2002 Mitsubishi Diamante LS

I drive this car every once in a while, usually when my Volvo is having work done. It’s my stepbrother’s car and he doesn’t use it because he’s in Australia, where this car was actually built. Google will tell you the Diamanté weighs about 3,500lbs or so, but the markings on the car say otherwise: 4,430lbs. Almost 2 1/4 tons.

But I can’t help but laugh as I drive over potholes and cracks on the poorly paved, sea shell based, Florida roads. You can’t feel a thing. This car is disgustingly smooth. The V-6 packs 205hp and gets this Japanese land yacht from 0-60. Okay, so it’s not quick, but once you get going the engine smooths out and with your foot down you can be breaking the law without even noticing.

A/C is broken so the leather seats can also be conveniently used as a stove on these hot Florida days. The seats… are awful. There is no comfortable driving position, for me at least. The seats are much too flat and unsupportive and the steering wheel tilts but does not telescope and is much too far away. Other than the uncomfortable position the interior is a relatively nice place to be. The gauges are easy to read and honestly very beautiful (on the LS model.) Sunroof is very nice and supplies good air into the scorching interior. Back seats are the same story as the front, flat as Florida.

Exterior styling is simple and easy on the eyes. Not Pontiac Aztec ugly but surely not Aston Martin beautiful. It’s quite nice looking, but nothing special.

My overall opinion: The Diamanté would be a great luxury car, if the seats weren’t so bad. It’s smooth, floaty and heavy and is meant to be taken slow and easy. It’s not to be tossed around corners or to be had fun with. It’s a serious car for serious people, until you get in, sit down, and laugh as you slide slowly to the floor off of your flat leather seats.

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