I don't think we should be worrying about replacement parts availability since we share LOTS of parts with some 2004+ models not to mention our engine is the same as the outlander 4 cyl the galant and the eclipse the same with the brakes and replacement parts. MOst of the body parts are the same as the standard lancer with the exception of the lower sport trim kit . I believe the only thing we can be sure about is that performance parts will become scarce and no more manufacturers are going to look at our cars as a candidate to make profit..

 

^its been that way for a long time, theres really only a handfull of places that sell or know anything about our cars which sucks.

 

I'm starting to notice that some replacement parts are hard to come by. For example, front axles. No other car shares them with us and there aren't any remanufactured ones out there that I can find. Our options are limited to buying new (at over $500 each!!!) or sending the stock ones (or junkyard find) out to be rebuilt.

 

How long will our axles last before they need to be replaced? I just did the ones on the wifes car at 80K. Can't you just replace the joints or do you need the whole axle?

 

No idea. Mine are still fine at 100k, but I know they'll need to be rebuilt/replaced somewhere in the not too distant future. When you do it, you replace the whole assembly, incl. axle.

 

The interesting thing here with the "old" RA is that many people bought these cars brand new and hence had a 5year warranty and people do not like doing mods to there cars as it may or will void there precious warranty so many AM parts manufacturers were not interested in making parts... now 4 years on and quite probably a good percentage of the 1st owners have either run out of warranty or sold there cars so now there is a new line of modifiers out there that are willing to void the remainder of the warranty and are willing to try out more mods other than simple bolt on mods... also with the introduction of a new Lancer RA our cars will start to become more popular again and you should start seeing more of these cars being modified etc... there are too many things that are wrong with the new Lancers weight being the most obvious sure it may have a bit better engine but the weight kills the extra power it makes I am sure if the two cars stock from show room were to line up the RA would win

just my thoughts

 

Normally waranty is the big issue before starting mods, i got a 10 year waranty in my outie, (4g69 engine) and i don't want to risk it so i agree with ^

 

By the time the warranty is up, the car will have 10s of thousands of miles on it at LEAST, making it a much less likely candidate for heavy modding anyway. Warranty has always been the big thing preventing people from modding but most often the people really serious about it just pull the trigger on the mods they want and trust in themselves or a mechanics friends ability to keep them on the road. IMO, once the warranty period for a lot of people expire, they'll be looking to trade up, or keep it how it is. The catalog of mods presently available for the car isn't very compelling, and it's not going to get much if any better at this point. That alone will keep people stock or nearly stock anyway. I really do not see anyone 5 years down the road going out and developing parts that haven't already been made, or even tracking down a decent running one to continue to support it. Just not going to happen IMO.

 

to bad mitsu doesnt have something like dodge has with mopar. i knew a kid that bought a brand new srt4 when they came out and he could upgrade his turbo, motor work, anything from mopar. a long as the dealer put it on, waranties were still covered. mopar and dodge covered the waranty. though its more expensive the option is there for people who worry about the waranty.

 

Toyota does this with the scions as well. The big difference between mitsu and both the others is that they don't already offer a top tier car that has the the features on it. I realize that a TC lancer isn't going to be cannibalizing any evo sales, but its very likely going to add a lot more warranty claims that mitsu cant afford too easily anyway. From what I understand, its hard enough getting them to do warranty work on the Evo as it is.

 

my friend had an evo and he blew his transfer case. when he took it to the dealer they fixed it. but before he left they asked him if the picture on their computer was him. they found a picture of him launching at the strip. they told him that was the last of his waranty work.

 

the way I understood it the new Lancer with the 2.0L wasn't as powerful as the 4G69, very close though. I have a friend from work with a new model VRX and while cool and all it just doesn't seem as quick and tight... though his auto trans so thats probably a big part of that

 

not fun to mod?? where do you come up with such garbage

 

well after reading..and much thought
i may be looking to trade my RA, i love the car but i have to consider the chance of that "bad day". something craps out and i have to dish out more than wut anyone else would for something simple to repair. sucks though, this car is BA in my book. but well see. its just with things going these days as they are i have to think of things down the road naw mean?
-Flip

 

after much had work and research, ive actually found a few parts stores that carry more parts for my RA. im mos def keeping it and riding it till it dies. ha. we should actually make a sticky where we can find hard to find parts on the nets. like "parts online here" or something like that. just a thought
-FLip