Hello I am new to the forum here and would really love if someone could provide me with some information about my new car! It would be greatly appreciated. I just bought a used 2009 Lancer Ralliart with 60,000 miles from a Mitsubishi Dealership. The car is really nice and fast which I love however I still currently learning about the ralliarts. The car only came with a 60 day or 3,000 mile warranty so I want to make sure the car is in good running condition.

The car has a Borla exhaust and AEM intake from whoever owned the car before. When I first drove the car I was shocked about the twin clutch sst transmission. It seems to shift very very firm and I want to make sure this is normal? Also when taking off in first gear in drive it goes into gear like a standard and sometimes it jerks into gear which I thought was the AWD but it does it even when you have 100% traction.

One more quick thing and I really appreciate any ones input. We drove the car home about 6 miles tonight after work and babied it home. When we arrived home we smelt what appears to be very sweet like antifreeze. Any ideas on this?

Thanks again so much!

-Mitch

 

Did you get service records? When was the sst fluid changed? Smelling a sweet smell like antifreeze could be just the dealer topping off fluids and maybe some spilled or it could be a serious problem. If it was me I'd return the car being the high miles and that it has an intake which means it prolly has a tune and there no way to know if the guy before you babied the car or beat the s@&* out of it. Return it and get a 2012 there are great deals going on being they need to make room for newer models

 

I bought a used one because I couldn't afford a new one the prices were just to high so I had to sacrifice... I just wanna make sure the car is ok and nothing is wrong with it.... Not sure if the car has a tune or not but I know it shifts really really hard and aggressive but I was told its normal from the salesman because he has the same car. I did get service records of the oil changes and alignments and such but didn't notice a sst fluid change... Any more input is greatly appreciated for the newby

 

usually if the last owner didnt change the sst fluid it would slip not be very firm thats probably the tune thats in it or it could be just the fact that you re not familiar with it now the antifreeze smell id have them double check that everything is good

 

Thanks for all of your help! Any more responses would be great to hear more info

 

make sure that the sst fluid and engine oil was changed before you bot it.

that is your #1 priority to make sure they get that done if not already. The sst fluid is expensive to change and can save you a bunch of headaches down the road. highly recommend. damn. wish you came on here for advice or questions to ask before buying it

I know ill be doing that before i buy any car now. head to the community forums and ask away!

 

So I spoke with the dealer today and they told me yes they did a transmission fluid change and also oil change and all brand new brakes and rotors on the car so that was great to hear! I am thinking this car definitely has been tuned but I wish there was a way to find out... What are some other upgrades you can do cheap to gain more ponys?

Thanks!

 

I would bring the car to a reputable shop and have them check the car to see whats on yhe car and what kind of tune if any just to be safe

 

do they have paper work to show the fluid changes?

 

Im on the same boat as you are! I bought a 2010 Ralliart last week and I hear "grinding" sounds coming from the engine bay. Taking it back saturday to figure wtf is going on. Last thing I want to do is return it

 

used high mileage ralliart that has been modified = take to a tune shop and see what has all been done and what can be undone and/or redone..

That way you get a fresh start at 60k miles so you know whats goin on with it from that point on....

If it had a tune couldn't the dealer have known that and disclosed that in the sale? how much did you pay for that btw about 17K?

 

Just my opinion. If you do buy one, make sure you take it to a third party mechanic/shop to check everything out.

 

I just got my RA and it is a 2011 with 12k KM
It was a dealer demo

The shifting IS aggressive for sure. I always say it feels like a big rig truck shifting. Witch is normal. there are lots of RA in the toronto Lancer club and they are all the same.

If you think that is aggressive drive an EVO hahha

 

this too... From what i know about the SST tranny and Mitsubishi. You will want every bit of a warranty you can get... but in anycase, you have it now, so
1. get the tranny checked throughly
2. Don't push the tranny
3. Baby the tranny
4. Baby the tranny
5. No racing unless you have too..

 

This might be a stupid question but.... I take it the EVO tranys are a bit more "beefier"?