2004 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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2004 Mitsubishi Lancer
Fun to Dirve
Pros: wide power band
Cons: clutch engagement
Ralliart 4Dr Sedan. Lots of usable HP. ABS brakes are excellent Excellent 5 speed manual shifter. Handles very well after replacing OEM tires with Michelin Pilot tires. Lots of rear leg room. Difficult to engage clutch smoothly from a dead start. 28-31MPG overall- Recommend this vehicle to a friend? Yes
- How long have you owned this vehicle? 5 years
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2004 Mitsubishi Lancer - Ralliart (M5)
Pros: The poweful Engine
Cons: A little too much engine noise, but I think thats the point with the ralliart.
Advice: If your considering the OZ rally, ante up to the Ralliart. Base models are still great.
Test drove this car and quickly fell in love with it. Great handling. My story is that I got to the dealer originally interested in an SUV. This dealer had both Mitsu and Hyundai on it. Tucson was a little high priced. Dealer noticed I already owned a Mitsu Eclipse and noted about owner loyalty incentives. Looked at the 04 Lancer OZ rally first which I thought was the top of the line car but then he said that the Ralliart was. Ralliart had ABS, CC, suped up powerful engine. Great handling, awesome look, outstanding features. Best part was since it was an 04 and I already owned a mitsu, the dealer gave me an insane deal, almost 6000 off MSRP! An orignally 20,000 car dropped to 14 just like that. The warranty was outstanding as well, 10 year power train, 6 year bumper to bumper. Plus a 3 year free maintanence package. Just an offer I couldn't refuse. If you have a dealer in your area selling 04 Lancers, the incentives are out of this world, even better if you already have a mitsu. Didn't get this car just for the price, it has so many features and so much power I would've bought it without the rebates. Loved my Eclipse, nothing wrong with it and would've lasted me another 10 years, this Lancer will most likely last that long if not longer. This is a car I will keep for a very long period of time, I plan to run this thing until it falls completely apart. Mitsubishi makes great quality cars and they always seem to put more power in their engines than others. The ralliart Mivec engine hums like a v8, very nice. A definate buy. Also had the pleasure of test driving the evolution, it was way out of my price range but if you got 30K, a definate buy. Overall, get the ralliart package, much more fun to drive. I'm not sure why they even offer the OZ rally, its only 1 or 2000 less and has half the features, worth more to get the ralliart. If you want to go value then the base models don't have much but they still got 150 hp which is nothing to ignore at for 14k. Comparing. Mazda 3 has half the features and not as much HP, yet still is priced about the same not as many features as the Ralliart. My wife has an 05 Toyo Corolla S model don't have as much power but are better priced if I had to compare the Corolla XRS is very similar to the Lancer Ralliart but a little more expensive. Honda Civic EX is just not even in the same league. -
2004 Mitsubishi Lancer - Ralliart (M5)
Pros: Newer appearance & engine upgrade (MIVEC 2.4 L)
Cons: Must purchase both sunroof & stereo pkg or no sunroof at all. I already have a competition stereo & would not need the factory stereo. A sunroof would have been a plus plus
Advice: If you're thinking only 2 door cars have all the fun to make it sporty? Think again! This lil' 4 door will give any 2 doors a run for its money
I test drove a 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer RalliArt & I must say it was impressive right from the get go. I had to come back the next day to test drive it again to make sure that it was more than a 1st impression. The handling was superb & the acceleration thanks to the MIVEC engine was excellent. It didn't take much convincing on my behalf to purchase one. I've had it for 3 weeks now & so far no regrets. -
2004 Mitsubishi Lancer - OZ Rally (M5)
Pros: warranty and price
Cons: handling and rear appearance
Advice: ask to keep it overnight; i didn't notice this issue until i drove it home
I admit i only test drove this car, but it was for 3 days. The dealer let me keep it that long, which i think all dealers should consider. Being used to Hondas means i tend to like nice, tight steering. This car is very, very loose in the steering. I mean, you have to turn the wheel upside down to make a right or left turn. I also had a tendency to go into the middle lane because, during hard cornering, i'm used to tight steering that holds the road. I hated that feeling. I drove it all over the winding roads in PA in the hills and felt it just doesn't handle well at all. The dealer does offer a better deal than most do. The one i kept for 3 days was the OZ Rally, but i also drove the Ralliart for 15 minutes. Both had the handling issue. I bought a Mazda instead. Variable assist is the way to go. The fast i drive, the more control i need. -
2004 Mitsubishi Lancer - ES (M5)
Pros: TOO MANY TO CHOOSE
Cons: NOTHING
Advice: GREAT PRICE GREAT CAR
ONE WORD 'SOLD' -
2004 Mitsubishi Lancer - ES (M5)
Pros: seat
Cons: not enough color options
Advice: get the convenience package
Great car for the money. Nice ride, quiet, handles easily. -
2004 Mitsubishi Lancer - ES (M5)
Pros: the space
Cons: nothing
Advice: the only choice should be the color you want to be seen in
My husband has a 2003 rally so, it was natural for me to look at the lancers first. I didn't need a rallyso i got the es. I wanted a 'mommymobile' that didn't look like one. you know the taures, van ect. The trunk space is great, the child seat reinforcments are great. If you are a mom on the go like I am I would definetly would go with the lancer. Also, the rebate from mitsubishi was a definite plus.