Mulga

I've had a South African built 05 Ascent for 4 years, it has been abslutely thrashed, run in hillclimbs, sprints and a couple of rallies, now has 200K on the clock and no problems whatsoever, although I suspect the clutch is currently on the way out. Engine has a K&N Apollo CAI and a custom 2.25" sports exhaust. ECU has been upgraded by the addition of a Haltech platinum interceptor kit and fully remapped and dyno tuned. I rev it to 7500 when necessary although I normally shift up at 6500. Also can't fault the general finish and build, most of the suspension components have been replaced by sports gear but the original setup was fine for a road car. I also know quite a few other people with SA builds and can't pick no difference with the Japanese. Because of the predjudice against the SA builds they tend to sell cheaper 2nd hand, particularly at auction so IMHO are a better buy