Wanted to get the experts' opinion on this vehicle: 2010 Ralliart, no options (no nav/Rockford Fosgate stereo, etc), octane blue, ~12K miles, one previous owner. It also has a Injen cold air intake and some kind of aftermarket exhaust. Drives well but has a check engine light, which I assumed to be because of the intake/exhaust. Dealer verified that the code read the car was running lean. I'm interested in it because it's still relatively new and has low mileage.

A few questions -
Is there a way stop the check engine light from showing other than replacing the parts back to stock?

What should i look for or be aware of before buying this car?

Any questions I should ask the dealer?

Pictures/info found here:
http://www.petemooremitsubishi.com/V...-FL/1471975723


Other than the ugly tint and gas cap cover, it looks okay to me. Please provide your honest input on whether this is a good buy!

Edit: decided against buying the car, too much of a gamble because of mods/CEL. Still on the lookout for a clean RA...

 

You can tune the car so it's not running lean. Personally I wouldn't buy it. Who knows how long it's been running with that CEL and what kind of damage could have resulted.

 

I think the price is a bit high, no? I just bought a 2010, w/ 5k more miles on it, but with recaro seats, satnav, and rockford fosgate for 21k. I'd like to think you can get a better deal than what's currently listed, but maybe the folks who've been around a bit longer will tell me i just got a good deal or something.

 

Thanks for the quick responses. The pictures on the dealer website don't show a CEL so I don't think it's been on long.

Also, the NADA clean trade-in value is 20,530, and im getting it for just over 21k. Forgot to mention that...

 

I agree with amby, the car is running lean and if anyone did full throttle runs in that condition, the car could be a time bomb with no warranty.

 

I paid $2k less than that for a brand new one. You are getting ripped off.

 

You paid 19k fur a new one? Again, i'm paying 21,000.

 

I say the first thing you need to do is take that tint off. I don't think the price is to bad though.

 

I purchased my 2010 WW Ralliart with Recaros, Rockford Fosgate, HID package; one owner, 16k miles with all dealer service records for $21k one year ago.

I just traded it (Ralliart) in on a 2011 PB MR and the best I could do was 16k (Ralliart); you should definitely be "out-the-door" for <$20k on that car.

 

i'd inquire about the stain in the driver side rear seat. Looks like someone might have pissed on it or possibly water damage or something...

 

That isn't an Injen intake, rather intercooler piping. The intake looks DIY, like the one posted in the 'How-To" section.

If he has a cat delete, it would explain the code.

I throw the "Fuel system too lean/cat converter" code every few weeks or so once I added my testpipe, doesn't mean my car's going to explode.

 

Yeah that tint would have to go immediately.


Any more input on the CEL? That's what is making me hesitant.

 

Look under the car and see if it's got a testpipe, or scan the car to see what code it is throwing.

 

Sorry for the noob question, what's the difference between stock piping and a testpipe? I'm not familiar with turbo 4s, as I'm coming from an american v8.

Does the DIY intake have any benefits over stock? It doesn't look like inhaling warm underhood air would be any better than the stock intake piping...

 

Are you fimilar with the exhaust piping?

From the front of the car to rear:

Downpipe --> Testpipe --> Midpipe --> Axleback.

If you can get under the car and have a peek, the testpipe will be under the two front seats, right smack in the middle. The Factory one will have a massive cat, this one could have a smaller cat, straight pipe or a resonator.

As far as the DIY intake, i have not installed one (yet) so I cannot comment on the perfromance. From what i've read, throttle response and sound has improved.