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Mitsubishi Lancer 2007 and earlier
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translation: "hello? in english, please?"
It is not a good-looking car but I will still wait for the EVO VII !
But the EVO 7 is going to be worth the wait.
Quite similar, really, to the Subaru Impreza situation. The RS (base) is and has always been ugly and a bad performer, but the Impreza WRX is a whole different animal. And people are snapping them up, despite the awful looks :-) (Even I'm considering the WRX for a future purchase in about a year!)
I just hope I don't have to see any Lancer's on the road, after the glimpse I got at the dealership - I'm still traumatised. And they're selling them at sticker, too - imagine that!
Overall, I liked how the Lancer drove and ended up walking away quite impressed. Its quiet, stylish, roomy, and comfortable interior, peppy engine, solid structure, and quality feel are enough to offset its dorky rear-end styling, too soft ride, and smallish trunk. This is definitely a good choice for someone who doesn't want a me-too Civic or Corolla. Anyone else driven the Lancer that would like to share their impressions?
Here's the shocker: last version of a Mitsubishi compact, the Mirage sold 32,000 units last year- 75% of them to rental agencies [AutoWeek, last week].The OZ edition on the lot was 15,800 with 1000 dollars of dealer packs and an ADDITIONAL DEALER MARKUP OF TWO THOUSAND DOLLARS!!!!!! $18,800 for a vehicle that is no more than a warm version of the standard Lancer, for which there is no such demand that would justify a 2000 premium over the MSRP. These people are sooo clueless.Especially with those dopey ads.
It's a shame, because the car is quite good looking to me. The interior is cheap looking with upholstery that looks like left over cloth from 57 DeSoto production [the Chrysler connection again?]but not enough to qualify it as "retro".Not a great leap beyond the Mirage.You can't get one without power windows,which is, to me, needless complexity and expense. Use that money to improve the upholstery, Mitsubishi.[While I like the DeSoto upholstery, I am not the ordinary buyer either:one of my cars is a 63 Valiant, but others probably won't!]
I would really consider this as my next vehicle; but the sort of audacity and arrogance shown at this dealership, if any indicator, will scare people away from what is really a pretty neat vehicle.Do they want to sell em or DUST em???
Over all I like it. The regular Lancer, without all that corny OZ junk on it is very handsome.Now do some DE-Contenting on it and lower the price,and they might sell a few......or have I just read the next generation Neon's future????
Its a perfect car for my 5'4 frame.
As for them not selling like hotcakes, I like that! It makes my car more unique, which is one of the reasons I got the car after being so sick of seeing a beige Altima (my old car) at every light. I have never been in a car that has got as much attention as this car has! People have stared at the car at stoplights and craned their necks trying to see the rear end to see what kind of car it is. I even had a 20 year old guy at a car accessories shop run outside from the front desk saying, "Is that the new OZ?". I just beamed with pride as he checked out the car, saying "Sweet ride!". With the attention I've been getting with this car, you would think I was driving a Porshe, lol. Apparently I'm not the only one that thinks the OZ package looks cool, even if it is a poseur with no real performance behind it. The car has plenty of pep though, even with the automatic. The tires will lose traction without brake-torquing and the tranny responds quickly to the need for downshifts.
Lastly, there are many reasons not to spend the extra money on the Galant. The main reasons being poor fuel economy in the city and a lack of room considering the much bigger size. The Galant may be bigger on the outside, but the Lancer feels less cramped and has a much more open and airy feeling to the interior. It has been praised for its large and roomy back seat, whereas the Galant is criticized by magazines and owners for having a small interior. The only thing that the Galant gets from its larger size is a larger trunk. Visibility is poor in the Galant from its high trunk line, steeply raked windshield, and low seating position, whereas the Lancer has awesome visibility with its huge windows, low trunk line, and high seating position (the rear seat has that stadium effect). I saw no reason to spend a little extra money and get the Galant. Besides, I like the feel and manueverability of a smaller car.
So far, 650 miles and I have loved every minute of it! My only complaints are a slow to respond tranny when shifting between reverse and drive and a driver's seat that requires a hard shove to move forward (will lubricate the rails soon and hope that fixes that annoyance). Otherwise, the car is rock solid, super quiet, comfortable, roomy, and has plenty of pep. I highly recommend this car if you are sick of the me-too blandness of the Civic, Corrolla, and Sentra. Just try to keep the buying spree to a minimum so I can enjoy the uniqueness for as long as possible, ok??
As a side note, I will have my first service encounter with my Mitsu dealer on Monday. Mitsu dealers seem to be known for their poor service, but so far I have been very impressed with how well I have been treated. They will be repainting the ground effects panel below the driver's side door due to a minor paint defect and will lubricate both of the front seats so they will slide easier.
Diamanteguy: You must be kidding right? Poor performance? You must never have driven an anemic Civic with an automatic. The Lancer is geared low and has plenty of pep (in fact, it readily chirps its tires). It could run circles around any auto equipped Civic. Merging on the freeway is accomplished without full throttle or noisy high revs. As for options, what more could you want in an economy car?? Just about everything comes standard so there's no need for options. The only options missing are a power sunroof and a cassette player. I would like to see the ABS/side-impact airbag package offered on the OZ model though. At any rate, the Lancer offers just as many features as any other economy car, so I don't see what you are complaining about. This isn't supposed to be a Diamante you know!
Can't get a non-OZ edition (that OZ trim is such a lame appearance pkg.) with 5sp and ABS. What are they thinking? This is an economy car! Economy cars are the epitome of the standard transmission. It just makes me sad, cause I want to like the car....
~alpha
Happy Holidays,
alpha
However, I have to agree with Clay that the Elantra is simply much more car for the money. Especially compared to outdated, decontented platforms like the Corolla. When I made my choice it was between the Focus and the Elantra. I took the Elantra because of the warranty and because the posts on Edmunds indicate that owners were MUCH happier with their cars. Both of these cars are huge inside compared to the competition-- a trait the Lancer shares.
The Corolla IMHO was no better than my daughter's 1990 Prizm. Toyota is going to have to do something other than depend on a twenty year old reputation. Their snotty corporate attitude regarding the sludge issue will eventually catch up with them.
~alpha
I would personally get the car now, and refinance it down the line before a year through my credit union. Also, I could put some money towards the balance while it was interest free.
1800 miles so far and no problems. My first encounter with the service department was very pleasant. They called me twice to keep me up to date. They were friendly and did a good job repainting the door sill. Overall, I'm very pleased.
Motorweek reviewed the O-Z on this weeks show. I'm sure it is online as well.
My Lancer, in contrast, is much quieter, more refined, more solid, just as roomy, rides and handles better, is not seen at every corner, and gets better mileage. Mitsus aren't too high on the break-in list either. Enough to sell me on the car! I just wish the 000 deal had been around 6 months ago so I never would have bought the Altima.
~alpha