
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SATURDAY, March 3, 1990                   TAG: 9003032548
SECTION: BUSINESS                    PAGE: B3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: DEBORAH EVANS BUSINESS WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

COUPLE WINS SUIT AGAINST MITSUBISHI

A Montvale couple has won the final round in an ongoing court battle with Kline Mitsubishi in Alexandria, Mitsubishi Motor Sales of America Inc. and Mitsubishi Motors Corp.

The Virginia Supreme Court on Friday denied a motion by Mitsubishi for a rehearing on a 1989 jury decision that the three companies should pay Doug and Betty Gresham $85,000 in punitive and compensatory damages. The Greshams also get to keep the car.

The Greshams began their fight with the Mitsubishi companies in 1985 when they bought a new, $13,000 Starion from Kline Mitsubishi in Alexandria, the nearest Mitsubishi dealership at that time. The couple said they noticed the car wasn't traveling in a straight line as they drove it home from the dealership.

Then came years of visits to repair shops and the dealership. During that time, the Greshams started arbitration procedures that ended when they decided to sue. They took out a $48,000 line of credit against their home, and in 1989, found themselves in Circuit Court in Alexandria.

Gresham said while he is happy about the favorable verdict, he is frightened that his court battles may not be over yet. He has won before only to face appeals by Mitsubishi.

"I've been excited too many times before," Gresham said. "I don't know if I can take it anymore."

Mitsubishi attorney Steven W. Bancroft said Friday his clients had exhausted their avenues for future appeals. Bancroft said he could not comment further until he receives formal notice of the denial from the Virginia Supreme Court.

Gresham said he'll actually only clear about $10,000 once his "monumental legal fees," and repair and test costs are deducted from the award.

The car's body was off center to the track of its wheels making it a hazard at speeds of 60 miles per hour, Gresham said.

Although the Greshams put several thousand miles on the car, he said "it could have killed my wife, myself or both of us."

"I can't believe that when you go to someone with a technical problem . . . they will not admit they're wrong," Gresham said.

Now the Greshams are "going to take every offending part out of it," he said.

"I'll let you irritate me for a year or two, then I flip," said Gresham, who now is planning to write a book about his experience.

by CNB