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We went to Tucson Dodge in Tucson to get the safety alarm set up on our Lancer GTS. Evidently Tucson Dodge and Avondale Mitsubishi are affiliates of each other and the people at Avondale decided that this plan would work the best. So we got the alarm system hooked up. It took a little over an hour. Now there's a new set of readouts regarding seat belts, onboard engine diagnostics, etc.
Also the particular lights that flash on and off while using the key fob now have one that comes about 45 seconds after you lock the car up with the keyless fob. After 45 seconds the alarm "chirps" and the lights come on and then go off(it all happens in about 20 seconds but it doesn't start until about a minute after the key is pulled from the ignition and you leave your '08 Mitsubishi Lancer).
2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick
This picture is taken with my cellphone. Note the dark tinting on the windshield. My wife and I love the window tinting because Arizona is so...well...hot and sunny all of the time. We drove to Sierra Vista, AZ, today and the '08 Lancer GTS did a great job of safely maneuvering us through the traffic and shielding us from the sun. We averaged about 27.3mpg today on our 180 mile roundtrip to and from Sierra Vista.
Ideal Mitsubishi in Sierra Vista is where we will get our Lancer GTS serviced...of which the first three years of service is pre-paid for us. What a sweet sedan we have bought.
2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick
We saw Three Manual Shift Lancers today! No automatics yet(CVT).
White, Grey, and Black. The Grey one had a moonroof.
It was after hours, so did not get to test one(yet... plae i get our tC's 90K mile tune up, June or July....also sells Mitsu's, among other cars... will drive one, if they have the CVT).
Keep the updated MPG coming!
I will tell you what, before we hit the Mitsu lot, spouse was not thrilled by the prospect of looking @ a Lancer, but when she saw it... she really liked it( she did ask Price, MPG...despite the looks of the car, and how long has it been out, and reliability!).
It will most likely be 1-2 more yeas before we "dump" the 04 Sonata... so, 2 cars, for now... might be wathcing for the next 1-2 years: Lancer, and the upcoming(not sporty, but not bad) SX4 Suzuki Sedan(NY auto show this week will have the unveiling).
take care/not offense.
What do you mean the Endeavor went away its still in Mitsu's line-up isn;t?
As for the Eclipse being long in the tooth it just came out in early 05 as an 06 model so I don;t think its long in the tooth. I think a mid cycle refresh for the Eclipse would be do for the 08 or 09 model year but I wouuldn;t being expecting a redesign of the Eclipse anytime soon.
The Eclipse is too heavy and the styling is too derivative IMO. Still the same basic engine as I recall. It just needs.....something....I dunno.....
It could also stand to lose a few inches here and there...
I don't see how that is possible seeing that it is built on the project America platform which also is used for Galant and their SUV. There would be parts of the frame sticking out..LOL
I'd like to see Mitsu drop that iron block from the 3.8 motor. That would save 75 pounds right there and might cure some of the understeer I hear Eclipse has.
To me this Eclipse was never intended to be a hard-edge sports car. Mitsu seems to be following the baby-boom demographic into middle age. This group demands more room, comfort and style than the young tuner crowd from years ago.
I look at cars like Toyota Solara as a comparison rather than Miata or B-2000. Those cars are true sports cars but lack creature comforts. Eclipse seem to me to be a compromise between those street racers and the luxury sports cars like G-35.
Is it perfect? Nah. For the price is it OK? I'd say yes.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
This group (and I'm on the tail end of said group) doesn't seem to be following too terribly closely anymore. Certainly less so than when they went to the 3.0L.
It's fat, soft and nose-heavy, and as you point out offers no real advantage over the exiting Solara or even an Accord coupe other than cost. It's a total loss of identity.
And I don't think they have a clue what demographic they really want to target anymore. The styling and appointments suggest they are interested in reviving the sporting attributes that made the model desireable in the first place, but the architecture and driving gear simply scream "old farts wanted, inquire within".
Adjusting your demographic target upward is not a good thing for most models or lines. Very few exceptions to that rule.
