A good girly car

I had a hectic week that started off with a real blue Monday packed with all the sad stuff and too much work but very little time to finish it.
When Nicci Macklin called to say I should come test drive a vehicle, I just thought to myself gosh! What if I don’t get to do justice to this vehicle looking at how engrossed and crazy my week had started off.
But guess what, I enjoyed and had great fun test driving it and I know someone out there will be helped by this review.
The new Mitsubishi Galant is one of the affordable midsize cars available at the moment on the Zimbabwean market.
Over the years, Mitsubishi has made an effort at making the Galant a better value with every newer model being revamped better than the last, adding more standard features to every trim.
The Galant has so much going.
I would be the judge of that because after driving it for a whole week courtesy of Nicci Macklin at Quest Motor Corp I got to thoroughly experience this car.
I test drove the VR 2.5, which is a V6 engine, and does this baby move with so much power.
Sitting under US$27 000, this car is priced similar to the Mazda 3 but what you get is more than the price tag. It is a respectable ride and handling abilities are great.
If you want a real value, test-drive the Mitsubishi Galant for your middle managers in your organisation or for your wife or even for yourself.
As a woman, I can safely advise that this is a good girly car. It handles well even though it’s a thirsty baby being a V6 and all but you can also get the SS 2.0 for US$24 547. Looks wise they are the same only that the other extras that come standard with the VR aren’t in the SS.
You don’t get the trendy interior with the leather trimmings and wood finish and the cockpit controls are different.
The engine is not as powerful but it drives pretty smoothly and it uses less fuel than the V6, which makes it an economical choice. If you are into style, great handling and love thirsty babies, then the VR 2.5 is your vehicle. What’s more exciting is that they are serviced and supported by Quest, so no need to worry about “bush mechanics” who are sometimes clueless on what and how to!
With an interior that’s comfortable, modern and more upscale than its price suggests, I will pick the VR 2.5.
The Galant is offered in these two trim levels. The basic SS model is manual and more upscale VR trim is automatic.
“Galant matches the midsize-class leaders for roominess and interior comfort, and holds its own in acceleration and handling. These sedans have mechanical refinement, solidity, interior materials, and great assembly quality. The Galant has a “sleeker-looking stance” than its previous model and good passenger space, and boot space making it a practical vehicle.
There are a lot of midsize family sedans out there. If we were to count them using our fingers and toes, we would have to do our teeth as well but it goes down to what we feel will give us a peace of mind, and after the test drive, the Galant is a winner.
The Galant has been pinged in the past for lack of features commonly found on competitors, but this has been corrected on the newer model which I had the pleasure of driving. Added items like standard stability control and upgraded stereo makes it worth every dollar.
The Mitsubishi Galant’s standard features include the 16-inch steel wheels, full power accessories, air-conditioning, tilt-only steering wheel, cruise control, driver-seat height adjustment and a six-speaker stereo with CD player and auxiliary audio jack.
Output is 160hp and 157 pound-feet of torque. Fuel economy is an estimated 9km per litre city/13,1km highway and 11km combined to the litre.
The 2010 Mitsubishi Galant comes standard with stability control, anti-lock brakes and airbags.
There you have it folks, value you for money with all the service and technical support you need. Till next week, be safe.
l Fact D. Jeke is a motoring enthusiast who has attended auto shows, rallies and has written for various publications in the region for the last decade. She can be contacted via email on [email protected]