Julian C

Reviewed a 2004 Mitsubishi ES on Mar 26, 2008

This car was re-designed all the way for the year 2004. Although trims remain the same, the only changes this year were the engines. The I-4 engine, remains in the same displacement, but now it has the added feature of MIVEC, which is a device that controls the opening and closing of the valves, resulting in better fuel economy, reduced emmisions, more horsepower and torque. The old V6 has increased in size from a 3.0L to a 3.8L liter, of course, gaining more horsepower. The dimensions of this car are greater than those of its sibling as evidenced by the enormous trunk and the space in both the front and the back seats. However, I find it confusing that there is a display with the radio station and the temperature of the a/c just in front, like the Toyota Echo and the Yaris. The gauges are lit with a blue color, yet they seem to be small and hard to read sometimes. The engine seems to have a hard time moving this heavy car, yet it has better acceleration than its american mechanical twins. What really annoys me about this car is the transmission as it should have a 5-speed automatic and the option of having a manual transmission and the lack of rear visibility since the car seems to be higher at the rear than at the front.