I would drop the 3.8 entirely and work on delivering a lighter and much less bulky plant; somewhere in the 3.2 area. Then apply that to the rest of the car as well. They've used the Galant platform before; there's plenty of range on sizing within a given platform. I'm certainly not suggesting it needs to be an EVO, as that would be stupid, but as it is it's a nothing-special car that's selling on value, and that only after discounting.
Pretty embarrassing (to me) when your entry level sedan appears to have more real sporting pretense than your "sport coupe".
Odd, iluv hardly ever goes 1 week w/o posting once on here.
tcno
Rocky
We are not quite at 1,000 miles and we're enjoying our '08 Lancer GTS w/paddle shifting tranny to the hilt. I got my package of coupons to hand to the service manager when the Lancer GTS needs her first oil change and other necessary maintenance.
Y'all read here we got 37.2 mpg heading up to Safford, AZ, didn't ya? Man...my wife and I were pleasantly stunned by it.
I will empty this tank and refill by a whole gallon amount, so I can calculate it the good old-fashioned way and see what I'm getting for mpg.
harry..are you considering a Mitsubishi Lancer for 2008? They are oh-so awesome, man!
And rockford is looking at a proposed Hyundai model?
2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick
Trade-In is 4 ,000 difference on what we owe vs what we could expect to get. Since I only put on maybe 800 miles per month, should be able to "dump" it in 2 years, when only 5-6 months left to pay on it.
Also, sort of curious about this next generation Corolla 3 door then been showing on the internet. From rumors I heard, the tC will be gone, and repalced by a "xR" 4 door sporty car, and the Corolla would have a sedan, as per usual, and a 3 door version, with sporty interior. This is all specualtion( the xr deal, I read about it on intellchoice.com future cars...and did not mention the tC replacement, per se, but the xR 4 door rally inspired car).
Who knows?
The Lancer sounds good.
Get this, NOT ONE CVT on lots yet!
All manuals!
Been looking, because I would like to test the CVT, but No One has one yet.
See ya later.
Looking forward to more MPG reports, too.
iluv, well we are glad to see you back.......
We are not quite at 1,000 miles and we're enjoying our '08 Lancer GTS w/paddle shifting tranny to the hilt. I got my package of coupons to hand to the service manager when the Lancer GTS needs her first oil change and other necessary maintenance.
Coupons ? Are they like free or a certain percentage off on services ?
Y'all read here we got 37.2 mpg heading up to Safford, AZ, didn't ya? Man...my wife and I were pleasantly stunned by it.
That's pretty impressive. Getting mileage like that really knocks down your cost of ownership !!!
I will empty this tank and refill by a whole gallon amount, so I can calculate it the good old-fashioned way and see what I'm getting for mpg.
Liked to see that....See what you are averaging mpg wise.
harry..are you considering a Mitsubishi Lancer for 2008? They are oh-so awesome, man!
Yeah they are pretty darn nice. I like the pic you took. If I did buy one I'd go EVO-X though.
And rockford is looking at a proposed Hyundai model?
Well droooooling at one is more like it. If the Genesis, stays under $40K for a loaded V8 model it should sell very very well. The VeraCruz SUV Ultimate package is $37K which tells me the Genesis, won't be much higher. To me it's like buying a loaded out M45 or STS ($60K+) for
$20-25K off MSRP. LS460 loaded out get's into to low-mid $70K range making the savings $30-35K range. You just can't beat that can you ?????? :surprise:
So rockford, is going to keep his options open. I either want a RWD luxury car or a high performance sports car. With the cost of living going up via energy prices and wanting to move into a decent size home I sat down and really looked over my options. I need to stay under $40K for a new car if we are going to buy a home in the range we are looking at. I'm likely going to buy a GM, model but that doesn't mean I'm totally committed and can't browse cars like the EVO-X or Genesis.
Rocky
Mitsubishi Evo X caught testing in the desert
http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/GeneralFuture/articleId=120064?tid=edmunds.- il.futurelanding.latestnews..1.*
The EVO-X, King of the Rally cars ? :shades:
Rocky
Not to sound too dumb, but what is that?
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
I mean, my '08 Mitsu Lancer GTS has the automatic CVT that most all of us have been reading about for many, many moons. And now I have one and I do like it...though I went in to this latest car purchase wanting my trusty, old 5-speed manual tranny again. People can change or add to what they like. It's not all one way and "no way" to the other way, not in all product cases.
