OK, I’m a euro car guy, have been forever, and I had no plans on changing this until I noticed that our local mitsu dealer is having a fire sale on 2008 Lancers and Mitsu is offering 72mo at 0%…. Free money. That’s a damn good deal.

So I am interested. This would not only halve my current payment but would net me a very nice warranty.

So, reading around it seems that there are some issues with the car, disappointing for a brand new car. To this I’d like to ask your opinion on a few items:

-How bad is the paint issue? Is it like the leprosy that plagued the Neon cars of yore or is it just sandblasting nicks from the road? I assume mud flaps and bra would remedy/prevent?

-How is Mitsu on backing its warranty? Honestly the best part of the car. Are loaner cars par for the course here or is that a dealer to dealer thing?

-Given the car is brand new, a great deal, and has a [supposedly] great warranty, would you do it over again and buy a Lancer? Or have you learned from your mistakes and take a different car home, even if it cost you more and had a standard/average warranty?

TIA

 

Hi!

Here's my 2 cents on your questions:

On MY car the paint issue is bad. Though we have to take into account the road conditions in Quebec which are I would say among the worst in North America. We have harsh and long winters, the roads get covered in sand/rocks, there's big trucks everywhere during winter (they are the ones putting all that crap on the road so we don't kill ourselves on the ice and they throw all this crap at your face if you happen to be behind em and not staying 100m away. A bra would fix this but I personnaly think it looks horrible so I'm taking the hits on the paint.

For the warranty, I can't tell. I only had the car for a year now and never needed any warranty work (which is good I'd say, and expected from a new car...)

Finally the ONLY car I would have picked beside my Lancer is a Lancer Evolution of course I do intend to own one someday but it was just not the time financially.
I'm having a blast everytime I drive this car. I drove my mom's mazda 3 the other day and it's just nowhere as fun as mine. And when more pieces become available for modding it'll just make it even better.

What I like about it is you can drive it agressive without feeling like you're gonna killl yourself every other turn. It's not that fast but still faster than like 85% of the cars you see around here (for the price at least). And finally it still stands out around here. Yes there are more and more on the roads but the mitsu dealer has only been opened for a year so you don't see that many on the roads. Especially since I started modding mine now it really stands out. Only modded Lancers I've seen had wheels and one has a dragon sticker on it... lol that's it. So it's nice to have a car different from everyone else's.

In short I'd say gor for it. If you can afford a RA or an EVO I'd say go for it even more cuz those look like damn nice to drive.

You won't be disappointed

 

I would have to agree with Endscx. The only thing I would of changed about my purchase is to get a Ralliart or EVO.

That being said I too have not had any problems thus far after a year and haven't had to do any major repairs.

As far as warranty work is concerned you only usually hear the bad encounters on here (evoM) and it seems to be a dealer by dealer thing. I haven't had any problems with my dealer other than they charge out the a$$ for everything (which is expected from a dealer).

I have some issues with the paint but I live and work in the DC metro area and construction around here is crazy and most of the damage is from driving through construction zones. I do agree though that the paint is a bit thin in areas.

And if anything, to pick up a car that gets roughly 25-30 mpg and is fun to drive for 72 months at 0% is a steal. I would definitely consider it.

 

yeah paint is my thing... i already have a chip on my hood and rusting already... other than that... the car has been good to me... it actually saved my life one time i had a 08 Lancer DE... some dude pull out in front of me and i T-Boned him( his Fault ) at 35-40mph... i have a link with pics of my car... let me know you want to see them....

 

i had a 2k8 GTS, purchased in may of 2k7. Absolutely loved that car. had the manual trans, sunroof, navi, etc, etc.
car handled well, had decent acceleration (didnt have to worry when pulling out into traffic), got good gas mileage (usually around 30-32, depending on the season).
service varies from dealer to dealer. as far as loaner cars, thats a dealer to dealer thing. i work as a service advisor at mitsu in indianapolis, and we do not have loaner cars (wish we did, would make my life a lot easier). but the guys there get paid by work performed so if they can get it covered under warrany why not? its a gauranteed paycheck for them. its in their interest to do your warranty work.
only had one issue, amplifier burned out due to a ton of receipts that collected under my driver seat from falling out of my pocket and had to be replaced.
we do not see too many problems with them, about the only time we see them in for service is for maintenance. my opinion, get one, the only regret is that you'll wish it was an evo.

