Do I Buy The '04 Ralliart?
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From: Chicago, IL
Do I Buy The '04 Ralliart?
Hey everyone, I'm new to the forums but I've met a few of you already. I'm looking for major advice here... I'm looking to purchase a car between now and January and I'm very interested in the 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart (5 Speed Manual). I live in Chicago, Illinois and the best offer I've found is 19.5 with the Sun, Sound, and Side Airbag package or 18 without it; The best Mitsubisihi offer I've been given here also includes either 0% financing or a $2500 rebate (after tax). I need to make the following decisions:
1). Which transmission?
Right now I'm leaning towards the 5 speed manual, you can't go wrong with it being $1000 cheaper, right?
2). What color?
Right now I'm leaning towards the Graphite Gray Pearl.
3). Do I get the Sun, Sound, & Side Airbag package?
Although I don't really need the side airbags, a sunroof sounds nice and I heard the upgraded Infinity sound system is to die for- does it play MP3's as well?
Well, I'm really looking for lots of input here, maybe this thread can be useful to others looking to purchase a new '04. As the year comes to an end. I will be going in soon to test drive the '04 Ralliart AT that they have, but he said that they have at least 2 of each color in the MT that they will transfer for me for free, even if he has to get the Cool Silver Metallic's from South Dakota.
When I think about the numbers put out by the Ralliart I really don't think I can go wrong for under 20g, It's cheaper than an RSX-S but it can't be too far behind if I make a few mods... but I'm only turning 18 and I've got to finance this one on my own. I can make a huge downpayment and finance the rest off in 24-36 months, but 1500 for the S&S? Is it worth it or should I just have an aftermarket system installed?
Thanks in advance!
1). Which transmission?
Right now I'm leaning towards the 5 speed manual, you can't go wrong with it being $1000 cheaper, right?
2). What color?
Right now I'm leaning towards the Graphite Gray Pearl.
3). Do I get the Sun, Sound, & Side Airbag package?
Although I don't really need the side airbags, a sunroof sounds nice and I heard the upgraded Infinity sound system is to die for- does it play MP3's as well?
Well, I'm really looking for lots of input here, maybe this thread can be useful to others looking to purchase a new '04. As the year comes to an end. I will be going in soon to test drive the '04 Ralliart AT that they have, but he said that they have at least 2 of each color in the MT that they will transfer for me for free, even if he has to get the Cool Silver Metallic's from South Dakota.
When I think about the numbers put out by the Ralliart I really don't think I can go wrong for under 20g, It's cheaper than an RSX-S but it can't be too far behind if I make a few mods... but I'm only turning 18 and I've got to finance this one on my own. I can make a huge downpayment and finance the rest off in 24-36 months, but 1500 for the S&S? Is it worth it or should I just have an aftermarket system installed?
Thanks in advance!
Last edited by ewsang; Feb 11, 2010 at 12:31 PM. Reason: Personal Info
For $1500 you couldn't put in a sunroof and good sound system. I wanted the stereo, but I didn't want the sunroof (rains too much here). S&S should help it hold resale value, and the airbags will help you with your insurance rate.
If they will give you 0% financing, jump on it. It's worth more in the end.
There have been plenty of people on here that got the auto trans, but wish they would have gotten the stick instead. Personnaly, I prefer stick to auto. But that is solely up to you, choose wisely.
For color, dark cars look really good for the 5 minuits they are clean. My wife has an 02 OZ, in silver. I wash my car, 04 RalliArt / black, 10 times more than her, and hers still always looks cleaner than mine. Given your location, with the weather you get, silver would probably be the best choice of color (easiest to keep looking nice & clean). But, that is still up to you. Thunder grey looks pretty cool, if you like it, get it.
If they will give you 0% financing, jump on it. It's worth more in the end.
There have been plenty of people on here that got the auto trans, but wish they would have gotten the stick instead. Personnaly, I prefer stick to auto. But that is solely up to you, choose wisely.
For color, dark cars look really good for the 5 minuits they are clean. My wife has an 02 OZ, in silver. I wash my car, 04 RalliArt / black, 10 times more than her, and hers still always looks cleaner than mine. Given your location, with the weather you get, silver would probably be the best choice of color (easiest to keep looking nice & clean). But, that is still up to you. Thunder grey looks pretty cool, if you like it, get it.
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From: Chicago, IL
Originally Posted by PDXRalliArt
For $1500 you couldn't put in a sunroof and good sound system. I wanted the stereo, but I didn't want the sunroof (rains too much here). S&S should help it hold resale value, and the airbags will help you with your insurance rate.
If they will give you 0% financing, jump on it. It's worth more in the end.
There have been plenty of people on here that got the auto trans, but wish they would have gotten the stick instead. Personnaly, I prefer stick to auto. But that is solely up to you, choose wisely.
For color, dark cars look really good for the 5 minuits they are clean. My wife has an 02 OZ, in silver. I wash my car, 04 RalliArt / black, 10 times more than her, and hers still always looks cleaner than mine. Given your location, with the weather you get, silver would probably be the best choice of color (easiest to keep looking nice & clean). But, that is still up to you. Thunder grey looks pretty cool, if you like it, get it.
If they will give you 0% financing, jump on it. It's worth more in the end.