But I'm with you oldfarmer, just what is this "sequential manual tranny" thing?
Oh, I'm still learning the Lancer's parts and products and it's hard to admit I haven't even cracked my owner's manual yet! Too much worky at my paying job and working in my off-time renovating our new old house here in SE Arizona to have much time left over to study the Lancer's manual. But I noticed yesterday as I let the Lancer idle in 'P' that when the turn signal is on the little rectangular orange lamp on the side is not just a reflector marker, it's a rectangular orange turn signal lamp on the side of the car, near the wheel well!
All these things I've learned about the Hyundai Tiburon, Scion xA, Toyota Yaris, Kia Optima, Kia Rio, Kia Spectra, Sportage, Sephia(of course, duh!!)but yet this new '08 Lancer GTS from Mitsubishi I still am learning about and I own one of them!
I bought ghastly last night and forgot to notice the gallon amount so my mpg "test" will have to be done on the next fillup(my "fillups" are limited to $20. I refuse to buy more ghastly than $20 at a time...the price increases do nothing but limit the amount of ghastly I can get for my $20 bill...I do this on long car trips too...it's a iluvmysephia1 thing, I guess). More on this later.
2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick
I'll stick with my paddle shifters for now.
2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick
Why can't Mitsu they just base the next gen Eclipse off of the current Lancer which uses the current Outlander platform? I mean the Lancer is a smaller car than the Galant so I feel like basing the the next gen Eclipse off the current Lancer(platform) might be the way too go.
You stated in your post that there's plenty of range on sizing of a given platform but I think basing the next gen Eclipse off the current Lancer would fit maybe exactly with the size of a next gen Eclipse instead of ranging the size of the Galant too fit the Eclipse.
BTW, Did Mitsu use the Galant platform for the 95-99 Eclipse or the 90-94 Eclipse?
I don't know about the Gen I, but the 95-99 was, as far as I know, a shared platform with not only Galant, but also Chrysler's Avenger and Sebring coupes. That formula was followed in 2000 as well.
The '95-99 Eclipse was, IMO, the absolute best cockpit I've ever experienced, BTW. Wonderful place to pratice honest-to-goodness driving...
I was looking through the Consumer Report book today and your comment about the Eclipse came to mind. If you compare it to the COMPACT sporty cars the weight seems a little high.
Eclipse-3345 (4cyl.)
Scion tc-2890
VW GTI-3155
Subaru impreza WRX-3145
Honda Civic Si-2885
When you compare it to the MIDSIZE sporty cars it doesn't seem so bad.
Eclipse GT-3472
Mustang-3585
Solara-3620
Accord coupe-3455
As for being nose-heavy, almost all the cars listed have about a 60/40 distribution. Only the Mustang comes close to even weight distribution (53/47).
As for being soft, I'm in the middle of that baby-boom demographic and although I'd like to think I could trade the ride of a 350-Z to get the extra performance, I think my butt would argue the point.
Getting back to the weight issue, a lot of cars seem to have put on pounds. My 2000 Chrysler Concorde only weighed about 3450. It's replacement, the 300 C is almost 4000. Where is all this weight coming from?
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
The weight comes from safety items, and gadgets. Side airbags, electronic stability control, traction control, GPS systems...all this stuff adds up.
Are you sure about this? I know that the 2001-2006 Sebring was a rebadged Eclipse but I believe the 95-99 Sebring coupe was an all Chrysler design. It continued after 2000 as the Sebring conv. along with the Sebring/Eclipse coupe.
If the 95-99 Eclipse was built off the same platform as the Galant I'm impressed. The Eclipse for that period seems so much smaller.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
Each model of the Eclipse/Talon/Laser/3KGT/Stealth was/is based on the Galant platform.
The Sebring/Avenger Coupes were all based on the Eclipse/Galant. The interior of the Sebring/Coupe models was identical to the Eclipse. The convertible Sebrings were all Chrylser though. Also, the non-turbo Eclipse (95-99) used a Chrysler inline 4. I can provide source references for yall, if you want. Just let me know.
Also, I find it interesting that Consumer Reports decided to test the I4 Eclipse instead of the V6.
