Good morning! Today is the start of a special anniversary celebration here on Shitbox Showdown, which I’ll explain shortly. It all kicks off in my old hometown of Chicago, Illinois. But before we do that, we need to see which Vega substitute you chose for David:
Well, that’s not even close, is it? I am in complete agreement that the Solstice is the better car here, but a couple of commenters thought the old BMW was more David’s speed, which is likely also true.
So as you are no doubt aware, the Autopian is fast approaching its first anniversary, March 32nd. Hot on the heels of that is April 5th, which is my first anniversary of writing Shitbox Showdown. Much has changed since those heady days of yore, and I feel like we’ve settled into a good rhythm here. I’m still having fun, and I hope you all are, too. I wanted to mark these occasions by doing something a little special, so starting today, we’re going to “motor West,” and search for cars in all the towns mentioned in the fabled song “(Get Your Kicks On) Route 66.”
Written by Bobby Troup way back in 1946, this song has been covered by everyone from Chuck Berry to the Rolling Stones to Depeche Mode. It has changed quite a bit over the years, but then, so has Route 66 itself: it’s now Interstates 55, 44, 40, 15, and 10. And of course, not every stop has its own Craigslist site, so we’ll have to fudge it a bit. (I’m afraid we’ll have to “forget Winona,” because it barely exists.)
It all starts off in Chicago, where the original terminus of Route 66 was an intersection with Lake Shore Drive, which conveniently has its own song as well. Ready for a road trip? Here we go.
2000 Saturn LW1 wagon – $2,800
Engine/drivetrain: 2.2 liter dual overhead cam inline 4, four-speed automatic, FWD
Location: Hammond, IN
Odometer reading: not listed
Runs/drives? Yep
For its first ten years, Saturn only sold cars in one size. That changed in 2000, with the introduction of this car: the L-series. It’s more or less the same idea as the original Saturn S-series, only bigger. It’s an idea that worked for six model years, despite the awkward model naming scheme: This base model wagon is an LW1. Who wants to tell their friends they just bought an “Ell-double-you-one?”
Weird name or not, these are supposed to be halfway decent cars, just a little coarse and unrefined–again, like the S-series, only bigger. This one is powered by a 2.2 liter version of GM’s Ecotec four, backed by a four-speed automatic. Drag races won’t be its forte, but it should serve well as a cheap economical runabout.
This Saturn is a bit scruffy; there is a little rust around the edges–not on the doors or front fenders, because they’re plastic, but the rear wheel arches and the leading edge of the hood are a little bubbly. Inside, it’s dirty, but the standard-issue GM gray plastic is mostly intact.
The seller says it runs well, and has new brakes all around. They tell us it has “low miles,” but annoyingly the ad doesn’t actually list the mileage. The OBD-II code reader still plugged into the port in one photo doesn’t inspire confidence; those things can erase codes as well as read them, which begs the question: What code was it throwing?
2001 Mitsubishi Galant LS – $3,295
Engine/drivetrain: 3.o liter overhead cam V6, four-speed automatic, FWD
Location: Wheeling, IL
Odometer reading: 62,000 miles
Runs/drives? Sure does
Is a Camry too common for you? Accords all have too many miles on them? Well then, have we got the car for you! Feast your eyes on a car you likely forgot even exists: the Mitsubishi Galant. This four-door sedan from Japan’s AMC is a competent, but unexciting, form of transportation, and the eighth-generation Galant is a fairly sharp-looking car, as well.
This Galant is powered by Mitsubishi’s ubiquitous three-liter V6, also found under the hood of a million minivans and Monteros. The cool all-wheel-drive VR4 model still existed in 2001, but we in the US were no longer deemed worthy of it. Instead, this is standard-issue front-wheel-drive fare, with an equally standard-issue automatic.
This Galant is in good shape, with only 62,000 miles on the clock. It’s the fancy LS model, with power windows and locks and a sunroof, and the seller says the air conditioning works. It does have a little bit of rust starting to show, but it’s an Illinois car, and road salt is a way of life in the winter there.
It’s comparable to a Camry in one other way too: look at that classic “Camry Dent” in the bumper! There is some evidence out there that such dents can be repaired with boiling water, or you could just leave it; sometimes an already-damaged bumper is advantageous in squeezing into a hole in traffic.
So that’s where we’re starting our journey westward. Tomorrow we’re visting St. Louis, where another pair of cheap road-warriors will be waiting. But first we gotta get out of Chicago. Which car are you taking?
(Image credits: Craigslist sellers)
The Saturn would have to have some pretty low mileage to be more attractive than the clean Mitsubishi. It’s barely even a shitbox, unless there’s a lot more rust underneath.
A toss-up in my mind. Surprised to read of a Saturn with rust, Yeah, I know they’re not all plastic but still. But the Mitsubishi had rust, too. I went with the Saturn only because of the long roof’s increased usability.
“Japan’s AMC” put Mitsu in a different perspective for me. Even down to the Renault partnership!
These Galants were pretty well reviewed in their day when new, C/D putting one in first above an Accord even in a comparo. MT had a less positive long-term review though. But, this one looks clean enough and cleaner than the L. Swap the timing belt and do a thorough check through in the process, and I think it’d be OK. Maybe the V6 would be smoky like it always would get in Chrysler’s use, but that’s easy to keep an eye on.
Technically it’s an ES V6, not an LS (which added leather). V6 had standard ABS so you also get that which the L in question probably doesn’t have. But the moonroof is probably an aftermarket unit, because IIRC it was usually packaged with alloys and this has steelies. If that’s of concern to anyone for leaks or anything.
