Sorry to hijack the thread, but I'm interested in the issue of Mitsubishi reliability as well.
I've heard stories, rumors, (whatever) about how Mitsubishi cars are not that reliable. I don't expect Toyota or Honda reliability, but I don't want a car that'll sideline me a few years down the road.

I'm also looking at the Lancer Ralliart... sooo... yeah any input would be great. I've used the search button, but it's kinda hard to look through 8-46 pages of forums.

 

No problems so far (at 6,600 miles in ralliart) and I had an eclipse which now has 44,000 miles...no problems either.

 

Do the maintenance at the proper intervals and take care of it like you want it to last and guess what... it will last. There are a lot of Mitsus out there with 150-200k miles on them. I've been talking to a guy with a 91 Eclipse with 187k on it. Runs great, passes the toughest county state emissions, he's looking to get several more years out of it.

 

If you look into reliability for the Lancer you will find that it got a better rating than the Civic and Corrola. ( I wish I remembered which mag wrote it, I think it was JD Power) The car was only outdone by, believe it or not, the Ford Focus!! I know I know the damn Focus. But anyways, Mitsu had a bad rep for a while cuz of some of the transfer case issues and some of the auto tranny issues. Those older auto trannies didnt like getting modded on the Eclipse turbos...lol. Dont stress the Lancer though, great little car all the way around!!

 

The reason why I was skeptic was the stories of the old DSM's trannys. Also seems like a lot of first year Lancers are starting to be resold with 50k+ miles and seem to be running great.

I am still going to have to try and get a good deal on a Lancer to be able to afford it. My dad is advising that it isn't the best idea to get a brand new car to begin college, but I don't want to be without a car trying to get 30 miles away or however far it is. But I guess since I'm going to a Community College to save a few bucks and get the same education as OU; I might as well spend the money on a new car that I can enjoy for longer than 4 years.

Only thing is when I was looking through the post about what people are paying, I don't think I saw anybody paying less than $300/month I don't know if I can afford it at that rate, because I'm guessing full coverage insurance for me on it is going to be around $250. I think I could do $250/month though.

 

ouch...I was paying less for my roadster insurance wise! Some word for the wise because I am looking for a house now and finding out that high payments on cars are hurting what i can get...if you are planning on getting a house or moving into your own house before you think the car will be paid off...get something cheap. You can always get a car after! I am finding that one out the hard way with this car...LOL

 

If you are interested in a Mitsubishi consider this as well. Read the whole thing. It's worth it to college students.

Guard your credit rating as if it were gold, because it is. Tear up all the credit card come-ons you get all during college. Don't do anything that will put a derogatory on your credit report. Get a good used Lancer or other Mitsubishi that will carry you through college. Here's why.

Anyone who has applied for graduation from an accreditted school can apply with Mitsubishi on their college grad program. Your credit report will be run. Provided there are no derogatories on the report, you will be approved at the highest credit approval level available. It doesn't matter if you have no credit rating at all, as long as there are no derogatories.

In addition to getting the best credit approval and the money you'll save that way, you'll also get whatever owner loyalty bonus money is available on the car you want. Right now that is up to $2000 depending on which new Mitsubishi someone buys.

Summary: For now you get a good used Lancer for maybe $7k and payment around $195 month and when you graduate you upgrade at potentially much better rate than you'd get otherwise.

Good luck.

 

DSM trannies, eh? Yeah... I've been kinda confused as to why people think Mitsubishi car reliability is crappy. What cars was it (And what years) that had poor reliability?

 

the mitsu auto wasnt good for adding horsepower to for a couple of years in the mid 90's I guess. Fine in stock trim, but with modding didnt respond well. I havent heard of too many problems with manual tranny's even after modding other than some recalls on transfer cases for the AWD.