1990-1994 Mitsubishi Precis: Full Review

Updated: 11/23/08

1990 Mitsubishi Precis
1994 Mitsubishi Precis
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1990-1994 Mitsubishi Precis

  • Price Range:  $0 - $800
CG Rating

31

out of 100

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Learn about the year-to-year changes and reliability for the 1990-1994 Mitsubishi Precis and our price chart details a range of prices based on vehicle mileage and condition.

Pros

  • Price
  • Fuel economy
  • Maneuverability

Cons

  • Handling
  • Noise
  • Acceleration
  • Passenger room

Vehicle Highlights

Closely related to the newly redesigned Hyundai Excel, the mini-sized Mitsubishi Precis hatchback was built in South Korea and introduced to the U.S. market in spring 1987. Excel also came in 4-door sedan form, but Mitsubishi offered only the hatchback. The lineup shrank in 1990 from six models and two body styles, to just a pair of 2-door hatchbacks: base and RS. Mitsubishi no longer needed the Precis to meet voluntary import quotas, as the Mirage was now produced in Illinois. Precis remained Mitsubishi's price leader, however. Mirage and Precis differed in styling, but were close in dimensions and mechanical specifications. Precis and the Hyundai Excel were derived from an earlier Mirage design, using a similar front-drive chassis and mechanical components. Precis used the same 81-horsepower, 1.5-liter 4-cylinder engine that went into the Mirage, as well as the same 4- and 5-speed manual transmissions. The automatic-transmission option for Precis was a 4-speed overdrive unit, while the Mirage made do with a 3-speed automatic.

Expert Ratings Summary (view detailed report)

Category Mitsubishi Precis Rating
Performance 2
Fuel Economy 7
Ride Quality 3
Steering/Handling/Braking 3
Quietness 2
Controls/Materials 4
Interior Room 3
Room/Comfort (rear) 3
Cargo Capacity 2
Value within Class 2
Total Score: 31
Learn about the year-to-year changes of the 1990-1994 Mitsubishi Precis. Get full details of the styling and performance changes throughout the history of the 1990-1994 Mitsubishi Precis.

Year to Year Changes


1991 Mitsubishi Precis: Minor appearance changes marked the 1991 Precis. The RS model was gone, but most of its equipment wound up in an RS option package, including wire wheels with full covers, body-colored bumpers, a tachometer, cloth upholstery, and split folding rear seatback. The 5-speed manual transmission also was dropped, leaving only a 4-speed stick and the 4-speed automatic option.
1992 Mitsubishi Precis: Slight front-end restyling and two new body colors were the only notable changes to Mitsubishi's subcompact hatchback.
1993 Mitsubishi Precis: A new grille went on the 1993 Precis, which was available in two new body colors. Only a single version was offered, with 4-speed manual transmission or optional 4-speed automatic.
1994 Mitsubishi Precis: Changes were few in the final season for Mitsubishi's lowest-priced model.

Our road test for the 1990-1994 Mitsubishi Precis includes a full evaluation from the inside out. We've evaluated every aspect of the 1990-1994 Mitsubishi Precis and highlighted the vehicle's performance with pros and cons. Use our comprehensive road test ratings to decide if this generation 1990-1994 Mitsubishi Precis is right for you.

Consumer Guide® Road-Test Evaluation

Like Hyundai's closely related Excel, the Precis is an economical and reasonably well-equipped car. With an automatic transmission, however, it's a lethargic performer. Manual shift produces more reasonable acceleration. Expect a soft, pleasant ride from the Precis suspension. On the down side, plenty of body lean and skinny tires combine to produce low cornering limits, preceded by a lot of tire squealing. Adding to the discomfort, those tires howl loudly at highway speeds. Interior space is adequate for four--or even five in a pinch--but rear leg room is at a premium if front-seat occupants happen to have long legs. With an optional power moonroof installed, 6-footers will barely have enough head room up front.
Value for the Money
In performance and overall quality, Precis and the similar Excel lag behind the class-leading Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla. Price is its foremost attraction.

Expert Ratings Summary

Category Mitsubishi Precis Rating
Performance 2
Fuel Economy 7
Ride Quality 3
Steering/Handling/Braking 3
Quietness 2
Controls/Materials 4
Interior Room 3
Room/Comfort (rear) 3
Cargo Capacity 2
Value within Class 2
Total Score: 31

Each vehicle report contains one rating chart for representative model. Consumer Guide® rates in ten key areas: Performance, Fuel Economy, Ride Comfort, Steering and Handling, Interior Noise, Controls and Materials, Driver Room, Passenger Room, Cargo Capacity, and Insurance Costs. These ratings compare the particular vehicle rated to ALL other vehicles, not a vehicle's standing in a particular class. In the ratings table, "1" is the lowest rating and "10" is the highest rating.
Our reliability study for this generation Mitsubishi Precis includes details on average repair costs, manufacturer recalls, and everything you need to know to gauge the long-term reliability of this generation Mitsubishi Precis .

