Mitsubishi Outlander

[Andre]

Does anyone have any experience with the Outlander or heard any bad or good things? For 2 weeks I have searched the web, read dozens of reviews, been to various forums but could not find anything negative about the vehicle.

[SimonB]

Originally Posted by Andre

Does anyone have any experience with the Outlander or heard any bad or good things? For 2 weeks I have searched the web, read dozens of reviews, been to various forums but could not find anything negative about the vehicle.

A while ago in one of the mags they had a shootout between the Outlander and the Forester. The complained about the interior "build" quality. Overall they rated it well but the Forester won in pretty much all departments

Unfortunately I've only had personal experience with the Forester

[Ralph_Clark]

I hope you know Mitsubishi will launch the new Outlander next month. Totally new platform, engine and 4x4 system. Also a 7 seater now. Closer to a Freelander than a Forester.

[Barto]

Two guys at my previous company had the Forrester and Outlander.....and I would also rate non-turbo Forrester higher than the Outlander. The turbo forrester is in a different league!
That new Outlander looks interesting

[Andre]

I hope you know Mitsubishi will launch the new Outlander next month. Totally new platform, engine and 4x4 system. Also a 7 seater now. Closer to a Freelander than a Forester

That is exactly why I am asking. Very good deals can now be had on current Outlanders. Also their used prices are much lower than Foresters.
Let me shortly explain why.
I have to have certain things done in and around the house. The costs of my diesel Jeep at the moment prevents this. So I am sort of forced to go softroading for about a year, that is why I am looking for a vehicle that still has part of service plan and warranty left. And no, I am not considering a platkar.
Then my son will take over the outlander or whatever I buy and I will trade his (actually also mine) Corsa on a low km Pajero 3.8 LWB.
Anyway going to see Mitsubishi Motors in Paarden Eiland tomorrow.

What are the prices for

• Outlander
• Freelander
• Forester

(Just so that we compare apples with apples).

My gut feel says that most of the Forester models are more expensive than the Outlander.

Andre. Al wat dus oorbly om vir jou te se is dat jy is 'n VERAAIER van alles waarvoor Jeep gestaan het.

My Neef het 'n Outlander al vir so drie jaar, en hy geniet die kar baie. Hy het geen klagtes oor betroubaarheid nie, maar het wel al iets genoem van wens dit het bietjie meer krag gehad ? Hy is ook nie juis 'n ernstige "Offroader" nie, so die kar is perfek vir hom wat bergfiets mal is, en ry dus wel heelwat grondpad om by plekke uit te kom, en in die week drink hy hard so die kar klim ook gereeld sypaadjies en sulke dinge.

[Andre]

My gut feel says that most of the Forester models are more expensive than the Outlander.

Gerhard that is exactly what came to light in research, although a I will be the first to admid that the Forester is the better quality vehicle. I am not considering the Freelander as I have decided to buy only Jap or Korean vehicles in future. NB I am not saying anything bad about the Freelander, as they say variety is the spice of life.
JeepOnly, as jy my as n verraaier wil beskou pla dit my nie. Ek het al baie voertuie besit, die Jeep is tans my 18de. Saam met die Renault Alconi, Monza Gsi, Isuzu Trooper is die Jeep van die voertuie wat my die meeste plesier gegee het, Die GC se vermoens is darem maar net in n klas van sy eie.

[SimonB]

Originally Posted by Andre

Gerhard that is exactly what came to light in research, although a I will be the first to admid that the Forester is the better quality vehicle. I am not considering the Freelander as I have decided to buy only Jap or Korean vehicles in future. NB I am not saying anything bad about the Freelander, as they say variety is the spice of life.

Andre...

As i said i have had no experience personally with the Outlander, but I know a couple of people have driven both, and while the Forester is a little more expensive, it seems you get what you pay for! Those boxer engines are awesome, and because of them the handling is supposedly way better...

My BIL took his Forester to the Richtersveld with us and it handled everything we did (except for going along the river when we left it behind). There was also a pic somewhere with a guy driving his Forester through mega water in the Kalahari and it was fine.

The only Outlander model is the 2,4 Auto (currently) and is R269k while there is a range of Foresters between R245k for the X and the R335k for the XT Premium, but you really need to compare like with like....

BTW, the Forester doesn't belong in this section of the forum because it has a Low Range Box whereas the Outlander doesn't...

My only (albeit mild) concern with a Forester is where the dealerships would be concerned. DC certainly not great, but I have heard varying opinions on Subaru.

That being said if someone gave me a choice between the Lancer Evo 9 and the WRX, the Mitsu wins hands down

BTW, I apologise if you think I hijacked the thread a bit, because your original post was asking about the Outlander specifically...

