a pretty bad idea

4/7/2009 7:26:28 PM

find a mechem(sp) 3rd gen camaro. those are fuckin hot

4/7/2009 8:51:03 PM

Quote :

"It's more the novelty of the car to me, than the performance."

i would say definitely go for it then. they are super cool cars in my opinion, and definitely functional/practical sleepers. as has been said, it's basically just a 1g dsm (eclipse/talon/laser) engine and drivetrain in a galant chassis. the only other car i'd want more from that era of boxy 4 door "family" cars would be a dodge spirit r/t.

if it's clean and seems to be well cared for, that's not a bad asking price at all. i see no reason that it won't hold that value if not increase over the next few years, either. they're fairly rare, especially in good condition and unmolested. they're still sought after by enthusiasts, and that will likely only increase as their numbers dwindle.

sure, it's not going to be a honda accord in terms of reliability or cost of ownership, but i think the overall opinion of that is a little over exaggerated in here. most people's only experience or knowledge of dsm's is of extensively modified ones or ones that have been abused/neglected. it's unfortunate that too many ricer faggots have given them such an undeserved poor reputation.

a big part of the problem is the 4g63 is such a monster of an engine, capable of reliably doubling its power output for dirt cheap. for some reason, this leads people to expect that the rest of the drivetrain should automatically follow suit. sorry, but throwing 400-500hp at something originally designed to take 200-250hp just doesn't work without some upgrades. they're not toothpicks either, though. plenty of guys out there putting 350-400whp down daily driven without a hitch from the stock drivetrain. the carnage comes when you do hard launches. clutch dumps off the rev limiter will destroy parts even with a stock engine running on 3 cylinders.

the truth is that if they're left relatively stock and taken care of, they'll reward you with the same great service of most any other early 90's japanese sedan. they're also excellent platforms to build from, you just have to keep in mind that even though they've got some super impressive aspects to their design it doesn't mean the whole car is. it sounds like you're willing to deal with any of the little quirks owning something unique might bring, so i'd say it's a perfect choice. it's not like they're that exotic anyway. parts are readily available from any local parts store, dealers, or online. there's also a huge enthusiast following/community out there to gain info and knowledge from.

i know you're not interested in doing mods just for the sake of more power, but i would highly recommend doing a few of the cheap bolt ons/free mods. those are things that will help with fuel mileage, reliability, and provide some extra power. just enough to make it more fun to drive. they're all things that are easily reversible if you wanted, but are also desirable to have done even to someone wanting a "stock" car. i can go over what they are and list them if you're interested.

4/8/2009 12:42:38 AM

I don't have any problem with Galant Vr-4's, but this one has had the engine and drivetrain components replaced at least once. At that price I would be uneasy about buying a car with somewhat sketchy history. Or maybe I'm being too picky about a car that is known to be abused (or at least the DSM's are)?

4/8/2009 1:15:33 AM

yeah, i just noticed that too after reading the ad closer. i wouldn't consider that a downside though. it's not like people are after "numbers matching" dsm's. the source and type are what's important. if anything, this one would be a plus imo. it's the most desireable engine (6 bolt), and being lower mileage with a matching trans/t-case and new clutch is a positive. assuming it's a genuine jdm engine, that definitely makes the low mileage believable. it also makes it more desirable to some enthusiasts to have that swap.

the timing belt/tensioner being replaced is definitely a plus as that's one of the main "must do" preventative maintenance procedures if you get one with no history. the same can be said for the head gasket, though it's really only critical for people planning on a lot more boost and/or bigger turbo. i would think the one on this engine would have been replaced at the same time as the timing belt. i would definitely ask.

4/8/2009 1:35:20 AM

Quote :

"clutch dumps off the rev limiter will destroy parts even with a stock engine running on 3 cylinders."

sounds like you've tried this before...

4/8/2009 10:19:54 AM

lol, nevAr...

4/8/2009 10:41:23 AM

^

4/8/2009 12:30:49 PM

awesome cars

4/8/2009 12:32:06 PM

a galaump is what the nigs call it

4/8/2009 12:40:51 PM

Thanks for the thoughtful reply BBR That really helps me a lot, and is exactly in line with the way I'm thinking. May go have a look at this thing this weekend and see what state it's really in.

4/8/2009 1:16:48 PM

NC i would hope

4/8/2009 1:35:44 PM

yes... seattle, nc of course...

4/8/2009 1:36:33 PM

missed that, doh, it was a joke anyway

4/8/2009 2:06:49 PM

no, youre just an idiot

4/8/2009 11:46:21 PM

I knew this guy in greenville that had one. He had modified it and it was fast as shit. He liked to do the high rpm clutch dumps... with the seats full no less.

4/9/2009 1:00:08 PM

has been flagged?

4/9/2009 3:39:05 PM

yes this thread has been fagged by Ragged

4/11/2009 10:40:55 PM