"Jagvar" (Jagvar)
08/17/2018 at 15:55 • Filed to: None
3
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"Jagvar" (Jagvar)
08/17/2018 at 15:55 • Filed to: None | 3
| 14 |
Picture it: Connecticut, 2000. I had just turned 16 and was eager to get behind the wheel of my first car. It would be shared with my brother, so my parents agreed to chip in if he and I collectively paid for at least half. A lot of you know that I got a ‘99 Mitsubishi Galant ES (that I still miraculously have, 18 years later). But you don’t know the story of the six cars that nearly could have taken its place.
First, the ‘76 Fiat 124 Spider. Sky blue metallic over black leather. My uncle had just restored it, top to bottom, and offered it to me for free. My parents quickly put the kibosh on that, saying it would be too unsafe for two 16-year-old boys. So my uncle gave the car to my grandmother (who never drove it), and took it back a year later and sold it to an enthusiast.
Around this time, I had a strange affinity for the Infiniti I30. It was comfortable and nice, without being too nice. So I found a white ‘97 at a used car dealer, and went with my parents in tow. The leather! The chrome! It was lovely. But the dealer wouldn’t budge on price, so my parents deemed it too expensive. But parked across from it was...
...a beautiful green ‘94 Mitsubishi 3000GT. And I wanted it the moment I saw it. (Of course I did; I was 16.) The dealer sweet-talked me, but Mom pulled me away, saying, “You’ll get stopped by every police officer in the state!” She had noticed another car a few spots over, and my heart sank when she pushed me toward...
...a green ‘96 Toyota Tercel sedan. “I just LOVED my 1984 Tercel!” she exclaimed. “This is so practical...and it’s a Toyota, so it will never break!” She pushed. I held my ground. Anything but a Toyota Tercel.
The next car my dad found. “Patrick, did you know there’s a BMW in your price range?” And I immediately knew which one he meant — BMW’s sales-flop of a hatchback, the 318Ti. Dad had found a green ‘96 model at a dealer, so we went to see it. I drove it, and while I was underwhelmed, I wanted it because I was 16 and it was a BMW. But Dad (who admittedly has limited car knowledge) only found out after our test-drive that it was RWD. To him, this meant it was impossible to drive in winter, and I was forbidden from considering it any further.
Then I discovered the Mitsubishi Diamante. What a beautiful car, and thanks to depreciation, what a great price! I found a silver ‘97 LS model nearby and showed my parents the listing. Dad was all ready to take me to see it. Mom put up a fight. “It’s too big. It’s too nice. It’s more car than he needs.” I lost that fight. We never went to see that Diamante.
That’s when Dad sat me down and told me to find something simple, inoffensive, and practical. It was the only way I was going to get buy-in from both parents. So I took a close look at the Diamante’s little brother, the Galant. It was actually rather pretty. I could see some E36 BMW in the lines, which tapered cleanly into a sleek nose. Dad found a silver ‘99 ES for sale on Long Island with 30K miles. We went. We drove. I liked it. My parents liked it. We bought it.
I’ve had it ever since.
Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness
> Jagvar
08/17/2018 at 16:09 |
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Diamantes are amazing cars for the long haul. The VRX model was actually kinda fun for a bigger sedan, tighter/quicker without ruining the luxury aspect.
The Galant is decent as a smaller sibling . Just so happens the bigger Mitsu V6s will drop in quite easily if you ever crave more.....
Under_Score
> Jagvar
08/17/2018 at 16:17 |
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I saw something on Twitter about a guy who was in a terrible side collision in his Diamante and only got a scratch. People were joking that the Fendi belt saved his life. How many miles are on the Galant now?
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Jagvar
> Under_Score
08/17/2018 at 16:20 |
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The Galant only has about 143K miles...not bad for her age!
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Jagvar
> Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness
08/17/2018 at 16:23 |
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The Galant’s little inline 4 is more than enough to get me from A to B
. When I’m craving more horses, there is always the
Volkswagen!
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Under_Score
> Jagvar
08/17/2018 at 16:24 |
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You’ve barely driven it! 113K miles in 18 years is small. There aren’t many Galants for sale, but several have over 200,000 miles; it can do it.
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Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness
> Jagvar
08/17/2018 at 16:27 |
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I think a 6G75 Mivec swapped Galant would be amazing.
Klaus Schmoll
> Jagvar
08/17/2018 at 16:34 |
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Ah yes, your evil friendly twin! What does he drive today?
Also, I think I already told you ages ago that my aunt had the wagon version of your Galant and really loved it.
Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
> Jagvar
08/17/2018 at 16:38 |
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Having that much input from my parents would have been absolutely annoying. I would rather save my own money up longer and just pay for it outright. Even if it means ending up with a shittier car, just being able to avoid their control is key. Especially when it is asinine concerns like that. That said, I still ended up with just a simple ‘99 Honda Civic anyways as my first car just because it was a really good deal. $900 for any running, clean titled c ar is an amazing thing.
Spamfeller Loves Nazi Clicks
> Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness
08/17/2018 at 16:59 |
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The Diamante is a seriously amazing car in every regard, and the best Mitsubishi ever built if you want a daily. Seriously. It has the ultimate version of the 6G72. The 5 speed automatic was amazing, no qualifiers. It had none of the stupidity found in the 3kGT’s electronics. It was unbelievably comfortable. There was even a wagon .
Hell, the ‘94 Diamante had steering wheel audio controls ! In 1994! The Japanese trim had satellite navigation and distance and lane-keeping - in 1995! Multi-link front and rear suspension! HUD! INVECS-II!
... goddamnit now I need a Diamante.
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Jagvar
> Klaus Schmoll
08/17/2018 at 17:09 |
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These days, my brother is driving a
’13 Subaru Legacy. He quite likes it.
For Sweden
> Jagvar
08/17/2018 at 17:11 |
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Picture it: Connecticut
Thanks; now I’m ill
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Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness
> Spamfeller Loves Nazi Clicks
08/20/2018 at 06:56 |
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The “base” Diamante’s all ran the same 6G72 SOHC 12V that Chrysler was using at the time. The higher trims got the DOHC 6G72. I would say the VRX got the closest to the “ultimate” 6G engine with it’s 6G74.
Hyoomun
> Jagvar
06/02/2019 at 12:28 |
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I actually love the classic Galants. No modern car can replicate the clean lines and the distinct front fascia. The rear was modern and uncluttered. Please, never replace it!
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Hyoomun
> Jagvar
08/18/2019 at 13:46 |
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I need a first car recommendation . I love the Galant, but none are in my area. (Georgia) I want a large sedan, as I will possibly to be driving on the highway for 80 miles a day. Something big and comfy, but cheap and reliable. My budget is under $5k. I like the Hyundai Azera, but I would prefer something Japanese. Preferably under 150k miles.