1998 Mitsubishi Diamante Review
Price Estimate: $182 - $294

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Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Styling, interior room, optional child safety seat
Cons
- Mitsubishi is not synonymous with luxury
What’s new
All Diamantes get standard ABS and remote keyless entry for 1998.
For sale nearby
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.
A 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. 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 is fitted with a ridiculous number of buttons. 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 from the previous generation. Still, to really play hard ball in this class, you need stuff to boast about. Stuff like traction control and side airbags. The base LS stickers at the same price point as Cadillac's Catera, which features all of this stuff, standard. Mitsubishi has improved the Diamante tremendously, but the competition has improved a little bit more.
Cost to Drive
Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota
$206/mo for Diamante LS
Diamante LS
vs
$163/mo
Avg. Midsize Car
Mitsubishi Diamante Owner Reviews
Most Helpful Owner Reviews
Trending topics
What A Bargain
5 out of 5 starsFordham , 07/10/2010
1998 Mitsubishi Diamante LS 4dr Sedan
I bought my LS for 12,500 in 2003 and have never had a problem with it. It is faster than the Altima and Camry, and has beautiful Leather and wood inside. I get 30 mpg on the highway.
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.
8 Years now
3.5 out of 5 starsSov1, 12/03/2009
1998 Mitsubishi Diamante ES 4dr Sedan
I've had this Diamante since early 2002. I love its look, the way it (used to) drive, and the driver comfort. As the years went on & I put more miles on it, of course, more went wrong with it. It's down right now, needing its third alternator. It has over 197,000 miles on it, though, and overall, I'm pleased with its life performance. It has a power steering problem (seems like … fluid leak) that neither of my mechanics can fix. In the last 3 months, the steering has also become a bit less reliable - you have to turn the wheel more if you round a curve at over 35 mph.
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.
We have a limited number of reviews for the 1998 Mitsubishi Diamante, so we've included reviews for other years of the Diamante since its last redesign.
1998 Diamante Highlights
LS
Engine Type | Gas |
---|---|
Combined MPG | 18 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $206/month |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 14.2 cu.ft. |
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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