I'm actually hoping that Mitsubishi comes out with a turboed lancer, if not, at least an improvement on the last one. Think of it, alot of people love the Evolution...ALOT. But not all of us can afford a car like that. Sure there's the OZ, but how can that compete with cars like the 2.5RS? Even Mazda decided to bring out the new protege to compete. Another example is the SE-R. For the same price for an OZ, you can get the Sentra which has (a)more hp, and (b)better suspension, even though it's still considered an economy car.

It'd be really stupid for Mitsubishi not to do this. Since the Mirage is fading, there needs to be a car in the middle. Someone mentioned the Eclipse, but if you're like me, I'd rather have a sedan, and I don't like the new styling of the eclipse. Granted the decision is purely based on the marketing potential, but Mitsubishi needs to recognize the need for powerful sedans.

nyclancer mentioned the figures which Subaru has for they're cars, and it's kinda sad to have such a HP difference. I would rather prefer to just buy the Lancer turbo than spend the money to mod an OZ (which would need alot to equal to the turbo version)

Another thing, if Mitsubishi does this, they need to make it at least AWD. I remember an article about the EVO not coming to Canada, and if this new car is placed inbetween the lancer and the evolution 8, then it's gotta step up from the economy lancer sedan.

I'm kinda afraid tho what this new design will look like. I like the looks of the Lancer/Cedia now, and if the Evo 9 will become a hatchback (like in GT3 concept), I sure hope the new lancer doesn't take after it somehow.

Sorry bout the length, just needed to vent.

 

I think everyone is putting too much emphasis on Subaru. Sure, they're our overseas rival, but, at the same time, Subaru has NEVER been a threat to Nissan, Toyota, or Honda/Acura (in other words, the bigger Japanese manufacturers, Mitsubishi being until late a small fry in the scheme of things), and thereby I doubt seriously if certain cars have been developed to compete with the 2.5RS.

Also, the Mirage is officially gone (never the in between car... looking back when performance was the word, the mirage was bottom rung [lancer], eclipses were middle, and 3000GT was king), and to expect the OZ to be much more than a upgraded replacement is a bit presumptious. Better? Yes. More tuner friendly? Yes. Meant to be an out-of-the-box performance animal? No. I still don't understand why no one is factoring in the Eclipse... it fills the niche as far as power goes, but, while sedan demand is on the rise, I don't think that Mitsu would make a more powerful Lancer that would draw from it. This would happen because with comparable price and power, I imagine more people WOULD pick the Lancer. I think that the Eclipse is too much of a moneymaker for Mitsu to risk it with anything other than an extremely limited release.

As for a factory turbo, it would be better in the long run (warranties and such), but it would probably be much more inexpensive pricewise to get the RRM kit which I bet would put out more hp for the price... think 220 whp for 16 + 3K, for similar for the factory, it would probably be in excess of 22K for the car.

Like I said, I expect a 2.4L variant, but, that's it. And, I think that it would probably under a lable similar to Si... maybe GT or GTS or something. If there ever was a turbo, expect it to be very much like the Mazdaspeed in the number created, probably even less.

 

as far as europe goes... no... i have not seen one with the quality of design and engineering that a european cars have. Dailmer has bought the name... big deal... it may be a eroupean name... but tell me how can u compare any with a eurpean brand who has been in the european game for years?

 

i hope the 2004 LANCER ALSO GETS ALL WHEEL DRIVE WITH THE NEW ENGINE SWAP.THAT WOULD BE SWEET.

 

For your info, has been making cars since 1917.
On quality ratings in Europe, ranks higher than ANY European manufacturer in the classes they sell cars.
Just for comparison, VW is rated among the WORST carmakers by German consumers, along with Renault, Opel and Hyundai.

I've posted on this subject before. on a global scale is well above average in quality. Granted, they are a notch below Toyota and Honda. People in the U.S. seem to only know about the 7th gen Galant, the Eclipse and the recall in 2000.

 

I'm inclined to agree. Mitsu has been around forever, even if you're discounting the industrial side, and are more talking about automaking. Little known fact, but, the engine in the first assembly line car (the Ford Model T) was made by none other than Mitsubishi.

Mitsubishi is a powerhouse everywhere other than in America, and that's simply because of the fact that until recently, Imports had a real stigma attatched to them, and were known only for "reliability" and not for fun to drive factors, something changed by the fact that focus on the sport compact market has grown, with even the domestic companies beginning to try and catch up in that department. You can't judge how other parts of the world view a product unless you really live there.

