Mitsubishi ending US production

[TheStig]

I agree. Mitsubishi just sells crap, and crap that may sell in Japan, but not in North America. They have terrible management. Mazda was in a similar situation. They regrouped and focused on outing out high quality, sporty and attractive cars that have been praised and won many awards. That has translated into increased sales and the future is looking up for them. Mitsu missed the bus. They could've made a sporty and inexpensive car when they brought back the mirage nameplate, instead hey made a cheap econobox which is neither sporty, engaging or attractive.

Mitsubishi may soon be Suzuki, IE Gone from North America. Bad part about that is Suzuki's Swan Song, the Kizashi, was an amazing little car. Ill be happy when I can find one used for a good price in the future.

I still have a grudge against Mazda over a stupid warranty issue (Hello $1,500 headlights which arent waterproof), but you CANNOT deny they are a wrecking all on the lose these days. Everything they are touching is being a home run, especially the ND Miata, that car is just amazing.

 

[BronxBomber]

Mitsubishi may soon be Suzuki, IE Gone from North America. Bad part about that is Suzuki's Swan Song, the Kizashi, was an amazing little car. Ill be happy when I can find one used for a good price in the future.

I still have a grudge against Mazda over a stupid warranty issue (Hello $1,500 headlights which arent waterproof), but you CANNOT deny they are a wrecking all on the lose these days. Everything they are touching is being a home run, especially the ND Miata, that car is just amazing.

I agree. I've owned 3 Miatas, and the ND is beautiful. Maybe I'll own one one day. Looking forward to seeing the new MS3.

 

[pelotonracer2]

Disposable-Speed-Machines. DSM.

But as John Sheppard of Shep-Trans, they are stupid fast when built. Ive still got a 92 6bolt AWD Talon TSI sitting at my parents needing a top end. Timing belt took the walk on me, so did the valvetrain with it.

Yes. Fast.... until they blow something up which is more often than not unless you want to invest an arm, a leg and your first born child. heh. That's when you come to the realization you could have owned something much nicer that is way faster... for the same amount of moola. I've been down that road more than once and is also the main motivator for me to stop at stage 3 with this car (plus maybe an aftermarket turbo or stock turbo mod). As for the Mitsu's, I grew tired of having transmission issues, namely synchro quality (or lack thereof).

 

[TheStig]

Ill give that car credit, it was spanking my friends Big 16G turbo Civic SI (99'). He would catch me around about 75mph but from a dig he had zero chance.

Otherwise it was fun to drive and very driver-centric cockpit. The entire console and center stack was designed with the driver in mind, facing towards you. Little Toyota Supra-esque, par the course for the 90's. Not being worried about having two completely different dash layouts for RHD vs LHD.

 

[TheStig]

Apparently we may all be wrong about Mitsubishis' fate. Never-the-less axing the Evo sucks to us car fans.

http://jalopnik.com/mitsubishi-is-not-dead-yet-1720389883

 

[scotman]

Disposable-Speed-Machines. DSM.

But as John Sheppard of Shep-Trans, they are stupid fast when built. Ive still got a 92 6bolt AWD Talon TSI sitting at my parents needing a top end. Timing belt took the walk on me, so did the valvetrain with it.

They were stupid fast when PROPERLY built. They were junk when badly modded by dilholes with no skills. Most of them were killed early on by their owners. Mitsu wanted to be a maker of aspirational cars. But, they often could not get it done and still have a volume seller. It was very strange to walk through a mitsu showroom and see a 30+k Evo parked across from a 10K Mirage decoupe that was a mess of cheap stamped into the shape of a turd. Then they also had the legendary Montero which was damn close to being a Land Rover in its off road prowess. It was always a mixed bag of joy and heartbreak.

 

[TheStig]

Im told by reading up that the Mirage is a fun little shitbox, sort of my sentiment on the Dodge Dart, which isnt actually a shitbox at all.

I guess if it has a tiny bit of soul and some character, for 14k you cant go too wrong.

 

[scotman]

Im told by reading up that the Mirage is a fun little shitbox, sort of my sentiment on the Dodge Dart, which isnt actually a shitbox at all.

I guess if it has a tiny bit of soul and some character, for 14k you cant go too wrong.

Yeah. The very short lived mirage turbo was where they should have stayed on and developed. But mma has always wanted to be perceived as a mid to high end manufacturer. The 3000GT. Lancer Evolution,Montero and Diamonte were very, very important. The other stuff was done to get the volume to be able to play in n. America. Mtsu was able to hide the cheap cars under Dodge and Plymouth badges for many years thanks to their production agreements. As that deal faded they were forced to market cars they would not have otherwise offered under the red diamond. It was all about paying the bills.The worst criticism I can offer is that the marketing people at mma rested too heavily on their partners sales skillz and so squandered their best opportunity to develop, over time, the kinds of owner relationships that have served Mazda and Land Rover so well over the years. The very worst example of how to take decades of success and motorsports wins and turn it it into the raw materials for a shit sandwich would be Saab. Saab SHOULD have been sitting in the exact position as Subaru is today! They had a storied history in Pro Rally. They were a small company with a well defined product and an upscale,loyal and educated customer. They decided that yuppies and luxury was the way forward. That led to deal with GM that made them a red headed stepchild to an indifferent parent. and now they are history.