The 10 Best Old Mitsubishi Cars of All Time

From the Eclipse to the 3000GTO, Mitsubishi has produced some iconic cars over the past few decades.
Written by Brad Marley
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
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From the
Eclipse
to the
3000GTO
, Mitsubishi has produced some iconic cars over the past few decades. The Mitsubishi brand goes way back in time—further back than one might think—starting as a steamship company and turning into the automobile manufacturer we know and love today. In this article, we’ve listed ten of our favorites.
We've created a guide to all the best Mitsubishis that have been produced. Whether you’re in the market for a Mitsubishi because you like their looks, or you’re just curious about the history of these vehicles, we’re breaking it all down for you.
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What makes an old car great? 

Old cars are great for a number of reasons. They can capture childhood memories of piling into the old station wagon with your siblings and parents for an epic road trip. Or they can satisfy your desire to tinker with something tangible that gives you a level of satisfaction.
However you choose to enjoy an old car, there are myriad ways to do it. The cars we included on this list reflect the way Mitsubishi has challenged convention and redefined choices in mobility for the century they have been in business.
What follows is a list of the best Mitsubishi cars of all time. Some were great and some were merely something to get you from here to there. But they were all significant in their own way.

10. Mitsubishi Eclipse (1989-2011): horsepower defined

Mitsubishi set out to build a coupe that would turn heads and raise street cred. So they introduced the Eclipse, a low, pavement-kissing car that would capture the hearts and minds of drivers for nearly two decades. Named after an 18th-century racehorse that won more than two dozen races, the Eclipse is still sought after by some car aficionados.
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9. Mitsubishi Starion (1982-1989): a proper debut

The Starion was the gateway vehicle for Mitsubishi when it made its proper debut in the United States. This turbocharged, four-cylinder, rear-wheel-drive vehicle was one of the first modern Japanese performance automobiles with electronic fuel injection. This baby had a surprising amount of pickup and was built to challenge other brands that had a foothold on the sports car market in the States. 
It gained enough attention that it even made a cameo appearance in the movie Cannonball Run II.

8. Mitsubishi Galant (1969-2012): no goofing around

Like so many other Mitsubishi cars, the
Galant
was introduced to go up against other competitors in the space. And it did so successfully, selling more than five million units over the course of nine generations. 
The first car to be sold in the United States back in 1971, it was because of a partnership with
Chrysler
that this vehicle made it to U.S. shores. When the company realized it would be difficult to market the car as a direct competitor to the
Honda Accord
and
Toyota Camry
, they billed the Galant as a slightly more civilized version of its rally cars, which seemed to do the trick.

7. Mitsubishi Montero (1981-2021): a go-anywhere SUV

If you’re starting to notice a trend, you’re not wrong. The
Montero
was designed as a competitor to other SUVs on the market, albeit at a time when these larger vehicles were built more for driving off-road than for taking the kids to school.
The Montero took off in popularity around the world as its penchant for eating up inhospitable terrain made it a solid choice for those who wanted to drive off the beaten path. Its reputation as a vehicle that could handle any landscape led the Irish military to order more than 300 for peacekeeping purposes.

6. Mitsubishi Diamante (1990-2005): diamond in the rough

The
Diamante
was Mitsubishi’s entrance into the luxury sedan market that was being dominated by the likes of the Acura Legend, hence the name, which was taken from the Spanish, Portuguese, and Italian word for “diamond.” 
This hardtop won the Japanese Car of the Year award in 1990 and included the world’s first autonomous cruise system, putting it way ahead of its time.
It remains a popular used vehicle choice today due to its solid body and a shark nose design on the front that hearkens back to cars that are more synonymous with premium style. 
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5. Mitsubishi Outlander (2001-present): Reliability personified 

Making its American debut in 2003, the
Outlander
had a lightweight body that weighed less than its predecessor, while showing off an improved fuel economy that made it a competitive choice in the segment.
Today’s version includes all of the features you expect to get in a company SUV, including an airbag for the driver’s knee that is designed to reduce leg injury in a crash
Through four generations, the Outlander has continued to improve on each previous iteration, making it a solid choice in the used vehicle segment for those who prioritize safety and durabilityin a fuel-friendly option.
To this day, it remains one of Mitsubishi’s most popular vehicles—one you’re sure to see on the road at any given moment.

4. Mitsubishi 3000GTO (1990-2000): company flagship

When you think of a Mitsubishi, you’re likely thinking about the 3000GTO, which stood as the company’s flagship product for the entirety of its run. It was a common appearance on the highway due to its affordability when compared to its contemporaries.
What really captured hearts and minds, though, was the 0-60 acceleration in under five seconds, making it comparable to other sports cars on the market at the time. For a low price, you could get the juice you wanted in a model that wouldn’t set you back.
It remains one of the most sought-after vehicles of the ’90s among car enthusiasts because it hit on so many desirable traits.

3. Mitsubishi Mirage (1978-2003; 2012-present): here and back again

The
Mirage
may have been dealt a bad hand when it underwent a convoluted naming convention. Depending on where you lived, this subcompact that was introduced as a response to the 1973 oil crisis went by various names, which made it difficult to gain much of a foothold worldwide.
Lackluster sales forced production to stop in 2003, but the little car that could came roaring back in 2012 when the Mirage name returned, this time with a different body style.
While not a super-popular choice during its first run, the car has received positive reviews this time around, suggesting it could stick around for a while.

2. Mitsubishi Lancer (1973-2017): a force to be reckoned with

Critics agree: the
Lancer
was just plain fun to drive. So much so that automotive enthusiasts around the world still hold this popular rally car in high esteem.
Nine generations of the car led to more than six million dollars in sales before production ended in 2017 due to the company’s increased emphasis on efficiency and versatility.
But the car established a name for itself that outperformed other vehicles in the segment, leaving them in the dust while their owners marveled at its capabilities and surprising performance.

1. Mitsubishi Endeavor (2003-2011): a flash in the pan

The
Endeavor
was the first vehicle built by Mitsubishi that was built solely for a North American market. While other vehicles were built to accommodate all markets, this one was just for buyers in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
Sales, however, never really met expectations. Perhaps owing to just one trim level in certain production years, and a lack of certain tech packages, production ended on the Endeavor with the 2011 model year.
It’s a shame that this vehicle never took off, since it was produced to satisfy a main segment of the car-buying public. But a quiet and comfortable ride still makes it desirable for those who are looking for a used mid-size SUV that is within their budget.

How to find cheap Mitsubishi insurance

While new Mitsubishi vehicles come and go, there is a steady amount of them to be found on the used car market. The challenge comes with insuring them. But whether you are looking for one of the original sports coupes or a brand-new sports car that could hold its own, the
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