Background
The Mitsubishi Shogun Sport was originally introduced in 1999, although it was a rebranded version of the Shogun Challenger which first appeared a year earlier.
It was intended to offer a stylish and affordable alternative to the already popular Shogun range and at first was seen as a bit of an ugly duckling, since its styling seemed to mash together a couple of models from Subaru and Daewoo without really hitting the right balance.
You could choose either a 3.0 litre V6 petrol engine or opt for the feisty frugality of a 2.5 litre turbodiesel. Trim came in two flavours, with the GLX and GLS both offering decent equipment and features at the time.
2001 saw the turbodiesel get a power boost while the V6 saw its power dip a little, all in the name of conforming with new emissions regulations in Europe.
The approved used Mitsubishi Shogun Sport continued to evolve until its time as a new car in the UK came to an end in 2009. If you're after a rugged and eminently reliable off-roader which will probably only have ever faced the mild perils of the school run, then it could be a good used buy.
Bang for your buck
There are some so-called 'lifestyle' 4x4s which in reality shouldn't be driven anywhere other than the tarmac. The second hand Mitsubishi Shogun Sport is definitely not in this category, because it has all of the mechanical underpinnings to make it an impressive off-road performer.
The 3.0 litre petrol engine provides plenty of power and is great for motorway cruising, but it has enough torque to clamber up incredible slopes and even plunge under relatively deep water without dying a spluttering death.
In the rear you get plenty of room, with the passenger seats able to fold flat so that you can make it up as a comfortable sleeping compartment.
The Shogun Sport for sale is a little smaller than its full sized sibling, so don't expect seven seats unless you encounter a non-standard version. However, it is well kitted out with things like power steering, full electrics, twin airbags and an immobilised as standard at any trim level.
Those who choose the classy Elegance iteration will enjoy useful features like built-in roof rails, a luggage cover and net as well as air con and fog lamps at the front.
Of course while the petrol provides V6 fun that's great on the roads, if you're really planning to go off the beaten track then you'll want to seek out a diesel-toting Shogun Sport. But in any case, every model is better able to take on mud, gravel and steep inclines than your average family car.
What you'll pay
Early model used Mitsubishi Shogun Sports for sale can be snapped up for around £2000 to £3000, while you'll pay £10,000 or so for some of the last to be sold in the UK.
The diesel engined models fall into insurance group 13, while you'll be looking at group 16 for the 3.0 litre V6.
What to check
After going on about the Shogun Sport's off-roading abilities, it's worth pointing out that some drivers will have put these to the test, which means you have to be careful when buying used.
The good news is that this model lives up to Mitsubishi's reputation for reliability and build quality, so as long as it hasn't undergone excessive wear and tear a second hand Shogun Sport should be a good prospect.
Check for a full service history and be weary of those examples that exhibit evidence of leaking fuel, trashed shock absorbers or a sticky differential lock.
Parts
The clutch and exhaust system will cost you £230 and £300 respectively if they need replacing. Meanwhile headlamps are steep at £200 a pop, with beefy rear brake pads ringing through at £65 for the pair.
How it drives
While the petrol powered V6 engine offers good performance, it was overlooked in favour of the 2.5 litre diesel which is more economical and generally better behaved.
For a diesel engine it is also quite quiet and smooth, so if you are only going to be using the Mitsubishi Shogun Sport for ferrying kids around or heading to the shops, it won't give you much of a headache.