Lastly, I think the Mitsu should consider making AWD available on the Eclipse models with the 3.8L. Also, it seems to me that Subaru is Mitsubishi's only direct competitor.
Thanks for "listening". I look forward to your responses.
I agree, What was CU thinking by ignoring the GT. They really hated the Eclipse. They ranked it the lowest of "sporty cars". Maybe wale bate1 was the reviewer.
For what it's worth, I was talking to a mitsu dealer a while back and he said they are selling mostly GS models as people don't like paying for the high test gas for the GT.
As for the AWD idea, I like it. What would that do to the weight though? People already complain the car is too heavy.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
(maybe best he got was 30.3 MPG all hwy?).
This engine( saem as Caliber's, GEMA) was rated in 07 as 32Hwy. The 08 new EPA rules say 29 MPG. Was hoping more for 32MPG, at least( since it is 152HP, which is what ,middle of the pack vs our tC's 160HP, 32-34MPG, about Civic coupe, with 140HP, 37-38MPG for 08 ratings, IIRC).
Was hoping for 33-35MPG! Oh well. It's a sharp car, but when loaded up, midlevel model and figuring in the MPG...
for us, no.
(not when you drive 125 miles per day).
Oh well.
what ya gonna do?
maybee if they had a 19K-20K hybrid... at least 40MPG Lancer, then I'd be looking.
take care/not offense.
They ought to offer a firmer suspension at least as an option. Let the public decide. From what I hear though, the 350Z is really tiring on long drives and as a daily use car. I guess you can't have it both ways. But a choice would be nice.
I think the Eclipse in it's current form is a compromise car. Mitsu didn't have the money to develop it as a stand alone vehicle. They had to use available parts to cut costs. This led to a lot of the failings that wale bate1 pointed out.
That said, I still think it's not a bad car unless you want an all out performance machine. Maybe they will come out with an Evo coupe soon.
The Lancer on the other hand seems to have been better thought out from the start. For a low cost car it seems pretty neat. If they ever put a small 6cyl. in there with about 200hp. I'd buy one.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
I need to run the tank pert-near out and then when gassing up take careful note of how many gallons I put in for my $20.
Then, run that amount out(almost out) and note how many miles I get. That should be more helpful than just noting the Lancer GTS' average mpg-aaam-eter.
I am satisfied with the Lancer's mpg average or otherwise but take note that I drive about a half-mile to work then add miles daily driving around town. Not very many, though.
We have about 1,135 miles on the car(after one month of ownership) and everything is working great and the car continues to be a great runner and continues to blow me away looks-wise. I can say that this bodystyle from Mitsubishi is easily one of my favorite car bodies of all time, already. Great body lines and I love that menacing fighter-jet front end. It provides me endless moments of awe-inspiring glee. No kidding.
2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick
I haven't driven the Lancer yet, but proportions (and looks) have a very Acura TSX appearance. I have driven the Acura and the powerplant in that is a gem and the car is very light and very tossable, like an S2000 version of a sedan. A 6 cylinder in that car would kill the tossable characteristics and turn it into a nose heavy pig. I'd presume the same outcome for the Lancer.
Yeah, Mitsu could offer a Ralliart version on the GT manual. They ought to pay you for that idea.
The weight of the car doesn't bother me; just the way it's distributed. I really wish that could do something with AWD that would only add a couple of hundred pounds. It's got enough torque to handle that in my opinion.
Off of the subject - I wonder how much longer the Endeavor is gonna be around?
It flashed an icy street(in electronic whiteish-gold graphic display)and said(in all CAPS IIRC)BE CAREFUL-STREETS MAY BE ICY THIS MORNING. Just as I read this I turned on my wipers to wipe off the windshield. A light sheet of ice was on the shield but quickly deteriorated when the windshield washer solution hit it with the wiper.
Wow...this car continues to amaze me...IMO Mitsubishi has truly built a great little Lancer that is fun to drive and looks sporty and menacing. Tragically...hip. It is. :shades:
2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick
Good point. What do you think would be the maximum acceptable weight bias to the front which would still give good handling? The Eclipse is something like 60/40 and I think the new Lancer is also.