JeepOnly, as jy my as n verraaier wil beskou pla dit my nie. Ek het al baie voertuie besit, die Jeep is tans my 18de. Saam met die Renault Alconi, Monza Gsi, Isuzu Trooper is die Jeep van die voertuie wat my die meeste plesier gegee het, Die GC se vermoens is darem maar net in n klas van sy eie.
__________________

Toemaar, ek spot net met jou oor die Jeep ding. Ek glo in elk geval vas dat die beste voertuig wat 'n man kan besit is een wat klaar betaal is.

[Andre]

[QUOTE]
BTW, the Forester doesn't belong in this section of the forum because it has a Low Range Box whereas the Outlander doesn't...

[/QUOTE

Only the manual Forester has a low range box. Went to test drive an Outlander on Saturday. What a very nice vehicle! Have driven the normal Lancer before but this is a completely different vehicle.
The bad or good news is that they only offer me R70k for my Jeep. They must be out of their minds. So the Jeep stays, will be taken over by my son in Nelspruit area. Will be going there on holiday in April/May and come back with his Corsa to sell privately or trade it in on a Terracan. More about my visit to the Hyunday dealer in a different thread.

[john_ysbeer]

Eish! Sien nou eers hierdie thread...Van hierdie kant af so bietjie navorsing gedoen vir pa - die soek 'n nuwe kar en dink wragtag daaraan om 'n 1600 POLO Outomaties(!) te koop!

My slotsom: Forester is die beter een van die twee. Beskikbaar in outomatiese ratkas EN HR. Albei het laestrek ratkas. Grondvry hoogte v/d Forester is beter. Die enjins is basies dieselfde met dieselfde werkverrigting. Forester is eintlik 'n raps goedkoper as die Outlander...

Sal iemand asseblief met my gryse vader praat dat hy nie so 'n vreeslike dom ding doen nie!

[BigRed]

Originally Posted by Andre

Does anyone have any experience with the Outlander or heard any bad or good things?

Fuel consumption. I had one for three days as a demo. Damm, the one I had was thirsty. Other than that, I found her slightly underpowered, unless one really put one's foot down, hence probably the high consumption?

MCW

[Andre]

BigRed I came to the same conclusion. Found the Car road test and their fuel consumption index was something like 13.8L/100km. But also keep in mind that it is no lightweight vehicle. 1600+kg as tested by Car magazine, that is the weight of some dc bakkies.

[Winston]

Originally Posted by Andre

The bad or good news is that they only offer me R70k for my Jeep. They must be out of their minds.

They are out of their minds. My Jeep was insured at R150k retail in Dec.

Outlander is a looker and the Turbo Forester was until recently still the fastest stock 4x4 rocket around. In the lower 7sec bracket with a lowrange

A client also reported the consumption inn the 13l/110km bracket.

[SimonB]

Originally Posted by Winston

They are out of their minds. My Jeep was insured at R150k retail in Dec.

Outlander is a looker and the Turbo Forester was until recently still the fastest stock 4x4 rocket around. In the lower 7sec bracket with a lowrange

A client also reported the consumption inn the 13l/110km bracket.

For the Forester? That must be going flat out... My brother in law gets between 8 and 9l/100....

[saxj]

The Turbo charged Foresters are quite thirsty. They also do not have low range.
The lower models do, but it's only something like 20% reduction, which is enough to get the horse box moving.

[Winston]

Originally Posted by saxj

They also do not have low range.
The lower models do,

Bit confussed, but then again I was refering to the CAR test on the manual. They do make mistakes sometimes or I need to re-referance the filing a bit

[saxj]

From www.subaru.co.za (Forester Datasheet)

X, XS, XS Premium - Low Range(+- 21% reduction)
XT, XT Premium and Automatic - no Low Range

Originally Posted by Andre

Does anyone have any experience with the Outlander or heard any bad or good things? For 2 weeks I have searched the web, read dozens of reviews, been to various forums but could not find anything negative about the vehicle.

Just to bring this Subaru Forester thread back to what the original post was about!



I saw the new version of the Outlander yesterday (here in East London we see most of the DC products long before they are launched).
I never liked the looks of the old one, but the new one is a stunner! Looks very 4x4-like (not "station-wagon"-like).

[Gerrit Loubser]

I had a look at the new Outlander at the local DC agents yesterday and I agree that it is a stunner and a huge step up from its predecessor. Unfortunately the price is also a huge step up. The 2.4 petrol Outlander now costs more than the Pajero 3.2 DiD GLX LWB (R399000 vs. R393000). I know which one I would pick...

