Mitsubishi L200 (1996 - to 2006)
5 98bhp, 2.5 113bhp diesel (single cab, double cab, 4x4 and 4x2, base, GL, Trojan 1-4, Triton, 4Life GLS, 4Life Animal, Warrior]
BY ANDY ENRIGHT
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In the meantime, heres some background on Mitsubishis market leader.
Both the rear wheel drive and 4x4 variants feature a similar 2,245mm load bed length but the all-wheel drive double cabs are restricted to 1,500mm due to their additional passenger space. Although the single cab vehicles make great workhorses, the impressive year on year sales performance of the L200 has been generated largely by the double cab variants. In 1999 sales of the L200 in the UK stood at 1,818 units per annum. In rose gently in 2000 to 1,930 vehicles, but by the end of 2001 sales had more than doubled with 4,076 being registered.
A virtual doubling of sales happened in 2002 with 8,141 finding homes and 2003 looks like setting new records again. The reasons behind the L200 double cabs success are easy to grasp. Aside from the taxation benefits, it looks sleek and stylish yet rugged and imposing as a good offroader should be. Next, it will seat four in comfort, five if you dont mind getting friendly in the back, and finally, youve got that external load area for bags, bikes, building materials or anything else you happen to chuck in there.
Its the pick-ups looks, image and versatility that make people want them and Mitsubishis L200 has got the lot. The vehicle that was once used by cowboy builders in Australian soap operas is now an essential lifestyle accessory for young trendies with people and bulky items to move around. Open the door, climb aboard and youll be surprised at the driving position. Comfortably firm, supportive seats sit low to the floor, so you feel like youre piloting a sports coupe on stilts rather than a truck.
Naturally, the impression fades when you get under way but a growing number of British buyers have realised that here is a viable alternative to a similarly priced family hatch.
With so many L200 pickup variants available its of questionable benefit to quote pricing. Expect to pay from £4,000 for the first of the 1996 single cab two-wheel drive models with £8,000 a fair price for a 2001 X-plated L200 Animal 2.5TDi double cab with around 30,000 miles on the clock.
There are a number of things to check over with any pickup and the L200 is no exception. Check that overloading hasnt damaged the suspension. Despite the one-tonne payload many buyers who visit garden centres at the weekend dont realise quite how quickly a few bags of pea gravel or scoops of topsoil for the back garden can exceed a tonne in weight. Also make sure that the load bay hasnt been damaged by objects sliding round and denting the bodywork skin.
The engines are rugged, and Mitsubishis 3-year/100,000 mile warranty arrangement should ensure that most vehicles got off to a relatively protected life. The later specification Euro3 diesels are noticeably quieter than the rather agricultural early units. The interiors are hardwearing and shouldnt show too much damage but watch out for amateurish drilling of the fascia by people looking for somewhere to mount their mobile. Storage space for odds and ends in the cabin isnt an L200 strong point.
(approx based on a 2000 L200 2.5TDi Double Cab - ex Vat) Expect to pay around £230 for a clutch assembly and £300 for an exhaust system. Spark plugs will work out at £12 each, while a cam belt retails at around £70. Allow £12 for an oil filter.
A catalyst will retail at around £400, whilst a starter motor is £130. Front brake pads start at around £40 with rears weighing in at £65.
The 2.5-litre turbocharged and intercooled diesel engine that most customers will choose is a surprisingly civilised engine. Its got 113bhp on tap, which isnt a huge amount for a big vehicle, but with max torque of 240Nm produced at a lowly 2,000rpm, the power is available where you need it most. Fitted to a double cab L200 this results in a punchy spring off the line and theres plenty of useful grunt for towing/hauling weighty loads.
Top speed is a surprisingly rapid 94mph. The Warrior double cab that we ran as a long-term vehicle resulted in one of the more popular sets of keys amongst the offices weekend warriors. It looks more of a glossy urban thoroughbred than an offroad workhorse but dont be fooled. As with all 4x4 L200s, its still a genuine offroad tool.
Mitsubishis Easy Select 2WD/4WD system provides the transmission, allowing the driver to direct power towards half or all of the vehicles wheel quota. As well as standard four and two-wheel-drive modes, theres a low-range 4x4 setting for tackling particularly tricky obstacles. Easy Select works at speeds of up to 62mph, although, as any experienced (and sane) offroad driver will tell you, safe offroading should take place at considerably lower velocities. The downside to the L200s undisputed offroad pedigree is a slightly bouncy ride on the tarmac.
It is, however, top of its class for ride and handling, just dont expect the same comfort and feel from a pick-up that youd get from less capable 4x4s designed predominantly for on-road use.
The Mitsubishi L200s success may have caught the Chancellor on the back foot, but its easy to see why an increasing number of buyers have opted to take the plunge. With a bargain price and a rugged appeal that escapes the usual Barbie Truck compact 4x4 a Mitsubishi L200 is a brawny alternative and one which makes a surprising amount of sense. One of the more sophisticated double cab editions is probably the most tempting and represents a lot of fun for your money.
