ONE of the best buys secondhand for the least money is the Mitsubishi Galant made between '93 and '97.
It's great to drive and like all Mitsubishis has one of the best reliability records in the business, lasting well past 150,000 miles without problems.
There are cars which ooze image from every line and others which never seem to find it, and unfortunately one such is the Galant.
It has always been aimed at the Germans but it just doesn't have enough presence to cut it against such company.
The latest models are still a bit pricey, since they were only introduced in 1997, but the previous Galant was just about as good.and was available both as four door saloon and five door hatch.
Many traders undervalue them because they don't know much about them and so it's worth hunting around for the best, very cheap value.
But you may have to travel for some distance to find a good one. Galants never sold in large numbers because they were hindered by the Japanese import restrictions.
Engines start with an 1800, and then come two two-litre units with either four cylinders or a V6. At the top of the range is a 2.5 V6 with four wheel drive and many more gizmos, but it's expensive to run, and I would stick to the four cylinder models.
The 1.8 produces a very healthy 125bhp, and is my best buy, since performance in the two- litre is hardly any better, and economy drops by 3mpg.
Both V6's have excellent performance, but are more thirsty, and unless you want the extra go, steer clear.
All the engines come with a light clutch and a slick changing five speed box as standard. But a four speed auto was available as an extra on all but the 2.5 V6, and since it's one of the best, is well worth buying if you can find one.
These are fairly complex cars and both spares and dealer work are expensive. But as long as you get the all important service history, the built-in reliability should see them through to very high mileages without any problems.
Comfort is good at speed but not up to the average on rough surfaces under 35 miles an hour. Handling and roadholding are pretty good, only let down by a lack of grip when pressed hard.
Equipment levels are excellent, and if you can find one of the many with the Diamond Option Pack, it brings even more.
All have electric windows, central locking, great power steering and a fine stereo system, plus electric sunroof and mirrors.
The Galant will serve very well if you can find a good one, but I would steer clear unless it has that all important history.
FORECOURT FACTS
Model: Mitsubishi Galant.
Driving: Enjoyable, tidy handling, smooth engines, comfortable.
Performance: Good in 1.8 better in the rest.
Economy: 33mpg for the two-litre.
Safety: Driver's airbag from '95.
Recommended buy: 1.8 GLi hatch.
Alternatives: Ford Mondeo, Toyota Avensis, Nissan Primera.
Price Guide: £900 should buy a '95 N-reg 1800GLi saloon. A '96 N-reg 2000GLSi hatch will be around £1100 and a '97 P-reg 2.0 24v V6 should be £1200.
Hit:
Value.
Build Quality.
Performance.
Good to drive.
Well equipped.
Miss:
High insurance.
Pricey parts.
Lumpy low speed ride.
V6 thirst.
All without history.