2.4L, 4G64, 16 Valve SOHC inline 4 cylinder, 145 HP, FWD, 4-speed automatic

Term driven: 2001-2008

The above tech specs are after considerable research, but I believe them to be accurate. This was my early graduation gift which I believe I was provided back in 2001. I had the pleasure of driving it my senior year of high school, sporadically in my college years, and then through early adulthood.

This car was a relatively new 8th gen design, just released in July 1998 for production in 1999. I believe I had a very low mileage used vehicle (maybe 5000 miles) but I’m a bit foggy on that.

This car underwent much, much personalization in its lifetime. I think I drove the car exclusively for around 90k miles over the course of about 7 years, making many trips to and from college and home. The car, in its momentous of forms, was referred to as “Mitsubeastie” or simply “Beast”. This was admittedly an ironic term as the car was certainly no beast, but merely a housecat. I also frequently referred to it as my “family sedan with an identity crisis” and you will soon see why.

Somewhere around I believe freshman year of college, I collected enough funds from my part-time work to buy aftermarket wheels. After much research, I opted for 17 inch 15 spoke lightweight Japanese wheels: Motegi MR15. I distinctly recall that I liked the visual effect of them essentially “disappearing” when in motion. I also liked that at the right frame rate, multispoke wheels like this can look like they are standing still in motion. I admit they were pain to clean, though. I believe I ordered and installed through Discount Tire Co. I doubt this was my first mod, but I’m unclear on the order…

One of the common gripes with my car is as you can see above, that the rear wheel tucks nicely in the wheel well but the front looks like monster truck status. The agreed upon solution in Galant forums is: lower the suspension. My dad was against this so it never happened. Nonetheless, I continued to personalize the car.

In no particular order, the following modifications occurred over the life of the vehicle:

  • Multiple aftermarket head units, primarily Alpine
  • Subwoofers, dual 12s I believe
  • Short ram air intake
  • Aftermarket muffler
  • Aftermarket rear spoiler
  • Car bra

It was pretty much where I wanted it save for being lowered.

The car, for all intents and purposes, was “done” at least by the time I graduated college in 2006–probably some years prior to that. I enjoyed it for years until the first time I had a cracked intake manifold. I was at a red light–no problem. The light turned green. The moment I hit the gas the car stalled out. I try starting it up and eventually the car does start back and I am able to get home. This happens and my Dad discovers a cracked intake manifold. I remember he gets a used one from the local junkyard and I’m back in business.

Fast-forward some time later, the same exact thing happens again–cracked intake manifold. Turns out the reason I keep cracking intake manifolds is that I have broken motor mounts, and I tended to have a heavy foot. This meant when I stepped on the gas the motor torqued and without motor mounts stressed the intake manifold where the intake connects. Once motor mounts and intake manifold were corrected, I was good to go… except it was too late–I had enough.

The year was around 2007. I was doing really well with my job and my supervisor indicated I would get a raise. I was a de facto team lead, after all. I preemptively look at new cars given this news and I waver between two models: Subaru Impreza and Mazda 3.

After visiting both dealerships I was proposed with a deal on a used Mazda 3 and end up taking it. It was a new 2008 model that had 5k miles on it. I ended up trading in my Mitsubishi for $3k if I recall correctly, after some time failing to sell on Craigslist.

Thus ended the reign of “Mitsubeastie.” It was a fantastic ride, but this was the beginning of what would become of this new Mazda.

As an aside, that raise I was promised? Yeah, it didn’t happen–all I got was apologies from my management for mismanaging my expectations. I did end up soon leaving that company for a new job with around a 50% raise in salary, so everything worked it self out in the end!