There have been plenty of people on here that got the auto trans, but wish they would have gotten the stick instead. Personnaly, I prefer stick to auto. But that is solely up to you, choose wisely.
For color, dark cars look really good for the 5 minuits they are clean. My wife has an 02 OZ, in silver. I wash my car, 04 RalliArt / black, 10 times more than her, and hers still always looks cleaner than mine. Given your location, with the weather you get, silver would probably be the best choice of color (easiest to keep looking nice & clean). But, that is still up to you. Thunder grey looks pretty cool, if you like it, get it.
What rattling? 
I think they all do. Its in the B pillars and under the hood.
If you really don't care about the sunroof, get the regular RA. Just make sure you get the side curtain airbags ($100). It will pay off well with insurance.
I've never seen a white RA. That might be a good choice for some individuality. This will be my last dark colored car. If I had it to do all over again, I would have gotten a silver RA with the side airbags. So much easier to keep clean. Look around the show and shine, see what you like better.
The infinity stereo isn't that big of a deal. You could do a nice aftermarket setup for around 1K.
I think they all do. Its in the B pillars and under the hood.If you really don't care about the sunroof, get the regular RA. Just make sure you get the side curtain airbags ($100). It will pay off well with insurance.
I've never seen a white RA. That might be a good choice for some individuality. This will be my last dark colored car. If I had it to do all over again, I would have gotten a silver RA with the side airbags. So much easier to keep clean. Look around the show and shine, see what you like better.
The infinity stereo isn't that big of a deal. You could do a nice aftermarket setup for around 1K.
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Joined: Aug 2004
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From: CT
If you have the chance to see the car in front off you on all the colors you like, You will know wich one is the one!, MT is more sporty makes the cars sound better and gives you more control by downshifting you know!, The S&S is nice I got it , This is my 7th car I buy in the past 12 years and I allways wanted a SUNROOF so I got it LOL..............
Good louck and wellcome to the
FEVER ...............
Good louck and wellcome to the
FEVER ...............
Thread Starter
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Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 48
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From: Chicago, IL
Originally Posted by PDXRalliArt
What rattling? I think they all do. Its in the B pillars and under the hood.
If you really don't care about the sunroof, get the regular RA. Just make sure you get the side curtain airbags ($100). It will pay off well with insurance.
I've never seen a white RA. That might be a good choice for some individuality. This will be my last dark colored car. If I had it to do all over again, I would have gotten a silver RA with the side airbags. So much easier to keep clean. Look around the show and shine, see what you like better.
The infinity stereo isn't that big of a deal. You could do a nice aftermarket setup for around 1K.
I think they all do. Its in the B pillars and under the hood.If you really don't care about the sunroof, get the regular RA. Just make sure you get the side curtain airbags ($100). It will pay off well with insurance.
I've never seen a white RA. That might be a good choice for some individuality. This will be my last dark colored car. If I had it to do all over again, I would have gotten a silver RA with the side airbags. So much easier to keep clean. Look around the show and shine, see what you like better.
The infinity stereo isn't that big of a deal. You could do a nice aftermarket setup for around 1K.
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Joined: Jun 2004
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From: Québec
I would not buy it either... Imagine what you can do with $1500... You could possibly add RRM cold air intake and an ECU. Then you'll be closer of the RSX-S and you will still have a few bucks in your pocket. Yes a sunroof is cool but for the price, i'll just lower my windows...
For the color it's up to you! I know i had the same problem and i finally got the a black RA. HArd to keep clean but damn it looks good! My second choise will be white.
For the color it's up to you! I know i had the same problem and i finally got the a black RA. HArd to keep clean but damn it looks good! My second choise will be white.
-
Your already much closer to the RS-X than you think! The RS-X looks good on paper but only the S model stands a chance against the RA. The base model has no torque AND no HP. And there still is the problem of the huge price difference...
But let's not go there once again...
Disclaimer: I know Deltarider99 will flame me for this one. I too think you should get yourself some nice goodies instead of the S&S. If you don't care much for the sunroof, get some go fast goodies instead... and some bling for good measure. 
Note that most dealers will even order and finance your parts if you want to take advantage of the financing on those things...
-
Your already much closer to the RS-X than you think! The RS-X looks good on paper but only the S model stands a chance against the RA. The base model has no torque AND no HP. And there still is the problem of the huge price difference...
But let's not go there once again...
Disclaimer: I know Deltarider99 will flame me for this one.
I too think you should get yourself some nice goodies instead of the S&S. If you don't care much for the sunroof, get some go fast goodies instead... and some bling for good measure. Note that most dealers will even order and finance your parts if you want to take advantage of the financing on those things...-
Almost forgot!!!!
Make them give you different tires as part of your deal. Make them pay for it, don't let them tack it on to your bill. (unless you plan on going 17s with aftermarket tires)
With that extra cashola, upgrades I would do first is tires/wheels (17s), CAI, exhaust, Progress rear sway bar. If you still have any $$$ left (doubtful), get the piggyback or Greddy E-manage.
Make them give you different tires as part of your deal. Make them pay for it, don't let them tack it on to your bill. (unless you plan on going 17s with aftermarket tires)
With that extra cashola, upgrades I would do first is tires/wheels (17s), CAI, exhaust, Progress rear sway bar. If you still have any $$$ left (doubtful), get the piggyback or Greddy E-manage.