That, and for the price, the Lancer has tons of features and qualities that Euro cars probably would have if they were in the same price market, maybe with a little more power.

 

uh... i have lived there... i'm in the military my friend... besides i never tried to start a new thread here... i just said i wasn't gonna get a mitsu for my next car and go for what my definition of "European" is. Stop being a hater man... all i was saying was that i wasn't gonna get a mitsu. Then you had to get all defensive and stuff. I think its interesting what you say... it just doesn't work for me though... sorry guys... just having really good friends from europe and stuff makes me see what europeans are into and honestly i haven't heard them talk about anything else but Vws, audi, skoda, mini, bmw etc... so to get back on subject here... theres talks of a 2.4L? hmm...

 

I think that the 2.4 option is the most realistic, as opposed to a turbo set up, or a whole new variation of the 4G9 block. I mean, they have it in the Outlander (Galant/base Eclipse 4 cyl, and a Lancer Chasis), and it wouldn't suprise me to see that fill the gap between the current lancer and the Eclipse. What I would be suprised to see would be anymore than 150 hp on that model. That would be competitive with the Si's hp claims, and the 2.5RS. I think somewhere in the neighborhood of 145 or so with 150 tq would be acceptable... an upgrade, yet, not competitive with the Eclipse. By the way, I'm just pulling these numbers out of my ***, kinda guestimating, and trying to keep it in range of the 2.4's capabilities. Thing is, that'd be a wholly different tranny than the one we have now, so, no engine swaps for us. That kinda sucks, but, oh well.

 

do u think engine swaps will ever be available in the future? If there was we would be having to pay an arm and two legs... and maybe someone elses leg to pay for a brand new engine. I'm just going to be patient for other mods like cams and all to come out to stay on the less costly side of things. Maybe they're going to have a super charger... yeah we'll see about that one

 

Jackson ( the only people I'd want a supercharger from) hasn't shown even a slight bit of interest. The only choice as far as a super goes would be the 4K one from RPW, and they say that the design is inefficient due to the fact that the roots-type uses oil from the crankcase (or something), and then heats up the incoming air going into the throttlebody. Basically, you want 200+ hp, it's gonna cost you 3.5K for the turbo.

As for swaps, unless mitsu designs a new 4G95(?) that is more powerful *cough, DOHC or something, cough*, then I'd have to say chances are slim. A possibility I was pondering earlier while reading SCC was the Neon SRT-4. I had heard rumors early in it's development that it was going to be using a Lancer platform (I've heard conflicting rumors, and no confirmation), but, it's not entirely impossible (not feasible, maybe) that the engine in that little bastard might have some possible, teensy-weensy similarities, as has been seen in the past (Stratus=Galant). Who knows. Not that it'd be cheap... probably not nearly as cheap as a turbo upgrade would go...

 

thats what i figured... might as well just buy a whole new car later on

 

Yup. The Lancer has a little bit more potential (and in some cases, more stock) quickness than most other "econo-boxes" (hate that term), but a Super car it ain't. I think that this car's strengths lie in it's handling capabilities (it's the Evo chassis for christ sakes), minor modifications to the suspension should garner something to be respected, if not feared, in autocross and maybe some club racing circles; it's terribly fun to drive; and, well, damn, it's not a car you see everyday, which is kind of a double edged sword, you got unique on one side, and difficulty in finding new mods on the other. Of course, should Mitsu keep this car around in this format for at least 4 years without adding that 2.4, we should see some turnaround with the aftermarket (hell, we've seen some already.)

Anyway, what was I saying? Oh yeah. You want more power, it's either shell out 3K, or wait for your financing to end, and try and find a more powerful car.

 

the depressing thing is that now I see people driving Lancers alll OVER Jersey now. The other day I pulled up to my Wawa and parked rightn ext to an identical Thunder Gray ES.

*sigh*

and there's 4 OZ's in my neighborhood too...3 yellow and a white.

 

That sucks. I Know the feeling though. Used to be the rare occassion that I'd have to shake my fist and yell "dammit" if I saw another Lancer (I kinda reveled in the unique status of my ride), but now... on the bright side, I saw something that warmed my heart. On the way to my job, I usually see this RSX parked in this driveway. Someone's replaced it with a Lancer. As long as Mitsu is taking business from Honda/Acura, I'm all about it.

 

yeah on base here lots of people own a lancer... it is a smart buy for the price