2003 Mitsubishi Shogun Warrior

A fine example of a now rare car, the Shogun’s Japanese build quality and fastidious engineering couldn’t compensate for only so-so rust-proofing, which means many were worked into the scrapyard at an early age. Not this one, though; with a peerless MoT history and just 29,000 miles on the clock - most of which was gained in the care of its current owner who’s owned it since early 2005 and only used it for the weekly shopping run - this fabulous little Mitsubishi 4x4 would make a great all-weather runabout that’ll keep you mobile no matter what the weather throws at you. The 3.2-litre diesel engine is also frugal and bulletproof and the automatic transmission makes it wonderfully easy to drive. Regularly valeted and showing just two owners from new, we’ve never seen a cleaner example.

The Shogun’s swooping, bulbous lines give it a Tonka Toy look that’s at odds with its diminutive footprint. This makes it, in our eyes, one of the finest 4x4s of its generations – and not just because it combines a purposeful air that is the antithesis of aggression, a lesson not every manufacturer understands. But, enough of the design waffle because you want to cut to the chase and read about its condition, don’t you? Which is stunning. Absolutely fabulous. You’ll read about the lack of rot later but rest assured it’s in a fabulous condition and will be worth every penny of the modest premium we expect it to fetch over its rusty and abused contemporaries. Take a look at the shutlines for example. Still as tight as the day it left Japan, they speak of a life gently led. The silver paintwork gleams too, and the badges, lamps, and window glass are all still bright and undamaged. The 18-inch alloy wheels also tell only a good story. Protected by chunky 285/55R18 Kumho tyres - all of which have plenty of tread – they’re in great shape and free of scrapes, dinks and other damage. We will never get tired of telling you that experience shows that matching high-quality tyres are an infallible sign of a caring and mechanically sympathetic owner who is prepared to spend the appropriate amount in maintaining their car properly. Their presence does not, of course, preclude the need for a thorough inspection - something the vendor would welcome, by the way – but it does perhaps give you a shortcut into their attitude towards maintenance. The seller tells us that the old tyres (which were a set of matching Pirellis) were only replaced because they were getting old, and we are told the spare tyre, which is fitted to a matching alloy wheel and mounted on the rear door under a factory body-colour-and-chrome solid cover, has never been used. Chunky side steps make access easy, a roof-mounted rear spoiler gives it a sporty air, and a pair of pressed metal numberplates hint at an unusually thoughtful owner. A towbar and electrics add practicality and a 2,500kg braked towing capacity means you will be able to pull a good-sized caravan or trailer with ease. As for faults, there is a hint of rust starting behind the rear spoiler, that would repay investigation. The paint is flaking off some of the plastic trim on the door handles too, and the headlamps look a bit milky but we think most will be happy to leave everything else as it is.

The short wheelbase and three-door configuration might endow the Shogun with massive off-road ability but they do limit its capacity a little. That said, you can still fit three full-size adults in the back and still have room for some luggage, so all is not lost. Of course, if you fold the rear seats down you are left with a vast boot, so you have the flexibility to juggle the space available to suit your needs on a day to day basis. Mind you, you’re more likely to be admiring its condition than thinking about how many people you can seat because it is staggeringly good. The rear door, for example, still has the netting insert to hold your possession safe and thoughtful touches abound like the clever little filler nozzle for the rear screenwash. And the false floor that hides a useful storage compartment. And the additional sun visor that slides out of the driver’s side to prevent glare above the mirror. There’s a bottle jack and (apparently unused) tool kit tucked away in the boot, too. The dashboard is clear and ergonomically flawless. With bright white lettering, the switches and instruments are every bit as good now as they’ve ever been. But please don’t think the Shogun is all the about the utility because it is has a very good leather interior that’s as practical as it is luxurious. There are some lovely tactile surfaces too, plus toys like electric windows, electrically adjustable and heated front seats, air-conditioning, cruise control, and central locking. It’s even still got the original Mitsubishi headunit and plethora of warning and instructional stickers dotted around the cabin. It really is a fabulous example of a justifiably popular 4x4 SUV.

The combination of a powerful 3.2-litre turbocharged engine and automatic gearbox makes the Shogun as effortless to drive in cities as it is on the motorway – and when the tarmac ends, a matching lever slips the chassis into proper four-wheel drive and a low-ratio, giving it stump-pulling traction and torque. As you can see, it bursts into life with a surprising level of refinement; anyone coming to one from a British 4x4 would be forgiven for thinking they’re behind the wheel of a petrol-engined version. The engine bay is a little dusty but no worse, and while the underside has a little surface corrosion it’s solid enough that paying for professional rustproofing would be a worthwhile investment.

The Shogun’s MoT certificate, which is valid until November 2023, was gained, like so many over the years, with no advisories. That’s not a surprise given its service history:

• • 26.08.2004 and 9,196 miles – service Essanjay
• • 08.11.2005 and 14,601 miles – service by Motorworld Mitsubishi
• • 03.11.2008 and 17,807 miles – service by Motorworld Mitsubishi
• • 19.10.2010 and 20,338 miles – service by Mitsubishi Motors
• • 17.10.2013 and 23,709 miles – service
• • 07.03.2017 and 25,836 miles – new offside front brake caliper plus new front brake discs and pads by Didcot Auto Centre
• • 18.10.2018 and 26,871 miles – oil and filter change by Didcot Auto Centre
• • 03.11.2020 and 28,044 miles – oil and filter change by Didcot Auto Centre

Even more importantly, the only mention of corrosion from the MoT testers has been for rusty side step brackets. Aficionados will know that the Shogun’s only real weakness is rust and rot in that clever monocoque bodyshell, an affliction that is usually extensive and can write the vehicle off at an early age. So, to find one that has never suffered in this way is remarkable and must be a first for the model, surely? The recent Vehicle History Check is clear and the Shogun comes with the book pack and a bunch of old MoT certificates and invoices

You could buy this as an all-weather, all-purpose family hack and probably run it for the next two decades without too much fuss. Or you could buy it as a weekend off-roader, tweaking the chassis with a few select farckles, after which you’d be unstoppable. It’s even good enough to form the centrepiece of a modern classic collection. And yet, despite all this, the Shogun’s reputation for dissolving means prices are stubbornly low, for now at least. This means our estimate for this one is a reasonable £10,000 to £15,000, which seems like ridiculously good value to us given its condition and scarcity.

Viewing is always encouraged, and this particular car is located with us at the Bonhams|Cars Online HQ; we are open weekdays 9am-5pm, to arrange an appointment please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.