Mitsubishi Challenger - any information please?

[Ledaig]

With respect to the above, I'm currently looking at one of these from a distance, but information on them seems like trying to find hens teeth.

Does anyone have any light they can shed on the above vehicle particularly with respect to performance (on and (light)off road), reliability, spannerability (may have made that word up!) and above all its basic specification. To be honest I don't even know if these are permanent 4 wheel drive or selectable and no knowledge of diff lock ability (i.e. do they or don't they-front-rear-centre ...ok only expecting centre!).

The above shows my basic total lack of knowledge of the above vehicle so any help would be appreciated on understanding them further.

If any assistance can also be offered on what and where to look for faults on viewing such a vehicle this would also be appreciated.

I know there are other options out there and have previously had a V8 Discovery (first gen) which I am also looking at again, but would really appreciate any help for advancing my knowledge of the Challenger.

Note - I'm looking at a very early one 1998-1999 2.5

Cheers.

[P I Staker]

Known as the Mitsubshi Shogun Sport in the UK, i believe.

[Ledaig]

P I Staker said:

Known as the Mitsubshi Shogun Sport in the UK, i believe.

Thanks, this one is a Challenger which begs the question - would it be an import?

[P I Staker]

Ledaig said:

Thanks, this one is a Challenger which begs the question - would it be an import?

Probably, whether thats good or bad is up to you.


Found this though:
http://www.whatcar.com/car-reviews/used/mitsubishi...

[Ledaig]

P I Staker said:

Probably, whether thats good or bad is up to you.


Found this though:
http://www.whatcar.com/car-reviews/used/mitsubishi...

That's pretty much the level of info I've found so far which is why I'm hoping for some further detailed technical knowledge.

ETA, further reading shows the Challenger being a UK spec renamed to the Sport in 2000

Edited by Ledaig on Saturday 8th October 00:46

[Sixpackpert]

Fundamentally an old shape L200 with an estate body on it.

Engines can be a bit fragile. Expect 25-28mpg.

[garybezz]

Sixpackpert said:

Fundamentally an old shape L200 with an estate body on it.

Thats about it except coil springs on the back instead of the L200's leaf springs.
I have a Shogun Sport 55 plate so a bit newer than the OP is looking for but I dont think the basic spec is any different from the earlier models.
Mine is the Warrior model which has leather seats, a/c and Tonka toy looks.
I bought it with 7k miles on it and it now has 106k and has never missed a beat.
My excuse for buying it was I needed something I could use every day and also to tow a race car which it coped with admirably.
The transmition is selectable 4 wheel drive via a second gear lever for 4 high and 4 low. There is no diff lock but it has an LSD.
I havent done any serious off roading but Ive tried a few green lanes and it is great in the snow (went over Holme Moss a few times the winter before last when it was 'closed').
Performance I think is pretty good for what it is if you get it rolling and use the torque through the gears. Runs out of steam a bit quickly on the motorway (it could use another gear) but you can cruise at 90 no problem other than it getting down to about 22mpg at that speed.
I average about 28mpg and the worst I saw was 17 when towing (admitedly slightly faster than one should)
I service it myself which is easy. Parts are cheap as chips from Milner Offroad.
I've had to do nothing other than basic servicing apart from replacing the water pump as a precaution when I had the cam belt done.
Tyres last 30k easily.
The only slight niggles with it now are a few electrical gremlins - the interior light switches on the doors work intermitantly, a couple of dash lamps have failed
and the central locking is playing up on one of the rear doors.
I dont need it for towing anymore and I have thought about changing it for a 'normal' car but its probably worth next to nothing now and Ive grown pretty fond of it so I may just take it round the clock again !
They are more of a 'posh truck' than a luxury car on stilts a la Range Rover or whatever but if thats what you are looking for then I can only say that my experience has been completely positive.

ETA its a 2.5 diesel whcih I think has the Mitsi performance upgrade chip. I bought it to replace a 300tdi Discovery which was a ferkin nightmare

Edited by garybezz on Tuesday 18th October 15:45

[Ledaig]

Thanks for the info Gary.

Gave up on these though due to the relative lack of information out there – gone for a 2004 Jeep GC instead.