Incidentally, the new Pajero GLX is also quite a bit more expensive than its predecessor, but apparently does come with a bit more kit.

[MitsuClubCab]

Gerrit,

The new Outlander is going to sell for R295 000.
Got a quote for 1 3 weeks ago, but I cracked up completely when I heard what they would give me for my ClubCab.
Both Tygerberg and Paarden Island is on my list of worst trade-ins EVER.
They offer less than trade, significanyly less, even for their own brand!!

The "old" Outlander. Brilliant. I was looking at the Tucson, Sportage, Forrester and the Outlander.
If I have to buy now, I would take the Outlander. I cannot afford the new one, so I am referring to the old one.

I took it onto VERY slippery mud near Tygervalley, actually got the car "washed" by the irrigation system, and messed about with it in the mud. You know, the type of mud that is sitting on top of hard soil, about 10cm deep. I stopped, tried to floor it to get it spinning, tried pulling away in 2nd geara, everything. I was astonished at how good it performed. You can actually feel the power being transferred between the wheels with most grip.

Needless to say, I did not get stuck at all. And all this on the normal tires, at normal tar road pressures.

I drove the Forester and the Sportage as well and I must say the Outlander handled very well. Better than the Sportage and almost as good as the Forester.

But, an Outlander can now be bought for less than R200 000 with less than 12000km and at least 2 years maintenance plan left.

[SimonB]

Originally Posted by MitsuClubCab

I drove the Forester and the Sportage as well and I must say the Outlander handled very well. Better than the Sportage and almost as good as the Forester.

You can't really put the Sportage in the same league as the Outlander and Forester. My ol' man has the 2.0TDi Sportage, and while a great vehicle is not in the same class...

[ArthurB]

I became interested in a Forester, Xtrail or RAV because we do quick weekend trips to destinations around 300 to 400km from home. You would then either prefer something like a Prado or Disco or Pajero to cruise comfortably and rather quickly because time is precious.

However, I did not want to lay out (= cannot) lay out R400K + for that, and on top of it all I have an '89 Hilux to do the rough stuff with (and it is paid of :-)

That then made me understand the pupose and use for these softroaders, which I previously regarded as a waste of time.

The Subaru XS Premium I drive now is my everyday "car" and weekend dirt/sand/mud light 4x4 - and I enjoy it immensely - the low range is a bit of a waste being only 20% reduction though. There is a system on a rear suspension that compensates for load weight - works well and the headlights need no adjustment to compensate for it. Fuel consumption for the manual is around 9 liters/100km.

The Rav4 and Outlander and Xtrail and Freelander pretends to be more than they are - looking like mini Disco's, Pajero's or Prados, in that sense the Forester is more honest, while still being very serious. If I may - I think Forester buyers are practically minded, less intimidated by "looks" and "SUV Images imprinted into our minds by the media".

What sets the Forester apart from the rest is that it has a simple mechanical 4x4 drive system - no computer controlled clutches that kicks in when the front wheels start to slip - it has a limited slip centre diff, and two open diffs front and rear. I think the XT may also have an LSD at the back, plus traction control, which the non-turbo models dont have. The Forester can only be in 4x4, and this you pay for at the pumps unfortanately.

It really handles well on tar, and on gravel, the ride is very re-assuring and comfortable - the suspension is superior, and body roll is almost non-existent even though there is 200mm ground clearance below you. This is where it beats the opposition easily.

And to top it all off - look at the JD Power surveys to see where the Forester ended up...

My servicing in Midrand is an absolute joy by the way.

[Howlow]

Got to agree with all the Forester fans here, Got mine 2 years now and took it into all the fun places (Hel, Richters, Atlatis dunes and lots of other) and had not a cent of trouble with it except for those soft Yokohama Geolanders whose sidewalls can be cut by jelly tots. Whatacar !

[ScoobyDoo]

What more can be said? Forester is top. Got my 2.5X new in Jan 07 from Subaru Midrand, withdiscount and extras still les than 240K. On road performs like any mid sized luxury sedan. Off road kicks ass better than any other soft roader.

[SimonB]

Forester... Pro - awesome vehicle and that boxer engine is something else...

Con - none except for sh*te tyres...

And now they're bringing a diesel boxer derivative out - Wayhay!

[ArthurB]

Leisure Wheels Mag says the 2.4 engine in the Outlander sounds like an egg-beater and is no more economical than the previous one - they say it is "more of the same" compared to old Outlander. Maybe they shoul have saved the money they spent on the sound system to improve the drivetrain :-)

There are many things I like about my Forester - but i think the suspension should be singled out for its capability to make it feel like a mid-sized sedan on the tar, and like a well damped large 4x4 on bad dirt roads.

