Bought myself a Pinin

Being in the UK, the Shogun Pinin.

Not very popular in the UK, and many have been crushed due to terminal rust, but I have found a low mileage example (38K miles) that has largely escaped the tin worm.

It's a 3 door 1.8 GDI GLS model.

In the UK all 5 door models had the GDI engine (1.8/2.0) and super select 4wd.

The 3 door model was initially sold only for a couple of years with the GDI engine and super select 4wd, but then Mitsubishi decided to cheapen the 3 door, and then only offered the 1.8 Mpi engine with permanent 4wd, no centre diff lock or low range transfer gearbox.

To therefore find an early 3 door, with the super select 4wd, is rather tricky, in good condition.

Mine being an early 1.8 GDI and top spec GLS is rather well specified.

Electric windows/mirrors, electric tilt and slide glass sunroof, front fog lights, central locking, air conditioning and built-in sat nav.

Mine also has the optional 4 speed automatic with lockup overdrive top, rear parking sensors, tow bar, and remote alarm central locking.

For bling bling, the first owner also added the resin/stainless A bar to the front bumper, aluminium side steps, and chrome guard trims to the rear tail lights. 

Only item no longer working is the sat nav, however I am considering relocating the ventilation controls to the lower position instead of the sat nav CD drive, and then adding a double DIN head unit.

The GDI can have issues with cokeing up the inlet valves, however mine isn't showing any signs, probably due to the low mileage.

I must say I am rather impressed with it so far, the ride and driveability is very good.

I've actually bought this as a fourth car, mostly for the winter snowy months, which were quite bad last winter here at the edge of the Peak District in Yorkshire, and a bit of 'green laneing'.

So at first it will be a good servicing, tidying up a few bodywork dinks, rust proofing, and fitting a missing sump guard, which Simmo777 has already kindly emailed me a CAD drawing that I am getting profiled and folded accordingly.

Further ahead, a 2" lift would be nice, and a 'ARB' style front bumper.

Thanks,

Mike.