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 - Ralliart (M5)
Pros: 162HP Engine / Seat comfort /Tail lights
Cons: Interior lighting (most controlls don't light up)
Advice: If you are looking at an OZ, the Ralliart is going to be a way better deal with all the extras you get.
I've had the Ralliart for about 5 days and so far I think it's great. There is snow on the ground so its a little hard to see how well it handles in the corners at a high speed. Great low end torque, with lots of power. Shifting in the 5 speed is smooth and easy. I sat in a Dodge SRT-4 but the Lancer seats are way more comfortable. ABS is a nice feature, but im not sure how good the all season tires are going to be when it gets really icy, but so far they are okay. Fuel economy isn't great compared to its competition, try too keep the MIVEC engine below 3500rpm for better mileage. Body kits look great, and the iron block is good news for tuners and us in Canada who can't get the EVO yet. -
2002 Mitsubishi Lancer - OZ Rally
Pros: the shape of the car
Cons: the price
Advice: if you enjoy comfort and sportiness, this is your car.
If you're looking for a sporty, comfortable ride, this is your car. It handles well, a bit of a gas guzzler, and is roomy. The price was a little steep for it's class, but it's definitely a cool car. -
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 -
2002 Mitsubishi Lancer - ES
Pros: interior space, easy braking, small shifter, outside folding mirrors, easy steering, nice cd player
Cons: Engine noise, timming belt, sohc engine instead of dohc, depreciation, little torque
Advice: dont' buy it new: buy a used one at least one with low mileage one year old and save 4 to 5k instantly because of the depreciation.
seats stiff, engine noisy at lower rpms, lacks torque at higher, road and wind noise on expwy is obvious, transmission shifts good, manuevering excellent, suspension excellent, brakes stop the car easily and fast, GAS economy fair, folding outside mirrors -excellent, interior space outstanding, reliabilility unknown - the car it replaced, the mirage did not have a good record, depreciation high, especially in the 1st year: crash test was pretty good, uses SINGLE OVERHEAD CAM ENGINE sohc, instead of a double overhead cam dohc that the better cars in it's class use, like toyota, nissan, etc.. mits saved money with the sohc - the doch lasts longer has more power and is quieter, has a timming belt instead of a timming chain like corolla, sentra have, that runs you more in maintenance costs in the long run. -
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.