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2006 Mitsubishi RaiderMission Possible with 2006 Raider
Boomer: I like test driving trucks now and then. I’m always amazed at how many trucks are on the market in the same category with regard to size, weight and ability. Do we really need so many trucks to choose from?
X: Well, how is that different from choosing shoes, homes, restaurants or men? Each truck has something we personally like or need. I guess it is a matter of finding out what feels good and serves a purpose for that individual.
Boomer: Thank you Oprah. It’s like we always say… choose a vehicle to match your lifestyle and pocketbook.
X: That’s why we drove the 2006 Mitsubishi Raider everywhere last week. We wanted to see what was different and what Mitsubishi had to offer that would provide them a strong presence in the truck arena. How do you think they did?
Boomer: At first, I looked at the Raider and thought it was a Dodge Dakota in drag. I didn’t expect to find any new or redeeming qualities in a Mitsubishi truck. I was quite surprised however to see the excellent reaction to the Raider wherever I went, and I went everywhere.
X: I was driving it around more than you trying to find your Mother’s Day gift. I was in charge of your present this year. I knew what you needed so I volunteered to buy it, wrap it and share the praise for the great idea with my siblings.
Boomer: Thank you Melanie, I loved my tape recorder, I’ve already taped a few of Dad’s promises to me for vacations, so I can play it back when he says he didn’t say that.
X: Mom, the recorder is for you to talk into in order to remind yourself of appointments, things to do and record interviews rather than writing everything down. As you’re getting older, and a little forgetful, we kids felt that this type of device would be a great help to you.
Boomer: Well, that just took all the excitement and thoughtfulness out of the gift. I thought it was for me to tape conversations at meetings or sort of spy on people.
X: I knew you shouldn’t have gone to see Mission Impossible III.
Boomer: Funny, in the theater parking lot is where I was stopped by a young couple asking about the Raider. They noticed the very distinctive Mitsubishi badge on the grille on the front of the truck and liked the look of it. They even asked if I would demonstrate opening and closing the extended cargo area at the rear end of the truck. I felt like Vanna White, pointing to all the areas of detail.
X: You do look like you could be her older sister.
Boomer: Thanks. The Mitsubishi Raider comes in several different trim levels (I couldn’t remember all of them to tell that couple I met). New for 2006 the Mitsubishi Raider is offered in LS, DuroCross, and XLS trim levels, powered by either a 210 horsepower 3.7 liter V6 engine or a 230 horsepower 4.7 liter V8 engine. I would say there is a level for everyone
X: I guess that’s the reason the prices vary as well. Starting MSRP is $19,180 and you can go from there to as much as $33,920. That is quite a difference in extras and trim levels.
Boomer: I did like the exterior look of the Raider and I believe that was ultimately the initial draw for so many people. I found the Raider to be easy to maneuver, park, enter and exit an ATM space and move the last of the furniture out of the storage unit.
X: What did you do with my old furniture? I may need that someday.
Boomer: I can only hope.
X: My friend Kenny has a Raider and uses it to tow his boat to the lake. It has a towing capacity of 6,500 lbs and the truck bed has more than 40 cubic feet of cargo space. He seemed to know all about the Raider and did a lot of research before choosing a truck manufactured by Mitsubishi.
Boomer: You can order a double or extended cab with either rear wheel drive or four wheel drive. I felt very feminine while driving the truck, yet the Mitsubishi stood strong and masculine with some really nice looking lines on the exterior. This made me feel fit and firm sitting tall in the comfort of the interior’s leather seats.
X: You make it sound like an ad on e- harmony or one of those internet matchmaker ads.
Boomer: I wouldn’t know how would you?
X: Forget it! I thought it would be fun to compare the Raider to other mid size trucks in its category and see where it stood relative to price and function. Here is what I discovered. Compared to the 2006 Ford Ranger the Raider has the better basic warranty, but the Ranger gets better gas mileage. The GMC Canyon priced out better but the Raider still has the best power train warranty. The Chevy Colorado received better gas mileage but the Raider’s interior was nicer. The Chevy Colorado, Toyota Tacoma, Nissan Frontier and Mazda Truck came in about the same as the Raider.
Boomer: Here we are right back to personal preference, lifestyle and pocketbook.
X: The fuel economy wasn’t what I expected, but I did a lot of city driving looking for your Mission Impossible Mother’s Day gift. The city was rated at 16 mpg and highway 22 mpg.
Boomer: Well, thank you for all the running around you did for my pre- Alzheimer’s gift. I really appreciate it. I have a great idea for the use of the recorder.
X: What’s that?
Boomer: Whenever I meet some smart, cut guy that I think is good match for you I will have them talk into the recorder and give their phone number. Then I can play it back for you every day and you can pick which one you want to call.
X: I should have bought you flowers!