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CAR REVIEWS AND RATINGS
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| Ratings |
( Maximum score is 100 ) |
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| Overall: |
 ( 100 )
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| Comfort: |
( 100 )
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| Performance: |
( 100 )
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| Quality: |
( 100 )
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| Appearance: |
( 100 )
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| Comments |
Favorite feature: |
The ride, handling, acceleration and overall performance and quality you expect from a luxury car. |
Least favorite feature: |
I don't care much for the Goodyear Eagle GA tires. |
Advice to buyer: |
You must test drive a Diamante before making any car buying decision in its price range. You will be surprised at the overall feel of quality and performance. It's great! |
Detailed review: |
The Diamante exterior is the kind of timeless styling that will look good long after the competition goes out of style, and it is unique and gets a lot of positive comments. The interior is very attractive, with first-rate materials and a warm, luxurious look. I like the large glovebox and large two-tiered center console storage.
As of this review, I have owned my Diamante for four years and 30,000 miles and have found reliability to be excellent. No defects at all. All body parts are perfectly aligned. Underhood service access is excellent.
The ride is very smooth and quiet, receiving many compliments from passengers. The leather seats are very comfortable. I can drive for hours without getting tired. All controls are easy to find and use. Handling is very competent. The car is fun to drive energetically. Acceleration is very strong and immediate. The engine/transmission combination is excellent, with power at any speed and shifts that are always where they should be.
I get 20 MPG in town and 28 MPG on the highway. This is what I would expect for the Diamante's power and weight class.
The trunk is very large with a low liftover. There is no pass-through, but that has not been a problem. I can (and do, often) carry 8-foot long boards in the passenger compartment by reclining the passenger seatback and sliding the board in from the front door, over the seatback and to the rear window shelf. If you must have a pass-through, one has been added beginning with the 2003 model. It would be easy to retrofit one into earlier models.
The stereo is first-rate, with very good imaging and sound quality.
Mitsubishi only imports about 10,000 Diamante's a year, so advertising is not cost-effective. This keeps the Diamante relatively unknown, but also keeps the price low. Instead of spending big bucks on advertising, Mitsubishi will offer rebates that make the Diamante an ever better value.
This car delivers the ride, handling, acceleration and overall performance that you expect from a luxury car. You never grow tired of its interior or exterior looks. You get ample interior storage and a large trunk. Build quality is excellent.
You should test drive a Diamante before buying any luxury car. You will be amazed at how good it is. In fact, my wife was so impressed with my Diamante that last year she bought a new 2002 Diamante. Her Diamante has also been very reliable. |
Also considered: |
1999 Lexus ES 300
1999 Mitsubishi Galant
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Vehicle purchased: |
1999 Mitsubishi Diamante
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| About This Reviewer... |
Name: |
Mr. Vivona |
Location: |
Orlando, Florida |
Other vehicles owned: |
2002 Mitsubishi Diamante
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Review submitted: |
December 31, 2002 |
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