1997 Mitsubishi Diamante Review
Price Estimate: $96 - $156
Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Styling, interior room, optional child safety seat
Cons
- ABS is optional instead of standard, no cache associated with Mitsubishi nameplate
What’s new
After a one-year hiatus, the Diamante returns to the Mitusbishi lineup sporting clean and crisp styling, a full-load of luxury features and a lower price. The old car barely registered on near-luxury car buyers' radar; this new one deserves consideration and a close inspection.
For sale near Clover, SC
Vehicle overview
To achieve success in the near-luxury market, an automaker must possess a strong brand image that consumers associate with prestige. Mitsubishi does not, and this partly explains the dismal failure that the first Diamante luxury sedan suffered in the United States. It wasn't a bad car, just a little dull looking and loaded with so much techno-wizardry that it cost far more than it was perceived to be worth. The all-new Diamante appears to be worth far more than it costs, featuring distinctive styling cues that emulate the best from Europe combined with more room inside and features that consumers actually want, like an integrated child safety seat.
Available in base ES or uplevel LS trim, the new Australian-built Diamante will be available initially only as an LS. A new 3.5-liter V6 drives the front wheels, making 210 horsepower. The Diamante will vault from zero to 60 in about 8.5 seconds, and if you make this Mitsu perform this way often, the four-speed automatic transmission will learn that you're a lead foot, and adjust itself accordingly. Oddly, ABS is optional on both models, bundled into the Luxury Convenience Group on the LS, and traction control is unavailable. Interestingly, an integrated child safety seat is optional, rare for a near-luxury sedan.
Exterior styling features a chisled, BMW-like appearance that is more bold than the previous car's smooth, flowing silhouette. Chrome appears in the form of window moldings, license plate surround, grille trim, and alloy wheels. The interior is tastefully trimmed, though the stereo has a ridiculous number of buttons on it. Gauges emit a Lexus-like glow at night, and the automatic climate controls feature innovative pictograms to convey fan mode. Viewed from the rear, you could almost mistake the Diamante for an older BMW 7-Series.
All in all, a much improved car. Still, to really play hard ball in this class, you need stuff to boast about. Stuff like traction control, standard ABS, and side airbags. The base LS stickers at the same price point as Cadillac's new Catera, which will feature all of this stuff, standard, by spring. Mitsubishi has improved the Diamante tremendously, but the competition has improved a little bit more.
Cost to Drive
Monthly estimates based on costs in South Carolina
$182/mo for Diamante LS
Diamante LS
vs
$152/mo
Avg. Midsize Car
Mitsubishi Diamante Owner Reviews
Most Helpful Owner Reviews
Trending topics
Mixed Feelings...
3.88 out of 5 starsrowe0816, 07/03/2008
1997 Mitsubishi Diamante LS 4dr Sedan
I love my Diamante, especially since it's my first car. Styling is beautiful (looks like a BMW) and is the definition of luxury. Brakes do wear fast, and transmission does jerk a lot. Gas mileage is actually decent considering it has a V6 engine (I usually get 18-20 MPG). Around 100,000 miles, it seemed like every part needed replaced, radiator, starter, 2 head gaskets. It had a lot of … mechanical problems which shouldn't be happening at only 100,000 miles. But all things considered, it's a fair car, and I got a great deal on it so it's hard to complain about that.
Good experience owning this car
4 out of 5 starsBill, 04/26/2008
1997 Mitsubishi Diamante ES 4dr Sedan
I purchased my Diamante in 2000 with 44k. It ran relatively maintenance free until about 2004. Since then have replaced front and rear struts and radiator. Have replaced brakes three times since purchase. Currently have 112k on car. Overall this has been a reliable vehicle with good performance and comfort. I am thinking about replacing this vehicle because of family needs, but I will … miss it. I would purchase this car again.
Mitsubishi Diamante (Diamond) indeed
4.75 out of 5 starsMichael, 04/18/2008
1997 Mitsubishi Diamante ES 4dr Sedan
I bought my Diamante for a steal at $2,500 last November 11, 2007. It's an ES but came with all the optional features (sun roof, leather, CD player, etc.). I've been driving it since then with normal maintenance and it's been just phenomenal. I was weary at first having no clue what I was getting myself into, but after testing the car out I fell in love with it! I wanted a car that … wasn't already on the road at mass production like the Honda Accords/Civics or the Toyota Camry/Corolla. I wanted something a bit more speical, that's when I ran into the Mitsubishi Diamante. Ever since I've bought this car I've been a happy driver~ Good luck to everyone, I hope this review somewhat helps
The one and only, Diamante
4.75 out of 5 starsMichael, 12/11/2008
1997 Mitsubishi Diamante ES 4dr Sedan
I love the Diamante, she's my Mitsu~ I live in Seattle, Washington and the weather here is really weird. Sometimes it rains a lot, snow once in a while, and occasionally, it'll be sunny. But nonetheless, through it all my Diamante has been amazing. Over 150,000 miles and still running strong! What I like the most from the Diamante is its uniqueness from other cars. Everyone these days … is out sporting a Honda Civic/Accord or perhaps, a Toyota Corolla/Camry. It's soo boring! That's where the Diamante comes in. Diamante brings a new experience to the road that only a selected few may experience. Diamante is smooth and sleek; made for those that enjoy the finer things in life.
1997 Diamante Highlights
LS
Engine Type | Gas |
---|---|
Combined MPG | 19 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $182/month |
Drivetrain | front wheel drive |
Safety
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
- Small Overlap Front Driver-Side TestNot Tested
- Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side TestNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original0
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – OriginalNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Roof Strength TestNot Tested
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintNot Tested
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