FWIW, the site that Mitsu points to considers the following the competition of the OZ:
1) 2003 Ford Focus ZTS
2) 2003 Nissan Sentra GXE
3) 2003 Toyota Corolla S
4) 2003 Volkswagen Jetta Sedan GLS 2.0

 

That's more like it in my eyes. At least we've taken almost all of the sport out of it.

 

True.. I mean, a Spec-V?!? A 180 hp Jetta! The MP3 was an extremely limited release. Get real. The 2.5RS and the Neon... those are semi-fair comparisons (althought the 2.5RS has a larger engine and AWD). When I think class, I think same size engine, same drivetrain, similar size vehicle, similar
price. In which case, I'd think the Lancer would be out in front, mainly due to the fact that while the Aerio and Neon out power it, they are ugly as sin. I think the only car that could tempt me away from the Lancer in the same class (as I specified) would be a Protoge, but, it would have to be something more than JUST a protoge.

 

compare the Lancer OZ to a regular Imprezza (now that's a little closer) and the Evo to the WRX. The autocrossers are awaiting the arrival of the Evo, with more hp than the WRX. Don't be upset, I knew about the WRX when I bought my OZ. But we're paying like half on insurance and getting good gas mileage!

 

(from the web link) "No engine mods, no tweaked suspension, nothing to separate this "sport" version from a Lancer ES except for the eye candy. And on that note, if you're going to name a car after the aftermarket wheels (O-Z) it's wearing, at least make them bigger than 15 inches."

OK, I agree about the wheel size, but we all know from the tech threads and trying to swap parts that the OZ suspension and ES suspension is not the same. Not to mention the addition of a rear sway bar. Makes me wonder if these guys actually looked under and inside the cars. I like the slalom results though! That's why my car autocrosses so well.

 

Yeah. I origianlly bought the ES, then gave it back two days later with 250 miles on it. The OZ instrument panel is virtually identical to the Evo. That was the deal-maker for me.

Oh yeah, and those car..

1) 2003 Ford Focus ZTS
2) 2003 Nissan Sentra GXE
3) 2003 Toyota Corolla S
4) 2003 Volkswagen Jetta Sedan GLS 2.0

I kick the cr@p outa them on the freeway and in the city.
There certainly are alot of them, so I find a new challenge at every corner.

Sounds lame? I dunno. I REALLY like the BAT 555 WRX. Too many Imprezza WRXs on the road now tho...like Hondas. The Lancer is really unique. Period.

BTW, nothin' against the ES. I already own a 2001 Dodge Caravan SE. Didn't really need another family car. The O-Z really is just a dressed up sedan, but it's got a few performance-style qualities that turned my head.

 

Don't knock the ES suspension. You ask me, the ES has better suspension possibilities in that it has all the same components of the Mirages of the at least last generation, which stretches back 6-7 years. That means that while there is only one shock/strut option for OZ, there are several for the ES, including adjustables, which the Ralliarts are not, for half the price. There are also more spring choices, I for one am opting for the H&R kit over Eibach, Progress, and Tein, since H&R is considered by many a superior company to the last three as far as springs are concerned.

Also consider the fact that the bolt pattern allows for the upgrading of disc brakes to crossdrilled or slotted rotors for less than 200 bucks. Oh, and as far as wheel options, since the ES has the same bolt pattern as Civics, the aftermarket wheels are practically growing on tree.

 

Ok, so this thread is about OZ vs WRX... How about a turbo-charged, intercooled, performance-suspension and exhaust Lancer, with racing tires, LSD, clutch-plate upgrade and fog-lights. Yeah, that's what I said. Invest $10K. Will the Lancer take the WRX? Booya baby! Booya!

 

According to RRM and boni (wherever he's been for the past long *** time ) he has beaten and could keep up with stock WRX's when he was running 6psi (someone correct me if I'm wrong). Seems reasonable enough. That's straight line though...add some turns into the equation, slippery surfaces, or shorten the track and the WRX should come out on top every time. I don't remember for sure, but I don't think he was running an LSD either. (I'll double check)

No LSD in the registry and here's the thread I had in mind:
https://www.evolutionm.net/forums/sh...ght=boni+turbo

 

That's what I thought.

WRX has a wheelbase like a Pacer.

Wheelbase (inches) WRX=99.4 O-Z=102.4

Length (inches) WRX=173.4 Lancer=177.6

Have you seen the BAT 555 on dirt, dude?

Could be that the O-Z's drift ratio works against it when the clock is running.

Curious about the LSD tho...Lancer needs grip. No AWD like the Evo.

My Rally Kit Diesel Rabbit had bad-@ss wheel hop, but it was nothin' compared with the '03 O-Z. I'm sick. I know...

 

You can't even compare the 2.5 RS to the Lancer! Even though Lancers are my favorite! As for the Evo vs. WRX, you can't compare them, EVO is too powerful for the WRX! But STI is a real deal!

 

GENIUS!!! lets compare a turbo car to a car, where for thousands more you can get sum gauges and 1-inch bigger rims! wee-hoo for 15 inch rims!!! and how much faster is the OZ than the ES?? the OZ lancer is not a fast car....its juss as fast as the ES, why do OZ owners act like OZ's come from a different world? heres an idea...let me kick off that font lip and side skirts and wa-la!! you have an ES, but ES owners save thousands more!!! theres no need to compare cars that make one car look like crap!!

 

I thought it was a cast iron block that was under the hood. why do your specs bcak there say aluminum?

 

Where'd that come from? (The title of the thread?)

Anyway, there are more differences than just the skirts i.e. available colors (a LOT of Lancers are yellow which is/was only available on the OZ model...I'm not sure about 03, but 02 that was true), stock sway bar, the wheels are good but the tires still suck, the interior is far nicer on the OZ and I still like the guages and the fact that my car looks like it's somewhat lower to the ground. I still dunno where that came from though

Anyway...for the price of a WRX you could have a mean Lancer that may be faster in a line, but the Rex has a nice package to start with. Now if only the insurance wasn't so out of wack.

 

Yeah, I did a comparison between a Lancer, a RSX Type S, and a WRX. I compared the MSRPs, and took the difference of the Type S and WRX, and factored in all the parts you could get. The Lancer would have OWN3D the WRX and Type S. This car's greatness lies in the fact that, unlike cars like Civics and base Integras, you get out PRECISELY what you put into it. No more, no less.

Oh yeah, and the ES actually enjoys the title of Fastest Lancer current wide release in the United States (kinda like winning the award for prettiest Waffle House Waitress [love the car, but straight line monster stock it ain't]) due to the lighter wheels and lack of body kit (which is fairly non-aerodynamic, by the way).