Other than true sports cars I haven't seen too many cars out there which don't carry their weight toward the front.
I'm not much of an racer but I would like to see a car that has good power, good handling and good looks. It seems every car I look at has made trade-offs in one area to gain something in another.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
Mitsubishi announces FY2006 full-year results
Interesting comparison with the Accord coupe. I've often said that this is the class in which the Eclipse runs. How about the Toyota Solara? Have you driven it? How would you rate it vs. the Eclipse?
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
It's been a great week in cardom, first GM falling to #2, now Mitsu showing signs of survival. :shades:
Now that the Evo X is finally in production, I hope we get to see more of Mitsu in Motorsports. Outlander in the Dakar maybe?
I agree. That's why I spent my hard-earned money on a new 2008 Lancer GTS. I recognize that Mitsubishi has had a hard time, but their recent offerings (Outlander and Lancer) prove to me that they are serious about building quality, attractive vehicles.
People thought I was nuts when I bought a Hyundai back in 2001. I kept that car for 5.5 years and had no issues with it other than normal wear and tear and some burned out bulbs.
I have faith in Mitsubishi, and I'm glad to be able to contribute to their future success.
I've never really thought about the Solara. Haven't driven it either. A nice and smooth cruiser from what I've read. Seems like the Accord Coupe comes in some many configurations that it can compete across more price points (from entry level BMW 3 series to Hyundai Tiburon). I'm not sure that Solara and Eclipse potential buyers are cross shopping the two cars but the Accord Coupe is probably on their list. Maybe I'm way off. Who knows? And your take?
It's my first Japanese car(new or used)and it's my first rig with a sunroof. The Rockford Fosgate 650-watt stereo is a hoot and being a lover of music it's a perfect fit.
The driver's information computer center board on the dash is a gas to interact with. The other morning I hopped in, fired the Lancer up and heard a "beep." I looked at the info.center and it showed a graphic of a car spinning off the road(very simple drawing..in a light gold color display). The message was "BE CAREFUL-YOU MAY FIND ROADS IN YOUR AREA TO BE ICY THIS MORNING."
I had to do a double-take! The more I learn about this car the more I like it. Mitsubishi has done a great job with this Lancer for 2008 and the EVO REV 10 is eagerly anticipated in the "tuner" boy racer community. I look at the EVO 10 and this car of mine and I see some strong similarities(obviously)and I see a car that will only help to make Mitsu's comeback even more pronounced.
After researching Mitsubishi Automotive a bit several weeks agao I learned of Mitsubishi's family heritage, their intense pride in workmanship and their rich backing from the main Mitsubishi community of businesses. Do you remember Mitsubishi execs stating say, in 2002 or 2004, that the car maker is giving up and pulling out of America? You probably didn't because they never had intentions of pulling out. They are not quitters and they are devoted to success in the U.S. automotive market. I'm thinkin' they're gonna be around a long, long time.
A little side point: our '08 Lancer GTS disc brakes are the same size and type that's used on the new Outlander SUV.
2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick
No surprise...isn't the gauge cluster the same too, complete with that information display?
Which means the Outlander could end up with Lancer's upcoming 2.4 as well, and the Lancer may just be able to handle the V6 and 6-speed auto, dontcha think?
Likely the EVO X will be using the Outlander's AWD system, right?
Yes, only a way more modified version called (S-AWC)
Rocky
Seriously, I wonder what the modifications will be? Maybe an actual "lock" mode in addition to the rear-bias mode that is inaccurately labeled "lock?"
I like the mode, just wish they had used a different word. :shades:
http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/FVDP/Preview/styleId=100564097
-Edmunds, got to test this system on the current generation Evolution. Mitsubishi had a test mule for testing but as you read it only had half of the system on it.
I for one will be interested as I'd love to own a car that could push my handling imagination to the farthest limits with a cheater system such as this.
Rocky
Still, I find myself wondering what an Outlander EVO would be like now. Sorry, but I have no interest in sedans, especially ones with clutch pedals.
That's not a half bad idea though...wasn't there something like an Outlander Dakar edition at some auto show? I think I remember reading something about it...
Rocky
P.S. The Dakar edition was indeed at a autoshow. What's the big deal about it ?