The Difference Between Genuine Mitsubishi Parts and Aftermarket Parts

 

 If you’ve ever been in a situation where you need to replace a car part, you’ve likely considered the options of buying both genuine and non-genuine parts. Regardless of the make of your car, there are certain pros and cons of each that you should keep in mind and that can factor into your decision. While Mitsubishi spare parts are generally in high supply and quite easy to find, some models and makes can be tricky to find parts for, which may limit your options. But if you’re deciding between the two, it may be a good idea to consider the following points.

Aftermarket parts are less expensive

This is really a given, as the part has not be manufactured by Mitsubishi and is therefore not as tailored-made, so to speak, for your particular model. If you’re going down the aftermarket part route, it’s well worth shopping around, particularly if you’re budget conscious. A key reason that these parts are less expensive is the fact that they are in great supply, although this obviously does vary from model to model. Quality also varies and you should keep in mind that cheaper does usually translate to lower quality. But at the same time, significant savings can be made if you find the right aftermarket part; on average they are 60% cheaper than genuine parts.

 
 

Genuine parts come with a warranty

Cars can be a little unpredictable at times, particularly older models. Any number of things can go wrong with them down the line, and some people prefer to have peace of mind rather than having to worry. One of the biggest cases for buying genuine is this assurance of quality and the knowledge that you’re going to be looked after should there be any issues. When you buy Mitsubishi spare parts, you’re given a warranty that ultimately ensures that you won’t need to cough up any more money on this particular part again for the foreseeable future. When there are problems with aftermarket parts, chances you’ll be covering the cost to replace or fix it yourself.

Genuine parts are easier to pick out

An underrated aspect of going with genuine parts is the fact that you know exactly what you’re going to get and where you’re going to get it. While there is a greater supply of aftermarket parts, you’re almost spoiled for choice and often will need to choose between a wide variety of options. If you want to come away with the best result, you’ll more than likely have to do your homework, particularly if the part is rare. In comparison, picking up a genuine part involves going down to a Mitsubishi Service Centre and having them fix it or order it for you. So while there are fewer genuine parts, getting the right one can be a more straightforward process.

Genuine parts are appropriate for after-collision repairs 

Your options can be limited when it comes to finding parts to repair your car after you’ve been in an accident. It highly recommended that you source genuine parts in this situation, as aftermarket parts and body panels do not always fit properly after an accident, and can further compromise the safety aspects of the vehicle (crumple zones may not be in the same places, for instance). There is also the fact that using non-genuine parts in this situation (and in general) can potentially reduce the value of your vehicle. That said, often the question of whether genuine parts are used or not comes down the insurance company, who are often trying to spend as little as possible. It can be worth having a chat to them about this and paying a little extra if necessary, depending on the circumstances.

There are clear benefits that come with choosing either genuine or aftermarket parts and the right decision will depend on the particular circumstances. Those with a great deal of knowledge about cars often opt to buy aftermarket parts, as they are familiar with brands and quality. On the other hand, if you’re busy and don’t want to worry too much about it, you’re probably best dealing with Mitsubishi directly and having them provide the part for you. Talk to the team at Chadstone Mitsubishi for more information about Mitsubishi parts in Melbourne or visit their website.

3 New Car Safety Features that are Becoming the Norm

Car safety and reducing the death toll remains one the biggest considerations for car manufacturers and governments all over the world. Whether it be by improving the road laws that we have in place, or ensuring that our cars are better equipped to protect us in the case of an accident. We are seeing the effects of this, as the road as a proportion of motorists is steadily declining. Technological advances on the part of car manufacturers like Mitsubishi and others are making our cars even safer. Self-driving cars are still a few years off, but let’s take a look at a few features that could be found in new cars in the more immediate future.

Lane Departure Warnings

Many of the newest safety features that we’re starting to see on cars represent our movement towards the eventual completely self-driving car. One such example is lane departure warning technology, which utilises cameras and laser to tell us when we’re starting to veer out of our lane. Motorists falling asleep at the wheel remains a cause of many accidents every year, but this technology seeks to reduce this number significantly by warning drivers with vibrations of the seat and/or steering wheel and a loud beeping sound. A windshield camera actually read the position of the lines in the middle or the road to determine when you may be going off track. Watch the video below to see how this safety feature works.

