Mitsubishi at times has been a leader in certain product ranges, The early Eclipse is a good example. But even with that car they chose to follow other manufacturers and now offer cars that are as enjoyable to drive as paddling a canoe into a strong headwind for 10 miles.

I drove a new Outlander yesterday..... it's a pretty nice little SUV for the money... if you're into the crossover platforms.

But - the one that's tremendously improved is the Hyundai Sante Fe.... probably the best bang for the buck in that category of small crossovers.

Frank

It's true that Mitsubishi doesn't seem to understand the dynamics of the U.S. car buyers. Yesterday ,while ordering a part for the 2001 I commented to a Mitsu salesman at the dealership that I might want to look at a Toyota Landcruiser in a few years because of the withdrawing of the Montero from the the U.S. market. He just shook his head and said that compared to many other importers Mitsubishi is no longer situated very well at all when it comes to real SUVs.I might have to eat sardines and stuff because Landcruisers are steeper ,pricewise and hold thier perceived value longer than Monteros. And really I'd rather have more Montys. Might need to move to Aussieland!

Uh.... it was kind of a joke. Did you read the second paragraph? Also did it appear as though I was "going up" against anyone? Capncrunch was apparently concerned that misinformation was being posted. But the Zeros DID participate in the attack. I should have said they HELPED to sink the Arizona. That might have been more acceptable.

Pat

A friend told me that MITSUBISHI also funded or made parts of the (ARISAKA 6.5x50mm )Sniper rifle which felled many G.I.`s ...Many U.S. auto makers also tooled up for the war effort in the fortys .

Don't worry Pat, I suspect most people took your post for what it was--a well crafted joke. If we held grudges against every country we've been to war with (hot or cold) we wouldn't have many friends to pick from. Speaking as a veteran AND a history buff.

I could tell from the time I laughed my @$$ off when first reading your signature line that you're a good guy and a character. If I'm ever near Covington I'm gonna look you up and buy you a few beers! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/patriot.gif" alt="" />

That's exactly right, forgive and turn the page. We wouldn't have any friends at all if grudges had to last forever.

Yup. If grudges lasted forever (in a few cases they still exist), you'd be in enemy territory right now.

<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/patriot.gif" alt="" />

I still remember the look my neighbor, a Marine colonel on Okinawa, shot me when I pulled up in a Raider. But eventually his whole family gave in and traded in their chevies for Mazda Proteges.

One more interesting fact about the Zero: For a long time, the U.S. Navy thought that the Japanese had more and more mobile carriers than they really did. That's because the pilots could feather the engine back to cruise and greatly extend the range when operating from land-based airfields.

The zeros real drawback was lack of armor plate for pilot, lack of self-sealing tanks, and no bouncy seat, I believe:).

The Zero constantly outflew all U.S. carrier based fighters until the Grumman F6F Hellcat arrived in '43; it could follow a Zero into a steep climb, come out of it without stalling and end up on the Zeros tail.

GT

for the longest time i wanted to build a bada$$ race starion or 3000gt with ZERO painted down the side with big mitsu diamonds in the backround. i thought it would be funny for the mustangs i would beat. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/butwiggle.gif" alt="" />