edit: would still be driving the car today if i had not traded it in on a 2k4 evo vii with SSL package 3 months ago

 

I have to agree with everyone else here. The paint issue isn't TOO bad for me, A couple of white and black spots around the car, hardly noticeable unless you get close to the car. The only cars I would buy over the lancer are cars that cost twice as much, or an Evo. Actually, the only cars i want more than my lancer are a Nissan GTR, Audi R8, Lexus ISF, BMW M3, and MAYBE a porsche 911 turbo (I think i would still rather have my lancer tho lol). Warrenty issues aren't really too much of a problem. The only time i needed something to be fixed, they said they wouldn't fix it because I has another shop replace a broken control arm. And of course the horrible wheels I had to replace myself since the warranty didn't cover premature wear.

 

Thanks for the replies thus far gang, another question, how is Mitsu as a company here in the states? Will they be around for the duration of the warranty?

Also, what are the service intervals for the engine? Does it have a t-belt or chain? Anything special for the CVT?

 

Mitsu isnt going any where any time soon. They are a Japan based company who's economy is much better off than ours. They are also a power house in the rally industry along with Subaru. Mitsu will still be alive and kickin' by the time your warranty ends.

 

mitsubishi motors is only a small portion of the mitsubishi corporation.

 

No more scooby in WRC

I know that there is more to mitsu (the first Japanese car company BTW) than just the cars, I was just wondering if they pulled out of the market if I'd be left holding the bag. I'm not that concerned though

What can you folks tell me about the engine in this thing? Other than it is buzzy

 

I can tell you that if you want speed, just get an Evo if you can afford it. Biggest regret I have about buying my first car was I didn't wait to find a deal on an Evo. With our motors its kinda go big or go home (turbo). My series of engine doesn't respond well to bolt on's. Parts are expensive and they offer little power gains. Haven't really looked into the new motors on the 08+ but I've heard they have better results than the 02-06.

 

Japan has been in a recession for the past 18 years or so lol. But its not as bad as our recession, just not much better.

If you get an 09 GTS, you'll have more power than any other car in its class. So i'd say the engine is pretty good. Theres not a lot of aftermarket support and probably will never be a huge aftermarket scene, so prices for parts are gonna be alot more expensive than any other car.

 

honestly even with the paint issues i love my car, but would i eve buy a mitsu again...... prob not ... its not because of the car in general, its i just hate my dealership... every time i go they try and void my warrenty for modding, and this and that, they claim 2 b very mod friendly and even encourage modding but when u do they try and get at u for warrenty

i mean u wont b disappointed with the car, and mitsubishi wont b going anywhere soon, or even pulling out of USA, i mean i think there doing way better then GM

and like every1 says mitsubishi motors is only a small portion of mitsubishi, they do alot of things, like air conditioner units to even cell phones ( yes my first cell phone ever was a mitsu rofl) they have become a common household name in the east, so i dont think there going anywhere soon

as for the aftermarket scene, its not that huge, i mean not as big as the honda tunning scene, but that doesnt really matter

 

The car would be an 08 bone stock and stay that way (primary purpose: foul weather commute transport and family road trip). So that aspect isn't a concern of mine.

Though it does have a few questions:

-How is the car in rain/snow/cross winds?

-Does it have a timing belt or a timing chain?

-What are the service intervals?

-What are the major service items and when?

Thanks again guys and gals!

 

@ cheap

strong winds here in toronto during thunderstorm season (past month)...barely feel my car budging when going @ highway speed 120km + (75mphish)

probably cuz of the wing =P

timing chain

6000km oilchanges and minor service 12000km for inspection etc
3200miles 7500miles

first year u dont have to worry too much about major service items just routine oilchange
tire rotation
fluid top ups

year and a half will begin ur brake inspections and etc

but i tell my dealer not to touch my tires, just to fill up fluids + oilchange, bcuz i got aftermarket rims and i do my own rotations (torque guns they use will destroy ur rims)

brake inspection u can do by urself, and even change pads and rotors yourself too within 15 mins if u have a jackstand