Long-term wrap-up: 2008 Mitsubishi Galant GTS
Our 2008 Mitsubishi Galant GTS got a send-off last week, after having spent just under 2 years with us. Our fleet of four cars needed to be trimmed down, so it had to go. We find it rather unbelievable that so few people contacted us when the “for sale” advert went up, compared to the eleventy-million calls we got when we sold our 15-year-old Toyota Corolla.
The Mitsubishi Galant V6 is a solidly-built, utterly-reliable car that’s also cheap to maintain if you don’t go to the overpriced dealer service centre. And it costs less than the equivalent 4-cylinder Toyota Camry while offering almost the same fuel economy, as per our tests. That’s just astounding, considering our car had the same engine as a top-spec Pajero.
At the end of the day, we sold it to some brash fast-talker who came down to see it from 300 km away, on the first day we put up the ad. He kept pointing to some minor oil stains under the engine as a way to negotiate, and we couldn’t be bothered to argue that it was a sign that the car was sitting for a month without being driven.
We bought it for Dhs 38,000 two years ago. Giving it away for Dhs 25,000 was a bargain for the buyer since we had better things to do than hold out for just for a few thousand more. The new owner already owns a Galant, so he already knew the virtues of the car. So if you spot a pearl-white Galant with red-white plates speeding, tailgating or cutting you off, you can be sure it used to be our car.
On another note, RTA “Tasjeel” testing a car in Dubai now costs Dhs 120, but a re-test now costs Dhs 35 extra, when it used to be free before. And apparently, there is no such thing as “export” plates in Dubai anymore, so out-of-town buyers need to get the unregistered car towed to their city. Also, if you are selling your car and actually want a good price, avoid brash fast-talking types. If you have to deal with one, take the money upfront, or he’ll try to re-negotiate after the transfer is done.
Original Mileage When Bought: 43,500 km
Latest Mileage To Date: 87,800 km
Latest Average Fuel Economy: 10.3 litres/100 km
Cost of Latest Problems: Dhs 0
Cost of Latest Maintenance: Dhs 200Total Non-Fuel Running Cost Since Bought: Dhs 6779
Read all 2008 Mitsubishi Galant GTS long-term updates
Comments
S Mathew
I completely agree with Mash. I do daily driving to from Dubai to Abu Dhabi and have clocked 150K on my Galant which is a 2008 model 4cyl. I take it down to Europcar for its maintenance and the 150k major servicing costed only AED 1200/-. Of course I provided them with the synthetic oil and filter which is separate. A very reliable car never gave any issues. On that note the Galant is an American made car and I was wondering if I were to go for an American (brand) car, is there any car you can suggest that is quite reliable for long (daily) commutes? The Galant is my second car and I was looking to change this car to an American car. Ford Mustang and Dodge Charger are the names that come to mind but I am not sure on their reliability.
By the way, the Al Habtoor second hand car dealer quoted 18000 for my car which has motivated me to drive the same for another 3 to 4 months before disposing off the same. Strange as to why this car’s re-sale value is so low!!!
Mashfique Hussain Chowdhury
We bought it for the Dubai-Abu Dhabi run too. No American car is going to be as trouble-free as the Galant, since it is so basic in its design.
Asif
whats the next new line-up?
mohammad
There is a trick that you can use to get export plates in Dubai.
Basically you tell RTA that you want to export the car to your country. Then you get insurance for 10 days (costs AED 100 or something) and they give you the export plates. With this you can drive the car in Dubai for the 10 day period.
How do I know this? This guy I sold my car to two months ago didn’t have his tenancy contract for his apartment in Dubai yet. Seeing us frustrated, the site manager at the Al Barsha Tasjeel told us that we can just say we want to export the car outside UAE (the buyer was a Brit). This is what we did and it worked 100% 🙂
speed
Mash,
What’s your opinion of the Dodge charger esp SRT8
How’s the reliability&resale value
Bassel
I had 2010 Galant GTS top of range bought from Al Habttor. I got it for 80,000 AED only. I can’t believe it. it had leather seats, sun roof, big touch screen, backup camera aside of the powerful 3.8 V6…etc for that price!!!! I driven it for 2 years then I sold it for 55,000 AED, it was one of the most pleasure drive i had, sooo cheap to maintain. it had it all… i can’t understand why people so aggressive to buy the over priced Toyota or Honda!!over priced!! and yes it American made… the only things i had to change are the front brake pads after 2 yeas!!!! now I’m planing to buy Galant 2013 or 14..again.. by the way I was forced to sell my Galant as I was buying 4×4 car.
S Mathew
I too thought of going for a new Galant, but hesitated when I came to know that it is going off production in the US (read it some where in a review). This model might be discontinued and we may end up buying the old stocks which the dealers here might have stocked. I think Mash might have more information on this.
Mashfique Hussain Chowdhury
It doesn’t matter if it goes out of production. It is so simple that any garage can fix it.
Bassel
When i bought the car in 2010, at that time i read it will be discontinue in USA. But who cares, we are not in US, and as MASH said any garage can repair and its cheap to repair. And since it has 5 year warranty who cares what will happen after 5 years!!! If you take well care of your car it will live for long time not only 5 years. Mitsubishi well known as reliable cars. I only use Super fuel (blue) for all my cars and use genuine parts all run perfect. my main point was if you compare the Galant (V6) with its competitors (V6) it has everything u need and its cheaper by 50,000 AED than others!!!!
wes
You sold the gallant 25k
I saw it on sale for 44k on Dubizzle
🙂
Mashfique Hussain Chowdhury
Haha! You are right! Now you know never to trust loud-mouth fast-talking types! Too bad he will never get anywhere near 30k even.
http://tnydu.biz/DOmC9o
Maneck
We could all collectively low-ball him. Also, I like how he’s not shown the scratch on the left side of the front bumper with those pics.
Also, Mash, did you rip off your Salik tag before you sold the car? If not, deactivate your account.
Mashfique Hussain Chowdhury
Already cancelled the tag. The car also has a crack in the rear bumper and a rust spot on one door, as I had listed in the ad. The guy claimed there’s a “serious” oil leak below, and swore by God that it’d cost Dhs 3000 to fix.
Ironman
His price hike seems justified as power is now upped to 300-400hp, 😉
Rahul Jones
Lol…… Plus he added N2O too…..
Chris
Plenty of noobs who think they can make a quick buck on dubizzle by reselling a car lol
wes
loool
but why he did not use any of the nice photos available on the website which is done earlier .
I should download it and send it to him by email I guess if he is not good in pc simple graphic works.
wes
the guy could not sell it at 44 k now price reduced to 36 k 🙂