Mitsubishi Colt Review (2004 to date)

Quick Summary

The Mitsubishi Colt is probably a better car than most buyers realise. Now that it has the personality and styling to go with its mechanical integrity, it becomes one of the best used supermini buys around. The diesel models are well worth tracking down but there's not a bad car in the entire line up. The only sticking point may be persuading an owner to part with one first.

Overall:

Models Covered:3 and 5dr supermini (1.1, 1.3, 1.5 petrol, 1.5 Di-D diesel [Red, Attivo. Mirage, Equippe, CZT, Black, Classic])

COLT VIEWING

You used to know where you stood with a Mitsubishi Colt. It would be reliable, fairly spacious and utterly boring. In 2004, Mitsubishi broke that particular mould and introduced a Colt with far more widespread appeal. Suddenly, here was a car that put the frighteners on the established supermini class leaders. Although the Colt has become a whole lot more interesting, the reliability factor remains, making the Mitsubishi one of the best used supermini choices around.
Used Mitsubishi Colt for sale

History of the Colt

The previous generation Colt had been on sale from 1996 through to 2004 and seemed to have established a durable template for boring but reliable hatches that could safely be overlooked by the British buying public. The 2004 Colt was an entirely different kettle of fish. Its profile was raised by the fact that it shared its chassis with the Smart forfour and many UK buyers recognised that the Colt, in fact, offered superior value for money. When the forfour was discontinued in 2006, the Colt carried on alone.A neat piece of styling, the Colt was launched with three and five door body styles, the first five door cars landing in dealerships in September 2004 and the three door models following soon after in December. Trim levels were typically confusing, a Mitsubishi trait that sadly didn't get erased, but good news followed in early 2005 with the launch of the Colt CZT, a three door pocket rocket that's never attracted the following it deserves.
Used Mitsubishi Colt for sale

Mitsubishi Colt Road Test

The Colt feels a good deal more assured on the road than that high rise styling might suggest. The suspension is fairly firm but on rutted city streets, only the worst that local government negligence can throw at it will upset its uncanny composure. The flipside of this is that the Colt offers a surprisingly generous dose of entertainment with decently weighted steering and better than adequate body control. The brakes are discs up front and drums at the back, except for the range-topping 1.5-litre petrol model which gets discs all round. Anti-lock and electronic brakeforce distribution are standard on all models, as is electrically assisted power steering.The 1.3-litre engine is presently the best compromise between economy and performance, the 1.5-litre unit being a little sibilant in the upper reaches of the rev range. If you want real performance, it has to be the CZT, Mitsubishi's three-door hot hatchback, which is based on a turbocharged version of the 1.5-litre engine good for 150bhp. A baby Evo? That could be about the size of it, especially if it could be breathed upon to liberate a few extra horsepower.
Used Mitsubishi Colt for sale

Buying a Mitsubishi Colt

Reliability is excellent and parts not as pricey as you might fear; the car is much cheaper than most to maintain. Make sure the exhaust is in good condition and that the tyres have plenty of wear left in them. Corrosion protection is good as well. Shop around for dealer special editions and you may be able to land yourself some extra equipment for no additional outlay.The CZT is a little more specialist than the other models and will require a more careful inspection to ensure it hasn't been mercilessly thrashed. Most of the evidence should be obvious, however, with a clutch test and a check for crash damage being the two key checks. Otherwise it's hard to come across a misbehaving Colt.
Used Mitsubishi Colt for sale

Mitsubishi Colt Typical Pricing

You'll need at least £5,750 to land the first of the five-door 1.1-litre Colt Black models with an Equippe with the same engine tacking another £200 onto that price tag. The 1.3-litre models are a bit rarer but a typical 54-plated Elegance would fetch around £8,200. Shop around and you should be able to pick up a three-door 1.5-litre Sport from around £8,800. Insurance ranges from Group 3 for the entry-level 1.1-litre models to Group 6 for the 1.5-litre Sport, with the turbocharged CZT being the only anomaly, pitched out there at Group 14.
Used Mitsubishi Colt for sale

Mitsubishi Colt Parts

(based on a 2004 Colt 1.5 Sport) Consumables are reasonably priced for the Colt and Mitsubishi have been part of a committed drive to reduce spares prices across the board. A fuel filter works out at around £8 and an oil filter about £11. Original equipment spark plugs are £6 each.
Used Mitsubishi Colt for sale