Long-term update: 2008 Mitsubishi Galant GTS
It’s rather surprising what an effect we have on the popularity of certain models. While we haven’t bothered to put up an update on our 2008 Mitsubishi Galant GTS in a while now, we’ve been getting requests asking us more about the car. It seems some people are starting to consider the Galant as a viable alternative to the Japanese regulars, thanks to our endorsement.
Of course, we are not endorsing the dealer. We got such a negative “vibe” from the local service centre that we stopped going there after our last interaction with them at the 46k mark. Since then we’ve got the oil changed at a local Mobil place using fully-synthetic Mobil oil. If we had continued the dealer’s greedy recommended intervals, we’d be running for service every 5,000 km monthly. And that is not an option for a car that is used for the daily commute to Abu Dhabi by my brother.
So for Dhs 310 at every 10,000 km since then, we got better oil and longer service intervals. Three services later, and our car is now at 75,000 km on the odo. In fact, the car’s fuel economy has actually improved from 9.3 l/100 km to 8.6 l/100 km on the Bur Dubai-Abu Dhabi run, just by switching to synthetic. Or it could just be the weather. But there’s a tip you can use.
A month ago, we also got an a/c service done worth Dhs 350, but we used one of those online coupon vouchers for Dhs 149. It was a new garage, and they threw in some extra work for Dhs 100, changing some valves and refilling the a/c gas. We asked for the a/c filter to be cleaned, but it turns out the Galant doesn’t have one. But the a/c runs great now.
And the rest of the car continues to be reliable. We bought this used car for less than Dhs 40,000. Even with fuel, tyres and maintenance so far, are we saving money compared to buying a brand new Toyota Yaris? We’ll leave the calculations up to you.
Original Mileage When Bought: 43,500 km
Latest Mileage To Date: 75,088 km
Latest Average Fuel Economy: 8.6 litres/100 km
Cost of Latest Problems: Dhs 0
Cost of Latest Maintenance: Dhs 1179Total Non-Fuel Running Cost Since Bought: Dhs 4879
Comments
Rahul Jones
Where is the Mobil 1 place you mentioned located?
Mashfique Hussain Chowdhury
It’s in Karama next to the new Lulu. Interestingly, even the dealer used Mobil, just not the synthetic variety.
Rahul Jones
Oh…. I have been a lot of times. But never noticed. 😛
hot rod
Nice Car Mash! Thumbs UP!!:)
kingtron
great review !
can you please tell the location of the A/C service ? (the new garage)
Thanks
Mashfique Hussain Chowdhury
It’s called “Race Break”, a couple of buildings down from the Jeep service centre on Shk Zayed Road (third interchange). Be advised though, that the bill was actually much higher, but they discounted it for certain reasons.
kingtron
Thanks, by the way, double check the air filter thing, I think Galant has one:
Part Number:-
18085-05172874
just google it
P.S: I don’t have galant 😉
Mashfique Hussain Chowdhury
Hard to say. Either the GCC didn’t have it, or the dealer just chucked it earlier for all I know. It’s very hard to find credible info on a car that has no fan following.
Muddassir
Yes indeed you did inspire me to get a Galant myself, Mashy! Thanks a ton, i got a 2009 V6 myself and to be honest I am truly satisfied! Really a nice car!
I have run 50k mark, please recommend me a good place for service as I do not wanna waste my time scratching my head with the dealer service here in Auh! I run 5k within a month due to frequent weekend trips to Dubai! The Habtoor guys are after me to sign a service contract for 5,200 AED (50k to 90k service). Please suggest!
Mashfique Hussain Chowdhury
You can get the oil changes done anywhere, but just use branded oil instead of the local petrol-station brands.
Aditya
I’ve been driving my own well maintained 2004 Chevy Lumina LS to Auh daily for more than a year now. A car that can be bought for less than 20k. And the running costs are not different from the galant. With an amazing AC, tons of space,comfort,power and good safety features, I believe its one of the best DXB-AUH traveller for the money spent. What do u think Mash?
Mashfique Hussain Chowdhury
Can’t say I fully trust older Chevys yet to be completely in one piece as it ages, but I did consider an SS at one point. And we did shop for 07+ Lumina V6s as well, but didn’t find a decent one at the time.
Rahul Jones
What about the fuel economy?
Aditya
Gives arnd 9.1 l/100 km for normal highway driving. And you can get better figures if you drive easy. I have seen 8.7. :). In my view unless you even drive a small engine very economically, its better to have a very large engine for such highway driving and you round about get comparable fuel economy, in my case 3.8 ltrs, As the engine needs to be only at 2000-2500 at 140, where as a smaller engine is generally exceeding 4000, and needs to be caned everytime to pick up speed.Add to that the comfort of having so much power on the highway with the big engine. Now thats just better in my book! 🙂
Rahul Jones
Thats a point which I have witnessed too. Some people buy small engine cars for fuel economy and floored it just to keep up with the cars ahead. But a little bigger help accelerate without revving much.
Some are born like that. One of my retard friend used to get fuel economy in camry worse than my armada.
rana
emmmm i just wanted to ask how do u calculate the fuel economy ?
cause theres not trip comp in the car.
anyways great car by the way we’ve had it 4 years and el7amdililah no problems at all and again mashalah great a/c 🙂
Mashfique Hussain Chowdhury
Do full tank. Reset trip meter. Drive a few hundred kilos. Do full tank again and see how much it cost. Calculate litres from that. See the distance in the trip meter. Then you do the math!
rana
aha cool 🙂
i think theirs this thing you plug in to the car somehow and its gives u the fuel economy estimates 🙂
Mohammed
If the pricing is accurate then for the cost of a basic Camry, one can get a V6 Galant and save AED 8000/=. Amazing!
Mohammed
gs 2
hey luks like ur tint is above de legal 30% limit ….
Mashfique Hussain Chowdhury
Nah, picture is dark. I forget the brand, but it is 30%.
Naushad
Me too got one after reading Mash. In fact I was one of those who requested MASH for update on this car. Cheapest Japanese V6 and the build quality is nice. Drives pretty smooth and Definitely Value for money and Highly recommended in that aspect.
MASH, mine has Dunlop Direzza while I got it. Got any better recommendations.
Quite surprised why it is not very popular.. !
Absence of Trip computer & Rear AC vent is the only disappointing stuff.
hot rod
One dissapointing aspect though, is that the car from the front suspension point of view is higher from the back, is there something needed to do on that, or some lowering kit maybe on the front suspension? Nice car Mash, its looks a muscle car when approaching on the fast lane!! 🙂
Mashfique Hussain Chowdhury
It’s only the design that makes it look like that. The huge wheel-well gaps are there front and back. Step back and you’ll see from the side that it already looks like the front is tilted downwards. Blowing money for suspension on this comfort-cruiser would be a waste.
hot rod
Well said Mash, Thumbs UP! Size, Looks, Power! All In with your Galant! :0