Hello,
My fiancee is currently thinking about purchasing a Ralliart. Our local dealer has only one Ralliart in a manual transmission and it's an 05. She test drove it and loved it. However, it has the Sun and Sound package on it and is painted a color she hates. The dealer offered to try to locate a manual transmission without the Sun and Sound package and in a color she likes. The only caveat is that it will be either an 06 or 07 and we won't be able to test drive it first.

We were, however, able to test drive an 06 automatic at another dealer. It didn't even feel like it was the same model of car. It was all soft and didn't handle anywhere near as well. It would definitly not be a car she'd buy.

What I need to know from all you experts out there is has anything changed about the Ralliart from the 05 to 06 to 07 model years? Were the differences in the two cars' rides simply down to the change in tranny? Was the 06 auto just having a bad day? Is there some magic about the 05 model year?

Help us to learn about the differences in the Ralliart model years so we can make an informed decidion!

Ty

 

Not much difference in model years as far as performance, just appearance.

There is a huge difference between an auto and manual. Manual feels more agressive to me too....the gearing is a bit different.

 

RA 04-06 trannys are all the same. (Don't know about 07...haven't seen one yet!) But if she likes the 5spd go for it! The Auto 4spd is a self learning unit: if you drive like a "granny" it will be soft...if you drive like a "bat out off hell" it will be more agressive. But it won't be as good as a 5spd ever!


The only think Mitsu changed in the 06 models are the front end and the seats fabric color. Are the 07 RA out??? Thats weird that the dealer offered you a 07 RA!

 

When we drove the 06 auto it wasn't just the tranny/power delivery that felt soft. It felt like it was on different suspension. I'm trying to find out if a manual from 06 or 07 will feel/ride/be suspended like a manual from 05. I want to make sure they didn't change the suspension or something over the years.


Ty

 

suspension set up is the same on an auto, but you have more control with a manual.

 

I have an auto 04. I've never driven a manual, but the only reason I could see for the big difference in suspension is that either it was a problem from the factory or the dealer put you in an OZ. You didn't by chance get put into an OZ to see how the 06 is, did you? Maybe the dealer put you in one and you didn't notice?

 

I have auto 05 RA and it seems quick to me. I came from a 2002 Lancer OZ and my car seems super stiff riding when compared to the OZ. I still want to eventually upgrade the factory springs.

 

Ya I'm inclined to believe they put you in an OZ rally also.

 

There won't be any '07 Lancers.

 

Tire pressure could also be a problem, if they had the back was a little higher, you might feel like its not responding well when cornering

 

the auto tranny and manual are probably different weights too. it could affect the handling if the auto is heavier?

 

How do you know?

 

Because the '07 VIN decoder doesn't show any.

http://www.mitsubishicars.com/pdf/07VINs.pdf

 

Not quite. Appearance wise yes the grill is different, and the seat are a different color, but that's because they're a totally different fabric. It's not as "satin" on the black sides, and the middle doesn't seemas durable. This is for the '06's, only. I have an 05, and at the last big car show I looked at an 06 and noticed the differences. Also, mitsu used to boast how the RA had "premium" cloth, and for the '06's stopped...

As for under the hood I don't think anything changed, but not 100%. It may be related to the idea that the '04's had the potenza's while the '05's-'06s have Goodyear Eagle RS-A, aka ****, which would affect the handling a bit / grip of the car, but then you said you drove an '05.

And why the hell wouldn't they let you test drive the one you'd actually be buying? Seems stupid, I'd go tell them what you want again, and make sure that anything you write includes "subject to test drive" and if they won't do it find a dealership that actually wants to sell cars.

 

I will ask my dealer. He will know. I don't know what vin decoder is, and it proply means nothing.