My friend is looking at a 2003-4 OZ Rally, and i was asked to see if there were any problems with them. I drive an evo, so I cant help them to much. I am sure everyone here loves there lancer, but i was woundering if there has been any major problems with them?

 

I've had mine (an '03) for over a year with no problems what so ever.

 

Squeaky belt on cold mornings
Lifters that make you car sound like a diesel car
Crappy paint

Those are the only problems I've had so far.

 

Well my belt doesn't squeak and I live in the great northwest. My car doesn't sound like a diesel ever and the paint isn't any worse than any other car. Sounds like you got a crummy deal bud.

 

Lets see....
*****e warranty
*Bad paint (yes it IS worse than a lot of cars I've seen... maybe you just got lucky )
*Slow and almost clumsy compared to the competition Under 20K: Focus w/ 2.3L MT, Impreza 2.5RS, Srt-4 (if you can afford to go to $21K), SE-R Spec V, Cooper-S (if you can get one), Mazda 3s..... and that's just off the top of my head for cars that I've considered trading to for better performance.
* SERIOUS lack of aftermarket, and with the bi-annual major revisions it doesn't look good for the near future to have affordable parts (aftermarket struts/shocks for less than $800 (or $1200) are a big need right now)


However, if your friend has done thier homework and feel the Lancer meets their needs, then I'd say get one. 2 years, 26K miles, drag strip and autocross: no major issues (except paint, but I've had the car repainted already).

 

The car will not be in any racing events what so ever, just a daily driver. So power and handeling is not a big nessesasity, sept for a heavy foot everynow and again.

 

Then for a daily driver/ just a commuter, I'd recommend checking out a hybrid and getting the most value for the fuel dollar.
Also if it's just a commuter, I'd say a Nissan, Toyota or Honda in the same $20K range would give a more luxurious feel, similar (if not more) cargo room, better customer service at the dealership (if my 2ndary sources of dealership experiences are to be believed).... and most of all, your friend won't be challenged by every racer-boy out there (trust that it WILL happen, either because of the Lancer's looks, or it's heritage). Then, he'll try to race and feel ripped-off at the lack of power to back up the looks...

OR get the Acura RSX, get the looks, some power, some prestiege with the other folks at the law firm.....

Lots of options in this range but Mitsu has managed at every opportunity to give folks reasons to shop elsewhere...

 

i personaly have had no problem with the car and for the price i got it for (12k new) i think you get what you pay for, the cars you were comparing it to were close to double the value, new 2.5 rs are like 19-22, and such, i happen to also be selling my lancer, it isnt an oz but iv done some mods to it, it has a evo 7 wing, full stainless steal cat-back, evo gauge cluster, birght headlights, chrome tail lights. its got 5k miles on it about, great condition, if your friend wants to know more, pm me or email me at drivethru_finch@hotmail.com

 

Run a search for noisy lifters in the Tech forum and you'll see what I'm talking about

Search for crappy paint in show and shine, and once again, you'll see what I'm talking about.

As far as belt, I live in Canada, Ontario. And let me tell you. After 40 000 clicks, if the wheater goes under 10 celcius, you'll hear my belt for at least 10 minutes.

 

I was just comapring cars that fall in the same price range new on Edmunds.com Getting a deal doesn't count for this conversation!! But 12K is a good price, and would soundly beat any of the cars I've mentioned in terms of price per performance

 

If you have a squeaky belt, just tighten your tensioner. It's that simple, or you have worn belts.

I have answered the noisy lifter in another thread.


"Lifters that make you car sound like a diesel car"
That shouldn't happen, even w/ mods. I have met enough lancer owners locally. I have never heard noisy lifters from them.

Just like people burning up clutches on Evos within 10K mileage, it's all driver error, never admitting to torch the car up. It's the same w/ 3KGT VR4 owners torching their AWD within 3 years and blaming it on faulty Mitsu tranny.

 

But the cars you mentioned aren't even in the same class as the Lancer, let alone price range. MSRP is $14k last I checked, all those are $20k+ except maybe the Mazda3. If you compare the Lancer with cars actually in it's class, then it handles and performs better than all of them.

 

For the price, it's a great car. My biggest complaints are a chronic lask of horsepower and the car develops minor rattles/squeaks a bit early. Then again, trying to make it corner like a Corvette might make the noises come early It does sound a little like a diesel, but only from inside the car if you're not talking or listening to the radio, but it's not loud and who the hell cares anyway?

 

Actually MSRP is closer to $16K but I take your point. I did get a little carried away with the price range. But really, over the life of the average car loan an additional $4K would only be like and additional $30 a month.....

 

That's the kind of wording that suckered me into buying a $1500 "limited" warranty the first time I bought a car (sale price was $8500) "For only $40/month, you can get a blah blah blah"

But your calculations still don't make sense. Even in a 6 year loan at 0%, $30 a month would only add up to $2160. You have to figure approx. $30-40 per thousand for a 3 year loan, $21-30 for a 4 year, $16-24 for a 5 year, and $15-22 for a 6 year (see how little of a difference that 6th year makes?).