This car wont outsell the ms3, not by a long shot. The fact that it is more expensive (I got my first gen ms3 for 25 loaded and this car will be more toward the 30,000 price range will turn a lot of customers away. Not to mention now that gas prices are on the rise even more and insurance companies are starting to loose business because people are buying smaller, less costly cars that are better on gas. The premiums will most likely start to rise on cars like this one to compensate for the loss of profit. Not to mention mitsubishi is just starting to get back into the game with some very close calls in terms of business. No one is going to stay out of boost lol the fun part of getting a car like this one is the fact that is HAS boost. This car wont sell anywhere near the ms3, mazda has been doing extremely well lately in terms of business (the mazda 3 has had a large amount of leeway on the new lancer for a while, thats why people wanted the ms3). This car is for a specialized crowd and if someone is going tobuy it, its going to most likely the people who dont want a wrx or ms3. Not to mention we have no idea the price on insurance coverage yet, the ms3 was cheap for me but an evo was way more. This might fall inbetween and that is still more expensive for less power and more tech.

 

Gas prices are mainly going to be a big issue in rural areas where income is relatively low like where aestival lives. That's how it is here in the States. The gas mileage of a turbo 2.0L engine while off boost is basically the same as an NA version of the same motor.

I expect them to make more RAs than Evo X GSRs and much more than Evo X MRs.

 

After the Ralliart has been out a couple months, I think it'll be easy to find one sitting on a lot. Just take a look at the Evo Xs. Buyers have their pick of the litter. Cars with all options levels are just sitting in the lots, and ports, collecting dust.

Again, there's no need to buy locally when it comes to cars. With the amount of money cars cost, tossing in a one-way plane ticket to go pick it up (dealership would happily pick you up at the airport with their shuttle), or having a friend drive you out to get it, shouldn't be an issue.

 

Mitsu is saying about $25k for the base model and I expect they'll follow through with that since I assume they want to sell cars. I think the market falls right off the cliff for non-prestige small performance cars at maybe $26K. You got a good price at $25K loaded for a loaded MS3 if that included TTL.

 

its usually close, downside is the turbo motor has less power and is less efficient without the boost. I drive my MS3 without much boost and hit about 26-28mpg in the city. It takes a lot of self-control though lol. If I drive it like I stole it I get about 21 on the same drive, still not too shabby. I expect that if I was able to get up to 55 or higher, either highway or any road then I might hit 30mpg, dare I say 31-32.

 

Lancer GTS or Lancer Ralliart?

 

^ra

 

Clearly you do not live in Canada, or the far-northeastern or mid-west US, for that matter. I don't have several days to spend wandering around North America, and I'm definitely not going to do that in a brand-new car.

Also, people in small markets absolutely should buy in their own small market, unless they want to take the very real risk that there won't be a local dealer left to service their car for even the most obvious warranty issues -- in which case drives around North America might end up being fairly frequent. Dealers that lose business eventually go out of business. Duh.

Finally, buying out of my province means that I'd be on the hook for 13% tax on the value of my current vehicle, where if I sell my car via the dealer I get that portion tax-free. Not to mention the hassle of all the paperwork required to buy elsewhere, and the fact that the local dealership wouldn't ever want to give me the time of day if I bought from someone else.

[by the way, saving money isn't what the Ralliart is all about -- if you want to save a massive load of money, buy a Prius... I promise to wave at you as you recede in the rearview mirror]

 

Back on topic -- my local Mitsubishi dealer ordered me a Ralliart today -- fairly early in the process, though, since all they ordered was "one Ralliart"... next Tuesday I get to choose the colour and trim level.

Absolutely no word or promises on delivery date, though my contract with them states the end of November, and they don't seem to be very worried yet.

At least my car's been ordered -- sort of.

[and yes, I'm paying MSRP, and yes, I know I could get a better deal someday in the future, but I want a Ralliart now, or at least as soon as possible -- this way I get exactly what I want, roughly when I want it, which is worth a fair bit of money to me]

 

Congrats. Do you know what color and options you'll be choosing?

 

Lol they offered me a loaded 08.5 for 23,500... turned that down. Everyone in my area is getting the ms3 very cheap..

 

orange, and everything except the Nav/HD system, assuming that's actually a choice... otherwise, just everything. Definitely want the premium audio and Recaro seats.

I'll also be getting a set of Pirelli Sottozero (240 Winter) tires and a second set of alloy wheels with tire pressure monitors, because it will probably be almost winter by the time I see the Ralliart, and I live in Canada. I have never understood people here who buy steel rims for winter -- life's too short to drive around in a car like the Ralliart all winter with crappy wheels -- still, most people around here seem to swear by steel in the winter (might as well buy a WRX, if you don't care what your car looks like...)

[because I'm in Canada, it's entirely possible that the colour and option selections will be terrible -- over the years, many manufacturers have given a choice of colours in the US only to dump a single colour on the Canadian market, often the least desirable one]

 

****.. Canada got the best ms3's when they came out

 

^australia also has very nice MPS models aswell

 

Towson, MD? I live in Towson. MD.

Who offered you a loaded 08 for 23500? Was that nav and everything ? GT ?