i've had mine for two years and 46000 mile,heres the issues i've had with mine thus far.
40k- front sway bar bolt broke, replace both sides 30 bucks.
38k- that rubber boot on the axle that goes over that cup thing that comes out of the tranny popped off. re-packed it with grease and put a new clamp on. did the other side to.
44k- passenger side wheel bearing went bad. part was like 130 and 70 for 4 wheel alignment, since the car was way of after install.
46k- creaking from the front wheels when i turn the steering wheel. goin to replace the belt and tierod bushings.
other than that the cars be a great runner. never left me stranded. and i'm not exactly easy on it either. so....
never had experience with the auto though.

 

i think it just depends on how well it was taken care of. I got an 04 es new and put 40K on it the first year commuting to new orleans for work. then the company got me a work truck and i've put 10K on it in the last 2 years. I maintain it religously and haven't had a single problem with it. IMO $5K sounds a bit much to me for a 5 year old car w/ almost 100K miles. but mines reliable and hella easy to work on.

 

Thanks guys! Looking like I might pick this up then. We'll see though...im gonna go check it out once the weather clears up.

 

Hey Jarrod,

I have a 2002 OZ Rally with about 80k on it (automatic transmission), I will admit that im not the best at maintenance. I've skipped a few oil changes, neglected to change a few things here and there yet it's still running like a champ. I believe the Lancer was built to last rather than built to be fast. Never had a major problem with it other than the fact that it was slow as heck. Only other problem is it's resale value... however that's a benefit to you, not a problem.

- Kareem

 

I race, no problems.

It rusts like a fish.
Heater knob is a bish.

But other than that, it's a clear dish? Euh, nevermind. It's a good car. Leave it to that.

 

i've got 150k miles on mine. done lots of stupid things to get mods to work during that time. runs like a champ. it just doesn't die.

 

Tell me about it! I've also done my fair share of stupid things to my lancer and it still wont die.

 

lancers are good cars for the money
my car has never had a problem
they are just slow

 

I have an 02 auto that I bought for $4900 with 80k miles on it. Had the tires/brakes replaced as simple maintenance because the people before me were retards. Belts, plugs, wires, water pump (although it didn't need it, but while you do the belts, water pump is a peice of cake), new O2 sensor (didn't need it) and I think that is it. Basically just routine maintenance. Now I am at 96k miles and doing fine. The car is having a couple of problems but those are caused by the performance mods I have on it.

 

"rusts like a fish" is that good or bad?

 

I have a 2003 Lancer ES since new.
I have been rear ended fairly hard. No damage other than a slight hardly noticeable scratch on the bumper.
I rear ended someone, not too hard though, also slight hardly noticeable scratches.

An old guy at a parking lot kept driving into my right side rear fender. I get out and yell at him! He stops, backs up, and there is a nice size indent....then pop! It regains its shape without so much as a scratch lol !

This car has been through hell and back with me and it just keeps on going without any problems. 93,000 km on her btw.

 

bought my 02 with 45K on it last year, and its a champ. runs great, no real problems with it at all, just give it some love and she will be good to you.

 

Awesome car for the money. All the reliability of a corolla or civic (maybe even more), but cause of the name it costs a lot less. I don't know about the auto trans but my car runs so well. I say go for it!