The self levelling suspension is so good - one can load it quite heavily and get onto a bad dirt road and push it without any major difference in how it handles and feels.

I agree - the tyre sidewalls are thin - a thorn in the Kruger park next to the tar went straight through the sidewall - I am considering Bridgestones or Goodyear wranglers after these tyres

[ScoobyDoo]

It is amazing how the Scooby fans managed to turn a discussion about an Outlander into a Scooby rave session. Although Scoobies might also have a few faults, it is amazing how all their owners are absolutely fanatical about their vehicles.

[Howlow]

Yeah sorry we're a real fanatical bunch.

Back to the Outlander, I think if they slot the new 2.5 DiD in there (as in the new Triton) it will make the Outlander fly off the shop floors !

[pajero4us]

Anybody got any expereince with the new Outlander, there are quite a few available second hand and I am thinking of buying one.
Another problem of course is the petrol price rocketting. At the moment I am driving a 2007 Ford Focus TDCI with exceptional fuel consumption( any one interested in buying it ), but I spend a lot of time on the road and I am looking at something a bit bigger and luxerious. The company is paying for the fuel.
Any comments will be great!!!

[Stevh0]

I had an opportunity earlier this year to take the outy around killarny race track The build quality is fine. its not a betley, but its on par with car in its segment, if not better.

Goes well. I really like the awd system. you could feel it working in the bends aposed to having it switched off.

only problem is the fuel consumption. from what i remember it was thirsty...

[pepper]

Gday all.

Ive got a scoob foz XT and love it. Considering getting another softroader and was wondering if anyone has any experiance with the Mitsubishi Outlander. Will be looking to go 2nd hand say 2005ish with 80kkms or so. Car will be daily drive (wife) and for holidays. {Soob im going to mod more and make supa fast so reliability for long trips may become an issue). Id just go Foz x (N/A) but wife who does not like the look of the n/a version. Any comments would be appreciated.

[Andre]

In 2007 I looked to to buy one. It really is a very nice vehicle to drive, super smooth (I say this softly in case the Curmudgeon is around) It also has all the bells and whistles one can think of. Luggage space is not the greatest though. The 4 wheel drive system is similar to the Lancer Evo so it should be reliable as well.
Hope you find a nice one.

[pepper]

Thanks Andre, just started looking, and they seem great, I must say I would go for the Foz X, but wife does not like the look of the NA version and I dont want to get another turbo (cost + fuel) so gonna look at these as they seem good value.

[Gerrit Loubser]

The Outlander is a nice vehicle, but the 2.4 petrol motor is not the most economical that there is.

[pepper]

thanks guys. I ran into a dude with one at a shopping centre. He was very positive about his car but like Gerrit commented on the consumption he gets 15l to 100km

Ok my modified (135wkw and 300wnm) forester XT gets about 11.5l/100km so decided to stick to what I know and go Foz again

[Higgins]

I drive a 2008 GLS ,got it now for a few months,just done the Katse dam,and now off to the Richterveld in Aug.I enjoy the vehicle although as mentioned it is quite thirsty.
But then again I did not by it for it fuel economy.
Cheers

[Higgins]

Hi Andre....at last...I drive a 2008 GLS Outlander,and I bought it second hand with about 32 000 kilos.Yes is is not that light on fuel,but then again it weighs 2.1 tons.I have done the Katse dam not so long ago and was very surprised at the ease it climbed the steep inclines.Whats nice is when you use the tip-tronic for downhills and uphills then back to auto.It has ALL the bells and whistels..and ons of the best sound systems around.My wife loves it,easy to drive and all the rest.I am doing the Richtersveld now in Aug and cant wait.
Cheers

[Fisheagle]

Hey guys......also fortunate enough to have one.....bought mine in 2007 and it has done more than 81000km's trouble free.......and such a pleasure to drive.........for me the following items stands out:

• Overtaking acceleration.......at any speed impressive for a 2,4L and considering the weight.......
• Sound system..........an absolute pleasure and the best there is...
• Space.........more leg room / luggage space than most in it's class.........
• Ease of driving in general.........such a pleasure when I've been driving the Jimny for a while.........no sports-bra required...

