Hi all,

After my horrible dealership experience a few years ago, I had since put the new car shopping on hold. I still have my Hyundai Accent, still runnin strong as ever, but every year I see a ralliart, and I get to thinkin about my testdrive with it and I get the itch to look online again.

Well I found a 04 w/40k on it, one owner, clean carfax. I have been trying to dig up any bad issues mechanically, or electronically with this vehicle, bad trans, syncro's, suspension issues, recalls etc. You certainly don't see gobs of these on the street, let alone at a dealership. They seem to be a limited run car, not like Honda or Hyundai, they're everywhere.

Im 29, and have done the "tuner" bit when growing up through college. Im now married, house, no kids but would like a car I can just turn key and drive away and has a bit of styling behind it not to coin a overused phrase "ghetto". I live in the NH area, and the 205/50/16's would most likely have to be swapped for something more winter friendly. The above being said:

What do you do with the tires/rims on this vehicle for winter, get a set of steelies and winter tires?

Transmission, any major issues?

Engine, workability, ease of accessability within the engine compartment? Im used to working on my Accent, gobs of room with the lil bread box motor, im going to assume some room under the hood as well?

Build quality, last when I test drove, it was decent, I did not get like my cousin and measure the paint thickness at a BMW dealership (yes they can do that...)

I noticed the price of these after purchased decreaces dramatically, a 18k car is now around 11-12k depending on mileage.

What updates/upgrades have there been since 04-06, the 07's now have a new body style correct?

Just weighing my options and trying to gather some input/feedback from the sources who own a ralliart.

Thanks everyone!

 

ralliart329 is selling his ra , he's in ny....

 

the only complaints i have with my RA is valve lash(which can be adjusted)and the fact that these cars cant make sharp turns at all, i make a u turn and it turns into a three point turn.

 

http://www.roadracemotorsports.com/ralliartperf.htm

I love my ralliart and wouldnt have it any other way..except maybe a little faster

 

Well i hate our turning radius, the valve lash but the rest is fine. Also would like heated mirrors but it isn't a big deal. One suggest i may make is to swap the windshield wiper nozzles with 2004 galant ones and you'll be all set.

Great car, great daily and fun to drive. For the winter i use the stock rims with 215/50/16' Blizzaks and they grip fine. Ran them all winter.

As for engine compartment room, its alright, get an intake and remove the stock box and its really empty looking. However changing the headlights requires small hands and a gentle-touch because the locking ring holding the bulb in place tends to break the tabs off easily. That doesn't affect much unless you broke all of them off (i have 2/3 broken off... haha).

 

Valve lash huh? So this is an ongoing issue? I saw from a few other threads, other owners are affected (driving styles of course will play a big part im sure) Do they come out of adjustment on a reg basis? Doesn't the mitsu come with a 60k warranty?

Has anyone had difficulty with adjustment from a dealer, had to pay out for this?

No heated mirrors???? I think I can deal, considering I'm coming over from my Hyundai, 4 wheels and a seat

 

Valve lash is no different than any other car with non-hydraulic lifters. It just needs to be checked on occasion.

No real transmission issues. A few people who beat on the car a bit have had problems with the 2nd gear synchro, but it's not widespread.

Compared to most new cars, the engine is easy to work on and things in it are reasonably accessable.

The car has only been made from 04-06. There are no 07 Ralliarts.

 

I bought mine new in 04 and I should see 60K miles within the next month. I haven't seen a single problem. The powertrain warrenty is 100K, not 60K. I have no complaints with the car at all and I will probably drive it untill the whole thing falls apart in my driveway!

 

I have an '04, closing in on 81,000 miles. No major problems whatsoever. The only things that have needed service were a faulty control module on the radiator fan (which caused it to turn on and off repeatedly, but only a $100 fix), the hood cable needed to be replaced, and the rear bushings make noise when it gets cold.

But everything else has been great.

 

I bought my '04 new, have put on about 84,000 miles since. I love my car. I can deal with the turning radius, and I wrote the how-to on checking and adjusting valve lash, it's easy unless you're Joho.

The only mechanical problem I've had with my car was the rear lower control arms. I had those replaced a couple years ago for free. The noise is coming back, but I'm not taking the car back to the dealer. I'll figure out how to fix that problem myself.

My only other complaint is the paint. It chips VERY easily, and doesn't appear to be very thick at all. The leading edge of my hood is full of stone chips.

 

Dang....you're STILL ahead of me in mileage??

I'll second the turning radius and the paint. My hood has tons of chips in it.

 

You'll probably pass me up by the end of riding season. In the last six weeks, I've put less than 500 miles on my RA, and over 3000 on my motorcycle. 60mpg is nice. If it's not raining and not going to rain on my way to work, I ride the bike. I don't mind getting wet on the ride home, but working all day in wet clothes would suck.

 

I dont know about you, but I have heated mirrors and they work wonder in winter time. arent all ralliart equiped with heated mirrors? mine is 2005

 

my 04 doesnt have heated mirrors

 

i have an 05 that i bought brand new an i dont have heated mirriors, its no big deal for me in the winter and IMO thats just one more thing to break.

+1, ill have my RA until it completely falls apart. after that ill probably buy an awd turbo RA .