Mitsubishi Lancer...

[RavenSEAL]

What's the general consensus on the 9th generation? I might be looking to up my budget and I'm really interested.

I've seen some 2007s that can be had for around 8K w/ 60K miles from dealers with a good reputation.

 

[ThatsABigOne]

There many lancers. You thinking of getting a ralliart?

 

[RavenSEAL]

Nothing definite yet, so I guess saying the base model is more appropriate

 

[kornphlake]

My brother in law has a base model, I think it's like a 2002, as far as I know he hasn't had a lot of problems with it, but I don't think he's got more than about 80k miles on it. That's about all I know about them, for some reason I have the impression that the lancer doesn't get the positive reviews other imports do.

 

[Throckmorton]

Lots of better cars, like the Focus for example

 

[ThatsABigOne]

Lots of better cars, like the Focus for example

What about AWD?

I would personally love to get ralliart, but they are a little outside of my budget. I am waiting for Mazda CX5 instead.

 

[Baked]

Evo X MR.

 

[RavenSEAL]

Evo X MR.

I wish

But no, we're talking about intro models. :\

 

[xSkyDrAx]

Does the normal Lancer even have AWD? I was always under the impression that the base lancer is FWD unlike the base Impreza.

 

[manimal]

If you remove the go fast goodies on the evo or the nicer body on the ralliart you get a base car that looks like crap and goes really slow. I would put a base impreza above a base lancer in fit and finish and quality of interior and thats not saying much.

Look elsewhere if you want a fun cheap box. I worked on one last year for a friend and it leaked oil in three different spots with less than 100k. Car had been beaten to piss by a teenager so my first hand experience was tainted.

 

[jlee]

Does the normal Lancer even have AWD? I was always under the impression that the base lancer is FWD unlike the base Impreza.

Nope, base models are FWD. Ralliart and EVO are AWD.

 

[Arkaign]

Mitsubishi is a no go for me. I'd even take a less powerful WRX over an Evo just due to ease of working on them and availablility of parts/mods.

 

[cheezmunky]

Nope, base models are FWD. Ralliart and EVO are AWD.

AWD didn't show up on the Ralliart until 2008; OP is looking at 2007. Also, the 2012 SE model now has AWD.

 

[jlee]

AWD didn't show up on the Ralliart until 2008; OP is looking at 2007. Also, the 2012 SE model now has AWD.

Ah my bad, I pulled up 2012s. The SE has AWC, which I guess is AWD but with funky electronic assistance.

 

[exar333]

Mitsubishi is a no go for me. I'd even take a less powerful WRX over an Evo just due to ease of working on them and availablility of parts/mods.

Same here (did just that). Love the Evo, but the WRX is a lot better in the long-run for reliability and parts. Evo IX MR is my absolute favorite Evo...

 

[mmntech]

I was looking at the vanilla sedan Lancer today at the auto show. I sat in the GT and the SE-AWC. One thing I will give these cars, they have the most comfortable interior I've ever sat in. I really love the leather seats on the GT. Too bad the AWC doesn't come with a leather option.

I've been eying AWD cars for awhile now. The Lancer looks great on the outside. Interior is a little dated but tolerable. CVT I'm not sure about. I wonder what the reliability is on these things. Warranty is decent though. I'm tempted to book a test drive.

 

[Sidekicknichola]

DSM motors have been nothing but nightmares for friends of mine... I would say avoid based off of their luck with anything DSM

 

[Pocatello]

I would go with a Subaru, but then I have always been fan of Subaru.

 

[exar333]

I was looking at the vanilla sedan Lancer today at the auto show. I sat in the GT and the SE-AWC. One thing I will give these cars, they have the most comfortable interior I've ever sat in. I really love the leather seats on the GT. Too bad the AWC doesn't come with a leather option.

I've been eying AWD cars for awhile now. The Lancer looks great on the outside. Interior is a little dated but tolerable. CVT I'm not sure about. I wonder what the reliability is on these things. Warranty is decent though. I'm tempted to book a test drive.

I know a couple of people who leased a vanilla Lancer while in school for absolutely dirt-cheap. Decent car, and pretty reliable initially. I don't see many of these on the road after a few years though, so that might worry me a little.

 

[mmntech]

I know a couple of people who leased a vanilla Lancer while in school for absolutely dirt-cheap. Decent car, and pretty reliable initially. I don't see many of these on the road after a few years though, so that might worry me a little.

True eh. I've thought about the Impreza. There was a line to try them out though. My Civic has given me zero issues, so quality is a big deal for me.

The problem with the AWD cars today is they're All CVT. Not the best thing in the world. Too bad I don't know how to drive standard.

 

[AstroManLuca]

The standard Lancer (non-EVO) is just a compact economy car, no different from a Civic, Corolla, or Focus. Never heard much good about Mitsubishi quality and the ricer appeal means you're more likely to find cars that have been thrashed by wannabe boy racers.

I'd just avoid them personally. If you want a sporty car and don't care about practicality, get a Miata (reliable and easy to find in your price range). If you do care about practicality, get a Civic or Corolla.

 

[Harrod]

DSM motors have been nothing but nightmares for friends of mine... I would say avoid based off of their luck with anything DSM

X2, my brother has a 2006 Lancer, it's ok, but the mileage leaves something to be desired. This is one of those cars that if I bought one, I would make sure that there was a warranty on it, and I'd would dump it as soon as it expired.

 

[exar333]

Cheap/practical/boring/numb - Corolla
Cheap/AWD/OK to drive - Impreza
Cheap/reliable/'fun' to drive - Focus

Take your pick. All three are good, depending on what you are looking for. If you want something a little more 'posh' the Focus has some decent trim options.

 

[stag3]

yea if you're not getting a ralliart or evo, everything else out there is much better

 

[xSkyDrAx]

Cheap/practical/boring/numb - Corolla
Cheap/AWD/OK to drive - Impreza
Cheap/reliable/'fun' to drive - Focus

Take your pick. All three are good, depending on what you are looking for. If you want something a little more 'posh' the Focus has some decent trim options.

Pretty much this. As others have said if you're not looking at the ralliart or evo then the base lancer is beaten out by much of its competitors.