2008 vs. 2009 GTS?
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
From: Richmond Hill
bout the featuers in the 09
stability - kinda a luxury on a 168hp car
rain-sensing wipers - again a luxury you don't really need, how hard is it to turn on the wiper blades yourself? I've heard negative stuff about how they'll turn themselves on even if a few drops land on the windshield and it's a bother to some.
xenon - that'll be something I'd like to have on the 08, but you can install your own HID for 120-150 if you look hard for a deal
FAST key - I don't know why they say that's a 09 feature because 08 lancers have the FAST key if you have the GTS trim.
All in all, see how low you can get a 08 for, if it's cheaper by more than 1k and you can live without the hp, get the 08. For me the 09's main selling point over the 08 would be the extra hp.
Also note there are quite a few problems with the 08 so you might want to hear testimonials from 09 owners to see if they fixed the general issue with thin paint/alignment, etc...
stability - kinda a luxury on a 168hp car
rain-sensing wipers - again a luxury you don't really need, how hard is it to turn on the wiper blades yourself? I've heard negative stuff about how they'll turn themselves on even if a few drops land on the windshield and it's a bother to some.
xenon - that'll be something I'd like to have on the 08, but you can install your own HID for 120-150 if you look hard for a deal
FAST key - I don't know why they say that's a 09 feature because 08 lancers have the FAST key if you have the GTS trim.
All in all, see how low you can get a 08 for, if it's cheaper by more than 1k and you can live without the hp, get the 08. For me the 09's main selling point over the 08 would be the extra hp.
Also note there are quite a few problems with the 08 so you might want to hear testimonials from 09 owners to see if they fixed the general issue with thin paint/alignment, etc...
Thread Starter
Evolved Member
iTrader: (4)
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,169
Likes: 0
From: Tuscaloosa, AL
crayon, appreciate the feedback. I've decided I'd rather go w/ an 08 GTS trim because i looked at the sticker price today for the 09' gts, and it was approaching $24k. I was like "WHOA< a bit much for 16 + hp.
Evolved Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,016
Likes: 0
From: Denver, CO
I just purchased a 2009 Lancer GTS w/CVT, sun & sound, Nav package, & tall spoiler about 2 weeks ago. First one the dealer sold, and strangely, the only one they had. I'm pretty damn happy wth it so far.
The wipers are not rain sensing. They are speed senstive wipers, so that when you are using the delayed wiper mode, wipers speed up as the car speeds up, although it's only rained here once since I got it. But I never saw anything in the manual about actual moisture sensing, nor is there any indication of it. It's nice because it slows WAY down when you are stopped at a light. once every 25-30 seconds I'd say on slowest setting.
Bulbs in the car are definitely xenon, as the light is a nice bright white. But I still think I will eventually add HID to it.
The gauges are definitely different, and are most noticable at night. They're pretty slick looking when the lights are on and it's dark
The sticker price was $23,300. The invoice price was $22,059, I got it for $22,559 + tax OTD. That's only about 500 more than I would have paid for a similar 08
The wipers are not rain sensing. They are speed senstive wipers, so that when you are using the delayed wiper mode, wipers speed up as the car speeds up, although it's only rained here once since I got it. But I never saw anything in the manual about actual moisture sensing, nor is there any indication of it. It's nice because it slows WAY down when you are stopped at a light. once every 25-30 seconds I'd say on slowest setting.
Bulbs in the car are definitely xenon, as the light is a nice bright white. But I still think I will eventually add HID to it.
The gauges are definitely different, and are most noticable at night. They're pretty slick looking when the lights are on and it's dark
The sticker price was $23,300. The invoice price was $22,059, I got it for $22,559 + tax OTD. That's only about 500 more than I would have paid for a similar 08
Bulbs in the car are definitely xenon, as the light is a nice bright white. But I still think I will eventually add HID to it.
The sticker price was $23,300. The invoice price was $22,059, I got it for $22,559 + tax OTD. That's only about 500 more than I would have paid for a similar 08
Evolving Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 194
Likes: 0
From: Philadelphia, PA
Ha, man, that doesn't look any different from a pick of the 2.0L other than the logos on the engine cover being black instead of grey 
Not that I expect looks of the engine would influence his choice, anyway...
Not that I expect looks of the engine would influence his choice, anyway...
but i still think the lancers are pretty :-D
So, to summarize, OF COURSE IT LOOKS THE SAME!
Evolved Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,016
Likes: 0
From: Denver, CO
Xenon is a gas that is present in the high output halogen bulbs, and the cheaper aftermarket HID bulbs. The bulbs in the 09 GTS are Xenon halogen bulbs, making them brighter than a standard halogen bulb without the xenon gas.
Also, the engine is not a bigger engine or anything. It's the 2.0l engine bored over to 2.4l.