Rotating Headlights

This feature enables headlights to pivot according to the direction of the steering wheel, meaning when driving at night, the motorist has greater visibility, particularly when making turns. While there would only seem to be a subtle safety advantage for motorists using this feature, research has shown that this technology can reduce the risk of the accident at night by up to 10%. Combined with automatic high beams, which turn themselves on when it is particularly dark and off when another car approaches, this feature can be very handy. Watch the video below to see how this safety feature works.

Automatic Breaking

A beta version of this feature is becoming widely available in new cars already and can reduce the chance of an accident on the road by up to 7%, according to some studies. Using similar technology to that involved in lane departure warning, lasers and cameras fitted on the car can either warn the driver when there is an obstacle approaching or apply the brakes automatically on their behalf. This is a very effective way of preventing front on collisions which remain one of the most fatal kinds of accidents on our roads. Watch the video below to see how this safety feature works.

It’s highly likely that these technologies will become standard in new cars over the next few years, and if reports are to be believed, we can expect a much lower proportion of accidents. Mitsubishi is doing its part to ensure that the latest safety features are available. For more information, get in touch with the team at Chadstone Mitsubishi today.

Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross Set for Late 2017

Source: autoblog

Revealed at a motor show in Geneva at the start of May, the long-awaiting Eclipse Cross finally has a release date. Touted as Mitsubishi’s sports car SUV that will compete directly with high power SUVs that are becoming very popular in the market and nearly all car manufacturers are exploring intently. The Outlander has performed well in its niche but doesn’t have the power to compete with some of these other mid-sized SUV’s currently on the market. The Eclipse Cross, named as such after the sports car sedan released back in 1989, will allow Mitsubishi to enter the power SUV race with a car that is stirring up a lot of interest already. Let’s have a look at the information currently on hand.

Appearance

The success and early buzz for most new car announcements depend on its appearance,  so it’s no surprise that the 2018 Eclipse is a bit of a knockout. Sharp and muscular looking, the model’s exterior has that unique Mitsubishi look with flat headlights and a large grill. Mitsubishi has managed to nail down how SUV’s are expected to look stylistically, the Eclipse is large, bold and vibrant, which is the aesthetic that has come to be expected of this class of cars.

Strictly speaking, the Eclipse is something crossover of a coupe and an SUV and finds a middle ground that will appeal to many, with a slanted roofline and a large presence despite its relatively small frame compared to other SUVs on the market. These things considered, rather than being a family vehicle like the Mitsubishi Outlander, for example, the Eclipse is very much a sports car first and foremost.

Under the Hood

The Eclipse’s fierce appearance is matched with a feisty 1.5 litre turbocharged 4 cylinder petrol engine, with 4WD capability adding to the power and overall performance. Consumers will also have a 2.2-litre turbo diesel option, with the eight-speed auto transmission. The car’s smaller, light-weight frame will give it a little extra power compared to other SUVs on the market.

The Competition

Despite being slightly smaller than them, the Eclipse is set up to mix it with the likes of the Hyundai Tucson and the Toyota RAV4, both of which have had success in the Australian market over many years. In addition to it’s bolder, more daring design, the Eclipse is also quite a bit smaller than its competition. While it will be competing with these larger SUVs, Mitsubishi hopes that the Eclipse will also attract some buyers looking for a more compact SUV, with the feel and power of a sports car.

The Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross is set to be released in late 2017, though a specific date is yet to be confirmed. We and many other will be keeping our eyes out for updates through the year, as the Eclipse is certainly something to look forward to. To browse through more Mitsubishi cars on offer, visit our website at chadstonemitsubishi.com.au.

3 Reasons You Should Buy a Mitsubishi from an Authorised Dealer

If you’re thinking about purchasing a new car, you’ve no doubt weighed up whether to buy new or go with a used car. Regardless of what decision you make, it can be a smart move to buy from an authorised dealer. There are hundreds of Mitsubishi dealers all over Australia selling quality new and used cars and you can always find the right deal. Let’s take a look at a few of the reasons you’d choose to buy from a local authorised dealer.

Convenience

With so many Mitsubishi dealers around, it’s highly likely that you have one very close by to where you live. But distance isn’t the only factor that makes buying from a dealer convenient, it’s also the fact that you know what you’re getting when you go there. If you’re in the market for a Mitsubishi, you know that the best place to go is your local dealer; you don’t have to research online or call around, you just head over and chances are you’ll find what you’re looking for.