An L-Series could be fine, but the first couple years were iffy. Various electrical issues are one thing, the early 2.2s had timing chain issues (I would think that’s already happened on this one depending on the mileage). They’re fine enough that I think they’re coveted by regular folks who are big on wagons, but maybe not this one. I mean heck, it looks like an OBD code reader is hooked up in the pictures?! I missed it the first time I looked as I was focused on the clump of leaves and debris in the footwell.
I did look at the other listings as instructed in the description and most other cars do list mileage, so seems like it could be a deeper issue. But he also has a non-running Smart available if Mercedes wants to rescue another one.
Fun fact for us Gen-Xers – In addition to penning the iconic song, Bobby Troup also starred as Dr. Early on ’70s proto-emergency medical drama Emergency!
That Galant is pretty mint all things considered, not a smudge on the interior… definitely take that over the mystery mileage Saturn
I have to vote for the Opel Vectra B over the Galant this time.
You really don’t want to deal with a transverse V6, and also it has a timing belt.
The wagon is a 4-cylinder that is much better. Even though Jeremy Clarkson refused to drive it, it still has Euro cred, including lug bolts.
A tough choice but the longroof wins, barely, over the Mitsu.
I’m a plastic Saturn fan, but I picked the Mitsubishi as it seem nicer, low mileage and maybe more honest. I really wouldn’t want either in my driveway.
Automatic nope for the code reader that looks like it’s a permanent fixture in the filthy Saturn. The Galant’s owner at least cleaned it.
Welp, my comment was there right above mrbrown89, and now it’s gone. Is the new commenting system hiccupping?
I took the Mitsubishi as it looks taken care of.
Why does it show 15 comments, but I can only see one?
When I worked for a rental car company, both of these were in our fleet (the Saturn was the L200 sedan variant and the Gallant was the ES with the 4 cylinder). Guess which one was (relatively speaking) more fun to drive, spent less time getting fixed at the dealer, and held up better to the daily abuse of a rental car? Yeah, I’ll take the Mitsu Gallant all day long.
I drove a Galant once, and really don’t remember it. Typical boring anonymous car, but with low miles, the price looks right. Some hot water (or a hair dryer) would be necessary. Don’t like dents.
What I DO remember was a Galant VR-4 that absolutely racked me. Of course a good example wouldn’t make Mark’s price ceiling. Still, it proved there was a good machine hidden under the Jell-O. The one offered here is Transportation. The VR-4 was Fun.
The Saturn just looks like it never got any love. I really dislike cleaning up someone else’s car.
The Galant looks like a car that some little old lady drove to church and the store once a week. I didn’t even see any stains on the fabric seats. Galants also refuse to die, I’ve encountered a few with over 200k miles. The Saturn…well usually I’m a wagon guy, but no mileage listed isn’t promising, nor is that OBD reader on the floor. Plus it’s filthy.
That OBD reader has got my mind working. Like, you go for the test drive and the dude says, “Oh yeah, when you start it up there’ll be 900 warning bells, just give that thing a stomp and you’re good to go.”
I worked at a saturn dealer when the L-series was launched. The body was all plastic except for the hood, roof and oddly, rear quarters. It was largely a copy of an Opel so hardly anything new here and it shows. The 4cyl was a bit of a dud, but the (also Opel) V6 was a delight. I recall having to move them from the upper lot to the lower and that mile or so went by mighty fast! I know those engines turned out to be pretty bad also being shared with the Catera and I think a Saab of some sort. Lots of leaks and problems.
The Saturns would typically have issues with the body control module and all the interior electronics would freak out. Windows would open on their own, power locks would rapidly lock/unlock, radio issues, etc. If this one is for sale with issues, you can probably assume the BCM has had it and needs to be replaced.
I hated working at that dealership; we were on west liberty in Pittsburgh and our cheap ass dealer GM would NOT buy any advertising. I recall several DAYS where we got ZERO foot traffic. I’d be in that dealership freaking dying for the 12 hour day (had to do one every week) with not a soul in there except for people getting service. I would sit inside of a gold L series wagon listening to the radio. I got to hear Lou Bega more times than I can recount.
Mario, Bruce if either of you are still alive, you’re the worst.
The lack of mileage in the listing made me wonder if it was BCM-related, either having the issue or maybe it being replaced. IIRC people would ask why their car was showing some crazy looking mileage listing and that was a symptom of the BCM.
Wagon! Wagon (almost) always wins!!
test
I actually looked at the Mitsu’s listing last night, and was thinking “why is this so cheap for so few miles?”
Ah, it’s a timing belt, and with so few miles it’s likely original. 22 year-old rubber parts are not particularly reliable, so that service is job one.
Still a great deal.
Can’t believe I am going to say this… But a Saturn… with… RUST??? I would have picked the Saturn if it was manual. but alas not this time.
“Camry Dent™” aside, that Mitsubishi is far nicer than it has any right to be. The slight price premium is well worth it for the additional features, better condition, and the opportunity to avoid the potentially dishonest Saturn seller.
Dang, I figured all of those year Galant’s were gone from existence and then you go and show a perfectly preserved time capsule. Back in that era, I honestly saw BMW 3 series in the styling and I strangely coveted one. I got over all that, but I still kind of want that one in this comparo. the 2.2 had chain tensioner issues in these early models, so that may or may not still prove an issue.
Gotta go with the Mitz
I just have a wagon weakness, and a tradition of poor decisions. I’ll put a ring on the Saturn.
Mitsu all the way. The interior of the Saturn looks nasty, and what’s with the center console/armrest? Can’t imagine it’s supposed to be encroaching upon the driver’s seat
Mitsubishi this time, way cleaner and with a Camry dent, you are protected from Altima drivers
Which is funny, because Galants used to be the Altimas of their day. I used to always give them a wide berth, but they got rare and were fully supplanted by Altimas as the car of choice for aggressive dudes with low credit scores.