2003 Mitsubishi Lancer Ratings
Getting firsthand information from an actual car owner is one sure way to get an idea of car performance once it leaves the lot. Autobytel features real consumer reviews that give the unbiased experience of a car.
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2003 Mitsubishi Lancer - OZ Rally (M5)
Pros: Looks good and fun to drive.
Cons: Its not a Ralliart
Advice: Spend few more dollars for Ralliart
I bought my car with 32 miles on it, it now has 28,000 with no problems at all. It is the 5-speed and lots of fun to drive. Color is yellow w/black interior, always getting complaments. I get 34 mpg on hwy, change oil 3000 miles and does not use a drop. It is not a true sport compact, but economy car with sport options, and with that in mind does very well. Independant supension give nice ride. -
2003 Mitsubishi Lancer - OZ Rally (M5)
Pros: looks
Cons: nothing yet
Advice: give the lancer a drive and you will enjoy it,just give the lancer a shot,you won't regret it.
my little red oz handles the back country roads with ease,smooth and flat.the rigid unibody construction and tight suspension,it just makes for some fun.the highway is smooth and quiet at any speed and shows that the lancer even after the test drive of the civic the lancer beat it hands down.i just loved it and for less money so they have cars out their that have quality thats equal or better than honda or toyota.mitsubishi has from the es to the evo so go out and test drive a lancer and you will buy it. -
2003 Mitsubishi Lancer - LS (A4)
Pros: EASY BRAKES AND STEERING, INTERIOR SPACE, FOLDING OUTSIDE MIRRORS, CRASH PROTECTION
Cons: POOR PASSING POWER, POOR GAS ECONOMY FOR A 4CYL, SLIGHTLY UNCOMFORTABLE FRONT SEATS.
Advice: BUY IT NEW IN JULY AND GET A BIG REBATE AND BUY THE LS VERSION: IT HAS A KEYLESS ENTRY, ALLOY WHEELS SO YOU DON'T HAVE ANY HUBCAPS TO LOOSE, WIDER TIRES THAT HUG THE ROAD, CRUISE C. THAT SAVES GAS
Best Features: The Space inside the car for front and rear passengers is outstanding. Suspension is excellent Quality materials inside the car. Braking system stops the car easily and quickly. (compare Corolla which brakes are horrible!) Engine is excellent. It runs quietly and calmly, has sufficient power to move the vehicle easily WHEN IT'S IN MOTION - even with a full load or exceeding the load. The outside mirrors of the car fold as opposed to most major automakers - like Toyota, Honda, Mazda, Ford, that have cheapened them by making them fixed and if those mirror are hit they will brake as opposed to this Lancer - they will just bend. The car steers and maneuvers very easily, holds the road like glue, because it has both front and rear stabilizer bars. The transmission shifts very smoothly. The seatbelts are easy to fasten. Steering wheel is easy to turn. Crash protection is pretty good. Worst Features: Acceleration (torque) from standstill or gear 1 and 2 is very poor, 3 and 4 a little bit better (because the cars in motion) Gas economy is worse then they estimated. Car insulation not up to what it should be for this price. Road and wind noise is more then My 94/99 sentra was, but better than sentra 00 to 04 and better than Corolla.. The engine is not as advanced as Toyota or Nissan. The engine is a 16 valve SOHC - single overhead cam engine. Whereas in Nissan Sentra and Toyoto Corolla. and even junk Hyundai Elantra, have engines with a 16 valve DOHC - double over head cam system. The engine is still running on the old timing belt, which has to be replaced at 60,000 and is an expensive repair. Whereas in the Toyota Corolla, Sentra,, there is a timing chain, thus saving you lots of bucks on the maintenance. Also in the Civic and Corolla there is variable valve timing technology used to increase power, there is none in this engine. Seats can be Uncomfortable on long trips. (But much better than the elanra, which is the pits, but not as good as Corolla) The car is decent on the highway, but much better in the city than on the highway. -
2003 Mitsubishi Lancer - ES (M5)
Pros: style/color
Cons: Cheap carpet
Advice: Look at others carefully.It's a great overall car, but not for the price.
I actually own this car. The test drive was good. It handled well, it's so quite I couldn't tell if I was running. -
2003 Mitsubishi Lancer - OZ Rally (M5)
Pros: cd
Cons: no sunroof
Advice: buy, buy, buy
rides very smooth and the steering is very tight -
2003 Mitsubishi Lancer - ES (M5)
Pros: Sufficient power with the 5-speed
Cons: No standard cruise control and it isn't even an option.
Advice: Get the ES/Convenience Package, 5-speed without a spoiler (unless you're still in high school)
I bought a 2003 Lancer ES with no interest/payments until 2004. I'm very happy with it so far. The car has sufficient power (get the 5-speed) and cruises along nicely at higher speeds, but uses more gas than I thought it would. My main gripe is that it doesn't come with cruise control, nor is it an option. The 140-watt stereo pumps out some good sound for being standard. The A/C is nice and cold but the power loss is evident when it is on, but this is common in most cars. The interior is very nice, and the rear armrest/cupholders are great to have. I highly recommend the ES 5-speed with the convenience package without a spoiler. I already have a few small dinks/scratches on the front from the freeway, so I recommend getting an optional front cover. -
2003 Mitsubishi Lancer - ES (M5)
Pros: The standard CD player and power every thing.
Cons: The Shifting in the low RPMs.
Advice: Get the convenience package.
The car is drives vary well but the trasmission can shift a little ruff with low RPMs. The car does down shift promptly and has a lot of mid range power. The low end power is not all that great till around 3000 RPMs. The over a look of the car is excellent with the marble on the front dash. I think the car is about the best you can get for the money.