2002 Mitsubishi Diamante Review
2002 Mitsubishi Diamante Review
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Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Attractive styling, low price.
Cons
- Numerous design and ergonomic flaws, easily befuddled transmission, lacks availability of key features.
What’s new
A sporty new trim level, the VR-X, debuts in an attempt to put some life into the Diamante's sales charts. Otherwise, only minor changes are in store for the Diamante this year. Slight styling tweaks have been applied to the front and rear, and the interior features redesigned audio controls and an emergency inside-trunk release. One mechanical change has been made this year -- Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) has been added to all trim levels.
Edmunds says
A diamond best left in the rough.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2002 Mitsubishi Diamante ES 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 4A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $4.31 per gallon for premium unleaded in Ohio.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio
$281/mo for Diamante ES
Diamante ES
vs
$176/mo
Avg. Midsize Car
Vehicle overview
We recently conducted a comparison of eight entry-level luxury sedans. The Mitsubishi Diamante was not among them. Why? Our rules for comparisons say that competing vehicles must have either won the previous test, or be all-new or significantly revised. The Diamante hasn't been redesigned or significantly revised since 1998, and it didn't win our 1999 entry-level luxury sedan test. Actually, it came in last.
This wasn't due to styling. We generally approve of this car's shape, and Mitsubishi has further updated the look this year with a restyled grille, hood and decklid; new combination lamps; and new wheels.
The last-place finish wasn't due to a poor value equation, either. The base ES model comes with a CD player, a 10-way-adjustable power seat and an anti-theft engine immobilizer. Stepping up to the LS nets leather seats, 16-inch alloy wheels, driver seat memory, a power sunroof, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, woodgrain accents, color-keyed body-side molding and a HomeLink transmitter. You also get steering wheel audio controls, but the All Weather Package is required to get heated seats, heated exterior mirrors and traction control. The new VR-X, slotted between the ES and LS, is designed to appeal to those who prefer more sporting features and driving dynamics, and as such comes with a performance-tuned suspension and exhaust (the latter worth a five-horsepower increase), mesh grille inserts, rear deck spoiler, white-faced instruments and the now-obligatory metallic interior accents.
Even an LS with the All Weather Package and additional accessories costs little more than $30,000. But many features found on competing vehicles aren't available on the Diamante, such as a navigation system, stability control, side (or side curtain) airbags, high-intensity discharge headlamps or an automanual transmission.
The only transmission offered is a four-speed automatic. It's not a particularly bright unit, despite Mitsu's claims of "Adaptive Shift Control." Downshifts are lumbering, which is unfortunate, as the Diamante's 210-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 is a torquey and smooth unit. The Diamante has some strengths as a driver's car that include capable and confident brakes; a quiet, well-insulated interior; and sticky tires that remain silent at highway speeds. But these attributes are more than offset by the somewhat mushy suspension (on the ES and LS) and numb steering.
In the past, we've criticized the design of the climate and audio controls, saying they were overly fussy. Mitsubishi has at least upgraded the audio system interface this year, but the interior still has other problems. The interior materials aren't up to $30,000-sedan standards, and there's a rampant lack of nighttime control illumination. Seating is comfortable, but the rear seat does not fold down, and no center pass-through is offered.
There's not much that's positive to say about Mitsubishi's slow-selling sedan. It has the basic ingredients -- elegant shape, long list of luxury features, a seemingly sumptuous interior (as long as you don't look too closely). It even has a strong engine and comfy ride. But if you dig a little deeper, you find a host of negative traits. If you're shopping for an entry-level luxury sedan, we suggest something other than the Diamante.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 2002 Mitsubishi Diamante.
5 star(79%)
4 star(16%)
3 star(3%)
2 star(1%)
1 star(1%)
71 reviews
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
4.88 out of 5 stars
Great car
Myfirstreview, 03/15/2009
2002 Mitsubishi Diamante LS 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 4A)
This car was purchased in 2003, It now has 140,000 miles on it. After about 130,000k, it started to burn a little oil at high rpms, guess this is kinda my fault for always driving like a maniac and always in a hurry.. Anyways, now, if i keep it at low rpms the engine is fine, I haven't had any problems with the transmission, heater and a/c works great.. Has been in two wrecks and this … car holds up really well, regular maintenance and good driving habits this car will last a LONG time.. I mean, nothing is broken, it all works fine, and is what, 8 years old with 140k miles on it, great buy!
4.38 out of 5 stars
100,000 Miles 2002 Diamante LS
MN, 03/24/2009
2002 Mitsubishi Diamante LS 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 4A)
I have owned my LS for just over 4 years now and have just under 100,000 miles on it having purchased it used with 17k miles. I test drove a variety of vehicles at the time within my price range and options requirements. Nothing else came close to the value of this car. Pblms at 100k miles: 1. One door speaker needs to be replaced 2. Antenna no longer retracts. 3. Roof Liner in … back has started to droop Minor issues, but lead to a problem; replacement parts are hard to come by due to the rarity of the car. Mechanically its been a rock. Zero Dollars past scheduled maintenance so far. I am still in love with this car 4 years later.
4.88 out of 5 stars
Excellent Value
jrbruner, 08/08/2012
2002 Mitsubishi Diamante LS 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 4A)
I love this car.
I read all the reviews before I bought this car, and the power train was highly rated.
This car is quiet, comfortable, powerful and reliable.
I have the LS with the heated, 8-way power seats w/power lumbar and love it.
This car was virtually unchanged from 98 until last year, 2004.
The engine is smooth, and responsive and I get much better mileage than edmunds says.
I … measured 30 mpg highway in SoCal.
Transmission failed at 75k (apparently common).
Had it fixed by the pros at SoCal Transmission in San Diego and not a lick of trouble since.
Heater core is recurrent problem w/these cars.
These sell for much less than comp. Acura CL or 3.2 TL.
4.5 out of 5 stars
Diamante
Tribefire, 10/04/2009
2002 Mitsubishi Diamante VR-X 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 4A)
The Mitsubishi Diamante Vr-X is a fun fast ride but since I purchased it I have had to put a lot of money into it... the heater core went around 75k, and it's conveniently place on the firewall so the job itself is a nightmare, I haven't met a Diamante driver past 80k who didn't have to do the same, now I'm having trouble with the 02 sensors, I replaced 3 last year and this year the … fourth went. I'd say the car would be worth it if it didn't cost so much to maintain. About 1500$ for the heater core repair and about the same for the o2 sensor work.
2002 Diamante Highlights
ES
Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee | $25,687 |
---|---|
Engine Type | Gas |
Combined MPG | 18 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $281/month |
Seating | 5 seats |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 14.2 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | front wheel drive |
Warranty | 3 years / 36,000 miles |
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