Mitsubishi L200

Harry_Flashman

I bought my new L200 Animal (old shape) a couple of weeks ago and generally, I'm happy with it. :cool:

On the plus side:

Huge load carrying ability (and yes, I do use it as a load carrier sometimes - although no commercial use).
Awesome road presence (black with lots of chrome and it is a biggie) - keeps the chavs in the Saxos and Pugs well out of my way.
Good aftermarket stereo (with large speakers) - enable me to drown out the awful thumping noises from said chav motors.
Reasonable economy (btween 34 and 37 mpg over the last few fills) compares with my last car - much smaller Shogun Pinin.
Excellent towing ability - encouraging me to look for a caravan
Great luxury details - leather seats, cruise control, leccy windows and mirrors.
4 Wheel Drive - I will be taking in a few green lanes (although I'm no quarry basher) and it will be a help when the snow and ice comes again. I have had some training and experience so I know what I'm doing out there.

Minus Points

My insurance has gone up :mad: (almost £40 a month) - I guess I can minimise this when renewal comes.
The tyres are huge 18" things - gonna cost a fortune in the future.
I've no idea what servicing costs are gonna be like - but I don't imagine it'll be cheap.

All in all, I don't regret buying it for a moment. At last, I don't have to envy what anyone else is driving :j

Just thought this might be a help to anyone else looking at one of these impressive beasts.

Please comment if you have any other experiences

DKLS

Glad you like it, I tried on on a test drive and felt seasick at the way it handled it was very easy to get sideways, mostly when you wouldnt want a pick up to be going sideways.

Harry_Flashman

The handling is a little 'agricultural', but I wouldn't call myself a speed merchant in any way (not saying you are either ). Like any rear wheel drive motor, care is needed in the wet.

iolanthe07

Generally I think Mitsubishi vehicles are excellent and under rated in the UK. They are good value too.

colino

Be careful if you are keeping up the dealer warranty. The service costs (especially charges for engine oil) are eye-wateringly high.

Harry_Flashman

Nah, it's old shape so well out of warranty.

Actually, it's a common misconception that cars have to be serviced at the dealer to maintain warranty. They have to honour the warranty so long as it's been serviced at recommended intervals at a VAT registered garage.

vikingaero

Harry_Flashman wrote: »

Nah, it's old shape so well out of warranty.

Actually, it's a common misconception that cars have to be serviced at the dealer to maintain warranty. They have to honour the warranty so long as it's been serviced at recommended intervals at a VAT registered garage.

Yes with a manufacturers warranty. No if it's a dealer scheme warranty.

Harry_Flashman

No, the dealer would be on a very sticky wicket if they tried to force you to have it serviced with them.

gilbert_and_sullivan

Nice motors Harry, got a Hilux meself.

What the heck is it doing on 18" wheels though?, the ride must be appalling and they'll be no good at all off road.

Insurance wise, when renewal comes around try NFU, quality cover and as good value as anyone for 4x4's.
Servicing wise, i bought 50 litres of very high quality Millers Diesel full synthetic engine oil from my local motor factors, worked out a huge saving.

Any competent mechanic will service it for you if you don't fancy doing it yourself, they are basically simple beasts, one of the many reasons we bought ours.
Though yours is better on juice than ours which does 29 ish.

Just make sure the cambelt gets done. Nice one.

Harry_Flashman

gilbert_and_sullivan wrote: »

What the heck is it doing on 18" wheels though?, the ride must be appalling and they'll be no good at all off road.

I think the previous owner was a little of the chav persuasion. The lights have a blue tint to 'em (stereo, wheels - the evidence mounts ).

I have thought about smaller wheels and bigger tyres though.

The ride ain't that bad to be honest, certainly better than a Landy

Hiluxes are very nice motors - I did think about it, but they are a little on the expensive side.

gilbert_and_sullivan

Harry_Flashman wrote: »

I have thought about smaller wheels and bigger tyres though.

.

Ebay is your friend here, i bought a second set of genuine wheels cheaply for my winter set and they are fitted with proper winter tyres.

My mate has a Mitsi like yours and he's very pleased with it, the only thing he's had go wrong is a broken rear spring.

Hilux was fairly expensive, but so far so good.

Landy's are OK, it's just the bonnet pull cables keep wearing out......;)