I am interested in purchasing a 2003 Mitsubishi Lancer OZ Rally. I've heard good things about Mitsu's but never owned a new one (I currently am in possesion of the ****tiest 112,000 mile '95 Mirage in existence, which doesn't work real well anymore). Anyways, getting to the point...for those who have had their Lancers, specifically the 2003 OZ Rally editions, how would you rate it? Is the service at your dealership decent, does the Lancer have to go back very often for little things? Any troubles or complaints whatsoever about the Lancer? I am very curious about all this stuff because I have been a fan of the Lancer ever since the first Evo. I want one but am not sure if it would be a good car for me or not, just want to know what others think of their Lancers. Lemme know please!!

 

Had mine for a year and a half with no problems. I love it, but will definately suggest getting the evo for 10k more.

 

I think the biggest problem with Lancers right now is the shoddy paint they use. Outside of that, I don't think there have been many complaints at all.

I myself own an ES, but I must say that after almost 30,000 miles, I haven't had to take mine in for any servicing at all. Going into the market for a 2003 model year car and coming away with a Lancer of any trim isn't bad at all.

 

Paint and rear control arms. Though the control arms aren't issues for most people (myself included). Also worthy of note is the sway bar mounts have been known to crack but ONLY with upgraded (read: thicker and heavier) aftermarket rear sways. On the whole it's a very reliable car...it just has kinda crappy paint.

 

Paint is quite a problem- check out the threads. And the rear sway perches are only cracking when progress sends the too-large spacers and people have to over tighten the lock nut.
If I had paint that didn't chip like Lays, I'd be very very happy.

 

Save yourself some money and get a ES with the conveinience package. Then you can use the extra money for mods!

 

The ES Interior alone was reason enough to buy an OZ IMO.

Mechnically though, they're identical (bolt pattern and front suspension aside), but, depending upon what you plan to do with the car, there are both pros and cons for the ES and OZ's.

 

Very good point, Andrew. Brushed panels and OZ cluster aside, the overall interior of the OZ is a lot darker than the ES counterpart.

 

I,ve owned an OZ for 7 months now and havent had a single problem. If i coudl do it over i woudl have got the EVO but if you dont have that kind of cash the OZ is a great looking car and the interior is very attractive. The paint does chip quite easily though.

 

Get an ES, not a whole lot of difference between ES and OZ.

 

I really like my OZ - got it in January. I agree with Andrew, that the interior is worth the difference in cost alone. I personally am not too big on body kits, so the OZ body kit is perfect. Understated, but definitely tasteful and the ES just looks wrong without it. Further, if you're not going to upgrade it, the rear sway bar you get on the OZ is much better than nothing in the ES.

Anyway, the paint is a concern of mine and the interior is plastic panelling so it scratches pretty easily. Other than that, the car is really great - no problems, no problems warranting special service. I wasn't happy with the dealership people, because they were a little sketchy, but it seems like lots of Mitsu dealers go both ways - lots of shoddy places and lots of great places.
-N

 

i'm satisfied with my oz, if i would have known the evo was coming i would have waited but my oz is my second mitsu, i also have a 97 galant, that has a 100,000 and still runs great!

 

Why not wait for the RalliArt model due at the end of the summer. I know what it is like to jones for a new car. It's suppose to fall between the OZ and the EVO. In fact I've heard and upgrade for the EVO is in the works as we speak. I have and ES, got it used under 10k, I drove it from Chicago to Phoenix and Las Vegas a month a go. 7000 miles total. Only thing I wish I had was cruise.

As for the guy who says the sway bar is a selling point, pretty expensive for a sway bar when you can get a kit for around $200 from RRM. Just my thoughts.

 

But for even cheaper buy youself a faster car like a 2g turbo eclipse J/K guys!!!!

 

I've had my OZ for 4 months now and it only has about 5000 miles on it and the damn rear control arms are ****. I have had to bring it back 3 time now for a squeeking problem coming from the assenger side. At first they thouht it was my brake pads in the front, that wasn't it. Then they moved to the rear drums, and yet again the same result. This last time they replaced my rear control arms and the damn squeek is still there! Since I have had to bring it back to the dealership so many times for the same problem, the owner said that he is going to try to get me a little gift off an EVO VIII....the two Recaros, with the trade in of my front buckets.