Trouble Spots

Consumer Guide's® Auto Editors have scoured repair bulletins and questioned mechanics to search for commonly occurring problems for a particular vehicle. In some cases we also give possible manufacturer-suggested solutions. In many instances these trouble spots are Technical Service Bulletins posted by the manufacturer, however, we have our own expert looking at additional vehicle problems.

Engine stalling: The engine may stall when idling and/or the air conditioning won't work if there is a faulty crimp in the wiring harness to the engine's throttle-position sensor. (1990-91)

Poor transmission shift: A restriction ball inside the manual transmission comes loose and jams the 3-4 shift rail making downshifts into 4th or shifting into reverse difficult or impossible. (1990)

Rough idle: The engine can lose power and/or idle poorly because the timing-belt sprocket on the crankshaft gets loose from wear. (1990-91)

Transmission noise: A drone from the transmission (that goes away when the shift lever is pushed sideways) is caused by the 3-4 synchronizer sleeve wear. (1990)

Vehicle noise: The front stabilizer-bar bushings cause a squeaking or squawking noise and revised bushings are available to cure it. (1990-92)

Consumer Guide® Estimated Repair Costs

This table lists costs of likely repairs for comparison with other vehicles. The dollar amount includes the cost of the part(s) and labor (based on $50 per hour) for the typical repair without extras or add-ons. Like the pricing information, replacement costs can vary widely depending on region. Expect charges at a new-car dealership to be slightly higher.
Item Name Repair Cost
A/C Compressor $405
Alternator $305
Automatic Transmission or Transaxle $1,010
Brakes $260
Clutch, Pressure Plate, Bearing $470
Constant Velocity Joints $670
Exhaust System $270
Radiator $555
Shocks and/or Struts $440
Timing Chain or Belt $260
Our price chart for this generation Mitsubishi Precis details a range of prices in year-by-year listings based on vehicle mileage and condition.
Prices Good Average Poor
1994
Precis $1,000-1,300 $600-800 $100
1993
Precis $0 $0 $0
1992
Precis $0 $0 $0
1991
Precis $0 $0 $0
1990
Precis $0 $0 $0
This chart details a range of prices in year-by-year listings for vehicles in three condition levels:
Good: a clean low-mileage, solid-running vehicle that needs little or no repair.
Average: a car with normal miles on the odometer, perhaps a few scrapes or dings; engine might need a minor repair or two, but runs acceptably well.
Poor: might have potentially dangerous problems with the engine and/or body, or abnormally high mileage; definitely in need of mechanical attention. Valuations reflect wholesale prices paid by dealers at auction, and retail prices on used-car lots. Each range covers all trim levels and engine types for a vehicle with a typical amount of equipment--usually an automatic transmission, air conditioning, stereo, etc. Fully loaded vehicles may cost more. Average mileage is 12,000 miles per year. Keep in mind that these are guidelines only. Actual selling prices vary- especially from region to region.
Specs for this generation Mitsubishi Precis include everything from fuel mileage to seating capacity to options availability.

Vehicle Dimensions

Specification 2-door hatchback
Wheelbase, in. 93.9
Overall Length, in. 161.4
Overall Width, in. 63.3
Overall Height, in. 51.6
Curb Weight, lbs. 2040
Cargo Volume, cu. ft. 37.9
Standard Payload, lbs. --
Fuel Capacity, gals. 11.9
Seating Capacity 5
Front Head Room, in. 37.8
Max. Front Leg Room, in. 41.9
Rear Head Room, in. 37.5
Max. Rear Leg Room, in. 32.9

Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

Powertrain Options and Availability

Sole Precis engine was a 1.5-liter 4-cylinder, rated at 81 horsepower. Either a 4-speed manual transmission or an optional 4-speed automatic could be installed, but RS models got a standard 5-speed manual.
Engines Size liters /
cu. in		 Horse- power Torque Transmission:
EPA city/hgwy		 Consumer Guide Observed
ohc I4 1.5 / 90 81 91 4-speed manual: 29/33
5-speed manual: --
4-speed automatic: 28/32		 4-speed manual: --
5-speed manual: --
4-speed automatic: --

Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.
Built In:  South Korea
Drive Wheels: transverse front-engine/front-wheel drive
Detailed safety information for this generation Mitsubishi Precis include detailed crash test scores from the NHTSA.

NHTSA Crash-Test Results

Test 1993 Precis
Front Impact, Driver 4
Front Impact, Passenger 5

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury: 5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Sideimpact crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%; 1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%; 2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.

Learn about official auto recalls, reliability issues, and vehicle problems for the 1990-1994 Mitsubishi Precis directly from the NHTSA and manufacturers.

NHTSA Recall History

1990 Precis: Lockwasher under nut that secures front hub to driveshaft could crack, causing wheel bearing free play and possible bearing damage.
1990-94 Precis: In lateral moving-barrier impact test, fuel leakage from gas tank exceeded maximum allowable amount of spillage.

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