vLane Blog

Beat the recession: The Mitsubishi Debonair Royal AMG

From Banovsky, Featured Contributor
Posted on March 5, 2009

Filed under Classic, Feature, Sedan, Mitsubishi, AMG, Japan, History, Misc, Humor

It's the 80s. You're in Japan. Inflation is through the roof — and you have money to burn. A time so far removed from the current financial meltdown, but one that served up this crazy, Japanese/German gem for collectors.

Why should you care about this monstrosity? Well, I'm thinking with wages, bonuses, and savings plummeting around the globe, you may want an AMG — but can no longer afford it. And frankly, pretty much AMG Mercedes ever made still retains great resale value. So you're out of luck if you want something wearing a three-pointed star.

This Mitsubishi? Not the best car AMG but its hands on, but likely one of the least expensive ways to buy something that has badge appeal and is likely to appreciate in value. Our in-depth analysis (and a few jokes) after the jump.

The biggest problem with owning a collector's car is the urge to resist driving it. You've saved for years to buy your dream Ferrari, Jaguar, or whatever — and its lines haunt you every time you step into the garage. Most classics wear pure, flowing forms that cover desirable mechanicals, like water in a wet T-Shirt contest. Alas, the Debonair AMG is more like an injection-moulded kitty litter box.

But this means you won't want to be seen in it, thus keeping mileage down. And driving it solely for the pleasure of rowing through the gears? AMG didn't actually modify the mechanical bits of this car: that means you're stuck with a 200 horsepower six-cylinder engine, mated to a 4-speed automatic transmission, driving the front wheels. So much for playing Mika Häkkinen at the next track day.

So despite owning one of the most pathetically-tuned cars ever, it will probably appreciate in value. Slowly. But it may be a better return on investment than your 401K.

Other Mitsubishi Debonair V 3000 Royal AMG resources:

• 7tune.com
• Japanese Nostalgic Car
• Retro Scene Magazine

Banovsky is a featured contributor for vLane.