• Petrol consumption not as good as what they say......although I saw if you use the Trip-Tronic in town and drive carefully / sticking to speed limits all the time I achieved just under 12km / L.......but if you push it hard it can drop all the way down to 8km / L........
• Tyre prices.......and that's only if you can get them........lost 2 x tyres within the first 20000km and they had to give me the tyres from their demo unit.........replaced tyres recently and paid a special price of R2200-00 at TW&T after receiving quotes up and to R3 800-00 per tyre.........!! I could have put new 15" rims and BFG off road tyres for R400-00 less than the new set of tyres.....but I suppose it might look pretty stupid......... Still don't understand the mentality though of putting low-profile tyres / 18" mags on a 4x4.......but I supposed it's based on the vehicle to very seldom go off the tar.......problem is these tyres can't even handle our potholes around town..... and then to top it all you have a "Marie-biscuit" spare wheel........
• Ground clearance.......with the tow-bar forever scraping you're limited on where you can go.......but then again it's supposed to be a "Softroader"........and without low-range I can't even think of taking it where my Jimny goes with the greatest of ease.....

All in all a great vehicle.......love the heated front seats this week.....

[Enterprise]

I had one of the previous geberation XT's(turbo)did 90 000km's in 12 months. I looked at the Outlander then but didnt like the auto and the trade-in that DC offered me on Cherokee(can write a book on that sorry piece of.....) anyhow Subaru gave the best trade in and I had no problems, just watch out for those self levelling rear shocks as they are VERY expensive. Fuel economy ranged from 11.5km/l on the cruise and 7km/l when I need to get somewhere in a hurry. I changed the standard Yoki's for ATR's and it made a huge diffrence! Sorry that I went on about Subaru again- But: WHAT A CAR! Btw did I tell you about my Patrol......?

Originally Posted by Andre

Does anyone have any experience with the Outlander or heard any bad or good things? For 2 weeks I have searched the web, read dozens of reviews, been to various forums but could not find anything negative about the vehicle.

hi i am sherwin i have done the takbok trail in cape town with both the 2004 and the 2008 model no problems.

[wdw]

Had a 2.4l 7 seater 6spd OUTLANDER `auto as company car for last 2 years here in Oz. Had NO problems with it in 90000kms. Absolute plessure to drive in spite of weight. Not light on fuel but what a pleasure to drive. Good on dirt roads and beach.gave it a hard time but no rattles and no breakdowns apart from flat tyres from places where it was not designed for.... Would take 3l v6 next time if i had a choice. 3rd row seats for small kids, sound system tops. Awd awesome on dirt roads and wet
An excelent soft roader with quality building . Have Xtrail now and its better offf road just because its lighter and smaller. More space in Outlander and better seats, Subarus small . Wanted an Outlander again but too dear for fleet manager...............Beats Rav, Subi, Xtrail AND THE REST for overall package esp safety specs here. HEAPS OF STORAGE AREAS.
Wife loved it , wanted to drive it everytime she could.
Go Pajero if you need a 4x4 , I use Paj for serious stuff.

[ChrisJ]

Ek lees met belangstelling elke keer hoe die Forester se brandstofverbruik teen hom gehou word. Ek aanvaar die turbo is dors, maar ek ervaar die teendeel met my handrat-X. My gemiddelde verbruik is onder 9l/100 km. Die enigste rit waar ek meer as 10l/100 km gebruik het, was toe ek 'n baie swaar sleepwa vol meubels in laestrek gesleep het. Nie eens vakansieritte met vier mense, vol sleepwa en twee fietse kan die verbruik bo 10l/100 km laat styg nie. Dit hang sekerlik ook af hoe geesdriftig 'n mens met die petrolpedaal te werk gaan, want selfs die nie-turbo X is nie stadig nie.

[CRUZER CRAZY]

Jammer manne om die redenasie weer om te draai,ek het so 2 mnde terug n Forester XT 2.5 03 model gekoop,altyd met groot admirasie na die karre gekyk en gewonder hoekom almal liries raak oor hulle en gewonder hoekom JD Power hulle so hoog rate,in die stad en op High way is daar niks soos die turbo om n "Gap te slaan" in die verkeer mee nie,maar ek het nog steeds nie geweet hoekom hulle so liries raak nie want as jy wil vleg in die verkeer koop n BMW M3 of iets soort gelyks,TOTDAT TOTDAT EK nat grondpaaie in die Vrystaat aangedurf het met hom teen n lekker spoed dit voel of jy kan Rally hou met jou Scooby,al wat ek kan se is WHATACAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Brandstof gewys met n ligte voet op langpad 10.9 km/lt gekry.

[karoo landy]

I've just come back from testing a pals Outlander and all I can say is EIS what a car. Only downfall I see is no low range and ground clearence, but then I suppose I can't make comparison to my Defender, the two are in total different classes. Well here are some pics, mud and all. Realy impressive!