Servicing and Warranties

While Mitsubishi provides a 5-year warranty across the board on all new cars, specific Mitsubishi dealers often have throw-ins and goodwill services that may not be available if you buy elsewhere. Vehicle manufacturers will often be more inclined to look after people that have decided to buy a Mitsubishi car.

Buying from a local dealer will also establish a connection for future servicing. In fact, you may find that you can bargain to have x number of services included when you make the purchase. The service centre will know your car better than anyone having sold it to you and being Mitsubishi experts and will have greater access to genuine parts.

Availability

Generally, a Mitsubishi authorised dealer is going to have more models in its showroom or parking lot than other non-specialist car dealerships. If you’ve got your eye on a particular model in a particular colour with a particular interior, you’ve got a much better chance finding it here than anywhere else. And even if it isn’t available that very day, chances are the exact model can be there very quickly.The same goes for used cars; authorised dealers will generally have a greater variety on hand.

 If you’re sure about which Mitsubishi you’re after, a local dealer is certainly your best bet.

These are a few of the reasons you may choose to buy from a Mitsubishi dealer. You can always jump online and check out our 2017 range by visiting chadstonemitsubishi.com.au today, or simply pop into our showroom to say hi and have a look around!

Mitsubishi Car Financing Options: Bank or Dealership?

Whether you’re looking at buying new or used, buying a car can be quite expensive for the majority of people. Ideally, you’d make the purchase in ‘cash’, with money you are already in possession of, but unfortunately, this is not a realistic proposition for a lot of buyers. Instead, some sort of car financing is necessary, where the money is essentially borrowed from a financial institution to be paid back at a later date. Obviously, if you are going down this track, it’s important to consider both options and find out which is the most cost-effective and convenient option given your specific situation. This article will take a look at some of the main differences between the two and why you may go one way or the other.

Financing Through a Dealership

Generally speaking, the main benefit of financing through a dealership is the speed at which it all gets done. It’s quick, it’s convenient and it allows you to drive the car right out of there without further discussion.  

If you are borrowing through a bank or financial institution, you will need to have this all organised prior to heading to the dealership if you want to make it happen that day. Particularly when it comes to used cars, it’s not uncommon to see an interested party have to walk away from a deal because they have yet to procure financing, only for the car to be sold a day later to someone else. In fact, this is the main reason dealerships offer financing, as a service to customers that are in need of it then and there.

Financing Through a Bank

That said, there are clear benefits that come with going through a bank. Buying a car is not something you necessarily want to do impulsively and without thinking it through. So in some respects, it can be advantageous to organise financing before you visit the dealership. This way you have a good idea of your budget and you’re less likely to overstep it. Further, if you have a good relationship with the financial institution, you may be able to procure a slightly lower rate than you would under other circumstances.

It’s also worth mentioning that when you are working directly with the bank, you may have more leeway with late repayments, etc. given that you have an existing relationship with them.

Other Differences

When we speak about the differences between the two means of financing, we need to speak in generalisations, as every dealer and bank is different and is going to offer different rates depending on any number of factors.

However, a lot of the time this is going to be a situation where the dealership is going to a bank to provide the service to you. The dealership is essentially a reseller of the loan, and often this will mean there is a markup price on what you could get by going to a bank. After all, they need a cut of the interest repayments to make it worthwhile.

However, it isn’t always this clear-cut. There are situations where you’ll find significantly better rate when going through a car dealership.  You can, for instance, get a great deal on financing for certain cars if the dealer is trying to move stock, often getting a better deal than what you’d get from a bank. It’s not uncommon to see dealerships offer special promotions, with 0% interest for the first year, for instance. This simply doesn’t happen when going through a bank.

Furthermore, some dealerships will essentially do the leg work for you, shopping around to find the best rate for you. This enables them to offer a number of deals from which you can choose from – Mitsubishi finance deal, for instance, is particularly flexible and can be negotiated.

Our advice would be to do your homework and research as much as possible. There are good reasons to choose to go through either a car dealership or a bank but to get the best Mitsubishi finance deals you have to search and know what you’re looking for. Make sure when you’re looking at different rate options that you are comparing apples to apples. Check that there are no hidden fees (dealerships may try to sneak this in), be sure about the duration of the loan and read the fine print and you give yourself the best chance of getting cost effective car financing.