Mitsubishi Carisma (1995 - 2005)
BY CLAIRE EVANS
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| Comfort |  |
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| Equipment | |
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Whichever model you choose, youll get a healthy dose of equipment. All cars come with power steering, tinted glass, central locking, drivers airbag and seat height adjustment, tilt adjustable steering column, split/folding rear seats and an immobiliser. GLX and GLS models also have electric windows and mirrors, while the sporty 1.8 GLS is fitted with alloy wheels and, from late 1997, automatic air conditioning.
Best value comes from finding a car with the Diamond option pack, which added an electric sunroof and a passenger airbag to older models. On top of all this kit youll also get legendary reliability, great build-quality and a comfortable family car, whatever the model. You can also expect impressively low running costs on average 10-12% less than immediate rivals. This is thanks to low insurance group ratings, long servicing intervals, low maintenance costs, cheap parts prices and frugal fuel consumption.
Recent examples may also have the balance of the three year unlimited mileage warranty to run.
For the earlier cars, you can expect to pay around £1,200 for a 95N 1.6GL hatchback. GLX trim adds about £200 and another £200 or so secures a GLS. If you prefer the rare saloon, you should be able to find a 1997P car with the passenger airbag for £1,600 (GL).
Pay around £1,900 and something like a 1997 R-reg 1.8-litre GLS could be in your garage. But if you can stretch a little further, you should be able to pick up a 1.8 GDI direct injection model.
Expect to pay around £2,000 for a 99S-reg GLX-GDI, or £2,075 for a top-spec GLS GDI. Automatic transmission is available across the range for no more than £200 or so extra or so. If the direct injection petrol car isnt frugal enough for you, then you can take the turbo-diesel route for as little as £1,600 (1997P GL TD saloon). The face-lifted Carisma, from 1999, starts at £2,650 (1.
6 Classic) and a 2002 02-plate 1.8 GDI Equippe will be in the region of £4,425 compare that to the cars £12,830 new price. A 52-plate 1.8-litre Mirage will be available from £4,650.
This is a bit of a difficult one, as there's not too much to worry about, which is excellent news for you. So, provided youre buying a car with full service history, you shouldnt be in for any nasty shocks but check that the electric windows, locks and sunroof all work and that the air conditioner produces chilled air fixing such items can be pricey. With turbo diesels, check for excessive smoke on hard acceleration - it could be a sign of worn turbo seals. Generally, though, these engines are trouble-free if the oil has been changed regularly.
(approx based on a 1996 Carisma 1.6GLX) A clutch assembly is around £125 and an exhaust system about £550. Allow £30 or so for front brake pads, whilst the rear set is £50. A radiator is about £130, an alternator about £155 and a starter motor around £125.
A replacement headlamp is close to £100 and a manual door mirror should be in the region of £100. A front wing is around £160, a windscreen about £115, a tail lamp about £65 and a catalyst about £180.
Pick of the Carisma bunch has to be the 1.8 GDI. There are several models fitted with this revolutionary powerplant, and all are capable (depending on the way you drive) of either exceptional economy or above-average performance. If you drive with a heavy right foot, then youll notice little difference, apart from a minor power increase over the older ordinary 1.
8-litre models (which disappeared with the late 1999 facelift). Tread lightly, though, and improvements in both economy and exhaust emissions of up to 20 percent are possible, according to Mitsubishi. The figures seem to bear this out. Compare a Carisma GDI with a typical equivalent rival say a Ford Mondeo 1.
8 and the facts make interesting reading. The GDI puts out 125bhp as opposed to 115bhp for the Ford. Against the clock, it manages rest to 60 in just 9.7s (11.
0 for the Ford). Meanwhile, at the pumps, it achieves a combined fuel consumption figure of 45.6mpg (36.2mpg for the Ford).
So, yes, the GDI is a rare engine that really does let you enjoy the best of both worlds.
The Carisma may not stand out from the crowd on looks, but when it comes to offering top notch value for money and providing thoroughly capable and reliable family transport, its one of the best. And its a car that will last, if not forever, then at least long enough to give you many years of diamond service.
